Up/Down, Hot/Cold

I was re-reading my Twitter posts for the last couple of weeks. Yo-yo comes to mind. I've had a number of ups and downs after the knee surgery. One day I'm doing really great; the next I have lots of uncontrolled pain. When I make gains in physical therapy, the therapist starts me on something new that I can't do very well and it feels like I'm going backward. Overall I've made lots of gains, but it doesn't always feel like it. I bent my knee too far while getting off the couch tonight. Movement becomes easier and careful deliberative steps are not taken. I'm hoping that I'm not in worse pain tomorrow because of my casual attitude towards getting off the couch tonight! It could have been worse: I could have been walking and taken a fall. This will serve as a warning not to get too cocky about my abilities just yet!

The weather is supposed to be nice again tomorrow. The therapist has warned me that she'll be taking me outside to begin using the cane outside the house...

Doctor's Visit

I went to the doc yesterday and had my staples removed and I now have steri strips. The doc said I was doing wonderful! He and the nurse practitioner even made jokes about taking my picture and putting it on a poster (poster child). I think I overdid it a bit yesterday. I was really exhausted when I got back home. My sister, Lois and I did a few other errands while we were out. But today is much better. The physical therapist was here this morning. She had me walk up and down the stairs again and declared that I'm ready to do it on my own whenever I want. I don't think I'll be in a giant hurry to do stairs. They've never been much fun anyway. :-)

We also went outside and walkered to the corner and up to the neighbors driveway. She said I could do this by myself too. I did a solo walk this evening. It was a little harder than this morning, but, of course, I'm more tired this evening.

Penny was dog sitting today. She brought Cocoa Bean, a lab mix to the house. She's such a sweet dog. She's very mild mannered and loves to be scratched. She surprised us by jumping up in Penny's chair. I'm glad she didn't try that with me. I'm not sure my reflexes would have worked really well just now.

I don't have any appointments or therapy tomorrow. I'm free to walk a little and practice my exercises on my own. Penny is going to come by and help me with the surgical stockings after my shower. I could put them on the good leg, but I'm not that good yet with the surgery leg.

I'll be sleeping in my beg again tonight. I've had some trouble with low back pain and need to quit sleeping on the couch. The last time I slept in the bed I couldn't get comfortable with the surgery leg but hopefully this time will be better.

Still "Walkering"

Knee rehab is a lot of work. I'm now doing standing, sitting and lying down exercises. In addition, I've added a session where I use a strap around my foot to gently tease the knee upward. When I feel like I can't go any further, I pull the strap to force the knee up just a little more. Not only does my knee hurt, but I've got pain in the quadriceps and calf muscles too. Pain medicines only partially control the pain. "Pacing" with the walker helps with pain control. I don't know if it's just a diversion or if there is a physiological reason it hurts less while pacing.

My sister Lois is coming up Monday evening and staying over to take me to the doctor on Tuesday. I'll get the staples out! The scar looks pretty good. The physical therapist wants me to do a scar massage with vitamin E oil. She says it helps heal the tissue underneath.

I've had lots of visits from friends. They've brought lots of wonderful foods with them. My favorites so far have been a broccoli quiche and macaroni & cheese made with blue cheese. Yum! Along with the foods that my sister and I froze before the surgery, I've not had to do any cooking (just warming up). Penny went to a wedding yesterday and brought back a piece of cake for me. She's spoiling me.

I'm up in the middle of the night again. Just took some pain medications so I'll probably get tired soon. I just started sleeping in my bed again (instead of the couch). For some reason it's more uncomfortable. I may go back to the couch tomorrow. Penny is not staying overnight anymore. She comes in the morning and evening to help with therapy and any other needs. She is a lifesaver!

Knee Replacement

I'm recovering from total knee replacement on my right knee. I injured it 11 years ago (a mushroom hunting mishap). It has been getting progressively worse for the past decade and it was finally time. It had got to the point that I couldn't walk any distance and was using a "walker/cart" at work to get through the day. Even walking in the pool could be a disaster. I did a lot of preparations to make the recovery easier. I hired a trainer I've worked with off and on to come to the house twice a week and help me exercise the legs and upper body. I also did a lot of practicing: getting up using only one leg, using a shower chair, using the walker. It paid off. I did not have to go to a nursing home for rehab and the physical therapist told me I was way ahead of most other people. Probably at 2 weeks out rather than 4 days. The therapist was wonderful!! I was feeling a little discouraged and she really helped me to get some perspective.

My friend Penny is staying with me for a couple of weeks. She's been great about fixing meals and helping me with the physical therapy, etc. It's really nice to get to know her better as well.

I'm expecting a lot of hard work with the physical therapy. But in the next couple of months, I also hope to catch up on reading and movie watching too!

Snow!

We got about an inch of snow last night. The streets are slick but it sure is pretty outside. I reminds me of a book I cataloged a few years ago about "Snowflake Bentley" who was a self educated scientist who devised a method to photograph snowflakes. Find out more at www.snowflakebentley.com


Or check out some books at the library:

http://catalog.columbuslibrary.org/?q=snowflake%20bentley

A new Model T and a new bride

My grandfather came to Ohio from West Virginia in 1923 -- with a new Model T and a new bride. At that time he changed our name from Harman to Harmon. I've heard it was because there was once an Ohio governor whose last name was Harmon. He also just wanted to be a bit different. He and my grandmother divided the next 47 years between W.Va. and Ohio. My grandfather bought several parcels of land for his children. He would have purchased a large farm for my older brother but died of a heart attack the day before the land was to be auctioned. Only one farm remains in the family and that belongs to my Hedrick cousins.

10 random things

1. I have an interest in mushrooms: hunting them, cooking them, eating them. I did a mushroom program at the Southeast branch for the homeschool kids. 1998 was a particulary good year. Even though I was still in a neck brace from an earlier surgery, I found 300 mushrooms that year!

2. I used to be an avid birdwatcher. I went to Pickerington Ponds almost every day to see what species were lurking about. I don't know what's kept me from that, but maybe I'll start again. I never kept a "lifelist" of species that were spotted. Just seemed a little dorky to me.

3. I like to bake, particularly cookies. Usually I take my creations to work or share with neighbors. I've toyed with the idea of selling frozen cookie dough.

4. I own a four bedroom house and in nine years I've had 3 roommates. I've never asked or advertised, but people seem to find me. I've enjoyed learning lots of new things from people I've lived with!

5. I grew up on a farm in Coshocton County, Ohio. We had pigs, cattle, sheep, chickens, ducks, rabbits and various dogs and cats. Someday I'd like to write a book of essays about my experiences growing up in the country.

6. I love to make small talk with strangers. I used to be incredibly shy and this was a tool I used to come out of my shell. I figured if I looked stupid, I'd never have to see the person again.

7. I'm a cataloger for CML. I've worked here for 22 years. I love the idea of taking random information and putting those pieces together to help people find what they're looking for.

8. In 1994, I had surgery for a brain tumor. (Benign, thank God!) I have a residual limp (spastic hemiparesis). Sometimes I have trouble with my balance and have been known to fall. It can be difficult at times, but I'm still thankful!

9. I have seven brothers and sisters! This includes a set of twins: Karon and Sharon. I'm number six out of seven.

10. I love to take serendipity trips. Sometimes you find the best places by accident. I like to eat in dives and talk to the locals. Some of my best trips were not planned in advance.