NUMBER #2 CAST!
I love the way that sounds Dr Seussish ...don't you?
So friends and family...I have to say I am not ALWAYS OBEDIENT. Stop gasping in mock horror...I know its a slight problem of mine to think I am right. My solution is the better solution. Man has that ever come and hit me in the face. Or rather, little pinkie toe.
Its still numb...
And my orthotist said today...in 38 years...this has never happened to him. Well, he never had ME as a patient...(I thought proudly, and smugly that I had stumped him- haha stumped..get it.. prosthetics is his gig...hehehe) So he decided to cast me exposing the little toe more and made me promise to take it off at any point of pain. Because the nerve would feel pain...due to the fact that that area was not numb, just my little toe.
Then Eva wanted blue and we got to casting. Asked him sweetly about my future brace and types of shoes and he said lace up exercise shoes will be fine... and I said what about other kinds? He said he would not even attempt to wonder, because he isn't sure what kind of brace I am gonna have at this point.
Because I'm a stubborn I can do this by myself kind of girl, I did not call for back up to watch Eva or drive me like the OTHER TWO APPOINTMENTS. Really thought he wasn't gonna cast me, and truly felt like it would waste someone's time.
So after casting he said go ahead and wait, we will wheel you out to your car...and you can go straight home and put on you shoe.
HAHA ...I said, "we couldn't find any shoes".
"Impossible!" he said..."just get a 11 or 12 in woman'e lace up..like Converse...and open up the laces until it fits...I told you that week one...what have you been doing for walking?" The light bulb turned on in his head..."you have been walking with your toes exposed? BUT THIS ISN'T THAT KIND OF A CAST! YOU HAVE TO HAVE A SHOE! You cannot walk without a shoe...its probably how you got hurt....you may NOT walk without a shoe."
In my defense, I EXPLAINED...I tried slippers, but I didn't want to buy
some big, ol clown shoe...that would be so much more difficult to walk in, and, AHEM, SLOW ME DOWN. He looked at me and said ....."THATS KINDA THE POINT. What is so wrong with slowing down? You HAVE TO SLOW DOWN."
Now this said,I called a lot of people last miunute to assist me to getting"shoe compliant" cuz I can't just sit on my duff all week- I have things to DO. But no one was available. The cast is heavy and does slow me down and I chose to drag Eva SLOWLY through the mall to Payless Shoes and I promised she could get an ice cream if she helped me...she did great...so proud of my little woogie! I went to Payless and got me a big ol clown shoe and matchers in the right size to attempt to help balance and gait.
Eva said after getting the cone..."momma you know I know what you are thinking..."
"What baby?"
" You want to go sit and eat ice cream down by the fountain..."(I did not...but she was so sweet...we hobbled our way down there!)Pictures will post to facebook, and I will add here later.
Moral of the story kids....a clown shoe today is worth no numb toes tomorrow...
Friday, February 24, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Chicken Enchilada Soup
Because so many have asked!
Ruth’s
Chicken Enchilada Soup
RUTH’S
NOTES: make it simple or make it hard….but
MAKE THIS SOUP- YOUR FAMILY WILL LOVE YOU FOR IT! If you want you can switch
out to a cheaper dark meat of chicken, or use less chicken- add more black beans
for the protein! ! If you are crock
potting please make sure you either put in chopped raw chicken or take the
whole breasts out and chop them at the end. Also milk will go in the last 20
minutes of crock pot time
1tbs
butter and oil
3
chicken breasts
1 medium
onion,chopped
2-3
cloves of garlic, minced
1 can of
enchilada sauce, mild –you can use hot if your family likes spice…
1 can of
cream of mushroom soup, or chicken soup- or leave out and add more milk at end
2 cans
of black beans
2-3
handfuls of frozen corn
1 cup or
so of milk
Salt and
pepper and cumin to taste
Garnishes:
I really
love shredded pepper jack cheese, cilantro and sliced avocado and a side of chips…but you
could do any cheese and sour cream too if you like!
Crock pot
instructions: there is notes that say you can put in EVERYTHING and cook it even raw chicken….and cook it for
8 hrs on low. That raw chicken thing grosses me out, plus you lose the
carmelizing effect that the onions have when you sauté them, so I sauté onions,
garlic and chicken then cook it in a crock pot. Honestly, only did this one
time as I am too anxious to eat this soup- I just throw it together in a pot on
the stove….right before dinner.
