Moving on from surgery

Joanne has done remarkably post op from her fusion surgery. She is a very determined individual and has impressed her surgeon and her physical therapist. We had post-op visit with the surgeon on March 29th.. 4 weeks out. X-rays showed that the screws were all in place and that all was well. Jo's incision points are healing nicely and she was given permission to start physical therapy and do some driving. (this is where I break out in song declaring freedom..lol!). Actually.... I am transitioning from being Jo's primary caregiver to cheerleader.. keeping her focused on her PT exercises and attempting to make sure she does not over due it!  I'll let you know how I make out with that! :) I think her PT is doing good job kicking her butt twice a week and that reminds Jo that she is better but still has long recovery ahead of her.
Since she is doing her PT now and doing very well with her recovery, I think it is time to end this blog (Sue.. please email me if you want more detailed updates since have not been timely with blog!!!).  I have started a new job and Joanne is plugging along so she too can get back to her "normal" routine.
Thanks for all of your support to Joanne and I during her surgery and post-op. We could not have done it without our family, friends and colleagues.
Peace out!
Shelley

Transition Day

Well.... as true as Spring is on the way and the sun is shining... Joanne has worked to get off the narcotic medication and onto the regular Tylenol and flexiril.  She has successfully made that transition.. wow.. she is something else! Although she still has some pain, she says it is not really different from the vicodin and Valium she had been taking.
She is making sure she takes it an easy... looking forward to dinner with Elise and Julie tonight and an afternoon on the patio tomorrow.

Joanne hired a new aide for the day!

So.. I guess I am getting boring so Joanne hired a new aide for the morning! He made sure that Joanne drank her water and had some of his cookies! He was a big help and we had a lot of fun entertaining JoJo.

JoJo's guardian angel

Every time Joanne sits in the recliner, Cooper stops what he is doing, climbs on to the sofa and makes his way right to JoJo.  He is her guardian angel.  He sprawls out laying on his back as if there is not a care in the world. There is absolutely no room for anyone else. 

False Pretenses

After 15 years of living together, I'm finally realizing that Ms. Shelley has been holding out on me about her ability to cook! Girlfriend has been whipping up some awesome meals lately...tonight she made blackened tilapia and grilled asparagus that was outta this world. So from now on, we'll be taking turns cooking more often! Sorry to let the cat out of the bag Shell! Thanks again for all that you're doing while I'm In rehab mode. You truly are the best! 

Getting out of the house today!

Joanne is dressed and ready to go today! She wants to do a little walking outdoors! No PJs at the moment.. in our jeans and ready to blend in with the crowd!
It does seem like the walls are closing in when you are in the house for a long period of time so I think some sunshine and fresh air will do us both some good!
Happy Saturday!

Day 8--Stir "Craziness" setting in

What a day! The 5:30 am pill time alarm was actually our get up and go time today! We had a 7:30 am follow-up appt. with the vascular surgeon to check out Jo's abdominal incision. Needed this early appt. so we could get in and home in time for me to rush to my 9 am interview.

Got Joanne home by 8:30 am (going 10 miles an hour asking her to jump from car so could get to my interview on time....Just kidding).  

Jo thought a trip to the doctor's was exciting.... pathetic! She is going stir crazy now and it is only day 8.

Thank goodness for the meds.. they are making her sleepy so I can get a nap too!