a not too lazy Sunday

While I feel like I am no doing much, it still takes great effort to do the little I do. But it didn't take any effort to think good thoughts about my dad all day (we talked yesterday and left messages today). This morning I woke up feeling pretty uncomfortable in my own skin. I popped my percoset and stretched out on the recliner. Betty brought up the paper and some good morning conversation. Later she made me an omelet - delicious! - with tea and juice and grapes. We talked about family and growing up and how I got to be so responsible and independent. It was a nice slow morning, and I didn't feel up to managing the stairs just yet, so I stayed as comfortable as I could in the recliner. Mom and I talked briefly, and she suggested that I should see about getting a wheelchair for things like going to the park for jazz in the evenings. What a great idea! Then I would have a place to sit! Betty offered to walk down to St. Paul's and wheel one back, so while she did that, Britta and Ryan stopped by (after taking my bike to the shop to be fixed). It was pretty funny to me - Britta called and asked where the bathroom was and if the door could be open when she got here. Well, I move as quick as I can, but it is definitely not two stairs at a time. And when I reached the second floor I realized I needed to go back up to get my key to the front door. I was five steps from the bottom when I saw her coming up the steps. She made it to the bathroom, but I had a little giggle at the whole predicament. It was nice to sit in the backyard and talk with them...until my amazing bike tech called from Denver Bike and said it was an easy fix - PHEW!!! Britta and Ryan took off, so they could deliver the bike to my new home (won't get to ride it for a while) before heading home. Hooray! My heroes! And the best part is that they celebrated six years of marriage last Sunday, and today I wished them a belated happy anniversary and apologized for not saying it sooner, to which Britta replied that it was the third time I wished them a belated anniversary this week. Hee hee...guess I don't remember everything I said, Miki. Brian, a colleague, picked me up for a work meeting at two, which was only about four blocks away. I felt pretty stupid trying to get in work mode while the percoset was making my mind swim. After a couple hours, he took me back to Betty's house to rest my brain. We played some dominoes and waited for a super special dinner. Jon and Vernita made eggplant parmesan - such a special treat. They stopped by on their way to Jazz in the Park, and the conversation was a treat, too. I had two pieces and had to restrain myself. Betty and Jennifer only had one piece each. Jennifer helped me and the little travel wheelchair get to the park. I dared not miss it, since it is our "family dinner" now and Mary and Hafner's last one before they leave for Mexico on Thursday. It was a real trek to get into the park, but I enjoyed seeing Mary and Char and other friends. I especially enjoyed stopping at Lik's for a treat on the way home to Betty's. Tomorrow I have an appointment with my doctor and will try to go to the office to do some work. We'll see...to bed for me now. PS - I pooped again, what a relief! "/

So tired...

I cannot nap! I am having a tough time actually napping, though I feel so exhausted. Today I had a pancake and then napped, but I couldn't fall asleep. It may have been my sheer excitement about finalling pooping this morning! Phew! That was tough! But I couldn't sleep. Betty and I had a little sandwich before Minerva stopped by with ice cream from Liks - YUM! We had lots of fun talking and talking and talking. Betty and I played games today, but really I feel like I didn't exert myself much. Rudy and Nancy picked us up for church and then treated us to dinner at CityGrille. Such fun! So how can I be so tired when I am not even moving a lot...whoosh! And my hip feels so sore along the outside and along the inside incision - which looks like it has weeped a little on the new band-aid. I also think my right leg is a bunch longer than my left, which makes things a little tough. It is easier on the crutches when I wear my left flip-flop, but not the right one. Random thoughts before I go to bed. Well, tomorrow, maybe I will try harder to nap! Happy early Father's Day to all the gents...

Thank God it's Friday!

