No More Plate!

I went in yesterday to get the plate and 7 screws removed from my leg. The plate was put in November 15th, 2007. It is amazing what doctors can do! I have the coolest doctor. I think it is nice that there are people in this world that use their intelligence for good purposes. Others, not so much.

The day started out early. I had to be there by 6:30. Surgery began about 8 am. I don't even remember feeling sleepy and all of the sudden, I was waking up. Once again, my friends stepped up. I really do consider these friends to be part of my family. My family is thankful for my friends, too. I was able to go home for Thanksgiving, but I probably will not make it for CHRISTmas.

At any rate, the plate is out and I am hoping for max mobility now. This recovery should not be as long and hard as the one last year. I can put weight on my leg and probably walk without crutches, although, I am not pushing it and I am using one crutch for now.

The Story

The following are the lyrics to the song "The Story" which I really like.

"All of these lines across my face
Tell you the story of who I am
So many stories of where I've been
And how I got to where I am
But these stories don't mean anything
When you've got no one to tell them to
It's true...I was made for you
I climbed across the mountain tops
Swam all across the ocean blue
I crossed all the lines and I broke all the rules
But baby I broke them all for you
Because even when I was flat broke
You made me feel like a million bucks
You do
I was made for you
You see the smile that's on my mouth
It's hiding the words that don't come out
And all of my friends who think that I'm blessed
They don't know my head is a mess
No, they don't know who I really am
And they don't know what
I've been through like you do
And I was made for you...
All of these lines across my face
Tell you the story of who I am
So many stories of where I've been
And how I got to where I am
But these stories don't mean anything
When you've got no one to tell them to
It's true...I was made for you."

Fortunately, I have people to tell my stories to and I enjoy listening to their stories, as well. I do feel blessed this holiday season. Thanks to my family and friends. Love you guys!

It's Been A While!

Wow...it sure has been a while since I have written. I have been extremely busy during which time I have had many changes in my life.

My leg has finally heeled! It was a very long year. They say that you can probably count your "true" friends on one hand. I know who my true friends are because after this year, they are still here. :-)

I have taken several road trips. I have traveled to Searcy, AR several times...no, not to cache. I took a trip to the Jackson, MS area and grabbed a few caches and learned how to fish, although I'm not very good and I still can't take a fish off the hook. I also traveled to Fredricktown, MO. Naples, FL was my usual Spring Break location and I had a great time with my family. I made another trip there for our Fall Break. Mmmmm...relaxing.

This Thanksgiving will be spent in Chicago with my family. I will be especially thankful for my family and friends. My mom and dad are getting back together. :-)

I will be having surgery in December to have the plate removed from my leg. Hopefully, the recovery will be easier than last time. At any rate, I won't be going home but I will travel a shorter distance and spend Christmas in Searcy.

Anyway, Happy Holidays to everyone.

Summertime!

This is always an exciting time of the year for me. It is during the summer months that I do most of my traveling. I have a couple trips lined up already. This year is going to be a little different, though. I have access to a pool 24/7 and I still have my boat. I am going to have a hard time fitting everything I want to do into a day.

I have already got a little routine going. After getting up and doing a little (very little) house cleaning, I go workout and then head to the pool, or the lake or whatever. I feel really blessed to have the use of my leg back and I'm working hard at getting it as strong as it was before the accident.

I am looking forward to my next trip home to see my family. I really miss them! Christine will be in from AZ, so I will coordinate my trip so I will be in Chi-town when she is there.

Caching Again!

Since I broke my leg on November 11, 2007, I have not had the ability to do much. I had surgery on November 15th and had to be non-weight bearing for 12 weeks...3 months. I walked using a walker most of the time. Every once in a while, I used crutches. I had to be very careful on the crutches because the littlest misstep would have caused a complete relapse. I was off work for a month and a half, going back for a few days for get my students ready for their semester exam. Even then, I was in a wheelchair. I was unable to drive during the 3 months because the leg I injured was my right one.

Finally, I was able to put weight on the leg. But being able to put weight on the leg didn't mean I could walk. I lost all muscle in my leg and had to learn to walk again. I have finally started caching again and have even cached in the woods. I am trying to cache more by myself...the way I did in the beginning. No paper, no gadgets (except for the GPS), no hints and no PAFs. I love it. I feel like I did in the beginning and am thrilled.

I'm caching again, GOWT is back to being a positive site, I enjoy working on the newsletter, and all is right with the caching world. My new goal is to attack and survive some higher terrain caches in the near future.

