Healing on the Hill

 

Wolf Tree Ranch has always been a special place to me. I watched the home of my son-in-law and daughter before the house was built, living in their RV. From there the home emerged in all its beauty. Since then, I've stayed here a few times. Terry and I were married on this site, overlooking the gorgeous views from the backyard. Wolf Tree has always had a special place in my heart and now it has become my healing venue. 

After breaking and dislocating my ankle, I was transferred to the hill to get well again. This can mean weeks or flow into months. We are unsure of when they will release me to our home in Roseburg. Until then, wow! Amazing views, great family company, and the food is so good! The family takes such wonderful care of me. I could not ask for more in terms of being blessed enough to reside here until I am well enough to go home. 

Two of my daughters have been around me daily, taking me on walks up the hill, feeding me, helping me shower and care for myself, and keeping me company. Mallory hasn't been able to make it up and is watching our fur babies in Roseburg and my daughter Brandy came to the hospital during surgery plus up to the ranch to visit as well. The family is remaining in close contact through all of this. I'm so proud of my family. I love them all. I am blessed, as I've said many times over and cannot say it enough either. 

Sunshine finally hit Lowell and off we went for a much needed walk. Dawn took the fur babies Charley and Franklin, and Marina walked me in the wheelchair. After much huffing and puffing on my behalf, we made it to the top, went through the round about and came back. 

Oh, that sun on our backs and faces felt so good! Gorgeous day and perfect day for a walk. Fresh air, sunshine, great company, fur babies, and beautiful view. How can you not heal with all of that surrounding you? Definitely makes all the bad thoughts you may have disappear!

Returning home, the dogs took up their toy in a game of tug of war. I guess the walk didn't take it all out of them like it did us. Franklin, the large white dog is a St. Berdoodle, meaning part St. Bernard and standard poodle. Charley is a small labradoodle, part lab and part poodle. Great dogs and no shedding!

Buttercup, the ranch kitty, chose to sit on the couch and avoid all the commotion. 

In the grand scheme of things, this view makes it all better. Terry and I had our wedding here, overlooking this mountain view. 

Sweet man and I were married under this pergola on June 17, 2023. What a wonderful year that was. We have struggled with 2024, for sure. It's been a rough one already and we are not even out of January. 

When it's cold and rainy, I still have this breathtaking view. 

Beyond the walks and company we've had, Marina and I attempted to put together a 1,000 piece puzzle for something to entertain us. That and she introduced me to a show streaming on Paramount+ called Naked Dating. That was scary. Don't ask and I won't tell. 

Since I couldn't take a shower, Marina came up with the solution using the dog shower. I transferred to a bench she sat in front of the shower, then leaned back to accomplish our goal. After a week of not being able to bathe, the washed hair felt so great! The dogs couldn't figure this out, but they survived too. So sponge bathing and showering in the dog bath it is!

A few days later, Marina and Dawn transferred me into the walk-in shower Marina has in her room. It felt so good to sit and shower for a good 10 to 15 minutes. The hot water flowed over my head and body and I was in absolute ecstasy. 

I do switch positions in the house a few times a day to keep circulation strong. Yes, my leg is orange. It's from the Betadine they use in the hospital before cutting you in surgery. Since this picture, I have been able to shower it off. 

I love to lay in my bed and watch television or play games on my phone, text people, and definitely spend some time speaking with my sweet man. Terry and I are missing each other immensely. He is home with our fur babies and having to work. Visiting on weekends is a must! 

We had a very nice visit last weekend and I'm looking forward to seeing him this weekend as well. Definitely the toughest part of healing. I have home health therapists, nurses, and medical people coming out to the house during the week, giving us hints and tips on how to maintain daily life while I only have one leg to stand on. The medical team will continue my care when I return home to give me advice on how to maneuver there too. For now I'm using a wheelchair and walker to get around. 

Flowers sit on the dresser in my room, giving me a beautiful object to focus on when laying in bed. Marina picked these up for me while I had surgery in the hospital. Gorgeous bouquet!

I am also kept entertained by my two grand-dogs, Charley Girl and Franklin. Their favorite game is tug-of-war with their toys. Often Franklin will bring me the toy to play with him, but at 110 pounds of pulling dog, I choose to forfeit the match every time. It would be my luck to end up on my ass, on the floor, with yet another "owie." Not happening. 

