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Day 122.  A Date is Set.

6/25/2015

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I'm getting out!!!!  The release date is June 30th. I'm ready to go and I think Barry is too.  He has packed up some of my things already and there are six days to go.  I'm walking with a walker for the most part and have used the cane with supervision.  My physiotherapist wants me to have a walker in place for my return home.  To be honest I had hoped that I wouldn't need it by that point but progress is a little slower than I thought. I can still improve as time goes on and I feel certain I will.

My occupational therapist, Maylene, had me work around the kitchen today.  It was interesting moving around the kitchen finding things and getting items from the fridge to make an omelette. I would say I did it with relative ease, however I was exhausted after I finished cooking it and it did take me almost forty five minutes.  Barry was pleased to have something to eat that I had cooked and so was I.

That brings me to the topic of food and its importance in all of our lives.  Don't get me wrong; I get tired of shopping, preparing vegetables and cooking, however when those things are taken away it leaves you with a bit of a helpless feeling.  It is a luxury to decide what we would like to eat each day instead of having something put in front of you that you either do not like or are not in the mood for. We all have those days when we just want a certain thing.  That's a bit hopeless when you are in a hospital bed.  Usually it wouldn't matter if it is a week or so but I'm into my fifth week now and I'm tiring of the lack of choice, the poorly prepared meals and the lack of healthy vegetables. I've included a few pictures for you to decide for yourselves if you would eat it.  I've tried to be cooperative and eat the hospital food the majority of the time but some days I just can't do it. Even when there is something I like there usually isn't enough of it.  I see a lot of bigger people here and I wonder how they survive. 

I have the good fortune to have a daughter who has taken on the task of  cooking for herself and her Dad this whole time. This past weekend Jerri and Barry spent Sunday morning chopping and cooking for the next ten days.  Every now and then I break down and dip into their stash of healthy, good food.  I have never understood why hospitals and nursing homes are notorious for having bad food.  This one  is especially bad because when there is something I do like, the portion is so small it doesn't ever feel like I've had a meal. I am used to an evening meal with at least two vegetables and sometimes a salad or garlic bread.  One evening I was served a very good curry chicken drumstick with carrots. That was the full meal.

It's going to take me a while to be strong enough to shop for groceries, but when I do, I know I will enjoy choosing fresh produce and healthy cuts of meat, fish and chicken. Preparing foods that are familiar to me and have an abundance of taste and choice will be one of the many benefits of being home.  If you ever hear me complain about shopping and cooking....please remind me of this time in my life!

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    Maureen Clout

    I'm going in for a 4th neurosurgery; this time it's a repair to my lumbar fusion. Here, I will post my daily updates on dealing with diagnosis, surgery and recovery. Join me on my journey.

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