Set backs and frustration

I have been improving slow but steady each and every day. I switched from a splint to a cast last Wednesday and returned to work on Thursday. I was active on Thursday and worked most of Friday. I knew there was the possibility of swelling due to the cast and activity but the pain was amazing Friday afternoon. Near my toes the cast was really squeeing. I spent Friday evening and most of Saturday with my foot up, icing my foot and increased the heavier pain killers again. It was not unexpected, but it still felt like a set back.

I am more active today (Sunday) but should keep my foot up as I have a full 40 hour work week ahead. The swelling is down but my two small toes are partially numb on top but feel fine on the bottom. They tingle and sting occasionally as if my foot were asleep. My right foot has felt this way for day but the stinging tingling toes is a real pain.

Coupled with my lack of mobility and thus my lack of self-sufficiency I am feeling rather frustrated today. I want to walk. I want to walk from my desk to the table and be able to carry a cup. That small task seems like it would greatly welcome at this point.

In two and half weeks I should have a walking/weight bearing cast. I'm not looking forward to 5 more weeks in a cast but am eager for more mobility.

God bless my wife who has done more for me than can be put down on paper. My family has also been quite supportive, providing help, pre-cooked meals, or whatever we need. My mother in particular has spent DAYS over here helping with the kids or just giving my wife a few much needed hours to mentally re-coup.

I've got a ways to go and although I am frustrated I have no choice but to endure the healing and recovery process.

Return to work

I have returned to the office for the first day since my surgery. It's going quite well.

My walking is quite extended today. A trip to the bathroom or for water in the office is 3 to 4 times as long as the trips I have been taking around the house for the same resources. Coupled with an ambitious lunch out with my friend Bruce and I am quite tired. Moreover my left foot, my good foot, it quite sore from use. I feel as if I could use a nap from physical exertion. Funny as this is only very light exercise. I suppose after two weeks of inactivity and largely using arm strength as opposed to legs it is not unexpected. Hopefully my upper body strength will improve and I'll gain some very modest benefit from the effort.

Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus

My mom and my wife took the three boys to see Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus yesterday. The boys have been talking about it quite a bit and I think they really enjoyed themselves.

Earthquake

Last night we had an earthquake in Central Illinois. The second largest on record. I slept through it but my wife was up and said things were shaking and rattling pretty good. I just felt an aftershock, and it's the only quake I can every remember feeling. We just don't get them around here, at least not anything you'd notice.


Here's some information on the quake.

Magnitude 5.2
Date-Time

* Friday, April 18, 2008 at 09:37:00 UTC
* Friday, April 18, 2008 at 04:37:00 AM at epicenter
* Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones

Location 38.450°N, 87.890°W
Depth 11.6 km (7.2 miles) set by location program
Region ILLINOIS
Distances

* 7 km (5 miles) NNE (13°) from Bellmont, IL
* 9 km (6 miles) E (88°) from Bone Gap, IL
* 11 km (7 miles) N (350°) from Keensburg, IL
* 60 km (38 miles) NNW (331°) from Evansville, IN
* 206 km (128 miles) E (95°) from St. Louis, MO

Location Uncertainty Error estimate not available
Parameters NST=111, Nph=111, Dmin=36.4 km, Rmss=0 sec, Gp= 61°,
M-type=moment magnitude (Mw), Version=A
Source

* Center for Earthquake Research and Information, Memphis, Tennessee, USA

Event ID us2008qza6

* This event has been reviewed by a seismologist.

Finally here is a news story about the quake.

* * * * * * * * * *
The aftershock was a 4.5


List of quakes in IL today.
MAP 4.5 2008/04/18 15:14:16 38.542 -87.913 10.0 9 km (
5 mi) ENE of West Salem, IL
MAP 2.6 2008/04/18 11:55:57 38.465 -87.854 10.0 9 km (
6 mi) NW of Mount Carmel, IL
MAP 2.2 2008/04/18 10:46:24 38.440 -87.880 17.8 7 km (
4 mi) NNE of Bellmont, IL
MAP 2.4 2008/04/18 10:36:33 38.460 -87.860 17.8 9 km (
6 mi) NNE of Bellmont, IL
MAP 2.5 2008/04/18 10:15:35 38.648 -88.222 10.0 6 km (
3 mi) S of Noble, IL
MAP 2.5 2008/04/18 10:03:59 38.453 -87.805 10.0 5 km (
3 mi) NW of Mount Carmel, IL
MAP 5.2 2008/04/18 09:37:00 38.450 -87.890 11.6 7 km (
5 mi) NNE of Bellmont, IL

Recover from Surgery

I'm back but not at full force. My foot is still attached to my ankle but it hurts like the dickens. The surgeon was very pleased and the procedure went quite well. I was hoping to be taking fewer drugs at this point but alas that is not the case. Don't get me wrong I'm glad I have them due to the pain. My goal is to get an hour or so of computer time tomorrow. I was hoping to telecommute for 4 hours on Tuesday but may need more time before I reach that goal. I can't work on drugs and I'm not quite ready to reduce them enough to work just yet. I am however making excellent progress.

My wife is a saint and has been amazing taking care of both me and the children.

Ok. I've got to call it quits and get to a comfortable chair.

Later folks.

Baby Sister's Blog

In the last entry I mentioned my sisters wedding. Here is the debut of her blog!

Sister's Wedding

My sister is getting married this weekend. She and my brother-in-law have asked me to officiate at their wedding. I'm not ordained but they were already legally married at the courthouse so I will be helping with celebration for family and friends.

Last night was the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. Tonight is the wedding and tomorrow is a post wedding brunch.

Weddings of course are one of those rare times when you get to see so many family and loved ones all at once. Uncles, Aunts, Cousins, and good friends all gathered in the same place. Some I haven't seen since the last family wedding. I miss them all dearly in the times in between these celebrations and am happy and grateful for the occasions when we can all be together.

I spent hours last night visiting and talking, until my younger boys started to get tired, then it was home and to bed for them.

I know they were up last night a bit, my wife took care of them during the night. I hope they are well rested enough for the big day today. The eldest will be fine, he's old enough and mature enough to handle just about anything. The younger too might have a little trouble if they are light on sleep. They are both ring bearers. They seem to be in good shape right now and said they slept well.

In any even I am looking forward to visiting with family and friends again later this afternoon.

MacBook Air - (Parody)

This is pretty funny.