Now I am on that road to recovery too!
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| Welcome home, Val. Please heal up quickly!!! |
| Glad to hear that you're okay, Val! Keep us up to date when you are feeling up to it. |
So glad it all went well, 
Heal up quickly 
What a wonderful sis-in-law you have.  |
| Glad to hear that the surgery went well....heres to a speedy recovery.....I miss you tons!!
Yey to your fantastic sister in law!! |
 I am so happy to hear everything went ok. I am glad to hear you arrived home and your sis-in-law was all ready for your arrival. She is one in a million!  Let the healing begin!!!! |
| Great to hear that you're on the mend Val!
big to you,and your SIL...and Chum & Maggie, of course! |
So glad to hear the surgery went well and you're home.   No matter how badly you feel, there's still nothing like being in your own home.
What a fantastic SIL you have!!:cheer: I'm sure she knows you'd do the same thing for her, but even still . . . It's a good thing you're a Type B personality. Being Type A, when I've come home from surgeries, I tend to want to do too much too soon, just cause I can't sit still! Just relax and let your SIL pamper you this week! |
| Welcome home Val, I hope your healing is FAST and uneventful!! |
| I am so glad she is there!!! I can't imagine getting things done without her!! I'm also glad to see you post and that you're slowly recovering! Big hugs!!! We miss you |
| Glad to hear you're recuperating and getting on the mend! |
I hope you have a quick recovery!  |
| Thanks for letting us know how you are doing. We're hoping for a speedy recovery for you Val.
Hugs, |
| Get well soon!!!!
But don't push it...... 
Make sure you tell your sister-in-law how great we all think she is and we appreciate her taking care of you! |
| Glad your home.
Get well soon!! We miss you! |
| Very surprised (& glad) to see you online!! Do you have to stay off of your leg completely?? |
| I have to stay off the leg for 6 weeks. My SIL set me up with a laptop on a chair next to my bed, which is parked in front of the tv. At my side, I have water bottles, almonds, pain pills, my book, my knitting, and so on. You are all going to be sick of me! |
Valerie wrote: I have to stay off the leg for 6 weeks. My SIL set me up with a laptop on a chair next to my bed, which is parked in front of the tv. At my side, I have water bottles, almonds, pain pills, my book, my knitting, and so on. You are all going to be sick of me!
It must be tough not to be able to stand up and object. 
Think of this as a nuturing 6 week time out to enjoy your laptop, tv, books, knitting and talking with all of us ! Get plenty of rest ! |
| That's great you made it home already!!
Take it easy and let things start healing .
Hey, what are you knitting? I knit too |
| Val,
I am so glad you stayed there overnight! You probably were a lot better off for staying and getting those extra good pain killers and extra care. I hope the pain killers they gave you work well. Take it easy and feel better. |
| 6 weeks!! Who will be helping you out for the next 5 weeks? |
| Good to hear your home and hopefully on the mend Val, don't forget to hug that super SIL once in awhile , rellies like that are sometimes hard to come by |
Valerie wrote: I have to stay off the leg for 6 weeks. My SIL set me up with a laptop on a chair next to my bed, which is parked in front of the tv. At my side, I have water bottles, almonds, pain pills, my book, my knitting, and so on. You are all going to be sick of me!
Nah!!! We couldn't get sick of you! Besides, I'm basically housebound for a few weeks too (though for much more pleasant reasons!  ) so you can keep me company! |
| Glad to see you are back home. We will be here. Too bad they can't keep the nerve block going for 6 weeks!
s. |
| Glad to hear you are home; I hope you have a speedy recovery. |
| Hey!! What a great surprise to hear from you!! I wasn't expecting you to be able to check in so soon!! Glad to hear that you're being well cared for -GOOD JOB SIL!! Sounds like she's got all the bases covered.
Hurray for you being on the road to recovery. I sincerely hope it is the fast track and that you have as little pain as possible. |
| Six weeks!?! Chummie will be running circles around you by then!
What a fantastic sister you have. |
| Awww Val, I am glad you are home and your sister-in-law is there for you. Get better soon! |
| Thanks everyone!
I'm actually feeling ok. The nerve block is taking its time to wear off so I really haven't been hit with any major pain. When the pain pills start to wear off, it feels achy and uncomfortable but nothing too terrible. I make sure to take the meds on a schedule so it doesn't have a chance to get out of hand. got sheep wrote: Hey, what are you knitting? I knit too
I am knitting a baby blanket for a friend. Instead of a simple one layer blanket, this is a knitted quilt made of dark pink and light pink little squares that right now look like pot holders. The squares will be sewn together in a checkerboard pattern making two pieces of 20 squares each (5x4). Then those two pieces will then be sewn together with polyester batting in the middle so it should be very soft and comfortabe. The dark pink squares are simple garter stitch. I've finished all of those. For the light pink squares, I am improvising by making each square different, like a "sampler" with textural patterns and designs (diamond, flower, boat, etc.) that should be cute for a baby blanket. I think I will also use colorful yarn embellishments to make the finished quilting look cute too -- but nothing dangerous for baby to pull and swallow. It is a good little project - not too hard but cute and creative. |
How long will Chum and Maggie have to stay at Alameda East? How is Chum's rehab coming along? Is Maggie going crazy yet?? 
