Yep, it is true, I am finally back home. And Glenda, the good witch did not wave a wand over my head and ask me to click my heals together three times.
We had my first post-op visit, and I got a clean bill of health. I still have a six week visit and a twelve week visit. I do not foresee any problems. I am walking, taking it easy and eating right...not that we are home and in control of what foods we eat. I am still amazed at how other people eat and how they see what they eat as OK. Yuck. We came home and our first meal was a meatless dinner. And we were stuffed. Tonight will be pretty much the same. I do not want any meat for a while, or at least until my body gets itself righted. If that takes a week, then so be it.
We had prepared a little bit ahead and made some bread and even some beans. All we have to do is spice them up and Viola, add some rice and we are good to go. Tonight my daughter is making a stir-fry. She loves stir-fries. There is no rhyme or reason to her stir-fires. Whatever we have in the refrigerator is good for us. Unless we are going to the produce market and are specifically buying certain items for a stir fry. Bok choy is one of my daughters favorites, and who doesn't love a dark green.
I am able to sleep in my own bed. We thought that it being so high, that I would have difficulty getting up on the bed, but we took a small stool, for lack of a better word, and that is how I get up and down from the bed.
We truly were so happy to be home. This was not a vacation we were on, so the circumstances were a bit different. I am thankful for my sister being able to take care of me, but I thrilled to be home.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
To Tell the Truth
Well after reading a fellow bloggers experience with one of her children bending the truth, my mind went directly to when I had to confess to my son the truth about Santa. Some of you may or may not know that my son is autistic, and that puts him more in the mind set of a 15 year old instead of the 19 years he is. For me that is not a problem, for that is all I have known.
A few years back, before we began homeschooling I had to play Tooth Fairy to my daughter and got caught red handed. She questioned me and I told her the truth. The next morning at breakfast she eagerly informed her brother who the tooth fairy was. I did not try to deny it. Now you have to remember that he would write her letters and leave her gifts, which of course I kept. "You were her the whole time?" Was his question. "Yes." I replied. He began to stew.
"Well, at least you are not the Easter Bunny?!" I kept my head down and kept on eating my breakfast without missing a beat. "WHAT?! You are the Easter Bunny too? All those clues you left for us...I can't believe it!" I did not reply for he knew that I was indeed the Easter Bunny.
"Well, at least you are not Santa Claus?!" Again,I kept on eating my breakfast, not saying one word. "WHAT?! You mean to tell me that Dad is Santa and you are Mrs. Claus?!" He was now near fuming stage. You could see his wheels turning. Remember also that the year he discovered this there was an extremely popular gaming console that all the kids wanted...he got it that past Christmas. His mind was churning, he looked up to me and looked me square in thee eyes. "Whoa...you paid that much for Play Station 2?!" He knew then what Mr & Mrs Santa had been dishing out all those years.
A few years back, before we began homeschooling I had to play Tooth Fairy to my daughter and got caught red handed. She questioned me and I told her the truth. The next morning at breakfast she eagerly informed her brother who the tooth fairy was. I did not try to deny it. Now you have to remember that he would write her letters and leave her gifts, which of course I kept. "You were her the whole time?" Was his question. "Yes." I replied. He began to stew.
"Well, at least you are not the Easter Bunny?!" I kept my head down and kept on eating my breakfast without missing a beat. "WHAT?! You are the Easter Bunny too? All those clues you left for us...I can't believe it!" I did not reply for he knew that I was indeed the Easter Bunny.
"Well, at least you are not Santa Claus?!" Again,I kept on eating my breakfast, not saying one word. "WHAT?! You mean to tell me that Dad is Santa and you are Mrs. Claus?!" He was now near fuming stage. You could see his wheels turning. Remember also that the year he discovered this there was an extremely popular gaming console that all the kids wanted...he got it that past Christmas. His mind was churning, he looked up to me and looked me square in thee eyes. "Whoa...you paid that much for Play Station 2?!" He knew then what Mr & Mrs Santa had been dishing out all those years.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Cheesecake Factory
OK, I mentioned my first experience at Cheesecake Factory at another blog so I feel obligated to share my story.
