We have been back in the USA (Tucson, Arizona) for over a week now. This is the first time we've been back since we moved to Cuenca last August. Even though we've been gone for about nine months, it seems just like yesterday that we were living here. I haven't driven in nine months but there was no problem driving around Tucson. The roads are great and the drivers are polite and courteous - just like I remember them to be!
I've had fun shopping at beautiful supermarkets (Fry's), going to Walgreen's for prescriptions (we're still in their system), and ordering many things online to be shipped to my address in Tucson to bring back with me to Cuenca. I allowed for this as I brought an empty suitcase with me to Tucson to fill up and bring home.
The real reason we're here in Tucson is so Mike can have major back surgery at the Tucson Medical Center, which is scheduled for Monday, May 23rd. He has been in constant pain since last December and his left leg is starting to go numb now because of a herniate disc in his lumbar spine. The doctors assure us that his nerve will completely recover and he'll be back to normal again.
This is one of the better times to be in Tucson (weather wise). There is sunshine every morning when you wake up and the temperature is in the 80's during the day and the 50's at night. I know that when we come back to Cuenca, we'll have to adjust to limited sun, cooler temperatures, and routine showers. But that is why Cuenca is so pretty and green with beautiful flowing rivers and clean air. Tucson is a desert and hasn't had any rain for six months. When we first got here, I had a hard time adjusting to the dryness - I will be glad to get back to Cuenca's moderate climate (however, wish we had more sunshine).
Will send an update after Mike's surgery.
For what it's worth, Mike will be in my family's prayers. I have a couple of friends who went through successful back surgery and though the initial rehab was no fun, they are in great shape now and glad they did it. Plus there can't be too many places better than Cuenca to recuperate!
ReplyDeleteMy prayers are with Mike, with the hope he experiences a speedy and full recovery.
ReplyDeleteI hope I don't jinx us here in Cuenca. However, four of the last five says have been absolute sunshine and no rain. Yesterday was cloudy all day, but no rain. Evenings have been cool. Hope you find comparable weather when you return. Regards, Jim Mola
Good luck with your surgery Mike. I've had two lower lumbar surgeries, 12 years apart, and both turned out excellent. I was up walking well the next day. My last surgery left my left leg with some numbness. Numbness is fine as long as there's no pain shooting down my leg. I get around fine with no problems. You'll be amazed how much better you'll feel after the surgery. The doctor didn't suggest any therapy post surgery with either of my lumbar surgeries. I had a fast recovery and was able to do anything I wanted within weeks. Being a farmer I could do the milking and tractor driving and light lifting with no problem. The doctor told me to go ahead and do whatever I wanted and he was right. Maybe I was lucky but I had a positive outlook and all went great.
ReplyDeleteI hope your surgery goes as well as mine did and you have a fast recovery. My last surgery was in 2000 and I'm still doing great.
Best of luck to you,,
Dick
Mike will be a new man! Mark's had two lumbar laminectomies(by the same surgeon, twenty years apart), and he was up walking that night! Praying for a fast and speedy recovery! Hugs to you both! ~ Connie, Mark and Mocha
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