The question was asked before, but I don't think you answered it. After your SIL goes home, who will help you? |
| So glad you are feeling ok, and not too much pain!!
I an ADDICTED KNITTER, never go anywhere without my needles and a ball of yarn (you never know when you might have a few minutes to knit a few rows) Yesterday, during the snow storm I borugh my knitting with me in the car, just in case I got stuck in a ditch I'd have something to do till help arrived!!!!
Maybe we should start a knitting thread to how many knitters there are. |
Drezzie's Mom wrote: How long will Chum and Maggie have to stay at Alameda East? How is Chum's rehab coming along? Is Maggie going crazy yet??
The question was asked before, but I don't think you answered it. After your SIL goes home, who will help you? Not sure re Chum and Maggie. I want Maggie there at least a week and then I've had lots of volunteers to help me with her. Plus the landlord said I could have a doggie door installed, which would help alot too. Chum will really depend on her progress -- how independent she is at getting up. I will talk to them about it next week. I just learned that one of my fabulous friends from DC is coming Sunday through Thursday! He just got back from getting married and happened to have vacation time between jobs. I have to thank his lovely wife for being willing to part with him! I am so excited. Considering that I am in a new place, I actually have surprising number of volunteers to help as needed -- 3-4 friends, ziggi's mom, the two dog walkers, etc. Just confirms what a nice place this is to live. And if I really can't manage, my sister's husband will come pick me up and bring me to Santa Fe to recuperate there. So I always have that as a fall back option. |
| You've already taken the fall back option. Try the "jump out of the way" option next. |
| RONNNNNNNNN
I am glad you have folks to help, one of the first things I worried about after your accident was that being in a new place you might not know alot of people who could help you out. |
Ron wrote: You've already taken the fall back option. Try the "jump out of the way" option next.
I've been reliving that moment in my head -- what I could have done instead, the horrible cracking noise. That's actually the worst part of the suffering - the memory of it. |
| Ask your doctor for a dose of Propranolol. It seems to act to dull the extreme emotional response to events permanently. |
| HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
I think it's a bit late for that!!!!!!!!!!!!! Maybe not!!! |
| That sounds workable! It's nice to have family and friends there to help out.
How nice to have your landlord OK a doggie door. I'm sure Maggie will love it! In and out, checking everything out. I can just see it.
Your baby quilt project sounds fun. The squares are a good project for someone on painpills. You never know when you'll drop off to sleep.
I'm making a scarf and hat set now for a raffle donation for our basset rescue. We are making a gift basket with a "surviving winter " theme. Some things are practical, some are entertaining. I have a couple scarves that are gifts for daughters and neices - just need to get the fringe on 2 more of them. Then I hope to get to making a scarf/hat/mitten set to go with my new wool coat i got for a steal at the thrift store. I got it dry cleaned and it looks like new!
I also really want to finish my felted bag I started last winter - It is almost done and so cool! I want to use it.
What projects are the rest of you working on?? |
Valerie wrote: I just learned that one of my fabulous friends from DC is coming Sunday through Thursday! He just got back from getting married and happened to have vacation time between jobs. I have to thank his lovely wife for being willing to part with him! I am so excited.
Considering that I am in a new place, I actually have surprising number of volunteers to help as needed -- 3-4 friends, ziggi's mom, the two dog walkers, etc. Just confirms what a nice place this is to live. And if I really can't manage, my sister's husband will come pick me up and bring me to Santa Fe to recuperate there. So I always have that as a fall back option. NOTHING beats having great friends and family and it looks like you're blessed with both!! |
| You are so fortunate to have a great network! Glad you are on the mend! |
| Dawn, I am almost embarressed to admit all my unfinished projects..... I currently have a poncho (almost done), baby blanket n(1/2 done) and sweater in the works. I just finished a poncho for my daughter, afghan for my son and some quick and easy babvy blankets for our local WIC group.
I just found out that my Dr. of many years is moving in April so I want to make a hat and scarf for her before she leaves so I will start that as soon as the poncho is done. Winter is knitting time but I get bored with the same thing so I have to have a couple projects at once. I also just got an Elizabeth Zimmer sweater DVD I'm dying to try.......... |
| Hi Val! Glad to hear that your recovery is going well. I'm glad you have your SIL and lots of friends to help you out! Bailey knows you must miss your girls so he sends his love in a big, sloppy sheepie way. |
| Oh, I have more started, I too was embarassed to list them ALL!
