Self Care

Today was incredibly full day. At 7:30 am it started with an appointment with the plastic surgeon who looked at my upper leg (I just do not want to call it "stump") to determine what it might need. At this point, there are a couple of troublesome areas, so he gave us some ridiculously expensive sheets of voodoo to help them heal. In a week, I see his physician's assistant and a wound care nurse to see how it is going and decide how to proceed. I left feeling optimistic that we are moving in the right direction.

Shortly after we returned home we had a zoom call with the team who helicoptered in to save my life. I learned that I was conscious and responsive when they arrived. I answered a few questions, and Jerry stayed close to me as they began to assess and stabilize me. They said he was a great help in keeping me calm so they could do their work. At some point I did let them know that the pain was unbearable and asked for their help, so at that point, they medicated me and my communication with them was over.

I remember absolutely nothing about the entire experience. My memories are a little vague while I was still in critical care and all too vivid while I was in the ward at Kings College Hospital. The team was incredibly gratified to see how well I was doing. And of course, I let them know how grateful I was to their speed and expertise to save my life.

I had been a bit concerned before the call that it might be traumatic for Jerry or me, but in reality it was quite moving to see their depth of care and concern. We still don't really know what happened, but to hear details on how hard they worked was immensely gratifying.

Later, I spent close to an hour on the phone with the wife of one of Jerry's closest friends. She is a therapist, but in this call she acted more like a concerned friend and someone trying to help me find ways to, among other things, get over the guilt I feel for upending Jerry's and my life.

She pointed me toward some online resources to help take better care of myself. In addition, we talked about ways to, despite my inability to do a lot, get out of my head. I used to crochet, and since that can be done with one hand, might be a good outlet while I listen to a podcast or music.

We were then visited by my in-home occupational therapist for the last time. She had a raft of questions she had to ask to close out my in-home therapy, and then she worked on my right arm and shoulder. Yowza! I am icing it now, but she was pleased that my range of motion is getting better. I have more confidence starting my outpatient therapy tomorrow.

Tonight, one of Jerry's pilot friends and his significant other are joining us for dinner that they are bringing. Despite the full day, Im looking forward to a visit that I hope will focus on something other than my arms and legs.

This week we start interviewing home aides. My hope is we find a good fit so Jerry can get back to doing things other than waiting on me. Self care needs to include helping to take care of the most important person in my life. Wish us luck!