Moments
Friday, January 15, 2021 at 4:33PM 
Nathan had fun with Magic today. Actually he had the visitors sleeping with him today so we did not get enough photos. I groomed around his sleep. LOL They all love the naps with him. Magic was just here for grooming so she didn't hang out long enough for a nap. Every other visitor did and poor Harlow was outdoors playing when Nathan went up and she KNEW so she started whining and up she went. Nathan laughed as if she has this internal clock - nap time - don't see you - me too!
Rebel is amazing. Nathan leans over and she jumps into his arms. She just started doing this. She is going to miss him the most - I swear.
We are down to less than a week till surgery. Do not worry. You don't have to get in before he goes. In reality it is better that you don't so I am not so busy I can't think before he goes. For a week while he's in hospital, I will be here needing to keep busy. Just a thought...
Reader Comments (13)
We will be thinking about Nathan next week. He will come out of this a new man. The four of us send you all strength and positive thoughts 💕🐶💕
Thanks so much for grooming Bailey today! It looks like she had an amazing time!!!
We all wish Nathan a speedy recovery. We’re confident he’ll do well. Especially, when he’s able to recoup at home with his furry children! 🐾💕
Our meditative thoughts will be with you! 🙏
Well he will be at home but not with the dogs, I am told. No dogs for a few weeks at least and no rambunctious ones till he doesn't hurt any longer. Will be an adjustment. Dennis and I will be sleeping with the dogs. Wish I could tell them. I guess they will figure it out. As Nathan has had so many bad days of late, Dennis and I are doing everything. So nothing will change in that department though by summer after pups depart I may take a couple of days in a row off. Dennis will have to do the same. I think Dennis and I carry most of the weight when he is well so not a huge adjustment but will be some.
Pippa: Thank you!!
Anne: I am hopeful though I may have to nag him re: exercise. I did buy some resistance bands on Amazon. The ones I had went to the son recuperating from leg surgery due to his ski accident. Seems it never healed. They are hopeful it will this time. I am thankful there is no ski time this season. I have a feeling he would be out doing his tricks again.
I'm guessing that you won't be able to visit Nathan while he is in the hospital? Did you just mean that he can't have the dogs with him for sleeping? or not near him at all fir the first little while? I think of you folks often, every day as surgery day gets closer and closer. I'm so looking forward to hearing the good news that all is done and all is good!
Hopefully, you are able to work out a compromise. The dogs will be so therapeutic for Nathan. Maybe there’s a few placid ones? When I’m sick in bed Laci will lay by my side all day.
On a humorous note, many years back when I hurt my back, Doug called the ambulance. When the attendants came inTiffany lay on my chest. It was like she was glued to me. Doug had a difficult time getting her off of me. He tried and tried. We never did figure that out, but was obvious she didn’t want them to take me. And, actually it was decided it was best not to move me. Smart girl! She was a 16 lb Bichon. 💕
I'm not sure about the resistance bands, Nathan's chest will have stiches/staples /wire and his legs/or wherever might have the same. You definitely don't want them to open, my mom's opened up on her leg, it was not pretty.
Primary is to prevent infection, one step at a time.
Someone on our puppy list that has gone through this surgery and used resistance bands per their rehab. I think they were 2 months post surgery. Nathan's surgeon said it is impossible for his stitches will open up due to the way he does it. He will hurt like hell. He says the largest hindrance in recovery is to be afraid. You can choose to get better or not. He's pretty confident, experienced and arrogant - his surgeon. We will be doing exercise and rehab in the time frame and stages they tell us to. Not before. No worries - oh and I saved all the containers - no worries. Keep forgetting to give them to you. So appreciative!
Totally agree with Dorothy with the resistance bands, they are hard to use for the healthiest person. Maybe a few months after. Regardless, the cardio unit will give Nathan all the do's and don'ts....he will find out quickly that he has no choice but to go ahead with rehab, as recommended by his doctor. I'm not saying this from experience, just from common sense. It will be hard but Nathan will persist and will recover completely. I know many people who have gone through this. You indicated in a comment on Facebook that you have a bike, so that's good for rehab too. It will all come together.
That's good to know regarding rehab, often times being too ambitious in exercise doesn't work, I had to do that so many time, injuries, then rest and then slow reconditioning, I myself lose condition so fast I can generate a graph to show you how it goes. My mom's rehab was getting back to work taking care of the house and making meals, you know, old style housewife.
I'm looking forward to making more chicken soup, I'm now spoiled having the good stuff.😂
Anne: Thanks. There is no rehab due to covid except your own. They were supposed to have it online but his surgeon said they talked about it a year ago and it has not happened. No visiting nurses either. I am assuming you get handouts on what to do when or when we have followup visits that they will tell him. I bought resistance bands as I gave mine to our son who is recovering from leg surgery from skiing. He is using mine. I do know that stairs and walking daily inside is necessary per his surgeon when we had the surgery consult. He wants him walking the stairs a few times a day as soon as he arrives home. I do know from someone else that had this surgery that the resistance bands helped her a couple of months past post op. He should be able to use them by then but we will follow his surgeon's advice. I wanted them on hand and besides if I get back to it as well, having them here is a bonus. I doubt I will get mine back from the son. Nathan is NOT an exercise fan person. He finds it tedious and boring. But walking outdoors, swimming and biking is good. He's not a fan of the stationary bike. He may have to use it. We shall see. I have a feeling due to winter, yes on the advice of his surgeon, he may have to do exercises he's not happy about. Progressing to running with the dogs will be a goal. He is going to be a challenge. He is already insisting on having Rebel sleep with him. Last conversation I had with him is let's see how you feel when you get home. Our youngest daughter had a pretty significant VSD that you could hear without touching her. She did get pneumonia after surgery so she was in 3 weeks in hospital. Now they will have matching scars. :-) Kids heal fast.