Goodbye Collar

So Long, Fairwell, Auf Weidersehen, Goodbye. . .Hausta la Vista. . .Au Revoir!!!

Today was a fantastic day! The CT showed that I'm healing nicely so we did xrays while I flexed and extended my neck (much more difficult than I anticipated). C1 and C3 remained stable so I'm officially being weaned out of the collar! Bone is no longer the concern. . .it's my poor, unused muscles that need the TLC now. During the day I can keep the collar off and stretch my neck to help those muscles relax some. I will have to wear the collar at night for about a week. I still look really stiff. Luckily, Marcella, I do not have a giraffe neck :) But, Chris says that it does look longer. My scar doesn't look that bad at all and as long as I don't burn it this summer it should blend in nicely in about a year. Still no heavy lifting, but I can do just about anything I want (no boxing, waterskiing, or trampolining for a while). I do have medical clearance to fly home in August for all of those worried (SUSAN!). So, that's about all for now. Thanks everyone for continuing to pray for me! Love ya'll!!

My first lunch without the collar. Do I look like I miss it?

Save the Date

We're COMING HOME!!! I'm flying into Panama City and Chris into Mobile on Aug 17th and we're leaving the 27th. Susan, save your vacation days until then because I need some time by the ocean! Can't wait to see everybody!

High Hopes and Dairy Queen

My CT is scheduled for Monday. Immediately after, I'll follow up with my doctor who will decide if he can start weaning me off the collar or not. It's summer. . .this collar is not helping my tan any. The thought of being able to take it off, for any amount of time, next week makes me want to do the happy dance everywhere I go. I had convinced myself that it was definitely coming off, but now I'm starting to face the reality that it could have to stay on for up to another month. If that's the case and you have a difficult time getting in touch with me, just call my local Dairy Queen. I'll be seeking comfort in a frozen treat.

Pain Update

It's 11:40 and I'm at work. So far the only pain med I've had is a 500mg Tylenol and I FEEL GREAT!!

Fusing, Fusing, Fusing. . .

Keep that bone a fusing [sing to the tune of the Rawhide theme song]. So, yesterday I saw Dr. Russo for my 1-month follow-up and he said that I was "fusing fast" at C5-6. That is FANTASTIC news. He can't really see the fractures at C1 and C3 on x-rays, but he said it's safe to assume that they are healing at the same rate. The plan is to follow up in 2 weeks for x-ray. If all looks good, we'll schedule the CT in 2 more weeks. If he likes the CT, he'll take the collar off that day and take x-rays as I flex and extend my neck. If not, the collar will stay on for probably another 2 weeks. Very good report from the doc so let's all keep praying!! Oh, took off my pain patch today so tomorrow will be the true test. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Garden & Hike

We planted tomatoes, potatoes, squash, carrots, and cucumbers in our freshly tilled garden today. Tomorrow, we'll plant the corn and beans and then we'll watch them all grow. . .hopefully. After all that hard work (see just how hard I worked below), we took a drive up our road into the mountain. The snow is melting and the flowers are blooming. Unfortunately, we only spotted a few deer. No moose :( Maybe next time.

Saved From the Jaws of Death

Chris and I were working (ok, I was tanning, he was working) in the yard when he walked in the garage to find Rex about to make a meal out of a sweet, innocent hummingbird!! Chris snatched up the exhausted bird just before Rex could get his mouth around him. It seems that the little bird had been working very hard to get out the garage and away from Rex. The bird laid limp, almost lifeless, in Chris' palm on the verge of death. I went in the house to get my camera and as I stepped back outside, Chris was giving the bird CPR. Yes, you read right. CPR to a tiny hummingbird. Just as I was about to take a picture of Chris lip to beak with the bird, the bird flew out of his hand and hovered just above my head. Chris saved his life!! Do I have the most amazing boyfriend or what?