Now comes the tough part

I am two weeks past surgery and now the tough part starts. The re-hab and boredom that follows a surgery of this type. For someone who is used to being on the go or asleep, the inactivity is tough. It is also frustrating to do exercises that all my life would have been very simple. It now becomes a grind and staying focused to get through it.

On the positive side, my son gets home from college this evening. I don't know if his football career is over but he is finished with Chowan. He told his mom the AD spoke to him on campus as he was preparing to leave and told him that he would be glad to help in any way possible. It is just a shame that he wasn't able to bring in a football coach that could do the job.

Basketball is full speed ahead. The Heels should be at full strength after Christmas and I hope they reach their potential. Their potential spells National Championship number 6 (I count 1924) Go Heels!

Caution: Not for weak stomachs

This is what a hip looks like 1 week post surgery. It actually looks worse than it feels and the tape burns on the right have been very sore.

I continue to do my therapy and some of the exercises are very uncomfortable. From all accounts I am through the worst parts and should start to improve rapidly.

I have had excellent care from my caregivers, from my surgeon all the way to the folks in physical therapy. Thanks to everyone that had a part in this, including all the staff that I had contact with at Caldwell Memorial.

Recuperation

Here I am one week post hip surgery and so far so good. I think I am progressing well compared to the average patient but then I am twenty years younger than they are so I should be.

My wife went back to work today to get some rest. I am sure it was harder taking care of me than doing her normal job. She really doesn't like emptying my urinal (can't say I blame her) or giving me a shot. That is another story.

These are really neat to help from developing blood clots, there are a series of 10 shots that are given in the abdomen. This gives me a new appreciation of what diabetics go through and I don't envy them. I plan to keep losing weight and watching my diet to help insure this doesn't happen.

I hope to have some shots of the bruising on my left thigh later in the week. It is very impressive and should be recorded for posterity (not of posterity however)

A little scary

It seems that we spend our lives waiting for the next thing and tomorrow the next thing is having my hip replaced. I know that this happens hundreds of thousand times a year but not to me. I am a little nervous and wish I had the early surgery so I would have less time to wait.

The after part is a little tricky as well. It is supposed to take the pain away from walking but how long will it take to recover and will it limit my activities. I will make the best of it, work hard and maybe like Bo Jackson, come back to continue my pro career.

Our new commissioners were sworn in tonight and I hope for the best. They have a long and difficult road in front of them as do all our elected officials. May their judgement be good and their motives pure.

That's all til after the surgery, wish me luck

Long Weekend

But it never seems long enough, when you get to be with people that you like and love. Had a great dinner with my in-laws Thursday, went to HS football game Friday night (Hibriten lost a tough one to end the season.) Had friends over last night for BBQ chicken ( you would have thought it was prepared by someone who was on Top Chef, the way people raved) and then lunch at Moms today.

After some rough times, it feels like my family (my brothers and I) are together again. I guess it is just a process in life and people go through different things at different times. You can't know what is happening in their lives, only yours. I am very glad that we are at ease with one another again. Hope it continues, we are all very lucky.

Go under the knife on Tuesday and I am a little apprehensive. I guess it is always a little scary when someone else is control. I guess in a way there is always someone else in control. You just need to be able to realize that and understand that you can only control certain things and pray that the things you can't control come out alright.

Heels looked sharp, even without Tyler H. I hope he plays Wed. night and hope the Hospital has ESPN. If not, I will go to fall back plan and listen to Woody.

Who's fault is it

I would like an answer to this question, but maybe I don't. It could be that it is a little of all our our faults. We have forgotten the past and we may be re-living some of it. Here is a column that was sent to me last week and I would like to share it with you:

Troubling Times Provide a Real Lenten Season

By Alan Eddington

While I have been hearing and reading various opinions regarding whether or not our national financial situation should be a matter addressed by organized religion and church leaders, I would submit that this topic could be richly rewarding for individual spiritual direction and meditation, as well as family and small group discussion.

For me, a meaningful and vibrant faith life must include the dynamic interplay between my life and the societal conditions in which I live. One of the societal conditions affecting my life is the economy of my community, my country and my world. So when this economy takes a significant down-turn, as it recently has, how do I deal with this reality in my faith life?

