Waiting For The Magic To Happen

 

I almost titled this blog "Ditto" because not much has changed from yesterday. The Magic Pills we finally got late last night from the pharmacy didn't exactly kick in and cure everything. Or much.

Yet.

We are terrible patients with no patience. 

So for caution's sake, I professionally distanced myself from work and stayed in the home office today. I socially distanced myself at choir practice, sitting 3 pew rows back during practice. (Jim tackled practice at his church tonight as well.) 

And maritally distanced myself as both Jim and I pretty much stayed to our own offices/separate rooms. Based on our back-and-forth hacking heard across the house, we're still on the Respiratory Struggle Bus. Where is that darn next bus stop so we can get off??

Thanks for the kind words and prayers. We're adults. We've got this. I just happen to have a blog that allows me to whine about it. SORRY!!

Be careful out there!

Airborne for the Win

I rarely do any type of product endorsements here, but about mid-morning when I remembered we had this in the medicine cabinet, it was a win. I worked from home again to not spend the day coughing on co-workers.

But that magical effervescent tablet in mid-morning was really the cure for me. (Unfortunately not for hubby so much.)

So I got through work, got through a middle school volleyball photo shoot, and fake suffered (LOL) through an always wonderful Girls Night Out (with Mexican food) that I hoped would clear up my sinuses. Pretty sure it helped, at least.

Now if us non-Brewers fans could just help them win tonight. Hey, when our teams are out, the Blue Jay Drive team is like "go, Wisconsin!"

Walker-ing in a Winter Wonderland

Today was just your typical Friday. You know, work and therapy. I prefer saying therapy over "rehab."

As expected, hubby had a rough first night with little sleep. Even with those magic pills! At least he's managing the pain a bit more proactively this time. But powering through his first physical therapy session this morning was as brutal as you'd think. 

My therapy session after work was trigger-point therapy. Also painful, but short-lived. And I feel loads better after.

Hubby's not quite there. I continue to feel helpless but am doing what I can. He's pretty immobile now and needs some assistance getting in and out of the recliner. I had planned to go shoot pictures of the Royals' double-header tonight, but really can't leave him alone for long. Pretty much how it was last time around.

He'll rely 100 percent on the walker for another two days, I'm guessing. Just grateful he hasn't had to maneuver that magical tennis-ball supported contraption through snow yet. I don't know how we escaped the forecast from last night, but we're OK with that! 

Thanks for the continued well wishes for him. And thanks to our friendly neighbors for delivering fish fries for supper. I certainly don't need spoiling just because he does... Not that I'll turn it down. 

I certainly won't take my healthy knees and mobility for granted ever again! Be careful out there.

Bionic Man :: The Sequel

Hard to believe that it's been 6 weeks already since the Bionic Man Steve Austin, er Jim Austin, had his left knee replaced. That meant today was time for round 2 – the right knee!

We were early to bed last night and up early today to get him checked in by 6:30 a.m. 

We've got this routine down now. After he was prepped for surgery, I went out to the waiting area and worked on my laptop a couple hours, then saw him in person. Then went home and worked some more and returned after he ate lunch. 

The doc said everything went well and that this knee – like the other – was overdue for a replacement. 

Same 2 discharge requirements as last time – after being served his antibiotics, he needed to walk around without his BP dropping or anything, and he needed some liquid success in the restroom. He accomplished both much quicker than last time so we were home around 3 p.m.

We learned some things last time and our primary focus is getting AHEAD of the pain and ice as often as we can. His left leg needs to step up now and be the strong one! I definitely won't be leaving him unsupervised much until we're sure Lefty's doing his job.

Thanks for the well wishes and support. We're just grateful for a skilled doctor, a flexible work schedule for recovery.

And the fact that we shouldn't have to pay 6 million dollars for the upgrade.

Count your blessings and be careful out there!

Hap-Bee Hump Day

Someone in my family thought I might appreciate this sign! I won't name names but... she was born 9 minutes after me! I'm kidding. She saw it said she wouldn't dream of putting a bee in my bonnet, so to speak, by buying this for me.

And I'm not quite over it.

My right ankle is still a bit swollen but not as bad as Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. And thank the good lord – all of your suggestions – I can finally sleep at night! What did the trick?

Honestly, I'm not sure. I think a combination of my "Sting Operation" here!

On day 2, finding the lidocaine helped some and slathering the heck out of my lower leg with good old anti-itching cream. My cousin had a suggestion about marking my sting with an X and slapping it. I think that actually popped the stinger out. Is that not weird? Something came off anyway. Then I applied the other stuff. And kept applying it. And kept applying it.

For days on end, it seems.

Today we're down to morning and afternoon anti-itching cream. And we're good.

Pretty sure I'm done with outdoor chores for the summer. Mr. Deck Chair was chastising me, reminding me that I don't get stung (or see snakes) when I'm hanging out with him. Thank goodness, he talked some sense into me with half the summer still remaining!

Bee careful out there!

Sore Armed and Ready

So yesterday during lunch – before golf, softball, and supper clubbing – hubby and I got our booster shots at one of the pharmacies in town. 

This was our second booster. We're just trying to keep up with the times. It wasn't a big deal and I sort of forgot about it since my arm wasn't too sore and I wasn't having any other reactions. Not even anything like how I felt when I actually had it this spring.

Until I woke up this morning. My left arm was so sore! Like I can't lift it higher than shoulder height kind of pain. Jim and I were both feeling that and feeling tired. It really wasn't a late night. It was just hard to be awake today. Which is sort of a requirement for work! Seriously, I was able to work fine.

With coffee. Lots of coffee.

But about now my body's crashing or close to it. I know. Crazy exciting Friday night here on Blue Jay Drive. I actually caught myself cleaning the refrigerator earlier – in case you wanted a sneak peak at the fun behind closed doors. I think it's recliner and surf channels time next. Try to contain yourself.

And have a nice weekend!

No Pain, No Gain

Well my lucky shirt did not hold off the vaccination side effects all that long. Did last to the 12-hour post-shot mark OK. But hours 13 through 24 were just plain awful.

Hubby and I are generally very healthy (knock on wood) so it's been years since I had anything resembling the flu. I forgot how much I hate it. I forgot what a wimp I am!

Just go down the checklist on the left up there – had both warmth and chills (fun combo), fatigue but I couldn't sleep (another fun combo), big time headache this morning, and oh the muscle and joint pain! That was the main reason I couldn't sleep. Couldn't get comfortable. And my left arm still hurts. So I slept in a bit this morning and started work late. Just couldn't move.

Jim had these side effects, too. But his arm didn't hurt as much since he exercised it yesterday. I'm going to predict one more rough night of sleep since we're definitely not at 100%. But as I said, any short-lived symptoms are worth going through for the end result. Keep your eye on the prize.

No pain, no gain!