Today I showered!! Woo hoo! I got up and had a yummy pancake before Betty left for Metro CareRing to volunteer. Still no poop! Mary gave me a bottle of stool softener leftover from her hip-scope surgery last year, and maybe they've gotten old - sure aren't working in a hurry! So of course after breakfast comes naptime. A short nap, to be sure, because my next visitors were on their way: Jessica and Stephanie stopped by after youth garden programming for a work meeting. (Anna Belle told me slowing down would be hard, and Fr. Don prayed I would have patience, but it's so hard!! I figured if I could ease my way back into work, it would be easier on my body.) I was embarrased to look so bad, but I smelled even worse. So after lunch I had some quiet time - read the paper, tried to nap, worked on my computer. And then...the moment we've all been waiting for...SHOWER!! I took off the bandage, which I sort of miss because of the padding it provided. The pads were really gross and full of dried blood. Across each of the incisions is an asterisk of medical tape, and they look gnarly, too, but they stay on. So with the help of a little plastic chair in the shower, I got clean. Betty even changed sheets for me, so I could enjoy my freshness a little longer. I didn't have any plans for my Friday night, so Betty invited me to join her and her children to the grand opening of Jonesy's Bar. It is only a couple blocks away, so we walked. I had an Izze, and her son-in-law joked that if I shared my percoset, they'd share their beers. It was fun to hang out with them - I was a bit woozy, but my hip hurts more toward the end of the day. It is especially sore on the outside. I did schedule a doctor's appointment for Monday, so I will learn more about the "fall-out" of my surgery. later...

First visitors...

So I was up earlier than I needed to be, but Betty was ready for me. I quickly popped my percoset, hoping to make the pain go away. Betty brought up the tray with toast and yogurt and apple juice. She also brought me the paper, which had a nice cover article about gardening with a mention of Denver Urban Gardens. About as quickly as I had finished eating and reading part of the paper, I was asleep again. When I woke up, it was time for lunch...time for lunch? Where does a day go?!? I worked my way down the stairs, so I could get a little exercise before lunch time. After smelling the roses and talking outside for a little rest, Betty made grilled cheese sandwiches. Since she learned at breakfast after brewing both coffee and black tea that I don't drink either, she made me hot cocoa for lunch. My first visitors came after she smoked me in Yahtzee - a surprise visit from Jennifer and her dad, Davis. What a treat! We talked for a good long while before Jennifer had to go back to work. She made plans to come back and have dinner with me, when Betty would be out volunteering. I made my way back up the stairs to rest, but couldn't sleep. Work and the move consume my thoughts, so I checked my e-mail and started taking care of work. My second visitor - also one of my firsts - Jennifer and I baked some corn bread Betty made and heated up some leftovers. When Dorothy stopped by to drop off Betty, it was good to hear all that she is up to these days. And then Betty, Jennifer and I watched a movie. Exhausting! All in all - I stink, but look forward to my first shower Friday afternoon. I am getting around on my crutches pretty well, but my hip is still sore. The percoset makes me a bit woozy, but it is better than being woosy from pain.

bummed out...

