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I thought I would start today out by devoting my time to my web world of Brackett Manor. Just to clarify, it isn’t a real manor, it’s just what I call my home. I have had this vision in my mind for well over a year, but somehow, life’s little interruptions always took priority and never made the time to connect. Life ~ So fickle she is.~ Life is now more calm, relaxed, and balanced. With that in mind, let’s chat about that …life… for a bit. In March of 2018, I began drafting what I wanted to share, express, and engage with other people, and in June of that same year, I composed my first post on my newly and crudely set up site, BrackettManor.com. All was secured, but not launched. Almost ready and then … Just when you think, “Here we go!,” this well nourished, well developed, mature body of mine took a fall… a big one!
On November 2nd of 2018, I lost the fight with gravity and slammed my shoulder into the floor. Boy Howdy! That pain was intense! I tried to let the soreness improve on its own, but on November 4th, I made the decision to have it checked out. I had some x-rays and no fractures were evident so it was now a ‘wait and see’ game. The pain was unrelenting. I could not move my arm, I could not dress without assistance, I could not feed my self with my right hand and meals had to be cut up for me. Bathroom activities proved to be a challenge as well. Let your imagination guide you through that! Another week had gone by and the decision was made to send me to an orthopedic doctor who scheduled an MRI. The fun is only just beginning. I suffered a complete, massive, full thickness tear to my right rotator cuff and, for a bonus, I apparently trashed the bicep tendon. The surgeon informed me surgical repair would not be elective, but necessary. I finally had surgery on February 11th, 2019 (so much red tape and protocols when you fall at work,) three months after the injury occurred. I must admit, I was ill prepared for the journey ahead. Those first six weeks were brutal. The pain, and I know pain, but THAT pain was so intense, so unrelenting, unforgiving, no words can quite describe. Lord knows I used every word in my colorful vocabulary to attempt to convey the agony. There is no position of comfort. Sleep only arrives at the point of complete exhaustion and then, only for an hour, maybe two. Pain meds offer little help, but they do help. Time, patience, and a family who understands that you will only complain from this point forward, so “…don’t ask me how I am today,” you already know. This whole ordeal has consumed my life. I cannot remember when I started physical therapy as everything seems to be a blur bathed in pain and frustration, but, therapy and ice, and Tylenol and Advil… they are great! Do not underestimate those. I am now at week twelve post op. I am hoping to return to work next week, limited/restricted duty of course. I have an increase in my range of motion and a decrease in my pain and discomfort. I can sleep 2 to 3 hours at a time. I do need a little more than Tylenol here and there, but that need is decreasing as well. I can now think beyond my arm! Yes, there are good days, very good days. And yes, there are days that take me backwards. In all of my complaints of pain, discomfort, and the inabilities to accomplish trivial tasks, I do know very well… there are tens of thousands of people who would gladly trade places with me. I appreciate that. It also helps me appreciate what I do have and what progress I am hoping to achieve in time.
This concludes my history of my hiatus. 😎
In my weeks of recuperation, I have developed a strong relationship with the television. I never dreamed I would find solace in this media available to me 24/7 with shows literally covering every genre! The sappy love stories provide me with that warm fuzzy feeling just knowing everything is going to work out. The cooking shows… well, what can I say? I think I can now provide a new twist on my tired old recipes. My mother, who just celebrated her 87th birthday, has put herself in the position of my lovely assistant! We have been going through old recipes and trying out new ones “as seen on TV” ha! And for the DIYs and various crafts…. stayed tuned! Let me start sharing all of what I have learned. Thanks for being here!
Juli ~ Brackett Manor
