It is All Relative

 I'm not ashamed to admit that I am so ready for this to be over. Never could I have imagined that I would be writing a post, seven weeks after my fall, and still have no use of my left hand. My thumb remains crazy stiff; thankfully my fingers move, but not well. That said, without a working thumb there is not much one can accomplish. And therein lies my problem. I am a doer and, sadly this doer cannot do much! Not when my hand stays mostly in a swollen state.

All that super pink part is due to the top layer of skin peeling off. Finally, this weekend I figured out a better way of treating it using a soft dish towel to wrap it after I coat it with Aquaphor. So, not only is the swelling unsightly, the skin is as well. Oy vey!

I do, however, have three new and fun dishtowels that I am not using for the above purpose. One from Carlene, a new reader of this space thanks to Patti who introduced her to my musings. Michelle gave me two for Mother's Day and if there is anyone who loves practical gifts it is me. Now. if only I could get back to cooking and baking! Last night I had Bruce cut the broccoli and I managed the rest for roasting. Not much to it but it's a start.

It must have been Thursday that I took a stroll on the property with my camera in tow. I spotted a small feather that once lived on a Limpkin floating in the clear shallow water of Lake Pineloch. 

From a distance floating decoys look pretty real, that is until the real thing appears, A Cormorant at rest.

Friday morning Bruce asked if I might enjoy walking around the Winter Park Art Festival while he continued working on the columns at church? I could not have been happier with his idea. Slipping my arm into the removable splint, I walked the two blocks to Park Avenue leaving him to his work.

Wallowing in my misery I've neglected to mention that the weather has turned cooler, bringing sunny skies, low humidity, and temperatures in the low 80's. In other words, an unexpected blessing.

Normally held in the middle of March, the weekend in May was a first. A Covid 19 thing. Advertising was almost non existent, so on this Friday the crowds were just right.

Although I was sorely tempted, in the end we did not return to buy two pieces we both liked from this artist, whose booth is pictured below.

Because it is May the roses are beginning to bloom as is the gorgeous Wisteria.

People were respectful of one another, either keeping their distance or wearing masks. Placards with the artist information were printed prior to the new CDC guidelines so masks were required in the booths, or so the sign said. Seeing the Emily fountain by Albin Polasek in the bright sunshine is always welcome and reminds me of my days at the museum.

For those new to this space I began there as an intern during my last semester at Valencia and stayed on for a number of years as a volunteer.

Seeing the art was great, but seeing friends for the first time in ages was even better. First I ran into Ann and Liz who were appalled seeing my hand in person. It is one thing to see a photograph and quite another seeing it up close and personal. Actually, I saw them twice, once while strolling and once while they were having refreshments at a sidewalk table. While chatting I noticed the ladies at the table beside them staring at my hand and what they had to say heartened me just a bit. Turns out that they have a friend who broke her wrist about the same time as I did who is not only having similar problems with swelling but, who also has a doctor like mine. Apparently he told her the swelling is normal and if it does not improve in three months, come and see him. So, yeah for learning of a fellow sufferer and boo to the notion that I might go three months like this!! Secondly, I ran into Cynthia and Joe and we had a lovely chat during which time I tried talking about more than my accident. One subject that came up was the vaccine and folks that are "vaccine reluctant", another term to add to our list of new phrases associated with Covid 19. While I cannot understand their position, if given the chance, I would do it again in a heartbeat.

All weekend I worked on trying to make a fist, icing and elevating, all of which were for naught. 😞

Now that we know where we are going, getting to the therapy appointment went off without a hitch. Before I tell you about what happened to me, something occurred in the waiting room that was so poignant I am putting it down for posterity. An old couple, it's hard to say but maybe 10-15 years older than we are, was already in the waiting room. The receptionist asked the woman who her doctor was to which she replied that she could not remember but for sue it was an Eastern medicine doctor because she did not trust Western medicine. (flashback to our sister Carol!) Anyway she and her husband began a guessing game, using the alphabet, trying to figure it out. Then they remembered the man's mobile phone but couldn't remember a phone number. I wanted to help but at the same time, wondered if they would be embarrassed. Eventually they figured it out but it was painful to witness, imagining it could be me in the future! 

Darlene began our session with a warm compress, hoping to alleviate some of the swelling before we began our exercises. Another woman was seated nearby having a treatment on her wrist, FIVE months after her accident. Long story short, Darlene reiterated that everyone's healing process is different and I just have to be patient. It is worth noting that my fracture is healing as expected and I am just one of the unlucky ones who experience other problems which in my case is swelling with subsequent tightness in my tendons. She moved my hand many ways, bent my fingers at each joint, telling me to have her stop when the pain reached level five. Listening intently, I did my best to commit the exercises to memory. That said, I came home with this.