I have yarn and a pattern for a wool sweater, but I haven't even started that. We won't even go near all the quilt projects........... |
| Hi Val,
So how come I was the last to know you wanted to break into show business? (covers ears to block out groans). How wonderful it was of your landlord to allow you to install a doggie door as that will help you! Again it sounds as you made the right choice by moving there - you already have a tight group of people willing to help you out. Take care of yourself! Sending lots of belly rubs to the girls too. Marianne and the boys |
| How are you feeling TODAY Val??? |
| Hey Val,
Glad to see you are online and somwhat active.... hope you are not in to much pain!!!.. Knitting eh... I need a new pair of knitted wool socks... |
Tasker's Mom wrote: How are you feeling TODAY Val???
Well, yesterday the pain from the injury really started to kick in. Docs had okayed increasing my dosage to 2 pills every 4 hours but taking 2 at the same time means they wear off at the same time. Last night I realized that if I staggered my doses rather than taking 2 at a time, it wouldn't get quite as bad. So that's been working much better for me. Then I realized I was going to run out of pills by tomorrow but I called the office this morning and they ok'd a refill and Ziggi's mom picked them up for me. The office was closing at 12! I would have been in desperate shape if I hadn't gotten them in time. Now I am sleeping alot and watching junky television. Any bit of exertion causes my leg to get achy and requires a good 20 minutes or so to settle back into manageable comfort. As much as I miss Maggie and Chummie, I am fantastically relieved not to be dealing with them right now. |
| Do you watch "The People's Court"? |
| Val,
I'm sorry to hear you are in pain. Just make sure you stay ahead of it with your medication. I just wanted to let you know I was thinking about you and wishing you a speedy and comfortable recovery. |
| Poor Val!!
I'm glad you figured out the pain pill trick. I always tell pts, when they have a script for 2 q 4hrs to try one every two. Seems to keep the level better longer. |
Wow, Val - I'm so sorry the pain is starting to kick in  but so thankful you have someone there with you, at least until next week.
I know how much you miss Chum and Maggie, but you can rest easier knowing they are well taken care of.
Rest easy. Hope you're feeling better real soon!! |
| get well soon....chocolate helps |
Quote: And if I really can't manage, my sister's husband will come pick me up and bring me to Santa Fe to recuperate there. So I always have that as a fall back option.
Ooooh, then we could get you carry out from Tomasita's. Their red chile will cure anything. I'd even be willing to deliver it personally, after major sampling of course.
Let's hope it doesn't come to a 6 hour car transplant car ride. That alone would be very uncomfortable. Maggie and Chummie will be fine, it's you we have to heal up. One could go mentally insane watching daytime TV. Maybe it's time to learn a new language or some such while confined to bed. |
lindy wrote: get well soon....chocolate helps
I've never been a chocoholic but you are absolutely right. My SIL left some lindt truffles at my bedside and they are wonderfully soothing. Mmmm. |
SheepieBoss wrote: One could go mentally insane watching daytime TV. Maybe it's time to learn a new language or some such while confined to bed. I have better activities planned down the road. Right now, my brain is way too tired to do anything that requires concentration. Like read. Or even hold a coherent conversation. I am exhausted just from the very minor efforts I need to make. Tasker's Mom wrote: I'm glad you figured out the pain pill trick. I always tell pts, when they have a script for 2 q 4hrs to try one every two. Seems to keep the level better longer.
I wish someone had told me! It was pretty agonizing for a few hours there. Now I am doing much better. I am keeping a little notebook of when I take the pill and when I can take the next dose because I could never keep track in my head. I can't hold onto the details. |
| Chocolate make everything better so does a good bottle of wine
From a chocoholic.
So glad you are on the mend, hope the pain settles more for you soon. xxLisa |
lisaoes wrote: Chocolate make everything better so does a good bottle of wine
Chocolate, alcohol & pain pills! What a combo!!  |
| 6 weeks of staying off your leg? Wow, I'm so sorry this happened to you, Val. It's great that you have a lot of people at the ready to help. I hope your recuperation goes well. |
| The staggered pain pills is definitely the thing to do. It eliminates the peaks and valleys from too much med, then too little.
I always write mine down too - much safer that way! Happy napping, and take care. |
| More on the "aren't my friends great" riff --
Ziggi's mom came over this afternoon just in time to assist with my first and so far only major puke incident. She was so nice and efficient about it! Must come from having three kids. I think I got sick from not eating enough with the pills. Then my pal Tom came over today with a mini-fridge for next to my bed (perfect to solve my "must take pills with food" problem), a cooler of ice and other things needed to replenish my ice wrap pump thingy during the night, and fixed me a hot cup of ginger tea! I feel very lucky to be getting such good care. |
| I'm glad the pain meds every two hours is working for you.
I chose to keep the ice water machine after my shoulder surgery. We have found it extremely helpful for other injuries. Remember this will get better. |
| Guest -- you always know just what to say.
