Negotiations

Sorry I haven't written since Day One. I really have been doing great. Today I went out for lunch and met a friend. That means I drove and everything :)

Any suggestions on how to convince my child she doesn't need to stay here any more? She doesn't seem that worried about me, but I suggested today that she go back to her own home from Thursday-Sunday since she works long hours those days. She didn't bite. Maybe I could offer her the leftover Vicodin?

She was a real trooper when it came to getting the Big Bandage off. It was gross. I am not easily freaked. I used to work in a med school. I have seen and smelled just about everything, between that job and my social work years. I used to arrange payment for disabled and elderly people to have help in their homes - they often confused me with a nurse and would whip out their fresh incisions and infections and bed sores before I could stop them. I saw enough oozy and nasty things to last me a lifetime.

However, this was gross. My right upper chest totally resembles a colored map of China. My bicep is almost black, it's bruised so darkly. The shoulder itself had that pain pump in, which means a small tube was inserted about six inches into my shoulder. That was surrounded by blood soaked gauze, and a plastic sheet was glued on over the steri-strips, which were to stay in place. I had no idea that skin could turn teal color. I have blood blisters from the tape, raised red lumps from the tape, and assorted bruises that make it look like I lost a few rounds with a band of gorillas.

Child kept offering me a shot. I was confused. A shot of what? The doctor did not give her any syringes that I know of. I finally asked her - she meant vodka, LMAO!

Child peeled all that off me. The tape was not easy to get off. I had loosened some of it, but could not reach the back or the side of my shoulder. Some of my skin came off with it. She didn't hesitate. She didn't flinch when she had to peel off the bloody gauze, she didn't even blink when she had to pull that little hose out of me. She reacted well when I told her there was blood dripping off my elbow and to get it off the carpet.

She even remembered to wash her hands first. She peeled all that stuff off me, let me go look in the mirror, then wiped me down with hydrogen peroxide and slapped new bandaids on anything that stayed wet. I was impressed.

I have been alone most of the time, though, due to her work hours on Thursday through Sunday. She had class Monday, and is studying for an exam on Wednesday. I think I can manage alone now. I have been taking the dogs out alone off and on since Day Two. (Yes, less than 24 hours after surgery I was outside with the dogs.) I can shower, I can dress myself, I can open soda bottles, I even did a load of laundry. I can't style my hair, but it doesn't seem to need it. I had it cut the day before surgery.

She seems settled in.