Wednesday, July 27, 2016

It's Not Always About the Food...

We take many things for granted.  Chopping carrots, cutting your food with a knife and fork, doing the dishes, showering, blow-drying hair, putting on makeup, taking photographs, and typing on a keyboard.

When you only have one hand, these things become extremely difficult. 


Dear Friends, and Followers,

Two weeks ago, I was in an automobile accident. 

I fractured my left wrist in the impact.  I feel so fortunate that it was only a fractured wrist and not a more serious injury! 

One week ago, I had surgery on that wrist to remove some bone fragments and have a plate put in to stabilize the radius bone.  A very common fracture and one I also had done to both wrists years ago when I was 11 years old from a fall off of my horse while galloping. Poor horse slipped in some mud and stumbled.  Horse stopped, I didn't. 

Since it was so long ago, I don't remember the pain, and the affects on daily living.


To rub salt into the wound, my dear mother-in-law passed away the afternoon before my surgery.  Needless to say, last week was a real trial for my husband, dealing with his mother's passing and seeing his wife through surgery and recovery has not been a walk in the park.  I have to say, he's been a real trooper and wonderful care-giver. 

So here I am, one week post-surgery, and I am actually typing with both hands (albeit, very slowly). I'm able to do more and more things on my own but still haven't cooked a meal since the accident.  My beloved garden has become overgrown and today, I forced myself to get out and cut the snapdragons which were going to seed. 



In one week from today, I get a removable immobilizer so I'll be able to shower and have even more use of my left hand.

What else have I been doing the past two weeks? Napping, reading, watching television, playing with apps like Prism on my devices (which you can see in the photos above). 


And watching the deer family from my window as they eat the rest of my daylilies.



Not the best way to end a summer season that is short, cherished and anticipated for months - but I continue to be thankful. 

As I heal and can navigate the world a little better I will catch up with those of you whom I follow and miss very much.  I just need a little time.  

Susan

95 comments:

  1. o Susan, so sorry to know that you had such a rough time last two weeks. As I have mentioned before, you have a wonderful garden..such sweet deer family. Get well soon, my friend!

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  2. You are so brave; I wish you a speedy recovery.

    My condolence to you and your husband.

    M.

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  3. Dear Susan, I am so sorry about your accident and the wrist injury and surgery. I do pray for your quick recovery. Also for the loss of your mother in law.

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  4. ohmygoodness. I'm so sorry about your accident and the loss of you Mother in law. Wishing you a quick recovery and cheers to your speedy return to the kitchen. :) Hugs.

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  5. So sorry to hear the bad news. I wish you a speedy recovery, please take care!

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    1. Thank you, Lynn! Thanks for the speedy recovery thoughts :)

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  6. You've certainly had a lot to deal with. I'm very sorry to hear about your mother-in-law. The broken wrist is truly something I can empathize with!! I fractured my left wrist a few year's ago and was amazed as to how incapacitating it can be. It sounds like you are in good hands and making the most of your recovery. If I were closeby, I'd bring you a casserole!!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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    1. Glad to hear you understand, Bonnie! Thanks so much for the food offer :) Our family, friends and neighbors have been very helpful. Thank you!

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    1. Hoping the "hi" will allow me to complete a comment. Oh how I wish that troubles would come one at a time. I am so sorry for your family's loss in an already challenging time. You're still smiling, Susan, and that says a great deal about you! Heal fast. Saying a prayer for these concerns...

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    2. Oh, Vee, you've been through so much yourself lately, it's so nice to have you stop in to comment! Thank you so much for your healing thoughts :)

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  8. Oh, Susan! My heart goes out to you -- and your husband. Quite a trial you're enduring. Hope you're able to enjoy some simple pleasure while recuperating. (Eat lots of protein!)

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    1. You are very kind, Rosemary! I am pushing the protein :) Thanks!

