Only a few more weeks and hopefully I will be back to walking!!  I have NEVER missed something so bad in my whole life.  I have always been someone that walks fast and drives fast.  Everyone is telling me that I have to learn to SLOW down.  When you have been used to doing things quickly now they tell you to slow down.  HM!!

Through this whole experience I have went from surprise to a very low depression.  I have an awful problem of claustropbia.  It just seems to be getting worse as I age.  I have been very confined lately since I fell and broke my ankle.  I cannot walk and that really does confine you. 

It finally got so bad that I had to have some medication to make it through each day.  The cast can be very tight and along with not being able to walk that equals into a depression for me.  My cast is now off and I am in a BIG black boot (very fashionable).  It is 100% better than a cast for sure!!

Through all of this I have tried to look for the blessings.  Along with that though I have noticed how I feel.  Being in a wheelchair just seems to open up your eyes to all that is around you.  Trying to get into a door at a store or a bathroom, sitting and having to look up at everyone as they stand around you talking (feel like a little kid again).  Trying to go into church and realizing that the aisle in front goes straight down and my brakes do not work like that.  Trying to get into a bathroom and the door will not completely open or at least will not let me in right away.  The handicap bathrooms are wonderful.  In a car, the handicap placard is wonderful.  One thing though that I have noticed is that there are lowered levels on the sidewalks that are extremely important.  With this handicap I will never look at people in wheelchairs and on crutches the same again!!


I have learned several lessons.  Be kind to everyone that need help getting in a door...etc.  I have always done that but it makes me look even more at these people and want to help them more.  I have learned that Patience is quite a goal.  I have had to endure this painful word every day now for 5 weeks and counting!!  I have learned family is wonderful.  What I would have done without my family...well I just cannot imagine that.  I have had great care from everyone.  My hubby is my hero!!  Always has been and through all of this he has taken the best care of me.  He cooks, washes dishes and clothes.  I cannot thank him enough. Our oldest granddaughter, Brie, stepped in right as I got home from the hospital.  She was just a dear helping me do things like a shower.  Poor girl!!  I felt sorry for her to have to see more of her grandmother than she should EVER have to see.  She is studying to be a nurse someday!!  She is going to be a gem at it!!

As I said, today is my 5th week on this long long journey!!  It sounds like I have about 1 more month before I will be standing up and walking.  I am really looking forward to this!!  WHEW!!  Just to walk again!!

Now next I am facing a rotator cuff operation!!  Will this "LUCK" of mine ever quit???  I am hoping to put it off for a little bit!!  I need to get back to walking and being me for a bit.  I have heard that it is not so bad...Guess I will see!!

That's the big news from me now.  Yeap I am rambling but that is what I do best!!

Thought for the day:  Handle your present with confidence.  Prepare for the future without fear.  Keep the faith and drop the fear. 

Handicapped in Illinois

Since my last post I have had 2 casts!!  The first one was purple and all autographed in silver pen...now I have a Daisy Yellow one (autographed again).  I wanted a bright cast to maybe make me feel more Springy.  I would like to tell you that it worked but I can only take so much of this sitting around and not being able to walk.

You know when life seems to be so normal and we maybe even think it is boring...we wonder!!  But let me tell you that once that s taken away from you...then normal seems like the best of all worlds.

This broken ankle (right) and sprang ankle (left) really are gettting to me after these past few weeks.  I am going on 4 weeks now.  I want to get up and walk.  My sprang ankle hurts a WHOLE lot more than my operated one in the cast.  I have found out that you can only read so many books...watch so many movies...sit only so long and then it all becomes derpessing.  I have heard it said that a spring can hurt more than a break...well it is true!!

I will admit that I have had a lot of problems accepting this handicap!!  I am not a one that loves to sit!!  I love to go and go and go!!  This has certainly dampened my activities  since I cannot walk.  I have a really great wheelchair...if there is a great wheelchair!!  I am learning how to get aound in it quite well.  BUT I still want to walk..run..that is not going to happen anytime soon.

I am in my 3rd week..almost 4th...but I think I have yet another 2-3 weeks to go.  Mike is doing great with his bi-lateral knee replacement!!  He is having a tough time right now but we were told that this is normal for this amount of time.  I just hope and pray that soon he gets all better.  Will make me feel better too!!

My brother is here now visiting with our parents.  Dad seems to be doing well...we all know that this is short-lived but we go now one day at a time and be thankful for this!!

Spring is trying hard to come here in Illinois!!  Spring was always my favorite season.  I miss the Savannah flowers and the warmer weather.  Cannot have both!!

Hopefully everyone is doing great in blog land.  I have been so lazy on blogging and on reading blogs.  I don't know why I cannot seem to do it anymore.  I love knowing that everyone that I have met over this past 6 years are doing great!! 