A few years back I was visiting my sister, here in Miami. So we went to a super huge mall called Sawgrass Mall. If they don't have it there...you don't need it. We shopped a bit, walked a bit then went to have lunch. My sister took us to The Cheesecake Factory.
We ordered our food and man oh man, it was thee best food I have ever had in my life. And trust me I am a tough critic. My dish was a lemon baked chicken dish. Wowser!! That melted in my mouth. The meal was over and time for what.....CHEESECAKE! Now I used to work at Denny's and loved their cheesecake. I love the simplicity of the dessert. I am not a sweet tooth person. I am more of a salty person. But I make an exception with cheesecake.
For those who have been living under a rock and never set foot into a Cheesecake Factory, let me clue you into how many choices you have when you open their menu...it...is...endless. So I stuck to my guns and ordered a plain piece of cheesecake. We had a wonderful waitress, full of personality. I handed her my order and she gave me the look of death. She began to clear away our dirty dishes and as she was clearing our table, she told me this, "I am going to take these dishes away, and while I am gone, you will make another choice. You do not come to the Cheesecake Factory and order plain...make another decision." She kept clearing the table and I picked up the menu and started looking. I finally decided on Kahlua and it was delicious. But I did long for the uncomplicated flavor of the plain slice.
If and when I do go again, I swear I will order a plain slice and be confident with my choice.
A few years back I was visiting my sister, here in Miami. So we went to a super huge mall called Sawgrass Mall. If they don't have it there...you don't need it. We shopped a bit, walked a bit then went to have lunch. My sister took us to The Cheesecake Factory.
We ordered our food and man oh man, it was thee best food I have ever had in my life. And trust me I am a tough critic. My dish was a lemon baked chicken dish. Wowser!! That melted in my mouth. The meal was over and time for what.....CHEESECAKE! Now I used to work at Denny's and loved their cheesecake. I love the simplicity of the dessert. I am not a sweet tooth person. I am more of a salty person. But I make an exception with cheesecake.
For those who have been living under a rock and never set foot into a Cheesecake Factory, let me clue you into how many choices you have when you open their menu...it...is...endless. So I stuck to my guns and ordered a plain piece of cheesecake. We had a wonderful waitress, full of personality. I handed her my order and she gave me the look of death. She began to clear away our dirty dishes and as she was clearing our table, she told me this, "I am going to take these dishes away, and while I am gone, you will make another choice. You do not come to the Cheesecake Factory and order plain...make another decision." She kept clearing the table and I picked up the menu and started looking. I finally decided on Kahlua and it was delicious. But I did long for the uncomplicated flavor of the plain slice.
If and when I do go again, I swear I will order a plain slice and be confident with my choice.
Friday, July 25, 2008
The Power of Massage
I recently had major spinal surgery, and if you have never gone under general anesthesia, then you may not know that it wreaks havoc with your system, and more specifically your plumbing. To rub slat in the wound(No pun intended) they put me on iron...big mistake. There is nothing worse than things not running smoothly(Like how I am avoiding all the graphics about this subject), and that is what I was experiencing...until today.
As I sat in the ladies room here at my sisters, I began to rub my belly, for no other reason than to rub it. Well low and behold, things began to move. I had really begun to worry that I may need to take stronger measures. But my little belly rubbing session paid off. I did not have to take one supplement or additive to get things moving. Good 'ol time and mother nature prevailed.
Long live massage!!!
As I sat in the ladies room here at my sisters, I began to rub my belly, for no other reason than to rub it. Well low and behold, things began to move. I had really begun to worry that I may need to take stronger measures. But my little belly rubbing session paid off. I did not have to take one supplement or additive to get things moving. Good 'ol time and mother nature prevailed.
