Feeling Good and Making Progress

Today was my first follow-up appointment with the doctor after my surgery. He did a double take to see me "look so good," for having surgery twelve days ago. He also looked at the chart to maker sure when he performed the surgery. Duh.

A reminder here: A nurse at the hospital before I was discharged removed the staples that put me together after the surgery. Most of the incision was healed today except for a few places. The doctor removed all the steri-tape and said to put band-aids where there is a little bit of seepage on my garments, just a little bit of blood, and nothing compared to an open wound.

He had good reports and was very pleased with my progress. He said to keep on walking but not to overdo. I think the rest I get and eating healthy makes me heal faster too. I am taking aspirin mainly for pain management and have another Rx for some pain medicatrion, if I think I need them. I didn't rush to the pharmacy to get it filled so feel confident that I can get by at least today and this evening a see how I do.

I take those pain meds at bedtime and that way can get a good night's sleep pain free. I don't wake up with pain either, so that is a blessing in and of itself.

I do miss the TLC that Ron gave me when he was here. He left Friday last week, but he keeps tabs on me to make sure I am doing well, and sends me his love and support. That makes a big difference and know that my healing has been miraculous. I am so thankful for him being here for me at a time that I needed him most, one of God's tender mercies. How did He know? He is the gardener here, when we least expect it or acknowledge it. God is in the details of our lives if we let him. There are no coincidences.

I count my blessings.

In Awe of the Incredible, Amazing Ear from the Inside

Did you know there is a tiny coil inside the inner ear?It is housed in a shape much like this snail shell. The tube that looks like a coil holds the smallest of crystal-like particles. The crystals hold the sound we hear and are magnified with hair-like fibers that transmit sound. Those crystals are sitting in a gel inside the tube. When trauma occurs, those crystals are shaken and move from the safe chamber in which they were. Equilibrium is compromised and makes the person feel like they are falling. When those crystals are back in place the dizziness diminishes gradually to restore the balance and everything goes back into place. Permanent damage is not likely if those crystals are intact where they belong.



Anyone ever study what the human ear is all about? I was able to extract the above explanation from the young resident doctor. So, today I had a crash course in learning what makes the human ear hear. I took Kay, my old friend to visit her ear, nose and throat specialist. Some of you may remember Kay Clown who lived with me and was my room mate while we were both going to BYU. I met her in one of my classes and we've been friends ever since.







She is the one from South Dakota, and a full blooded Lakota Sioux. Kay called me the other day out of the blue. She saw Hank on a press conference announcement about soldiers returning home from Iraq last week-end. She said she remembered he was my son, so tried to call me through dialing 411 (information) with no luck. She then got Hank's phone number and left a message. She had been in Salt Lake City visiting her cousin for over four months, recuperating from a bad fall injuring her head with a concussion. She was experiencing dizziness and has what is called vertigo and needed the opinion of the ear specialist. I listened to her dr. and learned all about what that is, and the cause of it in her fall.

The resident, (young Dr. Yang) explained how we hear after he examined her and showed us a bigger than life-sized drawing of the ear. I was in awe at what makes it possible for us to even hear, and what prevents one from hearing or her not having equilibrium due to her injury. I came away without doubt and recognized the hand of God and how intricate we all are when/how we are formed in the womb so perfectly--a miracle in and of itself.

It makes me appreciate all my five, (and sixth) senses, believe me. My hearing is precious to me, as well as my sight. It was still not determined if her condition is temporary and will improve as it heals, or if she will have permanent damage which causes the dizziness or vertigo. I count my blessings!!!

Then I pondered rather quickly how the EYE is also so intricate and what helps us actually have vision, besides the heart and how it beats besides the sense of touch or taste along with the BRAIN. We are all walking miracles.

I know, "My Heavenly Father Loves Me"

Whenever I hear the song of a bird or look at the blue, blue sky,
Whenever I feel the rain on my face or the wind as it rushes by,
Whenever I touch a velvet rose, or walk by our lilac tree,
I am glad that I live in this beautiful world Heavenly Father created for me.

He gave me my eyes that I might see the color of butterfly wings,
He gave me my ears that I might hear the magnificent sound of things.
He gave me my life my mind my heart: I thank him reverently--
For all his creations, of which I'm a part.
Yes, I know Heavenly Father loves me.

This songs says it all and how I have always felt, and is one of my favorite Primary songs.

I am pleased the pictures downloaded just fine. The camera I received for Christmas is worth it's weight in gold! I love it, by the way. Thank you.