marcia – Page 20 – TheCapeBlog

Storage Unit

Peter and I emptied the storage unit today. We had very few items in there, but they were all heavy: Robert’s old desk, which went to the transfer station; Emme’s toy chest, which went back to Edgewater; and the futon, which is now in the basement at Dixon.

Wilt Stop

It got to 60 degrees today, so I put Wilt Stop on the rhodies and the azaleas. Evidently it doesn’t work on hydrangeas.

Picked up more LED lights on sale at Mahoney’s. Switched them out on the cluster of trees in front. Hung the solar lights on the shed.

Just saw a couple walking their dog in the field – in shirtsleeves.

Put away the tree and the ornaments. Bought a floor lamp at Cape Pickers. We now have light in three corners of the living room, and interestingly enough, it looks bigger.

Ron has been off his feet for two days now, and it has made a big difference. We really overdid it on Wednesday and Thursday.

Ron’s Right Foot

Before – Ron6 weeks after6 weeks after surgery

surgery

One Week Out — Ron's Foot One Week After Surgery, January 4, 2012

Two Weeks Out — Two Weeks After Surgery, January 12, Stitches Removed

New Year’s Day

Ron spent most of the day in his chair but is getting around a little bit better.

I was able to attend two New Year’s celebrations, the annual Woods Hole march around Eel Pond with hospitality afterwards, and a nature walk at WBNERR.

I made a Sicilian dish, arancini. The recipe called for a hamburg mixture for the filling instead of straight mozzarella. Messy but pretty good.

Recorded a bunch of Twilight Zone episodes on SyFy.

Comfort Kitchen?

Ron’s first and most extensive foot surgery was yesterday. He was “under” for three hours for an Austin bunionectomy and second toe arthroplasty. These were intended to correct hereditary problems that contorted his foot so badly that it was incredible to me that he could walk at all.

He’s been in tremendous pain, even with heavy medication, and nauseous from the anesthesia.

He tried to navigate between the bedroom and the bathroom with crutches, but it was extremely difficult for him.

So, this morning, I set about to get my hands on a walker, either renting, buying or getting the doctor’s order for one that would be covered by Medicare.

Turns out, one of the local thrift shops, run by the Society of St. Vincent dePaul, GIVES AWAY walkers because “it’s the right thing to do.”

I am still flabbergasted by this. The walker I brought him has some rust (I think it was kept outside because when I put it in the truck, some ice fell out of the legs), but it works perfectly well.

I stopped off to get a roast chicken at Stop & Shop. These are on sale for $5 on Fridays, along with loaves of Italian bread for $1.

This was supposed to be lunch, but Ron hasn’t had much of an appetite.

I heated up corn chowder last night, oatmeal this morning, and a couple different kinds of jello, applesauce and tapioca tonight.

I think Ron is sleeping now. I propped up his hurt foot, took his temperature and fed him an OTC med that stifles nausea.

We had no idea what to expect. It isn’t until we left the hospital that they told us the first 48 hours are bad and the first week is the worst.

Ron is remarkably uncomplaining, and I am hoping he’ll be much better tomorrow.

Lights, Ron’s Right Foot

Although we had a tree in Milton, we never had outdoor Christmas lights; unseemly.

Having never been in the habit, then, I enjoyed seeing other people’s displays, but never put even a single bulb outside. That is, until this year.

This was Ron’s second Christmas on Cape Cod and his first as a permanent resident. That must be the reason why I wanted to put up a string of lights on the clump of small conifers by the driveway.

Ron likes the idea of LEDs, and he generously bought a big string of them at the Osterville Stroll. I picked up a couple more at an after Christmas sale this week. They are frightfully expensive and emit a distinctive blue light, very different from the yellowish glow of the old style lights.

Ron also bought an outdoor plug that accommodates up to three extension cords. So, we’ve been able to string lights on the inkberry bushes on either side of the stairs.

I am quite delighted with this and very happy we set these up.

Our new dentist was able to squeeze Ron in for a year-end exam and X-rays today.

Tomorrow, Ron goes in for foot surgery, a very long overdue procedure. Fingers crossed that he will find it easier to walk once he’s healed.

Quiet Christmas

Did a little cooking (poached eggs, chicken stew with dumplings and pretzel brittle) and some laundry. Watched “This Week”, “Chain Reaction” and “Sixty Minutes”. We took a drive over to Popponesset to see the beach.

Except for a very used tool chest, we didn’t buy presents for ourselves or for Fluffles, although I did retrieve the cat bed Ron got for him a while back, and Fluffles is really enjoying it.

Rexhame, Gifts

Yesterday, we took a joy ride to find Joan and Tony’s new house on Rexhame Beach. We stopped at FarFar’s and the French bakery in Duxbury and Savers in Plymouth.

I distributed the gifts to our favorite people outside the family today. It was great to get this done. We are finished with Christmas prep.

Brace

Ron got his leg brace today and so far, so good.

He needs to wear it an hour longer each day. He thinks it will help him.

New Bedford; Snow

Yesterday afternoon, I introduced Ron to Sid Wainer.

He said he’d never seen a place like it.

I tried to find the fish markets afterwards and ended up driving for about 45 minutes through different neighborhoods, ending up at the on ramp to Route 6 near the First Unitarian church. I was very pleasantly surprised to see how much money has been invested in the city.

It is snowing now.