Again...

Donkey-sunset
Originally uploaded by Xena~.

Met with the surgeon's PA today for follow up, now 6 weeks after my surgical 'manipulation'. I've worked hard and diligently in PT to get strength and motion back to normal.

As of today, I still cannot hold my hand above my head,nor put my arm [left], or left hand behind my back.

The PA did mention that for some people that amount of mobility that I 'did' have would be okay for them.

I could have smacked him, but he then looked at my face and said--'perhaps, not for you'. I replied that I consistantly needed my arms to go above my head, I was not an inactive slob who watched TV and ate bon-bons!

I wanted to know if this was all I was going to get, or was continued physical therapy going to help?

He said--No. I had reached Maximum Improvement and that a second procedure may have to be done and that orthroscopy would be done at the same time to break up the rest of the lesions and scars in my left shoulder.

I agreed to the consultation.
I am not pleased about it.
Yet I want to be able to pursue my heartfelt passions.

It is a gorgeous day and the sun is shining. I think I'll go hug my mule...and dog.

Spring has come

Smoke gets in your eyes...
Originally uploaded by Xena~.

I did some yard work. This year there won't be alot of raking done. My shoulder is too weak and the way things are warming up, the grass will be too long in a week for it.

My spring is going very well this year. I am doing things I haven't been able to do for months, I am preparing to ride endurance again...sold some photos, sold a mule...
and have two people who want to buy some donkeys from us.

Incredible.

Getting Better Each Day

April seems to be agreeing with me. Yesterday the PT folks said I was very close to being 'discharged'--which means either my insurance won't pay for more...or I am getting better. I still don't have the full motion that I want to have.
I can't put my hand behind my back all of the way. I cannot take my left arm and put it straight up in the air without help from my other hand...it is still weak and I have pain when I over do it...but I am SO much better.
Being 55% is much better than what I had before which was Zilch.

I worked with my young mule last night. Pedro is his name. I hate his name. It was hubby's turn to name the foal when he was born. I won't change his name, but perhaps add on to it so that I have a 'decent' and interesting name for him....
He is a pretty cool mule though and he is growing on me!

Lookin' Good

Howdy!!!
Originally uploaded by Xena~.

This mule is traveling to California in a week or so. He gets a new owner -- and I think we made a good fit. He is full of character and offers more than just being a MULE.
He will comfort you when you are down. He will make you think you are the only human in the whole world that matters.
He will also be a wonderful mount.

Patchy, you are a wonder. I am going to miss you, but you are going to a great new owner.
Baby, you are Lookin' Good!

In the end all is wonderful

I felt a bit peeked today when I got ready to go to work, so I walked out to where the boss was feeding his mule and told him of yesterday's events. The day of running from one office to another...'knowing' that some evil thing could be growing inside of me...I was stressed, my biopsy area hurt like the devil...and well I just was not in the mood to go to work AT ALL!

So I decided to stay home and go with Rich to his mom's house. I messed around with beads and stuff while his mom embroidered a baby blanket. Rich worked on his mom's car.
When I got home, the answering machine was blinking. I called the breast clinic back with my heart in my throat.

Tada! It was not cancer. I don't remember the words for it, but it was or is tissue that isn't supposed to necessarily be where it is.

Sigh...I took a nap, relaxed and felt renewed...

Long long day

sharp
Originally uploaded by Xena~.

Awake before dawn.

Another trip to Lacrosse to see a doctor who specializes in genetics. I am in a study--research group that will look at my genetic workup and see if I have the screwed up genes that cause cancer.

Interestingly enough I also mentioned to the genetic doctor that I needed to make an appt to have something looked at.

He got on the phone and got me in to see a breast cancer surgeon within an hour. Dr J spoke with me, felt the suspicious area. Within minutes I was in a whirlwind of mammography, ultrasound, and then a biopsy.
Ouch.
Yeah this one sucked big time. I was terrified until I saw the doctors, then suddenly I felt an inner calm.
Talk about wierd.
The worst part was the huge 'core sampler' he used to take his biopsy. I was numb, but seeing that big arsed needle --- just whoa...it was something.

So what did I do? When we stopped in Walmart tonite to pick up a fuel filter for mother in law's car...I picked up a beading kit.
Tonite I made a beaded choker to match my mules rythm beads.

I'm so tired. I'm sure it is okay. But you worry until you hear one way or another.

Rainy days make for creativity

Today is one of those Ho-hum spring rainy days that promise that nothing very exciting is going to happen. Except perhaps if the rain lets up and we go to town and I get to the craft department at Walmart. Yesterday I made a rythm bead 'necklace' for Badger my mule. These are adorned with very small bells spaced evenly on it. The theory is that as he trots, they will gently jingle and give him a cadance while we are riding endurance.

Years ago I used plain old cheap brass bells on Cheyenne because she was afraid of traffic noise and I thought this would distract her. It worked so well that I rarely went anywhere without the bells.

Now I'm designing a beaded bell attachment just for the center of the breast collar, and trying to figure out how to 'bead' the browband of the headstall.

My purpose in all of this? Be creative and have fun.
I'm also looking into a costume -- gypsy-like to wear...

My poor husband thinks I've gone over the edge.
Nah, just plain having fun.