Long live massage!!!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Getting Better
This will not be along post for I am still finding it difficult sitting for long periods of time. All the pressure on my back is still uncomfortable. This too shall pass.
My surgery went very well, and so much so that even when I was still under heavy medications directly after surgery, I told my husband, "I am pain free from my injury." Now I knew thee only pain I would be dealing with would be the surgery incision, but suffice it to say that will go away, my injury was not. So much so that I was nearly standing in a 90 degree angle. I was wheelchair bound or soon to be bed ridden. No longer. Do not let me lead you to believe that the pain from the surgery is minimal...it is not, but everyday I am feeling a little less pain.
I am mobile and walking about 3/4-1 mile a day, and that is outside. I am constantly walking inside the house. I am even wearing out a path. Just kidding. I have to wear a bone fusion contraption for at least four hours a day. It is bulky and cumbersome, but something that will speed up my recovery, so I wear it.
I also wear a soft sided back brace. Thee only time that comes off is when I am sleeping or drenched in sweat. So if I come back from an afternoon walk, I hang it out so it can air out. I am starting to sleep better, but not through the night. I have even slept through one of my pain medication time slots, so I know that the pain is lessening. Woo Hoo!
My sister has been my life saver. If not for her, I would have to be in some rehab, and we all know we heal better when at home. Granted, this is not my home, but she has opened up her home to me and my daughter, and there are no words that can begin to let her know how much we appreciate what her and her family has done for me and my family.
She had a similar surgery three years ago and knew exactly what I would be going through upon my coming home. She is pushing me to my limits, but not over the limits either. She has been a god-send.
I will be going home Monday the 28th. I have a 9:30 AM appointment, then I will be going home. Wheeeeeee. Then I will be booking a six week post-op and a twelve week post-op visit, then after that I am Scott free.
This has been a harrowing experience for me and my family, and to be honest, I did not think I wold get better. But my husband and I have come to the conclusion that there are people in this world cut out to do specific jobs...this mans was to heal people's backs. One of my crying spells after the surgery was me just venting to the fact that all I ever wanted was to be back to the way I was before my injury. I was not looking to be Superwoman, just back to my old self, nothing more...nothing less. He did that for me. I may be just a lowly unemployed, homeschooling, cooking homemaker, but it was the life I loved and can now love again.
OK, I lied, this is not a short post, my back let me sit a little longer. Thanks for all your good vibes, and hope to be posting on a more regular basis when I get home.
My surgery went very well, and so much so that even when I was still under heavy medications directly after surgery, I told my husband, "I am pain free from my injury." Now I knew thee only pain I would be dealing with would be the surgery incision, but suffice it to say that will go away, my injury was not. So much so that I was nearly standing in a 90 degree angle. I was wheelchair bound or soon to be bed ridden. No longer. Do not let me lead you to believe that the pain from the surgery is minimal...it is not, but everyday I am feeling a little less pain.
I am mobile and walking about 3/4-1 mile a day, and that is outside. I am constantly walking inside the house. I am even wearing out a path. Just kidding. I have to wear a bone fusion contraption for at least four hours a day. It is bulky and cumbersome, but something that will speed up my recovery, so I wear it.
I also wear a soft sided back brace. Thee only time that comes off is when I am sleeping or drenched in sweat. So if I come back from an afternoon walk, I hang it out so it can air out. I am starting to sleep better, but not through the night. I have even slept through one of my pain medication time slots, so I know that the pain is lessening. Woo Hoo!
My sister has been my life saver. If not for her, I would have to be in some rehab, and we all know we heal better when at home. Granted, this is not my home, but she has opened up her home to me and my daughter, and there are no words that can begin to let her know how much we appreciate what her and her family has done for me and my family.
She had a similar surgery three years ago and knew exactly what I would be going through upon my coming home. She is pushing me to my limits, but not over the limits either. She has been a god-send.