Now here’s
the Directions-how I do it! :
In a
medium pot: Saute the chopped onions and garlic in oil/ butter on medium heat
until the onions are translucent and starting to brown (carmelize) a bit. Add
chopped raw chicken, salt and pepper and cumin to taste- cumin really adds to
this I would say, 2 tsp? saute until
cooked through. Then literally dump everything else in except the milk!!(if you
want to get fancy you can whisk the enchilada sauce with the cream of mushroom before
dumping so it doesn’t start off gloppy) Bring
to a boil, then reduce to simmer, cooking at least 30 minutes …then last 10
minutes- add milk. Serve with your garnishes of choice. There will be no
leftovers. Be prepared to wish there were!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Adapting is Choosing Well
OK, so, a friend of mine recently said that I would adapt to my cast as well as I adapt to everything else. And its true, 24 hours in, I was hardly limping, and though it still hurts and is itchy as all get out!
Adapting is really what disabled people do none stop. You assess a situation and before you even realize it your brain is already figuring out a different way to do things. I have always said its kind of like having an advantage over the rest of the human race....
I KNOW...I know. You would never give up half your body for my advantage, but I am quick to adapt. I don't love change, but I roll with it. WHEN IT COMES TO MY PHYSICAL DISABILITY I have never really felt I had a choice, really. We do have choices...but my "other" choice was so DISTASTEFUL- THE ADAPT CHOICE- NO MATTER HOW DIFFICULT seemed only logical.
Could you imagine for instance waking up every day and saying to yourself, " Nope not gonna get up and use the bathroom-I am going to just release everything right here and get another 5 minutes of sleep." That is a choice. But those consequences are not pleasant. Or desirable. And we don't want to deal with them. So we get up, use the appropriate facilities and go from there.
And that said, lets pretend for a moment we ALL HAVE DISABILITIES. Cuz actually, really, we all do. We ALL COME HERE without a perfect body or mind. We have weaknesses that we have to overcome. Some of us are impulsive.Some weakness don't have DISTATEFUL results. Some of us like to eat too many mini Cadbury Eggs . I ( I mean we) could choose to NOT eat the whole entire bag in 24 hours. Or we could make a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT CHOICE- resist the impulse to buy the bag in the first place. Wait a minute here, where did all my treats go? I would suppose I would have to make ANOTHER CHOICE. But because the end result isn't distasteful, I don't wanna. Which is why, sadly, and admittedly, I have eaten a bag of those chocolate pieces of crack since yesterday. Admitting I have a problem doesn't seem to be enough. I guess I need to out myself to online strangers as well. Still, in my mind I remember the little crunchy shells and melty chocolate and the smell-its like perfume-and it brings me great pleasure. And I bought them yesterday, after realizing that there was really no other option to cover my cast in the rain and against nasty ground germs besides....trash bags. A part of me, the stylish cutesy part, got really sad. And then I saw the happy purple bag with little pastel flowers and I grabbed a bag, and said to my sweet husband -"lets GO!" And as I carried that bag to the car, I was still sad about my trash bags, But when I opened the treats....I could forget for a moment. And just enjoy. But I cannot stop. And now they are gone. This is bad for many reasons. The consequences are so many: I don't eat healthy when I overeat junk. I Cannot appreciate fruit for a while, because I have burned my taste buds. The fat is not good for my body or heart. And the overindulgence is not good for my soul-
So WHAT IF....we slowly took each of our weaknesses..."disabilities" and TREAT THEM LIKE DISABILITIES. Find a different path. AND JUST TAKE IT. "CAST" OUR WEAKNESS. Change the way our weakness is "shaping us". RESHAPE OUR THOUGHTS. A dear friend who explained brain mapping to me helped me to think this through.
