A Quotation :: Technology

Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.

Arthur C. Clarke

A Quotation :: Science and Society

We live in a society exquisitely dependent on science and technology, in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology.

Carl Sagan

Surgery :: Post 12 (Final)

Yes, it's been a while, but here's the next, and last, surgery post. It's now been almost twelve weeks since surgery. I've had my last outpatient physical therapy session, and have been to my third and final doctor visit with the surgeon (or his staff).

According to the doctor, and his x-rays, everything looks good. They don't need to see me for another year.

According to the physical therapist, I've made substantial progress. I am doing as well as expected, but for a person who had a single hip replacement. For a double-hip, I'm doing even better! My flexibility is returning and my leg strength is improving, daily.

I feel so good that I even walked back to the train station from a meeting in downtown Chicago, to the tune of 1.4 miles. With no ill effects . . .

So, again, thank you to everyone who prayed for me, to everyone who visited, or sent a card, or called, or even thought about me! Thanks to the surgeon, his staff, the nurses and physical therapists who helped me when I was fresh from surgery, and in the two week period that followed post-hospitalization. Finally, a big, big thank-you to my lovely wife Nancy, who visited me almost every day when I was at the hospital or in rehab, who helped me with the many things I couldn't do for myself once I returned home and who has supported me from the decision to have the surgery through today.

Surgery :: Post 11

I'm into the second-to-last stage of my bilateral hip replacement. Being home, I'm now getting outpatient physical therapy (PT). If I ever thought I was over the "hard part" I was sorely mistaken (with emphasis on the "sore")!

I'm now being asked to stretch, bend, strengthen and generally abuse (well, not really) all of the various muscles around the hips and throughout the legs. I've been asked to cut down the exercises I do from inpatient PT from 25 reps to 10, and from four sets per day to two. In their place, I have about twelve new exercises to do twice per day, with two sets of ten reps each. Progress!

Oh, and two of the exercises are done on my stomach!!! I didn't know I could turn over onto my stomach! I'm going to check with the doctor tomorrow and see if I can sleep on my stomach . . . I've been sleeping on my back for weeks!

Finally, I can walk all I want, provided I don't do so much I can't move the next day.

I said I was into the second-to-last stage; here's what I consider to be the list of stages:

1. Pre-Surgery Office Visits, Blood Donations, et al
2. Surgery and Hospital In-Patient Stay
3. Rehab Center In-Patient Stay with Physical and Occupational Therapy
4. Home on Short-Term Disability with Out-Patient Physical Therapy
5. Return to Work with Continuing Physical Therapy

The "next big thing" for me is being able to get into the car and drive. I'm limited by the "hip restrictions" that are in place, things I cannot do without the potential for dislocating a hip. And I do not want to dislocate a hip! So I'll practice getting in and out of the driver's seat, and test going around the block several times, before I believe I can try a longer drive. Currently, I can't sit for any length of time (in the car) without some little discomfort.

So this week continues PT, on an outpatient basis, and has me trying to drive, comfortably. We'll see how it goes!

Texas :: Quotations

I think these stand on their own!

"Good judgement comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgement."

"Always drink upstream from the herd."

Ha!

From the site Washington Apple Pi found here.

Surgery :: Post 10

I have only one thing to say . . . I'm home!!!

Surgery :: Post 09

Yes! It's true - I am going home tomorrow! While my time here at the rehab center has been well-spent, getting in shape for returning to work, I am sooooo ready to go home.

I went to the doctor today, with all indications that I am recovering very well. The circulation in my legs is good, so no more TED hose (those white stockings that help protect against blood clots). They also took an x-ray of my pelvis and I got to see the prostheses in place. Quite interesting . . . in a creepy sort of way.

I still have to respect the "hip precautions" that are in place for the newly operated-upon (no crossing the legs at the ankles while laying down, no pigeon-toed stance, no bending at the waist so that the angle between trunk and legs is less that 90 degrees) for the next three weeks, at least.

I can try to drive, but whether I can depends on whether sitting in the car breaks the precautions. I'll see about that this weekend, or early next week. And until I can drive to work, I'm still on short-term disability. No working from home.

The other good thing - I will play with Sing-A-New-Song the second Sunday in October.

