Changes!

There have been a LOT of changes around the house.  I've been up & around for about a month, now, and am catching up on my life.  Surgery was a success--I haven't had nerve pain at all.  The only pain I've been experiencing has been muscular, as Derick (my physical therapist) forces me to use and strengthen those muscles again.  I'm about ready to go back to work--May 16th!

But, in the meantime, I've started attending to all of the projects that have been put on hold for a year or two.  First, the mirrors came out of the bedroom.  There are a bunch of holes in the wall that will be repaired next week by a professional plasterer.  I thought about DIY, but I've never worked with plaster, and I don't know how to match the texture.  My bedroom is my retreat, so I want it to be done right the first time.  I've chose a great wall colour called Butterscotch, but it's almost the colour of Sedona sandstone.  It's going to be lovely and warm when it's painted!

The next project is the kitchen.  I've got new countertops coming in a week or so! Yes, I know, the Home Depot orange colour is going to be missed...I know everyone wishes they had such stylish counters.... The big cabinet with the cookbooks might be able to be cut down to a regular wall cabinet size.  I'd lose the lower storage, but still have plenty of room for the cookbooks, and it would give me 2 extra feet of counter top space!  You can also see the awkward "hole" between the big cabinet and the smaller wall cabinet--that space is completely unusable--the floating counter comes out so far that you can't even reach into the hole.

                          

The new counter tops are a Cambria quartz called Canterbury.  Lots of clear quartz so that you can look down into the counter, lots of copper flecks, and reds, golds, blacks and beiges throughout.  It's going to be stunning!

You may be able to see that the dishwasher and an additional cabinet are underneath the floating "breakfast bar" counter (below photo)--I have to crawl under there when I need something from that cabinet, and I can only access half of the dishwasher easily.  That counter is going away, completely.  It will be replaced by a rolling kitchen cart from IKEA, and above it will be a small pot rack, which will free up some more cabinet space.  It will also open up the kitchen immensely--right now you have to squeeze between the cutout (seen in the second kitchen photo) and the fridge, which isn't visible in that picture.  Even though I'll lose 8' of counter space, I'll actually gain more useable space with the cart and even more if the cabinet can be cut down!

Third project was completed yesterday--a new ceiling fan!  I whacked a Miller Moth last year and somehow broke the old fan.  It made a horrible noise when it was on.  It was also so old that it didn't have a reverse function, so you constantly had air blowing on you, which I don't like.  Oh, and it was ugly to boot.  Here's the new fan!  It's a little modern, but it actually works really well with my decor.  The lights have dimmers, and the fan is SO quiet--and it reverses!
 The basement project is finally being completed.  I had to hire a handyman to get it done.  He installed the custom laminate and created the countertop, which is deeper than standard because of the pipes behind the cabinets.  On the left is the little cooktop.  I opted for that instead of a stove because of the nightmare of moving the upper cabinet, venting, etc.  The cooktop doesn't have to be vented.

 Josh had painted the refrigerator red last year, and we thought the laminate would be totally cool with that colour--and it is!  Once this is done, I have to clean the bedroom carpets, clean up the construction mess, and advertise--I'm hoping to have a roommate in there within a month!

 I planted clematis in the front.  This blooms twice a year--spring and fall.  The blooms are almost 6" across!  It's so pretty, and I can't wait until it covers the trellis.  I planted one in the back yard that should grow up the fence and around the birdhouse--should be a pretty vignette!

 I realized that I don't have a single photo of Jazzpurr awake.  Enjoy, especially if you have insomnia.

 Luna NEVER sleeps!

 I am clearing my clutter, and went through my bookcases.  These are the books that should be leaving in this weekend's garage sale.  I can't believe the amount of stuff I own that I don't love, don't use, don't enjoy...it is all going away soon.  I had thought about applying to Emirates, and wondered, "what would I be willing to ship to Dubai?"  When I started going through my house, I realized that the answer was "not much."  Then I read an essay in Ladies Home Journal about a woman who pared down to one or two items from each of her collections, and realized that those items had become more precious, that the memories associated with them had become more dear and clearer...we all have too much STUFF, and this is something I've been working on for a long time.  Every time I make a sweep through the house I feel so much better, lighter and calmer.  Besides, I am learning that holding on to stagnant unused stuff blocks up my life, makes it stagnant, keeps me from growing, learning and expanding.  My old stuff needs a new life, and I can't give it one--that's someone else's job.

