My current position this afternoon as I watch the Rick Steves show in Tuscany….specifically, Siena…which I got to visit just this past summer. I can’t believe I was just there in May and now here in November/December, I am home bound with a broken leg.

My greatest fear is that these breaks will interfere with my being able to travel and explore. I just pray that this surgery doesn’t keep me from being mobile.

That Jean Johnson! I just love her and her kindness. Last night she brought me a number of pieces of her fried catfish. I had it for dinner and I had it again this morning for breakfast. What can I say? I like not being too traditional.

I also called Diane today for more Percocet…just Incase. But after two prescriptions of 40 pills each, you don’t get any more. So, she’s called in a different kind of pain killer…one that is not supposed to be addictive. Syd will pick it up for me tomorrow when she brings Mom here. Dec. 12, 2017

Mom and my cousin Geraldine, in my Denver for a business meeting, in my kitchen cooking up a meal. Mom cooking her pork chops and Geraldine cooking her rice. Being taken care of or waited on is just something I’m not use to. When I’m not feeling well, I’ve come to truly need this care and appreciate it even though that independent side of me fights it. But today was such a wonderful day because my Mom and my cousin were in my kitchen cooking good food for us all to enjoy! I loved it. It feels good to have family around who want to be here and who want to care for me. Thank you so much family! Dec. 16, 2017

Me and my sidekick/mode of getting around scooter (or more technically called a steerable aluminum knee walker) with fancy basket. Dec. 16, 2017

I’m laughing to myself because when I travel, I’ve taken feet selfies at various places in the world. Wow, I’m wondering if that would make a good story? And, now I’m taking a broken leg/cast selfie. In my living room on my sofa…again. From the bed to the sofa, my world traveler world has scaled back to two places located within feet from one another. Truth be told, I’m rather skeptical of going out. I just feel very vulnerable and very protective of my injured leg. I can’t afford to put myself into a compromising position. So, I’d rather stay right here, cocooned in my condo where every move has been rehearsed and perfected. I’ve come to an understanding with myself that I’ve got another two good months, January and February, of being housebound. I’m hoping after that, I will be able to put pressure on my leg…hopefully during therapy…and get back to walking and managing with two legs.This injury makes me feel so helpless. And, I really hate feeling helpless. But maybe this is my plight. This is what I need to learn, patience, and knowing that I am not really in control. As much as I’d like to think I am in control, I am NOT. I am at the mercy of God’s grace. I make my plans but I am not in control. All I know is that I have been very blessed in this life. Not sure why I did this to myself but I googled “I broke my tibula and fibula six months ago and I’m scared to travel,” and what I got were people who are not healing well way beyond six months. Some 10 months and even into a year. I’m praying that surgery was the right move. And, I’m feeling sad right now. Discouraged really. I’m a travel planner who can’t plan for a damn thing. I do have this trip in May but that may not even be possible because I may not even be healed by then. I’m so very, very disappointed. I’m still going to do everything the doctor tells me to do but I want to know what else I can do or take to help me recover faster.
The actress Octavia Spencer said to “embrace the mess.” She also said to keep moving forward and not to get discouraged when my path gets messy…”You’ll fall and you’ll fail along the way, wildly.” So, “embrace the mess.” Dec. 22, 2017

Syd, Chrissy and Grace came over and we all enjoyed Mom’s delicious lasagna. They also did a little work for me while they were here. Syd changed my air filter and then her and Chrissy rotated my mattress and changed my sheets. Boy oh boy, those sheets needed to be changed. Dec. 25, 2017

Syd, Mom and me waiting in the lobby of Infinity Dental on Abrams in Dallas for my permanent cap appointment with Dr. Hollie Shirey. Dec. 27, 2017

Although my orthopedic appointment wasn’t until 1:00, we got there early and even got in early to get the old cast off, the x-rays and good news from Dr. Curry. Well, let’s just say that he is happy with my healing progress and for me, that’s good news. As long as he’s happy then I’m happy too. This is Paul in Dr. Curry’s office taking off this first cast. I think Syd and I were both too intrigued by the process of sawing off the hard cast part to take photos but once he lifted the hard portion up, after cutting through it on each side of my leg, that cast was off in a jiff. Dec. 27, 2017

The surgical incision and blister on the left side of my leg are healing. Dec. 27, 2017

This is Pam and she is tasked with putting on the second cast in this healing process. Dec. 27, 2017