Sir Ailbe Knight's Journey - Day 18

5:45 AM - Wake up (Med time)
6:15 AM - Out for a walk/run for my morning break
6:45 AM - Breakfast for mom and me

I can't believe my middle child has turned 33 yrs old today.  It only seems like yesterday that she came into this world.

Ailbe did a great walk/run before I headed back to my room to lay down.  I wanted no swelling in my surgical foot because I had my f/u appt this afternoon.  Before I had a chance to lay down Ailbe wanted to play ball and so we had a great time playing fetch.  Then he went to his crate to lay down and I went to my bed.  I was just getting comfortable before he decided he had to join me and cuddle.  I hate laying down and people wanting to interrupt our time.  Oh, well.....

After lunch I had my Podiatry appt.  The clinic was running behind and I think it was almost 1 1/2 hrs before I got seen.  I was looking forward to getting my cast on and when they took off the soft cast I had a nasty wound infection brewing.  So, they took out the staples and stitches and just put on a simple dressing.  They made a splint and then put an ace wrap around it.  I'm so disappointed to have a set back.  I now have to get daily wound care for the next two weeks.  I'm also back on antibiotics which is my third round.  Ailbe was so good thru out the appt.  It was a small room and it was extremely hard to get the scooter in and out of the room.  I forgot my camera and I'll take pics in two weeks with Ailbe.  I'll take a pic tomorrow of the wound, but won't post it here.

Before heading back to my room I took Ailbe out for a walk/run.  My appt didn't end till 3:30 PM.  After returning to my room Ailbe wanted to play with his monkey and ball.  What ever he gave me I tossed it.  Then it was time for dinner....

After dinner we went out for a few laps around the track before going back to the room.  I finally got to talk to my daughter on her birthday.  I managed to finish a couple programs and then after his final outside routine I went to bed.  Another day is done....

Good night one and all ... See you again...

Sir Ailbe Knight's Journey - Day 17

5:45 AM - Wake up (Med time)
6:15 AM - Out for a walk/run for my morning break
6:45 AM - Breakfast for mom and me

My typical day of doing things on my PC, laying down to get the swelling down is the pits.  I can't believe its been close to a month since I left home.  Ailbe is having a grand time after doing a couple laps I'll say "Hold leash" and he grabs it and runs/walks the rest of his laps holding it in his mouth.  He's great on picking up my metal grabber.  He does it an angle and drags it to me.  What a character he his.

I love the way they rearranged my room for I can get onto my scooter and not ask for help moving it.  Ailbe has more room to play ball and has a chance to be just a normal dog a few times a day.   His attitude is work comes first and play is a close second.

I also had KT today and got thru my short upper body strength exercises.  I have a couple bands that lets me do them in my room.  When they were done it was nap time.

After my nap was over it was time to go out for our afternoon walk/run around the track.  The leaves are almost gone and so that means winter will be here soon.  The weather is sunny and warm today.  Its suppose to be cooler tonight and tomorrow a little cooler.  We have to remember to set the clocks back Saturday night.  That means our 6:30 PM run will be in the dark.

After dinner Ailbe got his and man he's not picking on eating. I took Ailbe out at 6:30 PM before heading back to my room.  I finally got to finish a couple shows before it was time to watch The Voice on TV.  Yes I said the word TV.......  Ailbe got up in the bed and snuggled with me.  After the show it was time to take Ailbe out for his final call....

When I got back to the room Ailbe went into his crate for the night.  So, that mean... Day is Done... Gone is the Sun...

See you again tomorrow.

Sir Ailbe Knight's Journey - Day 16

My MONKEY...

5:45 AM - Wake up (Med time)
6:15 AM - Out for a walk/run for my morning break
6:45 AM - Breakfast for mom and me

Another week has begun.  I can't believe on Wednesday it will be four weeks since my surgery.  That means I have another two months left in this joint.

Ailbe was so playful this morning.  After our eight laps on the track he came back to the room to play ball.  Then it was his monkey toss game.  He must have played for a half hour before crashing with it.  He fell asleep in the bed first before heading off to his crate.

