Fall is falling...

Even though it's now technically fall we've had some rather warm weather. Almost into the 70's and quite humid. Things broke yesterday in late afternoon and we had a tremendous thunderstorm. Not a huge deluge of rain, at least not where I live, but spectacular thunder and lightning. Even more impressive when you think about the fact that it was daylight and still the lightning was eye-opening.

Ludie is not a "scared-y cat" but even he launched a couple of times from various perches (including my lap). I understood his dismay because a couple of the cracks made me jump and caused my window crystals to vibrate with frightening intensity. It was as if the thunderclap seemed to be rolling from inside my home rather than above it.

Today is cooler with temps in the mid-50's, though very windy. It has that crisp feeling of fall. And oh gees... here we go again... the wind chill is 49 degrees. I guess I should be thankful it's not 49 below. Ok... yay-it's-not-49-below.

The maple trees on my street are starting the transformation into that beautiful and spectacular red, the huge box elder in my yard has started to go yellow and the canopy of treetops up and down my street no longer give the impression of cool and shady summer.

I'm feeling very, very good. I've forgotten a time or two and start doing something I shouldn't, but a quick flash of pain reminds me that, "Oh yeah it's only been two and a half weeks since surgery." That's when I get annoyed because there are things to get done around here! Cripes!

After my 2 week post-surgical appointment, I can technically drive (like I was really going to not drive!) but it makes me feel better that I've been given the okay.

I've gotten tired of reading (a book a day, or with paperbacks two in a day) I've gotten tired of making my jewelry, I don't have anywhere to set up a jigsaw puzzle, and even if I did, I don't want to even think about what it'd be like trying to keep Ludie from playing hockey with the puzzle pieces.

I've been loading up on the DVD's... I belong to Blockbuster's "To your door" thingy. By the way... (Plug for Blockbuster here!)it is really the way to go... for 19 bucks a month I'm paying in the ballpark for about 4 rentals from the store. Since I average 4 a week, I'm saving roughly $50.00 a month. It's also a great way to see DVD's of TV shows. That's what I really like about it. (Ok, plug is now officially over)

But I have reached a kind of "critical overabundance" of pretty much everything. I'm totally bored with regular TV, DVD's, and old tapes... I was never much of a "regular" TV watcher anyway... but even with the "new fall season" there's still little to hold my attention for any length of time.

So here I sit on the computer... but even surfing is bugging me.

I've decided that, as I'm not allowed to pick up a full laundry basket, (or more to the point, would be physically injured if I did) my plan is to throw my clothes down the basement stairs a few at a time until I get enough to make a load. That should be fun... it might be worth a laugh just to watch Ludie try and figure out the "What the hell is she doing now?" factor. Yeah... could be fun.

Doing laundry... fairly certain I've never described it as fun. Go figure.

The storm over the mountain...

Storm Over Camelback Mountain Phoenix, Arizona

In my life as a cancer survivor, I have had medical issues not directly related to my cancer. But as, a cancer survivor... anything deemed "routine" to others is not routine for me.

I have to wait for pathology reports. The time it takes for results... is the storm as it moves over the mountain. Loved ones wait with me... wondering if the rain will come... if the thunder will shake the quiet... My blessings to you all...

The storm has safely and blessedly passed...

Rain & cold... it was inevitable...

Today is also a typical fall day. Gray skies, drizzling damp alternating to outright rain. The surgery stressed my body so I'm feeling chilled. No surprises there.

I couldn't stand being housebound anymore so I did a quick run to Blockbuster so I could watch something I hadn't already seen. The doc's main concern was being able to mash the brakes. Which I did about six times with no pain in the driveway, so I drove a few blocks... I'm not taking any narcotics (another reason docs push the no driving in the first couple weeks) but I'm also not an idiot... I'm not just going to start running all over.

That would be truly and unbelievably stupid. Especially that this has been the year of "You-can't-get-there-from-here." Only my little "burg" would have road construction on six, count 'em six! of our areas main thoroughfares. It's seriously something along the lines of six out of eight... it's truly frightening.

Anyway... my stamina is picking up more each day. I'm progressing really well and should get the pathology reports sometime today. I'll be quite happy when I do because I know they'll be okay.

What is it Red always says? Oh yeah, "Keep your stick on the ice!"

