iPad Painting

"Cheery Toms" painted with Auryn Ink app on iPad with Wacom Bamboo Stylus

Today was the first anniversary of my stepping out the backdoor onto black ice when a mat gave way to the ice - I went legs akimbo - ankle FELL off of my talus bone..broke two out of three bones..my ankle doing a 90 degree turn from it's usual working spot.  I saw a lot flash before my eyes that day, including, will I ever be able to walk again?  I am walking - not the greatest still, after two surgeries - pins and plates and tissue and bone removal/clean-up and a year of healing and exercise and special care.  What an experience. I really hope ALL of you are careful when on ice or suspected ice.  I plan to make this particular anniversary the last to be 'needed to be remembered'. 

Anyway, stayed inside - even though I can maneuver ice with my ice cleats.  Made an afternoon of it with the iPad painting programs I have.

Happy New Year's EVE...

Every time I look at this photo I took, there's a song that I start singing in my head "Red Solo Cup..you fill me up...let's have a partay...let's have a partay..."

Got them from family for Christmas - they crack me up.  

Guess it's where we live - it has rubbed off on us.

My Good News

Today, I am thankful that I may be on the 

downhill side of my ankle breaking accident, finally.  

Since about 6PM last night, I have been more painfree than I ever have.  I keep waiting for it to return (optimism is not a strong suit when it comes to this issue), but it hasn't.  Even as it was swollen last night and needing it's usual 'icing' and elevation, it didn't hurt like it has been for 10 months.  Boy howdy ~ am I thankful.....!!!!!

Where I Stand Wednesday

SPECIAL ADDITION - Where I Stand 

Thought I would share my excitement with you!  Legs are up on my chair..but the left one can now - more comfortably - attempt to walk -without schlogging along in the cumbersome CAM boot and I can wear my other shoe, so my hips aren't gimping along, one higher than the other.  Crutches are still in the mix...but soon to be thrown to the side.  Lots more exercises, since I have compromised my right scapula (scapula dysfunction) during all this pulling up incorrectly and crutches walking.  I can feel the load lifted a little..I can see the light again. 

Where I Stand Sunday

(left leg elevated on pillows)

Welcome to my view of the last four days.  On Wed., it was cold and icy outdoors.  I had been on the backporch in my slippers watching the dogs do their morning thing.  G had gone to feed the chickens later, reminding me that it was icy right out the backdoor, on my way to work...knowing this, I so carefully and gingerly stepped on the mat at the door, which as near as I can figure, broke loose from the ice, sent me flying.  I felt my ankle twist - seeing (in my mind what I was feeling) it twist similarly to those NFL replays of football ankles twisting to the side the wrong way. Once I landed, I KNEW without looking and was afraid to look thinking I would pass out...laid there for a second...as my future several months flashed before my eyes.  Started screaming in pain...took a look, to see my left ankle dangling from my leg bone. 

Now we live in the country..and at best, you are on your own if you want things done quickly...so the 'crew' at the elevator were summoned and between three guys I was quickly placed in the back of the Jeep.  I called 911 from my cell to tell them I would be arriving at the ER in a short 8 miles.  From there it's kind of a blur. 

Broke two of the three bones you can break in an ankle break.  They had to put me out to 'reduce' the bones back into their socket...no 'bullet biting' for me.  Was sent on to a specialist in Kearney, Ne. and hour and a half away.  They said they wanted the swelling to go down before they 'plate and pin' it ~ surgery tomorrow...in Kearney, with what is deemed one of the best sports med/orthopaedic doctors going in the area. I tried to upload the X-rays, but couldn't find where I could copy or save them on the disks we were given.  The doctor drew a picture, maybe I can scan it later so you can see. 

Pain?  Yes, unbelievable!  I can see a long recovery here.  I am determined to do everything I need to to get back to having a normal gait after it is healed. They say that is the only way you will get it going unless you want to walk with a limp or cane.  Not me! 

I think my busy life has been put on hold for right now. Only one focus - to get this taken care of.  I hope to get back to painting or some type of art, as soon as I can sit up without the swelling going on. 

That will be awhile, but please check back.  I have my iPad in the bed with me.  I would love to hear from you.  I need some cheering....

Thanks to Kelli, Don and David for helping take care of me while G and I struggled with this unexpected emergency - there are such good people in the world!!