update from rick #7

Written on Saturday, Feb 7:

Thank you for your thoughts, prayers, care, concern, calls, visits and meals. I am feeling very thankful and blessed for the outpouring of support that I have been so fortunate to receive.

I have been home for a week; I am getting accustomed to being at home alone. Thankfully, my transition has been very smooth. I am able to do more than I was during the first few weeks. I am able to stoop down and pick things off the floor. I can put on socks and shoes by myself. These were impossible tasks just weeks ago.

Overall, I have been feeling good. This last week, I was able to do a few light loads of laundry and wash some dishes. With the assistance of a couple of friends, this past Tuesday, I was able to go to the Post Office and pick up three weeks worth of mail.

Earlier this week, I was feeling more fatigued and did not maintain my schedule of walking. Now, depending upon the weather, I am back to walking twice a day. I just finished my first physical therapy session outside of the hospital. Since I cannot drive, the therapist came to my home. I was shown several exercises, they are not strenuous and with no impact. I am weaning myself off of my pain medication. I walked to my local Target pharmacy (just over a block away from where I live) and picked up my new medication myself. After taking this new medication, I find myself falling asleep.

A couple of days ago, I slept for about 14 hours. I am able to sleep on my back for longer periods of time. Overall, I am able to sleep for longer intervals of time, so I feel like I am getting more rest than before.

Thank you for your ongoing support. I know that I am in the beginning stages of my recovery process. I could not have made it this far without you.

Continue to pray for my full and complete healing. Pray for wisdom and discernment on what to do and when. Pray for protection and provision. Pray that I able to receive more love, grace, mercy and compassion. Pray for patience, direction and guidance.

Most gratefully,
Rick

update from rick #6

Written Saturday, 1/31:
This afternoon, with the help of Jeanie and my friend Alan, I successfully transitioned from Jeanie’s to my own home. Things went pretty smoothly, they did most of the work, loading my things from Jeanie’s place into their vehicles and then unloading my stuff into my house. They even rearranged my furniture to help open things up in my place.

Prior to my surgery, I set up tables upstairs and down and laid out everything that I could think of that I might need in the next several months. This was done to allow me easy access to things, everything was placed at waist high level. Remember, I am not allowed to bend, lift or twist. Well, I can lift up to two pounds.

Since I am doing so well, I have been able to start putting some things away. You can imagine all the stuff that I might need to be laid out to last me a couple of months. Overall, I feel things have gone very well. I still get tired rather quickly. I may have overdone things a bit this afternoon. I got really fatigued while eating dinner. I feel much better now. It might have been due to my not taking an afternoon nap.

I look forward to returning to a “normal” routine while back at home. I will miss not having Jeanie around to help do things and pick up after me. A lot of the things that I drop, someone else has to pick up, things like pills, paper, food.

I know that there are challenges ahead, but I remain optimistic. I feel extremely fortunate to have a great support situation. Years ago, I was counseled to work on creating a support system, and I am glad that I did. Additionally, I am grateful to have a lot of wonderful friends and family that have stepped up and are willing to help. Thank you for being a part of my healing journey.

Blessings, Rick