The New Normal (temporary, but it sure doesn't feel like that now)

We're getting a little used to our new life.  Part of it hasn't changed: my law partner has been suffering from serious neck problems for a while, and has been AWOL for going on three months now.  He had serious surgery a month ago and is rehabbing much more slowly than expected.  So I've been doing the work of two for quite a while and will for quite a while more, and was really looking forward to a vacation, even if it was only a week.  However.

We are fortunate that Janet was able to get to the hospital in Pittsfield in good shape as that meant her fracture was not aggravated by movement.  John and Mary were yeoman help, even as they juggled being hosts for their unexpected guests from Peru.  Since Janet's immobilized knee wouldn't fit into our little Fiat (we call her "Bella"), Mary drove Janet back while I followed.  Mary stayed an extra night and helped get things set up.  I had to get back into the office more than I wanted.

The cast is purple, but that's about it.  It holds Janet's leg out straight and she can't put any weight on it.  So she uses a walker and hops around.  We moved her Mom's old recliner into the den, moved some things out, and we both sleep in the guest room.  When we first moved in this house, we knew that none of our parents (all still alive then) would do well with stairs, so we converted the dining room into a guest room.  Little did we know that some day we would be "guests" ourselves, using Janet's mother's recliner, a walker just like the one her father used, and a rolling table that we used when her father came to visit.  Fortunately for Janet, we had just replaced the old big screen TV in the den with a big flat screen, so at least she gets that.  She also has the incredible Bose radio from her father's apartment.  But she can't get around much, can't take baths or showers, can't really cook, or do wash, can't drive or take those nice long power walks, and (these really break her heart) can't rake leaves, take out the garbage or recycling, water the plants, vacuum, clean bathrooms, paint, sweep the walks, trim hedges and bushes, chase deer away, take Dasha out, go to the cleaners or grocery store, or book store, or mall, etc.  You get the picture -- I sure do!  She's already made it clear, though, that she, the Disabilities Coordinator at McCarter Theater, is going to see opening night this fall as a "person with a disability."  And she's getting ready to go back to work.  But we'll miss the Springsteen concert at the Meadowlands.

We see the doctor again tomorrow for a follow-up x-ray to make sure all is healing well.  We'll keep you posted.  Thanks for all your good wishes.