I will be going home Monday the 28th. I have a 9:30 AM appointment, then I will be going home. Wheeeeeee. Then I will be booking a six week post-op and a twelve week post-op visit, then after that I am Scott free.
This has been a harrowing experience for me and my family, and to be honest, I did not think I wold get better. But my husband and I have come to the conclusion that there are people in this world cut out to do specific jobs...this mans was to heal people's backs. One of my crying spells after the surgery was me just venting to the fact that all I ever wanted was to be back to the way I was before my injury. I was not looking to be Superwoman, just back to my old self, nothing more...nothing less. He did that for me. I may be just a lowly unemployed, homeschooling, cooking homemaker, but it was the life I loved and can now love again.
OK, I lied, this is not a short post, my back let me sit a little longer. Thanks for all your good vibes, and hope to be posting on a more regular basis when I get home.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
I'm Up
Well, my daughter did not update...I guess to much partying.
The surgery went flawlessly. When I was in the recovery I told my husband that I was pain free, save the surgery incision. I am slow to recovery, but I am up and walking, OK, it's more like a hobble, but one step and and day at a time.
I am starting to regain my appetite, well as best as I can with hospital food. The more I do, the more I will do. I ,know this will take a while,but I am a patient woman. My husband brought the laptop, so his is how I am blogging, but he will take that home with him.
Thanks for all your good thoughts!!!
The surgery went flawlessly. When I was in the recovery I told my husband that I was pain free, save the surgery incision. I am slow to recovery, but I am up and walking, OK, it's more like a hobble, but one step and and day at a time.
I am starting to regain my appetite, well as best as I can with hospital food. The more I do, the more I will do. I ,know this will take a while,but I am a patient woman. My husband brought the laptop, so his is how I am blogging, but he will take that home with him.
Thanks for all your good thoughts!!!
Sunday, July 13, 2008
D Day
The day has arrived. We go to Miami to finalize all preparations for my back surgery. I am better with it, but still a bit anxious. I will have family by my side and with family once I leave the hospital. So those are good things. Again, my sister having gone through this and being my caregiver is a definite plus. I don't know what I would have done without her.
We leave once my husband comes home from work today. We are finishing up the cleaning of the house, laundry, and anything that we can do before my son and husband return while I am still in Miami.
I don't know who is more worried about thee other, my husband worried about being away from me, or me worrying about my son being alone so much of his day.
We will all get through this. This to shall pass. that which does not kill us makes us stronger. all of those apply to my situation. I look forward to getting back to normal physically and back into the blogging world, but my health comes first. so any news will be via my daughter.
See you all soon. And think good thoughts for me.
We leave once my husband comes home from work today. We are finishing up the cleaning of the house, laundry, and anything that we can do before my son and husband return while I am still in Miami.
I don't know who is more worried about thee other, my husband worried about being away from me, or me worrying about my son being alone so much of his day.
We will all get through this. This to shall pass. that which does not kill us makes us stronger. all of those apply to my situation. I look forward to getting back to normal physically and back into the blogging world, but my health comes first. so any news will be via my daughter.
See you all soon. And think good thoughts for me.
Friday, July 11, 2008
27 Years and Counting
After posting my depressing post, I thought I might add something uplifting. Today is my 27th Wedding Anniversary. Yep, you heard right, twenty seven years. that means my husband and I have known each other 29 years. Yes we dated for two years before tying the knot. And one of those years we were seniors in high school.
How did we get to 27 years. It seems like I just asked him out yesterday. *Slaps hand over mouth* Yes, I confess, I asked him out first, but hear me out. One of my classmates was in a school play, and she was playing the lead role(Hello Dolly), so I asked my man if he wanted to go, he said yes. But low and behold, we both ended up having to work that night and we never made on the date I asked him out on.
Fast forward a few weeks and he turned around and asked me out. We saw the movie Alien. Yes, I know, it is a classic. But I never got to see the climatic finale where the alien gets blown up, for I was *cough cough* occupied. Yes, our first kiss as well.