Thank goodness Luna helped me with the books! Couldn't have done it without her!

 I bought the bright yellow koi to add to the backyard pond.  He's really beautiful.  I didn't realize that koi and goldfish look so different from above--the koi looks like an airplane, because his side fins stick out like wings.  The goldfish's fins are oriented differently and are hard to see from above.

That's about all that's going on right now.  Recovery has been an amazing journey of personal growth, which some of you have shared (thank you!).  I'm looking forward to the next stage of my life--life without chronic pain!

Recovering

I'm 2 months post-op now, and able to start physical therapy.  That means that I can get off the couch, lift things that weigh up to 10-12 lbs, and start turning my head.  That's it.  The doctor made it VERY clear that I am nowhere near healed, and I absolutely can't do anything strenuous or exert a lot of energy.  So there's still a lot of couch time, with a little activity interspersed.

One activity involves playing with the kittens.  Luna likes interactive play--you drag something, she chases it.  She doesn't care to bat toys around, so most of the mice and balls and feathers just gather dust on the floor.  She does like to be under things--the covers, the pillows, and the furniture.  You never know when she is going to be spying on you from some crazy vantage point.

Jazz, on the other hand, likes to play with anything he can bat around, but he particularly loves balls.  He fetches, and he likes to start the day at 6 am by dropping a ball onto my nose.  It invariably rolls somewhere near my mouth, and the smell of cat breath and kitty slobber usually rouses me enough to throw the ball.  Sometimes I throw Jazzpur, though.  It's hard to tell what you've grabbed at 6 am.

Another favourite activity of Jazz's includes candle-sniffing, particularly when they are lit.  Have you ever smelled burning whiskers?  Doesn't go with Vanilla Spice or Oatmeal Cookie or whatever the Scent of the Day might be...

I was able to have some friends over this week--David, Iris and Devon.  I work with all of them, although I hadn't met Devon until she came over with Iris.  We had lunch and snacks, and talked and laughed for a couple of hours.  It was great to have such good company!  We are planning to get together at David's next weekend and do it again.

So, things are going well.  I'm enjoying my down time, doing a lot of personal growth.  I'm catching up on my life, and with my friends.  I'm  finding out that some people I never thought would care have come through, and I'm cultivating better friendships with them, while some of my "die-hard, longtime" friends haven't shown up, called, or checked on me in any way, even though I've left message after message.

I'm re-thinking what it means to be a friend, and have decided that they no longer merit the energy I put towards them.  I still love those friends and will cherish the memories, but at some point you have to say "enough."  My time, energy and love are worth more, and other people apparently need me in their lives more--so they will get what I have to offer.

Thus, there's lots of "house-cleaning" in my life, not only literally, but figuratively, mentally and spiritually as well.  This is quite a journey!

1 Month Post-op

It's just about 1 month after my fusion.  Recovery has been going pretty well.  The first two weeks were pretty painful--the back of my neck felt like it had been stretched to China and back--and it had.  They have to hyper-extend it to get the cadaver bone hammered in.

My larynx still hasn't recovered from the intubation, which bruised it.  My voice cracks and is raspy, and I can't hit high notes, which makes "Here, kitty, kitty, kitty!" sound pretty ridiculous.  It's improving, but slowly.

My esophagus is also recovering.  The surgeon has to push your esophagus and trachea aside to reach the spine.  After surgery, there's a little mis-alignment going on, and the knot at the incision site is also pressing against your esophagus.  Therefore you choke a lot.  I liken it to a drain hole in a sink not being aligned perfectly over the pipe--stuff is going to get stuck on the edge.  That's been improving as time goes on, but I had to actually push my esophagus back over whenever I had to swallow food for the first few weeks, and I feel as though I need to give myself the Heimlich maneuver fairly often.

