She Didn't Think She Was Broken...

 We have a couple of cats that live in our bedroom at the lodge.  Too many people have allergies to let them be free range, so they live with us only.  It's a large bedroom, with lots of windows, so they are happy for the most part.  Except that the kitten had reached kitty puberty.

Yesterday, Juanita and I took the kitten, "Pounce De Lion", to be spayed at a clinic, the Fort Collins Cat Rescue.  They are running a "Beat The Heat" special in February.  Spaying for $20, +$14 for a rabies shot.  So for $34.00, she was out the door.

We got her home last night and there was a replay of day one for our older cat.  Every time Pounce would get near the older cat, the cat would smell the new odors (probably disinfectants or whatever you clean a surgical site with) on the kitten, and the older cat would HISS UP A STORM!

I finally got fed up and painted some "Vicks VapoRub" on the older cat's nose and she couldn't smell ANYTHING else after that.

We all got a good night's sleep after that, and we are planning a nice, long, quiet, future with the little critter now that she is fixed.

Here's to hoping,

Bill

I DID IT! Back in the Saddle Again

I had planned on riding on Monday, but weather moved in too soon.  Tuesday was therapy day and town day with my Mom.  I didn't expect much today - a storm expected.  But guess what?!  Mid-morning the sun came out bright, the road was dry and not much wind (as in less than 10 mph).  Catch the horses!  I grabbed Jesse's halter and Bill went for Ranger, got to the corral and had a quick change of plans.  It was obvious to me that Jesse had zero plans of going out today, but Washoe quickly got up off the ground and headed my way.  He wasn't too happy about Jesse's halter, but if it meant getting out of the corral, well....  He was such a good boy standing at the hitchrail, getting brushed (I even got horse kisses - not normal from him) and not moving for saddling.  Yes, I put a saddle on.  Thought it might be a good idea, not knowing how much support my legs might need.  Weight-bearing is still an issue, so I was really glad I was able to lift Washoe's 40 lb saddle onto his back, although yesterday I loaded 5 50lb bags of horse feed into my car alone.

Did I mention that I feel like toddler learning how to use my legs all over again?  I am always amazed at the things I can now do, yet how much muscle mass still needs to be built back up to do the things I was used to, plus retraining and stretching the muscles that atrophied over the last 2-3 years.

I used the mounting block and was anything but graceful, but I did manage to get on by myself, and only slightly kicked poor Washoe in the butt.  Before surgery, I could not swing my leg over the back side.  I had to stand perpendicular to the horse, lift my leg over its back with my hand and then leverage myself over its back while I tried to twist into the correct direction, then lower myself down in a sort of sitting position.  I had to sit or ride in a doubled up position for 10-15 minutes before my hips could relax/stretch enough for my feet to get anywhere near a correct stirrup position.  Just being able to correctly - sort of - lift my leg over the butt and easily sit down is such a dream.  With a few days practice, I won't even be touching the butt; those muscles now 'learned' what to do, I just need the strength.

I couldn't stop grinning, Washoe watching cameraman, Bill.

We went on a short exploratory around a couple of blocks; didn't want to stretch things too much first time out.  Boy, could I feel those butt muscles that had been severed!  Washoe was a dream.  Mark Rashid did such a great job with him at last summer's clinic, on teaching him simple collection, he rides like Jesse now; very smooth walk.

I had a couple of promises to keep...and I did.  Bill got on Washoe first, to make sure he wasn't fresh.  No worries there even though it was his first time out this spring.  I had promised a friend that I would let Bill lead me  - on a lead rope - just for safety sake.  We did that (for about 4 steps)!  It was obvious this was the perfect time for the first ride, so Bill climbed on Ranger and off we went.  Ranger was the dufus who had to check out everything that had changed over the winter.  He practiced a lot of 'touch'.

Gotta practice more stretches to get the heels down, but I couldn't even do this before.

Well, I'm still on a high and there is snow in the air.  The storm has arrived....but I GOT MY RIDE!!!!
Juanita

Being Green Isn't Easy!

I woke up this morning to find the 'new' hip and leg had turned the most obnoxious yellowish-green tint.  I knew bruising would show up, but was hoping for some prettier colors first; you know, the red and black and blue and purple stuff?  I was informed that since this wasn't blunt force trauma (how would she know, she wasn't there) that I went straight to green.  I think I'll call the surgeon and tell him I feel cheated!  I've been really good, doing my exercises, using the WALKER, trying to stay out of everyone's way, etc.  Hubby has been a wonder, although he did tell his mother-in-law yesterday, that he was 'done'.  Good for him I knew he was kidding.  I also know how hard it is to nursemaid someone when you feel worse with the cold (as in virus, again!)  So I thought I would tell him publicly how much I love him and appreciate all he's doing.  Love you, Bill.
Juanita

PS-However, if anyone attempts to touch the green side, they will be soundly beaten with  my cane!  This gives a new meaning to deep bruising.

I'm Home

Well, I’m home guys…half way to my bionic state. So far, it hasn’t been as bad as I expected. I was very fortunate that our insurance company allows us to choose any facility we wish for surgeries; the surgery center attached to the orthopedic clinic was wonderful. I felt pampered the whole time I was there with a nice, homey, private room and super nurses. I arrived at 6:00 am, for surgery at 7:00. I was a little apprehensive when I was told it would be done with a spinal block instead of general anesthesia. They also gave me a ‘cocktail’ so I wouldn’t remember anything, and I don’t. It was actually a very pleasant way to have it done; no groggy after-effects. You just wake up feeling pretty good and not nauseous.

They had me up and walking in 24 hours and I was amazed at how much LESS painful it was to walk. I felt like I had a huge bruise on my hip, but it functioned normally. Woohooo! I have been given dire warnings about bending the hip more than 90* for the next six weeks. That is the tough part. Bill made a lift for one of my favorite chairs so I could sit at a table to eat or work a puzzle without bending over, and I have a grab-it from the clinic to pick things up from below my knees. I have a test for you all: spend the next hour just noticing how many times you bend a hip too far. Think about putting on shoes and socks.  Just sitting on a normal dining room chair is too much. I am vowing to not complain, though, as it will be soooo much better when healed. The girls at the clinic kept laughing at me because I only needed a pain pill for the other hip.

I do get sleepy really easily right now; it plays you out quickly when your body is trying so hard to heal itself, so I am going to let my bruised hip have a nap. Thanks to all of you for your prayers and well wishes. GunDiva got me a Nook ebook (future birthdays, anniversaries and whatever else she can work out of it) to help keep me in one place and entertained. Nebalee has plans on meals and the grandkids and friends in the area are all very helpful and supportive. And of course, I have a pretty fantastic hubby who has taken over all the chores of this log monster we call home. I feel very loved. Thank you all!
Juanita

PS-Bill thought I looked so cute in my newest fashion statement.

Let's start at the bottom, for those of you interested in copying the 'style':  gripper dot slipper-sox, pulled over the high-tension TED compression thigh-hi's, my new CSU athletic shorts and my favorite wooly wild horse sweatshirt.  Just to stay warm, I also added a wild horse T-shirt (not showing).  You can't tell, but my cane is electric blue!  Sophie won't leave my side, even when I whap her with the cane.  And this didn't even scare Bill away.