Another day, another... well, whatever

Let's see... since Tuesday, I have lain around the house!

Actually, that's not true. Sofa or bed, really, for lying around the house. One day this week, I made a trip from the bathroom through the kitchen back to the sofa... just to say I had.

Then, on Thursday, when our internet fell down, I went from the bedroom to the study, sat, stood, and then went back to the sofa where I fell down. It is DAMNED hard to stand on 3 legs - two crutches, one human leg. Plus it's very uncomfortable to keep a position where my right leg/foot doesn't touch down.

It was that incident where I decided not to go to the annual FiberFest here in Ann Arbor. It's hard and tiring to get around. Yes, I'd be in a wheelchair, but the booths are small so I'd have to get out. In a wheelchair, my leg would be fully extended in front of me, which is also tricky. Plus the Washtenaw County Fairgrounds, while indoors, is not precisely a level surface.

My dad also arrived Thursday night. On Friday, he made a trip to Lowe's and picked up a hand-held shower head. He found an area that was specific to disabled needs and so it's a pretty nice shower head. For a shower head. It's got a long hose and an on/off switch on the head itself (this allows me to put it down, without it spraying all over).

It was nice to sit in the shower (although my leg was in a wacky position and I don't think there's jack I can do about that) and clean myself... entirely on my own. Of course, I needed J's help to get in and out, but then he walked out and closed the door behind him. I'm looking forward to tomorrow, when I'll spend some time being girly in the shower (fancy shampoos and conditioners and the like!).

My parents left this morning. My mom really made life much easier for both of us. It was the little things like allowing J (or, occasionally, she) to go shopping/get food/supplies, and I had someone home with me. For awhile, this was super-important. She also did the big things like cook dinner nightly and stock our freezer with dinner.

The staples come out - I hope I hope I hope - on Monday. The skin is starting to pull on them, which is kind of uncomfortable. It looks like it's pretty well healed, too. There's a soft lump at the end of the incision, but it's not painful, discolored, or hotter than the rest of the leg.

The pain generally isn't too bad. Most of it has to do with the brace itself - the second strap crosses right over the bottom side of the incision and the rubbing - no matter how many layers between my leg and the brace - is painful. (But then my sense of hot/cold and touch is really screwy near the incision and that's not a surprise)

My knee cap IS more visible, as well. The fact that it's moved is a little bizarre, but I'm getting used to it. Also, with the reducition of swelling, I can tell that my leg is in a different direction that before.

And there you have it!