The arm up means raising it above my head in hopes that gravity will help. In some ways it seems like a Catch 22 because how am I really supposed to make a fist with a deflated balloon atop my hand? If only the swelling would decrease, I think that I could make a fist. 

I must trust the process.

I must trust the process.

I must trust the process.

Following the exercising, she wrapped my arm in a big sleeve,

which is attached to two machines that pumped cool water around my arm as well as a very light massage.

That would be Darlene on the left, helping her next patient. One area of improvement I've experienced is that I can finally turn my hand palm down without crying out. Actually that is huge and not a moment too soon as I'm on the verge of having elbow and shoulder problems from the unnatural position I've adopted in order to not be in pain.

Baby steps has to be my mantra! 

So the seated woman finishing her last treatment broke her right arm, and the closed reduction done at the outset slipped meaning she had surgery. She described her despair over how long healing has taken and how hard it is to be helpless for so long. A seemingly lovely women in her late 40's, she was not trying to frighten me, only reinforcing what I already know.

It is all relative!

your friend,

Gail

p.s. today is Bruce's birthday and call me crazy if you want, but I'm going to try my hand (no pun intended) at making him a simple cake. 

Why Does it Have to Be So Hard?

 I'll be frank with you, just when I thought that I was on my way, there's been a road block which has put me in an unhappy mood. Bear with me, if you will.

As you may recall today was my six week follow up for more x-rays and hopefully good news. Before the x-ray there had to be another cast removal which Danny performed skillfully, first using the saw,

followed by the spreader.

When Danny asked me if I wanted to keep the cast it reminded Bruce of his youth when saving a cast was fun. No thanks was my reply! Should you be wondering, these days, casts are made of fiberglass. 

The big reveal of what we feared was the case.

Yup, no reduction of the swelling. Above the cast there has been significant swelling, but aside from my fingers, it was hard to know. Because my thumb has been immobilized for six weeks, it is as stiff as can be. What you don't see pictured is my peeling hand, both top and bottom, along with my arm. 

Today Dr. Nguyen took more time saying that his goal was for me to be able to make a fist. As well, I no longer need a cast although I did come home with a removable brace. Furthermore, he ordered occupational therapy twice a week to help me regain the use of my hand which, at this point in time, is useless. So, once home, I tried scheduling an appointment and here's what has me so frustrated. 

    THERE ARE NO APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE FOR TEN DAYS! Seriously? 

I can hold my fingers down using my right hand, but until there is a reduction in the swelling, I still can't do a thing. Why does it have to be so hard? I wish I knew! 

For the record, the fracture site feels pretty good, it's just this damn edema that is painful.

Let's move on to happier topics, shall we?

I made some scratch muffins last week! During the course of this ordeal, I am learning to improvise. There are loads of things I miss doing and one of those is baking. You are not in the least surprised, are you? After I'd made them while Bruce was working at the church, he had a better idea on how to accomplish measuring flour, but in his absence, I did it like this.

I can't even remember how I swept the excess flour from the top of the cup, but it was likely to have been not very accurate. Same goes for the leavening agents. Wonder of wonders, they came out alright.

Not perfect, but edible. I will admit that removing the pan from the oven was pretty tricky.

I've been reading, while keeping my arm upright to reduce the swelling, however that was a pipe dream. Nonetheless, reading one of the books Mary gave me, it made me happy seeing the back cover.

And why is that you ask? Because I knew that the review was from Nancy who was such a great book critic, who in time became a friend. Now I read reviews on her blog, which you can find here.  I emailed her to tell her about the happy coincidence and her response made me laugh. Apparently a journalism professor scoffed at her chance at writing career if she was a one finger typist. She showed him! One a finger typist, always a finger typist. As for me I learned two-handed typing in the 10th grade and I struggle doing it with one finger. Perhaps, by the time this is all said and done, I won't even be able to type with two hands. 😟

Whoa Nelly, uploading photos from my Panasonic last week, I discovered a nice shot of the Pink Moon. Definitely not pink.

The boys and girls spoiled me on Mother's Day, beginning with a Saturday delivery courtesy of Bill and Fallon. Holy Cow it is beautiful!

InBloom florist for the win.

Michelle was the only one who would consent for a photo with me.

She could not stay for the pizza in order to visit with her Mom. That said, she did hang around long enough for Bruce to open the Tiffany box for me. Inside two beautiful wine glasses to go along with two impressive bottles of Cabernet. Following lunch, Matt and Tom called AND I beat Bill in Yahtzee which is a pretty big deal. Just when you might think it could not get any better, Dave took us out for a ride on the pontoon boat. Yup, it was a good day. By the time Jonathan called I was plum worn out.

