Ankle Replacement Wars: Episode V

...In which we strike back at the wound vac!

It's been almost exactly three months to the day since my total ankle replacement surgery. I can finally say that as of today I have actual results that I am happy with. This morning was yet another doctors appointment (YADA). My ankle incision has healed enough where I am officially free from having to be attached to the wound vacuum any longer. I now will be doing basic wet to dry dressing changes three times a day until it heals the rest of the way. I'll be seeing him again in six more weeks.

As far as the actual ankle hardware, everything is setting in nicely. There is still the matter of bone growth to fill in the areas around the implant and over the screws in order to create the supporting bone fusion of the area directly surrounding the upper ankle appliance.

I'm off crutches and walking with a boot that keeps the ankle immobilized. My doctor has encouraged me to try wearing shoes that will fit over my still swollen foot and begin walking on it for as much as I can handle. I foresee a reintroduction to Vicodin in my future as my muscles in that leg have atrophied and my tendons are tight due to lack of use. Obviously I will soon be undergoing long and painful physical therapy... again.

My doctor says I'm a success story in the making, but it's his job to be positive. We'll see, soon enough.

Flashing you my Tweet Cloud

I seem to be: Going, Getting, Need, People, Think, Time, Coffee, Listening quite a bit.
Not sure it means anything but how I chose to condense my statements. Don't read too much into it, now.
Enjoy.

edit: I just noticed that almost directly in the center is the "monkeys monkey" portion of the cloud. Feel free to read what you want into that. Monkey's are hilarious!

edit: adding link to original http://www.tweetclouds.com/user_pages/livingfrisbee.html

And the moral of the story is...

Gather around the campfire little children and prepare to drink deep from the fountain of deep and quenching water we call knowledge.

I have come nigh unto the end of my adventure as the lone human occupant of this domicile for the past seven days. I have experienced the heights and depths of tribulation and of course, through great and excessive cunning, triumph!

From the daring harvesting of daily food and drink to the trials of travel about the surrounding city, I have overcome many and varied obstacles. One should not underestimate the difficulty of dealing with daily tasks while strapped to a battery powered vampiric suction device and hobbling about on crutches like a crippled Imperial Walker.

I've learned again to fend for myself against the trials of bachelorhood. By using the least possible amount of dishes, very little requires any further cleaning. I have very little to deal with in the way of costume changes. Track pants and t-shirts have served me well these past seven days.

Thus, I have kept the need for extra trips to the grocery store to a bare minimum. The delicate art of preservation lends itself well to the longevity of ones person. Given the increased ability to conserve, a man could live indefinably in any condition. The most important resources are the most important to conserve.
Thusly, I have stretched the last of a very important resource out for the entire week. I have saved not only supplies, but money as well.

So, what is the lesson? What great truth does this reveal?
The real moral of the story is that one persons use of toilet paper is far less precipitous than of four.

yes, I have made the last roll last the whole week, with more to spare!

So, I was thinking and painting...

Here I am, alone in the house, for a whole week. I really have not been by myself for long periods of time in my life. I suppose this keeps most people from hearing their thoughts and dealing with their feelings.
I filled much of my time with my en devour into oil painting. As of right now, One is complete and one is in progress. Spending this time leaves part of my brain to think and to ponder. Often, painting or sculpting is an emotionally dark experience for me. No, not often, almost exclusively. I'm not sure why this happens. I'm not sure why emotions in my life lay dormant for years and decades, only to surface while I'm working on a piece of art. Certainly there is a sufficiently stuffy answer, but I'm not that interested to be honest.
I learned something this week, though...
In life, as in art, you need not be afraid of empty spaces.
Also...
Sometimes it is important to be methodical and make plans. Sometimes, you just need to attack things with vigor. The proper form will take shape, often without your consent, and you will be better for it.