check out my x-ray

So here is a scan of my x-ray. These are two slightly different pictures of my leg. Notice the plate with numerous screws holding my bones in place. Fun! Also take note of that really long screw going in at sort of an angle. That one comes out in about 4 weeks. The others I will have with me for the rest of my live-long days. I am thinking of naming them There appear to be 6 of them. Maybe they will be Greg, Peter, Bobby, Marcia, Jan and Cindy.

 

the view from here

 

the one where i talk about my broken ankle

Before I begin, let me apologize for any typos or bad grammar. I am under the influence of heavy narcotic drugs.

Why may you ask am I under the influence of narcotics? I broke my ankle -- no, shattered my ankle December 18th in a freak sledding accident. Mark described the crash as looking like the one Dale Earnhard died in a few years ago. I slid along the fence for a while until my ankle met its untimely end with a fence pole. Brooke was on the sled with me and came out of it without a scratch -- thank God. My first concern was for her and that she was hurt. Then I looked at my flopping ankle and my concern shifted.

As luck would have it, we were sledding with some friends, one of which is an ER doctor at a local hospital (handy!). At first he suggested to Mark that they load me into our van for a quick ride to the hospital. I countered and requsted they call 911. I would be riding in an ambulance, thank you very much. The pain was like nothing I have experienced before, and mind you -- I have 2 children. Another added bonus of having a doctor on the scene, is he was able to prescribe some morphine for me immediately. Thanks Phil!

When we arrived at the hospital the ER staff quickly diagnosed a broken and dislocated ankle with a tibula fracture (exposed). EEEEWWW. They pumped me full of drugs and whisked me off to surgery. Before the surgery, the doctor described what he would be doing as a "car wash" a quick in and out thing where they would clean me up and then do more repairs a day or two later. However, once I was in surgery, they decided to put Humpty back together again. Specifically by using 8 screws to hold my ankle together. Two days later they did the "car wash" surgery.

I was in the hospital from Sunday thru Thursday. I was really glad to get back home. By the end of my stay, I was actually beginning to be ignored. The nurses were forgetting to bring me my medication, and the techs were slacking off as well. At least if I am home, my family cannot forget about me!

I am doing well overall. I go back to my doctor tomorrow for a post-op appointment. I heard a rumor that I will be getting a hard cast tomorrow. I have yet to decide which color I want. My niece suggested purple, but I am leaning toward hot pink. I am still on medication, but am feeling better day by day. I will be on crutches for another 5 weeks and then I will be in a walking cast for 6 weeks after that. I cannot drive until March!!! My goal is to not gain 50 pounds as I sit on the couch and wait for my ankle to stop throbbing.

As a result of this accident I will never again be able to watch the movie MISERY , the scene where Kathy Bates breaks James Caan's ankle will haunt me until the end....

introducing bonnie the snow lady

 

let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

As I write this, we are experiencing a major winter storm. About 5-8 inches when all is said and done. This is the good kind of snow. The happy snow that I like and appreciate until around January 5. Then, as far as I am concerned, it can all melt thank you very much.

However, right now it is very beautiful. All is calm, all is bright. 

snow dog

wanna play? throw the ball. I love the snow, please throw the ball, I will chase the ball. I love the ball. I will chase the ball. Throw the ball. Throw the ball. It is pink, i can find the ball in the snow. It is easy, watch me I will chase the ball if you will throw the ball. pleeeeeaaasse! 

the only person in our government who is getting an "A"

I don't know if anyone saw the report card that the 9-11 comissioners put out yesterday. Basically the administration is doing an abysmal job of protecting us. If the link doesn't work, or you happened to miss the report yesterday, I will break it down for you.

Our government received 5 F's, 12 D's and 2 incompletes. There were a number of C's thrown in, and only 1 A! The A went to terror financing for it's "vigorous effort against terrorist financing." To be fair, it was an A-, but still, it was the ONLY ONE!

So the guy in the picture on the left is my hubby Mark. The guy on the right is his friend Danny Glaser. Danny works for the Treasury Department in Washington DC. He is the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Terror Financing and Financial Crimes. (impressive huh?) We of course, have attributed the "A" to Danny. Way to go Danny! In his job, Dan goes to countries and essentialy tells them to cease and desist giving money to terrorists. As he puts it, he goes in to "send a strong message." Danny is a former roommate of Mark's, from when they attended Michigan together in the late 80's and early 90's. Mark tells me he used to do Danny's astronomy homework for him. The photo was taken a few weeks ago when Dan and his family came in for a visit and to attend a football game.