Back on the bicycle

This week has been really busy but the good news is the doctor removed all restrictions which means I'm back riding my bike. I can tell I'll have to build up my miles again. I feel it in my legs.

The photo was taken Sunday night as I walked home from our dock where we watched the shuttle launch, It was quite spectacular and I wish I'd taken a photo then but was busy watching the separation through my binoculars. Do click on the photo to get a better picture.

I am starting to do a count down for my April 30 departure for the road trip to Alaska. I expect to be gone a little over 3 months so there's lots to do. This week I'll head to Chicago for Michaels wedding on Friday and seeing some of the Rockford area family on Saturday. The following week I'm off for some Florida camping and a rendezvous with sister Karen in the Ocala area. It seems as if I'm doing everything in double time which is a real adjustment from the life of leisure I had in February. I am pleased though to have the recovery go so smoothly and am so thankful for all the assistance, thoughts and prayers that aided in my healing.

Emily's visit

Emily made my seafood pizza on Saturday night complete with a homemade crust. It was delicious. She cooked three nights and we enjoyed leftovers on the last night. I gained weight! It was a great visit that included a long beach walk and a tour of the Frances Langford Beachhouse that was a designer showcase to raise funds for the Children's Home and Aid Society. Spectacular ocean views and guest suites that had once been occupied by the likes of Jackie Gleason and Bob Hope.

She also helped me with some chores including putting the new windshield cover on the van, changing light bulbs, and storing my health aid equipment back in the attic. The 500 piece jigsaw finally was finished as a result of her seeing my problem in a new light (missplaced pieces).

On my list was checking out the I Phone. I had been considering one or an IPod which I learned is actually a feature on the I Phone. I decided to go ahead after Emily plied the ATT salesman with questions and I tried it out. As a result Emily says I've now "out teched" her. However I still have a ways to go on the learning curve. She was able to set up some applications including one that will use the GPS function to track my bicycle riding. My email is coming through on the Ipod as well and will be great for traveling. I can't believe all it does and I've probably barely scratched the surface. (Actually fingerprints on the surface are the biggest negative so I need to get some kind of cover.)

I have to say I was a bit worn out but the 4:45 a.m. departure she had may have contributed to that. I found a series of gentle exercises from Hystersister website which I'm trying to do twice a day for that "swelly belly" that just doesn't seem to go down!

Breaking News

The doctor said I was TWO weeks ahead of schedule with my surgical healing!!! Still some restrictions but a real feeling of progress and the end being in sight.

Week 4

It was 4 weeks Monday since the surgery and only feels like 8! However I am walking farther and find I have more mobility and flexibility and just an occasional "twinge". The next Dr. appointment is Friday so hopefully she'll ok the pool exercises. It has been too cold most of the month for the class to take place though.

Last Thursday was a sad day with the peaceful passing of friend and neighbor Randy. His wife Arlene was feeding me my first days at home saying that she needed to cook for herself and he was unable to eat anything. He had a long and valient fight with the Big C and I'll always remember him in his red turtleneck so full of life and dancing with Arlene at the condo's Christmas Party. Randy and Arlene were my cheerleaders as I approached purchasing Big Mama and prepared for my trips. Their support was very meaningful and helpful to me in so many ways. Losing Randy is a big loss for us all and our hearts go out to Arlene and their family.

On a brighter note I took the car out today and did a few errands. Other than almost misplacing my grocery cart, it went well. Tomorrow I'll drive to the main library for the Women Lit book group. Last week was the first session and friend Kim provided my transportation. Tomorrow she is the presenter of Five Quarters of an Orange.

Daughter Emily is working in Florida this week and will drive to Stuart on Friday for a long weekend visit. It will be great to have some time together but I also have a "to do" list of some tasks one of which is to return some of this hospital equipment to the attic---a sign of progress!!!

Week 3

Tomorrow will mark 3 weeks since the surgery.While I am still restricted in my activities, i.e. no swimming pool, not yet driving, no lifting, etc. , overall I feel pretty good. I've been trying to walk daily and extend the distance and number of times a day. The beautiful weather with the sun warming me has to be healing. Today I went to the grocery store with Ike and Doris. They were also nice enough to help me dispose of my recyables.

They gyn dr. gave me a good report on Tuesday as did my biannual checkup with the retina doctor. So I guess it's just a matter of time to get all these internal stitches healed and the muscles and organs back closer to normal. Of course my patience is not great at this.

I am doing lots of reading and some computer research. Highlights of this week was a nice long visit from W. Palm friend Betty who came complete with a Valentine's themed picnic lunch. We never run out of discussion topics and she greatly enjoyed working on the 500 piece jigsaw puzzle and we made some good progress. Then the following day, boating friends Elizabeth and Don arrived and they took were hooked by the puzzle leaving only the difficult shades of purple sky for my struggle. They treated me to dinner out and we also spent a great hour down at the community fishing dock watching boats and dolphins. All in all I feel very fortunate and blessed.

Outing

I thoroughly enjoyed the concert Friday afternoon. The balcony seats seemed more comfortable than the chairs at home. Fortunately there's a elevator and our seats are down only a couple of steps. We were able to park close by as well. All this added some wonderful and interesting musical selections made my first outing most enjoyable and doable. Today I'll take in a quilt show opening at the library with Ginny and Doris at one of the local libraries. Only problem, no time to finish my puzzle or books! Such a busy life!

A week at home

I can't say it's gone quickly and yet I've kept the time filled at my slow pace. I'm now walking the cul de sac circle alone and today made two rounds. Yesterday I saw the urologist who declared his part was a success. Tuesday I'll see the gyn and hope she'll ease up on the restrictions. The ur Dr. said I can do most anything after next week but no bicycling for 6 weeks. I'm still on 1/2 a pain pill every 4-6 hours. I decided to stick to one kind after some lightheadedness. At least I know what to blame my symptoms on.

I was really concerned how it would go living alone but it's not been as scarey as I thought. My neighbors have been great checking in on me. I highly recommend the "grabbers" that I inherited from Les. I think I'll keep them handy. I go out to get the paper with them and retrieve items from low places. I also keep a notebook to record medications, symptoms,etc.

I've really been enjoying my jigsaw puzzle set sent by boating friends. There are 3-100, 300, and 500 piece sets. I finished the smallest and now doing the middle one on the dining room table. I forgot how addictive they can be..."just one more piece". I would never have thought of it as a get well present but it's a great idea, at least for me.

Our weather has been cool and windy but sunny which helps my attitude though the electric bill may be a shock. The manatees have been coming past the dock trying to find warm water and I was able to spot one the other day.

I'm also reading Loving Frank and Reading Lolita in Tehran for some library book groups. The latter I've partially read before and am finding a bit tedious knowing how little progress if any has been made for women in Iran since the book was published.

Tomorrow I'm hoping to attend the Atlantic Classical Orchestra at Stuart's Lyric Theatre. The soloists are Christopher O'Reilly and violinist 16 year old Caroline Goulding, both of whom performed singly with the group last year. It's an afternoon performance and Ginny will drop me at the door so I think it will be ok. I just hate to miss any of the season's performances. They are always a treat including the pre-performance talk by the conductor given in his wonderful Scottish brogue.