The incision itself doesn't hurt much at all.  Renee did a great job sewing me up.  She used a stitch that will not leave "railroad tracks;" instead it was almost like a thread in a hem--just straight across, woven in & out.  The scar is about 2" long, but straight and thin.  When the swelling goes down you won't be able to see it.

The swelling is about the size of a pecan-a big, hard lump.  I can feel it against the collar, and against my esophagus--it's always pressing right there.  The tissue will break up and subside, but right now it's annoying.

The hardest part is trying to be quiet, relaxed and inactive.  I'm such an active person!  Everyone thinks that sitting on the couch is great--and it is, for a day or two.  After that, there's not enough television, books to read, movies to watch, naps to take...it's really hard to fill up 16+ hours a day.

I've already learned, however, that if I push myself and overdo it I'll pay for a day or two.  I've done that more than once and made myself really sick.  I've figured out that when I feel a little tired, I'm at the threshold of going too far, so I've learned to lay down and nap at that point.

Sleeping is tough.  I like to sleep on my stomach and side.  I can sleep on my side, but not my stomach, since my head, neck and torso should stay aligned.  The collar prevents me from rolling onto my stomach.  Sleep tends to be restless as a result.  I'm also napping so much during the day that sleeping through the night is hard.  It's a tough cycle--nap too much, sleep poorly, nap more the next day.

Asking for help is also hard.  I've been on my own most of my life, and having to ask someone to change the sheets or vacuum or pick something up for me is difficult.  On the flip side, I've found out that people like to help--it makes them feel wanted.  I'm trying to look at it as a gift I can give, instead of feeling as though I'm taking.

About 4 years ago, I had a friend who had a fusion.  I had no idea what she had gone through--I didn't see her for 2 months, and didn't know that she needed help.  I also didn't think to ask.  I feel bad about not being there for her, but then again, she didn't let me know what recovery entailed or that she needed assistance.  If you are wondering what you can do for someone recovering from surgery, let me make a few recommendations--the person recovering might be too proud to ask:

  Help out around the house.  Pick one or two: Vacuum, sweep, dust, take out the garbage, change the sheets and make the bed, wash the clothes & towels, clean the stove & microwave & counters.  Clean the litterbox, wash & refill the pet's bowls, water the plants.  Scrub the shower, sink & toilet.  Wash dishes or take stuff out of the dishwasher and put stuff in.  Offer to drive to the grocery store, bank, doctor's office.  Offer to pick up stuff when you go to the store.  Bring over snacks, drinks, light meals.  Offer to cook & clean up.  Just having one of these things done for me is HUGE!

  Spend time--sitting around is boring!  Watch a movie or TV show, play a game, or just sit & talk. Give them a little backrub or shoulder massage (I guarantee that they hurt, especially if they are sitting around a lot!).  Take the convalescent for a walk if they are able to go--I'm up to 8 blocks, now.  It's great to get out of the house for a little bit.  Call often just to say hi.  Bring a Get Well card.  Loan books and movies and magazines.  Come over with a quick lunch or snack.  You don't have to stay long--in fact, depending on the point of recovery, long visits are really tiring, but a half-hour can make a convalescent's day!

 Don't assume someone else is doing any of this for the convalescent.  They probably need more help than they are asking for or admitting to.  Fewer friends are coming over or calling or helping than you think--everyone is busy, and there are more good intentions than follow-throughs out there.

Well, that's it for now.  Back to the couch!

Catching up!

It's time to catch up--and I have the time to do it! I had surgery 10 days ago, and can't go back to work until May. I'm house-bound right now while I convalesce, and I'm bored. So, what better time to catch up with the last year, especially since my Christmas letter didn't attach to emails correctly!

Josh & I dug out the last of the ivy in April, and I planted a garden after adding bags & bags of compost, peat moss and fertilizer. There are goldfish in the stock tank, so off we go! Bring on summer!
Josh got a heart-shaped blister while digging for me. Now, that's LOVE!We went to Crested Butte for the 4th of July, and camped along the way at Cottonwood lake.Josh's longtime buddies: Russ & his kids, Ross, Josh & Bobby G.Me & Josh. Even though it was July, it was chilly!

