New Years Eve

I already did a look-back for the year 2011 and I am really looking forward to 2012, which starts for me in about 11-12 hours.  So right now I'm looking back on my 2011 Christmas celebration to round out the year.

The Night Before Christmas

Christmas was wonderful--the whole weekend!  Jewely and James surprised me by coming a day early!!!!!  I was expecting them late Saturday night and the others played along fantastically.  They kept asking me, "Do you know when Jamely's coming on Friday?"

"No, I don't know."

Zannah said, "Well, Nick and I don't want to be too late watching the movie." ("It's a Wonderful Life--our Christmas Eve tradition)

"Why don't you call them and see when they're coming?"

I was in shock when I saw Jewely's face peak around the couch Friday evening around 7:00.  I thought Zannah and Nick had walked in the door.  They were planning to come and 'hang out' for the evening. I always sit with my back to the kitchen/doors, so I never know who's coming and going.  I think I'm going to have to re-think my sitting spot!  I can't even remember what we did Friday night, I was still in shock!

On Christmas Eve day, the boys (James and Sandy) did their Christmas shopping (???)  Jewely and I watched "The Help" and prepared all the food for Christmas brunch and dinner.  She had made a French Silk pie before she came, so that was taken care of. (it was soooooo gooood!)
Christmas Eve night we all gathered and watched "It's a Wonderful Life."  We laughed, we cried, we quoted passages along with the movie.  It was a wonderful night--one of my favorite traditions.

Christmas Day began with Skyping with James' family in Pinetown, South Africa.  They are nine hours ahead of us, so their day was winding down at 9:30 a.m. Mountain Time.  Since it's summer in Africa, they said it was hot and they had gone swimming to cool off.  It was so nice to see/hear them.  The little kids, Logan and Morgan, are so darling.
Then we all went to church at 10:00 a.m. at my ward.  We took up 3/4 of the back pew.  s.m.i.l.e.
Then we came home and started to bake our Christmas brunch.  Jewely and I had cooked and pre-assembled everything the day before, so all we had to do was bake everything--egg casserole and French toast casserole, and Zannah brought some cinnamon buns to bake.

Zannah putting the icing on the cinnamon buns

Meanwhile, our missionary, Elder Tim Knight, called from Chicago--specifically, Cary, IL in the Crystal Lake area.  We all took turns talking to him.  I got the phone after I was done eating and ambled (hobbled) into my bedroom so I could hear him over the chatter coming from the dining area.  He's doing well, I'm glad to say.  He said the blessing on our meal before we ate, so he was part of our gathering.
After my turn on the phone, we went into the living room and opened our stockings, all the while taking turns to speak to Tim.  It was very hard to hang up, I'll tell ya'.

Nick talking to Tim while Zannah empties their stocking.

Sandy talking to Tim while the boys (men) chat

The kids got me a beautiful large picture from Hobby Lobby to hang over my piano.  Here's a picture of it:

My kids got me this for over the piano.  It's perfect!

They also got me a birdhouse and I received some gift cards, too.

Me and the birdhouse--and crutches, of course.

Even though the boys wanted to play with their new video games, I made them pause for awhile so we could have a spiritual program.  I researched and focused on Mary this year and shared from the Apocrypha and the Protevangelion--lost books of the Bible.  It's the only thing we have on Mary and her family, except in Luke Chapter 2.  It gave us insight as to what all the things were that she pondered in her heart, one of my favorite scripture verses.  Then we watched a short video made by our church on the birth of Christ.  "A Gift to the World."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yWcxw6YeF8&feature=relmfu
It was very spiritual.  Very much needed to bring us around to the reason why we celebrate.
Zannah and Nick had to leave about 4:00 to go to his grandma's for dinner, so the boys got to play and Jewely and I watched one of her (two) new Josh Groban DVDs (that I got for her).
We had a late dinner--Honey Baked Ham, macaroni and cheese, and a salad (that nobody ate).  Later we had pie--it was the most delicious French Silk pie I've ever tasted!!!  Good job, Jewely!  She loves to cook and bake.
Then...to end the day...we played Rock Band. I know, not very spiritual.