One of my drink options is sugar free hot cocoa with whipped cream, with a cherry on top. Or two or three cherries as the case may be. Marina knows how to party! I love this hot cocoa and the cherry topping is yet another treat that I don't eat often. But, I had super low numbers in the hospital stay so that does open up the occasional permission to allow myself that. 

In this cup, she gave me three small maraschino cherries to really indulge. Heavenly drink to a diabetic!

Marina has always been known as being a good cook. Healthy meals are her specialty. This thinly sliced chicken breast was rolled in a great tasting almond dredge before being fried to perfection. It tasted like a pimped up Shake-N-Bake coating, which is one of my favorite coatings for pork or chicken. 

The green beans were organic and were flavored with butter, spices, and onion, reminiscent of the green beans served at Texas Roadhouse, one of our favorite places to eat. The mixed veggie salad was topped with a nice Cesar salad dressing and really completed the meal. Being on Wolf Tree Ranch is so much better than being in a rehab facility. Nothing against the facility idea, but being with family, feeling the love, and being treated with pure care even through meals cannot be beat. 

Cannot wait to heal all over! My arm was damaged during the fall and I received even more bruising with the IV and all other needles the hospital tends to shove into your body. I looked as though I had been pushed off a cliff there for a while. They are healing and I do look much better now. 

The day I arrived on the scene, my daughter Dawn purchased me a wheelchair since none was covered by insurance. This chair is in my lifesaving gifts and blessings category created by my family. But the girls didn't stop there! Marina thought it might be fun to "pimp my ride," and so the fun began!

My new duck friend is both a horn and also lights up dark hallways with a single or flashing beam. He came with his own badass bling. I love my duck! One squeeze and he warns people I'm coming too, which in my case could be a good thing! The "horn" does sound like a squeak toy for the dogs, so I don't use it often as the dogs come running. Franklin is difficult to move once he is in the traveled path. 

A purple triple pouch carrier helps me keep things on me that I may need during the day, such as brushes, hair ties, and the like. 

Even the chair grips in the back were topped off with purple colored streamers.

I was also given furry purple arm rest covers and a cup holder that also has a phone slot in the front. This item is not only for bling, but also comes in quite handy. 

Another low carb, no sugar meal Marina made was her homemade tacos. Grass fed beef, sour cream, lettuce, cheese, and all that comes with this favorite dish. Once again, all I can say is, "Yum!" I had two of these bad boys. 

Between this, the chicken, and homemade sourdough pizza crust with pepperoni, onion, mushroom and cheese, smashed burgers, and other great meals, I can feel the love of my daughter through her cooking, her care, and her telling me she loves me. I do believe I will heal quickly and just fine with all of this pampering. I'm so grateful!

Each meal I eat, I have my badass duck watching me. When I'm in the chair, he is positioned on my handlebar. 

My family is a loving group of people who walk that extra mile to make things light and happy for me. I could not ask for more. 

Even while Terry and I are apart and missing each other immensely, we both feel I am in the right place for the healing process to take place. Beautiful views, great tasting, healthy food, hugs, happiness and laughter surrounding me, my grand-dogs, and the special care from each family member, I will heal just fine. My love for my family is immense and my gratefulness is limitless. I am so blessed with being a part of this beautiful group!

I miss my fur babies at home and sometimes my heart overrides the thought of being so blessed in a longing for my Togo and my Kit and Jasper. But I regain the positive outlook once more when a member of my family comes peeks around the door. My husband does come when he can, which consists of our weekends and that has to suffice for now. 

Home health services informed me yesterday that I will be released from nursing care on Tuesday. This is a good thing as it is one step closer to my return home. I will soon be in Terry's arms once again and feel those beautiful furry kisses that I am missing so much. 

The pain is little from the leg, but the pain within me to heal and return home is growing. No pain pills will suffice for that deep soul pain you feel when separated from those you love. I will be well enough to go home soon and I look forward to that day with a deep longing. Until then, my family's love is strong, their care never ending, and the blessings are abundant. I am grateful. 

Until the next post, take care. Hugs to all.