Seriously, I've been receiving such very nice, very supportive messages from Guest for some time (first about Chum and now about me) and I always wonder if it is the same guest because there is a familiar, warm sentiment and positive attitude. Thanks for the kind words. It didn't even occur to me that keeping the ice machine was an option. It is a simple but incredibly wonderful device. Hmmm. Maybe they will forget I have it. . . |
| Lots of luck with that one!! When I had my shoulder surgery they were on my doorstep to take it back practically the minute I was doen with it But they are wonderful contraptions!!! |
| Bingley and I are keeping you company in our thoughts for sure - continue on that road to recovery! |
| Our ice wraps that go home belong to the patient - we don't take them back!
Is yours like a small cooler jug you fill with ice, then water? Has tubing that goes to a pad that the ice water circulates through? Sorry you got the pukes from your pain pills.  Hope things are going better now. |
got sheep wrote: Our ice wraps that go home belong to the patient - we don't take them back!
Is yours like a small cooler jug you fill with ice, then water? Has tubing that goes to a pad that the ice water circulates through? Yes exactly. It is such a handy contraption. Your patients get to keep them? I guess that means they they are just added to the bill. I would love to keep it. |
| Sounds handy.... I'm off to Google it! |
| I can't find anything.
Is there a product name or a manufacturer's name or a model number or any identifying marks or scars?
(When you turn it upside down to look, please don't dump the ice water into your lap. ) |
| Val, I am just trying to protect the writer of the Chummie stories. I wish that I could have similar adventures - except the knee. It just seems like you were meant to end up there - both fo you and for Chummie.
When I had my shoulder surgery, I had the Artic Ice machine and a "torture chair" as part of my rehab. The chair was very uncomfortable to sit on, but I had to strap my arm onto these robotic-looking things so it could help my shoulder go through all of the normal movements. The first time I sat on the chair, I was able to go through the entire range of motion - with no pain thanks to the Novacaine that they put in the shoulder joint at the time of surgery. I called the company to come pick it up after 5 days, they didn't show for another 9 days to get it. And they charged my insurance company for those days too.  We had to put the very heavy torture chair on the porch for them to pick it up - glad I had strong sons to move it. After 3 days, they called about the Artic Ice 45machine - I lied and said I turned it in with the chair. I figure it was a fair trade for the overcharging on the chair.
And Val, I'm counting on you to be the perfect textbook example of a rehab patient. All of the walking you do with the furbabies has kept you in great shape to be able to go through this. And having Chummie's surgery first meant that you found a great place to have the furbabies taken care of while you recoup. I am glad you have so many friends to help you out - it is amazing to me how perfectly it is working out - except the pain which will get better! |
| Ron, they aren't usually sold to the general public. It is a physical therapy product and very hard to get. That's very I "traded" for mine.
This one is similar to mine, though I have a rectangular ice container. You have to buy the "pads" separately. They come in different sizes and shapes. http://www.meci.com/product_info.php/pr ... Igod2Q3PPA |
| At my hospital the pads get discarded but the circulating machine itself is reused. |
| Guest, it woul be cool if you joined, the curiosity is too much... LOL |
| I'm actually a member.
But being a guest is better. If I say something stupid, I can pretend it was another guest. |
Anonymous wrote: Val, I am just trying to protect the writer of the Chummie stories.
I wish that I could have similar adventures - except the knee. It just seems like you were meant to end up there - both fo you and for Chummie.Well I really appreciate your support! I could have done without this latest adventure. I am not in great shape but I have always loved to walk. I will be so happy to be just a normal, walking person able to care for my dogs. I suppose I won't really know how bad the injury is until I start the rehab. It is a bit scary but I am trying to stay optimistic. All the support I am getting here helps tremendously. |
| My m-i-l, an 80+ year-old, has had her knees replaced. The rehab is similar to what you will go through. She found water walking was the best to keep her in aerobic shape. It's also good in that you aren't fully weightbearing, yet the resistance of moving in the water builds up some strength and muscle (your gonna have a skinny leg for awhile). Many a day she sat on the tailgate of her truck, just letting gravity help get her range of motion back (watch out for clots).
The key to rehab is to celebrate the small things and don't worry about any schedule. Somethings will improve quicker than expected and some things wil take longer. Blame your body - it didn't read all of the medical textbooks. |
| Very helpful, as usual. I love to be in water so that would be enjoyable for me. That's a hazy distant dream. For now, just making it through the day is all I'm focused on. |
| Wow Val, I can just picture you and Chummie swimming around in the brilliant blue ocean, warm tropical breezes, a pina colada waiting for you and a nice big bowl of ice water for Chum.... oh, maybe I'm getting the "effects of all of your pain pills" LOL
Seriously, I really hope that you and Chum are feeling better every day! |
| At the moment, you can buy the Opti Ice system on eBark for $60
Link to eBark item Using PayPaw "Cool!" |
Sheepie Huggs wrote: Wow Val, I can just picture you and Chummie swimming around in the brilliant blue ocean, warm tropical breezes, a pina colada waiting for you and a nice big bowl of ice water for Chum.... oh, maybe I'm getting the "effects of all of your pain pills"
LOLSeriously, I really hope that you and Chum are feeling better every day! That's a beautiful image. Could someone please paint that scene and mail it to me for inspiration? |
| Someone could ask Danita....