A vigorous five-mile walk will do more good for an unhappy but otherwise healthy adult than all the medicine and psychology in the world. ~Paul Dudley White

Naples, FL-2008

Well, it was Spring Break...time for my yearly trip to Naples. This trip was especially enjoyable this year. After sitting around letting my leg heal, I was ready to hit the beach. It turns out, I healed just in time, and it is a good thing. Two of my sisters and their kids were in Naples and Marco Island during the time I was there. That means I was able to spend time at the beach and pool with the kids. Luckily, the leg held up to the punishment it took on the sand, in the surf, and everywhere else.

After arriving in Naples, we went almost immediately to the pool. The sun felt good...really good! During the next few days, I hunted some caches (which I have to say is refreshing in Naples...no LPCs), spent time by the pool and hit the beach. After that, my family arrived. I met them in Marco and we built sand castles, played in the water, and just enjoyed each other's company. The following day, we hit the shops. We all hung out everyday until it was time for me to go back to Memphis. It was hard to leave, but I have great memories to hold me for a few weeks...until I go home for Will and Alexis' First Communion!

No vacation goes unpunished. ~Karl Hakkarainen

State Bound

I left school two hours early on Friday (we all did due to the threat of snow) and headed to my PT appointment that I was able to bump up to 1:00 from my original 3:30 time slot. After completing my pretty tough session, I left the building to finally see a mix of precipitation. It was at that point I decided to head to Murphreesboro to watch our girls play in the state basketball tourney.

I drove through quite a mess and saw several accidents before making it to the building. I limped as quickly, and safely, as possible to the entrance, bought my ticket and headed in. It was a great game! We won that game, so now I had a decision to make. I was going to drive back after the game. The weather, my leg (that was very tired and swollen), and the other teachers that were their convinced me to stay. I was a able to easily get a hotel room in town since the other teams that had been knocked out all left town. I actually stayed two nights and drove back to Memphis on Sunday. Our girls finished second. They lost in overtime by 4. It was a great season and quite a trip. I love just taking off without days and weeks of planning!

Be strong in body, clean in mind, lofty in ideals.
-- James Naismith

Looks Good!

I went to my doctor today. Everything is still in place. I just have to keep working with PT and on my own to strengthen my leg. I have been getting down a lot lately, however, most of my friends have been extremely supportive and encouraging...my family is still a great source of strength, as well. Thanks to everyone who has kept me in their prayers.

Progress?

Well, last week, I was able to take a few steps without crutches. I got really excited thinking I was about to start walking. The next day, it was back to my crutches. It has been pretty much two crutches, sometimes one crutch. Still no walking. Then, out of the blue, I was at the mall with a friend of mine and I attempted, once again, to walk. I managed to walk about the distance of 4 or 5 stores. I get really excited when this happens, however, I'm waiting again for the back-slide. Hopefully, it won't come. Hopefully, I will continue to improve.

Reba/Kelly

I went to see the Reba/Kelly concert in Jonesboro on Friday night. It was good. This was my first experience really getting out into a crowd. It worked out OK, but there were some scary moments. Needless to say, my leg was pretty useless the next day. I actually had plans to attend a geocaching event but was unable to make it due to my leg. Well, maybe I'll be able to make the next event.

Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. ~Berthold Auerbach

12 weeks...Whoo Hoo!

I have finally reached the 12 week mark! I got great news from my doctor when I went on Thursday. He told me that I can now drive...Ha! He also told me to start trying to put all of my weight on the leg. THAT was exactly what I was hoping to hear!!! I am so happy. I celebrated with some friends this past weekend and had a great time!

11 Weeks Down

Well...it has now been 11 weeks since my surgery. I'm actually ahead of schedule at this point, which is great! The problem...because of my ACL surgery in this same leg that I had about 10 years ago, my doctor is being extra cautious. That means purposely slowing down. For those of you who know me, you know how hard this is for me. Patience is NOT one of my virtues.

My PT told me yesterday that had I not had the ACL reconstruction in my broken leg, I would have never broken it. Damn! At least I know that I don't have low bone density, Osteoporosis, or am "just getting old" (which, btw, I am).

Everything is still cool. I'm still thankful for my family and friends...they have been going through this as long as I have and are still there...and just when I had lost trust in true friendship. Amazing...God DOES work in mysterious ways!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today is a special day! What makes it so special? Well, it is my mom's birthday. Ya see, my mom and dad are my heroes. I could probably write forever about my parents. Don't worry...I won't. I will say this about my mother:

I owe everything I am to her. She is a very intelligent, unselfish woman who gave up working outside the home to raise her 5 children. When I was in school, I saw my mom all the time because she volunteered at school...ALL THE TIME. She went on school field trips, helped out in the office, worked Sunday School, worked all the school fundraisers, etc. In high school, I played sports all year long. She was at every one of my games. She was not one of those obnoxious "yell and scream at the coaches and players" parents. She sat quietly and cheered for everybody. When we played softball in the cold, she went during the game to buy hot chocolate for the entire team. She brought her father and my dad's mother home to live with us when my aunts and uncles wanted to place them into nursing homes. I can remember watching her play cards and scrabble with my grandparents at night after dinner (which she always made). After I left for college, she painted the outside and wallpapered the inside of our two story house, all by herself. She would also get up on top of the house to clean out the gutters. When I was in my 20's, my parents divorced. I won't go into the details, however, my mom ended up taking care of my 4 sisters while working two, sometimes three, jobs. She worked the "red-eye" shift in the ER of the hospital and cleaned houses when she got off work. She worked the "red eye" shift because she wanted to make sure she was home by the time my sisters got home from school. She still works in the ER, however, now she babysits my niece and nephew on her days off, while my sister works.

I could go on and on about my mom, however, I will just say that she is an amazing woman who has NEVER given up. She is stronger than anyone I know(although, I think that Barbara Spencer is right there with her!). I only hope that some day I will be half the person she has always been. So HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!! I love you and miss you and hope you have a wonderful day.

"All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother."

-- Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)

Good News!

I just got back from the doctor. It's funny...I really like going to the doctor about my leg. He always says something that makes me feel good. I feel motivated. It has been 9 weeks and 4 days since my surgery. I was suppose to have to go 12 weeks before doing anything. He is letting me start physical therapy for ROM and strength. He is also letting me put some weight down. I can't tell you how good that feels!!

We discussed a few other things, too. One being the removal of the plate and screws. I have been curious about how that would work. They usually don't do that unless the hardware is really bothering the patient. It would mean 4 more weeks on crutches. They wouldn't do that for at least 6 months. I'll just have to see how it goes.

Another thing we discussed was the probable cause of the injury. That is important because if I don't know why it happened, it could happen again. At any rate, he thinks it happened because of my previous ACL tear. The fracture lines seem to originate from the screw canal. That is good to know, since I was thinking that I had low bone density or the beginning stages of osteoporosis.

Now begins PT. I'll keep ya posted!


" Everyone who got where he is had to begin where he was."
~Robert Louis Stevenson

Movies

As I have mentioned in previous blog posts, one of the things I have been able to do while having a broken leg, is go to the movies. I have already mentioned having gone to see P.S. I Love You and Charlie Wilson's War. I saw those movies a couple of weeks ago and really enjoyed them!

Last night, I went to see Mad Money with a few of my friends. We got to the movie theater early for a couple reasons. One...we couldn't remember what time it started. I was either 9:25 or 9:40 so we got there early for the 9:25 movie. Turns out, the movie time was actually 9:50! (Hehe). The other reason we were trying to get to the movie early was to get a good parking spot and seat. You would be surprised...or maybe you wouldn't...at the number of people who park in handicap parking that have absolutely nothing wrong with them...physically. That rant is for another day!

The cast Of Mad Money included Queen Latifah, Dianne Keaton, Katie Holmes, Ted Danson, etc. The movie was not bad and seeing all that money in the movie made we want it! It wasn't too long, thus my back and were able to survive the whole thing. The movie was not bad and most importantly, we had a GREAT time!

A good film is when the price of the dinner, the theatre admission and the babysitter were worth it.

Alfred Hitchcock

9 Weeks Down

Well, with 9 weeks down, I have some mixed feelings.

On a positive note, I am terribly antsy and ready to get out and do other things. So far, I have been able to go out to dinner with my friends (yummy!), go see a couple of movies , hang out with friends, and go to work. I also made quite a long caching trip, grabbing 21 caches in 7 or 8 different counties.

On a negative note, I worry that my bones won't be healed within the initial 12 week time frame. I'm also worried that when I have my MRI, they will detect some ligament damage. I have an appointment with my doctor on Monday, so I should find something out next week.

Once again, and I can't say this enough, thanks to my family and friends for their prayers and support. I am so glad to have you in my life!

Let's see if I can come up with a really good quote.

“Healing takes courage, and we all have courage, even if we have to dig a little to find it.” ~Tori Amos

8 Weeks Down

It has been exactly 8 weeks since my surgery! Hopefully , that means that I have only 4 more weeks to go. With each day that goes by, I can feel my leg getting stronger and stronger. I have been able to take in a couple of movies (P.S. I Love You and Charlie Wilson's War), go over to my friends' houses and play Wii (which I love), and go back to work full time! The good thing about low points in life is that they are usually followed by high points. This is where I am right now. I can even laugh at my situation now. I still miss my family and my out-of-town friends, however, I talk to most of them daily. I hope everyone is enjoying the new year!

