The Road Home

The Road Home
There is no place like home.

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Neighbors & Friends

As some of you know, I recently had major back surgery. Even with the best laid plans, there is always a gap, and sometimes a large gap. A couple of examples. 

We never thought about a bedside toilet. We didn't realize there are some made for smaller people, bigger people, taller and shorter folks. Not trying to sound crude here, but it would be nice if the people that designed these bedside toilets would actually take the time to sit on one of them. Sometimes it is apparent that these are not designed for use by a man. 

Next example. Bedpans. While in the hospital, I was advised to just use a bedpan. Okay. A short review here. I have 16 staples in my lower back, am in unbelievable pain and am told, just put it underneath and let it go. That just doesn't work. I can see where a metal bedpan would be a tremendous benefit during a hail storm, or if you want to play pirate with your kids, but otherwise, I saw no practical use, with my accompanying condition and the use of a bedpan.

We did some modifications to the couch before my surgery. Instead of spending a lot of time on my back in the bedroom laying down, this gives me another option closer to where most of the living and doing occurs in our house. 
I had a good plan of building 'legs' to go on the legs of our couch. And in our opinion, that was one of those great plans, but the couch was just not meant for long-term sleeping right after surgery, as I quickly discovered. But in just a few days, when I could move around a little better, the raised couch became a very good resting place.
 
We discovered these small sliders on the bottom of the legs.

I got out my forstner bit and fixed that problem.

 





The real reason for this post is the utilization of your neighbors and friends. I am, by all serious nature, a hermit, recluse, loner, pick any term you like. And I'm also one of those types that seldom ever asks for help. But there are times that we adult males need to get over some of these things. When I arrived home from the hospital, there were more cars parked in front of my house than I have ever seen. One of my male neighbors and friends, was there to help me up my steps, which if you can't hardly walk, steps are tough to negotiate. It seems that everybody and their cousin has extra medical supplies that were gently used once and are now available for loan.

But, let me back up a little bit. I have a neighbor, who is also a relative, and we share a common fence line. She was nice enough to come over and open up our chicken house every morning, then come back and close it every evening. Since the hospital is an hour and a half away, for Fern to make two trips a day, would be a minimum of six hours driving time, not to mention the time on site doing chores. So, opening and closing the chickens saved us about four hours a day.

The animals need feed and water. Other neighbors from down the road, helped feed and water our animals several times, which was an unbelievable help. This helped Fern cut down her trips to do chores to once a day. That puts us down to three hours drive time and 30 minutes chore time. 

As most of you are aware, if you let yellow squash get too big, the plant will quit producing and gradually die. So, what does that mean to us? We are not going to be using any of these crops right now, but after my back issue settles down some, we would still like to have harvestable crops. Some more neighbors of ours helped us by harvesting the mature crops in the garden. You think, well, that's free food for them, and that is true. But the bigger issue to me is keeping our garden producing. It's also good for the neighbors, because some of those crops did not do well for them this year.

Other relatives picked up our mail at the post office for us and drove to our closest pharmacy, 25 miles away, and had our prescriptions filled. It's nice to be able to call the pharmacy and talk to the folks there on a first name basis. 

Our local preacher and spiritual adviser has called to check on me everyday. He also came to see me in the hospital. We have not always attended his church, but I have known this man for over 30 years and appreciate the time he takes to contact me everyday.

I know I'm going to leave some events out here, but it humbles me to know that there are people, good decent people, that will step up to the plate when someone is in need. Some of these are friends, some are neighbors, some are relatives, and some are combinations of the above. So, when I get over this, I will still be a hermit, but I want to genuinely thank everybody that helped and are still helping. I also want to thank everyone for their prayers, because I do believe in God and the power of prayer.

Well, it's about nap time. Be appreciative of what you have, and for those around you. Now if I could just get someone to wash my car....