I have never looked back. We have had our ups and downs, but not in our marriage so much as it has been financial. But I fall back on a classic Sony and Cher song..."I Got You Babe" And yes, our love may not pay the rent, but I know many-a folks who have much more money than we do and not half of the happiness. I think I am the winner!
Here's to you Bubba(Another blogging story) and to another 27 years!
How did we get to 27 years. It seems like I just asked him out yesterday. *Slaps hand over mouth* Yes, I confess, I asked him out first, but hear me out. One of my classmates was in a school play, and she was playing the lead role(Hello Dolly), so I asked my man if he wanted to go, he said yes. But low and behold, we both ended up having to work that night and we never made on the date I asked him out on.
Fast forward a few weeks and he turned around and asked me out. We saw the movie Alien. Yes, I know, it is a classic. But I never got to see the climatic finale where the alien gets blown up, for I was *cough cough* occupied. Yes, our first kiss as well.
I have never looked back. We have had our ups and downs, but not in our marriage so much as it has been financial. But I fall back on a classic Sony and Cher song..."I Got You Babe" And yes, our love may not pay the rent, but I know many-a folks who have much more money than we do and not half of the happiness. I think I am the winner!
Here's to you Bubba(Another blogging story) and to another 27 years!
I Am Scared
I have been letting you all know of my upcoming spinal surgery, but the bewitching hour is slowly coming upon us. I am torn about this surgery. Don't get me wrong, I know that I need it and I know I will be healthier after it, but I am definitely not looking forward to the hospital stay and the recovery period.
I am a very healthy 46 year old woman. My medical clearance has proved that. If it were not for this injury, I would be bale to run marathons, but now I can barely stand to wash two glasses and three pieces of flatware. Who knew.
I just want to be back to my old self again. I want to do the things I used to do. Pffft to being a marathon runner. I want to clean my home, cook meals for my family and not have to plan an event away from the house on whether or not a place has a wheelchair or not. There is nothing worse than needing a wheelchair in order to enjoy a place and not have one. I do not have one permanently, for after my surgery, I will not need one, but in the interim, I would love to be able to sit and visit places.
This is not an 'Oh woe is me' rant, I am just a bit down, not depressed, for I know I will come home and do what I have to do to get better, that is how I roll(My daughters saying). This surgery and recovery will most more than likely not be as bad as I am thinking it will be and thee odd thing is, I am usually a very...and I mean very, uplifting person, almost to a fault. Yeah, I am one of those people that when you meet me, you go home and say, 'There is no way someone can be that up all the time.' I am. But not lately. I guess I am having a dose of a reality check. that is not a bad thing, it is just a thing. Reality keeps us in check, it grounds us. Trust me, I am grounded.
My daughter will be coming on here and posting about the outcome to my surgery. So keep your eyes peeled and keep me in your thoughts.
I am a very healthy 46 year old woman. My medical clearance has proved that. If it were not for this injury, I would be bale to run marathons, but now I can barely stand to wash two glasses and three pieces of flatware. Who knew.
I just want to be back to my old self again. I want to do the things I used to do. Pffft to being a marathon runner. I want to clean my home, cook meals for my family and not have to plan an event away from the house on whether or not a place has a wheelchair or not. There is nothing worse than needing a wheelchair in order to enjoy a place and not have one. I do not have one permanently, for after my surgery, I will not need one, but in the interim, I would love to be able to sit and visit places.
This is not an 'Oh woe is me' rant, I am just a bit down, not depressed, for I know I will come home and do what I have to do to get better, that is how I roll(My daughters saying). This surgery and recovery will most more than likely not be as bad as I am thinking it will be and thee odd thing is, I am usually a very...and I mean very, uplifting person, almost to a fault. Yeah, I am one of those people that when you meet me, you go home and say, 'There is no way someone can be that up all the time.' I am. But not lately. I guess I am having a dose of a reality check. that is not a bad thing, it is just a thing. Reality keeps us in check, it grounds us. Trust me, I am grounded.