One of the centuries-old ‘spiritual practices’ of Christianity is the observance of a time of Lent. Traditionally, this is a 40-day period of fasting and withdrawal, modeled upon Jesus’ time of fasting and prayer in the desert, and occurs during the six weeks leading up to the Celebration of the Paschal Mysteries. The Christian Lenten observances in many instances, however, are what I would call ‘trial runs’ or ‘drills.’ It is an artificial time, a time when we try to impose upon ourselves, to greater or lesser success, what it is like to endure a period of denial and hardship, and how this impacts our spiritual foundation. I would submit that for people of faith, we now have a real time in our lives to grapple with denial and hardship. This will also be a time without the artificial boundary of 40 days, but rather, will last for a season, which is the true meaning of the Scriptural references of “40,” be it called to the mountain top for 40 days, or wandering in the desert for 40 years, or withdrawing into the desert for 40 days. For as long as this financial condition exists, that will be how long our ‘Lent” will last.

In these Scriptural Lenten seasons, what happens to the individual(s), and what is the result upon their lives? Two predominant factors seem to be present at the outset: a) God, Yahweh, the Father beckons them, and b) there is significant lack of clarity and understanding, ‘blindness’ if you will, around what is happening and what is to happen. It is after one has ‘drawn apart’ to grapple with the confusion and blindness within a setting of faith and constant prayer, that there emerges purpose and direction and peace-full confidence, that is to say, an authentic metanoia.

I would apply this spiritual tradition to our current economic situation. Perhaps the loudest collective clarion call resounding at the moment is, “Who can we blame?!” “It’s those greedy Wall Street tycoons!” “It’s those tax-and-spend liberal Democrats!” “It’s those laissez-faire, trickle-down economics Republicans!” But just how far beyond our own selves should we push this question of, “Who’s to blame?” This is the question that I would take with me into the desert, to grapple with vis-à-vis my faith principles, and to critically examine just how much of the ‘blame’ resides within my own life-style.

Just how tempting is that “apple” of a new home beyond our reasonable means? How tempting is that over-accessorized, gas-guzzling vehicle? How much will-power and self-control is there, when browsing the latest electronic gadgets at Best Buy? To what extent are the ‘good steward’ principles being practiced, when it comes to time, talent and treasure? Is financially responsible behavior, or extravagant spending, receiving the accolades of peers, and thus driving my fiscal decision-making?

Having taken stock of my own financial attitude and behavior, I have to ask, “What needs to happen in the living of my life that will be a truer reflection of my spiritual principles?” This is where I need to pray intently and intensely without ceasing, for guidance and clarity, and for the fortitude and resolve to act upon the answers to my prayer.

I do believe that we are being presented with a real opportunity to withdraw for a season of fasting and prayer. I do believe that this is a real opportunity for growth and insight. I do believe that this is a real opportunity for churches and church leaders to be credibly relevant!

© The Barrick Report, 2008.

Alan Eddington is a retired parish priest. He writes from his home in southern Illinois.

Published in:

• Christian Living

on November 21, 2008 at 12:52 pm

My wonderful wife said we have been through such a period in our lives, a time when I was not functioning at my highest (it it possible for me to function any lower?) We survived and we have grown closer. We don't require a lot to live and we don't have a lot of wants. Maybe a path to a simpler life will help us get through tough times as a country. I think we are about to find out!

I am guilty, however of wanting more TarHeel basketball victories and another National Championship. Go Heels!

It's the most wonderful time of the year

Yes that's right, it is the start of college basketball! Heels had their first game and even though they were a little rusty and playing without two senior starters they won easily. I think this team can be very special, especially if they stay healthy and un-selfish. We will know for sure in early April.

I am working out hard, preparing for my hip replacement. I want to be as strong as possible, in hopes of helping my re-hab. I think my entire outlook will improve after getting rid of the pain. It isn't constant but it flares up every time I put it under stress. I know it won't be as good as new but should be better than what I have now.

Still watching HS football and the Hibriten Panthers have a real shot at going to the 2AA finals and the scary part is they may be even better next year. They have a few seniors but a really strong group of soph's. They have a young man named Trip Patterson that could be a serious DI athlete. Several others that are almost that good and a solid O-line.

Have my eyes set on the Apps and hope they make it back to Chattanooga. My goal is to be well enough to make that trip. Should have the staples out and back on my feet. It is good to have goals.