I'm hoping not to bore you with all this (ZZZzzzzzz), but since it's our life right now, most anything else has taken a backseat.
Papa Pea negotiated the stairs up to his office yesterday. Very slowly and carefully with a death grip on the railing . . . and without any pain. We worked up there for 45 minutes or so rearranging a bit to make sure his pathway to and from desk and work area was free of obstacles that might reach out and trip him. (Not an easy task in that absent-minded-professor-mess he cultivates up there.) I am regularly thankful his lair is up and away, out of sight of anyone in our house. Especially me (!) since having to look at that organized (or so he maintains) jumbled clutter-mess would drive me right over the edge.
He managed coming back down the stairs by backing down as his mean old wife wouldn't let him try ascending in the normal manner. All went well and, praise be, dear daughter moved his computer set-up from the kitchen table and reinstalled it up in his office when she stopped on her way home from work. Wa-hoo, I have my kitchen back to (nearly) normal.
Yesterday I picked up two of those "pronged" canes for him to try using instead of the walker. Although he doesn't look quite as steady on them yet, he used them a bit until I (mean old wife again) insisted he go back to the walker so he didn't over-tax different muscles right off the bat.
The best news of all is that he had his most restful night's sleep last night. He still can't turn into any position but on his back when lying down, but we may have figured out the right combination of pain meds and sleep aids to enable him to get some longer periods of shut-eye which is so necessary for healing. Even prior to this good night's sleep, he said he felt better yesterday than since his swan dive off the ladder. Things are looking up!
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27 comments:
Wonderful progress!
Slow & steady wins the race, especially with a mean wife watching carefully!
'Ever wonder why people who are recovering from a health issue are called patients? Because it takes real patience to heal and to overcome the frustration of the process!!
A few years back, I took a nasty fall in the early summer (worst time, of course) and it took me about 8 weeks to heal from an occult fracture. I hated my wheelchair, my walker and my pronged cane because I could not navigate uneven ground outdoors with any of them. Then I had an idea of using ski poles. Eureka!! The points of the poles dug into the ground and I could finally get around feeling fully supported by the poles. Shortly after that little discovery, my girlfriend and I walked across the field to pick juneberries. The ski poles came in very handy for that; I could reach up with the ski pole and pull down the high branches for more picking. I believe that using ski poles to get around outside did help me to heal quicker. It certainly helped my patience with the healing process. Hang in there, Papa Pea!! This too will pass!-M
What fantastic news!! A little better each day. And to get up the stairs is wonderful! In no time at all he should be back to his good self! :)
MrsDM - That's what we're hoping for! (Yes, this, too, shall pass. It really is going to!)
Katie C. - Sure feel like it today! Yippee! :o)
Being 'behind my behind' (as a wise woman once said...*insert big smile here!*), I'm just now catching up with your news. Wow. You guys have really been through the wringer. So very glad Papa Pea had no fractures, or other complications from that awful fall and want to wish him a speedy recovery. He is in good hands with you and your daughter and you are right.... both of you are strong.... and that is always a good, good thing. PaPa Pea too, as he is exhibiting as he handles his recovery.
DFW - Yepper! (I haven't had to get out my whip yet . . . but I'm capable of it. Just sayin'.)
M - Excellent idea about the ski poles when he manages to get outside. He already has a pair in just his size that he got specially for hiking on uneven terrain! Thank you for reminding us of that. Hugs.
Lisa - It's finally starting to feel better (for both of us!) and we're thinking the worst of it is over. His good night's sleep last night has worked wonders! He's in the shower (with his walker) as we speak and I know is going to feel like a new man when he emerges! Thanks for you supportive words, my friend. Hugs.
I'm so glad to hear he's doing better ;-)
I'm sure it feels interminable to both of you, but when we only get occasional updates, it sounds like great progress!
Oh, hurray! You must both be relieved that things are inching along towards normal! Not to mention getting your kitchen and living room back. I am so glad he is feeling better!
Theresa - Thank you, thank you! :o)
Michelle - Yes, it does feel interminable! But he's progressing faster than it was indicated he would. If we can just avoid any set-backs!! :o\ I'm doing my best to hold him back . . .
Thanks, Susan. Yes, I have my kitchen back, but he's still sleeping in the living room so most of that furniture is in my quilt room. Arrrgh. He keeps saying I should go treat myself to a couple of hours in there. (Problem is I don't think there's room for me and everything else in there right now!)
Progress! That's the important thing, whether a little or a lot. I'm glad it's looking up. I'm sure he is just as happy as you that the kitchen will be restored to normal use.
Hi, Phil - When we're slogging along day to day in this recovery period, it's hard to remember that, yes, even a little progress is progress! He's never been down and out like this and very much dislikes (a mild word) seeing me (and others) do what he usually does. We have to keep reminding ourselves that it could have been very, very much worse.
Thanks for your encouragement!
Woo hoo! Glad things are getting better. I found that running our essential oil diffuser, helps us sleep like logs. I bet you are so happy he's getting better.
Hi Mama Pea :) I'm so glad things are looking up you mean old wife lol! ;) And yay! for getting your kitchen back! One incident can really set a household back can't it?
Kristina - Our daughter set up her essential oil diffuser for Papa Pea after he first had the accident, but the aroma bothered him. (Was supposed to be healing but maybe his body was just too sensitive after being so banged up and bruised.)
You better believe I'm so, so happy he's feeling better. He's still not running and leaping around the house like a ballet dancer (!), but he is improving! ;o)
Hi, Rain - Yep, I feel like I've not had anything close to my normal routine for going on three weeks now. I'm not complaining about picking up most of Papa Pea's homestead chores; I'll do whatever it takes for him to heal properly. But I'm not finding enough time to do what I want to do (like following and commenting on blogs!) at all. I have to keep reminding myself that this, too, will pass. Miss you!
I miss you too! :))
Well, you know I can somewhat relate to my routine being thrown in the air...but as you said this too shall pass! Plus, it's for a good cause! ;)
Mama Pea,
Slow steps for Papa Pea is a good thing. I'm very happy to hear Papa Pea is up moving around.
Sending hugs and love to you both.
Sandy
Thanks so much, Sandy. Your good wishes are much appreciated!
Wonderful news! And so good for Papa Pea to getting back a little of his independence. Even the little victories mean a lot when you're working your way back from being down.
I have a three towed 'big foot' cane De grabbed for me after I walked by it in an antique store. Its now my 'outside and uneven surface' cane and is one of 10 or so in my collection. It irks me to admit I like it. .
Do remember to take a little time for yourself each day, too. It'll be good for both of you!
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