Pumping Pink

It was a fantastic night of sleeping last night, in my own bed. It took a long time for me to remember that I could now sleep on one side or turn over, as the past week has been spent sleeping only on my back. I kept the foot elevated all night with pillows and slept soundly.

This morning I sat on our back patio and read a new book for an hour. It was fabulous to hear the birds singing and being able to enjoy green trees. It doesn’t matter where I sit, as long as the foot continues to be elevated (promotes maximum blood flow to the area). Later today, I plan to type up some memories and reflections from last week … just in case I decide to use it for speaking notes or a book someday.

I am very much looking forward to ice tea tonight. I can’t have any chocolate, caffeine, or alcohol for the next three weeks. (All of these things limit blood circulation) You know how it goes …. when you can’t have it is when you suddenly crave it. I only had ice tea the night before surgery and then that was it the entire trip. Ice tea in the south is the best, but didn’t happen this time. Blake is picking up decaf ice tea bags on his way to the house tonight.

Things that I can do today that I couldn’t yesterday:
- Plug the laptop computer cord into an outlet.
- Wash face, brush teeth and put make-up on by myself.
- Wrote out 4 checks to pay bills & put checks in envelopes to mail.
- Typing with two hands
- Wiggle my four small toes; tiny flicker, but there is hope!

I received an e-mail from my Chicago orthopod yesterday, as I had sent her a picture of what the foot looked like – taken right before we casted on Monday. She thought the foot looked healthy and said that she was looking forward to increased flexibility and freedom from wound care … amen to both! I told her I was can’t wait to walk on beach sand, have a glass of wine, and shoe shopping at Von Mauer.

Right before we went to Texas I had my toenails painted hot pink with a white small daisy on each big toe. In the center of the daisy was a tiny, rhinestone that was sparkly. I figured the little flower would remind us of summer and that new things would bloom soon …. I needed to be patient and let each bloom unfold while continuing to pray that our end result would be positive. I knew it was a mini-risk, as some hospitals are picky about nail polish, but no one had given me any directions saying, “remove all nail polish.” In the pre-op area the lady that came to take me to the operating room wasn’t real hip on my toe art. As another medical personal was telling me what to expect after surgery, I heard this lady ask someone for nail polish remover. It was early in the morning and I didn’t attempt to fight it. If she was going to take it off, at least I wouldn’t be watching. After I moved onto the operating table, I went to sleep thinking that there wasn’t a chance under the sun I’d wake up with the pink polish and flower still there … normally I got a nurse that thought it was too cute to question, but not that day.

I was wrong …. not only was it still there, it was the buzz and talk among nurses for the next four days. I am sure it was different than what they see with most senior patients, but it was the best $6.00 entertainment and diversion. The night nurse always joked with me that he didn’t need a flashlight at night to find my foot (they were checking it every hour for any changes) because the rhinestone was so bright. Know that our “flower attitude” continues to flourish and as each day unfolds with blessings, we are grateful for whatever happens …. or as someone else told me, everything is good with blood flow as long as it is “pumping pink.” I am feeling well and starting to gain strength back … everything gets a little easier with each passing day.

Love & hugs,
Jenny