Posted 2/25/2008 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
Dear Lyn,
I do not want you to feel you need to respond at all to any postings directed to you. You need only to care for yourself and not worry about taking care of everyone else.
This is one of those times that knowing people through a forum such as this can be so frustrating for me. If I was able to physically be of help, I would be so in a second, whether with a hot meal, some gossipy and silly magazines that require no thought, a good movie etc. My usual "I wish I could help more basket" that I can physically get to people usually includes things I know they are interested in and then the standard People magazine, a few more gossipy mags, some favorite movies that evoke only nice feelings, a favorite book on tape, my own blend of tea which I love and have managed to get many friends addicted to, some form of hot food that I know can be enjoyed even by the most finicky eaters, a candle with a known favorite scent, usually a photo book of what that person is interested in such as one on the geology of an area, the history of some event or time in history, photos of children with funny captions, spiritual readings that are easy and quick to read, gum (always gum!), a hard candy, often a pair of hilarious socks that provide a laugh but also comfort and non-skid soles, munchies of some sort, and other things that are thought of as comfort items, usually meaning a silly coloring book with new crayons or colored pencils (it is amazing how many of my recipients of these have gone on at length about the fun they had being a kid and coloring!), crosswords or Sudoku puzzle books, and anything else that can be done and which requires little thought. Music of some sort would be included also, but in that case I would have to know the person better so to not inadvertantly give them music from some artist they cannot tolerate, and every phone number I can be reached at if help is needed, along with a pad of paper labeled GROCERY ITEMS and a fun new pencil with directions to make that grocery list for me. I have been known to include "questionable" items to friends I know will find the humor in and not be offended in any way, in other words, anything that can serve as a help or a distraction.
Unable to help you at all in that way, I can only tell you what we all do: to take care of yourself, be good to yourself, give yourself time to adequately recover before jumping back into things full swing, and prayers for a quick recovery. You and I have shared before our frustration in different illnesses that seem to take up too much of our life and leave us flat in bed and dependent, something I know I cannot stand.
Know that with my recent knee shattering event, I am tethered to a chair, a comfy one but a chair nonetheless, wearing knee braces, taking prescribed painkillers and anti-inflammatory meds at scheduled times with the scheduled kind and amount of food required for proper absorption and to protect the stomach, the remote controls for the TV, DVD, VCR, stereo, and yes, even the one for the heat! I have built this kind of nest around me with my sudoku books, pencils, laptop computer, cell phone, regular phone, paper for notes, TV guides, kleenex, crackers and juices, note cards in case I get really ambitious and write to those people who don't have email or just would probably enjoy a card of some kind, photos of my granddaughter because they cheer me up, several newspapers, every pair of reading glasses I own, my camera so that I can catch the wonderful sunsets, snowstorm, trees blowing at all kinds of angles, the deer family, and the mysterious car that pulls in and out of my driveway sometimes several times a day, and so much more. It is a mess but a mess I can do nothing about right now so I have to let it go.
A friend took me for a follow up check up with the orthopedist, luckily not even a mile away, and the news I got was good and not as good. THe good news is that because I had extensive knee surgery on both knees about 10 years ago to correct a problem of the kneecap not resting where it should, therefore finding my kneecap at the back of my leg at times...., and had a radical patella realignment open knee surgery, it means that parts of the knee are much stronger than most because of all the nuts and bolts used to cut and redirect the bone. All this means is that with proper care, rehab when the time comes, lots of good care and rest..........that surgery may be avoided which is most wonderful news to me!! The not as good news is that I am going to have to be even more careful than I have been since the fall to keep the knee immobilized correctly at all times, NEVER bear weight on that leg, use crutches when I get up which he limited the amount to even more, because the fractures are so fragile that should i move, stumble, twist or even breathe on my knee incorrectly, the fractures could cause the need for immediate emergency surgery. So taking it easy is exactly what I am doing, anything to avoid surgery!
So be better, friend, and don't try to push your recovery to fit your timeline, let it happen on its own, as frustrating as that is. AND, if you want a Linda Basket, let me know some of your favorites of things I listed above, and you shall receive!!!!!!
fondly,
linda