Bionic Update

Hi Family,
I have pictures but they are on Wylee's phone and he's not home. I keep waiting to do this and add the pics but then I forget to download them. Life is hard! I just can't seem to do pics like Karen or Vicki do. Maybe ... just maybe.... Do you think I should buy my own camera & actually take pics myself? Hmmm? Now, that's a thought. Nah. I don't think I want that responsibility! I will just have to add his photos later. Anyway... on with the up-date.

Well, I am now four months into the process of acquiring titanium-bionic knees. (I am an "official" card caring patient. Beware airports.... I will set of any and all metal detectors.) I still use my walker in public but I am starting to get around the house pretty well with my cane. I feel rather like a "toddler" doing the furniture-creep. I hold on to anything I can just to "walk" on my own. (It is kind of tough to "walk"when both knees are not functioning to full capacity.) Physical therapy decided that I needed "pool time." (And it's not for swimming.) Friday was my first day. Now, I will have one pool day and 2 regular therapy days per week. Pool therapy is "sneaky" because I do strengthen-ing activities that don't pull too much in the water but when I get "land-born".... YIKES! The sore and stiffness sets in! Yet, I think I am okay with it ... I'm at the point that I will do just about anything to really "walk" again.

I have delayed my back to work date until Oct. 29. I will completely miss the first quarter of the year. I faxed my doctor's note to my school and gave the secretary the "heads up." She didn't sound very thrilled with the news. My principal was off campus on that day... so I didn't have to break the news to her. The "temp-teacher" in my room is being hired as one of two new kindergarten teachers. Our enrollment was so high that they will be adding 2 new classes. My poor kindergarteners (which I have never met) will be getting another sub. My class size will drop from 25 to 17 students by the time I return. I do feel very badly that I have not been there for the kids but I do know that this is the time to take care of me. If I went back to work now... I would get knocked down by a 5 year old and never be able to get back on my feet.

The Lord takes "no excuses" and I already started back to teaching early morning seminary. Whew! Seminary starts at 5:55 am! It's hard to get up that early but at least I can get a nap later in the day so it is working out. I have 18 seminary students. Westlee is one of them. They like to tease and make fun of me hobbling in on my walker but I think the truth is that they just might be glad to have me back. Besides.... I also have my cane so if they get too mean... I can just knock them around a bit! Some days it's like the "blind leading the blind" to get everything in order just to begin our lesson. It's a good thing that the Lord has a sense of humor! Honestly, I am learning to not to all things so seriously.

A sister in our ward is working on completing her "Personal Progress." She asked if she could help me to complete one of her 3 hours projects. I couple of months ago, I probably would have told her that I was doing just fine. Well, my pride is gone! She was here for 3 hours this morning cleaning my carpets and dusting shelves in the family room. I must say that it feels so good to know at least one room in my house is spic & span! We did have a good giggle when she realized that it has been four months since I have been able to push a vacuum and it takes me 20 minutes just to sweep the kitchen floor. (You moms out there know that your kids just don't clean like you do!) It was a good feeling to know that she cared enough to come and help ME (and I actually let her without feeling embarrassed about it.) Yep! I am sure the Lord is chuckling of the life's lesson that I finally trying to accept and learn.

Well, my knees are numb and starting to swell. It's the sign that I have been sitting at this computer way too long & losing circulation. Time to exercise then ice & elevate. After reading this long thing.... someone needs to go out and run or ride a bike or just walk the trash to the street in honor of me.... I am looking forward to the day I can do all those things again. And I WILL SOON! (Or at least that is what the doctor and therapist are telling me.)
Linda