Thought for the day: 

 Life is short.....  forgive quickly, kiss slowly, love truly, laugh uncontrollably, and never regret anything that made you smile

My view for the next 6 weeks!!



Here I sit with my right let up in the air on two big pillows!!  It is all wrapped up in a splint now until my incision heals.  After that I get the staples out and a beautiful cast put on!!  I have been out of the hospital since Friday!!  What a life I am leading!!

Here is Annie, our cat...she sits on my lap almost all of the time

I cannot stand up so trying to do simple things like go to the bathroom...It is a MAJOR undertaking!! Makes me tired and I am usually sweating by the time I am done!!  Nothing and I mean nothing is easy any longer.
You might be wondering what I did!!  I have been taking care of Mike with his double knee replacement. I was carrying stuff down the steps.  Was going to go back up and make sure that Mike was getting down okay when all of a sudden that bottom step did me in!!  I fell with my right leg going under my bottom. I was screaming but as I looked at my right foot it just took a trip all by itself clear to the right!!  That made me feel very queasy.  I hollered at Mike to get Roger.  Once Roger got to me I was not a happy camper and was really crying and he kept trying to calm me down.  They got me some medication.  Roger said he thought that my ankle or my leg was broken which sent me into more major hysterics.  All I could think about was how was I going to take care of Mike and my dad!!

Roger constructed a cardboard splint and put my right leg into it with ice and then it he used Ace Bandages and wrapped it all up.

We headed out for St. Joes..Can you just imagine how funny I must have looked getting up the steps?  I scooted up each and every step till I got the the kids kitchen.  I then just stayed on my bum and slid to the front door..dusting their tile all of the way!!

Once at the hospital we got to looking at my left foot and noticed that it was swelling pretty good.  OOOPS!! They admitted me finally because my right foot was broken so badly that I would have to have surgery.

Dr. came in that night like around midnight or after.  He told me that he was not sure if my left foot was broken or not.  He would do surgery the next day but while I was out he would look at my left foot.  He told me that IF it were also broken I would be down for 12 weeks!!  WHEW!!

We found out the next day after the surgery that he had a time getting my right foot straight BUT that my left foot is just sprain really bad!! 

I was in the hospital for about 4.5 days.  I came home to scooting down the steps and back to my home.
Also during this whole time..My dad went on Hospice.  They are coming to their apt now.  That makes me feel better since I cannot do a thing to help them any longer.  I will be home bound for 6 weeks. 

Our son Jon and his sweet new wife, Maria came to visit my dad.  We had not met Maria.  They were married in July.  I had so so been wanting to meet her and here I am in the hospital and meeting our new daughter in law!! 

 Mike and I and our son Jon and his wife Maria!! Mike and I look wiped out!!

She was just what I thought she would be!!  Sweet and just a darling lady!!  I had really missed our son, Jon.  When I saw him it made me cry thinking that I have missed him terribly!

So much went on in just that one week of me being in the hospital.  Now being home we have had our apt flood because of a spigot outside that froze over the winter.  We had to move back up stairs while it was being dryed out.

Our 21 year old granddaughter, Brie came to take care of us for a few weeks.  We are quite the team..Mikey and myself!!  He is doing really well but still has more weeks ahead of him to get completely well.  He and I sit in our recliners and watch TV and try to help each other as much as we can.  What a fun couple!!

Thanks to all of you who have or are still praying for all of us!!  We have a lot going on now but with your great prayers, cards and phone calls things are going to be okay!!

Thought for the day: 

The most beautiful thing is to see a person smiling.  And even more beautiful, is knowing that you are the reason behind it!!

Moving, operations and health problems

I have so many things to write about since I have been so delinquent in my blogging!  My life has been on the up and the down a lot in the past 6 months.  I thought that things were settling down but then they just speeded right up again.  LIFE and welcome to it!!

Our living room before...



We had been trying to get our basement apt done by Christmas.  We did not meet that goal so we headed for my birthday in February!!  In the meantime, we went to an orthopedist about Mike's knees.  They have been bad for such a long time...years in fact!! 

Our living room after...

At the orthopedist we found out that he was bone on bone in his knees which he figured that he was.  His x-rays showed that both of his knees were bowed.  The doctor said that he definietly needed a knee replacement..both knees.  Mike wanted to get them both replaced.  The doctor tried to discourage us but with both knees so bowed we figured that if one was done he would be walking funny...Plus our insurance is about to change.  All in all we knew this was the BEST time to get this all done and finished.

Mike in the hospital...



Mike and our son-in-laws finished our apt the week before my birthday...our goal was met.  Mike had his surgery set up for the 21st..one day after my birthday!!  He went in that Monday morning.  A lot of family showed up to show their support.

