February Already?!

   Wow! Where does the time go? Between work and physical therapy I have lost track of a lot of time! I plan to get into my craft room this weekend to get ready for Valentine's Day. My oldest daughter and my youngest grandson share a birthday and Valentine's Day! I already sent out all my Valentine's that had to be mailed. Now I will work on the kid treat bags and birthday stuff.
    On another note...I need to start preparing for my camping/kayaking trip coming up on March 9th. Time to make some lists!!

Chili Paddle!

    Sounds funny, doesn't it!? It is chilly to paddle...but a chili paddle is something else entirely! So first everyone paddles their kayaks out in the Cumberland River - those of us who can anyway. The rest get together and put on this huge Chili Dinner for when everyone gets back! YUM!!
    This weekend was super busy! No great pictures to show yet...going to sit and relax now. Thunderstorming again...I love to sit and listen to the rain...so peaceful! A cup of tea and a good book to read...nice, quiet house...mmmmmm! Good night!!!

Winter Kayaking!

     Yesterday my kayaking meetup group went on a paddle to the Stones River in Murfreesboro, TN. Everybody had a great time - except me - sniff, sniff! :-( Of course, I cannot lift my right arm to hold my paddle!!! But it still is not fair! Whine...whine...whine!!  Just so I would feel better, I signed up to go to a chili supper after next weekend's winter paddle!! If I can't paddle for real yet - then I will paddle vicariously through everyone else! The week following that, I plan to start hiking again with Nashville Hiking Meetup. They do lots of events and I can pick and choose the ones I am able to accomplish.
     Next Dr. visit will be January 31st. He'll probably let me start driving again - I've been driving without permission for over a week now. Then I start 6 weeks of strengthening therapy and then I should be done. That puts me at mid March for recovery. I am planning a camping/paddling adventure with Aquaholics for March 9th! We will be going to Ft. McCoy, FL! Paddling the Rainbow River and the  Ocklawaha River and camping at the outpost right on the river - how fun is that! Here are some cool pictures!!

monkeys along the river  in Florida!

Leslie on the Stones River

Where is my kayak?  :-(

First Post Op Visit

  Today was my first day back to work since my surgery. No students today...just meetings and planning. This afternoon I saw the dr. More x-rays to check on broken arm...healing nicely. Biopsy results were fine. Just some kind of cyst attached to the bone. Not cancer! He thinks all the pain is because the arm was so banged up to begin with. I am doing great as far as he is concerned and he thinks I expect too much from myself. I guess I'll just simmer down and enjoy the pain meds! Therapy again tomorrow...oh joy! Thanks for thinking of me!

Hello!

     Today was another physical therapy day. I was able to do a bit more but ended up with another new prescription for pain.  This arm is very different and I am having a SIGNIFICANT amount of pain with it. Doc thinks it's probably due to the fact that the bone was broken in addition to the tear. I also had some kind of cyst on the bone in my shoulder that has been sent for biopsy. It caused the tear to appear smallish but as he went deeper the tear became much larger...that is kind of scary! I see the Dr. again on Tuesday so maybe I'll have some answers then. Meanwhile regular things like dressing and feeding myself have become exercises in proper planning and pain management. I am ready to be well and strong again! As a side note, sleeping while sitting upright is miserable! Wow! So much whining in such a short amount of space! Thank you for your thoughts and well wishes...I know you care.   :-)

Post-Surgical Update

    I was so nervous going to the hospital that I forgot my camera. Just as well because it looks pretty gruesome! Apparently arthroscopic was a good beginning - but he needed more room - so I have larger incisions. He had to put permanent stitches on the inside - yuck! Exterior stitches came out yesterday, coupled with the first torture session AKA physical therapy. It is amazing how much you cannot do when your dominant arm is injured. Today was the first day I have made an attempt to use the computer. I was so very happy to hear from special friends. You mean so very much! Thank you!

Tomorrow is the Day!

      I am starting to get a bit nervous! Surgery is tomorrow to repair torn rotator cuff. I know it will feel better...but first it will feel so much worse!!  To help get my mind in a better place, I am enjoying hot cocoa and carrot cake all snuggled in bed! I am taking my new super-cool camera so there will be photo documentation...maybe a layout? Maybe too weird! Anyway, I am wishing the surgeon a good night's rest...I hope his game is on for me tomorrow!