bummed out? drugged out? Or really, really blessed? I think they are all true. First of all, on my way to Betty's house to drop off my things for after surgery, a bungee got loose and caught in my back wheel, wrapped around the gear and ruined it. I was able to ride safely to Betty's house by the grace of God. Thank you, God! So blessed! Secondly, my surgery went really well, and Fr. Don found me just in time to give me a blessing before they sent me off to the other floor. The staff were all really wonderful. I was well-drugged and don't remember any of it. Unfortunately, when I came to in the recovery section, I was experiencing a lot of pain in my right glute (butt muscle) and side of my leg. I was writhing in bed trying to find a comfortable position, but it just hurt until I cried. I have a pretty high pain tolerance, so I was really discouraged. They asked if I wanted to stay over, and I cried more and said I wanted to go home, but in the end I stayed to get the pain under control. I talked to a lot of people on drugs, and I mostly remember everyone I talked to, even my sister who said I would forget. So drugged out! Thirdly, my doctor showed me pictures of what they saw: some really pretty labrum and some "shredded" labrum. This they trimmed out. Unfortunately, they also found exposed bone on my femur head. The cartilage was damaged, and seemingly has been deteriorating a bit. They created three holes in the bone, so it would bleed - a micro-fracture. The idea is that it creates a cartilage like scab/scar tissue over it to protect it. I felt like I had an ah-ha for those days in the month after the accident when the pain was so deep I couldn't reach it or touch it. Because of this injury, my best case scenario went out the window. I expect to be on crutches for five weeks, and it will be six months before Dr. Bazaz thinks we will know how well the surgery went. Bummer, huh? But all in all, I am super blessed with friends who are taking car of me. Jennifer brought my blanket to the hospital; Mary stopped by for a visit; Britta and Ryan are taking my bike in for an estimate; Anna Belle and Minerva came to the hospital during gathering for a visit (and support when the doctor came to deliver the bad news); Johnson picked me up and took me to Betty's house; Erik made a shirt for me and left it at Betty's house; and Betty made me lunch and dinner, picked up my prescription, and is thoroughly taking care of me for a little while. Five weeks! July 15th is five weeks. That is a really long time, and though I struggle to do so, I need to ask for help. Minerva and her boyfriend and Andrea and her boyfriend helped me move big stuff into my apartment, but I need help packing the little stuff, my plants, my clothes, and getting stuff moved to my new apartment. I also need help cleaning the Columbine House. If you are able, I would be most appreciative. Or if you can just give me a ride somewhere, I will need that, too. Though I can bike on a stationary bike, I am not sure when the doctor will clear me for street biking. Thanks, friends. tori

parched

I can feel my mouth drying out. I brushed my teeth, and I guess I can dump my water on some plants because I can't drink anymore. No food or beverages until after surgery! I did drink a lot of water this evening, so I hope it is helpful to get me until surgery at 12:30pm (I will be biking in the morning and walking to the hospital - I will definitely be parched then!) instead of keeping me up all night peeing. "/ I forgot my camera to take pictures of my new house with even more plants after another delivery with my boss's truck today. However, after I showed it to Johnson and we walked to get some dinner, I picked up a sixer to stick in the fridge. Only thing in the fridge right now, but I figured a Deschutes Brewery Green Lakes Organic Ale will be just what the doctor ordered when I get back to that house. I met a couple more neighbors. John and Laura live on the first floor on the other side of the house. John said the dude that rides the Harley lives over them, and Jack, a young guy, lives over me. The guy below them just moved out. So that's the lowdown on my neighbors. They seem nice enough, though I am not a fan of the cigarettes. I look forward to our first cookout or something. Of course, I would want to try to plan something like that. "/ All right - I need to go to bed. peace

Tired...

To bed I must go! This morning I got up for a garage sale that was not to be. I wasn't in the loop that the rain was keeping our shop closed, but with a forecast in the 70s, I knew it would last. I made some eggs and potatoes and headed to the porch with the paper. As the sidewalk dried out, our first customer arrived. A young man from Atlanta starting residency in internal medicine here (I have great customer service, huh?) slowed down in front of the house and stared. I waved and asked if he was looking for the garage sale. Indeed he was, so he parked and checked out the remnants from yesterday. He walked away with a coffee table and a few lamps and left twenty bucks behind. I finished the comics and my juice as more customers arrived. I think I win the prize for biggest sell - sold the pool table and the Budweiser lamp that hung over it. We had a handful of other folks browse through books and such. We cleared over $350 (under $50 for me). The better news is that I moved into my apartment! Minerva is such a lifesaver. She and her boyfriend Eric came with the Metro CareRing truck. Eric could lift everything by himself, so my back is not nearly as sore as it could be. I did move as much as I could out to the front before they came. The first two loads went with my other lifeavers - Andrea and Shawn with their vehicles. I owe them all big time. Minerva left me at my new home, which doesn't have a name yet, and I started arranging furniture. It seemed like so much going over, but it seems pretty manageable once arranged. I still have clothes and a handful of other boxes, plus plants. They will have to wait for another week, unless I get really crazy tomorrow evening. I didn't take my camera, but maybe tomorrow I will stop by. The "before" video wouldn't load because it is too big. The "after" will look so different! One last thing before I go...I met my neighbors below me on my way out to Jazz in the Park. One is a drummer, as I learned during the day. It wasn't bothersome, so not a big deal, but I thought since I made so much noise moving in and now won't be around for a week, maybe they should know I am for real. So I knocked on door #2. Max opened up. I said that my name is Tori and I moved in upstairs. "Joy?" he asked. "No, Tori, short for Victoria," I responded. HE pointed to his hearing aides and remarked that he doesn't understand because he is hearing impaired. I repeated myself and finger-signed my name, and he thought it was cool I know a little sign - I told him my best friend all growing up through school is hearing impaired. He introduce me to his younger brother Josh, who is also hearing impaired and getting a cochlear implant on Wednesday. Next to Josh is Andrew, Max's roommate - the drummer. We all chatted for a little bit: they are students at Metro State, they both bike to school, they moved in at the beginning of April, and Andrew is in two bands. It was good to meet them, and I look forward to being neighbors with them. Well - I am pooped...over and out.

