Stills from my birthday VHS

I went down a rabbit hole in my photo gallery. 

These stills from the VHS of my birthday party makes me smile & choke up at the same time.

Featuring our fur baby, Apollo! 🐕 

I can’t believe I had such thick hair when I was little. Decades later, nothing’s changed. 😄

Bottom left pic was us dancing to “Jabulani” 🎶 If you click on the photo, you should be able to hear the music clip I’ve added to this post.  

My Dad loved music. I miss us sharing links of what we’d be listening to. 

Always & forever… Daddy’s girl! 🥰❤️🪔

I finally looked at my foot!

My doctor visited me at home today and removed the bandage from my op on Wednesday.

For the first time, I didn’t close my eyes and I looked at my foot - properly. The scabs, wounds, stitches & wrinkly toes, because they were so swollen.

The doctor & physio advise I wear the boot for the next couple of weeks when I’m alone - which is all day! And then I can remove it in the evening. 

Also, for the first time in almost two months, my left foot touched the ground without the boot. I’m literally learning how to walk again with the physio using crutches. 

As bizarre as it sounds, I sometimes think: “How did I used to walk before? How did I balance on these two legs?”

I need to put pressure on my heel, which feels so strange. Physio also advised I use anti-slip socks at home. 

My left & right leg don’t look like they belong to the same body. 😳

Last night I was horrified to see how “leathery” and flaky my skin had become under my bandage. I know it’s all going to heal itself...and I have Bio-Oil to help! 

Pic 1 - first time standing with my foot touching, although not completely flat, on the ground. 🦵 

Pic 2 - still my view 🙏🏼

Pic 3 - new exercise from physio: 

Sitting on a chair and using my foot (with a slipper sock) I need to “slide” a piece of kitchen paper on the floor - away from and back to me.

This will assist strengthen my muscles & improve mobility.

FB friends, thank you for your love!

I wish you all a safe & happy weekend. 💖

Op was a success!

Dear Family & Friends,

The messages I received after my post last night (on and off Facebook) gave me such comfort. Thank you! ❤️‍🩹

I woke up around 05:00 this morning to lovely rain (showers of blessings as my Mum would say). I lit my divoh 🪔 and reminded my guardian angel to please be with me today. ✨

Once we arrived, admin went off smoothly. I was just given the hospital gown when a nurse already arrived to take me down. I thought it was better - no time to think while waiting in the room.

The last thing I remember was the Dr saying to me: “Sleep well, I’ll see you later!”

Updates from Dr:

My op went off smoothly. I can start moving around without the moon boot, but still need the crutches. I had it on when I was discharged as you can see in the pic. My foot will be swollen - for up to a few months! I’ll need to keep it elevated and make use of ice packs. I have many weeks of physio ahead of me.

And then…I won’t be making burfi with my Mum for Diwali this year. 💔 Dr said that it’s too soon to travel. 

Mum & I agreed that when I AM able to travel, we will recreate Diwali and make delicious treats together. 🥰

My Fears:

My leg is still weak and I’m scared of falling (without the boot support). The “pin/screw” and plate need to stay in and I worry that something could come loose. Dr understood my fears and reassured me. 

To some, it may seems silly, but I’ve never broken a bone in my life This was severe as my ankle was broken in three places. 😣

I send you all the warmest (long-distance) hugs.

🤗❤️🙏🏼

Anecdotes

Ahead of my surgery tomorrow, I wanted to share three anecdotes. 

They all took place while I was in the hospital and still make me smile when I think of them! 🥰

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MY DAD WITH ME 😇

Day 2 when Hubby arrived at the hospital for visiting hours, he was unpacking things I’d asked him to bring for me from the hotel we were staying at. “I have a surprise for you,” he said as he pulled a jacket out of the bag. It belonged to my Dad, but my Mum recently gifted it to Hubby.  

He placed it on a hanger in the cupboard near my bed and said “…so you can feel your Dad with you.” 

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NOT SO SMARTY AT MIDNIGHT

After my second op, I was told that I couldn’t go to the loo by myself. When Monica, the night nurse helped me from the bed to the wheelchair, there was a dim light on in the room. I noticed a pill lying on a tissue - next to the pill container. I told Monica that I think I missed taking that pill earlier. 

I couldn’t sleep a wink after my op and thought that the forgotten pill was a sleeping pill I didn’t take. Monica said she’d have to check with the other nurse, but when she picked it up, she proclaimed “It’s a sweet!” 

Only to realize that it was a lonesome Smartie from the box that Hubby brought earlier in the day. 🤣

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OUR SWEET NEIGHBOURS

On the Saturday after my second op, a nurse brought me an envelope. I was so confused because it has a postal stamp - who knew where I was?!

It was a birthday & well wishes card from our sweet neighbours back home. They’re our parents’ age and we rely on them to water our plants when we’re away. 

When they learned about my freak accident, they sent this card - they Googled the hospital address and posted it to me!

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Checkup with the doctor

I had my checkup with the doctor at the hospital today. What a relief that I didn’t need an X-ray because the last time was traumatic.🥺

My surgery is confirmed for next week Wednesday. 🏥

The doctor explained that the screws and plate will need to remain around my ankle. They need to, however, operate to remove one screw - to prevent the risk of it breaking.

There are days - like today - that it still feels surreal that this happened.

This text from my brother while I was at the hospital really helped: “Na don’t be scared. You have been through the hardest part already.”

When I think of lying in that hospital bed compared to the way I am today, I have, indeed, come a long way. 💪🏼

The attached pic is my current view. Leg elevated, boot open and ice packs on my leg to help soothe the itch. The itchiness is not on the wound itself, but my skin is very dry. I can’t wait for the nurse to wipe it down tomorrow and put a fresh bandage on. 🙏🏼

A message to you all:

Every single comment, private message & text has meant so much to me. The love, encouragement & check-ins are truly appreciated. Thank you so much! ❤️

It's the weekend!

For obvious reasons, I look forward to the weekend because I get to be out! 😎

Today’s outing: lunch with my in-laws. 

Getting in and out of the car takes time, but I managed to go into a store today. 🙌🏼 People still look - it doesn’t bother me and I just smile at them. Kids are always the most fascinated when they see my boot!

It was a short outing, but it tired me. I’ve been lying down with my leg elevated & my boot is open for some fresh air. I have slight pain on the side, which is my cue that it needs to be closed up again. 🙏🏼

I can’t believe I’ve had this on for one month already - day & night. 

I hope you’re all having a lovely weekend! ❤️