In recovery mode

I returned to my condo on Thursday morning accompanied by my neighbors, Ike and Doris. Doris and Ginny drop in frequently and accompany me on short walks outside. Overall I have been pleasantly surprised at my progress. There have been a few blips primarily involving getting the systems back in gear, but the pain has been mostly in the form of pressure and discomfort. I'm halving the prescription pain med and only using at night supplemented by Motrin in the daytime. I'm still a little fuzzy brained and move slow but enjoying getting some reading done.

This morning is my first adventure onto the computer and working my way through the accumulated emails. Two new Facebook friends to greet. I'm still understanding how that all works but hope to have some fun with it while I recupperate.

Not much interest in food yet but my neighbor Arlene brought over homemade chicken soup last night and it was a real treat. Nothing like chicken soup for the soul or the system!

More later...Doris is ready to take me for a stroll on this cold, windy but sunny Florida morning. Thanks for all your good wishes and positive thoughts. It means a lot to me.

Update from daughter Emily:

Mom's surgery went well (in and out in about 3 hours) and she is in recovery in the hospital with a nice view of the river. Ginny was there to see her once she got into the recovery room around 11:15ET and she seemed groggy but fine. They mentioned she will be there until Thursday most likely. I'll update if any other news ensues...

Upcoming Event

My bag is packed, I'm ready to go, leaving via Ginny's auto before the sunrise on Monday Jan 26. Unfortunately the destination is not far away or exciting, but is Martin Memorial Hospital where I have a 7:30 a.m. date with a surgeon for a total hysterectomy. It's taken me 14 years to agree and hopefully it's a wise decision and I'll come out better than new. My principle caregivers (I'm tempted to say "handlers" will be my neighbors Doris and Ginny. I decided to include a photo of our Maine Lobster Banquet that Ginny and I feasted on at Doris's house in August. It's a more positive photo than I'm sure we'd make tomorrow morning.

Daughter Emily will post some progress reports here on the blog until I can get my hands back on a keyboard. I have a stack of books to read, some computer projects lined up, and some of Les's home health equipment so I should be good to go when the hospital sends me out the door in 3-4 days. So until I can get back to you...so long for a while.

Happy New Year

Emily, Gayle and Margaret are ready to party!

Michael with Josh

Granddaughter Katherine

Well we are a week into the new year and a week after my birthday. Somehow it seems longer as a lot has happened since I wrote my Christmas Post. I flew to Chicago, landing despite fog, on Saturday the 27 to attend a 50ies themed Bridal shower and batchelorette party for nephew Luke's Bride-to-be Caitlin. I managed to keep up with the younger women until about 12:30 a.m. despite my 4 a.m. rising time. On Sunday they treated me to a brunch as a pre birthday celebration.

Later that day Michael and Karen brought Katherine, Josh and Carl to Ginny's for a visit. Then Monday morning Ginny and I hit the road for Florida having beautiful clear skies and dry roads all the way back to Stuart. The 31st neighbors had us over for a wonderful dinner with birthday candles in my dessert before going on to another neighbors for New Years toasts. I began the New Year with a long bike ride which I hope heralds the start of a good year. I've also been working on my Facebook page where more photos are available.

I will be the "old lady off the road" for a while as I will have major surgery Jan 26 for a hysterectomy. I've been avoiding this since 1995 when my excuse was going sailing. Now however I'm told the size and location of fibroids make it necessary. I plan to use the blog for updates. Meantime I have one more camping adventure first meeting sailing friends in our land "yachts" at nearby Jonathan Dickenson State Park January 21. I plan to keep up the biking until the 25th! We've also had good weather for our pool exercise class. I'm already looking forward to returning to these activies.

Have a happy and healthy New Year everyone.