We had to be there at 5 am.  The hospital where Dr. D operates is about 45 minutes from us.  He told us it was smaller and that he would be able to stay longer. 

That morning we got him admitted and then off to the med/surg floor.  Waiting is the hardest of all to do.  I would almost rather be the patient.  He was in surgery for about 2 hours.  He did great through the surgery.

We had a good stay there at this smaller hospital.  Course I had to travel down a two lane highway every day for 7 days which is how long Mike stayed.  The people were really great, friendly and kind.  Mike was up the same day as the surgery moving his legs.  He walked the next day and then from there he just walked further and further.  He still has to use a walker but I am guessing it is not going to be long!! 

The pain has been unbearable but he has stood it really well.  Actually he has been a good patient.  Now that we are home an even better one.  Very brave!!

The same day that he was coming home my mother called saying that they were taking my dad to the hospital.  I was so torn..which way do I go.  Our youngest daughter went to be with her gma and gpa which really helped me.  I went to the hospital and brought Mike home that same day.  He was glad to be home.  Back to our little apt that he has fixed up for us.

My dad and Mother before the hospital stay...



My dad was in the hosptial a few days only to find out that he has a bleeding ulcer.  They have tested it and found that the ulcer is a tumor and it is malignant.  He came home this past week.  Tomorrow I am going with them to see the cancer doctor in Mattoon.  I don't know what we are going to find out of course, but I know that we have all opted for him NOT to have anythng radical done.  At the ripe old age of 92 that seems to be the LAST thing that he needs done to him.  I guess you know that something has to end your life one of these days and now my dad knows.  I think that he is probably glad about this.  He has been wanting to die for such a long time now. His quality of life sort of stinks!!  I know that God knows that but of course we do not know.  We have to live every moment for what we can get out of our life.  God takes care of the rest.

We are now here in our little cute and cozy apartment.  I really love it.  I have put some pictures here for you to see. The guys did such a great job down here.  We have 3 rooms and a nice sized bathroom.  WE do have 2 windows.  Our bedroom has no windows so that makes it a great place to sleep in.  The problem is you never know the time unless you look at the clock of course.  If you are ever in our area stop by and see us.  We love company!!

Thought for the day:  "

Our job is obedience.

God's job is results.

We made it through the biggest snow storm that hit Illinois in years!!  The weather reporters have called it all kinds of name from snowpocalypse, snowmaggedon, and shovelmania!!  These are just a few names that we have heard being thrown around here in the Midwest!!

Mike and I move from sunny Savannah when in February things are just starting to wake up and flowers are right around the corner.  Now we have tons of snow everywhere. 

When you try to get to...let's say Walmart...you have to watch for cars at the corners because we have piles of snow that sometimes you cannot see around!!  It can be very dangerous!!  I wonder where all of this snow is going to go one of these days.  There is going to be a lot of WATER!! 

Maybe the snow knew that we had not seen it in a long time and wanted to show us again!!  Course I very much doubt that!! 

We will be moving into the apt in the basement in our daughter's home very soon!!  Mike and our two son-in-laws have been working on it for a long time now...around 6 months in fact.  It is going to be very cute and so new.  Just a few small things are left to do..One major and final thing is the carpet.


Mike knows a man at Lowe's that is coming out tomorrow night and looking to see what we need.  We have bought two remnants.  We need more for the living room.  The carpet guy found out that Mike has his bi-lateral replacement in two weeks so he is going to try to get it in this week!! YES!!  Boy, it will be great to get moved from one bedroom to three rooms of our own!!  I have missed having a home to do in what i want to do. 

Take care and hopefully things are going smoothly and life is treating you well!!

Sandy

Thought for the day:  May you be overwhelmed with the grace of God rather than the cares of life.

I have been thinking...what if we got together, say here at my house for coffee..What would we do?  I would greet you at the front door with a hug!  I would ask you to come on down to my new apartment.  I would show you around and praise my husband and my two son-in-laws for all the hard work that they have put into our new home. 

Come on into my kitchen, even though it is very small I hope it is really comfy for you.  Coffee or Tea?  Sugar, Cream, okay.  I cannot make anything sweet I am sorry.  Mike has to cut back on sugar!!  I try not to keep any thing that is wonderful around anymore..BOO HOO!! 

