Monday

 It's late and I'm tired...

but I wanted to do a quick update.

Rod and I got up and headed back

down to Wichita for a follow-up

appointment with the Trauma team.

They were very happy with his progress.

He continues to work with his little

blowing machine thingies....

(very technical terms...)

The one on the left you inhale and try to

raise the green thing as high as you can.

In the hospital he was lucky to get it past

the first line (500)

Now he is consistently hitting 2500

(where the green marker thing is...)

The one on the right you blow into 10

times, and make a little wheel flutter.

They were happy he was still doing it

and getting better.

They were also happy to see him using

a cane instead of a walker.

Told him he was looking at about 6 months

before his ribs would really be healed.

Every time you take a deep breath,

you kind of re-crack those ribs since

they are expanding - so it takes a LONG

time for them to fully heal.

But that's better than the 18 months

the spine doc said it would take for his

vertebrae to be totally healed.

In the meantime, he is supposed to keep

on walking daily. The best exercise

for him!

We are anxiously awaiting the delivery

of the new walking pad.

(January 12..... sheesh.)

And they worked with me with his

medicine schedules.

He can up his Tylenol.

He can lower his Gabapentin.

(or not... depends on his pain levels...)

I feel better knowing some of the

parameters and things to watch for.

Also suggested TWO Gas-X pills 

at every meal to help with the 

bubbles in his belly.

And... no need to see them again!

So, all-in-all a good visit.

After which, we ran over to the WalMart

and I bought some new rubber tips for

his cane. (They are too big, so will require

some finesse, but the guys are good at that.)

And... who knew... there's a Braums 

(our favorite burger joint) 

right across the street from WalMart!

If I had known that while we were living

at the hospital, I would have gotten

him a daily milkshake!!!

(Probably better I didn't know... lol.)

We grabbed a burger and shake to go

and hit the highway in order to be home

in time for me to start my class.

Back in the saddle.

And now?

I'm beat.

I'm going to go watch a little TV 

and then head off to bed.

HAPPY MONDAY!