TOFW

I was lucky enough to be asked to help out with Time Out For Women and I agreed to take it on.

It consisted of telling everyone about it in as many ways as I could think of and to be a “good” resource.  I tried.

In addition to that, I was to help out at the event with whatever assignment came my way.

In return, I got a free ticket and got to pick out a seat for me and a friend before the crowds descended.

Because it was a two day dealio, Paul and I splurged and got a hotel room near the airport.

He dropped me off for my evening duties.  Sound checks and rehearsal were going on when I arrived!

I got to hang out with a great group of ladies.  We prepared for the onslaught by folding up programs and preparing bags.  We learned about our assignments . . . mine was a door greeter and picked out seat.

It was a great meeting.

The next day, I again arrived early and got to work.  But I also got “fed” spiritually . . .

I escaped at lunch time with a friend.  We rushed to beat the crowds . . .

We spent some time at the “photo booth” with others that we knew and loved. . .

I’m so glad I got to go.  (Don’t worry about Paul . . .he went bird watching north of Reno!)

Paul’s Turn

We had to get to the surgery center early for Paul’s surgery.  First they wanted insurance information and a down payment.

I was told how I could stay updated on his surgery while I “patiently” waited in the waiting room.
They took us back and seated Paul in this chair and had him don the appropriate garb befitting surgery.
He was then hooked up to an awesome blanket that blows in warm air.  (I might have been jealous, other than the surgery and stuff that hurts.)
He was given to obligatory IV.

And I was sent packing.  And waited “patiently”.  The doctor came and spoke to me and said things went well.  I got to visit with him for a little bit before they sent him home.  I fetched the car and my man.

Tradition calls for milkshakes but Paul wanted Taco Bell too.  I’m pretty sure that wasn’t included as part of the post-op diet, but who am I to argue?

He was sent home with this nifty toy.  He was able to play with it while he was parked on the recliner!

He was a pretty good patient this time!

We were fortunate to be blessed with a meal and some goodies from some people in our ward family.

Paul was supposed to take it easy and had a few days off from work.  However, the day after surgery the kitchen sink developed a leak.  He felt he had to be the one to fix it.  So he did.

He figured if he felt good enough to fix a leak then he should probably go back to work.  So he did the next day.

Flooded!

Christmas was just around the corner and my heart was about to be overcome with joy. . .

We hung the stockings with care. . .

gained 2 1/2 more for the festivities. . .


who came to play. . .

even David was able to get time off from work to come . . .
(why is arm wrestling the first thing they do?)

Jennifer has become a pie maker!

Our neighbor seemed to be watching for David to arrive. .

and an awesome family fixed up my bike that I bought when I was in high school (thanks again )

I was flooded with all the best things. . . family, time and thoughtful friends. 

Feels Like the First Time!

After being injured for so long, and trying to heal on my own, resorting to seeking help and ending up with surgery, it felt like a REALLY long time since I had played tennis with another person.  Oh wait, it WAS a really long time.
I was really nervous about playing.  I was afraid that I would re-injure myself (a hobby of late) and didn’t want to go through the agony again.
My physical therapist (and tennis playing buddy) told me that I should start hitting.  My doctor agreed.  So I started out by hitting against the backboard. . . gently.  Standing close, I could barely hit it hard enough to bounce off the wall.  But it didn’t hurt!
Each time I went out, I increased the time I hit and tried to hit with a bit more force.  Scary times!
One day when I was hitting, my hand started hurting.  What the heck!  I had not only developed a blister but it popped!  It didn’t occur to me that I might get one of those!
So I packed up to go and wandered by a nearby court where my physical therapist was. . . and she suggested that I played a little in her place. 
The thought petrified me so I was happy to tell her that I had a blister and couldn’t do it.  She pulled out her handy athletic tape and offered to tape up my hand.

I played my first game of tennis in over a year.  It wasn’t pretty but it was a start.

Healing and Blessings Continue

I had no idea what a challenge this surgery would be.  Not only did it HURT, but I was frustrated with the things I could not do on my own.
I was grateful for the things I could do.  I managed to master driving one handed, the hardest parts were turning the key to start the van and removing the key after turning it off.  That freedom was HUGE and kept me sane.
But my splint was still my constant companion. . .

Ugly swollen fingers . . .
I could not straighten my arm much less scratch my nose. 

It was hard to hold my arm up or let it hang down so I had to prop it up constantly.

I went to my first doctor’s appointment (after surgery) and he took the bandages off. . . what relief!  But then he put it right back on after admiring the stitches and removing a few pounds of cotton.

I was blessed by a wonderful friend (and visiting teacher) who came over and cleaned my kitchen (I was living with nothing but males  who don’t *see* dirt and messes the same way I do. . .)

A clean kitchen can really lift your spirits!
(Note I still could not take a shower because the stitches were still in.  Why did no one tell me about this horror?)
A several weeks after surgery, I was instructed to remove my splint a few times a day and *try* to straighten my arm. 

What do you mean that’s not straight?

And then my friend came back and cleaned my bathroom!!!!!  (tears of JOY!)

I was going a bit stir crazy and just wanted to go somewhere. . .anywhere.  How lucky are we to live so close to Tahoe?  So off we went. . .

That was the end of that hike. . . but I could totally see a tennis court in the distance. *sigh*
Another friend. . .another blessing!  Everyone deserves some sunshine a box

So many little things helped me endure this tough time.  I felt so guilty that so many people were doing nice things for me.  I didn’t HAVE to have the surgery (but I really wanted to be able to use my arm pain-free . . though at this time, I doubted it would ever be that way.)