Living in Albania--Richard L. Bowman

February 20, 2015

1 Low + 2 Highs = 3 Highs

I hope this funny math catches your attention. OK, maybe it just caught my eye!

The low is that this morning the ambient air temperature outside of our apartment reached a low of -5⁰ F (-22⁰ C) at 7:20 a.m. That is cold for Harrisonburg, VA, USA. It was a great high for me since I like cold weather.

thermometer reads -1 F

A -1⁰ F Outside Temperature at 7:50 a.m. (20-Feb-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

Another real high for me is that this week I am on the move. At six weeks post-op for my hip replacement, I no longer use my walker. Instead I have graduated to my cane and sometimes nothing but my two feet. But this afternoon after my physicial therapy this morning, I have been hurting quite a bit. So the going is a bit slow at times.

me, my walker and my cane

My Walker, My Cane and My Two Feet Get Me Around (20-Feb-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

My last high so far this week is the snow we had on Monday afternoon and evening. It came only to a depth of 4-5 inches (10-13 cm) here at our apartment, but that was fine.

Tuesday morning snow scene

Bouquet of Tulips Sent by Our Children with Wishes for My Recovery (14-Jan-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

As of 4 p.m. the National Weather Service (US) forecast says that beginning after 7 a.m. tomorrow morning, "Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.

This could be lovely!

January 30, 2014

Hip, Hip, Hurray?

HRRRAY! Hurray! ... hurray. OK, the pain from my hip replacement surgery on January 7 still haunts me. However it is much less than it was right before surgery happened. My mobility is increasing, and my spirits are improving. So we are thanking God for the surgery and for how he is bringing healing to my leg. And I am most thankful for Elsie's support and assistance through all of this.

From time to time, I spend some time working at my computer, some time reading and a lot of time napping1

me walking around our apartment with a walker

Moving Around with My Walker Postoperatively (29-Jan-15; © Richard L. Bowman)

Below is a diagram of the components in today's total hip replacement prothesis. The shell (cup) and liner are the pieces that are fastened to bone in the pelvic region of one's body. The stem is pounded into a hole in the upper part of the thigh bone and the spherical head is attached to the stem. The porous metal construction of the shell and of the stem facilitate the patient's body to grow new bone which attaches to these metal holes.

artificial hip components

A Diagram of the Components of an Artificial Hip ( http://evertsmith.com/innovations/ )

We very much appreciated the flowers, meals and visits given to us during this time of recuperation by our friends and family.

tulip bouguet given by our children

As for the weather this past week here in Harrisonburg, VA, USA, we had about two inches of fresh snow come down. Since the air temperature did not get too much above freezing during the daytime and less that that at night, the snow was still on the ground yesterday afternoon as the sky darkened and began to look like more snow was on its way..

snow coverage remains after a fesw days; is more to come?

We thank God for the healing he has brought already in my hip and hope and pray he will continue to bring complete healing. In the meantime I ask for his grace to help me find peace and gratitude.

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