It's That Time Again

The time to pack for the trip to Greece and trying to decide what I really can't live without is difficult. So I've pulled out just about everything I think I need and put it into 10 pound piles. We are allowed four suitcases of 50 pounds each plus carry on. Of course since Steve has his hands full taking care of me and the laptop, he considers me his "carry on".

The plan is to spread this stuff evenly amongst the four suitcases and try to maybe put a few clothes in as well. Again I need two separate wardrobes since I decided last week to go to Germany as well. My friend left a message saying that if I was coming she needed to make a trip to the winery. That did it for me, I picked up the phone and said yes, foot or no foot, I'm coming.

So what can't I live without? There are pecans, baking soda, maple syrup some for me some as gifts. There is coffee and kitchen gadgets. There is cutlery and scissors and really really sharp knives. There are sheets and duvet covers and of course my pillow. I never ever go anywhere without my pillow. Of course some of this stuff is available in Greece but here's the problem. We won't have a car immediately, there are no really good shops within walking distance, there is no mall close to us and the foot is still not good enough for long walks.

Speaking of the foot. This is the before...

This is the after...I went for a pedicure today. It's still not perfect and truly I had no idea that the recovery would be this long. I'm told the swelling could last another four months or so. But it does look better doesn't it? It was worth it, I hope. I just need to be able to walk pain free.

We're Outta Here

The foot is healing, albeit very slowly. I've done a little research and discovered to my horror that this swelling can last up to six months. It actually doesn't look too bad in the picture but at the end of the day it usually gets really red and a lot more swollen. I guess I have to spend more time with my foot up.


We are out of here for ten days or so or whenever we feel like coming back. We'll not really, we do have to come back sooner or later since we have a flight booked for Athens on September 1st.
It's just that my sweetie doesn't feel like working right now so we are heading to various friends cottages plus our own cabin for a few days. I only have dial up internet at our cabin and no Internet anywhere else. I'm looking forward to some swimming and fishing.... I'll catch up with everyone when we get back.

The Shoe Doesn't Fit!

I'll get to the shoe part later... As I mentioned in my last post we drove to a friends cottage on Sunday for a few days of rest for me and work for Steve. He had been promising to drywall a bedroom and dining room on their new addition and it seemed like a perfect time to go.

The drive up was a bit stressful for me sitting in the back seat with my foot elevated and became even more so when we lost half our brakes on the very curvy road. Luckily we were able to safely get off the highway and find a mechanic to replace two broken brake lines. Our friends who were waiting at a pre arranged meeting spot just ten minutes away came to get us and we left the car behind. I think we were incredibly lucky.

To say I was spoiled for the three days would be an understatement. I didn't take advantage of it though, I'm sure I was a good guest. Once settled at the cottage, this was my view for the whole three days, lovely isn't it...


While there we also celebrated Steve's birthday. Liz quietly baked her famous family birthday cake for him and I'd like to report it was delicious and I had more than one piece. Steve was thrilled to be remembered.

The shoe that doesn't fit. When I was given this boot last week I told the nurse it didn't fit. She was the snarky one who told me not to worry, it fit. Well it doesn't, it's about a half inch short. Now since I'm only allowed to walk on my heel this is a problem. My heel is now terribly sore from hobbling around on this thing. Tomorrow I'm back to the hospital to change the cast and hopefully take the wires out of my foot and I'm going to insist on a boot that fits. I can't imagine hobbling around on this thing for another four weeks.

Recovery - Day 3

It's not going as swiftly as I had hoped. I suppose I thought I'd be up dancing by now. Life's not like that is it. The fact of the matter is that this foot is a big huge pain, literally. I wake up every couple of hours with shooting pains in the toes that is worse than any pain I have ever had. Even the hip replacement wasn't that painful post surgery.

In desperation I phoned the wonderful anonymous Telehealth people we have here in Ontario for advice. I was told that the wires touch on nerves that cause the pain and to just medicate. Problem is that the pain meds given to me make me deathly ill. I can't take percocet without puking my guts out. I have some tylenol 3 that I'm taking but it isn't really strong enough. They put me to sleep for a couple of hours and then I'm watching the clock waiting for the next dose. I'm told when the wires come out next week it should get easier.

Tomorrow we are supposed to go to a friends cottage for 3 days. This was arranged long ago and I'm quite frankly dreading the trip. It's a three hour car trip and I'll be in the back seat with my foot propped on pillows. Once we get there of course it will be lovely. I'll be catered to and spoiled the whole time we are there. It is a lovely, remote spot in northern Ontario with a gorgeous lake view. The weather is supposed to be in the 30's so that will make it even nicer. I think a change of walls and view might be good for me. In spite of how lovely this room is and how beautiful the view of my yard, I'm getting tired. I just want this week to pass quickly, get the wires out of my toes, my cast changed and off these drugs.



There won't be any posts since there is absolutely no Internet were we are going. Back Thursday...