She might even include Chummie and Maggie! Oh Saaaaauuuuulllllll ...... |
Ron wrote: At the moment, you can buy the Opti Ice system on eBark for $60
Link to eBark item Using PayPaw "Cool!" Good work Ron! If anyone needs to ice parts of their body, this really is a great device because it stays in place and stays continuously cold. That one comes with a pretty small cooler. Mine is a bit larger. It only stays cold about 6 hours or so, but those are 6 blissful hours. |
| Yes! Now I've got a chance to see Val and Chummie rehabing together in the pool at Alameda East. I knew she was trying to finagle her way in - I think she done it.
Just let us know what time you two go for a swim. We'll catch you on the webcam. And remember Reader's Digest. Laughter is the best medicine. |
Ron wrote: Someone could ask Danita....
She might even include Chummie and Maggie! Oh Saaaaauuuuulllllll ...... Omigosh that would be incredible!! |
| Hi Val,
I hope each day gets better. You seem to be doing pretty good considering all. How is Chum doing and does Maggie get to visit her sister? Laurie |
Emmie and Bellas Mom wrote: Hi Val,
I hope each day gets better. You seem to be doing pretty good considering all. How is Chum doing and does Maggie get to visit her sister? Laurie Thank you. I would say that at this point, the situation is manageable. No more agonizing pain. Just dull pain and tiredness. I've been able to cut down a bit on the painkillers, which is encouraging. I received another outstanding update on Chumley's progress. They say that she is working really hard and doing really well. They are impressed with her "can do" attitude. They have been working on her endurance using the underwater treadmill. Last I heard, she could do 2 sets of six minutes each -- that is alot! They are also working on uneven surfaces and obstacles - like walking over a pole that's in the way. This forces her to raise her legs instead of shuffle. And still more work on transitioning from lying down to sitting sternal to getting up and walking, and back down again. During breaks between her exercises, she gets to be with Maggie. They are together a couple hours every day. They say she is really cheerful and outgoing and goes up to everyone for treats and to be petted. I am thrilled with the reports I've been receiving. It seems like their care takes into account mental, emotional and physical issues. I can't wait to see them. . . not sure when though. Just a few minutes up on crutches is all I can manage right now before I am ready for another nap. I figure all this rest is good because it lets my energies be spent on healing. |
| WOW Val chummie is just so awesome, glad to hear her progress, geez before you know it, two active bunnies charging around chasing each other .
Glad your pain is getting better too, how is the chocolate going, supplies still holding up? Chocolate cures all woes. Well it does for me
Take it easy, lot's of rest and before you know it, you can have races with the sheepie girls on your crutches. You should of checked yourself in with Maggie and Chum the facilities & care there sound absolutely fantastic. |
| I'm so glad that both of the girls are in a facility that you are comfortable with. That must be such a huge relief not having to worry about them and getting frequent progress reports. I hope your recovery time goes fast and you and the girls can romp around the trails soon! |
| I was walking into work and the brand name of our product just popped into my head. It's polar ice. We have had several similar products over the years - some have a square cooler, some have a round one. they all work pretty much the same. They are a nice way of keeping ice in place. We use them mostly for shoulder surgeries - total shoulders and rotator cuff and other similar things; and for various knee surgeries.
When you get to the rehab stage, Val, make sure you keep icing it. Then swelling becomes a problem again and it is best to stay ahead. The swelling will cause more pain, and limit your ROM and general function. I want to see the picture of the ocean and the girls swimming too! The update on Chum and Maggie are great. It sounds like the light is at the end of the tunnel! (ok, this reminds me of a quote on a sign here in town - "sometimes the light at the end of the tunnel is the train". Sorry, couldn't resist!) Get well !! |
got sheep wrote: I was walking into work and the brand name of our product just popped into my head. It's polar ice. We have had several similar products over the years - some have a square cooler, some have a round one. they all work pretty much the same. They are a nice way of keeping ice in place. We use them mostly for shoulder surgeries - total shoulders and rotator cuff and other similar things; and for various knee surgeries.
When you get to the rehab stage, Val, make sure you keep icing it. Then swelling becomes a problem again and it is best to stay ahead. The swelling will cause more pain, and limit your ROM and general function. I will keep that in mind. I love the icer so I would be happy to keep using it. It is so much better than just applying ice packs. I found the one I have. It is the Polar Care 300: http://www.breg.com/products/cold_thera ... fault.html |
| Yep, we've had that one! |
| Hang in there Val! |
| Hey Val glad to hear you are doing better, just take it one day at a time. Maybe when you get fully recovered we could could introduce the dogs and let them play, I live up in Evergreen. Get well soon! |
| Val, SO glad to hear you're doing a little better each day. There will come a time when you will get inpatient with it all, but try to keep the positive attitude you have right now. It's 80% of the battle!!
