Well, as many probably know, Hector tore his ACL a few weeks ago playing soccer with some guys. It's been a crazy ride of doctor's visits, medicine, ice packs, and wound care. He had surgery almost 2 weeks ago and is recovering great! The beginning of the injury was rough as I tried to process that I was going to be not only parenting a growing and independent two year old without much help but also caring for an injured husband all day. To be honest, I had several selfish moments when I truly thought it would kinda be nice to tear my ACL, sit in bed all day watching T.V., reading or surfing the internet. It seemed a whole lot easier than what I was doing. But, once I crucified my flesh and those moments passed, I prayed daily for endurance and patience, particularly with Cohen. From the day Hector got hurt it was as if he knew something was different and he didn't know how to deal with it. Daddy wasn't chasing him and wrestling anymore. Daddy couldn't pick him up to put him to bed or give him a bath. And Daddy couldn't follow through on discipline without Mommy's help. He's a smart little guy and pushed our buttons from time to time trying to get away with more than he usually can. Within a week or two it became our new "normal," and things mellowed out.
Our days took on a rather routine schedule after surgery. Hector was in bed most of the first few days. Soon, our mornings consisted of dropping Hector at doctor's appointments or rehab. Cohen and I would head to the YMCA or run errands. We would come home in time for lunch and naptime. As I put Cohen to bed, Hector headed back to bed with a fresh ice pack or attached to his CPM machine for 2 hours. Therefore, I spent C's naptime in our room reading, watching t.v., or taking a nap myself. After C's nap, he wanted to "play" with Daddy which meant 20 minutes or so of Thomas the Train or Bob the Builder or Legos on the bed. Before we knew it, it was time for dinner, bath and bedtime. After getting C to bed I would head back to our room where Hector was most likely stuck for another 2 hours on his CPM machine watching the History channel or a Braves game. Needless to say, we spent the rest of the night in our room watching t.v., doing laundry, or on our computers. I'm pretty sure our living room lights and t.v. hardly came on at all that first week. Funny thing is, there was something nice about the change of pace.
Hector worked hard to get as much range of motion back before the surgery as he could, per the doctor's orders. It seems to have been a key to his recovery! We are just two weeks out and he is only using one crutch for reassurance rather than necessity. He's off his heavy pain medication and using Tylenol off and on. He has been able to lead worship on a stool for the last week. And the big kicker...he left for Brazil with the band yesterday. We are unable to communicate much while he is there so I'm not sure how the 9-hour flight went and his first day of sightseeing. But I can imagine he's exhausted, swollen and hurting.
So, today is my first day as just Mommy. I got used to being more connected, literally, to Hector since he couldn't drive or do much. So, with him gone, there is a lonely silence looming in our house. As a matter of fact, I decided to enjoy this potentially last Spring evening on our porch swing and write this post. Cohen is sound asleep and the dirty dishes are calling my name. I do wish he was waiting for me in our room to finish cleaning the kitchen, but I guess I should embrace the quiet and be thankful for some time to myself. It won't be long before he's back!
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