My cast hurts. I want to take it off. I cannot sleep for a long time before the weight of it hurts. I cannot shower, and must rely on my husband for many daily things, that I wish I could do myself. Besides being painful, I am exhausted. But......I can feel the change my foot is making. The pain reminds me I am realigning my body. My friend said she is seeing the physical difference. Change is never easy. Adapting is never easy. But it is necessary to become better. In my real case, I can stop falling and risking major injury. WHAT FASCINATES me is the amount of change I see needed in ALL AREAS OF MY LIFE. THIS PHYSICAL CAST has allowed my Spiritual side to say hey- WE COULD USE SOME CHANGE! I feel immensely grateful for this cast. It is a catalyst for a better RUTHIE. Many have asked: did this happen because you chose to run? The simple answer is: YES. Without the intense trauma to my knee and hip, I may have gone along my merry way until, as a much older adult I would have been a deformed woman, whose falling may have risked her life. My running has CAUSED this cast- and in so- again- freed me.
WHAT DISABILITY WILL YOU ADAPT YOUR LIFE FOR THIS WEEK?
.
Adapting is really what disabled people do none stop. You assess a situation and before you even realize it your brain is already figuring out a different way to do things. I have always said its kind of like having an advantage over the rest of the human race....
I KNOW...I know. You would never give up half your body for my advantage, but I am quick to adapt. I don't love change, but I roll with it. WHEN IT COMES TO MY PHYSICAL DISABILITY I have never really felt I had a choice, really. We do have choices...but my "other" choice was so DISTASTEFUL- THE ADAPT CHOICE- NO MATTER HOW DIFFICULT seemed only logical.
Could you imagine for instance waking up every day and saying to yourself, " Nope not gonna get up and use the bathroom-I am going to just release everything right here and get another 5 minutes of sleep." That is a choice. But those consequences are not pleasant. Or desirable. And we don't want to deal with them. So we get up, use the appropriate facilities and go from there.
And that said, lets pretend for a moment we ALL HAVE DISABILITIES. Cuz actually, really, we all do. We ALL COME HERE without a perfect body or mind. We have weaknesses that we have to overcome. Some of us are impulsive.Some weakness don't have DISTATEFUL results. Some of us like to eat too many mini Cadbury Eggs . I ( I mean we) could choose to NOT eat the whole entire bag in 24 hours. Or we could make a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT CHOICE- resist the impulse to buy the bag in the first place. Wait a minute here, where did all my treats go? I would suppose I would have to make ANOTHER CHOICE. But because the end result isn't distasteful, I don't wanna. Which is why, sadly, and admittedly, I have eaten a bag of those chocolate pieces of crack since yesterday. Admitting I have a problem doesn't seem to be enough. I guess I need to out myself to online strangers as well. Still, in my mind I remember the little crunchy shells and melty chocolate and the smell-its like perfume-and it brings me great pleasure. And I bought them yesterday, after realizing that there was really no other option to cover my cast in the rain and against nasty ground germs besides....trash bags. A part of me, the stylish cutesy part, got really sad. And then I saw the happy purple bag with little pastel flowers and I grabbed a bag, and said to my sweet husband -"lets GO!" And as I carried that bag to the car, I was still sad about my trash bags, But when I opened the treats....I could forget for a moment. And just enjoy. But I cannot stop. And now they are gone. This is bad for many reasons. The consequences are so many: I don't eat healthy when I overeat junk. I Cannot appreciate fruit for a while, because I have burned my taste buds. The fat is not good for my body or heart. And the overindulgence is not good for my soul-
So WHAT IF....we slowly took each of our weaknesses..."disabilities" and TREAT THEM LIKE DISABILITIES. Find a different path. AND JUST TAKE IT. "CAST" OUR WEAKNESS. Change the way our weakness is "shaping us". RESHAPE OUR THOUGHTS. A dear friend who explained brain mapping to me helped me to think this through.
My cast hurts. I want to take it off. I cannot sleep for a long time before the weight of it hurts. I cannot shower, and must rely on my husband for many daily things, that I wish I could do myself. Besides being painful, I am exhausted. But......I can feel the change my foot is making. The pain reminds me I am realigning my body. My friend said she is seeing the physical difference. Change is never easy. Adapting is never easy. But it is necessary to become better. In my real case, I can stop falling and risking major injury. WHAT FASCINATES me is the amount of change I see needed in ALL AREAS OF MY LIFE. THIS PHYSICAL CAST has allowed my Spiritual side to say hey- WE COULD USE SOME CHANGE! I feel immensely grateful for this cast. It is a catalyst for a better RUTHIE. Many have asked: did this happen because you chose to run? The simple answer is: YES. Without the intense trauma to my knee and hip, I may have gone along my merry way until, as a much older adult I would have been a deformed woman, whose falling may have risked her life. My running has CAUSED this cast- and in so- again- freed me.
