I'm still here!

[Katie H]

Thanks for reporting in! I am so glad you are still with us. It make me think of Buck, and Rich, and how lucky we are in our current situations. Sending love.

Thanks, Beth. It's hard to believe Buck has been gone for 17 years. Sometimes it still seems like yesterday, especially when I see evidence of something we did together.

But that's okay since Glenn and I have been busy making our own memories. Hard to believe we've been married for 15 years. Time DOES fly!

 

[Katie H]

As of this last Thursday (the 27th), I've been home from the hospital for 2 weeks. Doing very well and getting better every day.

I'm able to get in and out of bed on my own, to the walker, and visit the bathroom with little challenge. I'm managing through the house easily and have had NOOOO problem with my appetite.

The walker is a pain in the patootie but I think I'll be trading it for the cane by midweek this week.

As of and including last night, I have had 6 nights of fabulous sleep. In the past, even before I went to the hospital, if I had to get up during the night to go to the bathroom it would take a bit to get back to sleep. But these 6 nights have allowed me to go back to sleep as soon as my head hits my pillow, and I can sleep for several consecutive hours without any interruption. Definitely getting some quality rest.

Haven't napped in the afternoon for about a week and, usually, go to bed about 10 p.m. or so. I feel energized. I get up about 9 a.m., or just before, as I had been used to doing.

Tuesday is our normal "grocery" day and, this week, I plan on doing the shopping myself instead of giving Glenn a list and having him do the shopping part. I look forward to contributing, if only in this manner.

Again...baby steps, baby steps.

 

[Kathleen]

Baby steps gets you moving forward, Katie. You are doing fantastically! Keep up the good work!

 

[dragnlaw]

Glad you are progressing so well! Still, that being said, take it easy still. not that you'll listen to anyone but your body, eh?

 

[Katie H]

Took some BIG baby steps today.
After another stellar night's sleep, we went to do our usual Tuesday Kroger grocery shopping.

I felt great and, before going to Kroger, I went to Dollar Tree to pick up birthday cards for some of our grands, along with a few incidentals. Did well using the walker. After that, I dropped off a return package at UPS. Again, using the walker.

Onto Kroger. I'd set up the grocery list with the items put on it as they appear in the store. The only change here was that I used the motorized shopping cart instead of the walker. Figured that was prudent having already been to the dollar store and UPS. WOW! Those critters have an interesting learning curve! NASCAR is most decidedly not for me.

Got nearly everything on my list. Came to about $185.00. Ouch! However, with my senior 5% discount on all purchases, store specials and digital and paper coupons, the total ended up being $138.00. Whew!!

Came home, had some lunch and parked my carcass on the sofa. I'm done for the day and I have a feeling I'm going to sleep like a rock tonight.

 

[dragnlaw]

If my legs lose any more feelings and I get wobblier I will have to make myself use one of those carts. Have a lot of people telling me I should but I can still walk with just a cane and so I will. Actually around the house and out to the car I don't use a cane at all.
In a parking lot from car to store I need my cane. At the big malls, I have to stop about 3 times and plunk myself on a bench to catch up with the pain in feet, hips and back - not to mention coping as it winds me and I'm panting.

So Katie - you've done and are doing great! You deserve to be pleased with yourself!

 

[Kathleen]

Definitely good steps here!

 

[taxlady]

Great news about the baby steps Katie. Keep up the good work, but don't wear yourself out.

 

[taxlady]

At the big malls, I have to stop about 3 times and plunk myself on a bench to catch up with the pain in feet, hips and back - not to mention coping as it winds me and I'm panting.

I just get really tired and then my balance gets worse. I bring this "cane seat" thing with me. A friend had it and wasn't using it. It's very handy. Also, when I carry that with me, people tend to be really nice to me. They open doors for me. They give me a seat on the bus, stuff like that. I think it makes a crumby cane, so that's not what I use it for. I use it to have a portable seat. I can stop and sit any time I want to. Maybe you should consider getting something like this.

