Doctor's orders

Hey all!

I had a really fantastic weekend with family time, the Bridal Shower and the Bachelorette party. I am pretty geared up for the wedding this weekend!

I saw the doctor this morning and I am going to start physical therapy at a local place on Thursday. I am supposed to do Aqua Therapy and some Hip strengthening exercises 2-3 times a week until the 13th and then I can start weight-bearing on my right leg and doing the whole walking thing! I can also use a cane for the wedding on Saturday so that it's less awkward and cumbersome than my walker. Now I just have to find one...

In the meantime, tonight I'm going out with a girl friend that I haven't seen in FOREVER, tomorrow I'm getting a haircut, Thursday is day #1 of PT, Friday is the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner and Saturday is the wedding! Busy, busy! :)

B

Caged up

Most of you know me well enough to know that I am a person who likes to GO GO GO. Meaning, I enjoy sitting around, but I more enjoy being social, going out, working, doing things.

This is not easy given my condition....as a result I feel like I AM GOING CRAZY.

Sure, my grandma and aunt were here this weekend, and I have a Bridal Shower and Bachelorette Party to look forward to this weekend and then of course the wedding next weekend. Don't get me wrong, I am VERY excited for all of those things! However, I miss the day-to-day things. Just getting in my car and driving to Border's, going to work (and subsequently earning money), being able to call someone up and say "hey let's go get a bite/coffee/see a movie/just hang out" AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. I seriously cannot heal fast enough.

B

Small triumphs

It's late...I should be asleep, but, I'm not. S'ok.

My grandma finished my dress today! She had to take it in 5 inches at the top! That is really awesome =D We also went shopping today with my sister and I bought some clothes that are all a size smaller than normal...that's a really really good feeling. =D Once I can walk and exercise I will keep shrinking! Yay! I'm gonna look so awesome by the time I'm boarding my ship! =)

That's all I wanted to say for now...another week and a few days until I go back to the doctor and he hopefully gives me the go ahead to start walking and to stop taking the blood-thinners. Here's hoping!!

G'night all,

B

Lazy, lazy, lazy...

Not a whole lot to report today...

--My mom and I went to one of those Paint Your Own Pottery places today and did that for a couple hours, it was super fun. I make a little trinket box that I hope to keep my jewelry in when I'm on the ship.
--Then we went to the mall and I got some makeup that I needed and some nail polish to match the shade I got on my toes on Monday.
--My grandma and my aunt are coming this weekend! Yay! Grandma has to take my bridesmaid's dress in (by about 3"!! Yay! :) ) so that it will actually fit me on the 4th. I am excited to see them! Jeff is going out of town so it's an all-girls weekend! :)
--I noticed that I have three marks on my left arm from an IV. It resembles Orion's Belt. See below.

You'll note that I have circled them to make them easier to see. I assure you though the image is not the best, there are indeed three dots. There's also one on the top of my left hand and two on the top of my right hand (I was poked and prodded A LOT.) But, those marks don't resemble a cool constellation.

--I have been playing The Sims 3 Medieval like it's my job. Seriously, I wish it were my job, I would be super rich by now.
--I have also been cross-stitching a lot.

I think that's about all I've got folks. Sorry to be boring!

B

Guess what I got to do today?

Well, I had a really nice weekend.

Friday night I found out about my awesome new job =D

Saturday, my mom and I drove up to Allegheny to see the 2011 Commencement and to surprise some of my favorite people =) My mission was successful--I made my friend Jenn cry when I snuck up on her and tapped her on the shoulder. It was a very glorious and fulfilling feeling. This photo here on the right is of me, Jenn and our other amazing friend Lauren. Class of 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. <3 <3 <3 Without these gals, my life at Allegheny (and now, even) would have been/would be sad sad sad. I also saw several of my sorority sisters  (Jenn is one of them) and we got a cute little photo together, too.

This photo here on the left is Christine, Me, and Steph! We all met through our sorority and Christine loves The Phantom of the Opera as much as I do, perhaps even more. And Steph? She's just Fabulous--with that capital F.

All in all it was a really great time and I'm really glad we decided to go up.

On the way home we ran into this killer rainstorm and that was a little bit nerve-wracking, but, we survived (clearly!)

Sunday I went to the Solon Center for the Arts and I saw their production of Kiss Me Kate, the show that I was going to Stage Manage but had to quit because of the accident. It was sooo good! I was really impressed with everything--costumes, acting, singing, dancing, lights, orchestra--everything! It was a great way to kick off the Signature Series there, which also includes Madame Butterfly in September and Christmas Carol Rag in December. If you live in Solon and get a chance to go see those shows--do it!!! Truly great theatre done there.

