Well......
It seems the Big lefty hit a massive pothole last night, shredding his tire and bending the rim on his car. He has to go to class this morning and has a job interview at 4p. Needless to say, he needs a car. On the other hand, our Tink has to be at work 5 minutes away at a local school and could be driven. She gave her brother her car and he quickly took it. So, after Tink works, I have the pleasure of driving his car with the bent rim and temporary tire to the auto shop. They know us quite well. I asked them for loyalty points since we are there once a month. They laughed and thought I was joking...I wasn't.....
We just celebrated BP Grandpop's 92 birthday. What an amazing guy. He is more vibrant than he has been in years. I think assisted living has been good for him as he has lots to do, people to interact with, regular meals, and gets his meds on time. He is thriving.
The day before his birthday, I stopped by to chat with him to ask him what he wanted to do. Dr G was going to have a family dinner for him but I asked if he wanted to go to breakfast or lunch. He turned me down. Then he asked if he could bring some of his assisted living friends to dinner. Sure, I think....then he thought for a moment and said that it would not be fair to only asked a few friends when he wanted to ask more and did not want to hurt any feelings. I asked him if he wanted a party at the Club (assisted living) and he replied "Yes!"
Off to get a big Costco cake, balloons, and make arrangements with the director of the Club. She set up the party for their already planned happy hour. Yes, this is my type of place.....one that gives you your meds and offers you an occasional drink. Yep, I can see why Pop loves it.
Anyway, on his special day, Scoob and I stopped by to bring the birthday boy to his happy hour/birthday party. I met more of his posse and was delighted. They call Pop the Mayor because he stops and chats with everyone, fist pumps them, and always has a kind word. Everyone stops me to tell me how much they love him. I can see why. He's terrific.
Before he blew out the candles, I said "make a wish...." He paused and thought...then said to me "I wish for another year. I think I can do some good here....." Yes, this is my 92 year old father who recently lost the love of his life wishing for one more year on this earth. I know God listens, so I might as well order the Costco cake this week for next year.
I am sorry that I have not written but I just had surgery....why?
Fade to black....
This goes back to last February.....I had a big birthday last year...really big...uber big...how big? Well, let me share this one with you. When I was 29, I thought this age was old.....
Back to February. Muscles threw an amazing party with the girls. Most of them were tennis buddies....it was wonderful and humbling. I remember blowing out the candles but not my wish.
Moving ahead to last month, Ice sent a video of me blowing out the candles...my wish was "I want to go to nationals...." Nationals are the tennis nationals in Orlando. For as many years as I have been playing tennis, none of my teams made it to nationals. I really wanted to go and get the tee shirt that said "nationals" on it. Honestly, that's it....
Anyway, we made it to the national tournament in Orlando. The week before, three of my tennis buddies who are on the team were playing with me at a local high school. Things were going pretty well although I lost the first set. Then my partner and I adjusted and were playing better. One of my opponents sent a ball in the air behind me and I went to it, the next shot was cross court. Following the ball? No? I'll get to the point.
As I twisted from backwards running to lateral, I went back and landed on my left wrist. Immediately I knew it was broken. Did I stop playing tennis? uh, no.....
So, I continued until we won the next set, then the girls had to leave. I went to the urgent center, had an xray and was told it was sprained. The doc put a splint on it.
Knowing it was not broken, I was still headed to Orlando the following week. Yep, a sprain was not stopping me from playing in the tournament and getting my tee shirt. No way...no how....
I took Motrin before playing and did fair...not great. Team came in 12th...in the country...not bad....wish it was higher, but all is well. we were there and I got my tee shirt.
Moving through the rest of 2018, I cleaned out the folks' house, moved them, carried large packages, worked out, and so on. The wrist never felt better but people said "sprains take longer to heal..." Ok, I get it.
Finally, I was done. I asked Dr G to check it out and he ordered a MRI. Naturally, I waited until late December and got the news in early January. It's a scaphoid fracture. See Dr. Hand and Wrist .....
Crud....double crud...triple crud....
Dr Hand and Wrist looked at the MRI, my wrist, and planned surgery for the next day. He inserted a little pin and performed a bone graft procedure. I was officially out of commission after surgery and on opioids.
The first week post op, I did everything I was told to do. My arm was in the air with ice on it. I did not drive while on the drugs nor could I type. Yep, I was disabled and could only use my right hand to type. Problem...I am teaching online courses and supposed to be writing articles as the editor of a magazine. Crud!
As my fingers swelled to the size of large sausages, I needed to see Dr G who unwrapped the badnage, splinted my thumb with an index card and fastened the bandage with duct tape. It looked like MacGyver had his way with my arm.
Fast forward 10 days post op and I have a splint on rather than a cast. I can take it off to shower, but I cannot bend the wrist, lift, nor play tennis. He also told me 'not to fall....' OK, I can't promise that one. How does one prevent falling? I am sure multiple geriatric docs would love the secret so they can share it with their patients. Should I get a cane? Walker? Wheelchair? I cannot promise anyone that I will not fall, 'cause a person never plans it. I will definitely stop roller skating and climbing trees.
Sheesh! I also stopped my nightly glass and wine and don't miss it. With that I have lost 7 pounds.
Was it the booze or the fact that I now go to the gym every day to ward off adding weight? Not sure. I can't lift weights but I can still go to aerobics classes, hit the treadmill and exercise bike. I also do 100 squats a day as my goal is to fit into my pants....yep, the pants do not fit. I can go into the whys at a later date.
OK, I gotta run (ooppps...actually walk as my left wrist is starting to tire and I have to get some work done).
peace!!
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