SUNDAY MORNING: Day 28. I don't think I need a physical therapist; I think I need a psychologist. Every day I am stronger, but every day I am more fed up with how long this is taking. I'm going to ask the Church to send a Deacon to my home to help me deal with the feelings of frustration. They have some great people who tend to find just the right thing to say at just the right time. I am sore and tired. I get up 12+ times a day to go to the bathroom and that leaves me perpetually exhausted. Even though the exercises are clearly showing improved strength, I have been trapped in a broken body too long to take it with a grin. Supposedly it is another 2-4 MONTHS before I can get around without a wheelchair or walker and I am not convinced I have the mental stamina to survive that without going nuts. I also feel bad that a major countersheet reprint was 90% finished when I was injured and by the time I can get to the office, finish it, and get the printed counters back, we're going to have run out of several key products. That's bad. I had looked forward to retirement this year and major travels next year but I have lost all hope of every being healthy enough to travel any serious amount. This injury has destroyed my plans and wrecked by life.

I am mostly worried about Leanna. Like me, she's 72+, and lacks the energy of a decade ago. She's also frustrated as I had been doing half of the chores for years and now suddenly she has to do everything PLUS fetching for me.

I will physically beat this to one degree or another, but mentally I don't know I will ever recover.

By Steve Cole (Stevecole) on Monday, August 26, 2024 - 08:15 am: Edit

MONDAY MORNING DAY 29
It is the fourth week anniversary of the original dizzy spell and fall. I am tired and sore but still here. I am so bored of YouTube, Streaming, Books, and online jigsaw puzzles. Anyway, some things schedule today will break up the monotony.

By Steve Cole (Stevecole) on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 - 12:35 am: Edit

MONDAY EVENING 26 August, DAY 29
I got through the day, leg is sore, i am going to have to take pain medication. Nice visit from Albert. Lunch and dinner were second rate but I have no appetite anyway. I got up 14 times and did the 100 steps to the bathroom and back. Still depressed, feels like I am in prison. One of the deacons will call tomorrow.

By Steve Cole (Stevecole) on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 - 08:57 am: Edit

I can sit up at a computer about an hour a day. Not conducive to writing fiction.

By Steve Cole (Stevecole) on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 - 01:32 pm: Edit

I don’t think I can focus that much even in a recliner with a laptop. Besides, they would have to bring half of my office down here.

By Steve Cole (Stevecole) on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 - 04:55 pm: Edit

TUESDAY Aug 27, DAY 29, twenty-eight days since surgery.
Visit from the occupational therapist who was most impressed with my progress. She said I would probably be released from occupational therapy next week. I gave myself a day off and used the wheelchair rather than walker for bathroom trips. Much less exhausting and much less soreness and pain.

By Steve Cole (Stevecole) on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 - 06:04 pm: Edit

Long conversation with the third ranking pastor from my church, who said he would talk to me rather than assigning a deacon. It was an honor to talk to what amounts to a brigadier general instead of a junior captain. Good talk, inspiring me to keep pushing.

By Steve Cole (Stevecole) on Wednesday, August 28, 2024 - 05:49 am: Edit

My thoughts are always with Leanna. This injury has thrown all of my share of house work onto her PLUS taking care of me. I fear she cannot stand the storm much longer. She says she can hang on until I get better.

By Steve Cole (Stevecole) on Wednesday, August 28, 2024 - 10:43 pm: Edit

WEDNESDAY AUG 28, DAY 30, twentynine days since surgery.
I remain bored and frustrated and want this to be over now instead of weeks in the future.
The physical therapist came by, said I was making good progress, and gave me some more advanced exercises to add.
If things work out, I will get an hour in the office next Wednesday which will mostly be spent answering emails. It will be another month before I start working anything like full time.

By Steve Cole (Stevecole) on Thursday, August 29, 2024 - 07:26 pm: Edit

THURSDAY AUGUST 29 DAY 31
A bit of progress, but the road is long. The new exercises are showing promise.
The home health nurse came by and said I was doing well.
The malaise is still there but thanks to the church seems bearable.

By Steve Cole (Stevecole) on Friday, August 30, 2024 - 03:18 pm: Edit

FRIDAY AUGUST 30 DAY 32
No visitors today. Serous pain in both upper arms from using walker and wheelchair; most of the 1500 steps each day are for bathroom visits.
I got my first of two flat exercise sessions done this morning. Second one after supper.
Leanna fetched Hawaiian pizza for lunch, a welcome treat.
Clearly stronger from exercises. Mentally I'm still fed up looking at weeks before I return to work.