Friday, April 29, 2011

Bound

It was bound to happen.
No one can defy the odds by such a great margin.
But still, I  was a little surprised to hear that the x-rays confirmed the break.  My wrist at the base of my thumb, is indeed broken.  Of course it's on my right hand, and located in a place where the blood flow isn't so great, thus increasing the time it takes to heal.

I know people who when asked to explain how they got their broken bones, could only say they slipped off a curb or fell into a sprinkler hole.  I have to admit, I'm glad my story has a little more grit.  I broke a bone in my wrist riding quads with the big boys, on what my brother in law Jason calls "black diamond difficulty" for riding trails.   I didn't have a major crash or even fall off the quad, but while riding up a hill and trying to navigate some deep ruts, I hit one at a bad angle, with a lot of speed.  My wrist jammed into the handle bars hard enough that I thought I might puke. I didn't, but I did ride the 5 miles back to the cabin using my left hand on the accelerator and my right forearm to steer.
By Saturday I decided x-rays might be a good idea.  That's when the doctor informed me that I'd need to meet with a specialist to determine if a cast or surgery was the next step.  Monday the specialist told me I'd be wearing a long cast, well above my bent elbow for 6 weeks followed by a short cast for another 6 weeks.  At week 2 they'd take a CT scan to determine if surgery would be necessary.  So best case scenario was 12 weeks in a cast, with no movement of my thumb and no use of my right hand.  
Now I'd love to report that I took the news like a champ, kept a clear head and everything in perspective.    And I could tell you that, but it would be a total lie!!  Truth is I had myself a grand pity party right in my head, sorry you weren't invited, but it was a pretty big deal.  It lasted right up until they put a gigantic pink cast on my arm that weighed the exact same amount as all of North America, and I am not one to exaggerate.  Oh and have I mentioned that I am claustrophobic? Well, I am.   My pity festivities, were put to shame by the anxiety that enveloped me like a second skin.  I had to remind myself to just breath in and out and tried every form of distraction while waiting for medication at the pharmacy.  I now refer to this day as Meltdown Monday.  It wasn't pretty.

After a brief conversation Tuesday morning with my doctor, I was headed back in for "Plan B".  I couldn't get there soon enough.  It's true, I went back to see my doctor while still in my pajamas, fuzzy slippers and all.  My long cast was removed in short order and an outside vendor was called in to teach me how to use an ultrasound machine through a port in my cast.  20 minutes two times a day using this bone growth stimulator and if all goes well I'll be cast free in 6 weeks...we'll see.
After Meltdown Monday and the long cast, everything else seems easy.  I am making adjustments to my routine, and receiving tons of help from sweet friends and family.  Tasks as simple as putting in a ponytail, blow drying and styling my hair, removing items from an oven, opening a can of soda, twisting off a lid, and signing my name are things I can no longer do by myself.   Yummy dinners have been delivered to my house each night this week, several hands have taken a turn at styling my hair.  I now have two incredible helpers working under my direction to get things done at my house.

My wings may be clipped, my wrist broken and bound, but I am actually okay.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Through the River and Over the Woods

I hate leaving all the fun to the boys! I might need to borrow their clothes and their toys, but I want in on the action!  Saturday Tara, Kristie and I followed Aaron and Jeff off into the woods for some muddy fun, and just for the record, we held our own.
Riding the quads through the forrest, zipping around the corners, climbing steep hills of granite or dirt, forging our our paths over and around downed trees and straight through the creeks was exhilarating!
The muddy puddles were sometimes deep and navigating your way through them left the entire bottom half of my body wet and all of me muddy.  I loved it!!

I don't think I have ever taken a quad on such challenging trails before and I regularly found myself surprised as I watched our machines tear up the side of a steep hill climbing huge rocks along the way.  I was totally impressed as Tara pulled out of a deep puddle with her two front tires in the air at almost a 90 degree angle from the path.  She rode it out and continued along like it ain't no thang.
Aaron kept asking if we wanted to take one more trail or head back?  Always our answer was one more trail, until it was too dark to continue on.
Whatta day, whatta ride!!

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Time Well Spent

Happy sunshine and cotton candy clouds,
lush hillsides and a worn path 
 Backpacks bouncing and ponytails swinging
Merry birds and gusting winds
 stories told and laughter shared
Pausing and noticing
 learning and sharing
excitement in the discovery
joy in the details
exuberant and curious
 Reflecting and wondering
pens and notebooks
eagerly writing and quietly listening
Happy hearts and grateful minds 
a lowering sun and ticking time 
I wonder at the beauty and awe at His creations
All of them..

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Letting it All Hang Out

Food, namely carby starchy things, seem to make nice temporary bandages for the scrapes in my life.  The result is the lumpy version of me that I've been wearing lately, and it ain't pretty!  I came across this card yesterday and couldn't control my laughter.  I've had bad hair days where I just want to throw it back in a pony tail or cover it with a hat, but what do you do with your butt?!!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Surprise Party!

I adore my dad, but I know I'm not the only one around here who does!  Upon learning of my dad's birthday, Brynne set out an elaborate plan to make sure his special day was the best ever.  Here's how it all went down...

Brynne to me:  Mom it's very important that you take me to the store tonight.  It's your dad's birthday tomorrow and I really need to get him the very best present ever!
Me to Brynne:  Well what were you thinking of?  My dad really likes me to pick out some clothes for him or some fun toys he can use for his van...
Brynne:  Oh yes, toys for sure!! I'll show you just what we should get him...
Regardless of my persistent and somewhat convincing arguments to go to another store, department, etc, we ended up purchasing a large rubber bee for my dad from the Target dollar spot.  It was exactly what she wanted and she was sure he'd want to try to scare all of his friends with it.  
Next she gave specific instructions to my mom.

Brynne:  Um grandma I need to talk to you about something that is very important.  It's your husbands birthday tomorrow, and I'm throwing him a surprise party for him.  I need you to do two things for me.  First you need to make him a chocolate cake and bring it here right after school.  I also need you to make sure grandpa is in his fanciest clothes and then bring him to my house.  Don't worry we'll all be hiding.
Before Brynne left for school the following day, I was given directions to hang streamers and blow up lots of balloons, Brynne's  fancy red dress was carefully laid out on her bed, and the cousins were all invited to come over right after school.  She had even wrapped her gift with wrapping paper and masking tape, complete with a message for my dad!
I left for just a quick moment to pick Wes up from school and when I got back Brynne had already called and summoned my parents to the house!!  I missed the big moment but it totally didn't matter because Brynne had everything under control.  
My dad opened his gifts and read the cards from the kids.  Everyone got a good laugh out of Brynnes because not only did she insist on buying a singing card, she insisted on the one featuring Taylor Swift singing Love Story.  Not your run of the mill, happy birthday grandpa card, but she's kinda into doing things her own way if you couldn't tell.  
When all was said and done.  Brynne was quite pleased with herself and my dad had an enjoyable time with his grandkids and a good laugh with my mom and I.  
I'm glad I'm not the only girl around here that knows my dad is worth celebrating!!