Monday we all had off.  The kids all slept in and then went out to a late breakfast at the Belgian Waffle House, then they all went shopping to spend their gift cards.  I stayed home and spent some quiet time.  I am still not very mobile, especially to go shopping.
About 3:00 ZanNick picked me up and we all met at The District in South Jordan to see the movie "Sherlock Holmes."  It was fantastic!  Then we came back here and had some more ham dinner and then Zannah went home to bed because she had to go to work early the next day. Nick joined the rest and went to Outback Steakhouse to sample some appetizers. James had never been to one, so he really wanted to go.  I stayed home again for some quiet time.
When they came back, they all ended up in the basement doing who knows what (haha).

Tuesday, Sandy was bummed because he couldn't flex his schedule to spend a little more time with Jamely.  I took this whole week off, so I was able to spend time with them.  Jewely and I watched the other Josh Groban DVD and we talked and talked. 
After work, Zannah and Nick came over and we all Skyped with the Tobelmann Family at Warren's house.  It was so great to see the (almost) whole family.  The kids are getting so big!!!  The twins were so cute.  Trudie and Trixie are the youngest of the Tobelmann cousins.  Jeff was hilarious to talk to.  He is the comedian of the family.  His comic timing is ingenious.  He had us all laughing.
ZanNick had to go to Nick's family for dinner and Jamely and I had a little something, too.  They didn't leave until about 7-7:30.  I missed them before they pulled out of the driveway.

*sigh*  another Christmas come and gone.  It was Wonderful!

Here are some pictures:

Nick wearing a hat I made him.  He gave Zannah a book.

Sandy got coal--again!

I made Jewely a Harry Potter scarf

James got an electric car scraper from ZanNick

Alex all decked out in an Eagles ensemble

Jamely

I got ZanNick a Santa

THE END

2011--Oh, What a Year!

So, 2010 was a horrendous year for me--finding out about husband's shenanigans; deciding to leave him (good riddance!).  I consider it the longest year of my life.  I didn't realize how much I would miss my friends and family in Pennsylvania.  I figured, there's only one way to go--UP-- right?  2011 can only be better.
And it was...until September 3rd.
So, let's see what has happened this year...

January, 2011--still living with Meyersons (bless them abundantly, Lord) * found a house * thankful for my job

February, 2011--bought my house February 10th * moved in February 19th * was greeted by the many good people of the Midvale East 2nd Ward

March, 2011--Zannah's wedding on March 11th, my birthday * got my divorce notice (YAY!)

Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas C. Trujillo
Sealed in the Salt Lake Temple March 11, 2011

April, 2011--Alex moved in with me to live in my basement apartment

This is a terrible picture of Alex, but the only one I have at the moment

May, 2011--started planning and planting my garden--total bliss! * called as Sunbeam teacher at church * joined the Old Glory Vintage Dance group (it's so much fun!)

My back garden in May

June, 2011--helped with the Tour de Cure bike ride sponsored by SelectHealth * fell in love with Brigham City * went to the Utah Arts Festival in SLC with Zannah and Nick (so fun!). There was a whole display of a Knit-a-thon (crochet, too) where everything was covered in knitted or crocheted yarn--trees, parking meters, bicycles--even a whole car!  We also saw a performance by Ballet West, which is why Zannah wanted to go.  We rode Trax and had a great time.

Tour de Cure riders getting ready to ride. Beautiful backdrop.

I didn't realize I got the temple in the background. It was several blocks down the road.
The Wild Bird Refuge was closed due to flooding.  Maybe next year!

The new Brigham City temple, under construction

They knitted everything--even a car!  That's me standing next to the car.

UTAH ARTS FESTIVAL

Zannah and Nick waiting for the ballet performance.  It was wonderful.



They knitted and crocheted trees...



...and even bicycles--poles--parking meters--everything! 
It was so fun to discover all the places and things
that had been knitted and crocheted

July, 2011--visited Jewely and James in Rexburg * visited the Campbells in Idaho Falls * stopped in at Brigham City again (why am I drawn to that place?) and saw the angel Moroni on top of the almost completed temple * went to a couple of rodeos with Bonnie (who knew I would love rodeos?)

July 4th rodeo in West Jordan. 
There were fireworks after.  That made my day complete.

