Today I embark on September trip number two, only this time I am not going solo. I decided to bring Robby along on my quick work trip to San Antonio. He is looking forward to experiencing the Riverwalk and seeing the Alamo. If the weather holds out we are going on an Alama Ghost Walk Saturday night.
While Robby and I are in San Antonio for the weekend, Scott and Timmy will be hanging out at home. I am sure that they will have fun playing with trains and watching football. I feel bad leaving my little Hamlet again, but I am excited about this trip with Robby. It has been some time since we have gone on an adventure with just the two of us.
Saturday afternoon Robby and I will be at the Limb Loss Awareness Day in San Antonio. If you local and are planning to attend, please stop by and say hello. I guarantee Robby will regale you with stories from sea turtle camp, and I have some swag to give away.
About Me
- Peggy
- I am a below knee amputee. More importantly, I am also Mommy to two boys, a very active 10 year old (Robby) and an mischievous toddler (Timmy). I have learned that being a parent with a disability can create some unusual and sometimes humorous situations. This blogger is available for hire! Let's talk and learn how a blog can expand your business.
Friday, September 14, 2018
Thursday, September 13, 2018
Weather Pain
The unsettled weather is wreaking havoc on my limb and on my psyche. With the hurricane churning a few hundred miles away, the pattern seems established for the next week. I have added ibuprofen to my morning routine, trying to get ahead of the pain but I'm not sure it is working. Of course, I don't want to forgo a dose and discover otherwise, so I'll stay on my dosing until I see the sun again.
It isn't only my leg that aches more than normal. My entire body is hurting. The pain isn't debilitating, but it is most certainly annoying. Every morning I feel like I'm waking up to a sadistic form of the pain lottery as I anticipate what is going to hurt more today. I am feeling middle age with a vengeance!
Thankfully we are only supposed to receive rain from the hurricane, sparing us from the originally predicted high winds and hail. The forecast could change quickly, so we are still preparing for the worst. Between hurricanes and the soon-to-be-a-factor snow season, we will probably need our supplies at some point in the coming months. In addition to bottles of water, food, and wood for burning, I'm adding the Costco size bottle of ibuprofen to the emergency supply list. Because regardless of the weather event, I will be needing the pain medication.
It isn't only my leg that aches more than normal. My entire body is hurting. The pain isn't debilitating, but it is most certainly annoying. Every morning I feel like I'm waking up to a sadistic form of the pain lottery as I anticipate what is going to hurt more today. I am feeling middle age with a vengeance!
Thankfully we are only supposed to receive rain from the hurricane, sparing us from the originally predicted high winds and hail. The forecast could change quickly, so we are still preparing for the worst. Between hurricanes and the soon-to-be-a-factor snow season, we will probably need our supplies at some point in the coming months. In addition to bottles of water, food, and wood for burning, I'm adding the Costco size bottle of ibuprofen to the emergency supply list. Because regardless of the weather event, I will be needing the pain medication.
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
September 11 Tradition
It is hard to believe that yesterday was the 17th anniversary of the attacks of September 11. In so many ways it feels like just yesterday. But looking at my family and my life today, it feels like a lifetime since I was that person.
Per our family tradition, the boys baked and delivered chocolate chip cookies to our local firehouse. Robby and I began the tradition when he was only a few months old. I struggled to figure out a way to teach him about the events without evoking fear or uncertainty. I finally decided that spreading kindness to our First Responders was the perfect way for our family to honor the significance of the day.
While Robby grasps the scope of the events of September 11, Timmy was simply excited to bake cookies and visit the Fire Station. (My little Hamlet finds joy and fun in just about every activity.) He was especially delighted by the invitation to explore and to sit in the firetrucks. When you are four years old, sitting in a firetruck with your big brother might just be the best thing in the world!
Per our family tradition, the boys baked and delivered chocolate chip cookies to our local firehouse. Robby and I began the tradition when he was only a few months old. I struggled to figure out a way to teach him about the events without evoking fear or uncertainty. I finally decided that spreading kindness to our First Responders was the perfect way for our family to honor the significance of the day.
While Robby grasps the scope of the events of September 11, Timmy was simply excited to bake cookies and visit the Fire Station. (My little Hamlet finds joy and fun in just about every activity.) He was especially delighted by the invitation to explore and to sit in the firetrucks. When you are four years old, sitting in a firetruck with your big brother might just be the best thing in the world!
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
Prepping
My weekend trip to Texas is looking iffy at best. With Hurricane Florence stirring in the Atlantic, Virginia is anticipating heavy rain and high winds at the end of the week. I am not terribly keen on flying through hurricane force winds, nor am I comfortable leaving the family during a potentially stressful time. Hopefully the storm will diminish over the next few days. (I realize that is not the prediction, but a girl can hope.)
The next few days we are in full storm prep mode. Scott is picking up some extra tarps on his way home from work to fortify our leaky roof. I'll be working downstairs and outside, making sure that water can flow away from the house freely. There is nothing we can do about water seeping up through the cement slap in the computer room, but we can make the area as accessible as possible should clean up be required.
Assuming that the airline offers flight waivers and the winds are still forecast to be high, I will be packing up the boys and driving to my Mom's for the weekend. If at all possible, Scott and I want to get the boys out of the danger zone. We stayed home through Hurricane Floyd a few years ago and it was one of the most angst ridden nights of my life. Scott plans to stay to stay in the basement should anything need immediately tended to after the storm passes.
I have so many friends in the path of this storm that I can't help but worry. I know that the internet is full of prepping tips and lists, but I feel compelled to offer another to the mix. Last year Dave and I recorded an Emergency Preparation podcast, focused on prepping for a disaster when you utilize a prosthesis. Check it out, and please stay safe.
