Catching Up!

Here I am, back home and recouping from surgery to repair the torn quadraceps ligament on my right knee on Tuesday. Everything went very well and it was a good experience all the way. The team at NVRH are exceptional - all the times I've had to go there for any procedure, I've never had a bad experience. On Tuesday everyone was so kind and considerate - like Jamie told Marie later, "I think Mom almost had fun!" And of course he was on hand to take pictures of me when I'm obviously at my worst. He took one right after the operation when they had most of the stuff detached from me and finally fed me. I never had peanut butter and jelly muffins and coffee taste so good!

I went prepared to stay overnight, but everything went perfectly and since I'd already had two weeks' practice using a walker and keeping that injured knee from bending, I was good to go after Pam from PT checked me out in various maneuvers. It was really good to get settled in my recliner - Jamie and Marie helped me get situated (and here I am, back in my chair) and I was fine. The next morning I couldn't believe how good my knee felt. However, by bedtime, I was hurting - everywhere, so I spent most of that night in my recliner. From that point on I've had steady improvement - but I've also been very careful not to overwork that knee and leg. Now I'm quite comfortable with it extended, of course; and when I walk and put weight on it, there is a bit of pain, but that is very mild and each day gets a bit better. However, when I have a crazy idea like going down the steps to recycle stuff in the garage, I just don't do it. I do think about it - but it isn't worth the risk.

I've had lots of company - people in and out to get things ready for when I'm REALLY old and unable to get around. Adapting a home for handicapped living is pretty interesting. However, I know what this is all about: The three boys got together and decided nobody wants to have Mom come live with them! We laugh about that, but I think it would be as difficult for me as it would be for them. And while this is just a minor glitch - I'll be good as new in no time - there may be a time later when I'll need all these accommodations. And in the meantime, I intend to enjoy them!

Actually, the doctor found evidence of an old injury in my knee that he said might have been the reason it gave out on me so suddenly. And goodness knows, I've had a few wrenches and tumbles over the years, falls from bikes, horses, skiing, and one really bad sliding accident when I was in my 20s. I was with a bunch of adults on a big traverse sled going down Pinkham Hill from the Cabot Plains School house to Brickett's Crossing Road and around that corner past Deeper Ruts Road. The traverse was loaded so heavily that the front man couldn't steer it so we swiped a snowbank at a pretty high rate of speed. It ended our sledding that night, and I was lame for days afterward, but went to work as usual the following day and never saw a doctor. It could have happened then. That was decades ago. But I'm properly repaired from this fall and doing fine now.

The weather is still beautiful, but so very dry. I keep hearing about more people, neighbors, who are out of water - some folks living at Joe's Pond are either out or very low, and that is not good when winter is coming at us in a few more weeks. I just hope we get some real meaningful rain next week. The forecast has rain beginning Tuesday through Thursday - but I haven't heard if it will be a gentle mist that almost evaporates before it hits the ground, or a good old downpour. In the meantime, there is foliage still, but it hasn't been as brilliant around my house as most years. I've lost lots of leaves, and those that are left are just dried and brown. It only takes a little wind to rip them off the trees. It's still pretty, but just a lot more browns than usual. Enjoy, and be well.

All the time I was away from my computer, I kept thinking about the link Jamie sent me of the very nice program at the Danville train station a bit over a week ago and I didn't get a chance to post. KATV recorded it, so click HERE to see that. I haven't looked at it yet, but I did see a little of the proceedings on WCAX at the time. Nice job, everyone. I know lots of people have worked really hard to make this happen.