Then today! I went and got a pedicure to congratulate myself and got a really pretty Coral color put on. I love love love love getting pedicures. All your problems seem to go away while you're there, and then your toes and feet look pretty for weeks. Win all around. THEN my mom and I went to Wal*Mart and she asked the Greeter to get one of the motorized cart things that they have for people to use, you know what I'm talking about? No? It looks something like this (seen at right). It was so fun to ride around, but the goofy looks people were giving me were less fun. "Why is SHE using that?" Is what was going through their minds, I'm sure. Oh well, who cares what people say.

In other random news I finished Sarah Dessen's new book. It was really good!!! Then today at Wal*Mart I bought One Day--which will be a movie this summer with Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess. I saw the preview for the film and decided to read the book before seeing the movie because the movie looks cute so it's likely that the book will be better.

I think that's all I've got for now. I really kind of like the rain we're getting---I feel less guilty about not being able to enjoy the weather when it's crappy anyways.

B

Working Girl!

SO GUESS WHAT, FRIENDS? I GOT A JOB WITH ROYAL CARIBBEAN!!! =D =D =D =D

So, I will be a member of the technical staff and I will be doing any and all things tech-related on whichever ship I am assigned to. Details below:

* I told them I could start at the end of July (I darn well better be all healed by then), so, I should be starting anytime after that!
* From what I understand, it's a 6.5 month contract at a time, then you have 2 months off, then another contract. Rinse. Repeat. Until you're done and want to switch careers!
* I will start off working on the smaller ships (but c'mon, they're still HUGE), but they still go to all the same destinations, I believe. I am paid twice a month and my living arrangements and meals are all taken care of. So basically no living expenses so I can save, save, save!
* What I mean up there by "tech-related" things, that can mean anything from working backstage on the shows that they have doing props and costumes, setting up speakers/lights/microphones, and any other technical things for performances that they want to throw at me!
* After my first contract, if I love it and they love me, I can pick which ship I want, but to start off they assign me to a ship. I can also start advancing through positions, if I'm qualified, and maybe end up Stage Managing!

Those are really all of the details that I know right now. You know I'll keep you posted as I go!!!!!!!!!

I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!

B

DON'T stop and stare, please.

So my mom, Jeff and I went out to dinner last night at a locally-owned chain restaurant in a cute, quaint little nearby town. As you'll all recall, I am still using my walker to get around because I cannot start walking until May 31st. As such, Jeff dropped us off at a crosswalk ramp just a few doors down from the restaurant so that my mom and I could get me out of the car and start hopping while he parked the car nearby. As we "walked" down the sidewalk, I noticed people staring at me. Let me be sure to tell you that I don't mean the natural casual glance at a stranger, or the accidental eye-contact and friendly smile that Americans are accustomed to, I mean blatant STARING. As we neared the restaurant there were a few tables outside as a makeshift patio, and there was a guy who was seated facing us as we approached. He was watching me the entire time that I hopped down the sidewalk, and as I passed him he made no attempt to hide the fact that he turned his head, staring mainly at my legs, as I got by.

"Brittany", you say, "perhaps he was admiring your blossoming calf muscles, highlighted by the leggings you were wearing! Surely he wasn't staring because of your walker." or, "I'm sure he was simply looking at your footwear, black flats are a fashion staple and maybe he's looking to buy a pair. It's not likely he even noticed that you had the walker in front of you!" And while I like to think of myself as a person who tries to give people the benefit of the doubt, I am convinced that this man was simply trying to figure out "What is wrong with her?"

Some of you have seen me in person, but for those who haven't (and I may have said this already, I can't recall) I don't look any different than I did before the accident. Sure I've lost 30lbs or so, but I don't have scars on my arms, my face, I'm no longer in a sling and I don't have a cast anywhere. To someone who doesn't know, I look totally healthy. SO, I assume that this man was staring just wondering what was wrong.

Now, I am lucky that what I am dealing with is not permanent. Using a walker and wheelchair is only temporarily a part of my life, but having to use those things for now really has me reflecting on those people who rely on them (and will continue to do so) every day of their lives. This guy, who made no attempt to hide his "curiosity" ,as we'll be nice enough to call it, made me think about the last time that I saw someone in a wheelchair or using a walker and how I reacted. I'd like to think that I didn't stare or analyze their situation, that I just casually glanced and moved on, but who's to say for sure?

I was at a local grocery store with my mom earlier this week and I was using my walker to hop around the small-ish store and I was acutely aware of everyone and everything around me. I moved aside to let people behind me get by more times than I can remember, not because they were pushy or anything, but because I felt bad holding them up. At one point, I saw an elderly woman who was also using a walker, and I inwardly sympathized with her. I was actually kind of jealous because her walker had wheels and a seat--I would love a seat!! But I bet that she has to use that walker for the rest of her life, and I will (hopefully!) be completely rid of mine by the end of June (at the latest, I'm praying!). What I want to point out, though, is that I didn't stare at that woman, of course I noticed her walker, but that's all it was--a simple mental note and then I moved on.

