Lance's visit

Lance came to visit me the past couple of days and I had fun. I don't know if he enjoyed laying around for 23 hours a day, but I sure did. He helped pass the time and I am so glad he was able to come. He even talked me into going to the beach to sit by the channel and watch the boats go by. I sat in my special chair and we were able to stay about an hour. He had to leave this morning, because Shane and Caitlin are getting married this weekend and he is in the wedding. I wish I could attend, and I can't wait to see pictures.

This bird sat by us at the beach. Must be a sign from God, telling me that life could be worse. At least I have both feet!! The bird did a good job adapting though, and of course he always gets the sympathy food from all of the beach-goers.

One more thing, Lance bought a truck from Dad. Now he can do some snowplowing this Winter. Bring on the snow....just kidding I still hate the snow! Looking pretty manly Lance.

Here I lay, one day closer to feeling better. I changed the look of my blog, let me know what you think. I am continuing to feel better everyday. Although not as quick as what I would like. I continue to go for walks, made it all the way to the pond with dad yesterday. Today, I rode in the car to Grandma Baker's house and back. It was nice, painful, but nice. I needed a change of scenery and Grandma's house is one place I wouldn't feel out of place with a walker or a back brace. Lance is coming to visit tomorrow so I am looking forward to the next few days with him. Other than that not a lot has changed. I still have 2 weeks before I get x-rays to show if my back is fusing properly. I will keep everyone updated.

Thanks for the booger!

Today I was able to sit on the deck in my "no gravity" lounge chair and enjoy the warm weather. My awesome sisters Emily and Jayme sent me an e-pad (the green booger looking thing in the picture). It is very nice and allows me to spend countless hours on my laptop without burning my thighs, or causing pain to my lovely stomach incision. It comes in handy for writing and reading in bed too, can you believe that I need a book/magazine rest because I get tired just holding the book!?! I have such great sisters, thank you both so much!!!!

Thanks Ernie!

Here is to a speedy recovery!

Ernie, all the way in New York City sent me this "sweet" cookie arrangement. She had me suspecting a delivery all day so I have been listening for the big brown diesel guzzling monster of a truck all day. It finally rolled up today and I was sure to send dad out to meet the guy at the front door. Due to the remodel I wanted to make sure there was no confusion ;) I think Ernie
forgot that I still have two more months of laying here...lets hope that visitors help me eat all these cookies. I think I will make them my snack during the olympics tonight..last night fruit, tonight COOKIES!!!! Thank you Erin for always being such a great support to me!!!

Here is a picture of Dad and I the day after surgery. I was able to go for a walk (about 10 steps) about 5 hours after surgery already...crazy! I love looking at this picture because I have not seen myself this straight in a long time. I have to wear the white brace for the next 3 months, by December it should be the new style. I also have to sport the white nylons (TED hose for all you medical people) for about six weeks. I don't know about you, but I think they make my legs look darn sexy...ha ;) Anyway, just thought I would post something to give everyone a visual of my new fashion attire.

Update:

I came home from the hospital on Sunday afternoon. It was a big job getting from the 5th floor in the hospital all the way to my bedroom at home, but I did it. So far recovery has been about what I had anticipated. I am however a little more helpless that what I had expected. I feel that everything is always just a slight bit out of reach. I am able to logroll in bed and that is about it, so I sleep on my back for most of the day and night. When I do get out of bed I am able to take short walks around the house, with the help of a walker or a person to grab onto. I have been wearing my back brace at all times when I am out of bed and am finding that it is not too bad after all. Before surgery that was my big concern and now it is the least of my worries. Tonight I am going to try to take a shower!!!! (I hope it is successful, because I have never gone this long without one). Overall, everything is going as expected. The incision to my abdomen is healing and will hopefully leave only a small scar.

I have had a few visitors today and that has helped to make the day go by faster. The Bouwens Family gave me this fresh fruit arrangement (it is going to be my snack tonight during the olympics ;) Thank you to everyone for being so helpful and kind throughout this long recovery!! P.S. please excuse my nastiness in the picture, the art of showering has not yet been mastered post surgery

Just a quick note to update everyone. My surgery went well and the surgeon said he was happy with how everything went. I have been up and walking about 4 times a day with a walker and they say I am doing good. I am having quite a bit of pain in my stomach where they made the incision, but hopefully that will get better in just a few days. The doc said that I will probably go home tomorrow, if I start to eat solid foods by tonight. Thank you everyone for your prayers and cards, I could not get through this alone. I can't wait to see everyone once I am all recovered and walking STRAIGHT again...whoohoo!!!!!

Uncle Steve and Aunt Sue brought me this pre surgery Northern Michigan boquet of fresh wild blueberries. No pesticides here!!! Besides being pretty, they were very tasty.

Just another reason why I love Northern Michigan!

With only 3 days left until surgery I am getting both nervous and excited to get the healing process underway. I am hoping that I am in my final days of being a question mark shape and I am so excited to get this over with. I am confident that having surgery will help and I told mom the other day "I can't even imagine a day without back pain...it could be in the near future and I am excited for that. God had great timing for my surgery, I could not get through this long week of waiting without the Olympics being on tv. How about that mens 4 x 100 relay last night?!? I was so excited I could hardly sleep. Anyway, I will try to keep everyone updated as I recover. Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, and cards. I could not get through this without my family and friends.

A Day in the Life

Today Smokes decided to "go green." I am not sure if he knows what the means completely, but I think he was trying to impress Aunt Betsy by utilizing her organic, reusable , MSU Spartans bag.

It is tough to be a cat in today's world. It is hot under all those covers!

I am not sure what is going on here. All I know is that when I arrived , the water in the toilet was moving. Maybe he was "taking care of business," wouldn't that be great!

Too much fun at the beach?!? He thinks the beach is the sandy litterbox, with a fan blowing through his hair. I just can't break it to him that there really is life outside of this apartment!

This creepy spider made a web on my porch tonight.....I seriously think I am going to have a hard time falling asleep because of it. Mom can you please come and smash him for me?!?

Lance drove me down to the water today and we went for a little walk along the waterfront. It was such a nice day outside. We watched a softball game at the field that over looks the water and we were able to find a flat rock to sit on and hang our feet in the water. I was happy to get out and pass some time. Here are couple of random pics.