Well, his blood counts are low...anemic. No wonder he is so tired. Levels that low will certainly make you feel very tired and run down.

Oh, just to update, Dr. Fred just texted me saying "It has to run it's course, everybody here in Brooklyn has the flu".

And he literally starved for the two weeks after he got this bug. He ate nothing and drank (well I don't know I wasn't here) but when I got home I found all the meals on wheels literally all over the apartment and in the fridge. It's like Alan became another human being with no orientation in his brain.

I threw out everything and now I give him gatorade and good food. Thankfully he made it into the kitchen (even though it was just for 15 minutes). Now he's fast asleep for the night. Never saw anyone who could sleep like this.

Melody

Physical Therapist was just here. I got all excited thinking I was going to start getting P/T. He says 'no, I'm just here to evaluate you". He checked my pressure, he watched me walk, he watched me move my left leg (bad hip part). He nodded and then announced "okay, you are approved for 5 visits. I shall send in my report. We start on Friday and you will get two visits a week until you reach 5 and then we re-evaluate you".

So in my opinion, today was a complete waste. lol

Whatever!!!

Melody

For lunch I gave him a roast beef sandwich with a little side of french fries and a big drink.

He wolfed that down like he hadn't eaten in days.

Then he went back to bed. He said his eyes hurt. His color is good. I gave him ibuprofen. He has no fever (never had).

Got to build him up. what else can I give him besides gatorade and roast beef. I can't go shopping because of my hip.

I have tuna and other stuff in the house and soup. Oh I got him some Quest low carb protein bars.

I'll give him one when he gets up.

He just is so tired.

Dr. Fred says this thing has to run its course.

Melody

HI Mel, I've been gone for a while and just logged on today after months of not being on. I just read this and I was very sad to hear. I wish you a speedy recovery and I hope you are ok? You have always been such a positive and supportive friend to me and so many others.🙏❤️

Hi there. How odd. I was going to come on these message boards today and here you already wrote to me. Hope you are okay.

Alan is back to his old self. Eating me out of house and home. Turns out he did not have the flu. Dr. Fred says he had either a rotavirus or an enterovirus. It was going around. Thank god I know how to take care of him. I am finished with physical therapy but I use a walker and a cane. I can't walk right if I don't use these devices. I have muscle spasms but I asked and I was told "you are using muscles that you weren't using so your body has to learn all over again.

They had warned me of this when I was in the rehab facility. It's annoying but hey, I'm not dead. So I live with this metal rod and pin in my hip hoping it doesn't move or get infected. Scares the bejesus out of me but nothing I can do. I am very careful with everything that I do.

So here's my question. How come if I walk with a walker I can walk straight. If I walk with a cane, my right arm hurts because I put all the weight on my right arm. I'm right handed. I look like a person who walks with a cane.

But......if I walk without any walker or cane.....I walk like a duck. I waddle back and forth. Reminds me of when I was pregnant. I walk like that.

Why can't I walk normally? I asked this of someone and he said "You are afraid to walk normally". I am???

Thanks for any input......anyone??

Melody

Sorry Melody, I can't answer your question on why you can't walk normally - but I am glad to hear that things are at least getting a little better for the both of you

Hi MelodyL

Glad to hear your recovery is progressing. As to why you can't walk normally without a walker or cane I'm guessing that it's a case of those muscles that have been 'rested' during your accident and post-surgical recovery now have to learn how to work again and rebuild their function and strength. It's only been just over 3 months since you were injured so you're doing really well considering what you've been through.

As to the person's comment about 'being afraid' to walk normally there may be a subconscious instinct that your body is not ready to support itself unaided. This should improve with time and practice. One thing I found after having a torn cartilage in my knee was that my leg instinctively wanted to turn inwards which altered my gait. When I became aware that this was happening I included exercises that specifically made me focus on keeping my foot straight (going up and down stairs). Doing this repeatedly corrected the problem.

By being conscious of how your whole body is moving you may find small things to work on that may help: for example - notice how your head and shoulders are positioned when you walk either with a cane or walker - are you tilting them forward - this often happens with walking aids - and then are you carrying the same position when you walk without the aids - this may affect your sense of balance. If this is happening try to remember to keep your head and shoulders up.

Please be kind to yourself - you're doing brilliantly - as well as working on your physical recovery make sure you take some time to just relax and do something you enjoy - not being stressed will help restore your confidence and that will help you walk better.

Take care

I'll tell you one thing. Stress is a killer. Changes your health and well being. I try now to find positive things to think about. Not easy.

I will however remember what you advised. To notice how I move my head, how I walk up the stairs, etc.

I know that when I go DOWN the stairs, I go down with the bad foot (the side of my left hip. Then I bring down the right. I don't go down the stairs like normal people. One foot over the other foot. Don't know if I'll ever do that.

When I go up the stairs (which is easier than going down), I found out that if I use my cane with my left hand and put my right hand on the bannister, I go up with my good right leg and bring up the other leg. I can't imagine going up with the foot that's part of the left leg.

I marvel how people get over these things. I'm afraid to cross the street after this. All these cars whizzing by.

Anyway, thanks for all the kind words ....to everyone who replied to me.

I really am trying.

Melody