My daughter will be coming on here and posting about the outcome to my surgery. So keep your eyes peeled and keep me in your thoughts.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Giving Up
This post is so not going to be about anything you think this title may lead you to believe. *rubs hands together*
I was recently talking to a friend of mine, and we were discussing how I will be handling everything in my life once I return home from the hospital. She meant cleaning, food and such forth. I told her I would be in Miami for the hospital stay(That being a given), then at my sisters for about another week, then home where hubby would have a week off before heading back to work, then mother-in-law is two blocks away if there were a dire emergency. Then once hubby goes back to work, there are women in my home schooling group who will be coming with meals and cleaning crews. So I will be taken care of for a while.
She offered to bring her signature dish...Chicken Caccitiatore. I told her that would be a welcome offer, but that my daughter Savanah would not be able to eat it and fend for herself that night. she then, politely as she possibly could told me that 'Maybe your daughter should set aside her beliefs and take what she can get until you get better.' I politely told, 'I don't think so, she is set in her convictions and I stand by her and she can manage on eggs for a night or two.'
It didn't hit me until a day later(Why do you always find the snappy comebacks when you are not in the heat of the conversation) something came to me. What if I had told her to set aside her Christan beliefs just long enough to watch an 'R' rated movie that went against what she believed in. Would she have done that? I think not. so why should my daughter do what she would never consider, just because it deals with food. *Breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth* Where do people come up with this stuff. I couldn't make this up if I wanted to.
I was recently talking to a friend of mine, and we were discussing how I will be handling everything in my life once I return home from the hospital. She meant cleaning, food and such forth. I told her I would be in Miami for the hospital stay(That being a given), then at my sisters for about another week, then home where hubby would have a week off before heading back to work, then mother-in-law is two blocks away if there were a dire emergency. Then once hubby goes back to work, there are women in my home schooling group who will be coming with meals and cleaning crews. So I will be taken care of for a while.
She offered to bring her signature dish...Chicken Caccitiatore. I told her that would be a welcome offer, but that my daughter Savanah would not be able to eat it and fend for herself that night. she then, politely as she possibly could told me that 'Maybe your daughter should set aside her beliefs and take what she can get until you get better.' I politely told, 'I don't think so, she is set in her convictions and I stand by her and she can manage on eggs for a night or two.'
It didn't hit me until a day later(Why do you always find the snappy comebacks when you are not in the heat of the conversation) something came to me. What if I had told her to set aside her Christan beliefs just long enough to watch an 'R' rated movie that went against what she believed in. Would she have done that? I think not. so why should my daughter do what she would never consider, just because it deals with food. *Breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth* Where do people come up with this stuff. I couldn't make this up if I wanted to.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
My Other Blog
Well, I did it. I started another blog...who knew. It's not that I need another place to babble, but after seeing three recipes one behind the other, I realized that I had something to offer those who are looking for good food alternatives.
That is not to say that everything I post about will be 100% healthy. I do intend to let my daughter post some of her famous sweets, and yes, even those can still be healthy...if you do them the right way and have them in moderation.
Hope you enjoy The Cooking Lady
P.S. I have seen other blogs that when you are directed to their profile, you see they have more than one blog. I would love to add The Cooking Lady to this blog, so those who are interested in recipes, they can hop over there. I have searched and searched on to add another blog to my profile but to no avail. Any help form you ladies would be greatly appreciated.
That is not to say that everything I post about will be 100% healthy. I do intend to let my daughter post some of her famous sweets, and yes, even those can still be healthy...if you do them the right way and have them in moderation.
Hope you enjoy The Cooking Lady
P.S. I have seen other blogs that when you are directed to their profile, you see they have more than one blog. I would love to add The Cooking Lady to this blog, so those who are interested in recipes, they can hop over there. I have searched and searched on to add another blog to my profile but to no avail. Any help form you ladies would be greatly appreciated.
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