One Day at a Time...

I think the healing of a broken rib will take quite a while. We are both taking it one day at a time. I've picked up several chores that the Mister did daily and he is now walking laps back and forth-end to end of the cabin for exercise with the handy dandy walker. He's also needing to be encouraged to take more deep breaths to keep pneumonia at bay. The most difficult thing for him is the coughing spells. They are nothing new, but now they are painful beyond description. Errands have been run by a good neighbor and friend and our daughter as well. 

Everyone needs an escape from tough situations. I can't possibly comprehend how tornado and flood victims get through the recent disasters. My escape is reading and baking and keeping up with the necessary paperwork of household and personal responsibilities. Thank goodness I seem to still have a fairly clear mind and abilities to do this. Being not able to drive is my biggest handicap at the present but there are ways to get around even this.  Soooooo, one day at a time has become my mantra, along with the old one of "Do not fall!"

Baked a loaf of bread, and made a ham, cheddar cheese, spinach and egg quiche recently. Re-vamping kitchen cupboards and taking inventory. Every day a step further. Waiting for the daffodils to bloom. 

Please tap on image to view the goodness better

Springtime Doctor Visit

The Mister

Closed fracture, one rib, left side. Yep!  After a doctor visit and x-ray, we know why his pain is so great. They no longer wrap or brace the body like they did (about 40 years ago, that is when I broke ribs - twice!) and he was sent home with Rx pain med, instructions for other pain relievers and told to keep taking deep breaths, even when it hurts. Soooooo here we go on the recovery road.

I'm relieved that they didn't keep him there and know he'll be OK, using the walker, going back and forth the length of the cabin several times a day for exercise. Whew! What a day for our daughter who drove him there, stayed during the visit and waited for the x-rays to be completed. She is so good about all things medical as she has had training in the past. 

While they were gone I went out looking for Spring. A neighbor fellow was fishing from his kayak along the edges of the lake where the ice has melted. I saw a few of the old daffodils starting to pop up. Soon the yard will be needing a thorough clean up and our yard man will have the entire job this year! A couple of ATVs whizzed by so we know the signs. 

And look at what my friend who lives in Western Virginia found on their newly purchased acreage!  Pretty special, eh?

please tap on image to enlarge

Ouch!

The Mister fell again last night as he was getting ready to sit in his chair. He tripped on the back wheel of the walker and fell forward. His left rib cage struck the arm of the maple chair. The chair didn’t move. Our lawn fellow was here checking James in preparation for repairs and heard the thunk and cry of pain. He came dashing in and helped him get up. Well he wouldn’t let us call 911 or the hospital for an X-ray and doctor visit. Ate his dinner and went to bed as usual. I had a difficult time sleeping, thinking of all kinds of scenarios. Today he is toughing it out. I think he must have cracked or at least suffered a bad internal bruise on the rib but nothing shows on the outside such as a bruise or laceration. He can take deep breaths but has trouble reaching with that left arm. We shall see……. ice, Tylenol, rest.