Wow! What a fantastic progress report on Chum!  Who would have guessed a few short weeks ago that she would be at this point already?? As I've said from the start - what an inspiration that girl is!! |
| Great news on Chumley!! That girl is just amazing!! I'm glad to hear that she & Maggie get to spend time together each day, too. This place definitely sounds like they've got the patient's best interest as their first priority.
Nice to hear you're making progress, too. It's especially hard on someone as active as you are to be laid up for a few weeks. I agree with Chris - you've got a great attitude about it all and that really is the biggest part of the battle. Enjoy your visit with your friend this week!! |
| Thanks everyone! I really appreciate the kind messages and thoughtful words of support. Here's an update. Might be a bit repetitive because I lack the ability to concentrate and go back and see what I've already said.
My sister in law left on Friday but she left me with lots of groceries, left-overs, all laundry done, all trash out, and very comfortable set-up with pillows, trays, stools, etc. where I need them. Over the weekend, my friend from highschool who lives here was on the job. He hooked me up with a mini-fridge, an ice cooler and tools so I could change the ice machine at night, installed a new showerhead on a cord (rather than fixed). And he took over sandwich making, ice-changing, laundry etc. Very awesome. Now, my friend from DC is visiting. He is incredibly willing and able and has gotten up to speed quickly. Plus it is just fun to have him visiting. The pain is reduced a bit every day. I am back to taking painpills every 4 hours instead of every two. There are times when it is still very achy and intense, but most of the time it is ok. I am still sleeping alot but that's part of the process, I think. That's all for now. My brain has run out of energy to write anymore. |
Valerie wrote: My brain has run out of energy to write anymore.
This happens to me all the time, and I am not even injured or on pain medication
It is great to hear that you and Chummie are both healing and keeping your spirits up |
| Glad that youre feeling a little better....each day that passes will bring you closer to your old un-loopy drug enduced self
As for what Amanda wrote, I agree with her wholeheartedly...I dont need the drugs to act like that....thats just me on a ''normal'' day
Get better my friend!! |
| You don't need to worry about "thinking". Just know that we WILL start to worry about you if you report that you've started to watch the daytime SOAPS!! |
| Val, you truly are blessed with all the people who care about you! But boy! You are gonna owe people favors back BIG time!! (just kidding, of course!! ) |
| Oh my - I'm glad so many people are helping you. I am glad you're healing, although slowly. . . HUGS |
| Best wishes from us,Val. Just found the string. |
Glad to hear that you're okay, Val 
Take good care of your self, sending a big hug from Norway |
| I know this is a little late but...Val, I think you have met your quota for bad things happening to you. First poor Chummie and now you broke your leg. I'm glad you are down on the pain meds. (PS..if its percocet eat lots of veggies and take fiber pills). First and foremost you have to take care of yourself. The girls are fine where they are for right now, so take a little time to get used to those crutches and moving around before you bring them home. I had knee surgery back in Jan. and let me tell you it was not easy being on crutches and trying to take care of the dogs. So anyway...take care, Pam aka Simon's Mom |
| Val, just wanted to chime in and say we are thinking of you and Chummie and hoping for a speedy recovery for you both. It is great Maggie and Chummie get to be together. Please remember that each day brings you one day closer to full recovery. Be patient. |
| I had a great visit at the doctor's today!
He is very pleased with how the fractured pieces all fit back together. He said it doesn't always work out this well. He said he fixed a small meniscus tear but I had no damage to the ligaments or other soft tissue. He seemed surprised and happy to see that I can already bend my knee 90 degrees and also do a leg lift (although that burns a bit.) He says I can start to put minimal weight on it (25 pounds pressure) and next week, can start trying to regain range of motion on an exercise bike by pedaling without resistance. This is way ahead of schedule. He says I still can't walk on it for at least another 4 weeks, but I am feeling very optimistic about the rehab afterwards. If you are interested, you can see pictures here: http://picasaweb.google.com/vyates/MyKnee |
| Hurrah, Val!!!
Chumley's quick healing has really rubbed off on you! |
| Fantastic news Val, so glad you are healing up so well, the x-ray is amazing. Boy what a snap there.
Brie prefers a "ValCam" rather then a photo, she is still peeking through the magnify glass and waiting patiently for the action to start happening.
Hugs Val really is great news, keep getting stronger day by day . |
| Great news Val you and Chummie make a great pair |
| |
| Excellent news. Love the X-ray. We all knew you were better than average.
Are you going to start PT or do you have a bike at the house? Try to time the bike time so your pain meds are working when you do it. The other thing to remember is to not overdo it. Too much, too quick can actually slow the healing. Listen to your body when it says rest me. |
| Val, so glad hear the great news!!!!! It's all of that CO good livin' that's making you heal quickly!