The same holds true for this post...I have to concentrate so hard to find the keys, yes the very same ones I can use without looking, that I am calling it a day. Since I began writing, I've heard back from an office where I can get an appointment on Wednesday! The fact that it is on the other side of town is the only drawback, however I'm willing to give it a try because I want to get better, sooner rather than later.

your friend,

Gail 

 

Five Weeks In

I spent some time rummaging around reading old blog posts today after having a discussion about the weather earlier. While watching the pickleball action this morning, (naturally feeling sorry for myself), play stopped for a moment for the participants to rest and we talked about how darn hot it is already. Maybe, or maybe it is nothing too much out of the ordinary for this time of year? I knew my blog would be able to set the record straight. Going way back to 2008, the weather was much the same. In 2009 the temperature soared to 97 on Mother's Day. I also discovered that it was my best day at the market to date; inexplicable, but there it was in black and white.

All that to say that reading posts from more than a decade ago reminded me that this set back is just one bump in the road in our life journey. Our life is the best way to describe it because Bruce and I have traveled as a couple for 54 years. Lots of ups and downs with, thankfully, far more ups than downs. How I would have managed this latest solo is beyond me. He's not only gotten the hang of dressing me when I can't do so, but he's learned how to wrap my newly washed hair in a towel as well.

You will be pleased to learn that I have managed to "push past the pain", in part because I feel somewhat reassured that I am doing myself no harm. Actually, for the most part, the pain is diminishing even though the swelling continues,, especially if I am outside for too long in the increasing heat.  As was true back in 2007, my camera helps me cope. It goes where I go which on one morning included a stroll around Lake Davis affording me the opportunity to catch up with the Spring happenings.

The goose remains in her strange location in the wide open. On my first pass this was super fun to witness as a gosling used a plastic bowl to cool off.

Obviously this prompted the question as to what happened to the other three eggs? That is an unsolved mystery because on my second pass this scene presented itself.

Hard to know, but perhaps this screaming hawk in the nearest tree knows something we don't?

The cygnets were all accounted for I am happy to report.

In our lake many ducklings have been born, and many have disappeared just as quickly as they appeared. Between the hawks and the otters, their chance of survival is always perilous. Mama Wood duck sits alone.

Speaking of peril, using our new Apple TV box, or whatever it's supposed to be called, I've been watching a fantastic series called Earth at Night. 

Should you have the same box I highly recommend having a look. Another great series we loved was Ted Lasso. 

Never could I have imagined how much we would love a series where soccer plays a prominent role!

Connie brought a delicious meal last Monday night of which mashed potatoes played a prominent role. God love her, she remembered how much I love them.

Backing up to the old blog posts, what fascinates me is how society has been changing over the life of my posts. I've commented on lots of that over the years so with that in mind, I'm seeing a new trend, or at least it is to me. While having my lunch the other day, I was browsing the latest Subaru magazine, coming across an article by a young man named John. In said article he included several photographs of his seven month old daughter. Her name is Land.  Seriously? I've just been alerted that a woman named her daughter Ocean. I just can't help but wonder how either of those names could be turned into a nickname, or I'm thinking specifically how my term of endearment for our son Jonathan is "Jon-boy", who, in fact turned 38 yesterday. 38!!! Before long all of our sons will be in their 40's. Holy Cow! 

But I digress, what other baby names are trending?

I've been wandering the property with the camera dangling from my good arm. As was the case with this Red Winged Blackbird, I set my camera on any nearby solid service, maneuver the zoom, then bring it to my eye, hoping I am quick enough. While my intention was to catch it perched on the roof apex, what I caught was far better as I have taken very few shots of this fast bird in flight. 

Ah, the best laid plans..... as they say.

Bountiful, fragrant Gardenia plants are in full bloom. Couple 91 degree heat with increasing humidity and you've got a winning formula for richly scented air anywhere near these beautiful blossoms.

Trending, here we go again. Naming the full Moon is, while actually a fairly ancient custom, new to the masses. Or, so it seems to me.  I give you last week's Pink Moon, rising over the lake. That glow! That shimmer! 

What a blessing to have been vaccinated as has our whole group who gathered for a Kentucky Derby party at the pool. Thank you to everyone who worked on these wonders that are allowing life, as we knew it, to resume. 

Carolyn, taking the guys picture had a speed limit birthday today. 

I'm not entirely sure how it worked, but for those wanting to wager, horses were drawn from a bowl with the one Bruce chose coming in third. I believe he netted $10.

Sandy had fun decorating. 

There were two Loving cups, the real deal btw, on loan from Patti. After some hours yours truly began to fade, leaving the group still  playing a dice game called, "Left, Right, Center". Have you heard if it? Neither had I. Money was won, and money was lost, and the crowd went wild! Especially because one dollar bills were in play.

