13 weeks

My injury happened 13 weeks ago and surgery 12 weeks ago.  Almost the entire three months, I was not allowed to place any weight on my right leg.  It's slowly gotten better and I've been doing leg lifts and bending my knee, but that's it.  My mode of transportation has mainly been my seated scooter, as hopping on one foot is hard on the entire body.  Two weeks ago, I was given the blessing to start putting weight on my "bad" leg, at least walking with crutches.   Since then, I've been really working hard at trying walk.  It's been very painful on my ankle because my quad muscles have atrophied so much.

I went for another check up with my surgeon today. He said knee-wise, my X-rays looked beautiful.  The only thing keeping me from returning to work now is my weak muscles.  He told me two more weeks of PT to work on walking without crutches. I also need to be able to bend/squat down and get up off the floor.  Things I used to take for granted.  So, for the next two weeks, I am going to work hard so I can go back to work!

Here is a photo of my knee today.  You can see the scar is looking good.  You can see a bump near the scar.  That's actually my plate sticking out. I have a plate with 8 screws sticking through my bone!  It still grosses me out to look at it.  My PT says it should go down a little bit as I heal.  My quad muscles look almost non-existent but it's hard to tell from that photo.

Aloha, Hawaii

It was finally time to return home.  It was such a wonderful two weeks and it flew by.

Our first flight was a short one to Honolulu.  We had about two hours layover before heading to Phoenix.  Both flights were uneventful.  I had upgraded two of our seats because of my leg and Ethan was the lucky one who joined me.  The flight actually went pretty quickly and before we knew it, we were back home in the heat.

Ethan and I were in the first row.  There was so much leg room that I was able to straighten my leg and keep it propped up the entire trip.  The food was excellent and it was an enjoyable flight. I'd highly recommend Hawaiian Airlines.

Hawaii - Last Days

We spent our last couple of days just hanging out and enjoying being there.  In the morning, we took a drive up country to Kula and Haleakala.  We wanted to go into the park, but it was so cloudy, the man at the gate said we really wouldn't be able to see anything.  So we turned around and just enjoyed the beautiful views from above.  After coming down the mountain, we  went to a vineyard in Kula.  It was so beautiful up there that I could have stayed all day.

A view of Maui from Haleakala

The grounds of the vineyards

Stan and his buddy enjoying some coffee

Sitting at the store across the street from the vineyard

On our final day, we headed back to Lahaina.  It was the fourth of July when we were there last and it was so hot and crowded, that we really didn't enjoy it too much. It was much better this time with fewer people and cooler weather.  We ate some really good burgers for dinner and then just took the "scenic route" home to enjoy our last few hours on the island.

A final sunset

An old building in Lahaina, an old whaling town

Lahaina's elementary school that I would love to teach at.

Air & Sea - Hawaii days 10 & 11

Today the family woke up early and headed down the road to board a boat.  They were headed on a snorkeling adventure to Molokini Crater, about ten miles south of Maui.  Because I'm stil! non-weight bearing on crutches/wheelchair/scooter, I could not go, so I just hung out in the condo. 

They were gone for about six hours and came back tired and sun burned. They saw many different fish and had a good time.


The rest of the evening was pretty low key. We went to Kihei for dessert at a place called Maui Pie. It was so good. I had the haupia chocolate pie.

The next day the boys headed for the air.  Their choice adventure was a helicopter ride.  They did a west Maui / Molokai flight and had a blast. They got to.sit in the front by the pilot, which was like a dream for Stan.  They came back with lots of photos and facts about what the pilot taught them.

While the boys took to the air, Nikki and I went shopping. when we got to the mall, most shops were closed, so we opted for a manicure and pedicure.  it was the first pedi I'd had since surgery and it felt so good. 

That night we went shopping in Kaanapali.  It was fun walking around playing tourist. 

Maui - Hawaii Day 8 &9

We left Oahu and Headed to Maui on Wednesday. Honolulu Airport was an absolute zoo and with my scooter, it was not.fun.  But we made it.

We got to our condo on Maui.  It is absolutely gorgeous with the best view.  The day we got in, there was a king tide and with the condo on the water, I actually felt sea sick, so.I had to sit inside.  Ethan went right into the water and Nikki and Stan were watching the turtles swim.  It was a low key day, just hanging out.

Where I sat

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Pano of our balcony view

Thursday was the fourth of July. We had plans to go to Lahaina for the fireworks show that evening.  For something to do, we took a drive upcountry to see my parents old house.

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My parents house in Kula

That afternoon we went to Lahaina to walk around.  Fireworks were scheduled for 8 pm and we had dinner reservations for later.  But once we started walking around, it got so crowded and with my scooter, I found it hard to navigate, not to mention that half of the shops had a step to get into, so I couldnt go in anyway.  It was hot and humid, so we ditched our fireworks p!an and headed to Kaanapali, a beach community just north.  We had a nice dinner at a restaurant on the beach and went home.  Ethan was anxious to get back in the water before.dark.

Oahu -Last two days - Hawaii days 6 & 7

Our last two days on Oahu were pretty low key. 

On Monday, the plan was to go hiking.  We headed to Manoa to hike the falls trail since Ethan really wanted to see a water fall.  Since I'm physically unable to hike right now, I waited in the car while everyone else went hiking.  Manoa is very lush and.jungle-like so I just rolled down the windows and read a book.  It was quite pleasant.

On the hike, they all said how muddy and slippery the trail was but how beautiful it was. here are a couple of photos:

Stan's selfie

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My view from the car

That evening, we headed to Ala Moana to shop a bit.

Tuesday was our last full day on Oahu. We decided to make it a beach day.  We headed back to Kailua Beach.  This was really hard for me.emotionally because I reached a point where I was frustrated not being able to.get in the water and not able to get up from the blanket.  I'll admit a.few tears were shed in my frustration. 

