Post op

The surgery yesterday was successful.  There were 3 bad sections of tendon that had to be removed.  The doctor ended up stitching the repaired tendon to the good one, the best solution for me.
I had a lot of nausea after we got home, but managed to get a good night's sleep and pain meds this morning.  All is a lot better now!  I'll be off of my feet for 72 hours, then mobile but no weight bearing on the right foot for 6 weeks.  I'm gonna love that knee scooter!

Ready

All is  set for surgery on Monday, 9:30 a.m.  Pre op is done, blood work is done, meds in place.  We've borrowed a recliner chair and shower chair from friends, and rented a knee scooter instead of crutches.  What fun!

 Luke has completed Laundry 101.  More friends brought frozen meals!  yea! Crossword books and knitting are stocked up.

Smoke is interested in the scooter, but not for very long!  I don't think she'll become Scooter Smokey.

Luke will send a blog sometime Monday after we return home.  I'll be "back" later!  Thanks for all of your notes of support and prayers!  I appreciate them and love you!

Home to SNOW!

I'll make this short - got home on Satuday.  On Sunday we got 10 inches of snow!

We could live with the snow, but we've also been without power for 17 hours!  Making this short while I've got computer battery.  All is well, Smokey is happy, we are sort of warm (sure not Vero Beach warm!), and the surgery will still be on Monday.  When we get power back, I'll do a short catch up of the past few days.
Home, sweet home!

Jekyll

We made it to Jekyll Island, home for Latitudes for the next few months.  No problems, a quiet sail, not as cold as yesterday.
Today we took down the enclosure.  Luke washed the ENTIRE boat.  I started cleaning out drawers and such, making room for Peter to stay with us for a couple of days.  Tomrrow I'll start some serious packing.  Luke has lots of chores, too, before we leave for home.

burr....

yes, it was cold last night when Smokey and I took a nap....

and it was cold this morning when we left (30 degrees in St. Augustine!  A record  daily low!) Those are flannel lined jeans!

But the enclosure was warmed up by the sun and blocked the early 18+ knots of wind.  We motored for about 55 miles, up the ICW, to the FL/GA coast.  Mega mansions lined the waterway....

Oversized yachts, having work done in expensive places.

Along with working fishing boats.

Much of the scenery was miles and miles of relatively unspoiled salt water marshes.

When we finally anchored tonight in a litte creek in GA, Smokey was wild with built up energy. She galloped from one end of the boat to another, sounding like a mini race horse, tail flying, feet thumping.  Energy to spare.  It will be nice when we get home and she has more room to run off those cat fits!  Here's our little blurr in the sunset.

One last sunset. Tomorrow night we'll be securely tied into our slip for the next few months.  No green flash, but a sentimental sunset for this trip.  We are sad that it is almost over, but I am ready to get this done and begin to heal.  The trip was too short, but a good one!

Making our way through Florida

We did leave Vero Beach on Wednesday, ready to make our way to a more northern resting place for Latitudes for the next few months.  Here is an overall shot of the mooring field in Vero.  Very convenient and a pleasant place to have spent 2 weeks.

Northward we went, past the Cape Canaveral Vehicle Assembly building and through the Haulover Canal again.

Past ---make that "under" and "through" - the many bridges of Daytona.

Onward, past failed dreams.

And motoring slowly enough that Smokey can enjoy the scenery and many birds that we've passed.

Birds ---  can you IMAGINE how excited this makes Smokey??!!

And our little watch-cat

Last night we stayed at the city marina in New Smyrna Beach, giving us an opportunity to catch up with Ret and Joe.  Today we are motoring to St. Augustine.  The winds will pick up tomorrow, giving us an excuse to stay there a day or two.  That means a chance to do loads of laundry and visit the Sailor's Exchange for sunbrella fabric and (I'm sure) other "stuff". After St. Augustine, we are only one night away from Jekyll Island, our probable home for Latitudes the next few months. The weather has been good so far. We're still wearing shorts during the day; the motoring is interesting along the ICW, and my ankle is behaving itself.  Not bad at all for a trip in the wrong direction.

Heading home....

Well, it wasn't the 6 months in the Caribbean  that we had hoped for, but we did have a good trip and a great month in warm, sunny Florida.  Can't complain about that!

The doctor in Miami was wonderful - he completely covered the problem, showed us the tears, swelling, and such on my MRI, talked about the usual surgical options/recovery, and then agreed 100% with us that going home for surgery is absolutely the best idea.  We certainly were leaning strongly towards that anyway, as there IS no place like home, especially when you're sick (or on crutches....).   Our conversation with the Roanoke orthopetic doctor was good and reassured us that we are certainly making the right decision in asking him to do the surgery.

So, goodbye Florida for this winter.  We hope to leave Vero Beach tomorrow and be in Jekyll Island, GA, in 6 days.  Latitudes will stay there for 3-6 months, until we're ready to adventure again.  Friends Phyllis and Peter have generously offered to pick us up in Jekyll and load all of our perishables, clothes, electronics, cat, etc, into their truck and take us back to New Bern for a couple of days while the guys pick up our car.  We will be home in time for me to have blood work, an EKG, physical, etc, on the 23rd, surgery on the 27th.  I'm ready to get it done.

But!  Finally, all is not medical drivel. We did take some time to see a little of Miami yesterday.  Wow, what a madhouse of traffic.  Soooo glad we don't have to content with that every day.  A few snapshots of our side trip -

Miami ---lotsa high-rises

I think every person has boat...

Here is a view of the Miami skyline from Cay Biscayne

No Name Harbor is a part of the state park at the southern end of Cay Biscayne.  Many of the southern bound sailers wait out the weather here, anxious to head further south as soon as he weather permits.  Looks like a good place to us!

So, until next winter....
We'll post as we head north - it's still a beautiful trip, lots to see.  Unfortunately, the weather forecast for the next few days is northerly wind, directly on our nose as we head out.  You just can't beat it sometimes!

Today's report...

The ankle saga continues - after getting the scary MRI report in Vero, we called the specialist in Miami and discussed the surgery.  We have an appointment to see him on Monday.  We also talked the Rooaoke surgeon who diagnosed the problem.  Our inclination is to have the surgery done at home rather than struggling with crutches for a month while on the boat.  After our visit on Monday we should be able to decide what path to take.

In the meantime, Saturday is the 40th birthday of my older daughter, Heather - can't believe it!  Happy Birthday, Heather!

"Men make plans and God laughs...."

I finally got the MRI results on the ankle. My two ankle tendons have reversed positions  and I have a severe split tear along one of them and a lot of inflammation. The surgeon here recommended a specialist surgeon in Miami for the surgery (he won't do it).  We will call and talk to the dr's office.  Have to wear the air cast all of the time until I can get the surgery done. 

I'll keep our y'all posted....