In any case, tomorrow, at 11:00 AM, Nancy will arrive and I will depart! Yippee!

Surgery :: Post 08

Hey there, sports fans! Yes, my jaunty mood may indicate to you that things are going well, and, well, you'd be right! I have graduated from a walker to a four-prong cane to a regular cane during the past few days. I went outside to walk today during PT, both on asphalt, on concrete, on grass, through gravel, over brick and over wood. (The rehab center has it set up specially for folks like me.) I still have little to no pain - just muscle soreness - and am ready to move to the next step: going home.

I have a discharge-planning meeting tomorrow and a doctor's visit on Thursday. Provided nothing major happens I believe my last day here will be Friday. I've been getting great care, but I can shower on my own, take care of all my personal grooming needs, dress myself, handle all toilet needs and get around my room and this facility without a problem. Heck, I even made my bed today (before the CNA did)!

Oh, and I learned something you can use in case you're hospitalized. Know those TV controls in each room, that self-contained changer and speaker in one? The one that only allows you to move one channel forward or one channel back at a time? The ones that are prone to having a bad volume control? If you can't get it to stay at the volume you want, because the speaker cuts out, just give that puppy a sharp tap and it'll work! I've had to do this numerous times during my stay at the rehab center. Just a helpful tip . . .

Thanks to everyone who has visited, sent a card, called, e-Mailed or has had me in their prayers! I hope to see you/talk to you at home next time!

Surgery :: Post 07

Wanted to provide the latest information regarding surgery, and, now, recovery and rehab. It's been over a week since surgery, with a lot of PT and OT (physical and occupational therapy, respectively). I have little or no pain, to speak of, and have taken no pain medication since arriving at Manor Care, my rehab center. I have developed a rash, and that's being treated with a steroid cream and (starting today) Benadryl.

The major good news for the past few days is that I was able to walk with a four-prong cane, not a walker, during yesterday afternoon's PT. I've also gone up a set of three steps, using both feet to lead, alternatively. OT consists of several balance "games" involving stepping on a rubber disk and doing various things to test my balance, which, so far, is good. So things are progressing well.

The dressings covering my incisions were removed this morning, and the nurse told me that they looked good. But neither stitches nor staples - looks like they glued me together! (I'm not making this up.) I'd like to look, but I don't think I going to. I guess I might be stitched up inside. Won't know until I go to the doctor on the 27th.

So, for now, all things are looking good! Can't wait to get home!

Surgery :: Post 06

I have been unavailable to provide any updates as the Manor Care router went down last week and has just today been put right. I arrived at Manor Care on Friday afternoon, around 3:30 PM, and have been through several rounds of PT and OT (physical/occupational therapy). I'm following all of the instructions provided by both the PT and OT personnel. I am feeling remarkably well, I think, and continue to have little pain. I'm not taking any pain medication at all, and have only one spot on my left leg that needs special attention. It feels like I have a charley horse, but is most likely the result of some part of the surgery.

I don't know how long I'll be at Manor Care, but want to take advantage of all they have to offer here. I've heard anywhere from one to three weeks, but am uncertain of any specific end date. My surgical dressings are scheduled to be removed on Thursday. The nurses and doctor continue to say they're healing well. After Thursday, the surgical wounds will be left open to the air for additional healing.

I see the surgeon on Thursday, 27 Sep 2012, when my stitches will be removed. I have two additional follow-up visits thereafter, approximately one month apart.

Thanks for your prayers, care and concern! I think that's the reason I'm doing so well! (I give the Power of Prayer a lot of weight!)

And I've got my PC connection to the world again!

Mark

Surgery :: Post 05

This is my first post-surgery update.

Tuesday's surgery went well, from my perspective. It was delayed 90 minutes as the person scheduled to go in front of me was late getting to the hospital. I woke up in the recovery room at about 5:00 PM and was taken upstairs to my regular room. Sleep was haphazard that first night, but pain was under control.

I had a course of radiation therapy on Wednesday morning, about 2 1/2 hours from start to finish. Physical Therapy (PT) started that afternoon. I had two more courses of PT today, and have one more scheduled for tomorrow. Other than weakness, I'm in good shape, with no real pain to speak of. I'm now standing on my own and walking with the help of a walker. After the two rounds of PT I sat in a chair for an hour; it's a welcome change from laying in bed.