Why must everyone tell me jokes?!

Here I am, sore and vulnerable... and it seems that all of my friends have become comedians. In the last couple of days, I've received more hilarious email jokes than seems possible.

What's worse is that friends and relatives that claim to love and care for me, now have the ability (during conversations or statements) to make me laugh so hard I'm sure any moment I going to hear the popping of the internal stitches.

I will get even.

Of course I'm just kidding about the getting even part. (Maybe.) It's actually the, "It's-not-really-that-funny-but-after-detecting-anesthesia-in-your-system-the-brain-has-triggered-the-dormant-uncontrollable-laughing-gene." Who knew?

It's a gorgeous fall day, the air is crisp and clean. The breeze sounds "wisp-ier" as more leaves drop from the trees. It's not even close to full peak color yet, and there aren't great amounts of falling leaves yet. In fact most of the leaves dropping now are actually because of the stress on the tress because of the summer drought conditions. But the potential of fall is still everywhere.

I'm doing fairly well. No matter how well prepared you are, the transition between getting settled at home versus the hospital routine is a big one. I'm much more sore now than the first two days but that's to be expected.

Even though I slept in the flat position to ready for my bed at home, it's still lower than the hospital bed. My legs get quite a work out as I put all strain on them to stand and sit. It's one thing I must admit, throughout my numerous surgeries early on, I learned using your legs will keep you of off pain meds as a rule.

What's really funny about that is my choice of footwear. Because of the blood clots in my leg, I had to have those annoying compression on/off things on after surgery. Coming home meant just plain ol' compression hose. They're thigh highs.

To get the full impact, it means I'm wearing these things that are weaved so densely that you can't see the tattoo on my ankle, they're hot as hell and to be quite frank... the time when I actually looked kinda nice in thigh high stockings has come & gone.

But if it keeps me from dying from pulmonary embolus or a stroke, I'll put up with them. Of course, I'm confiscating everyone with cameras before I let them in my house.

I have decided to sleep only in my recliner for the next few nights. While I've been able to get into a comfortable position, once I fall to sleep I tend to turn up onto my side which causes hideous pain.

So the recliner it is for awhile. I think Ludie believes that I now consider him a god of sorts. (You know that cats were worshipped in ancient Egypt, right? Well, they've never forgotten this... that's why they're the way they are.) He thinks this whole, I'm-sitting-here-so-cool-on-top-of-this-pillow-here-just-for-me! Is the coolest thing ever.

I've taken great pleasure in shifting my legs suddenly while he's sleeping. (Get a grip... I don't knock him off or anything... I just wake him up, like he does to me! He has discovered payback can be a bitch when I'm bored) He glares at me and I think he's trying to figure out if I'm doing it on purpose. Silly cat... ancient worship or not... I'm still queen of this house!

Ow! Ow! Ow! Made myself laugh! Time for a nap!

This hospital rocks!!

Well, I'm still here! I had the highly successful surgery done very late on Tuesday! My predictions were correct, other than the Demerol used in recovery, I've only had a couple of tylenol yesterday and two today!

Cool huh? I've been up & down, out of bed walking, showering etc. and in between times hanging out on the web with the laptop the hospital provides! How cool is that!?

The people here, are really fabulous. It's a fairly new hospital, so that's a little of the shine but there is so much genuine caring, professional, & polite attitudes you can't help but feel better.

I took a shower a little while ago and there is nothing that feels better than your first post-op shower. What can I say? Simple pleasures can be the best there are.

Right now I'm just waiting on the doc for the final paperwork to spring me. I know things will be tougher when I first get home and I'll have to be very careful. But home is home baby!!! And I can't wait.

I know Ludie will go crazy and I prepared for that before I left for the hospital by putting pillows on any chair I may sit in. I've even put one in the bathroom. He doesn't do it too often but he sometimes jumps in my lap when I'm in there.

He can be very clingy even though I haven't been gone that long. But he seems to become really stressed when he smells the "hospital smell" on me. Well, lunch is here and I'm hungry!

Shoulda' done my will sooner...

I changed my will, but waited too long before I started... so I guess the fight will be on if I kick it during the surgery! HA!

I know... I have a sick sense of humor. What can I say? It's a trademark!

So it's 3 hours and counting... with luck I'll be back to post more.

If not... it's been fun...