WHAT DISABILITY WILL YOU ADAPT YOUR LIFE FOR THIS WEEK?
.
Friday, February 10, 2012
THE CASTING HAS BEGUN
Thursday, February 9, 2012
A CAST?
Today I went to my orthotics and prosthetics appointment to be fitted for my cool hinged brace- or "Assisted Device" or AD....I was not looking forward to it . But I have been limited since June by falling, and ya, I don't want to fall anymore. My nuerologist has recommended this great PT who told me, hey I think you need to correct your walk, lets get you an AD..and so here we are !
Except...well, I don't get my brace yet! I first have to go through a series of "soft casts" to correct my deforming right foot and ankle muscles. I can no longer bend my right ankle the way everyone else does, and my foot is shifting outwards, putting great stress on my right knee and right hip. Additionally(though no one really cares about this- its tiring out my left leg and I am always feeling like I get a workout in!)
A soft cast will slowly stretch the muscles to hopefully where they belong. I am supposed to walk on it- and I can actually take it off- the day before my new one comes on. They will come in 2 colors- purple and blue- and for those who follow facebook page- the vote is in- its purple. But UG- IT CANT GET WET. Showers are gonna be-interesting. I don't like washing my hair in the sink. Afraid thats gonna have to be the way now.
A lot has been going through my mind since Friday and I have been keeping it to myself, because we are struggling with a family member who has just been told he needs surgery for cancer- and well- that trumps soft cast every day.(update: surgery a success- simple basal cell skin cancer! Corrected and done)
Truth be told, I haven't been able to finish this post..it is now the night before and I have procrastinated doing all the things I said I would: write about whats going on in my head, buy the big shoe for the cast and of course- paint my toes! They are gonna have to be pretty for all of my pictures!
First and foremost, and heavy on my mind is my "adjustment period" How will I be able to do: walking, showering, cleaning, climbing stairs, sigh, I know its just a soft cast, but a disabled person is always assessing the "how" in the way things are supposed to be done...and then adapt accordingly. I also have been dealing with the worry, that it won't really correct, and they may suggest another alternative...surgery. So my prayers are to correction....and to that end, I am so glad and grateful to be at that point in this journey, that had me sort of running a 5 k last May(deformed mind you!), to almost complete foot drag/limp when I mop a stupid floor. My PT says that has to go under my husband's "honey do list" for a while. We had a good laugh about that. He told me to tell Hubby its in the "fine print". Funny guy. And yes, kids, I mopped today. Control freak that I am. I hate that so much is being TAKEN from me. And no, don't love that chore. But man, I love having control over the little things!
On a total girl note-and trust me, I know how shallow this sounds- I HATE ORTHOPEDIC SHOES. Come on people....just because a person has to wear these shoes does NOT mean they can't be CUTE for heaven's sake!!!! Black, white and tan leather- DYE DOES NOT CHANGE FUNCTIONALITY ! Spice it up a bit and add a funky shoe lace- for the love of ! And I am specifically talking about shoes that a brace fits in guys....I know there are brands out there that cater to foot issues:I was wearing a pair the orthapedist said would no longer work once I got my brace! ....but I have to have laceup shoes that my brace will fit it for the rest of my life. And don't get me started on the gross sandals.
I am tired a lot lately. Tired and frustrated, and emotional. It sucks to have stuff that you have to work on, and it sucks worse when its not just PHYSICAL STUFF. When it rains, it pours, and I am being rained on so I had best listen to the One Above-and do what I am told.
