Being Bionic

Well, as of the 14th, it's official - Dr. Schopp has declared me fit to leave the non-urban haven of my recovery in Springfield and return to Chicago's noise and energy.

As I'd hoped, he confirmed that I'm not crazy, my surgical leg IS longer than the other, but he explained in clear detail why that was and why he thinks it will resolve on its own over time. I decided not to tell him about my whacking-it-with-a-mallet idea. He also approved chiropractic adjustment for my tailbone and told me it's OK if I continue to sleep on my waterbed. He also freed me from the 90 degree angle precaution - PHEW!

Kathy drove her car around to find a route that is the same distance as my walk to and from TPAN and I've successfully traveled it twice, though the cane was necessary for the last half of the trip. But even though it may disappoint Enid that I will not be leaping tall buildings, nor even upping my pace, at least I know that, no matter how long it takes, that walk will be painless and hopefully, the limp will continue to fade.

Bottom line? I'm SO glad I did it, I'm grateful to Dr. Schopp and the nurses at Memorial hospital, Cyndi and Gina, my physical therapists, my parents who have been steadfast in their love, patience, support, and generosity, my sisters who there arern't words enough to thank, my friends Sal, Judy, Sandi, and Tobin who were anchors to my reality, and to TPAN for allowing me to work from Kathy's kitchen and take the time I needed to recover in the right way.

Now it's onward to device-free living, more adherence to physical therapy, and never being able to go through airport security quickly again!