Success! Yesterday we got a new computer, after having the same one for well over 6 years and working with the same old programs, this has been----let's say "challenging". I've had a few other words for it, but if I can make this post and add photos, I'll be thrilled. So to get you all up to date on the happenings around here, first of all, as I'd said in a previous post, Dec. 17 was the day for the hip replacement surgery, but the powers that be had other plans for me! My leg was swollen up about 1 and 1/2 times the size of the other one & hurt like hell, but we all thought I had strained it in getting the house ready for recuperation. As a precaution they quick did a sonogram to rule out a blood clot, but instead of ruling it out, they found one. A good sized one at that, starts behind my knee, branches off into 2 pieces (so it looks like an upside down "y") and ends about mid calf. Needless to say, both surgery & all treatments at the pain management clinic have been called off for about 6 months or until the clot dissolves. They say I was very lucky they found it and I suppose they're right, but it sure threw a kink in the plans. After spending a night in the hospital, they sent me home with a pile of syringes filled with a blood thinner that I got to inject into my belly twice a day, with the last shot being Christmas morning, making it the best gift yet to be done with that! Now I'm still taking a different blood thinner and have blood work done every few days until they get it thin enough for their liking.
Until further notice from the doctor, I can't do anything that will increase my heart rate which would pump the blood a little harder & faster, which in turn could potentially dislodge the clot or break a chunk of it off. So I've been keeping a pretty low profile, doing a little walking, and sitting with that leg elevated. I'm already bored with that, so am hoping that those limits are short lived. The swelling is almost all gone now & it doesn't hurt nearly as much, so something must be working right. But the main thing is that they found it, I should be ok now, and will just have to have some patience, knowing that there will be a light at the end of the tunnel-and I don't mean that big bright white one! With all this going on, Christmas was low key, but good. The kids did the cooking & clean up (well done, by the way!) and the gift exchanging was good. This year we decided (truth be told, I told them) that all gifts had to handmade, purchased hand made, or something made in the USA (no plastic allowed) from a small independently owned businesses. There was a tad bit of skepticism, but everyone got in the spirit of it, and truy enjoyed it, knowing that we helped make a small difference in the economy for those that support themelves. And it will be repeated next year. I quess that's about it for now, except for truly thanking those who kept in touch and kept assuring me that everything would be ok when I was scared to death abut that blood clot, sending lots of white healing light and keeping my spirits up-it won't be forgotten! I hope you all had a great Christmas and were able to spend some time with family & friends. And now-on to the New Year!!
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