On the Road Again

When I asked my physical therapist on Thursday when she thought I could drive again, she advised me to go practice in a vacant school parking lot this weekend, so bright and early (for us!), Stan and I went to a nearby school where he turned the car over to me.  Now, you must remember, not only have I not driven in five weeks, but this is a brand new car with lots of bells, whistles, and gadgets that I'd never used before.  I kept wanting to put a key in the car, but there ain't no key!  I've never driven a car where you pushed a button, where you just walk up to it and it unlocks all by itself, where the seats move up and down and back and forth every time a driver gets in.  Very disconcerting!  Still, after fiddling with controls for a while, I headed out and drove around and around, then up the frontage road to the next school where a woman in her big SUV pulled right out in front of me.  After slamming on the brakes and hyperventilating briefly, I continued and did fine. 

Stan drove us on to the grocery for a few items and then to a drugstore where we stopped briefly, before I finally drove us the rest of the way home, so I think I'm more or less mobile now, at least for the small necessary trips one needs to make to the grocery, the bank, etc.  I don't plan to leave our neighborhood but there's plenty nearby so there's really not much need to leave.  If we decide to go further afield, I'll still let Stan drive for another couple of weeks, but by the time I see my surgeon in a few weeks, I'm certain I'll get the "all clear" to drive anywhere I want.  It's not that I gad about all that much, but I do like to meet up with friends, attend meetings, and run a few errands, so yes, this is a big step forward.

Once we got home and had lunch, I read for a while and then thought I might nap until Stan reminded me to do my exercises, so I did.  I didn't want to, but I did and was, of course, glad that I did.  By Monday, I really hope I've improved my ROM by another few degrees, and that won't happen without exercise.  Not to mention, I've gone up and down the stairs many times today doing laundry and each time I've walked straight up, foot over foot, so hooray!  I don't walk like such an old lady anymore.  Never let it be said, however, that I would miss a nap when one was available, so while Stan practiced his flute upstairs, I slept soundly for about 45 minutes.  I woke in time to finish the newsletter I'm responsible for each month for my teacher organization, and by then, it was time for younger son and his family to come over for dinner. 

The day has not been overwhelmingly busy but it's been busy enough, and everything is going well.  Now I just need to do a few more exercises.....