After the beach we went home to get laundry done and to clean up.  That evening we went to Waikiki to watch the sunset.  It was a nice ending to our first half of our trip.I

Ethan and Nikki on the wall at.Waikiki

Sea Life Park - Hawaii day 5

I told everyone when I was planning this trip to pick an activity they really wanted to do.  Nikki said she would like to swim with the dolphins.  So, today was her day.

Sea Life Park has been around since before I lived here.  They have a dolphin experience here and also a highly rated luau, so we made Sunday Sea Life Park Day.

We got to Sea Life Park when it opened. I was a bit disappointed as I was comparing it to how it used to be.  There used to be a big aquarium that you walked down into.  Its still there but its a shark tank and not a ton of different species of fish.  There used to be ongoing shows going on throughout the day.  Now there is one show a day per stage and nothing going on for about an hour or so after it opened.

One of the first places that opened was the aviary.  I like birds and there were cockatiel and love birds that we fed. I enjoyed that. After we fed the birds, it was time for Nikki to get ready for the dolphins. While Stan took her to the meeting area, Ethan and I walked around.  I told him about how once when I was in high school I was walking around the park and the dolphin in the holding area threw a ball to me. I threw it back and we played catch for five minutes or so.  Now everything was so closed off that that wouldnt happen.

Nikki spent about 45 minutes in her dolphin experience.  Her highlight was kissing the dolphin and petting her.

There were no trade winds that day, so it was hot and humid out.  We stayed for the dolphin show and were ready to head home to cool off and rest since we were returning that evening for the luau.

The luau ended up being one of the highlights of our trip.  It was so much fun and I highly recommend the one at Sea Life Park if you go.

O'ahu - Hawaii day 4

This morning we headed out on a trip around the island. We are staying on the southeast side of the island, so we took off towards the north.

Our first stop was Kailua Beach.  We got to the beach and being Saturday, it was pretty crowded.  Online, it said that beach wheelchairs were available, so that's one of the reasons we chose that beach.  We got there and. couldnt see any chairs, so we sent Ethan out to find some. He asked the lifeguard he didnt know anything about wheelchairs.  We did see a mat that lead to the beach, so I hopped on my scooter and Ethan pushed me up the hill.  Problem was, as soon as the sand started, the mat ended.  I was ready to call it off and go home as I was onve again frustrated with something else I couldn't do.  Stan and Ethan convinced me to use crutches on the sand. I think I might have been a bit desperate because I did just that. It took me awhile and I probably looked strange, but I managed to navigate across the beach on my crutches.   I'm glad I did because the beach was so beautiful and the day was so nice.  The sand was white and powder like.  I made myself comfortable and enjoyed watching everyone.

Kailua Beach

The mat that takes you to the beach.  Crazy me on the scooter carrying my crutches

After the beach, we went to a place called Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden.   I love to visit botanical gardens as I find them so peaceful.   We followed the trail down into the valley a bit until the pavement ended.  The family kept going and I waited for them, which I didnt mind since it was so nice out. 

The trail at the botanical garden

Following the gardens,we moved on to have lunch.  We had packed a picnic so stopped at Kualoa Beach Park. This is a very nice grassy park on the north west side of Oahu. You can see Chinaman's hat from there and its right on the water.  I could have stayed there all day.

Chinaman's Hat

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The mountain view

We continued our journey around the island.  It began to get very congested with a lot of people and traffic. We had intended on stopping at one of the beaches but each time we tried to park, there were no spots, even with our handicap placard.  So,we kept going. 

We stopped in a little shopping center in the town of Haleiwa.   Ethan loved this sleepy little surfing town.  We looked through some shops then continued our journey.

Our next stop was Dole Pineapple Plantation.  This is Nother Hawaiian place that has turned majorly commercial.  Lots of booths and shops trying to sell something.  we did get some Do!e Whip though.

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No, Ethan, pineapples don't grow on trees

We then headed home after a long day.  It was a lot of fun and I think everyone had a good time.

Pearl Harbor - Hawaii Day 3

One of my favorite places to visit and something I consider a must see if you are on Oahu is Pearl Harbor.  We got there bright and early Friday morning since tickets are on first come first served basis.  there was a huge line already wrapping around the building but it went very quickly and we were able to get in for the 7:45 tour, only having to wait twenty minutes.  You first go into a theater and watch a film about the history of Pearl Harbor. Then you board a boat and go out into the harbor. In the past, the ferry takes you to the actual memorial where yoh can read and reflect. The memorial, however, is under repairs, so the ferry brought us past the memorial and back.  I have to admit, it wasn't as touching or meaningful. You dont see the full impact of seeing the battleship under the memorial or see the oil, called "black tears" still leaking out. You still learn a lot but you don't get the emotional impact.  I hope its fixed soon and that people can resume visiting the memorial.

After we toured the memorial, Stan and Ethan went to tour the USS Bowfin, an old WWII submarine.  Nikki and I waited (I couldnt go on).  Then we headed out for a drive to the Leeward (west) side of the island.

Nobody was impressed with that side. It was covered in graffiti and there were homeless camps everywhere.  These homeless camps were quite elaborate. Some.had fenced in their "yard" and had their areas decorated.  I was shocked that the county allows them. They were at every beach and coast line. Not to mention all the abandoned and stripped cars everywhere.  It was like nobody took pride in paradise .

We went home after we got as far north as we could go.  Ethan didnt want to be home so he went to a place called Koko Head Steps. Its a series of steps that goes straight up Koko Head Crater, about one mile.  I was impressed he made it.

I wasnt up to walking up one mile of stairs.  The rest of us hung out at the house and napped.   I was in need to elevate and ice my leg so badly so spending the rest of the day doing that made me feel so much better.