One more week, or so I hope. No one wants to wear a cast in this heat! 

your friend,

Gail

Push Through the Pain

That was our big takeaway from today's visit to the doctor.  In fact, he repeated it several times, insisting that I move my fingers in spite of the pain and swelling. Ugh! Let's see him do it!

First thing after we went into the examining room, the LPN removed the splint for an x-ray. Whew, fresh air on my arm!

That dent in the middle is from the splint which I'd been feeling kind of digging into my arm in the last few days. Because I cannot seem to turn my hand over, Bruce took a side view of my fat hand.

Although I had tried to wiggle my fingers some, doing so is not so easy when they are fat. Dr. Nguyen insisted that I force them down in order for there to be no ligaments damage. Sounds like fun, right? He also insisted this swelling, after a month, is normal for some patients.

Our last visit he seemed pleasant enough, but today he just seemed arrogant. I will say that this is my first time ever seeing a doctor wearing a top knot. Or, is it still called a man bun? Either way, it just felt strange. Not to mention wearing black. That really gets on my nerves which should surprise no one as I come from an era when health care workers wore neither black, nor tennis shoes. What can I say? I am a grouch? Maybe....

Danny, on the other hand, was kind and gentle while putting on my new cast, even offering to take our photo when he saw my camera.

Seeing my tied up hair in this photograph reminds me to mention that Bruce is getting pretty good at that! He is doing the lion's share of the work around here although, little by little, I am able to accomplish some small tasks. Two weeks from now we return to see if the healing continues. One reason I have not pushed through the pain is because I could not be sure that I would not do more damage by forcing my arm over no matter how much it hurts. Now I know. Mostly I am not having pain all of the time which is a vast improvement over a week ago. 

In other news, one afternoon, we worked together to make a pot of chili that could last for a few days. Because he has not needed to learn cooking skills in the past, having spent the better part of his life with someone who loves cooking in the house, here he is learning to use the garlic press.

After listening to an explanation on how best to chop the onion and peppers, he took right to it, doing an excellent job of getting the pieces just the right size. Meanwhile, I'd put the ground beef in the pain and began dumping in the spices using my left elbow to steady the jars while opening with my right. Well I got a wee bit heavy-handed and while it was edible, it was so hot that even Bruce said so, which is very telling as he never thinks anything is too spicy! In the end, even after  putting it on some rice to tone it down, it went down the drain. 

Bill came over the other evening to practice with Bruce. I walked to the court with my camera to watch the action and of course take some photos.

Now that is some serious concentration! Bruce was on the other side hitting him hard balls.

It is hard to pinpoint why, but the game of pickleball is not only great fun but most folks who try it say they become addicted. We know the feeling!

Before I had my accident, Swallow Tail Kites were beginning to appear high in the sky but I was not prepared. This time I was. 

One of these days they will come within my camera's range.

As it turns out the paddle we gave Bill for Christmas already needed some repair work so we had a FIELD trip to the factory in Oxford, FL! The drive took about an hour which is less time than it took to get home from the doctor yesterday using surface streets! Did it ever feel great being on the road again! After explaining that we were from Orlando they got right to it rather than the two day timeframe she originally quoted. After a nice chat with our helper we took the long way home stopping at a few parks along the way. Always lakes are involved which to me means birds. One of my favorites, a Limpkin obliged.

A little later we stopped at Trimble Park on 441 for Bruce to take a little nap in the fine weather. As is my custom, I took a walk wearing the new sling, generously bought for me by our friend Mary. As I was walking along the water's edge I looked up and for the first time in ages, I saw an eagle on an open branch in front of mr.

Creeping forward I could tell it was eating.

If not for some pesky crows who began harassing the eagle I might have gotten better shots. As it was, before long it took off for a more peaceful perch.

Speaking of shots, who else is tired of the countless photos of people receiving their vaccine? I certainly am one of those folks, however, this photo appeared in our newspaper and it had so many great elements to it, I kept going back to look at it.

The colors, his face, her weird wig, his gigantic arm....well what can I say except that I may look at photographs differently?

Speaking of the pandemic, I saw this sign in the bathroom there and it must be from the beginning when we were told masks weren't effective for the general public! 

One morning we went downtown to renew Bruce's drivers license. That's a bit of a story that I won't go into but what I will put down is that there are new sculptures in the park across the street that I visited while he was inside.

Here's an overview with one of my favorites in the foreground.

Saturday afternoon, with continued excellent weather, David grilled steaks at the pool for us, followed by another pontoon boat ride.

So, as you can see, I am getting out more and doing more with each passing day. Just this morning I vacuumed the house while Bruce changed the sheets and did laundry. We are adjusting with help from our generous friends and family. 

With any luck, the bones will continue their miraculous mending ways. If I weren't weary from my one finger typing I might expand on that idea but I am so make of it what you will! 😊

your friend,

Gail