Brigham City temple with Angel Moroni

August, 2011--had a Divorce Party--I mean, a "First Anniversary of My Flight to Freedom" party with my PA Pals * had visits from Theresa Sneed and Betsy Love from Arizona;  hosted a book signing for them at my house! What fun! I also went to a book signing/reception for them and rubbed shoulders with authors and editors and publishers (bliss!) * Carla and Ellen Campbell visited from Idaho (so great!); we went to This is the Place Park and to Joe's Crab Shack (YUM!); we attended Music and the Spoken Word on Sunday before they left to go home * Jewely visited for a day or two and we went to Hogle Zoo * (I can't believe I didn't take any pictures. I have to be better with bringing my camera)

September--da.da.daaahhh * while painting a tiny cut-out wall over my fireplace, the ladder I was standing on collapsed and I ended up in the ER. No break was seen on the X-rays, so it was assumed to be a bad sprain.

This was the little wall I was painting when the ladder collapsed.

This looks like a very bad sprain, doesn't it?

This is me, the day before surgery, standing and kneeling on my knee walker
in front of the little wall that Sandy painted in 15 minutes.

 October--finally got an MRI October 11th which disclosed a displaced fracture in the talus bone; surgery needed immediately; surgery on October 17th disclosed dislocated tendons and ligaments; out of work for 3 weeks * my mom flew in from Florida for a week (nice!)

November--follow-up doctor appointment November 1st; stitches out * back to work on November 7th * one-year anniversary at SelectHealth November 22nd (so grateful for my job and understanding boss)
December--started Physical Therapy December 7th; was told I am in the very beginning stages of recovery.  I may not walk without a boot until May.  I may not fully recover for 12 months.

So, I'm looking forward to spending Christmas with three out of four of my kids (and their spouses).  I can't wait to talk to my missionary on Christmas Day, so we will all technically be together that day, via technology.

The year 2011 was mostly wonderful, until Labor Day weekend.  I worked on gaining my freedom and learning who I am, forging a new identity in a new state, new city, new job.   I hope to be able to finish my book, take some creative writing classes and maybe some art classes.  I'm also thinking about taking voice lessons from my friend, Jane Kessler, if she'll teach me. 

So, I'll say again, there's only one way to go--UP--right?  Yes, I choose to believe that.

Merry Christmas 2011

One Year Anniversary at my job

I don't usually post about my job. I don't think it's appropriate. And, people have been fired for doing it. But, this is a milestone in my life, so I'm posting.

On November 22, I celebrated one year at my job at SelectHealth.
Well, I mean, there was no celebration or anything, but I was asked to post what I liked about my job.
While the people celebrating seven years and 11 years and nine years all wrote a sentence or a paragraph, I, of course, had to write my life story.

I told the person in charge to edit the verbosity (is that a word?) and I had some bullets at the end, she said, um, no, I'm sending everything (a mass email went out in my department).

This is what I wrote.

One Year Ago:
Last year was my Leap of Faith year when I left Pennsylvania with no job, no home and not knowing what was going to happen to me.
When I arrived in Utah in September, I went to work right away on the Internet finding a job.  Sometimes I would wake up and not even brush my teeth and just hit the computer and stay there until midnight.
It took about 10 weeks before I started getting prospects and interviews.  Luckily I had some temp jobs.
On the day I interviewed with Eric and Matt, I had 3 other places that I interviewed as well.  I wrote off SelectHealth.  They didn’t really appear too interested in me so I decided not to get my hopes up.

Irony:
Right after that interview, I started temping at Merit Medical in South Jordan, helping the HR department with open enrollment.  Their insurance—SelectHealth!
During that time, I got a call from Marissa Johnson in HR at SH offering me the job of office coordinator for the pharmacy department.  I was flabbergasted! I didn’t think I had a chance.  I asked for time to think about it and she gave me 48 hours.  In that time, I talked to all the SelectHealth people at Merit, asking them how they liked working there.  All I received were positive reviews.
After doing my investigation and finding out how great SelectHealth’s reputation is—#1 place to work in Utah voted upon by the employees—I realized how lucky I was to get the offer.  Benefits would kick in after a month (a real plus) and I could earn a pension on top of a 401k plan (who gets a pension anymore?).  So I called Marissa back and told her, “I accept!”