To finish off, I have taken to heart what my Bishop suggested over the pulpit and start a scripture journal while I read the scriptures. Been grateful for that advise as I spent THREE DAYS researching discerning truth from starting in the Book of Mormon Alma Chapter 30. Wow...what a joy.... next up-Chapter 31: theme:Power of Prayer...does anyone see the significance that this is what I am gleaning? Additionally- Chapter 32 is tomorrow- yes folks- the theme: its on FAITH....HM. Think my Heavenly Father is trying to tell me something. You see, through it all, I know that Heavenly Father loves me. He has taken care of my needs and brought me to this place. I have shed my tears- and by golly will prolly always hate ugly shoes, but at the end, I am so blessed to have this gift of life. Here's my pottery parable for you...because when I hear the word cast- I think pottery...thanks to my Sister in law Margaret- for inspiring me!
If we wish to be cast in an image like our older brother- Jesus Christ-He who had felt every fire of trial and pain , and then become like him, who are we to say- no, we cannot take the fire? If then, we do not go to the fire and accept our trials, we simply stay as clay- unfinished , untried, and sometimes unbroken-still we have been formed by Master Potter. But we can become beautiful in that fire- with glorious mixtures of color that would have only been seen by being fired with different agents of trial. We become like others who have gone through that same experience- and we are like them. We can empathize, and understand in a way others would not. And sometimes, dears, like my sister in laws statue, we are tried too a long time in that kiln of life-perhaps by sin and we become cracked, not what we expected, sometimes with a different look or color than expected. Still, if we can come out of it, and love ourselves for what we have become, instead of wishing for that prettier color- or "perfect uncracked cast" we truly see ourselves like our Heavenly Father does, and He gave us his Son who came down to atone for not only our sins but our pain. If we accept that only through Him we can become beautiful: In that moment- he can heal the crack, and make it stronger than it was before. We become perfect in our simple deformed state , and the Master Potter loves all His pieces, and the broken ones He loves because those he held in His hands and He fixed them. Feel free to comment . I hope you have a glorious Friday- looking forward to posting on my Purple cast!
Except...well, I don't get my brace yet! I first have to go through a series of "soft casts" to correct my deforming right foot and ankle muscles. I can no longer bend my right ankle the way everyone else does, and my foot is shifting outwards, putting great stress on my right knee and right hip. Additionally(though no one really cares about this- its tiring out my left leg and I am always feeling like I get a workout in!)
A soft cast will slowly stretch the muscles to hopefully where they belong. I am supposed to walk on it- and I can actually take it off- the day before my new one comes on. They will come in 2 colors- purple and blue- and for those who follow facebook page- the vote is in- its purple. But UG- IT CANT GET WET. Showers are gonna be-interesting. I don't like washing my hair in the sink. Afraid thats gonna have to be the way now.
A lot has been going through my mind since Friday and I have been keeping it to myself, because we are struggling with a family member who has just been told he needs surgery for cancer- and well- that trumps soft cast every day.(update: surgery a success- simple basal cell skin cancer! Corrected and done)
Truth be told, I haven't been able to finish this post..it is now the night before and I have procrastinated doing all the things I said I would: write about whats going on in my head, buy the big shoe for the cast and of course- paint my toes! They are gonna have to be pretty for all of my pictures!
First and foremost, and heavy on my mind is my "adjustment period" How will I be able to do: walking, showering, cleaning, climbing stairs, sigh, I know its just a soft cast, but a disabled person is always assessing the "how" in the way things are supposed to be done...and then adapt accordingly. I also have been dealing with the worry, that it won't really correct, and they may suggest another alternative...surgery. So my prayers are to correction....and to that end, I am so glad and grateful to be at that point in this journey, that had me sort of running a 5 k last May(deformed mind you!), to almost complete foot drag/limp when I mop a stupid floor. My PT says that has to go under my husband's "honey do list" for a while. We had a good laugh about that. He told me to tell Hubby its in the "fine print". Funny guy. And yes, kids, I mopped today. Control freak that I am. I hate that so much is being TAKEN from me. And no, don't love that chore. But man, I love having control over the little things!
On a total girl note-and trust me, I know how shallow this sounds- I HATE ORTHOPEDIC SHOES. Come on people....just because a person has to wear these shoes does NOT mean they can't be CUTE for heaven's sake!!!! Black, white and tan leather- DYE DOES NOT CHANGE FUNCTIONALITY ! Spice it up a bit and add a funky shoe lace- for the love of ! And I am specifically talking about shoes that a brace fits in guys....I know there are brands out there that cater to foot issues:I was wearing a pair the orthapedist said would no longer work once I got my brace! ....but I have to have laceup shoes that my brace will fit it for the rest of my life. And don't get me started on the gross sandals.
