Monday, October 27, 2008

Back in the Saddle...

I'm trying...I'm really really trying to get back in the saddle again.

But that horse is so darn tall !!


I have found myself trying to find motivation and inspiration wherever I can. The only place I have truly found it is in the kitchen. I love to cook and I love my cooking magazines. During my hiatus I have gone thru all my back issues of Gourmet and Bon Appetit and have been playing in the kitchen with some wonderful foods. My kids are LOVING it...the husband...well... he is trying to love it but he doesn't have much of an appetite.

On that note...thank you so much for your comments and emails of concern. I will fill you in on a bit of what I have had going on.
The husband went in, just over a month ago, for some "routine" arthroscopic outpatient surgery on his knee. The surgery went swimmingly well. It happened on a Thursday...I dropped him off and he had a big smile on his face as he stepped thru two big swinging double doors. Off to the operating room to relieve the knee pain that was keeping him from doing all the things he loved.

Working out, playing golf , a sound night of sleep... and our 5 a.m walks. Hellloooo? Remind me why I am getting up at this unimaginable hour to go for a high impact hour walk just to watch you limp along??


The surgery was just what the doctor ordered and his doctor was the best in Northern California (the old man should know since he has been in the health care biz for forever). So I drop him...I pick him back up...he is happy and life is good...he is already on the mend.




Friday holds a down day of ice and keeping the knee propped way up on pillows.

Saturday?? hey...if it feels OK... do it...

That is the motto for outpatient knee surgery.

So the old man is up and moving and climbs in the car to go to San Jose (1 hr away) for the 10 year old soccer tournament. Hey...it's only 2 games and about 7 hours of overall soccer and driving. Oh Colleen?? You are in Pleasanton at the 12 year old tournament?? I feel so good I am going to come hang out with you for a bit!!! (always keeping the knee up and icing it, of course). Sunday comes along and what does that hold???? Well the Raider game of course !! Can't miss that. (oh and let's end that day with a concussion and the ER room for the 12 year old...the second in 5 months).


By the end of Sunday life is still good.

"I feel good" the old man tells me.


Monday...back to work...still feeling good.


Tuesday...lovely day isn't it????


So I have to tell you...by Sunday I had pronounced that something was TRULY wrong. This was too easy!! You should feel pain...Pain beyond Tylenol. Where is the discomfort? This was WAY TOO EASY!!


I got a phone call Tuesday afternoon..."I'm not feeling well."

"Flu? Cold? Aches? "

"Nope...Just not feeling well."

Husband comes home and about an hour later we were off to the ER. It just so happens that he had developed blood clots from the surgery. The pain in his chest and through his back was not a heart attack like he thought it was. It was the numerous clots that had left his leg and had traveled up through his artery...THROUGH HIS HEART and had burst into his lungs. HELLO? Why were you downplaying this at home? You didn't want to panic me??? A little panic right now would go a long way!!


So 5 days in the hospital and many many hours of watching him sleep and me, monitoring every breath he took, we were finally released to go home. Only to return a week later from complications to his knee because of the large dosage of blood thinners he is taking.


I could go on and on...tell you about my mommas shoulder surgery that happened in the midst of all this...or about the flu that hit the house the day before the husband came home...or even the horrible horrible throat infection that the 12 year old just got over...or that flu has hit the house AGAIN!!!

But I'm not gonna go there. I will just sum it all up with...Life really is good...yet short. So let your loved ones know just how much they mean to you. Life is all about change and you never know when yours will.

You are probably wondering about my choice of photos I have here with this post. These are some of the photos that are inspiring me at the moment.

HATS !!

I am loving hats!!

Since I have spent so much time in hospitals and Dr.'s offices I have read all the magazines the waiting rooms have to offer. So I started bringing along my own reading materials and one was a book about the history of hats. I love them all...but don't you think the bathing beauties above are a hoot??

A hat???

To swim in??

Yes....change in life can be good.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Bless your heart. I'm so sorry you and your family have had to go through all of that! Make sure to take care of yourself, so you can keep taking care of your guys!! Hope everyone is on the mend and good as new soon!

Nancy said...

Oh Colleen...I am so sorry you have been going through all of this with your family. Life is full of challenges...each one unique. Having gone through my own battle these past few weeks, all I can say is...be hopeful, and laugh a lot!...it will help get you through life's uncertainty.

My thoughts are with you.
Hugs, Nancy

Anonymous said...

Oh my dear girlie friend.....how I wish I could reach out and give you a big hug. So glad to hear the family is on the mend. I'll be saying some extra prayers for you all and sending love your way.

xoxo
Lonnie

~dani~ said...

Oh yowza..I am exhausted for you! The worrying alone is too much. I am so very happy that your stubborn yet quite active husband is on the mend. Poor kiddies too fighting the flu and such. May it all just blow away with the wind and nothing but hugs, kisses & laughter replace it.
Dani~

Anonymous said...

God Bless you and your family Colleen.... as quickly as all of this happened, I pray that it will just as quickly get back to normal again.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Michelle
www.blissfultimes.com

Tinsell and Whimsy said...

Oh Colleen............I will never ever think I have had a bad few days again. What you have been through........is a testimony to your charcter, as you will discover. I believe something good always comes from something not so good........in some way eventually it reveals itself. You have had your three bad things in a row.......so clear sailing from now on.
Hats are at the head of my list too. They do make the person sometimes. I am glad you are finding enjoyment and inspiration in them.....and as for the food I wish I was a neighbor that could knock on your door.
I am thinking of you!
Sue

Kathy Hunka said...

You are such a trooper Colleen! I'm glad everyone is feeling better and Mike is on the mend. Hope you are planning a day just for yourself soon! Miss ya!
Kathy

Unknown said...

oh my...may all of your crew be on the mend soon. Take care and your right about life is too short. Jackie

Leticia said...

Oh Colleen, I'm so sorry but I'm glad to hear that things seem to be turning around for you. Take good care and thank you for the reminder.

Our Hands For Hope said...

Well just an ordinary week huh? WOW! And you think you'll have time to create by the 4th? Hope things begin to quite down for you ...
blessings,
Terisa

vintagepaletteart said...

Here's to smooth sailing ahead Colleen........you've had your share of rough seas......=D

Hugs, *Nana

Unknown said...

Hi Colleen:

You don't know me, but I'm one of the artists at Spooky Time Jingles. I was just checking your blog and saw that you posted a picture of the portrait in my living room! The pretty Georgian lady with the hat in her hand. I found her a few months ago at an antique store and fell in love!

I'm glad your husband is doing better and I love what you're doing for Spooky Time!

Nina Mason

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