This whole year I have learned why SelectHealth is the best place to work in Utah. 
When I first arrived, I would ask people in the elevator and the parking lot, “So, you can tell me, do you really like working here?”  Everyone always replied, “YES!”  I thought it was too good to be true. Or I thought the elevators and parking lots were bugged…
There is so much employee appreciation, it couldn’t go unnoticed—free pie; a luau; Christmas presents; raffles and drawings; ice cream; community service; lunch and learn; massages...and a gym!  I joined the gym, I joined the Book Club, I get two massages a month, and I’m making new friends all the time as I take every opportunity that is offered.
I am so lucky to work in an environment that is caring and friendly.  Everyone around me always has a smile and a kind word. And I have the best boss in the whole company!! (True! I’m not just saying that!)
These last few months have been hard and I have to fight feeling sorry for my poor little self, but coming back to work actually brightened my days.  It was so refreshing to know that my co-workers care about me.  I have a little bell and flashy handlebars on my scooter and someone anonymously taped a business card to my wheel (that recently broke off) so I could be even more annoying.  These things tell me that people are thinking about me and caring about me.  It makes me feel good.
I’m so grateful to work here.

So, what do I like best?  Succinctly:
1.       The people.  They’re all good people.
2.       The environment. It’s very caring and friendly.
3.       The employee appreciation.  I don’t feel like a number here, but like a valued contributor.
4.       The opportunity to better myself through educational presentations.

Thankful

Usually all I do is whine and complain on my blog, it seems.  This is the time of year to be thankful--and I am.  I so totally am thankful for all I have.

I read once, somewhere, probably FaceBook, what if you only got those things you thanked God for?  What would you have?

I remember to thank God for all I have in my prayers every morning and every night, but it gave me pause to think that I could be oh, so much more thankful than I am.

I am truly blessed.

While I won't list all of my blessings, I know that my Heavenly Father knows that I am one of  His  most grateful recipients of his blessings and tender mercies He gives and shows me every day.  I see the hand of the Lord in my life and I know that coincidence and serendipity are really Providence in my life.

Thank you, Lord, for watching over me and blessing me.

I am truly thankful.

Not For the Faint at Heart: spoiler alert*

So my first week back to work was uneventful, thank goodness.  Sandy drove me and picked me up on Monday.  It was all I could do to stay until 1:00.  Who knew lying around for 3 weeks would be so exhausting.  I had to use the third week to build up my stamina so I could sit upright for more than just 15 minutes.  Weird, huh?

The next day I actually drove myself to work and I wasn't so afraid. I built up to 5 hour days by Friday.  I hope I can build up to 8 hours this coming week.

There are still so many things that give me angst.  It's like learning my life all over again.  Driving, walking, typing, (and this week I will have a meeting where I have to take Minutes -- scary!).  There were actually people I work with whose names I forgot.  I thought they were new.  Silly me...

I have to say, taking a shower is very challenging.  I have to prepare everything ahead of time--towels, my clothes, crutches--and I have a shower chair that the doctor said I have to use. I'm not allowed to stand in the tub.  I use the tub in the other bathroom rather than my shower.  It's just more convenient.  And I guess I can use whatever I want. lol.  It takes me over a half hour to plan and execute the whole thing.  It's scary because I'm afraid of falling.  Like tonight, I realized I didn't have my phone with me. It was in the bedroom.  I just prayed the whole time I wouldn't fall.  Prayer works.  :)

I don't like feeling so needy.  I'm used to being independent and enthusiastic about life.  And, of course, being an analyzer, I always have to find meaning in all things.  Why did this happen? What am I supposed to learn from this?  I feel like I'm wasting my life.  I see the sunshine outside and I can't be part of it.  There's so much to do around here and I can't do anything!

So what am I learning?

Patience?  I already consider myself a very patient person.  I was a piano teacher, for heaven's sake!

Accepting service? Well, perhaps that has been hard.  I've had to acknowledge that I need help.  That is very hard for me.  Maybe tempering my pride needed work.

Or I could just leave it at acquiescing to bad luck.  My guardian angels saved me from what could have been so much worse.  Perhaps I should rejoice in that;  I am just paying the consequence of a terrible accident.

When I pray, I am always reminded of my blessings.  I have a roof over my head and food to eat (when someone brings it to me), and the warmth of a furnace and blankets and a comfortable bed.  I have a wonderful job and a boss who is understanding about my 'situation.'  I am so thankful for that!
I have good kids who are taking care of me--and people from church have been excellent.  And my friends have not forgotten me.

