Slow Motion

Another day of same old, same old. My mobility increases a tiny bit each day. I went without a sling all day yesterday, trying to keep my arm moving naturally. Eventually, I find myself holding my right hand with my left, and my shoulder raised. I’m trying to keep the shoulder down in a more natural position. I’m told gravity will help keep the splintered bones in place and help to settle them into a natural position. Having seen the CT scan, it makes sense. When I was at the emergency department the afternoon of the accident, I was asked to lower my arm to the side and then extend it out at about a 45 degree angle...and there was just no way I could move my arm at all. Yesterday, I was able to accomplish that position, and so I know I’m making progress. There’s still a long way to go. It is certainly an exercise in patience and acceptance.

Smitty is thinking he might need to form some kind of labor union with appurropriate catpensation.

We anticipated his demands, and so we ordered this rather expensive...hmmm...not really sure what to call this. It’s sort of a hanging cat tree, tunnel, fort contraption. We ordered from Chewy.com...a company recommended by my friend, Ila. We’ve been very happy with their service. Things ship and arrive quickly, which is good because cats are not good at waiting.

It hangs over a door. This one is in our hallway, and it will also fit the bedroom door of the RV.

This is the brand insignia:

It has several levels with entry holes on the front and sides, and also inside from level to level.

It’s a little hard to photograph and show you, but in this next image, I’m looking through the side hole. You can see there is a hole in the corner, and then it leads to the lower level, where there is a hole in the front.

As you might guess, the kitties are taking the same approach with this that they are taking with the catrona vaccine. They wait to see what happens to others as they gain entry to its inner regions. Both have surreptitiously inspected it as they walk by. We put some kitty toys inside, and also sprinkled a little catnip. We’ve found some of the toys around, and so we push them back a little farther inside. Sadie actually got inside this morning. I wish I could have taken her picture, but I didn’t want to freak her out by jumping up (such as it is) and grabbing the camera. We’re all taking baby steps right now.

Yesterday, I stitched with both hands for a while. I was able to do some stitching with my right hand, pushing the needle through and pulling it through. The pulling motion was given over to the left hand most of the time, and so it was kind of a hybrid two-handed stitching motion. But I really want you to notice the six French knots at the top of the next image. I was able to do those with no problems. Yahoo!

So now my hoop is full. I need to move it. I’ll try to do it myself first, but I can get Mike to help me with it. I’m trying to do as much as I can for myself. Although it is hard to ask for help, that isn’t the reason for trying it on my own. I really hate feeling helpless, and I figure the more I do for myself, the more I will be able to do for myself. Pain is my guiding principle. If it hurts, I won’t do it.

Today will be another day of sitting around for the most part. I’ve watched some things I’ve wanted to watch: Staircase on Netflix is a good true crime miniseries. I don’t know if the guy did it or not. His life ended up pure hell, and so I kind of hope he was guilty. Also, The Bundy Tapes...Ted Bundy...what a creep. I know How to Make a Murderer was popular for a while. I think I might try that one too. We don’t subscribe to many streaming services. Mike gets agitated about the cost of cable...not because we can’t afford it, but because he’s outraged any time prices are raised. And, let’s face it. The cable companies raise their prices a little too frequently. So we have HBO and Showtime, and we have Amazon Prime and Netflix, along with our regular cable subscription. Any recommendations are welcome.