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  9. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
    You are a trooper too.I have thought of you so often♥

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    1. Thank you, Monique :) One of life's little derailments! I hope I am back on track soon. xo

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  10. Oh Susan...how unfortunate! I'm so very glad that the accident wasn't worse, though.
    My sympathies to your hubby on the loss of his mother. What a difficult time for both of you! If I lived closer, I would bring you FOOD!!!
    Instead I can only send ~~rapid healing~~ prayers. {{{HUGS}}

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    1. I am grateful, indeed, that it wasn't any worse, Rett! Thanks so much for your healing thoughts - they mean a lot!

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  11. Dear Susan - I am so sorry to read this! You and your husband have had a very hard time of it. Like Rett, if I lived closer, I'd bring you your supper!
    I hope you heal as quickly and thoroughly as possible. I remember the frustration that came with having to manage with one hand and I send you huge amounts of sympathy!

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    1. Thanks so much, H! I know I'd be well taken care of if you and Rett lived nearby :)

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  12. Hello Susan, I'm so sorry to read this. I hope you recover soon. Your pictures are stunning and although I may not always leave a comment I admire your food and your photography. Sending healing thoughts your way.
    Regards,
    Kanak

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    1. You are very sweet to take the time to leave me a note, Kanak! Thanks so much for your healing thoughts :)

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    2. So sorry to hear about your accident! Sending you good wishes and healing thoughts.

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    3. Thank you, Michael, for your kind, healing thoughts. Very much appreciated!

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  13. Sorry to hear of your wrist and glad it wasn't more serious. Great shot of your deer family - the fawns are really cute.

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    1. Thank you, Larry! The deer would be even cuter if they didn't eat flowers :)

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  14. I am so sorry you sustained a broken wrist, but thankful the injury wasn't more serious. Wishing you a speedy, uneventful recovery, Susan. Condolences on the loss of your mother-in-law.
    Great photos...I will have to check out Prism. What a fantastic shot of mama deer and her twins.
    Have a nice weekend.

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    1. That is very kind, Marigene. Thank you! Life has been quite relaxed since my accident :)

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  15. Yikes, sounds like things have been pretty tough. Sorry about your mom-in-law. Thank goodness you have such a supportive husband. Love the sweet little deer family. Will have to check out prism, never heard of it before.

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    1. It gets better each day and I am very grateful to have him :) Thank you very much, Cheri!

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  16. dear Susan, I'm so sorry to read this, please take care of you ! Sending you good wishes, a warm hug, xo

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    1. Thank you, Chiara, for your good wishes! I try to stay positive ;) A kiss xo

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  17. Oh Susan, I'm so sorry to hear of your accident and the death of your mother in law. Sending big hugs your way!!! Hoping for a speedy recovery!!!

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    1. So much appreciated, Julie! It was a lot to deal with but we're doing much better :)

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  18. Dear Susan Im so sorry heard about your accident :(
    And the passing of your mom in law.
    A really hard time. I know dear.
    Hope you feel well soon.
    Send you hugs and love.
    ♡♡♡♡

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    1. I know you understand about losing a loved one recently, Gloria. Thank you very much for your support and kind thoughts. xo

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  19. And what lovely picture of the deer family ! They are adorable ♡♡

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  20. Susan, I hope that we have a beautiful fall for to you enjoy! Sending you good wishes and healing thoughts. I am very sorry to hear about the passing of John's mom. Your deer family is adorable. Hugs my friend :-)

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    1. Thanks a wonderful thought, Debbie! I hope do too :) And thanks for the hug :)

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  21. Dear Susan, I'm sorry about your wrist, but thankful there were not more serious injuries involved. Very sorry hear about your mother in law. What a tough couple of days for you all! It's definitely trying to be down to one hand, and I wish you a very speedy recovery. :)

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    1. I really appreciate your nice wishes, Marcelle. Fingers crossed for a speedy recovery :) Thank you!

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  22. Susan, My condolences to you and your family for your loss. I hope your wrist heals quickly- I know what a hindrance it is to maneuver one handed. So glad you're okay- take care of yourself!