Anonymous wrote: Are you going to start PT or do you have a bike at the house?
Try to time the bike time so your pain meds are working when you do it. The other thing to remember is to not overdo it. Too much, too quick can actually slow the healing. Listen to your body when it says rest me. Can we play 20 questions to figure out who the Guest is? |
Anonymous wrote: Are you going to start PT or do you have a bike at the house?
He says it is too early for official "rehab" care so the bike is something I would do on my own at the gym. I am sort of wondering whether 25 pounds of pressure is equivalent to gas/brake pedal pressure so I could drive. . . . but if not, I have friends who will happily shuttle me back and forth. In that sense, I am so very lucky. I will use a scale to measure the weight of various amouunts of pressure on my foot. |
VerveUp wrote: Val, so glad hear the great news!!!!! It's all of that CO good livin' that's making you heal quickly!
Can we play 20 questions to figure out who the Guest is? I am dying to know who Guest is -- even just to have a name a bit more personal than Guest. But I don't want to scare Guest away with our curiosity because Guest's comments make a wonderful contribution to my self-esteem, along with all of the other fabulous, kind, positive, encouraging messages from other forum members. |
lisaoes wrote: Brie prefers a "ValCam" rather then a photo, she is still peeking through the magnify glass and waiting patiently for the action to start happening.
I absolutely love that picture. . . valcam would be pretty darn dull at the moment. can't do my own rocky montage after all. Right now, you can imagine me eating yummy cheesecake leftovers. The perfect reward for a good doctor visit. |
| Glad you're healing so well! |
| Good news Val! The xray is pretty cool, what an odd place to break it though? LOL
I hope you continue to mend quickly... don't forget pain is also a message that maybe it's too much too soon... I'm also dying to know who guest is! |
| Woo hoo, Val!!! That's great, and the kids will be coming home sooner than later!
Perhaps you could rent an exercise bike to sit on for a few hours a day? |
Willowsprite wrote: Good news Val!
The xray is pretty cool, what an odd place to break it though? Apparently, this type of injury is common when people get hit by car bumpers. So the dog running into me was like getting hit by a car.  |
Ron wrote: Woo hoo, Val!!! That's great, and the kids will be coming home sooner than later!
Perhaps you could rent an exercise bike to sit on for a few hours a day? Maybe. . . but it would be nice to get out of here from time to time. The place I am in is very small. |
| I broke a bone in my foot several years ago. A Jones fracture, which means the rectangular bone bone broke in half. Couldn't get into the orthopedist until the next day. I did it at work, while my husband was out of town. So I drove myself home in second gear all the way (a 5-speed Mustang and a 30 minute drive in Dallas traffic). <sigh> It really did hurt a lot, but I was only on crutches for two weeks. The moral of the long story is that your knee pain is way worse than my foot pain - DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT DRIVING YET!
Val, you may need a note from the doctor before the gym will let you work out on anything. Safety thing for you and a lawsuit-preventor for them. My guess is that the staff at the gym will flock around you to help you get set up correctly. It is to their advantage to have you be successful. the old word-of-mouth is the best advertising. Are you allowed to put heat on the knee yet? Check with the doctor. Physical therapists usually apply it for 20 minutes before starting any exercises. You could do that at home before going to the gym. And ice it afterwards. I was pleased to see Maggie today. I also noticed that if you click on the sideways arrows on the webcam page, the numbers one through 8 show up. Clicking on numbers 7 and 8 give you a view of two sets of dogs in their rooms. They are so cute. My computer died over the Holidays. Dell tried twice to fix it and finally fried my hard drive. (I did get a new laptop out of it) I was in the process of backing up my computer when it died, so there are some things I lost. During the month I was without my computer , I had to use my husband's or daughter's computer. I got used to checking this site, without logging in. See? Boring story, which equals boring person. No big deal. |
| Val, I am glad to hear you are coming along so great! Ouch, those x-rays. Keep up the great spirit that you have and enjoy the cheese cake. Such great news from the Doctor. Looking forward to the next report. Take care! |
| Brie says HEY WHERE IS MY SLICE OF THE CHEESECAKE!!! At least if you had that valcam going she could watch and drool. |
lisaoes wrote: Brie prefers a "ValCam" rather then a photo, she is still peeking through the magnify glass and waiting patiently for the action to start happening.
Just for Brie, here is the view from my sick bed (which is a futon in my tv/computer room): To my right, you see my leg wrapped in the ice cooling pad, some bananas, my knitting bag, and the beautiful sunshiny breezy day outside my window: 
Straight ahead is my handy rolling cart, assembled by my sister in law, on top is the ice bucket, in the distance is one of my monthly orchids from a Smith and Hawken gift subscription, and my tv: 
Pretty darn dull. |
| what is that long blue tube for?? |
| The tubes carry the cold water from the cooler through the cute blue pad and back to the cooler. The cooler is full of ice and water, with an electric pump to force the water through the system. And there are controls to control how cold it gets.
