On an Even Keel

After days of watching the red sea of my blood and body fluid creep closer and closer to the edge of my dressing, and strain the plastic covering so that it looked like a fat red slug, it finally breached the dam and began leaking. The visiting nurse was now forced to acknowledged that it was time to replace it … YAY! Peeling it off revealed what looked like a fleshy white worm bound by around 40-50 shiny metal teeth (staples). The nurse said it was “beautiful”, my girlfriend remarked on how clean it was! So I have been redressed! While reviewing my meds the nurse noted that I was taking TUMS for the previously mentioned gas issues. She noted that the label said take two every four to six hours. I mentioned that since I was a big guy I had been taking six of them every two hours. The fact that she didn’t even bat an eye told me that she was a veteran of these wars and she firmly repeated “two, every four to six hours”.

Last night was, perhaps, the best night I’ve had yet since surgery. I slept well with minimal interruption, and Hairy Potter’s head nestled under my chin for a good part of the night; there were no bodily gas noises to scare him off or disturb his repose. I also eschewed the use of the ice machine wrap for the first time. It had a tendency to make it hard to move my leg in small increments for fine tuning. I think, additionally, it is more difficult to move (slide) on flannel sheets as opposed to the typical cotton sheets. That is amplified when wearing the heavy wrap with velcro straps. It’s like slogging through the mud while lying down … unless you are able to lift your leg off the bed …. ah, THERE’S the rub isn’t it! So I started the night with an ice compress instead and the leg elevated slightly on one pillow. I believe the other factor was the adjustment to my meds. I am now taking two of the Hydrocodone at bedtime, supplemented halfway through the night with a Hydro and an ES Tylenol. I’m trying to keep myself from floating off into la-la land during my waking hours.

While all of my Pain and Torture specialists have been nice and friendly folk, todays was one who had not been here yet. She was particularly engaging and while she added an additional exercise to the repertoire, she offered to take me down the stairs to the basement so that I could see our new carpet and the furniture arrangement that the girlfriend had overseen. It was easier than I expected. Seeing my girlfriends face when she realized what we were up to was precious. It was a cross between incredulity and fear! I think she was freaking out as she stood at the top of the stairs and watched us descend to the bottom. I like the basement and the cushiness of the carpet!

A few closing notes for those who do not know me, since some questions have been raised: 1) I am not a movie writer or an author. I am a pastor/missionary involved now in helping to plant independent Bible churches in 7 midwestern states. 2) It has been suggested that with such a good girlfriend that I should “wife” her. Be assured that I did that 54 years ago and I have never regretted it. With all she has to put up with, if she had not been “wifed” I fear that she may have took off running a long time ago. 3) Hairy Potter our empty nest child. Most people think he is a three-year old 15 lb, ginger Maine Coon cat who lives here. We know better though!

Thanks for your encouraging words and prayers. More tough days ahead I’m sure but by God’s grace we soldier on.