In the US today it is Mother's Day (remember last week I reminded you to get your card in the mail and your gift ordered?). Hope you did and that all moms have a terrific day today. The exact date of Mother's Day shifts about the calendar as dictated by the Great Hallmark in the … Continue reading Mom and Socks
FootNotes
Footnotes #25 – the final one!
Today marks the one year anniversary of when I went into surgery to address Severe Septic Shock brought on when a wound on my broken ankle was infected with an antibiotic resistant pathogen. I would have two more surgeries in the next eight days as the surgeons struggled to keep me alive. Since I am … Continue reading Footnotes #25 – the final one!
Footnotes #24 – Getting around and about
It's been several months since I posted a health update. Partly because my recovery seems insignificant in context of the global pandemic and partly because I am in a stage of incremental improvement and hopefully final stages. My ankle is essentially locked forever due to the rod holding it together. I am finally acclimating to … Continue reading Footnotes #24 – Getting around and about
I needed to stand up and be counted
I went down to the demonstrationTo get my fair share of abuseSinging, "We're gonna vent our frustrationIf we don't we're gonna blow a fifty-amp fuse""You Can't Always Get What You Want" - The Rolling Stones Because of my health issues, I have avoided crowds up until this point. After Monday's threat (or promise) to unleash … Continue reading I needed to stand up and be counted
Footnotes #23 – Arizona Boot
I have tried not to focus on my health issues when my entire city is getting sick around me, but it does go on. As a matter of fact, it has been delayed and detoured as hospitals are turned entirely into COVID-19 treatment centers. But recently I was fitted for something called an Arizona Boot. … Continue reading Footnotes #23 – Arizona Boot
Footnotes #22 – The Return of Josephine
For the last eight months this blog has addressed, from time to time, my health challenges. No need to go over them again, you can revisit previous entries in the Footnotes series and other related posts. But as I have recovered strength and mobility one thing has been missing. Josephine. Josephine is the name of … Continue reading Footnotes #22 – The Return of Josephine
Footnotes #21 – Cane I get there?
Better every day. If you have followed this series you know I have made continuing progress as I recuperate from the broken ankle and resulting complications. At first it was a wheelchair, then hopping with a walker, then clumsily on crutches. Now I am taking physical therapy and working to get more movement back and … Continue reading Footnotes #21 – Cane I get there?
Footnotes #20 – what a year it has been…
I am happy to wish 2019 farewell. It has been a tough one for me. Luckily I did not die on the operating table after my body went into Severe Septic Shock back in late August. I emerged from three operations over an eight day period thanks to the prayers and positive thoughts of family … Continue reading Footnotes #20 – what a year it has been…
Footnotes #19 – The Next Stage
Another visit to the surgeon and more progress. I can begin weaning myself off the compression boot and moving to a cane instead of crutches. Not all at once but steadily as I can tolerate it and immediately at home, which is a relief. He is thrilled with the progress and I start physical therapy … Continue reading Footnotes #19 – The Next Stage
Footnotes #18 – Wonderment
The latter half of 2019 has been pretty rotten with the health issues I have faced but I am coming out much stronger now. I am getting around easier and feeling stronger than I have in a very long time. Next week is another visit with the surgeon and hopefully more progress. Now that I … Continue reading Footnotes #18 – Wonderment
Footnotes #17 – Irony
Saw my surgeon again yesterday. As I maneuvered into the X-Ray room it was a tight fit and I heard the chair pop on the left side. As I left the room the left rear wheel seemed to skip a couple of times but all held together. The doctor released me from being required to … Continue reading Footnotes #17 – Irony
Footnotes #16 – Deliberateness
As I continue to heal I have given a lot of thought to the challenges of getting around with a broken ankle. I can describe it with one word - Deliberateness. Things I used to breeze through, I now need to stop and think about. It has become an everyday habit. I've even become pretty … Continue reading Footnotes #16 – Deliberateness
Footnotes #15 – next steps, literally…
Quick update to my healing. My surgeon wants me to stay in a wheelchair while out and about town. But inside the apartment I can weight bear and walk about with crutches or a walker. So far so good. Getting better and will get update in a few weeks. He advises that tap shoes may … Continue reading Footnotes #15 – next steps, literally…
Footnotes #14 – home again
In the continuing saga of my recovery I've been released from rehab and am recovering at home. There is still lots of healing to go as my right leg is still non-weight-bearing. While a small New York apartment is less kind to a person in my condition than a rehab center, the pleasure of being … Continue reading Footnotes #14 – home again
National Train Your Brain Day + Footnotes #13
Today is National Train Your Brain Day when you are challenged to test yourself with puzzles and riddles. What does that have to do with my long recent health travails? Simple. After nearly dying from severe septic shock and going through three operations in eight days I emerged physically exhausted. As I awoke, slightly dazed … Continue reading National Train Your Brain Day + Footnotes #13
Surprise! I got to go to the festival!