One of my FO's, Melissa, introduced me to geo-caching, which she does on overnights. We were in Eugene, so we slogged out between rain showers and found a cache near the mall. I found it, and was pretty excited to do so!

My garden by early summer. Loved the baskets!Had I known that this was the last photo of Kalisha while she was healthy, I would have re-taken it until it wasn't blurry--however, getting her to cooperate...still, she was always busy, always wanting to be by me, involved in whatever I was doing. I guess this represents her best after all. I sure miss her.Josh took me to Roller Derby. It was a blast!And we saw something in 3D, but I can't recall what. Guess 3D isn't that impressive.Horizon's party plane in Boise.Apollo laid a double-yolker. It was HUGE compared to Spot's & Drew's eggs. Delicious, though!There's nothing madder than a wet hen! Drew's last photo. She died of unknown causes in June. We miss her a lot. She was friendly, funny, interested in what you were doing--we loved how she'd tap on the window when we were in the basement. She wanted our attention all the time. Spot and Apollo prefer to be left alone. They haven't laid much since Drew died. They were pretty upset by it, sitting by her body, puffed up, trying to keep her warm. They looked for her for days afterwards.They look pretty up high, don't they?
Do you want to know why your flight is delayed? Because this--a microburst--will kill you.This is the result. That line goes all the way to the end, wraps around, and comes back abeam me on the other side. And no, I'm sorry, I can't help you.RJ turned a year in March. Here he is in June or July, getting SO big!He & Sundance are terrific roommates. Sundance is a great babysitter and mentor.Classic cars in Lincoln.Melissa & Greg met me in Burbank for dinner in July. It's so nice that my job affords me the chance to catch up when I can! I was able to see them several times this year.We were shopping at Bass World. They have a huge tank with enormous fish.We started playing with the settings on the camera, and this is what we got. Pretty cool, isn't it?Street fair here in Denver. More fun with the camera settings!

Pie eating contest.

We had a HUGE rainstorm July 7th. The downpour was amazing--you could hardly hear because so much water was pounding down. Everything was flooding!
About an hour later, Josh called me in a panic. His apartment was flooded! There was about 4" of water on the floor.
The roof started collapsing. Everything in his bedroom was ruined. He had to move out immediately, and moved in with me for the summer, until he bought his own house in December.
Um...no. Please no...
I was in Portland in August. Baze picked me up, and we went by my old house in Vancouver. The landscaping has grown up--those Alberta Spruces were only 2' tall when I planted them! I miss that house a lot sometimes, although I'm glad that I live in Denver now. I miss my neighbors, Alice, Aaron & Nick a lot, as well as Theresa. I'm glad that we all stay in touch, albeit not enough!

Baze & I had sushi in Vancouver, and this was my dish. It was excellent, and a unique presentation of the "old way" of serving sushi. They used to pack the fish in rice and vinegar so that it would keep longer, then cut it into bars. That was the way it was served and eaten, long before the sushi presentation that we know today.

We adopted a puppy in July. She's a heeler mix, and we named her Memphis. She's a darling addition to the family! She's really Josh's dog, but she has a piece of my heart, too.
My first walk with Memphis, in the park near my house.

We went to the Museum of Nature & Science to see the Snowmass fossil exhibit. They found lots of mastedons, camels, mammoths and sloths in Snowmass--no one knew they existed in Colorado until they started excavating for a reservior.

I'm always making new friends!

Had to include the vertebra, since I'm having mine fused in a few months!

Me with a piece of a mastedon's shoulder blade.

We always have the views from our office!

I love this retro paint job! LAX
During a Reno overnight, I had enough time to walk down to the river front. I spotted this kayaker, and wondered what he was going to do with that rapid.
OH, that! Wow!
He came up without a problem. He was actually practicing upsets and spins. It was a lot of fun to watch.

