It feels as though I’ve been in UM Hospital for a week, but it’s only been 4 days. They’re exceptional here, and I may be most impressed with my physical therapist. He knows how to get me to do good, steady work, and is steady with his praise. Today he said I’d shown so much improvement since yesterday that if I do this well tomorrow I may get to walk to the gym and get on the bike!
Along wit that crazy news, I had three excellent visitors today!
LONDON
My friend London came by and brought me home made sugar cookies! We had the loveliest chat, life and kids, and she made me feel almost normal!
London and I have been friends almost since the day I moved here, her daughter is Max’s age, and she and Todd have been very important in our lives! I don’t see as much of them as I’d like, I miss seeing her more, but our friendship is strong and we’ve both enjoyed watching the changes in each other’s lives as we’ve grown over the years.
NATASHA
Then my exceptional Realtor, Natasha Cujedo, once again went above and beyond the call of duty; bringing me paperwork to complete and getting the contract to sell all done and dusted. The house is being staged even as I write, it’s looking lovely, and I think we’re well on the way to getting it ON THE MARKET very soon!
We’re pricing it, oddly, at exactly what I paid for my new house. So after $5,000 for fees and $3000 for the move, I’ll pretty much break even if it sells for asking price. Cross your fingers. It’s expensive to move, but this was vital, and I’m SO HAPPY that when I’m released from the hospital after my RECOVERY I’ll be returning to a new, accessible home!
Natasha has become more than an agent, she’s become a dear friend. Her daughter goes (went?) to the same college Andy attended, we’re in the same place in our lives and have shared many experiences, good and bad, and she’s such a straight shooter. If you need a real estate agent in the twin cities, I cannot recommend her more highly!
ROBIN
Robin has had what I’m beginning to think of as a “signature Annie year” – it’s been bad. After falling and doing a terrible number on her shoulder, with a year of . pain, surgeries that didn’t work and immobility issues, she’s FINALLY had a surgery that’s working well, and she looked more rested and less in pain than I’ve seen her in a few years!
Unfortunately, the day she made her appointment for her surgery, it was discovered that her dear, dear husband, Jack, had a tumor in his colon. He was in such bad shape that his hemoglobin was at 5. After building him up a bit, he had surgery and is now undergoing 12 rounds of chemo. GO JACK!
Add to this the deaths of several dear aunts and Jack’s mom in hospice, and you have the portrait of a care giver who is at the point of being stretched too thin! Thankfully, the cancer center where Jack’s getting his chemo is very close to their home, which makes everything easier. Robin brought me yarn and needles, and I’m happily knitting up a Slippy Cowl to keep my fingers in the game.
I find myself wondering if this hospital allows dogs to visit. I’m thinking probably not (I’m in a sterile ward) but I would give so much to see dear Jasper and get some puppy love! My three wonderful guests were a great substitute, though, and I’m grateful they braved the U of M parking garage to come and see me! Note: If you do come, there’s valet parking here, and I think they validate at the nurse’s station!!
Those visitors sound like much needed medicine!
You’re in my thoughts and I enjoy your updates. Hope you get on that bike soon.
Keep up the hard PT work, Annie! I am rooting for you and hope things improve soon.
Ask your nurse if they have a dog therapy program. For as long as you’re in a sterile room, you’ll just be able to wave and say hi to the dogs. But, they’re still good therapy even at the door frame.
Once you’re released from those restrictions, the therapy dogs will be able to visit with you. Depending on their size, they can even get on the bed, if you’d like that. Or they can hang out on the floor or a chair – they’re pretty flexible to whatever situation their visitor requests. But with the codes on your room, therapy dogs probably won’t automatically stop by unless you have tell the nurse to add you to their list or your nurse flags them down for you.
As for Jasper, I’m sorry to say that you’ll have to settle for FaceTime since, in theory, only service dogs and registered therapy dogs are allowed in hospitals. I volunteered for years in a dog therapy program so, yeah.
When we’d do the door visits, people would always say, “What tricks does she do?” And my response was “You’re looking at it.” She was just there to brighten people’s days. She wasn’t a trick dog. But she’s in the minority. I bet there are some pretty talented pups wandering around U of M happy to entertain you!
I wish you only the best!!