I love to snuggle with my monkey...

After KT (part 1) we returned to my room too wait for my phone call from IPhone.  I'm having issues with my acct because it won't update some security info that was tied to an email acct that I had eight years ago.  Its now fixed...  Then it was off to lunch which turned out to be crappy again.

After lunch I watched one program before going off too KT.  After I got back to my room from KT I laid down till around 4 PM. When I got up I took Ailbe out for a walk/run around the track (4 laps) before heading back to my room.  It was med time before dinner.....

I feel like a broken record about dinner and all of the meals here -- THEY STINK!!!  I'm so tired of green beans at most meals.  Eating in the dining room helps us pick our entree, but its either chicken cooked in another way or some odd stuff that looks gross.  I will no longer eat all the breads and starches put on my plate.  Its an overkill for a diabetic.  They had this beef, cheese and onion on a sub roll which I scooped out of the roll.  What was left was about a 1 tblsp worth of food.  So, I asked for a cheeseburger w/out the bun.

Upon returning to my room it was time for Ailbe to eat.  Going back on his old food was the right choice.  He's so happy and has more zip and energy which he hasn't had since June.  We're also still doing two drop packages a day which means the four cups of food is being used in his body.  Also, he's having less eye gook.

After he ate he decided it was another nap for himself.  He doesn't like going out immediately after dinner.  So, I finished up another show, chatted with friends on Facebook and waited to watch the Voice on TV instead of the PC.  So, I took Ailbe out at 7:30 PM and we did a couple laps before returning to my room.

After the show it was time to take Ailbe out for the last duty call of the night.  He then went into his crate for the night.  I finished watching my show and then went to sleep.

So, see you all tomorrow....

SWEET DREAMS

Sir Ailbe Knight's Journey - Day 15

GREETINGS

5:45 AM - Wake up (Med time)
6:15 AM - Out for a walk/run for my morning break
6:45 AM - Breakfast for mom and me

Today started out being boring.  Thank heavens for a great dog who can make you laugh when you need it.  He loves playing ball and chewing on his monkey.  We had a great time playing in the room this morning.  So, in between playing and watching my programs (only when the internet let me) I couldn't believe it was lunch time already.

They brought in my tray and said that a special lunch was being served in the dining room.  That's unusual because we mainly eat in our rooms on the weekends.  So, off to the dining room where we had a FEAST!!!  The chef cooked a special dinner for us.  We had fried catfish, ham, mac & cheese, mashed potatoes (not instant), Brussel Sprouts w/ bacon, fresh green & wax beans, ribs, salad, cornbread and apple crisp.  We were given a plate with everything on it.  We all thought we went to heaven because it tasted so darn good.  All of sudden I didn't feel too hot and headed back to my room.

I had to pull the emergency cord in the bathroom.  I had to get a shower before getting changed.  So, I thought I would lay down because I really didn't feel good.  The nurse came in with a new med and I decided it was safer staying in bed to sleep then to attend Mass.  I just didn't want to be that far from my room.  I dosed off till I woke in pain a little pass 4 PM.  After getting my meds I took Ailbe out before dinner.

After returning from our outside adventure of eight laps it was time to head back in.  My tray was on the table and so I fed Ailbe first before pushing my chair over to eat.  OMG!!!  I took one look at my food and gagged.  The salmon was swimming in this cream sauce which I tried before and couldn't even eat it.  The rice was hard and had no flavor.  The final insult was the cooked spinach.  I only like spinach in dips.  Plus, I'm on blood thinners and greens cause my levels to go up.  I had a box of cheerios from one of breakfasts earlier in the week and I ate that for dinner.

After dinner I watched another show thru interruptions with the wi-fi shutting down.  Played some fetch with Ailbe before taking him out on a break before dark.  Then came back to the room and tried to get online with no success.

Finally, its time for bed....  Took Ailbe out for his last call and so I say goodnight and see you tomorrow. 