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    1. Thank you very much, Mary! I'll be so happy when things are back to normal :)

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  23. I can't imagine how long it took you to write this post. If I can imagine anyone eating my lilies, I guess I'd be happy with that gorgeous family. Hope you are on the mend and feeling better soon. And again, condolences to you and your family.

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    1. Everything takes longer these days :) Thanks again, Abbe!

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  24. Sorry to hear this, Susan! I will be checking out Prism, looks pretty cool. I sympathize with you about the deer, they love to sleep in my perennial bed and mash it to bits. You take care and have a speedy recovery!!!

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    1. Thank you, Pam! Prism is a lot of fun :) Thankfully, the deer don't sleep in my garden.

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  25. Susan I am so sorry for your accident, but I see that you are recovering fast and this is wonderful! Enjoy the moments of idleness and see it as an opportunity to regroup and set new targets! Your garden and the deer are beautiful!

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    1. Each day gets better but I know I have a while to go before I'm 100%. Taking is slowly for now :) Thank you, Katerina!

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  26. Oh dear. I am so sorry for the loss of your mother-in-law as well as ypur accident. Co-incidentally, I fell from a bike two weeks ago and dislocated and broke my left wrist. I too, have a plate and pins in my wrist, so I really feel your pain. And I do mean pain. Email me privately if you want to compare notes.

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    1. I'm am so sorry you are also going through this, Linda! It was nice comparing stories by email today :) Best wishes to you in your recovery and thank you, too!

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  27. Hi Susan,
    So sorry to hear about your accident and the passing of your mother-in-law. I hope that your wrist will recover real soon. Take care!
    I love the photos of your garden and the deer family!

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    1. Thank you for your kind wishes, Joyce! We love watching our little deer family :)

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  28. Oh Susan, I so sorry to hear about the passing of your mother in law and your accident...I am glad that you are doing fine and hope you have a speedy recovery.
    Thanks for sharing the pretty flowers and the deer picture...they are so cute.
    Take it easy and hope to see you soon!

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    1. I really appreciate your sweet thoughts, Juliana :) Thank you!

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  29. much love and prayers for a speedy recovery and so sorry about your mum in law hugs

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  30. Oh Susan, I am so sorry and sad to hear about what has happened in your life lately. Thankfully, you were not hurt worse in a car accident. It had to be so frightening. I will say a prayer for your mother-in-law . . . and all of you at this time of loss and healing. I love your photos and don't know how you did it with the use of one hand! You're amazing! I like the Prixm photos that you shared and need to explore more apps too.
    Please get well and do take care of yourself!
    Roz

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    1. I am very grateful that it wasn't any worse, Roz. It was an extremely frightening event. The photos of the deer and flowers were taken before the accident :) Thank you very much!

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  31. Oh no Susan! I am so sorry about the accident and the loss of your mother-in-law. I am praying for a speedy, painless recovery for you and peace for your husband and family. Take care of yourself and hurry back!

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    1. Thank you, Tricia! It was a lot to happen at once :( The pain has gotten much better, thankfully but I know I have a way to go yet.

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  32. Dear Susan,
    We are so sorry to hear about your accident and the loss of your mother-in-law. We too have been away from blogging for personal reasons. We wish you a quick recovery! Don't worry about blogging, this is the time you can re-post some of your favorite recipes. Have a good weekend.

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    1. I hope it's nothing serious on your end, Ladies. Thanks so much for stopping in and offering your speedy recovery wishes :)

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  33. Oh, Susan, such difficult times. A big big hug for you.
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. Thank you very much, Amalia. I am still in a bit of discomfort but improving gradually :)

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  34. Susan, I'm so sorry to hear about your accident and your mother in law. Wow, what a crazy, difficult time for you. You're so right, we tend to take so many little things for granted. I hope you heal quickly and are back to snuff quickly!

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    1. Thanks so much for healing thoughts, Chris! Yes, it was quite a time we had but things continue to improve :)

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  35. Dear Susan hope you feel better soon !
    Hugs ♡♡♡♡

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    1. I'm getting there, Dear Gloria :) I know I have quite a way to go, though, before I can use that hand and wrist like I used to. It's still not very happy about having a metal plate inside.

