Happy Easter!

Easter Greetings!

Although it was rainy outside, I hope your day was joyful on the inside! Our family had Easter breakfast at my house this morning and then we went to late church …. back to mom & dad’s house for Easter lunch and then we chatted together all afternoon. We had a great, relaxing day!

Overall, I am still doing well with my foot. I exercised on Saturday, which was the first time in several weeks. I biked 4 miles and then did cardio, so that was a good start. I think my operative foot is a little smaller now than the left foot …. who would have dreamed, after all that swelling. I need to stop in and say “hi” to my pt guy this week.

This week I was once again reminded how grateful I am to be able to wear a shoe. It is easy to still get frustrated with what I cannot wear, but then I remind myself that at least I can wear most shoes …. believe me, I find cute shoes that work and make for happy feet.

As we were waiting for church to begin this morning, my mom found this small notepad in her purse. On the first page of the notepad was a list of people (and times) that called her when she was waiting alone during my transplant surgery in San Antonio. There was a long list of people that called and most calls were every 5-6 minutes a part. Lots of old & current friends, but all people that we thinking & praying for us on that May day. That day was an early Monday morning, so I was always surprised that anyone remembered …. Nonetheless, we will be forever thankful.

I have several more weeks before I need to begin taking iron, drinking a glass of OJ & eating a banana each day in preparation for the hip surgery.

Hoping for sunshine this week!
Jenny

Doing okay .....

Greetings! I am doing well . . . just plugging away at work and everyday life activities. In three weeks it will be the one year mark, since my last foot surgery - yippee! This will be the longest we've gone with no surgery, so that would be a milestone. The achy toe somewhat comes and goes. It feels like I am putting a lot of pressure on the big toe and it has no function now (fused), so that may be part of the issue. I've had a lot of swelling on the front top of the foot lately, where we did the artery transfer. It looks like an uncooked breakfast biscuit on the skin section just behind my toes. Not the most attractive with a sandal, but such is life. I did break down and have a pedicure last week, since all the toenail surgery remnants look healed.

This Thursday will be 8 weeks before the hip surgery. Tonight I read a lot of information on Barnes West Co. hospital, as it has changed quite a bit since I was there for the original surgery. My June will be filled with three camps, so once June comes the time will go really fast. I have decided to take off the five days before the surgery and go on a trip - not sure where yet, but someplace warm, sunny and fun. I am sure it will likely be 4-6 weeks after the surgery before I feel really well, so figured I'd better try to squeeze in a summer trip before.

Need to scoot to bed, to be ready for JA kiddos tomorrow.
Thanks for checking in!
Jenny

Waiting Game ......

I am doing okay …. not a lot new. Since I left the hip surgeon’s office, I’ve thought of a list of questions that I need to ask yet. I’m going to wait until the end of May to ask them – nothing urgent. The big thing is that I need to warn them that we cannot use any tape/adhesives. I don’t want this to be a surprise on the surgery day. I had second thoughts about waiting until the end of June to do the surgery, but after a lot of thought I still think that is best. June will be here before I know it! I am taking 3 days of vacation time before the surgery.

I’m really upset that Darvacet was taken off the drug market, as this worked for me so well with previous surgeries. There are so many that I cannot take, due to stomach issues. Maybe they will invent a replacement by the end of June – wishful thinking. Earlier this week my big toe was hurting again …. I switched to taking one Aleve in the morning for the past two days & that seems to have helped.

Tonight I had a pedicure …. it was worth paying for this, since I’m not supposed to be bending that far to paint my toes. In about 3 weeks, it will be the one-year-mark since the last toe surgery in Dallas ….. that would be the longest period of time I’ve gone with no major issues. I talked with another friend today that is at a standstill w/medical care in STL & I highly suggested that she go out-of-town for advice ….. it all changes when you get to the right doctor. I am still finding more and more shoes that are much too big now that the foot swelling has dissipated. I had a sandal w/a Velcro section on the top & tonight I couldn’t believe where the Velcro was set – it feel off my off instantly …. much too big.

Better call it a day and get some sleep ….. large group of students tomorrow. Enjoy the St. Louis sunshine this week! Jenny