Sir Ailbe Knight's Journey - Day 14

5:45 AM - Wake up (Med time)
6:15 AM - Out for a walk/run for my morning break
6:45 AM - Breakfast for mom and me

Well, its the weekend of nothing to do.  The food is even worse and you either sit outside or stay in your room.  I met this one Vet who's three weeks younger then me and then his daughter is three weeks younger then my daughter, Christine.  We just cracked up about that.  He also went to Catholic Schools and we were going over our crazy stories of how strict the nuns were.

I worked on trying to catch up on some shows.  Its a hit and miss with the internet.  You can be in a middle of a show and have to wait 40 minutes before you can watch it again.  My stupid left leg is still swollen and I thought I would lay down for awhile. 

After lunch I went to the board game activity.  Not many showed up and I tried to play Mexican Train and I couldn't for the life of me remember how to play it.  I'll have to play with Teresa and Luke when I get home to learn how to play it again.  After that Ailbe and I went out for our afternoon track walk/run.  Ailbe has come up with his new retrieve and holdi  ng his leash.  He'll grab it and just hold on for at least a lap.  I think he's feeling better being back on his old food.  He's got more spring in his step.  I'm also only getting two package drops a day from him, one in the morning and one after dinner.

Finally, finished one show after dinner and it was time for over evening walk/run of only a couple laps.  Nothing to do but watch my PC programs and catch up on my blog. 

I took Ailbe out for his last call of the night at 10 PM.  Then it was back to the room and get ready for bed.  I watched one program and then I was out in no time flat.

I didn't get any pictures today either.... So, see you all tomorrow...

Sir Ailbe Knight's Journey - Day 13

5:45 AM - Wake up (Med time)
6:15 AM - Out for a walk/run for my morning break
6:45 AM - Breakfast for mom and me

This morning is suppose to be a busy one with a Preschool bringing some kids in for Harvest Time activities.  So, I was able to take a shower this morning before 9 AM.  When I got done and dressed for the day I took Ailbe out for his morning walk/run and package delivery.  The weather is quite cool and windy today.  The sun is shinning, but its not warming up the air.  Winter will be here soon.

It was time to go outside for the activities.  The little ones were so cute.  I got a little pumpkin from one of them.  Watching them bob for apples brought back memories when my daughter did it at her birthday party.  The kids were having so much fun....

Little Pumpkin

Then it was time to head back to our rooms.  The little ones were going to be eating in the dining room with us.  We had a half hour before lunch and so I worked on my blog to get caught up.  I had fried fish and mac & cheese for lunch and apples.  They call this a diabetic diet that's loaded with carbs.  So, I'm going to have to watch what I eat and eliminate all the extra trappings they put on the plate.

My left ankle and foot were still quite swollen and it was going to be another afternoon in bed.  I think I'm so bored that I have no issue with sleeping.  Pain is a whole lot better and I'm down to twice a day with the stronger meds.  So, I was off to dreamland and was woken up by the pain that did creep in.  Got my meds and then went out with Ailbe for a walk/run.  We put in 8 laps before going back in.  By time I got back it was time to check my glucose and get my afternoon meds.  Then off to dinner which wasn't to good.  At least Sir Ailbe enjoyed his.

A nurse came in at 6 PM to tell me about an activity called "Ladies Night Out" for female patients.  Its a monthly activity.  This months theme was "Mardi Gras"....  They usually have less then 10 and so they invite other Staff members.  They had barbeque pork sandwiches, coleslaw, chips, brownies and drinks.  Thank goodness I didn't eat much dinner.  The food was great and I'll take the brownies back to the room.  My glucose levels have been great because I'm eliminating the junk on the tray. They had a cute craft to do.  It was a beaded necklace and super simple to make.  I think I would like to do them for my Girl Scout Swaps for my encampment next Summer.  I think I'll do a smaller version and use a safety pin for the ladies can pin them to their hat or jacket.  Since the group is called the "Green Hat Society" I'll have to do my beads in different shades of green or even find a little green hat.  That will be a fun project to do next Spring.