We'll talk more later. Frank

 

11 comments:

  1. Hi there Frank, I'm a long way from you so I can't just come over and help. But I know the power of prayer and that's what I'll do for you! By a long way I mean 20 miles south of the Wisconsin line in northwest Illinois. Keep the faith and God will produce more veggies for sharing.

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    1. Thank you for your kind thoughts. It is ironic that we have already canned up our next year's supply of yellow squash. We were talking about pulling up the remaining plants, except one or two, but like many things in life, we just never got around to it. Our neighbor's squash did not produce this year, so now they have squash. I think that's cool how that works out. And for dinner tonight, I'm going to have.......sauteed squash with onion, and maybe a mild pepper, all fresh picked by the delicate hands that everyday change my bandage. Thanks for your comment again.

      Frank

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  2. It is great to hear you are home recuperating Frank. Take it easy & let things heal slowly/ I know that is another male thing/hard to be patient when laid up or sick. Will continue to pray for your quick recovery and that things will be back to better than normal ASAP. Donna W in MN

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    1. Hi Donna. I have never had a problem with laying back and taking things easy, but at least now I have an excuse to not get things done. I certainly hope that normal comes soon. Take care.

      Frank

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  3. I really liked your couch legs....I hate these new couches where you have to sit dowwwwwnnnnn into them! I had a run in with my health in 2011, it was humbling and sure made Ralph and I aware of helpful neighbors. It also introduced me to bedpans...yeicks I can actually imagine your back issue with using one.
    Now don't over do it and get well. Both my parents had back surgeries and they solved the problem bu took recovery time.
    God bless you and keep you both! Get well slowly and steadily!

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    1. Thank you, Fiona. I have some great bedpan pictures, but Fern, for some peculiar reason will not let me post them. Just kidding. I plan on taking all the time I can, some things just won't get done, and that is okay with both Fern and I.

      Frank

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  4. Often times we think people just don't care, but then we come up against adversity either through health issues or something else and brotherly love is revealed. God is watching over you Frank, and showering you with blessings and love through the kind acts of neighbors, friends, and loved ones. On a lighter note, I get a kick out of you and Fern going 'incognito'. Just like 'Mr. Wilson' on that old TV show, 'Home Improvement', we only see parts of Frank and Fern... the back of Fern's head when she wanted to demonstrate the wonders of her home spun shampoo, and now, a glimpse of Frank's feet. You two are quite the pair! And here's to being a hermit... I'm in training myself! Rock on, Frank!

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    1. Joy, I was very humbled with all the help that people offered and performed. There was a whole list of people that wanted to help, but everything I needed was taken care of.

      On a different note. Being a recluse, you're always under people's scrutiny as to why you choose not to be like them. When I go to church, I am as friendly as anybody. The occasional meal at church provides me an opportunity to be around others. I don't know why or where or when, but I just like to be alone. I listen to ham radio a little bit. I don't listen to AM or FM entertainment radio, and we don't have a television. I like quiet, too. So, beware, there are some down sides to being a loner.

      Frank

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    2. Fret not, Frank! I am also social, but I have always enjoyed being by myself. I can find many things to do for entertainment that are solitary pursuits. I do enjoy peace and quiet.

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  5. Frank, I can relate all too well with your condition. It will all come back in due time. I got my Technician ticket using your articles and am now studying for the General. I really look forward to each article from you and Fern.
    Mile High Ham

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    1. Hi Ham. Congratulations on getting your ticket. It's nice to hear that people are actually reading the radio articles. Remember, ham radio has a big playing field. Most of my time is spent listening. I know fellows that are involved in ham radio that spend every waking moment trying to make that right contact. Like I said, it's a big field. Enjoy it. Play with it. For the most part, ham operators are a good, decent group of people. Some groups always have their bosses, and their whackos, but like I said earlier, for the most part, they are just a group of people that have a good clean hobby.

      Yes, the back thing. I have been in pain for years and years. I don't know what kind of excuse I'm going to use now, for sitting on my back side.

      I think it's really neat you got your ticket.

      73s

      Frank

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