Life is getting back to normal for us. Although Stan's heart issues aren't improving, they aren't getting any worse. He will see a doctor soon to talk about having an internal defibrillator implanted. It would help in cases of arrhythmia and might help his heart get stronger. Although there is no indication of improvement, he is feeling better. He has far fewer instances of asthma and the COPD seems better. His energy is also getting better.
I am still doing the heavy lifting (carrying groceries, mowing the lawn, etc.) He has started helping with making the bed when I'm busy cooking breakfast. He is doing a few more chores to help me out. I am watching his foot very closely to ensure a complete recovery. Over the past month, I self diagnosed my post-surgical issues and began doing very different exercises to try to get past the horrific pain I was still experiencing more than a year later. I think much of the problem was the flexor tendon and have been doing very simple exercises I found on line. I have seen a real improvement the past two weeks or so. It will take time for all the surrounding muscles to regain strength now that the ankle is functioning more normally, but I'll get there.
Because we are seeing improvement on several fronts, we are beginning to make plans for future outings. Stan is doing very, very light and short term yard things (picking up sticks after high winds and watering the pot plants.) He feels really good about being able to be outside and a little more productive. I have more time now for embroidery and cross stitch projects and some other things I had put on hold while I tended to his recovery. As I said, we are slowly getting back to normal. It is all good.