Hey how have you been?  Great!!  We have been pretty good...Course Mike is facing a bi-lateral knee surgery in about 2 weeks.  He has been having trouble with both knees for ages now..around 20 years to be exact.  His knees are so bad that he has been walking bo-legged and has lost several inches in his height.  We have found a great doctor here in Bloomington that we are going too.  He operates in Gibson City, Ill. at a smaller hospital.  Sounds like he is going to be in the hospital something like 10 days or so.  We have lots of steps here so that is going to overly hard on him or maybe even a good thing. He is going to have to have a lot of therpy.  Maybe the steps will come in for that part.   He is going to be out of work probably 6 weeks or more.  I feel so badly for him and will be concerned while he is healing but we know this has to be done and it seems that now is the time!!  You know men...this should be a fun time for me too.  Someone today at water aerobics said maybe they will give you a nerve pill..Ha!!  yeap!!   I might need it.  While you are praying for Mike please remember me too..Thanks!! 

Me, well I am still here at our daughter's home as you can see.  We love our new digs!!  I have been going to water aerobics 3 times a week.  I tell you this instructor, wow..can she make you work!!  I have done all kinds of exercises now but this one is the BOMB for sure!!  We start at 9:15 in the morning and are done at 10:00.  I have met some really nice ladies.  I would imagine the ages are from 50 something to probably up in the 80's!!  Sure, but you know that is great that we are all trying to keep ourselves going.  The water sometimes is like a bath tub.  When it is that warm it makes it harder to exercise.  Jane is our workout person.  She has been doing this for 10 years and boy can you tell it.  She is built great and vey toned just like everyone would LOVE to be but are flabby like me...Thanks...but you know flabby is what we sixty year olds seem to just have.  It is fun to talk to the other ladies...some really nice women!!  We have a lot of fun too..yelling and having a great time.  I love it!!  I am SO GLAD that my orthopedist told me it was the best of exercise for my poor knees. 

What about you?  I really have missed you!!  Wish that we could get together more often and just talk.  I miss our conversations and your warm friendship!!  I know we cannot have everything in this life but for me friends are really important in my life. 
Now our time is over and it makes me sad!!  Please come back again!!  I will be here and thrilled to see you!!  Good bye!!

Blessings, Sandy
Thought for the day:  "

I don't feel old. I don't feel anything until noon. Then it's time for my nap. 
- Bob Hope 
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Happy 2011

WELCOME to the NEW YEAR of 2011!!  My how did we all get here so fast?

I just celebrated my 65th Christmas!!  I can remember so many many Christmases!!  But when you get to thinking that you have celebrated 65 of them it really makes you stop and think!!  How did I do that when I really do not even feel 65???

This new year brings with it a birthday for me this next month.  I have enjoyed being 65!!  Sure I hurt in more places than I thought that I had but I still do not feel this age.

My parents will be 87 and 93 this coming year...My kids are now 38; 43 and 46!!  Our oldest granddaughter is 21!!  I should be those ages not them!!  Time just does not stop.  It just keep marching on and lately it seems to be marching with a quicker step!!

We are still living with our daughter and her family.  We still have our 1 bedroom with things piled all over it.  I figure that soon it will be piled up all 3 walls in here.  Mike, Roger and Bill have been trying and trying to get our apartment in the basement done but so far we are still waiting!!  We were hoping for Christmas.  When that did not happen we are now trying for my birthday in February.  Our 47th anniversary is in a couple of weeks.  We will not make that date I am sure.

The work is down to sanding of the walls; finishing up the ceilings; painting; and carpet.  Does not sound like much but when you work all of the time like Mike does then it is hard to find the time to do much on it.  He tries and I tell you I am so lucky to have such a sweet and wonderful hubby!!  Those of you that have read my blog know how much I LOVE my hubby!!  He works all of the time just to keep us going!!  What a man!! 

My dad has not been looking or doing good and has worried me.  My mother is trying to care for him alone.  She will not accept any help.  She believes that was her vow when they were married almost 67 years ago this month.  I completely understand that.  My brother and I just hate to see her going down too.  She is 6 years younger than my dad.  I went yesterday and they were both looking and doing well.  Dad just has bad days.

We had snow for Christmas here.  On Christmas EVE we had a big snow.  Around 5-6 inches arrived to make our Christmas a WHITE one!!  We had a lot of family around and that is what is always so important to me anyway.

This is a picture of our backyard here in Illinois as the snow was falling!!  It is always so pretty but then it causes so many problems for people.  This makes me miss Savannah even more.

We have not really got in the swing of our life here and I don't think we will until our little apt is done and ready for us to move in.  We need space for ourselves with our things around us.  Maybe it is just me that needs that.  Anytime you get to thinking that you don't have it good just remember how hard it is when you do not have a home to call your own.  It is very hard...believe me!!

Just wanted to catch up some.  This is not a great post but I have blogged once again..ONE more time anyway.

I am enjoying doing water aerobics at the Y now!!   I am in a great class..Love it.  I go 3 times a week!!  I also attend BSF (Bible study fellowship).  We are working on Isaiah now.  It is a hard but a very challenging book!! 

Take care!!

Sandy

Thougth for the day: " Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance"