The Golden years

I wasn’t really sure whether or not to post this, but then decided to go ahead.

I was on my way out of New Mexico heading for Colorado when on July 5th my left leg calf started bothering me. By about 6 PM I could hardly walk. Around 2 AM I could still not sleep, I got up and drove to the Membris Hospital Emergency room and checked in. At 6 AM I had still not been called and the pain had subsided so I drove back to Elephant Butte where I was camped at the VFW. I moved from the WFW to Elephant Butte campground and spent Sunday night there. Early Monday morning I decided that I had better head back to Deming and get to a Dr. I checked into Sunrise RV park, then called and got an appointment with a Vascular Surgeon. The appointment was for the next day. Travis drove me to Las Cruces and I met with the Dr. He sent me straight to Mt View Hospital. The next day they did a angiogram.

The next day I have no recollection of. (Damn good drugs). The following day they did an arterial bypass on my leg. From here on out my time line is really screwed up due to the good drugs.

I think that I started living at Travis and Theresa’s on the 15th of July as I needed to have Home Health come in to check on me and they would not come to the RV. We had a small Birthday get together on the 20th for Theresa and my birthdays. Then on the 24th I could not handle the pain anymore and called the Orthopedic surgeon in Las Cruces and explained what was going on. I made the Dr appointment and was again admitted to Mt View Hospital. I believe it was on the 26th the Dr and I decided to amputate the leg. They wanted a blessing from the Cardiologist before continuing so Dr Leon was contacted. the following day Dr Leon came in to see me and check me out. Gave his blessing to the other Doctors. On the 30th my leg was amputated. Things again became a blur and at some time a few days later (Aug 1st) I was transferred to Rehabilitation Hospitals of Southern NM, which was only a couple of building away. I worked my tail off in therapy so that I could get back home and was released on the 12 of August.

I had an appointment with the Prosthesis Dr the day I got out of the hospital and he gave me a temporary leg/foot . I am not able to walk on it but it is intended to get used to the weight and regain some balance. I wear it 5 to 10 minutes a day and put as much weight on it as I can stand. It attaches to a brace that is helping me straighten out my leg so it will not bend at the knee. The next temporary should bend at the knee.

It is great being back in my own house although there was quite a learning curve to figure out how to get in and out of the house, taking a shower, doing dishes and all the rest of my house hold duties.

Things are going well so far and I start therapy this coming Friday the 21st. I have signed up for Senior Citizens rides to do Dr appointments, shopping and anything else that comes up. Will not be driving for quite some time.

I think that all this means is that I will not be leaving NM until sometime next year. OH Well!

Thank you to all that sent cards ,called , Emailed or visited. I really appreciate it.

Here is a link to a few pictures of my leg. Don’t want anyone freaking out so no imbedded pictures. If your brave take a look if not skip the link. Photos were self taken with my cell phone so quality isn’t great.

So long for now.

PS: I will get a parrot for my shoulder as soon as I can afford one.