Tuesday Roll Call

Good Morning.

The good news is that it hasn't started to snow yet, That means we will all be able to getto work this morning. Whatever the day brings, be safe. Let the other driver go first.
Don;t forget to take a little extra food and water with you, incase you can't get home this evening.

Christine, give Dave a big hug for me.

Crystal, I am sending hugs to you.

Just be careful out there in the next 2 days. Stay home if you can. They are comparing this to the storm of "67.

Huggers,
Lisa

Hello everyone

Well the latest on my family situation is I am now allowed to go to the memorial service...out of the goodness of my sister's heart (meant sarcastically of course).  I got a call yesterday at 11am from my sister saying that if I wanted to be involved with the arrangements she would be the bigger person and let me come.  When I showed up I found out very quickly why I was needed.  I'm the "gofer girl"....they needed me there to run all of the errands.  Like pick up my brother from the train station (who had been drinking and was wearing a dirty sweat shirt).  I also have to bring the food for the service Sunday.  It's a bunch of crap...but I will do this for the sake of my mom.  She would want my dad to have a nice service.  But after this Sunday I am not putting up with the rudeness anymore.  I am actually being listed in the paper as a step daughter...oh well.  My dad's (or should I say step dad's) side of the family has never treated me like family and actually treated me very horribly my whole life.  And I'm glad I won't ever have to see these people again after Sunday.  Aghh!!!

Oh and on top of everything else there is a problem with my best friend.  She is the one that lost her band last year and has gained most of her weight back.  Well I kept thinking she was acting weird and distant lately.....but I thought it was just my imagination.  I have this feeling that with me losing all of this weight that maybe she is a little envious...especially when she has gained.  So any way I KNOW now something is wrong.  I called her yesterday several times to tell her my dad died and she hasn't even bothered to call me back yet.  If I did something I wish she would tell me what I did.  Otherwise I am thinking she is has issues she is dealing with right now and I shouldn't assume I did something wrong.  Right now I am feeling a little hurt and worried right now.     

I did go to work today because there isn't much to do now.  So I decided to come to work.  Drive safe everyone.  Have a good day. 

 Hi Crystal and Lisa

I am home.  I came home about 1 pm when I looked out the window and could barely see.  I figured that was the time to get the heck out of dodge.  They are talking about being open tomorrow.    I would like to know how they can possibly think we will be open.  We will be in the middle of a blizzard and right now they are predicting between 20 and 24 inches plus high winds.  Already the snow is blowing sideways with little visability.  

Crystal, I am so sorry that you are having such family issues at this time.  Remember my little song and just go kick some a**.  

Lisa, stay home and stay safe.

Christina and Dave I hope Dave is being a good patient and all is well.  

Everyone have a great day and enjoy a snow day tomorrow!  

Stay safe!  

Nancy 

Just now had a chance to take a breather, 3 medical visits later. . . Been on the go since 530 this morning when he had to go potty for the 3rd time.

He has been "sprung" from his immobilizer/brace and can go without it. The CPM was delivered at about 2:45 and set up. He is in it right now but in pain because the PT lady put him through his paces. I think he is going to sleep well tonight sans potty trips.

 Christine

Those pt sessions are rough to say the least.  I always made sure that I would take my pain meds about 45 minutes to an hour before the therapist arrived.  It helped.  Also icing after therapy provides relief..  

Nancy, done, done and more done. The PT girl called and had him take his pain meds 45 minutes before she arrived. He iced afterwards also. More than likely it is because the femoral block has completely wore off. He could not even tolerate the PCM and he loves that machine. He was also told that on the 3rd day out of the hospital he will feel like he wants to call 911 to take him back to the hospital because of the pain. Oh Joy, I have a busy days lined up . . .

 I have to admit those first couple of weeks were rough.  I never had the femoral block but I was in the hospital for I think 8 or 9 days both times so I could get some stronger pain killers but I remember begging for pain meds at times and being told I could not have them for a few more hours.    As I said before, the cpm and I did not agree so it was discontinued after about 4 days and became a "lawn ornament" in my room.  It was easier to manupilate in the hospital with the trapeze bar and the adjustable bed than my own at first.  But, the more you exercise, the quicker the pain goes away as your leg gets flexibility in it.  I also found that elevating it would help at times.  I feel for him.  But in the long run, it is WELL worth it.  He will forget how bad the pain is fairly soon.  I was ready for the second knee to be done at my 3 week appointment so that pain goes away fast.  

Hello everyone,

It sounds like everyone has their hands full!  Between family, medical and this snow, it's a stressful day!

I am moving around ok.  I still have the vacuum for my wound, but the good news is that it's healing!  I went from 7 sonometers (I think that is what she called it) deep to 4 in 5 days! 

I also start blended food.  Anyone have any recipes you can share????  Mashed potatoes will get old and I don't know if I can stomach blended chicken!

Hope you all got home ok today.  I am safe and sound in my house watching my husband take care of the driveway!

Take care,

Julie

 Hi Jules

I know every doctor is different in what you are allowed to have but here are some ideas that you MAY be able to eat: 

I lived on blended cottage cheese.  I would mix it with herbs for flavor.  I would use a stick blender to blend it up.  A few times I even added some fruit or olives when they were allowed.  

Scrambled eggs.

Yogurt

Refried beans heated with cheese melted on top 

greek yogurt

strained cream soups, pea, ham n beans, cream of chicken etc.  

ubsweetened applesauce

oatmeal

 cooked carrots

baked sweet potaoes

mashed squash

baby foods

carnation instant breakfast

pudding with protein powder

Jules, like Nancy mentioned to you there are a lot of foods that you can blend. Believe it or not it does taste just like the real thing - it just has a different consistancy (sp?). You just need to get beyond the thought of having blended food.

I would stay away from the mashed potatoes except on an occasional basis because it does not have much protein in them. If you have some smashed taters than make sure that you have some blended meat with it and it adds to the flavor.