When I went to the mall with my mom, my friend Della and my sister, my mom and I stopped to go to the bathroom (and I was in my wheelchair) and Della later told me that she and my sister caught several teenaged girls staring and gaping at me as my mom pushed me into the restroom and that they just thought to themselves "What, you've never seen a girl in a wheelchair before? Move on, teenie bopper!"

Maybe it's all in my head; maybe I'm only thinking that people's eyes seem to linger a little bit longer on me as I hop around a store with my four-legged friend. Or, maybe I'm not making it up and people DO stare at me, whether it's because it's not the "norm" to see a person my age using a walker, or being pushed around in a wheelchair, or if it's because I don't APPEAR to have anything wrong with me, so strangers try to employ their x-ray vision to figure it out....

Whatever it is, what I want to say to YOU, dear reader, is to think about it the next time you see someone who is using a walker or a wheelchair. Make sure that you're not staring at them, because chances are they feel self-conscious enough as it is, and they don't need your prying eyes making them feel any worse.

Improvements

Hey everyone.

Sorry it's been awhile since I posted last, I haven't had a whole lot to report! It's getting late, so this post will be short but I do have some exciting highlights to share with y'all before bed:

--I will have my 3rd interview with Royal Caribbean at 10am on the 12th! Eeek!!
--I have been sleeping on one of the couches in the house all week since that way I can sleep on my left side and be propped against the back of the couch for support. You see, up until Monday night I had been sleeping on my back every night since April 2nd, and you must understand that ever since I was even in the womb I have been a girl who moves around in her sleep. When I was little it was bad, I would thrash and roll about in the night, I had to have one of the guards so that I wouldn't fall out of my "Big Girl Bed". Nowadays I don't trash but I do switch positions several times in the night, and I rarely start out sleeping on my back. SO having no choice but to sleep on my back ALL NIGHT, EVERY night, was not doing great things for me. So my wonderful mom had the idea to put me on the couch with my pillows and a few comforters and let me tell you--it's been amazing.
--Today was the first day since discharge that I took my pain medication at 8 am and didn't take ANYTHING during the day until my 8pm meds. That is a milestone, ladies and gentlemen. I did have some soreness in my pelvis but no real pain. Yay!!
--I would also like to note that I've pretty much gotten my full range of motion back in my right arm! This means that my collarbone is healing up well and while it still hurts to put body weight on it, it means it will be fully healed in probably another week or two. Yay!!!!
--Today my mom and I visited a local community garage sale, and I got around 16 "Le Plume" scrapbooking pens for $4. Now, that may not make sense to most of you, but let me say that they are really nice markers with two different point tips that, when sold individually, usually cost between $1-$2 EACH. So, as simple math will tell you, I got me a bargain!!

That's all for now folks, PM meds are making me sleepy so it's bedtime. G'nite!

B

2 down 1 to go

Well readers, if you haven't heard by now I am onto the 3rd interview for Royal Caribbean! I don't yet know when it will be but I'll keep you updated.

I had a really great weekend, Jennifer was here Thursday and Friday then Margaret got here Saturday early afternoon. We just sat around and colored, talked, watched movies and made friendship bracelets, it was glorious! Cathryn came over Saturday night to join in the relaxing and then Sarah was here Sunday night and we watched "The Princess Diaries" on ABC Family--I forgot just how good that movie is! I love Anne Hathaway so much. <3 After that we watched a few episodes of Gilmore Girls until Ian sent me a text that said:

"Watching the news?"
"No, why?"
Then he called me to tell me that Osama Bin Laden was dead. My reaction was pretty much: "....say what?!"

After that we turned off the show and put CNN on to watch the announcement and Obama's speech.

Don't get me wrong, I am relieved that a man who has caused so much pain and suffering for so many people can no longer do that but, as my friend Zane posted on his Facebook and as is in the play My Name is Asher Lev: "Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thy heart be glad when he stumbleth" (Proverbs 24:17). We should focus on continuing to keep our country safe from those who will surely attempt to rise up and take his place and cause further harm. But, like I said, I am relieved that he can't hurt people anymore.


In other news we reduced my pain med intake today so I've been a bit more sore than usual which is no fun, but, neither is being addicted to pain medications so, it's a necessary evil. I can make up for it with Tylenol, and I have been, but today we reduced the prescription drugs further than we ever have before so I was definitely feeling it. Hopefully it gets easier as time goes by. I just want to feel better!!!!!!!!


I downloaded The Sims 3 World Adventures on my iPod Touch and it's making me want to put the Sims on my laptop. That might happen tomorrow...we'll see how I'm feeling. I really just like building the houses and decorating them, playing gets old after awhile. (For those who don't know, in The Sims you create people and build homes for them to live in and then you play out their lives. It's really addicting.)


B