There was a terrific little band playing at lunchtime not far from the rapids. I enjoyed seeing this older couple dance--they sure had the moves!
A Grandpa, dancing with his granddaughter.
Church steeple, near the waterfront.
Inbound on the RAMMS arrival, just as a thunderstorm is dissipating.
Thunderstorm with a cap.
My tomatoes and garden in late summer. I harvested a LOT of tomatoes, as well as carrots, peas, beets, herbs and more. Next year will be even better, now that the soil is improving. Ciscoe Morris recommended those pink wraps; they help the tomatoes retain heat and produce even more--I'm SOLD!

I bought the coolest lantern at IKEA. It looks like a giant dandelion puff. We installed it on the patio. We had to put each "puff" on, and there were about 200 of them!

Memphis loves wrestling and playing at Puppy Play Group! She's a ringleader there!

Sunrise in Pasco. I love the shadow of my airplane, reaching towards the tower.
Sunrise, somewhere...
We went to the Classic Car and Airshow at Front Range Airport. Loved this hood medallion!
I got a roommate in Palm Springs.
Josh got really sick when we camped in Crested Butte, and we decided that we might just be a bit too "mature" for tent camping. I bought a darling 1966 camper, complete with turquoise appliances inside. We took it camping at Red Feathers Lakes in August. We caught a few fish (too small to keep), saw some beautiful scenery, and really enjoyed getting away for a while. I was hoping for a bear, but we were one night too late--it was there the night before.
Sunset at DIA.
It's hard for most to look so regal next to a toilet!
I met Kaye at the Gem & Mineral show. It's my 3rd year going, and Kaye & I always have a good time. She & Jack have collected for years, and have an extensive collection at home. These were some of my favs this year:
I planted beets for the first time and had a pretty good harvest. We ate them in a stew and they were delicious!
We adopted a pair of ferrets in September. They were SO cute, with great personalities! Josh named his Patton, and I named mine MacArthur. Unfortunately, Josh was VERY allergic to them, so they had to go back to PetCo.
I can't hear you! I can't hear you! I can't hear you!
Chillin' in the back yard!
Josh & Memphis sharing a cuddle moment.
I adopted two kittens in October. Jazzpurr is the silver tabby. He's named for my friend Erick, who loved Jazz, and because he purrs so loudly and enthusiastically. Luna is named for her beautiful Harvest Moon eyes, and because it's short for Lunatic Schizophrenia Paraniod Blackwood! I think Kalisha approves!What a pretty, sleepy kitty!

I bought the kittens a gymboree, and Josh put it together for me.

Yes, we are HELPING! Someone has to supervise to be sure you don't screw it up!Are you SURE you read the directions? Let me help!Hmm, a hidey-hole. Let me check it out. Can you move outta my way, already?Yippee!Jazz & Luna approve of their new kitty gymboree! Thanks, Josh!I find it a little creepy when ramp equipment smiles at me... GJT, August.

One of the local robins thought the puddle on my hot tub cover was a perfect spa.

Poor Memphis...it's not even Halloween!

She hates us....

Here's another one of those weird low-pressure circles/hurricane things over the Pacific Ocean. They don't always pop up, but I've been lucky enough to spot them 3 or 4 times now, over the past 6 or 7 years.
I love the huge contrails over the wings of this 747--LAX, August.
Josh & Memphis wrestling in the driveway, July 2011
Memphis has the best 'kerchiefs!
A little girl on one of my flights made this for Captain Karen. I had invited her up to the flight deck, and showed her how easy it is to fly an airplane. She might just become a pilot some day!
Melissa & Dean came out for the Broncos/Lions game at the end of October. It was a perfect way to celebrate our birthdays--Melissa's is a few days before mine. She, Josh & Dean hit it off really well!

Josh was NOT happy to see the Saints/Rams score. The Rams really beat the Saints, and it was a total upset--not to mention totally upsetting to him!

We had great seats with a fantastic Rocky Mountain mountain view.Tim Tebow became the Broncos' QB midway through the season. Tim prays on the field by going down on one knee, and it's become a phenomena called "Tebowing." Everyone does it. Even Darth Vader!Even the skydivers "Tebowed" when they hit the ground! It was awesome!
Tim Tebow, #15, running out of the tunnel.Presentation of the colours.

