Boot Scootin' Bill

Bill with his "caregiver companion" dog Foster. 

Usually when we come home after a vacation, there's a day of decompression as we gradually get back into our respective routines.

Not this time.

Bright and early yesterday morning, with no coffee to give him a push start, Bill walked into Pend Oreille Surgery Center to have some foot repair.

Four hours later, he rode a wheelchair to the white pickup and managed to get himself into the passenger seat, with a little help.

First stop:  the drive-in window at McDonalds for some chicken nuggets and bacon fries. 

A few minutes later, we arrived home and received a proper greeting from three dogs.

After all the wiggles and hellos, Bill exited the pickup and hobbled over ice and snow (carefully) to the house on crutches, eventually plopping into position at the end of the couch where pretty much everything a rehab patient could need awaited him:

ice water, Fritos, candy, soda crackers, newspapers, a book, his Kindle, sanitary wipes, his phone and, of course, the TV remote.

He then propped his boot leg up on a chair with three pillows and settled in.

Almost a day later, Bill seems to be doing okay with his crutches but life should get better. 

Sometime this morning, we'll get a call that his knee roller (I call it a scooter) is ready to pick up.

For the next six-eight weeks, Bill will be scootin' and hobbling around in his boot.

It's a "no weight-bearing" situation, which definitely means a different routine for both of us here at the Lovestead.

Bill won't be driving or walking the dogs or chopping wood or snow shoeing.

Still, we'll do everything possible to get out of the house and go on our usual drives to fun places. 

Just no hiking for a while. 

The nice part about his situation during this time of the year:  March Madness will be coming soon.  

The best college basketball games are happening now in preparation for March Madness----like, for example, tonight's match-up of Duke and North Carolina. 

I read last evening that to purchase a ticket to that particular game would require just under $3,000 because of Duke's Zion Williamson. 

Imagine the sticker shock should there be another Duke-Gonzaga game with Rui Hachimura AND Zion Williamson.

Our $40 price tag enabling us to watch Rui play and to see him up close and personal after the game with some of his fans seems like a real bargain. 

Anyway, our routine at the Lovestead for the time being is anything but the usual. 

Bill's being a good patient and I'm doing my best to be a good "caregiver."  

He's heard for years, through other surgeries that "I ain't no nurse." 

One day down, maybe 50 to go.  Nurse Ratchet and Loblolly Love can do this!

After all, Cocolalla Creek and spring fly fishing awaits. 

In the meantime, lots of good basketball. 

Happy Wednesday.