New month, new stuff

Spring is getting closer

so I've hung the Easter Bunny on my front door.

..........

The Car: went into the different auto body shop this morning and should be ready Friday with matching paint and a clean drivers seat.

The husband: results from the MRI showed " normal age related atrophy". ( not allowed to use that as an excuse when he conveniently/selectively forgets what I've told him ) Recent blood tests showed his medication levels are right bang on so there is just the EEG later this month and organizing some physiotherapy for his back.

Me: feeling almost back to normal.

Better than Paper Roses

Does anyone but me even remember the song ?

It was runny through my head the whole time I was planting my wooden tulips in the snow.

Yesterday Mother Nature decided we needed a reminder that winter isn't over and kindly dumped 13cm of the white stuff on us. (and she's not done from the sound of the forecasts)
Thankfully Stephen was home and he did the major removal with me following behind tidying up the corners.

Paul's back is still fragile so he got to stand and watch from the living room window and put the kettle on for hot chocolate as we finished.

It is pretty when fresh and white.

...........

Car repairs are still on going. How a lightly damaged bumper can cause such grief is beyond me. The body shop the insurance company recommended has had it twice. First the replaced bumper didn't fit, they totally messed up the headlight sequence and aim and managed to leave me greasy finger prints on the carpeted rear trunk area to clean up. The second time the bumper fit, the lights set marginally better but the paint colour didn't match and they stained the driver seat ... black on the nice cream leather.

We've had it to a different shop and had an adjuster to the house to check on our complaints and it is agreed there are 3 different shades of paint now on the front end.

Return it to the original shop for a third try ?? I think not.

It changes every day

Feb. 1

Feb.2

Feb. 3

Feb. 4
(click on photos to enlarge )

...............

We have been to the neurologist and yes, Paul did have a seizure, cause unknown and his back injury was most likely caused by the muscles contracting and not from the impact. He will be having an EEG and an MRI to see if any reason for the seizure can be found. He is now on medication and once all the tests are done and reviewed and his medication is at the correct levels he should easily get this driver's licence back.
He is finally happy with the level of improvement in his back and other than having to be careful not to pick up heavy objects and to bend at the knees it should heal on it's own .... over time.

I'm still here

No problems, all is well, I just been lazy. My life feels very boring at the moment. I read, I watch movies from the library ... oh yes, I did take myself to see Avatar in 3D. Paul wasn't up to sitting in the theatre seats and I was afraid if I waiting much longer it would have finished it's run nearby and I do the same-old-same-old daily chores.

Paul is much much better. He is doing dishes again - yes yes yes ! -, hardly taking any pain medication and has had a hair cut. He even managed to trim his toe nails. Progress.

Our family doctor has recently added a nurse practitioner to her staff and we saw him last week. He gave Paul a once over, checked all his recent blood work, set him up for some more and gave him his pneumonia shot. Apparently after 65 you can get one that is effective against (I think he said) 28 varieties. Alas, I have a few years to wait to get mine and we both had all our vaccination shoots updated.

The weather has been reasonably decent for this time of year. We've had very little snow which is good seeing as Paul won't be up to using the snow blower and I have no intention on taking over that job.

He has talked to a neighbour who can take over if necessary. photo from last Dec. Keeping our fingers crossed that we will make it to spring with this current trend. We've had temperatures just hovering at or above freezing the last few days .

I have had remarkably good luck shopping for myself lately. Two blouses at half price, a mid calf length dressy winter coat 60% off and a pair of high suede boots that were comfortable as soon as I slipped them on. Mind you I had to fight my way passed the incoming spring and summer clothing to find them but well worth the effort.

Three week mark

Took Paul out for an airing today. Once around the block.

He appreciated the fresh air. His first time out since Dec. 24.

He has more mobility every day but is not as yet, pain free.

I'm back to my regular schedule at the gym and other than supervising his showers and continuing as my own dish fairy, normal is returning to our house.

Notes on a Sunday

Paul is doing much much better. The cane is being ignored, he needs little help getting around and just requires a bit of a hand washing and drying his lower legs when he takes a shower. He says he's just about ready to ditch the easy living PJ's and get dressed today. With any luck he'll be helping with the dishes soon!

The off duty police officer who assisted at the scene called when he returned from holiday because he was concerned and wanted to know how P. was doing. We got a few more details from him, he was the first to reach Paul and removed him from the car. Affirms my belief in the goodness of people.

We got the bill from the hospital and only have to pay for the ambulance ride. $ 45.00 gets you a speedy ride and attendants. Not a bad price to pay. No tax, even better.

Love the yellow highlighted bit at the bottom of the bill, * Important: Protect your CREDIT RATING by submitting Payment on receipt of this statement.

Paul has an appointment with the neurologist on Feb. 3rd. Not a bad wait considering the stories I've heard, and yes they called us without having to be hounded.

The car is repaired and I can pick it up on Monday. The front bumper was replaced, one headlight because attachment pins were broken, replacement licence plate holder and some minor body work and paint on the right corner. They checked the alignment and the tires and all is well.

Working our way back to normal.

One step forward 2 steps back

... or at least it feels that way.

I took the car into the body shop today and now it's a matter of waiting to hear if there is anything more than minor fender damage and how long it will take to repair.

I do have a rent a car. Will someone explain to me why they have to empty a bottle of air freshener inside just before they hand you the keys?

Today Paul finally managed to shave. Stephen was quite taken with his facial hair thinking it would be fun to have a father/son beard connection. P. and I just thought he looked grubby and although a hint was given I didn't take a photo. Not a shot either of us wants around for posterity, because posterity is so important. : )

Paul is still in pain. He's managing to stay up longer and is walking a bit more around the house but he's annoyed at his inability to do much and is feeling bad that he can't do more to help me help him. He's carrying the worry of the blackout and what it means ... could it happen again?

I head out to the grocery and the library then find myself wondering why I'm there. I am sleeping and we are eating well but my wits are slow and I feel that I am just maintaining.

sigh

Knowing it will improve doesn't help while it's happening.

As the year ends

Paul has a compression fracture in his lower back.
The car needs to be repaired, probably just a new bumper
We need to find out why P. blacked out while parking the car at the store. He will be seeing an neurologist.


We are thankful no one else was hurt.
We are thankful for the care given at the scene by 2 young woman, the polite and kind handling of the situation by the police officer, the quick arrival of the paramedics* and the work of the emergency room staff at the hospital on Christmas Eve.

Paul is still in pain, spending most of his time in bed. I have become monitor of the pain pills, lady of the telephone, calling doctors and starting the insurance claim process, maker of light meals and -- OH NO washer of dirty dishes.

The turkey still waits in the freezer.
I am managing to play nurse with some competency.
I have Stephen who held me together when the call came in and got me to the hospital.
I have seen an improvement in Paul that he doesn't feel over the last few days.

I am weary.
I have moments when the tears flow.
I will keep doing one thing at a time.
I am eating chocolate but leaving the wine we got for the holidays.

*Paul feels cheated. Being totally out of it he didn't get to hear the sound of the siren from inside the ambulance...... he hasn't lost his sense of humour