Little went on this last week that is worth noting in this blog. In some ways, life has been suspended. You know this when the week’s greatest excitement and activity involves receiving a Chewy box, a trip to the vet, and going to the library.
Pam will have more to say about Natalie the cat (formerly Nat until the vet visit) and the trials and tribulations of that poor animal. After extensive work Natalie is in the house in the “cat condo,” a multi-level enclosure, until she is well into her recovery.
I am recovering a little use of my right hand. I can now carry very light objects (maxed out with a banana) and type a bit, but I cannot move my arm left to right or up to my mouth, so am still eating using my left hand. The one exercise I am allowed to do is called the “dangle” and is done 3 times a day. Pam helps remove the sling and, while I sit, I let the arm drop straight down between my knees for 1 minute. It feels good to get the arm straight and allow free blood flow through the elbow.
We have had a stretch of mild weather which has allowed me to get outside for a bit of fresh air a few times. I have one coat that I can zip up over the arm; other coats are draped over the shoulders like a cape. I appreciate getting some fresh air and the ability to do minor tasks such as adjusting the catch on the gate so it opens and closes easier.
And that is about it. As I said in the intro, there is not much else is going on. I have read a few books and watched some YouTube videos. In a few weeks I will have a follow-up appointment at the Mayo Clinic to see how the shoulder is doing, and at that time I should be cleared to begin physical therapy. Other activities will pick up once I am cleared to do more than dangle my arm 3 times a day.
Photo Archive
Here are a few more photos of old mine sites in the Colorado Rockies near Telluride.
That’s it for now. Thanks for looking in!
Pam’s Penny
Poor “Nat the Cat” is actually Natalie. She survived surgery at the vet on Monday, which involved removal of a substantial portion of her rotting left facial area from her nostril to her cheekbone. (I also authorized a spay, assuming Nati would make it through the facial surgery.) Nati nows looks like the Phantom of the Opera – sans mask. Her face is disturbing to look at (so no photo); one hopes for improvement over time as fur and skin recover to some extent. Per usual in rescue, no good deed goes unpunished — I wait and watch and keep her indoors in a pen, while I see if I made the right call in choosing life. Nati’s a tough little nut.
Happy Trails.
I’m sure you are going a little stir crazy, Jer. There are only so many books, YouTube videos, and tv one can watch!
I was happy to read that the dangling feels good. I was thinking the opposite so that’s good news.
Thank you for making a blog entry even though you don’t think it is newsworthy. It is good to read no matter what.
Can one drive a stick Shift with a right arm in a sling?????….. Can you write with your left hand?????……Hard to get out of a chair???? Hard to use utensils with the left hand?????… I feel for ya…..That’s why I’m postponing my Hip replacement until I can’t stand it any longer,Cause I’m a Woosy!!!!!!!!
Good time to pick having surgery!! Lot less to do outside right now. And thanks to Pam for taking such good care of the all the cats that come your way. I know Nat will thank you if SHE could. Take care. DEB
Deb, Becky, and Craig:
Thanks for the notes. I appreciate it! The enforced idleness was part of the deal and, yes, I had the work done now in hopes of salvaging at least some of the summer activities.
Craig certainly identified trouble activities, although I am getting better eating left-handed. 🙂 another problem area is opening Zip-Loc bags as I can’t apply any sideways pressure with my right arm.
Natalie the cat (aka Nati) seems to be doing OK at the moment, Deb. She is eating, drinking, and eliminating and we hope she recovers OK. That will take time.
There is not much else I can do for now. The mild weather lets me get outside which is a much anticipated break from sitting in the house, even if I just sit in the sun or take walks up and down our sidewalks. As I mentioned, the next milestone will be on my next Mayo appointment (3 weeks yet) where I hope the doc will let me take on more right-hand activities.
Thanks for the notes!
Jerry