Re: Belgium in May

[Guest guest]

Steph, it is good to hear you are doing so well so quickly after your operation.

I am glad to hear it.

I am also delighted with my progress. Unfortunately I still have not mastered

putting on my sock on my left foot. If there is a trick to it please advise.

I have started to drive my car again as there is no problem with my right leg

and the car is an automatic. Also today is my last day on crutches. I am so

delighted with my progress I am switching to a cane.

Your train trip to the airport sounds exciting but a little to stressful for my

liking. My wife and I took the taxi to the airport without incident. But the

plane trip itself was murder on my hip. Even full of pain pills my hip hurt like

hell.

I haven't started on vitamins yet. I am waiting till I finish with my needles

and antibiotics before starting a vitamin and diet regime.

I have dedicated 2 hours a day to exercise in an attempt to speed up recovery.

Besides stretching and doing our required exercises I especially enjoy the deep

water aqua-fit classes and hot tub at our city YMCA.

It seems every day in every way life is getting better and better. I hope the

same things are happening to you.

Keep me posted on your progress, regards

Ron

Re: Re: Belgium in May

dear ron,

yes, it certainly was nice and good and fun spending time with you and

louise in belgium. your unfailing sense of humour and persistance are a fine

example to me even now, and when i remember back then (2 weeks ago

tomorrow!) still bring a smile to my face.

it was kind and considerate of dr. de smet to schedule us two canucks

together. i know that bob appreciated going out sight seeing with louise,

and having her as a foil for my sometimes rather dour outlook on life (ha).

the entire experience brought he and i closer together. i feel so fortunate

that he was willing to go through this with me.

too bad about the razor burn on the ole legs, there. i didn't know. you're

right, a little cream goes a long way to making those limbs shiney and

smooth! also, rest assured that bob told mark about the old 'plastic bag

trick' while getting in and out of taxis, and the need for some type of

instruction beforehand for folks like you and me who are two days out of

surgery and are finding the climb up into a suv or sliding into a taxi seat

all new. maybe our input will make a difference.

you're right, we all heal differently. in six weeks we will all be the same

probably. yesterday was grand, today i've been a bit tired so took it easy.

but quite frankly, i'm amazed at how quickly the recovery is going. two days

ago i figured out how to put my 'stocking' on without help. yay.

did you take the cab to the airport?

bob and i did the train to brussels and then changed planes in frankfurt--a

great exercise in walking, stairs, getting lost, crowds, short seats, kind

strangers, and him the hero pulling all our baggage! oh yes, and of course,

the real kicker. the last day, the day we were to have the cab pick us up at

6:50 am for the 7:15 train--the elevators were broken. of course. so there's

us luggage and crutches and time constraints like nobody's business figuring

out what to do. bob phoned from our room and eventually the front desk clerk

came bounding up the three flights of stairs to help us down. the bags were

heavy and ungainly and went bumpity bump down the stairs...me, i went one by

one, very carefully. in the end it all worked out. i don't know what it was

like that day with a hotel full of cyclists and recovering desmet people,

and a race to be done.

tomorrow i'll go to the pool again--am spending a few hours a day doing

'consults' with a colleague for future work and will ease into the part

time stuff next week.

also, i feel the vitamins are making a huge difference to the muscle repair,

and ligaments too--massive amts. of vitamin A, a gram of C, zinc 50 mg, and

a multi B just to keep me calm. ha!

what is your 'schedule' like?

hellos to dear louise for me/ us. and keep well and keep smiling.

regards, steph

[Guest guest]

Hi -- Margo here -- can anyone tell me what it cost in the USA to get a

resurf? I am thinking total cost and if my insurance covers it I will still

have to pay 20% - so that would almost equal the cost in Euros in Belgium -

am I right?

Or wrong?

Anyone??? I am thinking of Dr. Gross - or Etienne -- or Belgium -- DeSmet.