This morning, Sunday, and every Sunday since the beginning of September, my church service is Music and the Spoken Word.  It is so uplifting.  I love hearing the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and watching the beautiful cinematography that accompanies each song. Then there is a show called Mormon Times that's very enlightening.  Then I watch a show that discusses scripture, so that is my Sunday School.  I am able to study the gospel via television, which I wouldn't be able to do back east with no BYU-TV.  I enjoy it immensely.

And getting a new Google TV was one of the best decisions I made.  I am typing, with thumbs right now, while I simultaneously watch a Harry Potter marathon on ABCFamily-TV.  Miraculous to me. So I am blessed.

I am thankful that I can crochet.  I have been stitching up a storm and the babies at the NICU will have lots of hats and cocoons for the holidays.  My son-in-law, Nick, persuaded me to set up an Etsy Shop so I did that. Who knows? Maybe someone will want to pay me to crochet? haha.  I do it as a service for the babies, but maybe this will be a way to earn money to pay for the yarn -- by selling a few things.

It is well known that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.  Since I am not dead, I suppose I am getting stronger by the minute here.  Thank you, Lord, for my trials. I know that whatever I am learning now will come in handy at some time. Such is life.  I love to learn...and so I am.

* So, for those of you who are faint at heart, this is the spoiler alert.  I am posting pictures of my ankle with all the scars and stitches, so don't go any further, dear reader, if you don't want to be grossed out.  Since this is my blog and I'm trying to capture my life here, I'm posting the gross photos. :)

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Yeah, that's gonna' be ugly for awhile. At least the swelling around the sutures has gone down.
Sutures were removed Nov. 1.  This is the residue.
Ankle is still quite swollen.

The other side of my ankle is still bruised.  It really hurts to walk on my heel,
even in the boot.  I'm not supposed to put all my weight on my foot yet. 
And I'm supposed to stay in the boot to walk--with crutches.
I don't think I can walk without crutches.
It hurts too much.





I very rarely actually see my foot.  It's usually in a sock and wrapped or in the boot.  When I take a shower, I have to unwrap it, so it surprises me, too.  I'm not allowed to soak it, but just let water drip on it.  I'm also not supposed to put any cream, lotion or Neosporin-type stuff on it.  The skin is so dry.  It's like looking at an alligator when I take the sock off.  yuck!

And so the saga continues...

MY BLOG WON AN AWARD!!!! (???)

15 Lovely Blogs

(Because I Received a Blog Award)

Marsha Ward, a fellow ANWA colleague (American Night Writers Association) has awarded "Requisite Respite" the "One Lovely Blog Award."  Her lovely blog is Writer in the Pines.  Please check it out!
Thank you, Marsha!  You are too kind!

In order to accept the award, I have to share seven random facts about myself. Here they are:

1. I'm a former award-winning newspaper reporter.
2. I love art and crafts and music.
3. I just set up an Etsy Page (suzistitches--still in the beginning stages; give me some time).
4. I moved to Utah from Pennsylvania a little over a year ago.
5. I have four wonderful children, my youngest now serving a mission in Chicago.
6. I am recovering from surgery on a broken foot.
7. I am trying my hand at writing a book.

Now, here's my list of fifteen lovely blogs. I hope you will visit them and say hello to the lovely bloggers who write them:

 

1. Too Much Information (Debbie Hill)

2. Kathy Davis (my friend, the greeting card et. al. artist)

3. The Pioneer Woman  (really fun)

4. The Meanest Mom  (Jana Mathews--very clever)

5. Nie Nie Dialogues (StephaNIE NIElson--inspiring)

6. Theresa Sneed

7. Betsy Love

8. keepapitchinin  (Amy Tanner Thiriot)

9. The Courtney Connection

10. The Meyersons

11. Draw Near Unto Me  (Lori Courtney helped inspire me to create a spiritual blog)

12. Eric Forsyth's Music  (please check out his wonderful music!)

13. Napoleon Clan  (Mandi inspired me to start a blog)

14. John Barclay Photography, Dream Believe Create

 

To claim the award, you must:

1. Thank the giver and link back to his or her site.
2. Provide seven random facts about yourself.
3. Pass the award to fifteen other blogs, then let them know, and link to their sites.
4. Copy the award logo and paste it on your site.