The first picture is in seat mode.



And this is flat or carrying or using as a cane.

 

[dragnlaw]

I've thought of it taxy on several occasions, but sometimes it is awkward enough balancing a cane, purse, bags. That extra seat just might be the last straw to tripping me up.
Not much feeling in my feet so I've almost tripped myself up with the cane alone much less all the rest banging around.
Most malls here seem to have lots of seats down the center of the aisles. There's one in Burlington that even has plugs to charge your phones.
See lots of men and kids sitting there waiting for mom and playing on their tablets.

 

[Katie H]

I just get really tired and then my balance gets worse. I bring this "cane seat" thing with me. A friend had it and wasn't using it. It's very handy. Also, when I carry that with me, people tend to be really nice to me. They open doors for me. They give me a seat on the bus, stuff like that. I think it makes a crumby cane, so that's not what I use it for. I use it to have a portable seat. I can stop and sit any time I want to. Maybe you should consider getting something like this.

The first picture is in seat mode.

View attachment 73186

And this is flat or carrying or using as a cane.

View attachment 73185

Looks like a great idea. I'll have to look into it. Thanks for the suggestion. I appreciate it.

 

[taxlady]

I've thought of it taxy on several occasions, but sometimes it is awkward enough balancing a cane, purse, bags. That extra seat just might be the last straw to tripping me up.
Not much feeling in my feet so I've almost tripped myself up with the cane alone much less all the rest banging around.
Most malls here seem to have lots of seats down the center of the aisles. There's one in Burlington that even has plugs to charge your phones.
See lots of men and kids sitting there waiting for mom and playing on their tablets.

Well, it's not the best cane, but it does work as a cane. I tend to make sure that everything that I am carrying can go on my shoulder or in a backpack, other than that cane chair or a regular cane. But, if you don't think it would work well for you, then don't waste money buying one. I don't want you banging your shins on it and cursing me.

 

[Katie H]

I sort of ventured into the kitchen to prepare our evening meal. Well, the crock-pot did the heavy lifting...pork chops dressed with honey, soy sauce and garlic. Turned out great, along with a nuked sweet potato. We didn't even have room for a cookie for dessert.

I'm proud of myself and, again, baby steps.

Plenty of leftover chops for tomorrow that I'll serve with steamed fresh asparagus.

 

[Katie H]

Finished the night with a nice warm shower, then gave myself a manicure. Went to bed on brand new sheets. What a joy!!

 

[Kathleen]

@Katie H You go, girl! You are doing great!

 

[Andy M.]

You're making great progress, Katie!

 

[BAPyessir6]

Thanks, Beth. It's hard to believe Buck has been gone for 17 years. Sometimes it still seems like yesterday, especially when I see evidence of something we did together.

But that's okay since Glenn and I have been busy making our own memories. Hard to believe we've been married for 15 years. Time DOES fly!

That's so cool! Me and my husband have been married 3 years, and I can't wait for it to hopefully become 10, then 20, then more! (God willing and no horrible accidents mind you).

It's also wonderfully awesome that you're okay! I guess you're just too darn stubborn! You'll be the one to beat Death away with your cane for hundreds of years to come!

 

[Katie H]

That's so cool! Me and my husband have been married 3 years, and I can't wait for it to hopefully become 10, then 20, then more! (God willing and no horrible accidents mind you).

It's also wonderfully awesome that you're okay! I guess you're just too darn stubborn! You'll be the one to beat Death away with your cane for hundreds of years to come!

I've always said I'm too stubborn Irish to give in/up. It's just not my nature.

 

[Katie H]

I can cross another accomplishment off my list...normal grocery shopping. That is, walking like a real person behind the shopping cart and putting my chosen items in it.

I did really well and didn't feel the need to sit down for a rest break, which I had anticipated.

The baby steps are adding up and I couldn't be happier!

 

[taxlady]

I'm really pleased to read about this progress Katie.