Cast

     On Monday, June 23 I went for my first post-op visit with Dr. Lillich. I thought that I would get my stitches out and have a cast put on. Stitches didn't come out but cast went on. I have 18 stitches on the outside. Dr. Lillich said that I had lots on the inside. I will spare everyone the picture of the stitches which really look very good. I had a choice of the color of cast - yellow, red, blue, green, purple, camo, soccer balls, smiley faces. Decided on green because liturgically we are in ordinary time which is green. 

     Geoffrey continues to be a good friend. He takes me everywhere, and since our one fall we have had no other issues. 
     The cast is fiberglass which is much lighter than the old plaster casts, but fabric sort of attaches to it. Sleeping has been the biggest problem for me as it is very difficult to move in bed with the cast. I have used 2 pillows under my foot, one pillow at an angle from the bed to the top pillow, and one pillow between my legs. I don't like to sleep on my back so it is hard to get comfortable on my left side and stay there all night.
     I have been drinking lots of water thinking that is good for my healing process. That means that I have to get up during the night for a potty break. I have to sit on the side of the bed for a minute to make sure that I am awake enough to get my knee on Geoffrey. Then off to the bathroom which means pulling forward into our closet and backing into the bathroom.
     I go to work every day but only work a half day as I am tired after that. Afternoons are spent on the couch or bed resting or taking a nap. I had great plans to do constructive things in the afternoons but I never seem to get around to it.
     Each day my upper body get stronger. I can tell because it is not as difficult to move myself around like it was at first. I have told people that I should have had physical therapy before the surgery to work on my upper body.
     I continue to be thankful for Joe and everything he has been doing for me. After helping him after his surgeries, I know that it is very hard to be a caregiver.