A few days ago I urged you to attend the Medieval Festival in Fort Tryon Park here in Manhattan but bemoaned the fact I could not attend due to my situation trapped in the rehab center. To my absolute delight Pamela arranged for our friend Hannah and her friend Rose to help us out by … Continue reading Surprise! I got to go to the festival!
Footnotes #12 – getting stronger every day
Just a quick update as I rehab after the recent encounter with sepsis and multiple operations to set it straight. I am getting stronger everyday and am working on a comeback. I have heard lots of stories at the hospital and where I am doing my rehab about others with sepsis and the truth is … Continue reading Footnotes #12 – getting stronger every day
September is Sepsis Awareness Month
Please pardon me for not being in touch for the last couple of weeks. If you know anything about sepsis you know it can be a devastating energy draining event that can rob you of any ability to do anything. If you don't know much about it, don't choose to go deep within it around … Continue reading September is Sepsis Awareness Month
Footnotes #10 – better but still a ways to go
Quick update on my broken ankle, saw the orthopedics doctor again this week. Bone is healing well, more to go. Now I need to work on the muscles and tendons that have atrophied when I was putting no weight on the foot. That was frustrating and now need to get it back in shape. That … Continue reading Footnotes #10 – better but still a ways to go
Footnotes #9 – it really is National Wiggle Your Toes Day
When I broke my ankle earlier this summer one of the first things the responding ambulance crew asked was whether I could wiggle my toes. The same question came early on in the emergency room and the first observation by an orthopedic specialist. Since that day I've been sure to wiggle my toes at least … Continue reading Footnotes #9 – it really is National Wiggle Your Toes Day
FootNotes #8 – What a difference a week makes…
For the first six weeks after I broke my ankle I was in either a cast or compression boot with instructions to not remove it and to not put weight on it under any circumstances. It was torturous and uncomfortable. If a foot could feel claustrophobia, mine certainly did. Plus I had difficulty in getting … Continue reading FootNotes #8 – What a difference a week makes…
FootNotes #7 – Now we’re cooking with gas!
When I lost most of my mobility with the broken ankle I was confined to bed or a chair for most of the day. As Pamela came home to take care of me she could do many helpful things but she simply does not enjoy cooking. I love to cook and missed it terribly. As … Continue reading FootNotes #7 – Now we’re cooking with gas!
FootNotes #6 – TMI Tuesdays?
There is a trend on social media to overshare online with the tag line "TMI (Too Much Information) Tuesday." Do not go looking for it if you are faint of heart. I've seen some pretty weird things I can't unlearn on other TMI Tuesday blogs. But I tend not to overshare. One follower of my … Continue reading FootNotes #6 – TMI Tuesdays?
FootNotes #5 – The Healing continues
My broken ankle is coming along. The doctors believe the best course is to let it heal naturally and that will take a few more weeks. There is not much pain involved, simply lots of boredom and impatience on my part. See, I'm not permitted to place any weight on it at all and that … Continue reading FootNotes #5 – The Healing continues
FootNotes #4 – Next Steps…or no steps at all for a while!
Good news about my ankle break is that it is coming along nicely with slow progress. The doctors have chosen not to operate for a variety of reasons but assure me that with their care and binding that it will heal just fine. Just as well with me as surgery can always pose other risks. … Continue reading FootNotes #4 – Next Steps…or no steps at all for a while!
Walter Thinnes 
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