The ice last 8-12 hours, depnding on the room temperature and how cold you need the water. It is wonderful! |
| For those who are curious about Val's cooling pads, I just ran across a cooling shirt. Same idea, the cooling pack, tube that feeds into a shirt with coils for the circulating cold air.
I forgot to get the page, but it's at http://www.Gemplers.com and item number(s) are 145840 and 145843. Maybe we could modify it for our hot pups this summer. |
| Brie says "Thankyou Val". She is glad you are all comfortable and says she could of used that cooling device for herself this summer.
She is sending Sheepie hugs to the recovering patient & let's you know it has passed her "Paw of Approval". |
| WOW. That exray was amazing. Thank God for all the medical
progress, think if this happend back in the 1800's, ypu would probably never walk right again. I admire your strength. You'll have gone through the worse before the nice weather starts. |
| Such GREAT news since I've logged in last!! That break looked really nasty and painful, though. Take your time in attempting things. You don't want to take one step forward and two steps back.
Hang in there, pal. It will all be over before you know it! |
| I'm glad you're on the road to recovery - keep getting better! The X-Rays were amazing.
|
Glad to hear that you're doing so well, Val 
Welcome to the "Hardware Where Bone Is Supposed To Be" club! Watch 'em flinch when you go through the metal detectors in the airport.
Hugs, Nita |
| Val - I got it!!!! I know (or am pretty sure) why your polar ice isn't working. Amazingly, the picture did it.
The cooler has to be lower than the pad. If it's on the table above your leg, it won't work right. . I hope this works.  |
got sheep wrote: Val - I got it!!!! I know (or am pretty sure) why your polar ice isn't working. Amazingly, the picture did it.
The cooler has to be lower than the pad. If it's on the table above your leg, it won't work right. . I hope this works. Check you out! A real detective! I read that on \the container when it stopped working and so I put it on the ground, but that didn't work. So I tried it back on the cart again and now \neither location works. I just filled it with the hand pump. It is just not pumping. I wonder if I burned it out, maybe because I had it on the cart?
Luckily, the pain is really pretty minimal but the ice felt so good. . . |
| I hope it didn't burn up. Maybe it has to be reprimed? Like an airlock in it?
Ughh! I wish I remember what I did to fix the last one this happened to. Of course it was over a year ago, so that may be the problem with my memory.
By looking at your picture with the xrays, you really still need the ice. The more it swells, the more it hurts. Viscious circle. |
got sheep wrote: Maybe it has to be reprimed? Like an airlock in it?
Ughh! I wish I remember what I did to fix the last one this happened to. I think that is it. I think it got too much air in it because I switched out the ice water a couple times with the cord still attached to the pad. I didn't realize that disconnecting the pad put the pumping on hold. I just filled it with the hand pump and it feels much better. Maybe the electric pump will start working since I think I pushed out alot of air. . . Thanks for thinking about it with me. I really love the ice. My incision looks alot better today. Actually, everything feels better to the point where I almost got up without my crutches and then remembered I have a broken leg. |
| I hope it starts working. My fingers are crossed. |
| Val, if it hasn't started working, call the company you are "renying" it from. There is usually a label on the side of the machine somewhere. If not, either the surgeon or the insurance company should be able to help.
They should bring out a new machine - you can keep the pad. I had a different model of the ice machine, so things may have changed. It made absolutely no difference on the position of the container in relation to my shoulder. The pump forces the water through. When I store it, I drain all of the water out of the machine. So it has to push the air out everytime I use it again. And it seems somebody is always borrowing it. Did you check the contols on the side of the machone - the temperature gauge? If it's set too warm, it pumps slower (I think). Even if it starts working, call and ask them to replace it. You need equipment you can rely on. |
| Gosh Val - you're making great headway!! Lots of good news since I checked in last.
Glad to hear you're mending so well. That's fabulous! |
Val...it's great that you are starting to feel better 
We need you to be up and moving around...and taking pictures. I am starting to shake...going through withdrawl from your beautiful photos of Maggie and Chummie |
| How long do you need to keep it iced for? |
| She will be icing it off and on for the next year. Especially after physical therapy. |
| Glad to hear things are feeling better Val |
| Those xrays show a nasty break Val. Glad to hear that you are getting better so much quickly. |
BatonRougeSheepies wrote: Those xrays show a nasty break Val. Glad to hear that you are getting better so much quickly.
Yeah. . . it really did hurt. But thankfully, it feels much better now. I am pretty much off the painkillers except for one or two during the night. Which still seems like alot to me but that's a huge reduction from 2 every four hours all day and night. The swelling has really gone down too. I can also make out my kneecap now. It ain't pretty but its mine! Woo hoo! |
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