Sunday, September 20, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
Day 22 - PM -- on my own in a wheelchair
The Friday reunion started out as a tailgate party -- not ideal for gliding (kneeling scooter) or balancing (crutches) -- so I asked Bob to drop me off at nearby Santana Row shopping center -- (pretty crafty, huh?) Of course, I had credit cards and my IPhone -- just in case. Au revoir, mon amour -- enjoy your reunion and I'll see you in a few hours.
I thought this was a perfect opportunity to see how "wheelchair accessible" this mall really was. I explored the disabled restroom in the Hotel Valencia (great except the entrance door was heavy to open -- need lots of upper body strength), got a smoothie at Pinkberry (same problem with the entrance door), elevated my foot on the retaining wall for an hour or so (see photo), went to Borders (self-opening door -- thank goodness) and selected a perfectly accessible copy of "The Lost Symbol" (Dan Brown's new book). The doors of several of the shops were closed, with no automatic opener -- definitely not disabled-friendly.
This is a beautiful open-air mall (SJ's answer to Rodeo Drive) and they did a good job of eliminating as many curbs as possible. I can't imagine what it was like before wheelchair-accessible ramps were installed. I held my breath at the first intersection, but, then, I guess drivers are pretty careful around people with a bright white cast (with blue toenails) wheeling themselves around. People were friendly -- even stopped the crowds so I could cross the sidewalk.
I'm going to have Madonna-shoulders before this is done.
I thought this was a perfect opportunity to see how "wheelchair accessible" this mall really was. I explored the disabled restroom in the Hotel Valencia (great except the entrance door was heavy to open -- need lots of upper body strength), got a smoothie at Pinkberry (same problem with the entrance door), elevated my foot on the retaining wall for an hour or so (see photo), went to Borders (self-opening door -- thank goodness) and selected a perfectly accessible copy of "The Lost Symbol" (Dan Brown's new book). The doors of several of the shops were closed, with no automatic opener -- definitely not disabled-friendly.
This is a beautiful open-air mall (SJ's answer to Rodeo Drive) and they did a good job of eliminating as many curbs as possible. I can't imagine what it was like before wheelchair-accessible ramps were installed. I held my breath at the first intersection, but, then, I guess drivers are pretty careful around people with a bright white cast (with blue toenails) wheeling themselves around. People were friendly -- even stopped the crowds so I could cross the sidewalk.
I'm going to have Madonna-shoulders before this is done.
Day 22 - AM -- Deja vu
This was the first day of Bob's high school reunion -- a two day event. Bob's sister, Becky, will join him tomorrow for the Saturday night festivities, but he asked if I would come along today -- if only for the ride. We arrived in SJ early, had time on our hands, and decided to explore a bit. Because we both attended college at SJSU, we started out the day on campus -- what changed, what didn't, how long we stood in line to register for classes, who put colored soapsuds in what fountain, what building was named after a favorite professor, long deceased -- you get the idea.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
Day 18 - Trip to SF for haircut
Trip to downtown SF -- this time for a haircut. Still shaky on crutches -- especially when it comes to stairs. Small distances become large distances full of uneven pavement. All those years of noting whether a building has ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) restrooms, entrances, countertops etc. --- I understand! The issue is independence. Some things you simply can't do on your own...
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
Day 15 - Figs from our fig tree
I know this will end, but I'm enjoying it while I can! Bob is making these amazing meals for me. This was breakfast this morning. The figs are juicy, sweet, and plentiful.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Day 13 - New cast
The huge plaster cast and stitches were removed today. Oh, how I hate having a cast removed...the loud whine of the saw, only millimeters from your skin, one slip and it burns -- well, at least that's the way it was when I was a kid. No more, they tell me. A gauze is applied next to the skin. If the saw happens to get that close, it would get tangled with the gauze -- an automatic shut-off. I don't believe them.
Foot looks great (better than before?), incision healed already! New cast is fiberglass -- much lighter weight -- with a little "window" for a bone stimulator. Because I've already had a triple arthrodesis, there is some concern of non-fusion. The bone stimulator uses ultrasound to stimulate circulate and enhance healing.
We stopped at The Presidio for lunch -- my first (shaky) expedition on crutches.
Foot looks great (better than before?), incision healed already! New cast is fiberglass -- much lighter weight -- with a little "window" for a bone stimulator. Because I've already had a triple arthrodesis, there is some concern of non-fusion. The bone stimulator uses ultrasound to stimulate circulate and enhance healing.
We stopped at The Presidio for lunch -- my first (shaky) expedition on crutches.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Day Six -- Scooter
The doctor gave me a flyer for a "kneeling scooter". No, no, no thank you. I can get around just fine with crutches (I thought). Ha! Finally coming to my senses the day before surgery, I rented one on-line (the vendor is "RollerAid") -- arrived via FedEx. It's great. Offers more stability than crutches. Has handlebars, bicycle brakes, leather seat (for knee), a place for a water bottle, and even a little basket (not shown in photo). How cool is that?
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
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