I am tired a lot lately. Tired and frustrated, and emotional. It sucks to have stuff that you have to work on, and it sucks worse when its not just PHYSICAL STUFF. When it rains, it pours, and I am being rained on so I had best listen to the One Above-and do what I am told.
To finish off, I have taken to heart what my Bishop suggested over the pulpit and start a scripture journal while I read the scriptures. Been grateful for that advise as I spent THREE DAYS researching discerning truth from starting in the Book of Mormon Alma Chapter 30. Wow...what a joy.... next up-Chapter 31: theme:Power of Prayer...does anyone see the significance that this is what I am gleaning? Additionally- Chapter 32 is tomorrow- yes folks- the theme: its on FAITH....HM. Think my Heavenly Father is trying to tell me something. You see, through it all, I know that Heavenly Father loves me. He has taken care of my needs and brought me to this place. I have shed my tears- and by golly will prolly always hate ugly shoes, but at the end, I am so blessed to have this gift of life. Here's my pottery parable for you...because when I hear the word cast- I think pottery...thanks to my Sister in law Margaret- for inspiring me!
If we wish to be cast in an image like our older brother- Jesus Christ-He who had felt every fire of trial and pain , and then become like him, who are we to say- no, we cannot take the fire? If then, we do not go to the fire and accept our trials, we simply stay as clay- unfinished , untried, and sometimes unbroken-still we have been formed by Master Potter. But we can become beautiful in that fire- with glorious mixtures of color that would have only been seen by being fired with different agents of trial. We become like others who have gone through that same experience- and we are like them. We can empathize, and understand in a way others would not. And sometimes, dears, like my sister in laws statue, we are tried too a long time in that kiln of life-perhaps by sin and we become cracked, not what we expected, sometimes with a different look or color than expected. Still, if we can come out of it, and love ourselves for what we have become, instead of wishing for that prettier color- or "perfect uncracked cast" we truly see ourselves like our Heavenly Father does, and He gave us his Son who came down to atone for not only our sins but our pain. If we accept that only through Him we can become beautiful: In that moment- he can heal the crack, and make it stronger than it was before. We become perfect in our simple deformed state , and the Master Potter loves all His pieces, and the broken ones He loves because those he held in His hands and He fixed them. Feel free to comment . I hope you have a glorious Friday- looking forward to posting on my Purple cast!
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
NO MORE EXCUSES!
I keep "planning " on writing. I have made many resolutions in the past, but this year, it is get organized, stay organized, and NO MORE EXCUSES!
I have in the last few months, weathered some personal storms and come out fighting. I need to start writing more, but January was dedicated to home organization...not quite there yet, but thanks to Pinterest, I am well on my way. It is so true...there are really no new ideas! So many talented women out there!!!I feel blessed to be in this day and age of technology.
This month I have started ordering from Farm Fresh to You, a local Organic Farm that delivers fresh fruits and veggies to your door! In season! I got my first order today and Eva has already eaten 2 CARROTS! And its not even 11 yet!
I am encouraging myself and my family to eat these fresh fruits and veggies, instead of other things. Even thinking about a juicer....anyone ever juice? What are your thoughts?
How do you make veggies taste good in a juice?
Today is shop day, and I am procrastinating. I guess I better get to it!
Its good to be in a New Year...heres to 2012
I have in the last few months, weathered some personal storms and come out fighting. I need to start writing more, but January was dedicated to home organization...not quite there yet, but thanks to Pinterest, I am well on my way. It is so true...there are really no new ideas! So many talented women out there!!!I feel blessed to be in this day and age of technology.
This month I have started ordering from Farm Fresh to You, a local Organic Farm that delivers fresh fruits and veggies to your door! In season! I got my first order today and Eva has already eaten 2 CARROTS! And its not even 11 yet!
I am encouraging myself and my family to eat these fresh fruits and veggies, instead of other things. Even thinking about a juicer....anyone ever juice? What are your thoughts?
How do you make veggies taste good in a juice?
Today is shop day, and I am procrastinating. I guess I better get to it!
Its good to be in a New Year...heres to 2012
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)