My philosophical quote of the day (he he he):

And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years. ~Abraham Lincoln

Happy New Year!!

As I sit watching the bowl games and searching the internet, I'm noticing the tone of everything seems all very positive. Times Square showed over a million people getting along to watch the "ball drop." All of the text and voice messages on my phone today were wonderfully positive. The members in the forums that I visit are all sending positive messages. The negative folks in this world seem to be fairly quiet so far. That is nice. It makes me wonder, though, what makes these negative people so mean. I looked this up and found this quote by Martha Beck.

Why are people mean? Here's the short answer: They're hurt. Here's the long answer: They're really hurt. At some point, somebody—their parents, their lovers, Lady Luck—did them dirty. They were crushed. And they're still afraid the pain will never stop, or that it will happen again.

So, when I see these people reappearing this year, whether is is on the forums, in blogs, at school, on the street, etc, I will remember the above quote and instead of getting mad at them, I will feel bad for them and wish them the happiness they are obviously missing. In the meantime, I will continue to watch football, talk to my friends and family, go see a movie, hit some wheelchair accessible caches, read a good book, go out to eat, play on the computer, and do all of the other things that make me happy.

Oh, and by the way, I would like to wish everybody a very happy, healthy, and prosperous new year.

Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. ~Benjamin Franklin

The True Meaning of Christmas

It has now been over 5 weeks since I broke my leg and had surgery. I have to admit, it has been a long and frustrating time, however, I have seen so much kindness, not only from my friends, but also from total strangers. People have gone out of their way to open doors, ask me if I needed anything, send cards, visit, bring food, etc. These things really make me feel good about holiday season. This seems to me to be what Christmas is all about. People caring about each other and showing it. It seems like a great way to honor the birth of Jesus.

This Christmas will be different for me. This will be the first Christmas that I will not spend with my family. My family, as most of you know, is very important to me. I have thought a lot about them. Instead of worrying about the shopping, I have spent my time thinking long and hard about the things that matter most to me... my faith, family, and friends. My family has seen some tough times, however, my sisters and I have very strong parents and they have taught us to be strong. Some of my friends have lost parents this past year and this will be their first Christmas without them. My friends will be strong, too, but it will be tough for them. Our faith will help all of us through the difficult times.

As I reflect over the past year I realize I have wasted a lot of time worrying about things that, in the grand scheme of things, really were not important...at all. My New Year's resolution for 2008 will be to focus on the things that truly matter. I wish everyone a very MERRY AND BLESSED CHRISTMAS.

I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.

Charles Dickens

Holiday Bash 2007

Location: Chateau Shinault (Team Sprout Int'l Headquarters)I have to say, I was initially excited about this Christmas party as we discussed it at Cheeseburger, Cheeseburger after the Flash Event. My excitement level waned after I broke my leg. I didn't think I would be able to make it. I mentally prepared for it for a week leading up to the big day. In addition to wanting to get out of the house for basically the first time in 3 weeks, I wanted to see all my GOWT and Delta Geo friends. Did I mention yet that Sprout and his wife throw one heck of a party? Food and fun for days! As 7:00 approached, I became very anxious and had very mixed feelings. Once I got to Sprout's house, the anxiety disappeared. The first person I saw was Steve and he had on a knee brace and used a cane to help him walk. Pcsenn & Wifey greeted me next. Wifey never left my side. She has to be an angel disguised as a cacher! Seriously, everyone was so nice in making sure I was comfortable and received plenty of food and drink. After much socializing, story telling, and food eating, the Dirty Santa event commenced. The gifts that everyone brought were so cool! We all especially liked the twist tinksdad threw in on his gift. His gift was the first one picked, so it worked out really well. GI Jane used her usual tactics that we are sure she "learned during her Army days," but unfortunately the gift was to good to pass up.

It was great seeing Steve and family. We even started discussing a super road trip to visit him. I finally got the opportunity to meet Itsmebigd and, of course, chatting with FamilyInFilm is always a pleasure. Bevofan has got to be the most giving cacher, as she gave her gift to another cacher that liked it.I can't wait for Hoot to hide his gift. Will it be wheelchair accessible? I doubt it! I know Paula was thrilled with her Dirty Santa gift! Bitbrain brought his now famous TB...thanks for not making me put that thing on my head!

Several other cachers, however, received the honor of getting to wear it. It was great getting to visit with Bruce, Tiger130, Gaylemae & Savvysteve! Who ended up with the

pink ammo can? BTW, thanks, cgeek, for the ride and protecting the leg.

The food was great and the company was even better. A big BRAVO goes out to Team Sprout on another fabulous party!

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. ~Burton Hillis