San Fran, here I come!! June 8, 2009

After TWO LOOOOOOONG years, Lance and I are finally going on a real vacation!  With the heart surgery, the leg surgeries, the walker, the wheelchair, the shower chair, blah blah blah…all of that CRAP kind of gets in the way of traveling.   You CAN do it, mind you, but it isn’t easy. 

The best way to stay safe and happy when you’re handicapped?  Predictability and consistency…Knowing what to expect.  Are there going to be crowds?  How will we know what is accessible and what isn’t (you’d be AMAZED what isn’t)?  When eating out, can a wheelchair maneuver between tables and chairs?  What if there isn’t a ramp?  How is Lance going to carry ALL our luggage?  That kind of stuff…I’m a worry wart anyway, and while I am a Christian, I worry like a Jewish mother – trust me!!  We stayed in a couple of hotel rooms that were handicapped accessible, but it’s still difficult.  Plus, I don’t think I need to tell you, that showering with a shower chair that you don’t know who’s bare ass might have sat on???  EWWWWW….Trust me, when I HAD to take a shower in that situation, I layered many towels down before sitting.  Gross….

 

Anyway, the point of this post is not to relive tougher times…the point is that is symbolic of me being able to move on, to show how much things have changed, and to prove what I am able to accomplish now!  I am traveling to the busy city of San Francisco, CA with my hubs to have a blast with some friends.  I don’t have to worry about if I can fit through a tight area, if I can get onto the BART, or Lance having to push me everywhere…FREEDOM is the only ONE word that I can use to describe the feeling.  If you’ve never been in that situation, you have NO IDEA….I can’t even imagine how people who have a permanent handicapp live with it from day to day.  Ever notice how you don’t really see THAT many handicapped people out in public…it’s because it’s a pain.  I am so blessed and I thank God for my freedom. 

Lance and I need this trip so badly.  It’s almost as if we are going to be leaving this past life here and when we come back, it will be back to normal…While I know if doesn’t work that way EXACTLY, it’s a nice thought!!  LOL  Anyway, there will be tons of pics when we get back!!  Get ready!  I’m going to photogragh all of our adventures!

 

Look out, San Francisco…Here comes Melanie Dewey!!!

Foot stuff! May 23, 2009

So on the 17th, I wore two (NEW) shoes to work for the first time – HORRAY!!  On the 18th, I did it again – DOUBLE HORRAY!!

After that, my ankle started to feel a little weak, so I am back in the boot for a while, giving my stuff a rest.  I definitely do NOT want to overdo it.  LOL

 

I kind of equate this to pulling weeds.  You get out there, you’re pulling weeds, and while you’re not feeling anything now, you know you’re gonna feel it later.  Well, it’s later!! LOL

No worries….I’m not worried about my ankle right now.  I just should have thought things out a little better.  Since I was not only starting to wear dos zopatos to work for the first time, they were also NEW zopatos, I should have worn them for like half my shift for the first few days to let my feet get used to them. Ahhhh…you live and you learn!

Feeling MUCH better!! :) May 12, 2009

Ohhhhh!!  What dear sweet people who visit my blog!  The sweet comments and well wishes meant so much to me and really boosted me on to the road to recovery! 

 

I DID visit the doctor this weekend and found out that I have “multi-itis” (which apparently is Sinusitis, Bronchitis and a couple other itis-es).  I also had ear infections in both ears. 

The fix?  A steroid shot, a prescription of antibiotics, and a strict diet of breathing treatments (so this doesn’t interfere more with my asthma).

 

PLUS – the thing about my boss?  We found out today that we will be getting our NEW manager on June 1st and it’s a guy we are all familiar with.  So, while we’re upset about the loss of our previous manager, we are happy about the man that was hired to take his place.

 

Thanks again to all my sweet friends who look out for me and care for me.  I really appreciate your kind words.  You all know who you are!

Sickly for a WEEK!! Ugh! May 9, 2009

yuck…being sick just sucks!  I’ve been dealing with this for about a week now…The scratchy throat, the congestion, the exhaustion, some insomnia (which I so rarely have), the “heavy chest” feeling, and now some stomach problems as well…UGH…plus I have asthma to boot, so it just intensifies the everyday struggle with breathing easy.

 

Oh and it gets better…   

 

So, on Thursday of last week (April 30th), my boss was suddenly terminated so the stress level, as well as emotions,  in my workplace is extremely high.  On top of that, Friday of last week (May 1st) was the 5-year anniversary of my dad’s death. 

 

While each year is getting a little easier, I’m still rushed back to the day he died.  I was almost 24 when it happened and I was his medical power of attorney.  I have two uncles, an aunt, and an older sister that he could have chosen, but I was his MPOT.  I had to make the decision to remove him from life support, and while nothing more could have been done for him, I still felt so guilty, as if I personally was killing my daddy.    At times, like the anniversary of his death, those feelings feel so fresh…

 

So, anyway…that was Friday.  On Sunday, I started feeling pretty sick and I just can’t get better.  So, here I am, not able to sleep, and I’m feeling crappy and miserable.  The after hours clinic at my doctor’s office opens in about 4 hours, so I think I will finally head there. 

 

Go on…you can tell me – I’m pretty pathetic!  LOL…Am I feeling sorry for myself a little bit?  You betcha!

Get ready!! April 30, 2009

Some of you may have noticed that I haven’t listed anything new in my shop for the last few days, but there is a reason for it!

 

I’m so excited to announce the arrival of my new product line.  I haven’t come up with a name for it yet, but tomorrow will post pics of the new cards and would LOVE some ideas on what to name the line!

