Thursday, January 31, 2008

graduation day

I must have done something right today. My orthopedist, Dr. P, said I have a good attitude. In doctorspeak, of course that means the right outlook for healing. In spite of my weekend in the doldrums, I am apparently mending quite well. The doctor showed me my x-ray, and pointed out where new bone has already grown in.

If I wasn't so squeamish -- I threw up once in a restaurant when, after dinner, my friend talked about a hysterectomy she'd seen performed on the Surgery Channel -- I'd know more about the human body and this bone formation thing maybe wouldn't seem so much like a voodoo miracle at work. As things stand, I think the fact that I'm just walking around, doing whatever, and growing new bone at the same time and without even trying is some truly amazing stuff. Does this type of thing go on everyday? All the time? Or am I a medical marvel?

Because of all the new bone -- you should see it, it looks really pretty -- Dr. P announced that today is graduation day. I don't have to wear the CAM Walker II anymore; I've moved up to the Aircast air cast. I am loving this jiggamathing just like the good doctor said I would. It stabilizes my leg in a way that I've long felt it needed. And I can sleep in it. Not something I could do with the cumbersome CAM that spends all day kissing the ground like a regular shoe.

Ever since my accident, I've been meaning to ask the doctor or one of the nurses what the difference is between a break and a fracture in relation to bone. I had the impression that they were the same thing, but so many people kept asking me, Did you break your leg, or just fracture it? I can solve the mystery today. A fracture is not a cracked bone. It's a broken bone. A break and a fracture are indeed the same deal. In medicine, they like to sound a bit fancier than the rest of us.

Well, that's my leg report for today. Check out my air cast (try not to get distracted by the Marie Claire Idees lounging underneath my foot, heh). Let's be grateful for the low light, as it masks the hirsute nature of my leg. Any excuse not to shave at least one limb.

Heather mentioned that she wishes I would have taken a picture of the Kenmore. I wish I had, too. But you know how it is when you buy a good magazine? One you've searched for and really, really wanted? You know that feeling that you only want to crack it in the privacy and comfort of your own home so that you can delight in it and maybe go a little crazy over it without anyone interrupting you? That's the feeling I had. I mean, it was like I was going to date the darn thing. I saw that it was gorgeous, but I didn't want to oogle it full on, not yet. I felt a little, um, how else to say it? shy, in its presence. Ahem.

Also, because the seller was already having separation anxiety (the machine had belonged to her great aunt), I didn't want to seem insensitive by doing my happy dance right then and there. Man it was hard not to, though.

I feel that this machine has everything I need. But my mama didn't raise no fool, and I know that's exactly what I would look like if I made some declaration that I won't be buying any more machines. I won't for a while, but I did hear what Heather said about being a Bernina girl. ;)

4 comments:

Lola and Ava said...

As a former Kenmore girl who is now a Bernina woman . . . well, you get the picture. Any sewing machine that does what you want it with minimal struggle is a good one.

Congrats on your graduation! For some reason, I would think that you would be happier with this graduation than any in the past. Oh yes, I've been a drunken fool in the past too, but that only resulted in a broken toe and the self removal of my toenail so the nice Mexican technician could clean the wound . . . at least I was offered a shot of tequila to dull the pain, but truly, it was the tequila that got me there in the first place. Man, I miss Mexico.

A

Anonymous said...

Hi sappmama,
I read this the other morning at 3.30am and laughed so darn hard...hilarious. Unfortunately, I was not able to post because apparently my computer decided at that moment that enough was enough and it wasn't working overtime. So I gave up and went to bed.

Glad to hear that your healing is coming along nicely.

I had a new 'child' come home this weekend. Well actually, it was an Ebay auction but pickup was delayed for over a week. The wait was frustrating. BUT, when 'she', the child, came home...I sat all night long just looking at her...she was brand new...well almost and was a 2tenner auction. I just love sellers who place dinky pictures in their auctions and put off potential buyers.
I'll post a picture of her and her Sis in my Flickr so you can see her.
Heather

yaiAnn said...

Yay! Happy graduation! It must feel great not to have a clunky think leeching onto your foot anymore!

Adrienne said...

So glad you aren't in that boot anymore!