I'm scheduled to be taken to Manor Care in Libertyville tomorrow, either late morning or early afternoon.

The surgeon spoke to me yesterday morning. He told me that my hips were pretty much fused in place, due to the arthritis, and it almost led to him doing only one of the joints. Normally, he said, he dislocates the hips before cutting away the bone; in this case, he cut the leg bones while still in my body, and had to use every trick he knew to complete the surgery. Pays to have the best, I guess!

So now it's on to more PT. I'm much better able to move around than on Tuesday. Hopefully, improvements will continue at the same pace on into the near future!

Thanks to everyone for the prayers, kind wishes and compassion. I hope to return to normal living quite soon!

Surgery :: Post 04

Here I am, the day before surgery, and no head cold has manifested itself. I'd guess that there's precious little standing in the way of surgery, short of the doctor being unavailable.

I'm on for tomorrow morning at 11:00 AM.

Our pastor prayed over me with our Sing-A-New-Song band at church yesterday. It was exactly what the doctor ordered, I think. And as she prayed for God's Spirit to be with the doctors, nurses and caregivers at the hospital and rehab center, and with me, a thought came into my head - I prefer to think it was spoken to me - which said, "I am already with you." For those of you who don't believe in God, all I can say is I do, and believe that He was speaking to me.

Now I'm really prepared!

Surgery :: Post 03

Okay, I'm getting a little worried. I feel like maybe a cold is coming on. Or not. My nose is running, slightly, but it's clear. And it rained so the mold count is up. But if it's a cold, my surgery will be cancelled and re-scheduled. And that probably means one of the pints of blood will expire (only good for 42 days). And surgery can't come less than ten days after a blood donation.

Am I worrying too much?

On the "up" side, I've gotten a lot of things done at work, implemented or ready to be implemented when I return. So I'll at least leave a clean slate. Even wrote my own "out of office" memo to the application owners I support. For the next one to three weeks, nothing but emergency fixes.

Saw "Dreamgirls" tonight at Marriot's Lincolnshire Theatre. Nice way to relax in preparation for surgery. Quite the good performance!

Surgery :: Post 02

Less than a week to go. All doctor visits completed. Blood work and urinalysis A-OK. All dentist visits completed. New crown to be put in place Saturday morning. Three units of blood drawn for use in surgery, as necessary. Both classes taken. Rehab center contacted. Exercises continue.

Plus . . .

Deck staining completed. Garage cleaned. New screen door installed. Ceiling in family room painted. New carpeting in family room (I didn't install it, but I took the old stuff out, with help from Tim.) Front door painted. Door to garage, and frame, painted. Bills paid.

Plus . . .

Final roll-ins at work to be done tomorrow night. Paper completed for 1 Sep 2012 Expectation. Back-up application support arranged.

Plus . . .

attended final wedding (of five, this summer). Attended a dinner with my Bible Study group (got cards for each hip!). Had dinner with Nancy, dad, Jan and Bill for summer birthdays. Had Randy, Lori, Ron & Edie over. Made a nice big first one evening.

Plus . . .

TOO MANY MORE THINGS TO DO!!!

Surgery :: Post 01

Okay, sports fans . . . here's the first post about my upcoming bilateral hip replacement surgery. It's scheduled for Tue, 11 Sep 2012. I went to an internist this morning for a pre-surgical check-up, and, providing my blood work (and other tests) don't come back with any abnormalities, I've been cleared for take-off, so to speak. (I could make a joke about the first step in surgery being a take-off - taking off your clothes, that is - but I'll hold off.)

The run-up to surgery has included two classes - one at the doctor's office regarding the procedure and another at the hospital about the orthopedic floor, physical therapy and the rest of the support network. I've also given two pints of my own blood (with a third donation coming next week) which will be held in reserve in case I need it during surgery. Finally, there's been the aforementioned doctor's visit. It's been busy.

I'm also trying to leave work in good shape, as I'm the sole support person for three areas.

I have certain exercises to do each day, too, stretches that I'll be doing post-surgery as well.

Eighteen days to go!