 

Check back tomorrow to see my new stuff!  Can’t wait!

Same feet, new feeling! April 27, 2009

Wow!!  I’m finding life without a brace on my leg to be rather eye-opening!!  It’s liberating, yet painful at times.  And while it’s terrific that I don’t have to wear a brace, it’s challenging to find shoes that I can wear (besides tennis shoes). 

 

The problem?  Well, first of all, I don’t have much feeling in my foot.  Second, because my achilles tendon was lengthened, it’s now sort of stuck in a 90 degrees angle.  Some types of  shoes require your foot to be able to bend/flex in different ways, and my foot/ankle is just sort of stiff.  SO…I need shoes that will sort of strap to my foot.  LOL!  Third, I don’t feel steady enough to wear ANY type of heel, other than a wedge, and shoes like that don’t really give me the support I need anyway…*SIGH*  To be honest, I’ve ALWAYS been to clumbsy to wear much of a heel (even before all this happened with my foot)!!!  ROFL

 

Imagine my dilemma when, after wearing nothing but a walking boot and tennis shoes, Lance mentioned going to prom with him!! My first thought was, “OMG!  What kind of shoes am I going to wear?”  My mom went shoe shopping with me and we found the perfect shoes!! PLUS!!  Recently, I came across these cute houseshoes/slippers that this sweet lady I used to know made for me (Lance thinks they look like old lady shoes, but I think they look adorable)!!  Check both of my new FOOT GEAR out!

 

An Addiction – of a Different Kind… April 21, 2009

So, many people have addictions in life…Some are very sad – drugs, alcohol, tobacco, gambling, sex, etc….I have an addiction as well, and while some may think it is sad, I think it’s just FUN!!!  Nevertheless, I am addicted to it and can’t seem to get enough of it – PAPER!!  I probably have as much in my stock of paper as a Michael’s store and I’m not kidding!!! 

Get this – sometimes I buy it just because I like it, but I’ll have no idea what I want to use it for and other times, I’ll buy a HUGE pack of it and know that I will never use the whole pack. 

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WHAT ARE YOUR FUN ADDICTIONS??  I’m dying to find out.  Please tell me I’m not the only one with a FUN addiction!! 

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SO, my addiction becomes the advantage of my Etsy customers.  I have decided to purge some of my stash and sell it to others.  I’ve done some research on paper sellers on Etsy, and I think that my prices will be TOTALLY reasonable, but let me know if you find it cheaper!

Here are a couple collections that I am planning on listing in my shop today:

Prom Night! April 19, 2009

LOL…I know, you’re probably thinking, “Isn’t she a little OLD to be talking about PROM night?”  I am – believe me, I am!!  LOL

BUT, nevertheless, I did go to prom this year!  My hubby is a high school teacher and enjoys attending prom for a short bit so that he can see all his kids in their best.  This year, I went as his date.  I kind of was asked last minute, so I didn’t have a whole lot of time to figure out something to wear, but I threw something together.

I wish I would have taken more pics because the set up and the theme was phenomenal!!  They did this type of arabian nights theme and the colors were fantastic….red drapings on the walls, belly dancers, etc. 

 

Anyway, here is Lance and me in our prom get-up…

Happy Easter – the celebration of a miracle! April 12, 2009

I can’t believe we’re already into the middle of April.  Time really does fly by so quickly…I’ve been officially walking now for almost 5 months and it feels terrific.  Not one day has gone by in those 5 months that I haven’t been thankful.  Every morning, I step out of bed, and say to myself, “YEP!  Still walking!!”

Here’s what hope and a damn good sense of determination is so important I was told :

1. By three different doctors that I should amputate from the knee down.
2. That I would never walk again.
3. That if I DID walk again (and that was a big IF), I would always have to wear a brace.
4. Walking barefoot or with a regular shoe (no brace) would NEVER be an option for me.

Here I am, almost two years later…Been through 3 leg surgeries, two wheelchairs, a walker, a shower chair, a cane, crutches, etc…A WHOLE lot of struggle, pain, and depression/tears…A great support of family and friends….and a BUNCH of prayers!!! 

 

Guess what?  I am walking and I do it barefoot and I do it in a regular shoe (NO BRACE).  How’s that for a miracle?  Being that it is Easter today and Easter is a celebration of a miracle in itself, I thought it was only fitting that I sit and write about another miracle!

 

My point?  No matter how hard life hits you, no matter what you are going through, no matter how bad things look, no matter what glim outcome you are given – NEVER give up!!

 

Happy Easter!  And thanks to those of you who have supported me and lifted me throughout this whole ordeal.  I love you all and am so, so appreciative for you.  You know who you are…

 

Check out my foot…it’s not pretty, but it’s all mine.  The scars are an everyday reminder to me just how lucky I am…    Hover your mouse over the pics for an explanation… 

Comments are welcome and appreciated. 

Leg Update!! December 4, 2008

Tah-dah!!!  I am now in a WALKING cast (note that the key work is WALKING).      I’m taking it easy this time for sure though.  Still going to use my wheelchair at work most of the time for a while and just take a few steps as needed.  I’ve walked on it a bit today and while it’s felt absoluely DELICIOUS, I will admit that it aches a bit and is sore – I guess mostly from it being so weak.  I don’t want to be back to a point where my ONLY option is a wheelchair or walker, so for now (and for a while now), it’s better safe than sorry for this little lady. 

Thanks to all of you that have thought or prayed about me.  I really appreciate it all because the prayers (and all the positive energy mixed in with a LOT of patience) have really worked.  God is good!!