Through the Window

 

It has been 1 week since my second surgery, the fusion of my left sacroiliac joint. I have not been outside since October 22nd. The sunshine and blue sky looks lovely, but the temperatures and wind have not been conducive to sitting outside. So I enjoy autumn through the windows. 

I have a lot more fatigue this time around. Since I had two surgeries within the past 6 weeks that should not be too surprising. I try to listen to my body and nap pretty often. 

I know my husband is stressed out trying to prepare meals and clean up and do laundry. He is restless and bored wanting to go places and do things. I just do not feel up to that yet. It is painful to sit, and riding in the car is not a welcome thought. I will have a post-op medical appointment on November 3rd in Fort Wayne which will require an hour in the car. Hoping I will feel better in the next 5 days.

Our retirement community transitioned from its well-based system to city water Monday. There is noticeably less water pressure. Seems like water softening is also not working as it did previously. There will probably have to be some adjustments. 

I am working on my Bible study lessons, reading a book, working on a jigsaw puzzle, playing some games on my tablet. They distract from the discomfort some. Not very productive otherwise. I start physical therapy on November 7th. 

I knew getting through 2 surgeries would be a long slog. I am about half-way through. I am counting on Thanksgiving being a turning point, a time when I truly feel well again. Until then, perseverance is the name of the game. 

I Have a Date

 On October 6th, I received a phone call that my sacroiliac fusion surgery on my left side on October 14th had been cancelled. I was told the surgeon was unavailable. I could wait until mid-December or see one of the other 3 spine doctors to see if they could fit me into their case load. 

I met with a new surgeon last Thursday. I really like him. He told me that my original surgeon had been in an auto accident and sustained major injuries; he is expected to have a full recovery, but it will take time. This new surgeon said he would try to fit me into his surgery schedule within 3 weeks.

I received a phone call a short while ago. I have a date! My surgery will now take place on October 22nd. I am thanking God that this will allow me to recover sufficiently before the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. 

I received a little bouquet of flowers from my cleaning lady's garden again last Thursday. It has been a blessing to have some flowers to enjoy. We did have a light frost last week so these may be the last blooms. I do like autumn but of course here in northern Indiana the growing season ends in October. I have my photos of past bouquets to peruse now during the colder months. 

Touches of Autumn and Recovery Notes

 The weekend before my surgery I got out some autumn decor. I am restricted in bending over and standing on two feet so I thought it best to put out these things while I was not limited.

The little pitcher/vase I bought in Zanesville, Ohio, in 2016 when we stayed at a B and B in Lancaster. I like pottery, and Zanesville is known for its clay soil which led to many pottery companies being established in the area. There was an "antique" store in Zanesville centered around pottery items produced in the area through the decades. 

The lady who cleans my house every two weeks brought me some more flowers. She said she does not have as much variety now, but I think they fit in the autumn color scheme nicely.

We had a few nice days with cool nights, but now we are warming up again to around 80 degrees. I am longing to wear my cool-weather wardrobe items. I have not been outside since September 17th, but I am hoping to eat at the Grace Village dining room Sunday and to attend Bible study Monday morning and choir practice Monday afternoon. Warm-weather clothing needed.

 I have a nightgown which has faded and is pilling which I plan to throw away after surgery recovery. (Don't mind if it gets stained.) I have been looking online at Kohl's and Macy's for Miss Elaine nightgowns (a brand I like and own) with short sleeves that are marked down in price. A few days ago, I found one on Kohl's and it was the last one in my size. I was about 6 dollars short of getting free shipping so I just browsed around. I ended up ordering a short sleeved top for my current hot weather LOL. The shipping was about $9 that I would be saving on and the top around $19 so I rationalized it was like getting a top for $10.

 I usually avoid sleeveless tops because I do not like the way the arm holes gape open and show my bra; but one of the reviews mentioned that there was a little inset of material sewn into the Dolman sleeves to prevent that problem. Anyway, the Nine West top arrived today. I am not sure I would have picked it out to buy in the store, but it does fit well and does not gape. It should go well with black slacks or white pants. 

I was expecting our Hello Fresh meals to arrive yesterday so I was not too surprised when a box showed up on my doorstep. It was not the meals (they did come later), but a big box of surgical dressings. I did not order these. I contacted the surgeon's office and was told they were part of my "surgical package". Except the first 3-4 days when they would have been handy was long gone. At 9 days after surgery, I have no bleeding or oozing at the incision. I was told to keep it uncovered at that point. I hope I do not get another big box after my October surgery on the left side. I won't use up what they already sent. It is nice to be prepared, but sometimes it just seems like waste. It may be that when the sutures are removed Tuesday that covering the incision a few days will be a good idea. I am trying to be optimistic about this surprise package.

Bionic Woman

 

It wasn't until after my sacroiliac fusion surgery that I learned the name of the fixation system that my surgeon used. It is the TiLink P system by SurGenTec. Modern technology is quite amazing in the orthopedic field. You can watch a video about how it works at the manufacturer's website. I am now a bionic woman.