On Defining Our Existence

Everybody needs work to do . . . Work makes us real. Unless you have work to do and people who love you, you don't exist.

James Patrick Kelly in the short story Mr. Boy.

Londoners Love Their London

Londoners do not idealize, real Londoners do not idealize their city so much as celebrate it with sardonic wit.

Robert Bucholz, professor of History at Loyola University, Chicago and author, with Joseph P. Ward, of London a Social and Cultural History, 1550-1750

What I Have Done and What I Have Left Undone . . .

The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone.

HARRIET BEECHER STOWE (1811–1896)
Writer

Life Will Love You Back

I have found that if you love life, life will love you back.

ARTHUR RUBINSTEIN (1887–1982), Musician

Why Don't People Know This Phrase????

You Must Have Been Vaccinated with a Phonograph Needle

To me, this means that someone talks too much. (Another way of saying this is that someone is "too talky", interesting in itself.) Many people I've asked recently have never heard this phrase. Not people who don't know what a phonograph is - people my age. How 'bout you?

Gravy - A Poem

For Sue, Lisa, Kerry and other who may want to read this, here's a poem I wrote for an English Composition class a few years ago. I forget the actual assignment.

For what it's worth, I had a fun time writing it too!

Gravy

Gravy eats time, when cooking don’t boil
or the pan will be black,
the gravy, like soil.

Gravy don’t dress, it’s brought to you nude
for putting on meat
or your wife (but that’s lewd).

Gravy dreams lightly, inside of your gut
and soon it adds pounds
to both sides of your butt.

Gravy is born of spices and juice
a sprinkling of parsnip
a carcass of moose.

Gravy loves meals, at lunch and at dinner;
the folks who don’t like it,
they seem to stay thinner.

Gravy hears footsteps, a rushing to places
and soon it is seen
on shirts, laps and faces.

Gravy kills hunger, a longing for food
the flesh of dead veggies,
dead critters (some moo’ed).

Gravy for Bison, Gravy for Snake
the mashed are the mountains
the Gravy, the lake.

Gravy for Otter, Gravy for Bear
Gravy at food fights
stays thick in your hair.

Gravy for Kitty, Gravy for Dog
Gravy for Wombat
and Weasel . . . Warthog!

Gravy for Elephant (I like it baked)
how many Gravies
does Heinz Ketchup make?

Gravy, I love it! Gravy, it’s great!
So please do forgive me
I’m off for my plate.

On A Marriage . . .

The marriage looked conventional to the casual eye, like a sturdy wooden blanket chest, but in truth, it was more like an elaborate jewelry box filled with hidden drawers and priceless charms.

From The Real Wizard of Oz, a biography of L. Frank Baum (the author, in 1900, of The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz), by Rebecca Loncraine. Published in 2009 by Gotham Books, ISBN 978-1-592-40449-0 (hardcover).

On Language: Invention is Rife in Linguistic Behavior

"It's worth considering that standard English is a sort of invented language. It's not really the language that any particular person speaks. It's a sort of abstraction from that, with some rules added on about how you would do it if you were doing it at your best. It's not really a natural language for most English speakers. So, invention is rife in linguistic behavior."

Michael Adams, author of From Elvish to Klingon: Exploring Invented Languages to Milton Rosenberg on WGN radio

A podcast of the interview, and, indeed, many, many podcasts of the Extension 720 program hosted by Dr. Milton Rosenberg can be found here on the WGN Radio web site.

The Ol' Give-and-Take

"A taker may sometimes eat better, but a giver sleeps better."

Danny Thomas, as quoted by Marlo Thomas

Love . . .

They'd never been lovers, of course, not in the physical sense. But they'd been lovers as most of us manage. Loving through expressions and gestures and by the palm set softly upon the bruise at the necessary moment. Lovers by inclination rather than by lust. Lovers, that is, by love.

From Out of Oz , by Gregory Maguire

My Nancy, circa 1979

And who wouldn't fall in love with her? (I still have the guiter, too!)

On Stuff . . .

No matter how much we consume, we never get closer to happiness; we only speed up the treadmill.

James A. Roberts, in Shiny Objects; Why We Spend Money We Don't Have In Search Of Happiness We Can't Buy, as quoted in Reader's Digest