Monday, October 17, 2011

Using What Works


Such a lucky lady I am. I am healing and I can actually feel and see the difference each day. I was religious the first 48 hours in applying the ice at intervals. I stayed off my foot as much as possible and elevated it. Today, 4 days later, I find I no longer need the hiking poles to walk around the house although I limp like a broken wheel across the floor.  There is not much pain if I am careful in how I move.

I must get better sooner rather than later as this morning when my husband heard me hobbling from the bathroom he asked if I was ready for coffee.  I called back in the affirmative as I settled back into the bed, and then 45 minutes later when no coffee smells were even wafting from the front of the house, I hobbled into the kitchen to see if could start something of my own.  He looked up from his book startled and said "Oh, gosh, I forgot.  I am in the middle of a major Civil War battle!  The Battle of Gettysburg."  This nursemaid thing is clearly NOT HIS thing.

Being a semi-invalid does erupt a smack against the head to remind one of how very, very, lucky they are!  The ability to use both eyes, both ears, both hands, both feet.  What a luxury of life!   But being able to adjust, to accept the pain, the compromise in activity, the slow down and to be willing to be patient about the support of others is also an important lesson.  I consciously made an effort to find joy in whatever small things this slow down forced me to notice.  The dance of the afternoon light across the bedspread and through the trees outside, the sound of the wind, the quiet of a well-loved house, the distant activities of a partner, and the taste and smell of food.  All of these I tried to be consciously thankful for to distract me from the impatience.  I am a perfectionist and in old age I have tried to temper that character flaw aspect with a more compromising attitude.  It doesn't always work...but for these 4 days it has.

12 comments:

  1. Waiting for others to do what is necessary is the hardest thing for me to do. I get impatient because, really, you know, I could do it all in half the time. AND so much better.

    Being laid up is boring, unless it's for a long time and you simply have to get into the rhythm of it, like when I had a broken leg. I even watched daytime tv!

    I congratulate you on your attitude, finding pleasure in the tiny things is a great achievement and speaks of a calm and patient mindset.

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  2. Oh ouch. I'm so sorry to hear about your run-in with a wayward TV set. I hope you heal quickly. I hope you have a stack of great books to read. (Is that what you an still call it, if you own a Kindle?)

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  3. "This nursemaid thing is clearly NOT HIS thing."

    I hear you on that one. I feel sorry for myself when I need my husband to care for me.

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  4. Ouch! I read your last two posts and admire your ability to have resisted a major bodily catastrophe. Glad the beauty of small things is keeping you from too much impatience -

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  5. Tell hubby his first duty is to you these days and not his book! The very idea of forgetting your coffee. Sheeesh.

    Glad to know you are mending.

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  6. I feel your pain. As I lay here, recovering from surgery and waiting on the ministrations of the more able bodied!! Oh how I hate to wait and to be unable to motor about as yet...yikes!!!!! Frustrating!!
    Gently hugging you
    SueAnn

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  7. As good as you are about photographing everything, the least you could have done was show us you hobbling around with the hiking poles:)

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  8. When I am physically limited I tend to think of it as a practice run on being less mobile in old age, as I watch my mom who can't walk on her own at this point. Watching here has made me realize how important it it to cultivate a good inner life and interests in general.

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  9. At least hubby didn't role play that he was a nurse in the battle and dress you up in civil war era bandages or serve you civil war era coffee.

    Well, I don't know. Maybe that would have been entertaining. It got a chuckle out of me.

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  10. Bravo. Do you have it wrapped?

    Yes, when the bone doc told me I had to adjust my life style around my hip, I almost told him I've been adjusting my whole life. But I was a good girl. Yesterday I hurt, so I came home and rested the leg. Today I'm vastly better but will still take a squishy cushion with me to work.

    I'm with you in spirit and love your notes.

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  11. Being grateful for what we do have and for things not being worse than they are, is mighty important. Good outlook.

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Take your time...take a deep breath...then hit me with your best shot.