Me, in Lions' gear. I got a Tebow #15 jersey for Christmas, but didn't have it here, of course. Dean is a rabid Lions' fan, and the Lions are the Saints' "Sister Team" this year, so we were rooting for the Lions.

My birthday was...interesting this year. But, Josh saved the day with the beautiful bouquet!

Crater Lake--you just can't take a bad photo!These stacked lenticular clouds were awesome. This is over the Front Range, inbound on the Thompson arrival.Isn't this sort of thing against the law? Jazz & Memphis sure love each other!Sunrise in Cody. Beautiful!

Canada Geese stop pretty close to DIA on their migration route. They filled the sky; my camera only captured a slice of what was really out there. Thousands, tens-of-thousands? Hundreds-of-thousands? There were a LOT of geese out there! This was in November.

Closer view of the overnighting Canada Geese.
DVD player? Check. DVDs? Check. Kitten? Check. I'm ready for convalescence!

My crew & I went to the Farmer's Market in PSP in December. Everything was festively decorated for Christmas.

Our van driver told me that people in PSP push their dogs around in baby carriages so that they don't burn their paws. I thought he was pulling my chain!There was even a PIG! But not in a pram, unfortunately!

I had a lot of fun on my last trip before surgery. I wanted lots of photos & memories, because there was a chance that something could go wrong during surgery, and it would be my last trip, ever.

Tucson decorated their jetway for Christmas--it was the best display I've seen anywhere, in years!

We flew over Yosemite. You can see Capitan and Half-Dome pretty well.

San Francisco always makes for a beautiful shot. The Golden Gate is the orange bridge to the left, Alcatraz is the island on the right, just above downtown and the Bay Bridge.

The World's Most Interesting Captain with the World's Most Interesting Man...he doesn't always fly, but when he does, he flies SkyWest!

Captain Ms. Claus and the Christmas Express, Dec 22nd!I had a C 3-4 fusion on Dec 28th, 2011. I've had neck & back problems for a long time, and have been in severe pain since I got hurt at work by slipping on the jetway a couple of years ago. My neck was yanked pretty badly, and I had tingling in my fingers for months, then started having a lot of severe neck pain. I've had 5 or 6 epidural injections, and an RF, which is cutting the fascette nerves to eliminate pain. Nothing worked for very long. So, the last option was the fusion. My doctor took out a lot of scar tissue that was really impinging the nerve, and opened the nerve duct. He installed a cadaver bone, and I convinced him to use a big one--I'm now 1-2 mms taller!

Here I am after surgery. Don't I look terrific? Check out that HUGE collar! How big do they think I am? I had to wear that for about 10 days, but it was swapped out for a SMALL during my first post-op appt.Breakfast was awesome! Spinach, cheese and tomato scrambled eggs, a blueberry muffin (homemade-no lard!), delicious oatmeal and a latte...I wanted to stay an extra couple of days, just for the food. Rose Hospital took FANTASTIC care of me. Great doctors, nurses, physical therapists and support staff. I was SO impressed with the care I received!

10 days later, the stitches came out. It's going to be a tiny, almost invisible scar. Great job, Renee (she sewed me up after Dr. Ghiselli finished surgery).

Here's my stylin' new collar--much better fit, don't you think?

Jazz & Luna...what am I, a footstool? They sure keep me entertained while I'm sitting on the couch!My orchids are happy and blooming in the sunroom--and are scented! What a great way to start the New Year! Welcome 2012!

The best part of this new year is that I've now been sitting at the computer, working on this blog, for 3 1/2 hours. My back is a little sore, but my neck doesn't hurt at all--and that's going from not being able to type for more than 10-15 minutes without excruciating pain! I'm looking forward to healing and becoming active again! Now that I can sit & type, maybe I can finish a book while I'm not working! I certainly have the time.

Thank you to the donor, and the donor's family, for helping to improve the quality of my life. It was getting pretty dismal, because everything I loved to do caused pain. I've always been an organ donor, and now I am a donor recipient. Kind of weird to think about, but again, I'm grateful that someone unknown to me gave me such a gift.

Happy New Year to YOU!