The Saga Continues ... and continues ... and continuess

Last night, for the first time since September 2nd, I slept with my foot unencumbered by boot or brace or even Ace...

The doctor said I didn't have to sleep with a brace if I didn't want to--so I thought I'd try it.
I actually slept on my side.  Both sides.  It was so wonderful.

After months now of sleeping only on my back with my foot held high by pillows and enclosed by a night brace or, at the very least, an Ace bandage, I slept on my side, with my right leg and foot under the covers with my other leg and foot.  It felt so good!!!  Such joy for such a small thing.

I think I'll try it again tonight, too.  This might be habit forming.

And this morning, upon awakening, I actually sat on my back chair and typed on my PC--with a keyboard!  So much better than doing it with thumbs.  Another joy.

So Sandy took me to the doctor on Tuesday for my first post-op appointment.  I prayed so hard the night before and the morning of, "Please, please, let me walk again?"

I got my stitches out--and it hurt like @#$%!  I thought she was making a new cut!  There was blood even!  I am such a baby and have a barely perceptible threshold of pain.  It is so low.

So I was fitted with a new boot, too.  It's smaller and more compact.  The one I had from the ER was too large because nothing smaller would fit my swelling ankle.

It turns out, I still have 98% of my talus bone.  Only small bone fragments were removed.  The real problem was that my tendons and ligaments were mangled.  The P.A. said they were dislocated and had to be formed around my bones and joints in the right places again.  That's why my ankle was so swollen on the right side.  Apparently they were all there and not where they were supposed to be.  He said it could only be corrected by surgery.

I am so thankful for modern medicine.  100 years ago, I would have been left for lame and used a cane or crutches for the rest of my life.  I am thankful for MRIs and Xrays and ortho surgeons who went to med school to learn how to fix me.

So, the prognosis is: 3 months on crutches and in boot, gradually putting weight on my foot until I can walk in the boot alone.  Then, ditch the crutches and stay in the boot for another 3 months.

That's 6 months!!!  By the time this is all over I will have given almost 3/4 of a year of my life to an 'unfortunate accident.'   More like a freak accident--dumb ladder collapsing...

I have another appointment at the end of the month and we'll talk about PT.  I can do some mild exercises until then, like flexing my foot and wiggling my toes.  Honestly, I'm afraid to do anything--anything, I tell ya'!!!

I also realize I never gave enough credit to my good friend, Patty.  She broke her leg right after her divorce.  Her recovery was two years.  And she had two young kids.  Who am I to whine?  (but I will anyway...)  I hope I can learn life lessons like she did.  I feel very selfish compared to her.  I just pray every day that this will be over fast.  I don't want to wish my life away, I just want to wish this pain and anguish and inconvenience away.  I want my life back.

However, this IS my life right now.  I have to live in the present, so I have to strive to do the best I can with what I have.  I am so thankful that my son lives with me.  He has been so helpful and solicitous.  He's taken many days off to accommodate my appointments and surgery and when he gets home from work (at 9:00 p.m.) the first thing he says to me is, "Can I get you anything?" Most of the time I have a list.  He has never complained.

Thank you, Father, for giving me good guardian angels so that I didn't break my arm--or my neck, for that matter.  I'm grateful that my mother made the trip from Florida to be with me the second week.  I really didn't know if I would need her here, but I did.  I'm grateful for everyone who prayed for me.  My mom said her Bible Study was all praying for me. 

Prayer works.

I am on the mend.

Six Weeks Later...the saga continues

This is as far as I got on Sept. 3rd

So, on September 3, 2011, Labor Day weekend, I decided to paint the little wall over my mantle.

"No problem!" I said to myself.

 I had bought the paint and this A-frame ladder months ago.
How did I know the thing would collapse on me? --literally!

So at the end of September Sandy painted the wall for me.

It took him all of 15 minutes.

But still my ankle/foot did not get better.

9-12-11

9-25-11

9-25-11  Who knew I had a bruse on the bottom of my foot?

....as well as all over my foot and ankle still by the end of the month?

