Freedom!

I just got home from an appointment with my orthopedic surgeon.  This was a big appointment for me, with several questions about my recovery.

First of all, it's all looking great!  My plastic surgeon cleared me two weeks ago to lose the boot I've been wearing for so long, but I had to wait for this appointment to see what the ortho said.  The 2 screws in my left ankle are still there and in place.  Problem is, with my already skinny ankles and the muscle atrophy, my ankle is down to nothing!  I can touch my thumb and middle finger together when I wrap them around it.  So because of this, and also the range of motion I'm slowly gaining, I have been able to feel the 2 screws, on either side of my ankle (inside and out).

He told me before that it was a 50/50 chance of having the screws removed.  If they broke, then they could stay.  But they are still intact.  And since my ankle has no muscle, fat, or tissue to cushion the screws (which is why I can feel them), he is recommending they come out.  So in about 4 weeks I will go in for Surgery #5 to have them removed.  It will be a quick day surgery, with a short recovery.  He also thinks I will have better range of motion in my ankle after removing the screws.

This is all great news!  Yes, it means another surgery, but it also means that I am healing and my body is doing what it should. 

The surgery will fall around the week of August 22-26, which falls right before a very busy September. There's Labor Day, our 5 year wedding anniversary trip to San Antonio, and a trip to California to visit my brother, sister-in-law, and my niece (who I have not been able to meet yet).  But the recovery time for this surgery will be quick, so he doesn't think it will hinder any vacation plans.

The biggest and most exciting news of the day is that I can stop wearing my boot!!!!  This is the best news of my recovery, especially here in Texas!  The boot is lined with "fur" (I think it's fleece).  It is the hottest boot imaginable.  Everyone tells me it looks like an Ugg.  And it's been 100+ degrees here for several weeks.  Yesterday my car told me it hit 110*.  Imagine wearing your Ugg's in that weather!  Not fun. 

He also told me to start weaning off of the crutches.  I have tried using just one crutch (with the boot on), and even no crutches.  It wasn't pleasant.  But when I got home today (wearing my regular shoes), I was actually able to walk around (well, limp around) and carry my own plate of food.  It is such a relief to know that I am now able to get myself something to eat or drink without having to rely on someone else to carry it for me.  I am not ready to go crutch-less out of the house just yet, but I'm on my way!

I don't think I'll be able to wear my sexy heels  on our anniversary trip, but that's okay.  I was told 4-6 weeks after the surgery to be careful (no dancing or twisting of the ankle), so that will be a little too soon to wear 4" heels.  I'll just have to go find some sexy flats!

Riley is doing well, too.  I had an appointment a couple weeks ago to get him started with play therapy.  Now I'm just waiting to hear back from the counselor to get him scheduled.  He's had a busy few weeks!  He's attending the Summer Fun! camps at our church, as well as Vacation Bible School.  He has had a blast, and will continue to have fun as the summer goes on!  While he seems to be doing a little better, I still want to get him in the play therapy to make sure he is able to work through his emotions after the accident.  He still holds a "grudge" against motorcycles, and seems to worry more than he should.  The anger issues are still there, but don't seem to be as bad.

Almost forgot to mention that I've been driving for the last few weeks.  Which means I've been off the pain meds for a few weeks!  Over the counter meds have been able to manage my pain (mostly). 

So that's it for now.  I'm staying busy with church, kids, the DFW Cloth Diaper Group, the DFW Cloth Diaper Project, physical therapy,  and other activities that are part of life!

This Moment: Donut Date

This moment is just a photo of a memory from this week.  A moment in time that you want to keep frozen in your memory.


This week's memory is from yesterday.  Riley and I had a donut date before he went to a "camp" at church.  It's a rare time anymore when it's just me and him.  I appreciate these moments even more now! 

fml...

Really?!

I read so many posts on facebook about people complaining about the little things, followed by "fml".  For those who don't know what that means, it is "f**k my life".  Sorry, I apologize for the language, I don't like reading blogs with it, but it has been irritating me for a long time.  So this is my vent.

Even before my accident, I didn't like reading posts with that.  But even more so in the last 12 weeks, it really irks me (I love any chance to use the word "irks").  I admit, I may post a complaint here and there, but I never even think "fml".  It is very sad to me that so many people think that small problems are so big.  I understand that there are some days where I may feel down and defeated.  But things really are not that bad.

My kids may drive me crazy and get on my last nerve on a day that I woke up on the wrong side of the bed.

My car may break down (been there, done that -- plenty of times).

A car cut me off today.

I got in a fight with my husband.

I got a bad haircut trying to save a few bucks.

I was in a motorcycle accident with my husband and still can't walk 12 weeks later, much less take care of my kids.

My 4 year old potty trained son is having regressions and has PTSD as a result of our accident.

It's not the end of the world.  Life goes on.

When I traveled to Nigeria in 2003, everyone told me to expect culture shock when I got there.  I did experience it, but not until returning home.  On that trip, I witnessed children running around naked because they had no clothes, yet they still had joy on their face!  I witnessed women caring for orphans (who lost their parents to illness or war) who genuinely loved what they did, despite the poor living conditions (no electricity and a hole in the floor for a "toilet").  I witnessed people singing and dancing down the aisle at church to joyfully give their offering, even if they couldn't "afford" it.  I experienced the "potholes" in the roads (that spanned the width of the road and were just as deep).

Then I came home to America, where more is never enough.  Where we complain about the tiniest bump in the road.  Where we complain about a dirty restroom at the mall.  Where we complain about not being able to afford the newest phone/tv/video game/_insert gadget here_.  Where we are jealous of our friend's new designer handbag or shoes.   Where we complain about a 5 minute power loss from a storm.

I'm not saying this to be "holier than thou", or to make you think I'm perfect by any means.  I'm not.  I do complain about these things (though I complain about potholes a lot less!).  But I also know there's no point in thinking my life is horrible because of the little things that go wrong.  Or even the big things.  Use a little perspective and you will realize that even the big things may one day look small.  Or that your big troubles in life are nothing compared to a friend's or neighbor's.  Or that stranger you passed by in the store, the one who has to choose between diapers and food because they can't afford both.


Instead of saying "fml", why not just be thankful for all of the little good things in your life?  You might realize there's a lot more good than bad.  And even if there's not, be thankful.  Always.