SoCS — Home Sweet Home

Fandango

It’s about 9:00 on a Friday night and I’m tapping out this post on my iPhone as I’m lying in my own bed for the first time in 13 nights. My wife picked me up at around 12:30 this afternoon to take me home after I spend three days in a postoperative acute care room and ten more days in a postoperative orthopedic rehabilitation room.

I can’t express how happy I am to be home. I can’t express how lucky I am to be sharing my life with a woman who is doing everything she can to make my homecoming and transition as smooth and as welcoming as possible, Including preparing for me the most incredible home-cooked dinner ever.

This day, of course, had its challenges. After all, it was my first day home and we had to make some serious accommodations in order to serve a handicapped person. Those changes are temporary, but necessary until I am able to literally stand on my own two feet.

Tomorrow (Saturday), I have my first in-home physical therapy session, which should be interesting because, unlike the rehab facility, I do not have a fully-equipped, state of the art gym in my home. I’ll let you know how that goes.

But still, at almost 9 pm, I’m drained. So I’m going to end this post and schedule it to be published at 3 am on Saturday morning. Why? Because then I can use the phrase “throw in the towel,” which is Linda G. Hill’s challenge for this week’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt.

You see, when I was confronted by the physical therapist on the Sunday after my surgery the day before, and she told me that she wanted me to stand up and take a few steps using a walker, my initial response was, “Fuck you, bitch. I just had major surgery for a fractured hip and a hip replacement barely twelve hours ago. That’s not going to happen.”

She looked at me and said, “I’ve never had a patient throw in the towel without even trying, and you’re not going to be first. So if you know what’s good for you, you’ll grab onto this walker, pull yourself up and out of bed, and start walking, buster.”

And I did.

43 thoughts on “SoCS — Home Sweet Home”

  2. Sadje January 28, 2023 / 3:13 am

    Yup, that’s what they do. Make you stand and walk on your own feet, all pain and discomfort disregarding. But believe me it gets better from there.

    Liked by 2 people

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  3. Ron. January 28, 2023 / 3:18 am

    Yeah, I remember (just barely, thank God) those first few days home after shoulder replacement: the brace holding my arm out at a 90 degree angle, the kind but demanding daily visits from a PT, and My Beloved Sandra making sure I didn’t step outside and jump off the deck. Also on the plus side: prescribed opioids, which I used, but VERY sparingly, knowing my personal weaknesses & tendency toward habituation.
    Hang in there. Better days ahead. Welcome home.

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Fandango January 28, 2023 / 9:51 am

      Ouch. Shoulder replacement. That doesn’t sound like fun. They gave me some Norco (hydrocodone / acetaminophen), but I only take it right before my PT sessions to take the edge off when the sadistic therapists make me do things that I don’t want to do because of the pain. Hopefully this, too, shall pass.

      Liked by 1 person

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  5. Irene January 28, 2023 / 4:11 am

    😂 I am sure your initial response did not come out exactly as you quoted, but probably you are thanking the PT now that you are home and on the way to recovery. How lucky indeed you are to have Mrs. Fandango by your side, there’s no place like home! My best wishes for a speedy recovery!

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    • Fandango January 28, 2023 / 12:05 pm

      I probably didn’t use that exact language, but close. And yes, I am grateful for their determination to get me up and around. And definitely yes, I am a very lucky man to have Mrs. Fandango at my side.

      Liked by 2 people

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  7. Paula Light January 28, 2023 / 5:26 am

    Yay! What a relief to be home ❤️

    Liked by 2 people

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  9. Marleen January 28, 2023 / 7:14 am

    Please do your assigned exercises regularly.

    Liked by 2 people

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  11. pensitivity101 January 28, 2023 / 8:00 am

    Glad you’re home. Good nurse to get you on your feet. Here they have you walking around the following day, same with a knee replacement.

    Liked by 2 people

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  12. Maggie January 28, 2023 / 8:27 am

    So glad to see you are home and that you have someone who cares deeply about you. Everyone says the earlier you put in the work and keep at it the more fully you will recover. Sending you positive thoughts for a quick recovery.

    Liked by 2 people

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  13. Misky January 28, 2023 / 8:48 am

    My best friend is physical therapist. She’s one tough one bird with the softest of hearts. Delighted you’re home, and being loved and well fed.

    Liked by 2 people

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  15. JT Twissel January 28, 2023 / 10:53 am

    My first couple of “walker days” I wore loose fitting vests with deep pockets for my phone and anything else I might need to eliminate the need to get up and down. My favorite writing chair is a slide rocker and so that presented some big challenges. Best of luck with the therapy. It gets easier.

    Liked by 3 people

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  16. Lou Carreras January 28, 2023 / 11:21 am

    It’s tough when you get those ex-Navy nurses. But be grateful it wasn’t a former chief petty officer with an attitude , they’ll make you walk to the bathroom the first day.

    Liked by 2 people

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  17. jilldennison January 28, 2023 / 4:19 pm

    Glad to know you’re back home! I hope your therapy session tomorrow goes well. I LOVE that nurse’s attitude! Also love what you said to her, which is exactly what I would have said to her in similar circumstances! Heal well and quickly, my friend! The world needs you!

    Liked by 2 people

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  18. Nope, Not Pam January 28, 2023 / 6:27 pm

    I hope its all going as well as it can, perserverance is the key to rehab. Just suck in a deep breath and focus on the end point

    Liked by 2 people

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  19. jai January 28, 2023 / 8:14 pm

    You’ll get in time there, Fandango. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

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  20. Jay January 28, 2023 / 8:25 pm

    I’m so glad you’re home! Enjoy your time at home, and I hope therapy starts getting easier with time! Post-op sucks, but it’ll get better in time! Take good care of yourself, and when you can, let your lady know how valuable she is! Wishing you both all the best! 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

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  21. Marleen January 29, 2023 / 6:56 am

    What Marxism is Missing

    Liked by 1 person

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  22. Gr8BigFun January 29, 2023 / 4:14 pm

    Sounds like you did it out of fear! Lol. Glad to hear you are on the mend.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Fandango January 30, 2023 / 10:00 pm

      Thanks. Somehow this comment got sent to my spam folder. I can’t imagine why.

      Like

      Reply
      • Jewish Young Professional "JYP" January 31, 2023 / 9:46 am

        WP thinks I’m a spambot. I tried contacting Askimet and apparently have not yet managed to convince them of my humanity (other bloggers have mentioned that I ended up in spam). Just think – you could feature me as your spam comment of the week! 😁

        In any case, wishing you continued and speedy recovery

        Liked by 2 people

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        • Fandango January 31, 2023 / 9:41 pm

          Are you sure you’re not a spambot? This comment also ended up in my spam folder. I can’t find anything in your comment that is offensive, inappropriate, or robotic.

          But thanks for wishing me a speedy recovery! 😉

          Liked by 1 person

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          • Jay February 1, 2023 / 7:59 am

            Spambots will always tell you they’re not spambots, don’t you know that? 🙂

            Liked by 2 people

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