3 Months, 2 Days and 6 Surgeries Later

This is the X-Ray of Lauren's foot after the last surgery to repair the fracture. One big plate and 10 screws. I only count 9 screws but they assure us there are 10. While it does not look so good in this X-Ray, it looked fabulous in yesterday's CT scan. The bone is growing nicely around the screws and the ankle joint is still in tact. Very major. The doctor at USC said she can begin putting weight on it but before she can do that she has to get approval from her doctor at Rush. So today I will mail a copy of the CT scan to him and then we wait for his call. That call cannot come fast enough for Lauren. Three months ago I thought we would never reach this point. It has been a long road for all of us, especially Lauren.

We have been overwhelmed with the love and support from family and friends. All those prayers, well wishes and crossed fingers have been good to us. We cannot thank everyone enough. But here's where I have to give a special shout out to my BFF Karla. She is simply amazing. Her generosity and willingness to help in any way has almost left me speechless. But we all know that could never happen!

Happy Birthday Ma

This is the first time in a long time that I have not spent my mother's birthday with her. Happy 79th Shirl. Miss you and love you and hope you have a great day with Deb and Sophia. This photo is last year's birthday at Navy Pier. Aren't we a good looking bunch?!

Appa Love

Before and After

This is an old dog, who still thinks he's young, at the beach.

This is an old dog, who is completely worn out, the next day.

A lot like us I suppose. We never think we're too old for anything until the next day.

My Drive

This is the Malibu Canyon Road. This is my drive everyday. It is so breathtakingly beautiful. It's 9 miles from Calabasas to Pepperdine and about 6 of it is just like this picture. When the road reaches the coast, Pepperdine is directly on the right. Not only is it a piece of heaven on earth, it's a blast to drive. Sort of like playing Mario Kart on Wii. Rick and I had to drive up Piuma Road to get this shot. There are some incredible views from Piuma Road but not many places to pull over and take pictures. Apparently Will Smith lives on Piuma Road. And so do a lot of other very wealthy people, judging from the houses.

I've had a few requests for pictures of the apartment. Not much to see. Take special note of the awesome kitchen. I can't believe this is what I'm cooking in. It's what I call a "one thing at a time" kitchen. And that overhead light? Really? It's as big as the kitchen itself. Sometimes when I'm in there for a long time I feel like I'm going to be sucked up by the alien spacecraft above me! Very claustrophobic.

Calabasas Apartment

Lauren had a good check up at the doctor this week. It appears the calcaneous (heel) bone is growing nicely around the plate and 10 screws holding it together. She will have a CAT scan in three weeks to get a closer look. Dr. Virkus (Rush Hospital) and Dr. Thordarson (USC Hospital) will then confer and maybe, just maybe, she will be able to start putting some weight on the foot. A big maybe but we are all hopeful. That would be about 3 weeks ahead of the original schedule so we are cautiously optimistic. Her physical therapy continues to progress nicely.

Finally got the big man to play hooky with me on Friday. We drove up Piuma Road, then down to PCH and north to the dog beach with Ozzy. We just chilled on the beach all afternoon watching the surfers and wind surfers. We got another great recommendation from Jeanne for dinner. Neptune's Net. I've linked it here on the blog. Great place for seafood and sunsets and beer. Totally local and totally casual. Definitely taking Nancy and Colleen there when they visit at the end of the month.

Today we're off to a festival for Audrey and Henry's school. Well, future school. Maybe Appa can win some obnoxious stuffed animals for the kids. He's pretty good at that stuff.

If Only

If only the NFL donated the monies spent for pink gear to breast cancer research. Now that would be something. We all know someone. Someone's mom, friend, sister, aunt, cousin, daughter, co-worker. I am pretty certain that if I were to ask my few friends that have survived breast cancer what their take on this is, they would agree with me wholeheartedly. That being said, there was much less pink garb this year than last year. Do you think they actually read my email? Seriously. I did not email them last year but I so wanted to. I'll stop now because this could get ugly.

The Bears had a great game today. Matt Forte was on fire and Devin Hester is simply unbelievable at punt returning. Not being able to go to the games this year has been so hard. While we miss our families and friends, we miss the Bears games. Tailgate, champagne, good food, my family and a W, now that's the perfect fall day. We watched the Bears from a sports bar nearby and proudly sang the fight song with each score. Loudly. It was awesome. The bar had a special: all you can drink mimosas for $15. Sign me up. I ordered mine without orange juice. I'm confident that I drank my $15 worth and then some. So there.

And a shout out to the Fighting Illini on their big win over Northwestern yesterday. Always a contentious game in our house since Justin went to Northwestern and Lauren went to U. of I. But it was a nail biter to the end. The Illini won it in the last minute after coming from way behind. Man I love football. Especially when my teams are winning. That's the key.

Lauren goes to see the doctor at USC tomorrow for the first time. He will take X-rays and send them back to her doctor at Rush. Her physical therapy is progressing nicely and she is able to move her foot/ankle a little more with each session. With any luck, tomorrow she will get the okay to go in the pool. Nice to be in California with this great weather, not so nice if you can't go in the pool.

We had to skip the farmer's market this weekend because I cannot possibly eat all the fruits and vegetables I am buying. I really need to get a grip and the first step in doing that is to stay away for one Saturday. Going just for the flowers might have been a good idea but I know that I could not go there and only buy flowers. I just stayed away and I'm proud of myself for not caving.

Saturday was instead spent with Audrey and Henry. Those kids are so special. I know everyone says that about their grandkids, but you've never met Aud and Henry. Audrey is still smitten with her Appa but I got her attention most of yesterday. Nothing compares to the deep belly laugh of a toddler. The kind where they can't even control themselves and sometimes end up with hiccups from. I witnessed a lot of that yesterday. And big Hank, he has lots to say but you can't understand a thing. He will come up to you and look you in the eye and go on and on about something that is apparently very important to him. Not understanding all but two words you respond with, "really?" then he looks at you so seriously and says, "BRGNT!" And he continues about his business. Awesome.

On this week's agenda:

Dr. David Thordarson

Malibu Seafood for whole lobsters

Dog beach with Ozzy, but only once. He is getting too old for twice in one week.

And maybe a massage

Life is good in Southern California.