Visitors

I was on the road to therapy before the rooster did his morning chores. Surviving day three gave me strength and on the way, my niece and I talked about everything that wasn't health related. 

Once inside I hopped on the step machine to warm up for eight minutes. I closed my eyes and with my headphones on with I synced my mind with beautiful lilting music. I could feel my muscles getting stronger and imagined myself down the road and thinking back on this period of my life as a bad dream. 

I zipped through the hour and a half in what seemed like a matter of minutes. Soon Jilda was at the front desk scheduling my therapy for next week.

On the way home, she took a detour through the Starbucks parking lot and bought me a mocha. Does that girl love me or what?

The phone was ringing as we walked through the door. After getting me safely sitting on the couch, she answered. It was her brother and his wife. They only live down the road but wanted to drop by for a moment. 

They came bearing gifts. They bought me a Crimson Tide ball cap, and cake. The frosting decorations read, "I Got A New Knee." I howled when I saw it. Of course, Jilda who is always thinking about blog graphics snapped a picture for me.

I appreciated their visit. He knows what it's like to have health issues. He had a stroke in January. Doctors recommend they put him in long-term care and notify hospice. His wife wasn't having any part of that. 

I'm taking him home where I can take care of him. She weighs about 75 pounds soaking wet. The doctors told her that would be unwise that she was in no condition to take do it. She said, "Watch me." 

They took him home and those first few days he couldn't move much. Home care doctors from Veterans said he would not be able to walk.  

Then he began moving a little. Then he helped him move his legs. She had him exercising relentlessly. Doctors were still pessimistic. But his condition continued to improve.

Today, he walked into our living room with the help of a cane. I asked him when he plans to start dance lessons. He said he was looking for an instructor.

Doctors are great. I would never minimize their work. Truth is, they are most often right when they talk to families about prognosis. But I think they should always leave room for hope. And pitbull wives that just will not give up.