All dressed up....

Necklace

Finally, Ailbe was giving me the signal that he had to go out.  So, we out for a quick potty break for a package drop and a tinkle.  After he was done I headed back to my room to get ready for bed.  Ailbe went straight to his crate after we got back.  I watched a show and then the nurse came in for the night meds.  I wasn't in any pain and so I thought I would try another night of not taking pain meds.  Another thing that I was given at our activity was a crocheted lap afghan.  They had so many to choose from.  I decided on the green, orange and white one.  It reminded me of the Irish Flag.  I think I'll use it when I go out in the mornings when its really nippy outside.

Irish Flag Lap Afghan

So, I'll see you tomorrow ... Goodnight and sweet dreams...

Sir Ailbe Knight's Journey - Day 12

5:45 AM - Wake up (Med time)
6:15 AM - Out for a walk/run for my morning break
6:45 AM - Breakfast for mom and me

It looks like a day that I will be spending in bed to keep the swelling down in my left foot/ankle.  This VA Hosp doesn't have the white support hose that is put on surgical patients to prevent blood clots.  I wish I kept mine from AZ because I really need them.

Ailbe is such a trooper.  He's also devouring his food in the morning (2 cups) and doesn't have to go out to deliver a package for at least 2 hours after eating.  We're now back on his former routine of eating and he's got more bounce in his step.  He still gets the boogers in his eyes, but not as many as before.  I think he had allergies with the Taste of the Wild and 4Life formula dog foods.  The boogers are a sign of food allergies in dogs.  Before all this mess that I put him in by switching he would only have the morning "sandman" crusty eyes.  I think its going to take a month for his system to get back to where it was in June.

I did finish a couple of my shows this morning before laying down.  Also, the pain in the right is getting to the point where I need less pain meds.  I now can go up too 12 hours before needing anything.  The pain is mostly the nerve kind.  It feels like I've been zapped by electricity and its mainly in my foot.  Then I'll have shin pain as the rod is settling in and waiting for bone growth.  Bone growth will be a sign of the ankle being fused.  The surgery I have can take anywhere from 4 to 5 months for the bones to be fused.  Once that happens I can begin light weight bearing walking.  Since my right foot was done I have to get clearance to drive a car.  Also, this double ankle fusion can take over a year before the pain with walking can subside.  As time goes on I also might have to buy special shoes to wear.  Most people with the same fusion surgery I have can't wear crocs or sandals.  Some have been able too, but they notice they have a little more discomfort wearing them.  So, this process is slow and can be awhile before I'm back up and "running".  I also will have physical therapy and I'm hoping to do it at a PT clinic a mile from my house or find one in Culpeper, VA.  I will not drive 70 miles each way for therapy that could be up to three visits a week.

After lunch today I decided I needed to stay in bed.  My left foot was so swollen that it actually hurt worse then my surgical one.  Ailbe senses it when I need to add more pillows to my bed.  I fell asleep and was out for over three hours when I got a knock on my door from my Nurse Practitioner with some Jobst Support Hose.  She had issues getting them on and she called the Podiatry Clinic.  The Doc came over and got them on, but rolled down so much that it was digging into my skin.  So, off with the stocking.  They decided to find something to help and the Doc saw how the swelling was making my foot and ankle look purple (that's from the RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) from the fracture ankle which was treated, but what I've been plagued with is just the residual swelling after they cut the sympathetic nerve.  I haven't had it this bad in years.  I'm so tired of laying in bed to try to keep the swelling from getting worse.

After dinner I returned to the room to feed Ailbe.  I love it when the bowl makes a lot of noise moving around in his feeding area.  The biggest thing is how his tongue is licking his chops and so I know he's very satisfied with what he ate.  Ailbe doesn't have to go out till after six.  I try to get the last outing for a package pick up before it gets dark.

After a long evening of watching programs and doing some PC work I took Ailbe out at 10 PM before hitting the sack at 11 PM.

I didn't get any pics today and hopefully I'll have some for tomorrow.

See you tomorrow...........