By 10-1-11 it still didn't look much better
and the doctor discovered my toes were going out of alignment
so they had to be taped.
I know...ugly, right?

It is still bruised after a month and a half.

So, on Tuesday, October 13, 2011, I FINALLY had an MRI.  It showed a displaced fracture of the talus bone in my foot.  It was not caught on the X-ray. Apparently, these breaks are rarely seen on X-ray.

After the MRI, my doctor, the podiatrist, called me right away and told me she would make an appointment for me with an orthopaedic surgeon who specialized in this kind of surgery.

"Surgery?!"

So I saw him on Friday and I'm having surgery tomorrow.  That was quick!  The surgeon said, "I wish I would have seen you a week after this happened."

"Yeah...me, too."

(I feel like I've wasted 6 weeks of my life) except I've done a LOT of crocheting.

Yeah, crochet, scooter, recliner, TV...that's pretty much my life right now.

But the preemies at Intermountain Healthcare got a lot of cute hats and cocoons this last month and a
half.


        I even designed a new pea pod cocoon.  I hope they like it.

10-18-11

Day Before Surgery

Just me and my Knee Walker in front of the adorable wall that started this whole mess.

But doesn't it look great?

Two Weeks Ago...

Well...it's been two weeks since my accident and when I woke up today and looked at my foot, I could actually see space between my usually swollen toes.  They are still purple (and green), but they are thinner.  I'm still taking it easy today and will tomorrow, too.  I found someone to take my Primary class again.
I even hobbled outside briefly and saw the state of all my flower gardens.  *sigh*  Oh well... I won't be able to get in and weed them or prune the roses or cut some of my beautiful zinnias for a bouquet right now, but I forgot how beautiful and profuse flowers are in September.  So I took a book outside, sat in my anti-gravity chair and finished it while steeling glances at the back garden and feeling the sun and a cool wind on my body.
I read in Organic Gardening to plant Morning Glories with Sunflowers so they will grow up the lanky stalks.  I think that was a mistake.  It looks like my sunflowers are choking as they droop over with masses of Morning Glory vines encompassing them.  haha.  It's from lack of supervision these last two weeks. I went out almost every day to arrange the vines on the side fence, so they are definitely rebelling from lack of discipline.
It's really amazing what a difference a split second can make in your life.
I have decided to be positive and when people ask how I'm doing, I am saying, "Better, thanks," and then believing it.  It has made a world of difference since I was feeling sorry for myself because I can't do anything.
But I know that my Heavenly Father is watching out for me and my angels were working overtime.  When I think what could have happened and what did happen...it makes me oh, so grateful for His love.

It was one week yesterday that I made an unplanned stop at the emergency room.
I worked outside in the gardens in the morning, then, as the day--and heat--wore on, I decided to finish up when it cooled off in the evening.
I went inside and did my quarterly ironing (it took me 2 hours...).
Then, I sat down in front of the TV, and noticed a commercial for some paint company.
"That's what I can do!"
I looked at the cut out wall above my mantle and decided Saturday was the day I would paint it. It would probably only take about 2 hours at the most. I had bought the paint, and a new A-frame ladder months ago. If I didn't finish on Saturday, I could finish it up on Monday, Labor Day.
I was all set. I started to cut in the corners with the blue paint. Since my ceiling is vaulted, it is taller on one side. I looked at the ladder. I would need to go up one more rung. I read the directions on the ladder that said I shouldn't stand on the top step, but the next to the top step was fine. That's where I needed to go.
The next thing I knew, I was face down on the carpet and a horrible pain shot through my right ankle.
The other scrapes and bruises didn't kick in until the next day.
Suffice it to say, a young couple from church carried me to their car and drove me to the ER. Sandy came a little later and stayed with me until I was discharged, with a boot that wouldn't fit yet until the swelling went down.
*sigh*
No more ladders for me.
I hate ladders to begin with ever since I saw my dad on the ground with a compound (or was it complex) fracture of the arm when I was 12. He had fallen off a ladder while painting the house. His elbow bone was sticking out of his arm. He was in shock. So was I.
That's why I read the directions and followd them when I was on this ladder, which is now bent out of shape. I believe the ladder collapsed right under me. I don't know why.
Luckily it was Labor Day so I only missed Tuesday and Wednesday. I went back to work on Thursday and a half-day Friday.