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  36. Oh Susan! I am so sorry so many things happened to you at the same time. Why does that always happen??! Condolences to you and your family; so sad to lose a mother. And your wrist! I've been there and know. Thank heaven it was your left. ( small favors) As well, because it was an auto accident, it could have been so much worse. You're mending, I know, and things will get back to normal slowly. We who have years of broken limbs used to debate: worse to break a leg or an arm? We agreed, arm. I remember a few years ago going on a vacation in the Caribbean with my family...I had a cast on my arm, a bad cold, a bad cold sore and a rash on my legs! Will never forget....swam with my arm in the air, covered with a plastic bag! I'm thinking of you! Wish I could make some veg tarts to bring over for you!

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    1. Oh my goodness, what a trooper you were to vacation with a broken arm and a bad cold, Barbara! Although the sun was probably the perfect thing for it :) I think I'd still choose the arm over a broken leg. If I couldn't get out in my garden and be able to run errands with my husband, I'd be pretty depressed. As you said, thank goodness it was the left and not the right - that might be a different story! Thanks so much for stopping and the well wishes!

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  37. I'm so sorry to hear all of this Susan! My condolences for the loss of your Mother-In-Law and for your accident. I hope your wrist is mending well. I have been lax in following my blogging friends lately so apologize for not responding sooner. Take care of yourself and hope you are back to normal very soon.

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    1. Thank you, Penny! Things are getting better but I have a way to go yet which is making me impatient :) Thank you for the good wishes!

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  38. Susan, so sorry! I just discovered your blog, only to find a lovely blogger in distress. Condolences to you and your husband, and get well wishes to you.

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    1. That's very sweet of you to take the time to wish me well, Jean! Thank you!

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  39. Susan, weeks ago, I "misplaced" my bookmarks after some computer issues and just today found the cooking ones in another folder. I had no idea that John's mother had passed away. I offer belated but sincere condolences to your family. I hope your recovery is going well and that the immobilizer is allowing you to have more use of your right hand. Will you require PT after you've healed more?

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    1. Once I lost an entire month's worth of photographs in a computer glitch too, Cynthia :( Thank you so much for your condolences! I see my doctor again next week so I'll find out then if he recommends PT.

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    2. Susan, losing photos is much worse than losing bookmarks. I hope that the doctor is pleased with your healing and you re-gain full mobility in your wrist.

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    3. Cynthia, you again for your positive thoughts! It's been a long five weeks and I hope my healing is on target too. xo

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  40. I'm so sorry to just now be reading of your accident and surgery. Thank goodness it wasn't any more serious. I hope you continue to heal and have no lasting effects from the break. I've been behind in my reading everyones blogs as I've had eye surgery on both eyes and couldn't look at the computer screen but for short periods of time because of the light. All my best to you.

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    1. I'm so sorry to hear that you've had to deal with surgery too, Karen! Cataracts? Thanks so much for your well wishes. Getting there slowing!

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  41. I had kidney surgery 2 months ago - don't get back to things too quickly - take care of yourself - heal! Be a bit selfish so you can get better more quickly. So sorry to hear of the passing of your mother-in-law.

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    1. Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry about your surgery, Carrie! Thanks for the great advice :)

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  42. I am so sorry about your hand. Glad it is not worst though! Hugs ♥

    summerdaisycottage.blogspot.com

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  43. Hi Susan, I'm so, so sorry to be reading about this now. I really wish you and your husband are feeling all better now! Sending lots and lots of hugs to you, take lots of care!

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    1. Thank you, Jasline! I wish I could speed up the healing process but doing my PT and getting there :)

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  44. Hope you feel better soon dear Susan. Thanks by stopping by ! hugs!!

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  45. Susan, i hope this comment post finds you well and almost ready to get your cast-off. it has been a tough month for you. Much love and wishes for a speedy recovery. We will be here when you are ready.
    Velva

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I appreciate your comment!