So exhausted!

The ladies at work asked if I would get lots of rest this weekend to get ready for surgery, and I just laughed! Friday night: work the door for Mary's improv/sketch comedy show. Saturday: set up garage sale EARLY, pick up keys for new home, church, dinner with Nikki. Sunday: pack (now another garage sale day, so packing will be limited), move big furniture into new home, family dinner at Jazz in the Park. BUSY!

The garage sale was mildly successful. I am not really selling much personally. I am trying to help a few plants find new homes, just because I have soooo many (fifty house plants?). We have probably $50 in household housewares. The rest is Mary's, Hafner's, and Niffer's clothes and stuff. So Niffer and Mary made a bunch of dollars today, but maybe only a fourth of what they are selling. So....tomorrow we'll be at it again, though I will have to be coming through with furniture by the afternoon.

I did pick up my keys. And to make sure that the keys worked, I stopped by, took measurements, and took these photos. More to come...

Is my stress level inversely related to gas prices?

Nope - just a coincidence! And I still haven't purchased a car. BUT...after agreeing to move in with a friend, she decided Monday to sell her house and move out of state. Coinciding with "that time of the month", I totally breaking down. I called my mom on Monday and cried for some prayers. Work - house stuff - surgery - too much at once! All culminating in my head and calendar as a disaster - move out of the house on crutches? Yeah right! And where to?! Well, all the prayers worked. I saw an ad on craigslist that actually led me to a different website to a newly listed apartment recently lowered in rent, and after responding, it turns out I was the first to see it! I signed a lease this afternoon, pick up keys on Saturday (a good excuse to take a break from our garage sale), and will move in all my big furniture with Minerva and her boyfriend and the Metro CareRing truck. Had all this not worked out, my Dad or little brother would have joined me at the end of the month to move, but since the Columbine house will be vacated by everyone else by/on the 19th, this is better. It will be better for me to get this done before surgery, too. Surgery is on Tuesday at 12:30 pm my time. Please pray for me - I am trying not to make a big fuss of it. I feel like I should be a "big girl" about it and just walk to the hospital on Tuesday, have surgery, call my friend for a ride to my friend Betty's house, and get over it. A little bit of me doesn't think it is really that easy, but I want to believe it is. It's just not a good time for the Denver Family - everyone has stuff to take care of, work, or school. So I will stay at Betty Woolsey's house for a few nights. It will be better than living alone. I probably won't actually start staying at my new place until the week after when the crutches are gone. My new address will be 2300 Williams St #1, Denver, CO 80205. You can look up the place on google and do the street view - it is the NE corner, and I have the first floor apt with south facing windows. Anywho...what a relief!! In other good news, Ahna and Oren had Ezra Kyle Bersagel-Briese this morning at 3:313 am (c-section because he was too big for her birth canal) - 9 pounds, 21.5 inches. He is a cutie! I got to hold him at 10 hours old! Check out his webapge - littlehippie.wordpress.com. loveyouallsomuch...tori