Howie has his cellphone at the hospital now and is happy to be able to keep in touch with friends and family without having to resort to a calling card. He called me this morning around 10:30am.
He’s had a bit of a bath and is now sitting up in a chair. He’s feeling really good, he said! He’s quite anxious to begin walking, too. He said his back feels really weird to him; he’s used to there being a big lump in the middle of it, and now it’s smooth. You’ve got to figure, he’s been taken from his back going 45° curve out in the wrong direction to having a 25° curve going in the correct direction. We’re talking a major re-build of all those vertebrae, a 70° change in curvature. When he does start walking, he’ll be using a walker for a while until he gets used to the new posture; his balance will be off because his center of gravity will be so different from what he’s slowly grown accustomed to as the curve progressed these last ten years.
Driving home last night was a bit frustrating as I went out Orleans Street (Route 40) and there was a bunch of traffic, even at 8:30pm. It hadn’t been bad Tuesday morning, but then again, it was 5:30am. I’m going to Mapquest the easiest route to reach Route 95 from Caroline Street. Once I’m on 95, I’m fine with the rest of the way home. Just no more going on Route 40, no way.
To everyone admonishing me to get my rest, I did just that last night. I forewent the tempting fast food joints on the way home, instead focusing on the thought of some leftover wonderful vegetarian chili and a wrap filled with chicken and provolone cheese. Why waste the calories on fast food junk when something so delicious awaits? I checked a few threads at DG and 3FC, updated the blog, and I was snoozin’. I slept from 10:30pm – 8:30am when the alarm went off. I re-set it and slept another couple hours, just ’cause I could and ’cause the bed was so darned comfortable. (Tempur-Pedic mattresses are da bomb, I’m tellin’ ya!). Rested, comforted, and caffeinated now and much more ready to take on the day!
I’ll head over to Johns Hopkins around 2:00pm, and this time I’ll bring the laptop so Howie can post. Thanks for your good wishes and prayers, all of you!
Well, Good morning sunshine! Howie’s progress so far is astounding and I was delighted to hear that you got some rest too. Gotta go in to work early today so I’ll check back for more great news late tonight.
I hope to read that you both had another wonderful day.
I am so happy to hear everything is going so well! Everyone here at work was on pins and needles waiting for the update. Congrats on not having to go through another surgery. I know how scary the thought of that was for you. (Obviously, since you hit the dirt when you heard it). I cannot wait to see the new and improved Howie!!! Thanks Kimberley for the updates!!
I am so glad that everything is going great for you. Take care of yourself and look forward to seeing the new you. Thnaks Kimberly for updating everyone.
I’m so glad things are better. Take care and YOU get some rest and relax as well, Kimberly.
I can’t wait to see the new H-Man!
I cannot even imagine how different his back must feel!