Human Marvel Under Our Roof - Time Out #258

When you are around someone for years and years, occasionally you loose tract of a few of their very important human traits.

Like COURAGE!

Having been a licensed physician now for over 45 years, I have made the experienced observation and regularly voiced my opinion, the female sex is the braver of the two. Yes, the ladies have the stronger mental and physical toughness over their male counterparts. Now, you know, you can't "paint everyone, with the same brush", but my betting money is on the women, when the issue is being able to tolerate physical pain.

I have been living with my case-in-point for over 40 years, and recently she has proven my idea once again.

That lady would be my bride, Debbie, dear readers in Our Town and far beyond.

In late June, Ms. Debbie, experienced her 3rd operation in our Stillwater Medical Center in the last decade. This one was her total left shoulder replacement, and her skilled orthopaedic surgeon was, once again, our Dr. Tom Wuller. Dr. Tom over the past few years, separately replaced both my bride's knees, due to osteoarthritis, and the never-ending pain associated with it. Apparently, the pain persists whether the patient is walking, sitting or lying down. Many times, except for taking various medications, there is no escape from the pain. except surgical replacement of the joint. Well, Dr. Tom did his magic surgery on her knees, and, thus, she has been virtually pain-free, and able to walk much better now for several years. Least me forget, SMC's physical therapist, Ken Roberts, needs a pat-on-the-back, too! Over time, he, too, has spent many dedicated, professional hours helping Debbie.

So, what about Debbie's left shoulder?

Same diagnosis, osteoarthritis; same end result, Dr. Wuller performed successful replacement surgery.

However, there are some small differences, as dutifully noted by Debbie's faithful and underpaid Nancy Nurse (i.e.-Me!),

This time, Ms. Debbie is older (but do not tell her that, please), she has to wear her left arm in a sling for 6 weeks or longer (?) without any active physical therapy, and she is able to walk around from Points A to B to C, etc. With both knees, moving around the first few week post-operatively were difficult, and her active physical therapy on each new knee began quickly. Well, I thought she was brave with the knees, and she was for sure. However, completing her successful left shoulder surgery, she has transformed into my new name for her, Wonder Woman, only a couple of days post-operation..

Here's a glimpse at what my bride managed to do during her first week of home recovery, as skillfully observed by that Nancy Nurse person.

1.) Prepared me supper 3 evenings (unasked by me, she just fixed it! .2) .Kept our home as spotless as it has been for almost 40 years, and, the TOPPER of all items, 3.) Rode to Oklahoma City in my truck with me for a 7-hour round trip on a 100-degree heat index afternoon/early evening. During this extended outing, we stopped at 2 locations to extensively shop, and another one to eat! When we got home, she didn't even say anything about being sore or tired, but the driver (aka-Me!) was spent!.

So, while we all remain mostly hunkered down, no thanks to Covid-19, our home is busy watching Ms. Debbie thrive. Simply put, it is pure joy!!