The next few days we are in full storm prep mode. Scott is picking up some extra tarps on his way home from work to fortify our leaky roof. I'll be working downstairs and outside, making sure that water can flow away from the house freely. There is nothing we can do about water seeping up through the cement slap in the computer room, but we can make the area as accessible as possible should clean up be required.
Assuming that the airline offers flight waivers and the winds are still forecast to be high, I will be packing up the boys and driving to my Mom's for the weekend. If at all possible, Scott and I want to get the boys out of the danger zone. We stayed home through Hurricane Floyd a few years ago and it was one of the most angst ridden nights of my life. Scott plans to stay to stay in the basement should anything need immediately tended to after the storm passes.
I have so many friends in the path of this storm that I can't help but worry. I know that the internet is full of prepping tips and lists, but I feel compelled to offer another to the mix. Last year Dave and I recorded an Emergency Preparation podcast, focused on prepping for a disaster when you utilize a prosthesis. Check it out, and please stay safe.
Monday, September 10, 2018
Home Happy
The trip to San Francisco was productive, but my goodness, it is nice to be home. Five nights is just a few too long for me to be away from the boys. I know that there are others who travel far more extensively, but it is not my norm nor is it my preference. At my core, I am a homebody and I am okay with that!
Per tradition, Robby met me in the airport at baggage claim. I will never tire of seeing his sweet little face light up when he spots me across the terminal. Timmy stayed in the car with Scott while Robby ran into the airport to greet me. I heard Timmy squealing almost as soon as the car came into view as we walked to the parking lot. He was so excited to see me I feared that he would break the restraints of his car seat. I hope that the boys will always be that happy to see me, but I know eventually their enthusiasm will wane.
Because I was gone for so long, I am taking a short break from work responsibilities. Well, as much of a break as possible considering the circumstances. There are too many projects to walk away for an entire day, but I'm going to do my best to disconnect as much as possible, at least for a few hours.
Instead of heavy working, today will be spent playing catch up and pick up. I have some quick tasks that I need to finish up from the San Francisco trip. I also have lots of toys, dishes, laundry and assorted household items that need to be picked up and put away. It won't be relaxing for a day off, but at least I'll be able to get return the house to normal.
Per tradition, Robby met me in the airport at baggage claim. I will never tire of seeing his sweet little face light up when he spots me across the terminal. Timmy stayed in the car with Scott while Robby ran into the airport to greet me. I heard Timmy squealing almost as soon as the car came into view as we walked to the parking lot. He was so excited to see me I feared that he would break the restraints of his car seat. I hope that the boys will always be that happy to see me, but I know eventually their enthusiasm will wane.
Because I was gone for so long, I am taking a short break from work responsibilities. Well, as much of a break as possible considering the circumstances. There are too many projects to walk away for an entire day, but I'm going to do my best to disconnect as much as possible, at least for a few hours.
Instead of heavy working, today will be spent playing catch up and pick up. I have some quick tasks that I need to finish up from the San Francisco trip. I also have lots of toys, dishes, laundry and assorted household items that need to be picked up and put away. It won't be relaxing for a day off, but at least I'll be able to get return the house to normal.
Friday, September 07, 2018
Productivity
My leg is feeling better. It is amazing how liberating the absence of pain feels! Last night I was actually able to sleep and today I'm feeling both energetic and refreshed.
I still have two full days in San Francisco before returning home. This trip is a tad longer than most, and I'm starting to really feel the distance between me and my boys. At my core I am a homebody.
I won't have a lot of time to ruminate on feeling homesick over the next few days. Today and tomorrow the schedule is packed from early morning until late evening. I don't think I'll have problems staying busy until I fly home on Sunday.While I miss the boys, I am also feeling productive which is satisfying.
I still have two full days in San Francisco before returning home. This trip is a tad longer than most, and I'm starting to really feel the distance between me and my boys. At my core I am a homebody.
I won't have a lot of time to ruminate on feeling homesick over the next few days. Today and tomorrow the schedule is packed from early morning until late evening. I don't think I'll have problems staying busy until I fly home on Sunday.While I miss the boys, I am also feeling productive which is satisfying.
Thursday, September 06, 2018
Step By Step
As predicted, yesterday was bustling with activity. In between meetings and working on projects I met with the Prosthetist to test out my new socket. I find the socket fitting process frustrating under the best of circumstances. I always feel deflated when I slip into a new socket and it doesn't fit. I realize that is part of the process, and that unlike a pair of jeans the socket can and should be adjusted. But I abhor the process!
The socket did not fit correctly and was being tweaked throughout the afternoon. I know that it will eventually be perfect, but the steps that I need to take (literally and figuratively) to get to that stage are frustrating. I used to be an easy-to-fit limb. Everything changed after the surgery a few years ago.
The re-amputation after Timmy was born completely transformed my limb. While only about an inch of bone was removed, the changes in my limb are profound. I can no longer bear weight through the bottom of my limb, and I am now hyper sensitive to the pulling sensation when trying to wear a seal-in liner.
I should have returned to my original surgeon when I was having issues with my limb. Instead I accepted a referral for somebody local. At the time I was struggling with a newborn, recovering from a hysterectomy and in survival mode. I didn't have the energy to investigate options, so I opted for the easiest solution. In hindsight I would have done things differently, but that revelation does not help me now.
I become depressed and self-loathing when I think of the ramifications from that leg surgery. I am going to deal with the consequences every day for the rest of my life. While most of the time I have adjusted and I don't think about it, the emotions come flooding back whenever I am dealing with socket issues. Yesterday was one of those days.
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