Out for a walkabout

I got up and tested my 'new leg' on a hike through the Haney Creek Trail.  [*The photo above is the Sunset Bay Marina (shown far right) and Sailors Return Restaurant directly ahead.]

The Park is about a 1/2 mile down the road and open daily to the general public.  I decided a nice hike would be a great test for my new leg...

It was hot.  Hot and sticky with a light breeze to keep me alive when i found shade.  I spotted the Alligator the first thing out of the car.  He was about 4 feet long snout to tail tip. With a head the size of a Pit Bull.  (estimated length as i was too far away to measure for sure) This kept me on my toes the remainder of the hike watching each step and keeping me looking carefully when i neared the water.

I didnt see any snakes or even a second alligator during my visit.  I saw a few turtles and lots of birds and flowers.  It was a lovely day to get out and test drive the leg.  It performed perfectly.

I'm loving this new leg.  Let's all get up and get some exercise.

-Peg Leg Pirate Skip

I AM HEALED

Lippy, the Plastic Surgeon told me today, 

"leave and never come back." 

He also told me i CAN ride my bike again.  Lippy said, 'the new skin is about 80% as tough as the old stuff so be very careful with your new skin.  (Lippy wrote into my chart, "skip can ride his bike.")

Lynn the question sister asks, "Does the shin feel normal when you touch it? When something touches it (nerve feeling?)? Just curious. And how's your hip? "  Lynn you supply some great questions again...

#1.)  FEEL.  i had not really felt the skin graft for 'touch.'  i was always just so careful to change the bandage and avoid 'touching' the new skin.  (it's been so tender i am conditioned to never allowing anything to touch the wounded area.)   Today i was given orders from Lippy, to daily apply Aquaphor to the new skin.  (advanced therapy healing ointment - clinically proven to restore smooth, healthy skin)  *It has the Good Housekeeping seal.   :-)    While applying the Healing Ointment i found that the new skin has limited nerve feel.  It's also very tender to the touch.  I make a very conscious effort to not bump it.  (i've been carefully practicing this since 7/8th)

#2.) HIP.  well now, that's a tender subject...    When they put the old bandage on 8/21st, they told me to 'leave it on till the skin heals and the bandage will fall off.'  But, i knocked that bandage off when preparing for the hurricane.  So i had to make a new bandage and mine was not the magic kind.... So the hip (photo from today) is not quite healed.  But they put a new bandage on today and i expect it to be healed within a week.  i am to change this bandage every 3 days.  It does not 'hurt' but i can feel it and am aware of it.

It's great to be on the mend.  I am loving walking upright on two legs again.  So many things i have missed i can now take advantage of.  I'm excited to be able to ride my bike to the store.  To be able to take a shower.  To have both legs in the water.  Ahhh the little things we enjoy!  I hope YOU have two good legs.  Get up, walk!

This panoramic photo was taken from up on the bridge.

-Peg Leg Pirate Skip

End of September and Fall

I am 'almost' back to normal on the boat.  

i put up the Bimini yesterday.  (the canvas cover over the cockpit, steering wheel area.)  i have not gotten up the clear plastic windows yet. The 'windows' got moisture inside them.  (the material is actually two separate sheets of heavy plastic compressed together under extreme pressure.) When i took them down for the hurricane evacuation it had rained and they were wet.  (i took them down so the 200 mph winds wouldn't rip them down)  Then i put them into a storage unit where the moisture 'seeped' in between the sheets.  (like fog inside your window in the car)  So i am 'running the defogger' on them for a couple of days till the moisture is sucked out.  they are already much better after a day.  Maybe i can put them up this afternoon?

The leg is doing great.  I have my one month meeting with the plastic surgeon tomorrow.  I hope he gives me a good word.  ??   I am hoping i can ride my bike again.

i have been going to a gym for exercise.  i am happy to report that the soreness is less pronounced. i'm going back there this morning....

Yesterday i went to the Baptist Church over the bridge.  i had already tried two churches on this side of town and was not thrilled with them.  It was a friendly church. Eleven people came up and asked me if i was a visitor and to 'welcome me.' Perhaps my height tipped them off?  (they MIGHT have recognized me as a visitor because i was the ONLY person there in shorts?)  

I am eating healthy and still working on growing skin.  I'm reading lots of books and GETTING MEDICAL BILLS.  i spent a few hours friday on the phone with blue cross blue shield and with my check book.  The billing and numbers are all consuming!  *I'll do a breakdown and copy later to the blog.  This aint Obama Care!

We had a pizza party movie night at the marina last night.  it was fun to see a few new neighbors.  this is the 3rd of these since i moved here.  my first time to have legs and attend.  (both the pizza and the movie sucked)  Not much else to report.  It's time now, after breakfast & coffee, to get up and go to the gym for my workout.

Have a great week.    - Peg leg pirate Skip

Back to 'normal?' who knows

I got inspired when i fled the hurricane and visited Tommy in TNN.  He took me one day to meet his trainer and do some 'upper body workout.'   (I was sore for almost a week)  So i figured out i might be out of shape.  And that being healthy required me to not only slow down on the pie, but to get up off the couch and move some.  I started by walking in the Mall with the seniors.  After a couple of weeks I am now not being lapped by the 70 year olds.  BUT today at the Y i was easily 'out worked' by several guys in their mid 70's.  (I didnt ask them how old they are, afraid they might beat me up.)  I started the other day with a spin class.  60 minutes of riding a bike...  how hard can that be?  Well, it's real hard.  I was by far the slowest, worst, out of shape person in class.  (5 ppl)  The teachers little legs were flying.  "OK everyone tighten the resistance and then we are going to climb that hill.  Now stand up and peddle hard."  (blah, blah, blah)  i tried to keep up, but mostly stayed seated with minimal resistance and maximum sweat.  When i felt like i was dying i reduced resistance to the 'coasting' position.  But i made the entire hour and felt good about that.

Today i went back and walked on a treadmill.  i started on a step machine but it hurt my knees and felt too small for me.  So i treaded lightly.  There are flat screen monitors and you can watch netflix or hulu or TV.  I chose some scene with resistance.  Like you are on a little hike and it shows the trail and other people in front of you - to motivate you - to  pass them.  Then the 'little scene' started up a hill and the treadmill inclined and i changed my trail....    i walked for an hour and then did some upper body lifting machines.  (hopefully i wont be sore for another week?)

The last thing, I went into the gym and picked up a basketball.  I shot 7 air-balls in a row.  I guess I am a little out of practice.  But it's good to have two legs and be up off the couch.

I hope you have your Olympic body back under you?   

- Peg Leg Pirate Skip