home meals

Life at home is still in the fast lane. I have been so fortunate to have wonderful meals both by my temporarily resident daughter and faithful yoga students and friends. Sunday night was gumbo and rice and last night my chef friend cooked the meal pictured-fresh asparagus,malabar spinach,roasted sweet potatoes,salmon,poached with fennel and mushrooms,rhubarb pie and wine. I will be too spoiled to be around.
The other picture is me and my PT at the rehab place on the 9th day post-op. walking down the hill.Perhaps you can see that she has her hand on what I called my leash- a belt on my waist so she had control in case I fell!
I walk in the house with a walker and use the cane in the garden and going to the doctor which I had to do today to have the thickness of my blood measured as I am on coumaden.
The people who send the PT, and OT came today to set things up so tomorrow at 8:30am the therapist will show up.I finally had time today to do my exercises and that felt good.
My staples have been removed and my scar is healing nicely. Still having problems sleeping but feeling good about my progress.
Thanks again for all your good wishes.

home at last !!!!

This will be short tonight more details tomorrow.
My daughter Sheila picked me up at the rehab center and after a few snafus I was allowed out. Many funny stories from inside later.
I revelled in my garden which is still in it's spring profusion of peonies roses iris, walking through on a cane. Jack's hand when I needed it was there. Sheila fixed a fantastic lunch, I took a nap on my new bed( as I cannot yet walk up the hill to my normal bed, so am on a pull out bed with new mattress). then another fantastic meal by Sheila with fresh garden peas, asparagus,chicken mediteranien(sp) all from our farmers market.
Then my first shower in 12 days and clean hair. I don't have any of the things one is supposed to have onthe way of grab bars and tub bench but nevertheless survived and enjoyed the feeling of water flowing on skin.
I'm not in much pain. I use Tylenol and the last one was 24 hours ago.

I'm so grateful to all who visited,sent cards,emails, and brought delicious food to the rehab place, you have no idea what it meant to me.
It's nice to be in the quiet. More tomorrow,

doing good

sandra is doing so well it is a bit frightening. using the walker, she can do almost anything, and she is getting better every day with her cane. actually, she kinda likes the walker because it has a basket and she can haul a lot more than she can in her purse. anyway, she will be coming home on friday and can take over this blog...so, this will be my last posting unless something dramatic happens.
jack

monday

opps. this was accidently posted to her earlier blog. sorry about that. but the news is that sandra is now walking with a cane instead of the walker. she walked that way today outside with her therapist. she will probably be sore, but a good sore. her progress is amazing...she has gotten some rest, is in good spirits and getting stronger every day. she is very appreciative of all the visits and good food, which are helping her heal.
jack

sunday night

sorry but thunderstorms and much lightening kept the internet off the air saturday because we use a satellite connection. sandra continues to improve and grow stronger...using the walker like a pro...a little swelling remains in the leg and she has some occasional pain, but progress is visible and she is receiving regular therapy in lovingston. she particularly enjoys the visits from her friends (and the meals they have brought -- one thing about nelson -they certainly know how to cook great, healthy food that will help her heal). just a note...sandra has her cell phone with her. the storms disabled our home phones, which we are told should be repaired by 9 p.m. monday.
jack

in Lovingston

Sandra went Friday to Lovingston Health Center for about a week of rehab. Again, she was tired but liked the therapy team and felt okay. She is doing well, very well. Her room is quiet but does not have internet, but she does have her cell phone. For locals, she is in room 31. there were no posted visiting hours. the time will pass quickly.
jack

moving out

I seem to have wifi this morning. It has been an action packed morning. 4:45 draw blood to see coumadin levels, 7:15 doctor visit. 8 am physical therapist shows up. While all of this is going on Sandra Shepard who is the patient facilitator comes and says, after deciding to go to the Colonnades because the laurels didn't have a bed until SAt, I could stay in the hospital that extra day but would have paid out of pocket, now space has opened up in Lovingston. So big decisions while all is going on around me. I chose to go to Lovingston as all had been set up there in terms of meals etc.
The hospital has been a nice experience particularly as my daughter Marina has been a wonderful nurse. I am walking with a walker and doing my therapy so each day I hope to be stronger and stronger. My biggest issue is as usaual sleep. I'm a side sleeper and I now have to sleep on my back, there are worse issues one could have.
Thanks so much for all the healing energy and thoughts they definitely help.
Hopefully more news from Lovingston

NEW INFO

A space became available in Lovingston and Sandra elected to stick with her original plan. She WILL be completing rehab at the Lovingston Health Care Center on Front Street. We plan to deliver her this afternoon and hopefully, that is the final change. but who knows. keep tuned.
jack

up and about

hi all - sandra cannot connect with the hospital wifi or she would have written this. she is up and walking with a walker. doctor thinks all is going okay. she will NOT be going to lovingston for rehab as at the last minute, they did not have room for her. she will be in charlottesville, but has not found an open space yet. hopefully, we will know sometime tomorrow. she looks and feels a lot better. each day she is stronger. big improvement and once we get the rehab location resolved, all should be good. thanks for all your good thoughts and support.
jack

day two

hi - this is jack again. day two was a bit down....reason - fatigue. sandra felt really tired and the constant activity of a hospital did not permit a lot of rest...and there was a little pain. difficulties included an edict that essential oils were out (the hospital) and most of her favorite greens were out (the doctor said interfered with a medication.) sandra was up and sat in a chair for an hour or so and, although dragging, she was lucid and in fairly good spirits. she indicated she would be back to this blog soon.
jack

sandra's progress

marina and i are with sandra in her room; she is awake and has no pain. she had a local anesthesia and is comfortable. .....jack

sandra

hi - this is jack. sandra is out of surgery. doctor says all went well and she is still in recovery. no problems. will update this later today but so far, all the news is good. ---- jack

sandra

face the music time

Well the big day is no longer in the future. I'm mostly packed and have taken several extra trips to my garden. Jack bought a digital frame and filled it with his glorious photos of my garden so I will have close to the real thing in my room for comfort.
One of my students who had this last year has loaned me all the equipment she used in her recovery so I am most grateful to her for that. She has also loaned a small dvd player and dvd's for my off hours. I know they keep you really busy with therapy.
I will teach pranayama tonight so hopefully I can suck in much good prana for the days ahead.
Jack will keep you posted till I can do it.
Love to all, Sandra

preop

Dear one and all- My surgery is scheduled for Tuesday May 12th at 10:20, it will be anterior, Dr Thomas Schildwachter is the surgeon. He is a former lacrosse player and has bummed up knees because of it. He does lots of hips and in fact I will be his 2nd one on Tuesday. He promised he would practice on the one a head of me.

I will be at Martha Jefferson Hosp. until Friday if all goes well and then go to Lovingston Health Care Center on Front St. I will let you know when and if I need food. I think I will be pretty out of it while at the hospital so please hold your visits until Lovingston at least.

I've had preop pysical and EKG and have had some blood taken so in case I have to have an infusion they can match it. My blood work at the physical showed low thyroid but good other than that. So I hope I 'm in good shape.

It may take me a few days to make a post unless I can teach Jack how to do it. We will try to keep it up to date.

I appreciate so much everyone's concern and loving thoughts. I will be carried through all of this on your love.