Gina's journey

[Northern Star Girl]

@Gina P
Dear Gina:

Regarding a raised toilet seat with handles....   A couple years ago when visiting my parents I bought one at Walmart, fairly inexpensive ...   also many full service pharmacies and drug stores may have them. 

Wishing you well.
HUGS, Danielle

I have a walker and a cane. Without the walker I would be totally immobile. I hope to get to just the cane tomorrow. Luckily the house is a ranch with no steps. The raised toilet seat and handles would be nice but I don't have any. So where is this Gold, Danielle?
Thanks for the prayers and well wishes, ladies.

[Maid Marion]

https://houseofcanes.com/blogs/blog/caregivers-guide-to-walking-canes-choosing-and-using-canes-for-your-loved-one

They have lots of helpful advice on selecting and using canes.

I have an ranch house that was adapted to someone with mobility issues.

[Lori Dee]

So where is this Gold, Danielle?

I have it all. < sinister laugh >

Except what's in Alaska. Too cold up there for me to go get it. 

[Gina P]

So I have transitioned (pun intended) to the cane. I now have no problem with the toilet, either! The more I walk and move, the better I feel. Leg is still swollen and mostly numb from a nerve blocker they had injected, but the feeling is slowly coming back. 
I had PT yesterday. Therapist was surprised to see me on a cane instead of the walker. That's why I hate to buy all the med equipment just for a few days use. I now walk around the house a few times, do my PT exercises, dilate, then lay down for a few hours and repeat. My horse is calling. I must get better fast.

[Lori Dee]

Glad to hear you are healing well!

[Moonflower]

So exciting!

[Gina P]

so I got ahead of myself and decided to go without any pain meds. Big mistake!! I was back to the walker and then barely moving. Back on the prescribed meds now and feeling a bit better, even went outside for a short walk. The nerve blocker must be wearing off. lots of tingly sensations followed by intense burning, tearing feelings. I dd a bit of research and found most are back to work in 8 weeks or less. Can't be soon enough for me.

[Gina P]

Pain has been on the uptick. Spent one of the worst nights last night. I always felt I was a tough cookie. But now am I just a sissy? Day 5 and no relief. Called the doc's office, waiting for a response. I have reached the, what was thinking, having this done, point!

[Jessica_Rose]

It will get better, Gina. I think many of us have learned the lesson about falling behind on our pain meds, but we still allow it to happen occasionally. Resting more and taking things easy for several weeks will be better than weeks or months of discomfort. I realize that can be difficult when you're used to be active. It's OK to be a couch potato right now.

Love always -- Jess

[Gina P]

Finally able to get a few hours of sleep a night. The pain has become more of an charlie horse in my thigh. I have been feeling a bit dizzy of late and decided to cut out all the pain meds except Tylenol. Its been 2 days and pain is no differant but still a bit dizzy. I am now able to walk around the house without the help of a cane. I still use one when venturing out for balance. Its a slow recovery but I guess its to be expected.
  My dog, Dusty, has not been doing well. At 13, I hope the end is not near. Had her to the vet for a $500+ bill for xrays, blood work, you name it. Vet says she is stumped as everything comes back normal. Except the dog won't eat and has labored breathing.

[ChrissyRyan]

Hi Gina!

It sure took some courage of you to take this big step of surgery.
Sorry you have had your discomfort afterwards.  I guess some is to be expected but still...

Chrissy

[Gina P]

Thanks Chrissy,  I'm sure in a few months I will look back and think it wasn't that bad. Till then , What the he.. Was I thinking. Having them cut my femur off!
  in other news, I went to my trans groups Christmas party last night. Since I'm not supposed to drive, my wife came with me. It was the first time she had come to a meeting.

[Gina P]

  Visited Courtney in her beautiful new home yesterday. They exchanged thier wedding vows in front of the setting sun on the shores of the Chesapeake bay. A beautiful ceremony, very cold but nice. Just nice being able to celebrate with her family and friends. On the way home my emotions caught up with me and i cried a little. First time crying in a very long time.
   On other news the hip continues to heal little by little. Doing most of my walking without a cane now. Even started back to work, doing some light duty things like estimates. Had to reset a cable on a 12' tall door so the road dept. could get a salt truck out. I didn't plan on it but was able to do it. Been a couple of, crazy days with my business. Friday my scissor lift broke down. Guys were able to get it on the trailer and back to the shop. Then the tilt trailer got stuck in the up position. My furnace for the house acted up and house started getting cold. So Sunday is fix it day.  Furnace is fixed, trailer is fixed. Parts are ordered for the lift. Such is my life.
   10f outside today. A fitting start to the first day of winter. I find every year I dislike the cold more and more.

[davina61]

Stay warm dear, things happen in 3s so you should be fine now! 10C is as cold as I like--------

[Lori Dee]

I am so happy that you got to attend Courtney's wedding. It sounds beautiful.

It is always a good thing when you can mend yourself and other stuff that breaks down due to age. 

Today, it is 55F here. Yes, thank you, and may I have another?

[Gina P]

   I should not have complained about 10 deg. Got up to -4 this morning. It hasn't been this cold in a good many years.
  The yard furnace acted up again last night. A bare wire shorted out. I wrapped with electric tape to get through. Had to go to the auto parts store for a new fuse. Fun after dark in the cold holding a flashlight in my mouth.. Take 2......

[davina61]

You need a neck light for that, been there and done it. Jaw starts to hurt and dribble down your chin!!

[Emma1017]

Merry Christmas Gina!

[Gina P]

Thanks Emma, Merry Christmas to you and your family.
  
A local firewood company had free firewood so I was able to get a trailer load yesterday. Mostly longer pieces. So I fired up the chainsaw and cut most of it down to size. Today my back is hurting. And of course my leg. Still cant sleep through the night. I get up and walk around the house a couple of times a night to get the cramping out. Its getting better but slowly.
  Struggling with a bit of depression. Comes every year as the days get short. Also the holiday blues are bad this year. Ill be fine in a, few weeks.

[ChrissyRyan]

Merry Christmas Gina!

Chrissy