April 2, 2014 - Safety First


Our exit from the kitchen to our back patio was very poorly designed.  The concrete steps are exactly the same width as the sliding glass door, making it a bit treacherous to walk out, possibly list a little to the left, and topple right off of the edge.  Which is exactly what happened to Mr. Granny one morning last summer, when he did a face-plant right down onto the concrete below.  



We said, at the time, we really needed to put some type of handrail there, to keep young and old safe from a fall.  Then we promptly forgot about the entire idea.

Unfortunately, my legs have become so weak these past few days that I found it difficult to maneuver those steps, both going down and stepping up.  I do like to walk out to the garden occasionally (I planted some carrots and radishes yesterday!), but I can just barely make the 4" step up the front porch, there was no way I was going to be able to pull myself up the 6" risers on the patio, with absolutely nothing to hold onto!


Daughter Amy and son-in-law "Bigfoot Bryan" to the rescue!  Amy had her work crew build the hand rail, Bryan did all the sanding.

What a beauty!  Amy and Mr. Granny painted each other the rail to match the railing surrounding the patio.

I've tested it several times today, and it's so easy to hang onto while descending, and a cinch for me to pull myself right up those two steps with ease!  Now I can get over my fear of tumbling down onto that concrete below.

Strong!

Sturdy!

And if I can't make it up that 4" front porch step, I can always walk around to the back and use my new "Granny Lifter"!

Thank you Amy, Bryan and your work crew!

Now for the bad news.

This was the first hair loss from the radiation treatments to my brain.  It began falling out about 5 days ago.  Not too bad, as I could still do my "Donald Trump combover".  I washed my hair this morning, and.......you don't want to know what happened when I combed it out.  Let it suffice to say Amy is at Target tonight, looking at hats, caps and turbans!


22 comments:

  1. That handrail is the greatest! Kudos to Amy and Bigfoot. Boo to the hair loss. But you will look very chic in a turban.

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  2. I think they all love you! Fixing you a railing is a wonderful idea! Sorry about the hair, :( , I'll be sill here-you can't have a "bad hair" day!

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  3. Beautiful handrail. And definitely safer. Sorry to hear about the hair. Maybe Amy can find you a vegetable themed scarf. Probably not, but a flower themed one is probably easy to find.

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  4. Not only is that handrail sturdy looking, it's very attractive! Sorry about the hair...my friend's grew back super curly and was no longer gray! By the way, she looked stunning in her silk turban...

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  5. Love the handrail! So awesome of them to do that for y'all. So sorry about the hair loss. (hugs)

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    1. Ranni....If we'd only known, I'd have had you bag up your hair when you cut it, mail it off to me with a tube of Super Glue LOL!

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  6. The handrail is a good idea no matter if you are shaky on your feet or not. I am clumsy by nature and have to be cautious where I step and appreciate a handrail on even a few steps. Ugh! So sorry about the hair loss from the radiation. I just know you will rock the scarf and turban look. Bald is beautiful too.

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  7. that is a nice-looking railing! your family is so sweet. hair or no hair, you are always beautiful to us granny!

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  8. Who knew a railing could be so beautiful. That's good looking!

    Hair shmair...you are beautiful where it matters, in your heart and soul, regardless of what the outside looks like. But hey, you will rock that look I'm sure...Have you ever seen the Red Hat Society ladies? Big red and purple hats. They are fabulous! You could do that look justice, ha.

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    1. 1st. Man, I did belong to the Red Hats for a bit when I was in AZ, but I felt uncomfortable with some of the antics of others. I prefer to blend quietly with my surroundings, and some of those old ladies can get pretty annoying, LOL! There were always 2-3 of us who would get embarrassed and go off on our own. But hey, I had the coolest red straw hat with a purple flower on the band!

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  9. Great looking railing! I know that is something we've been talking (and talking and talking) about for the 7 years we've lived in this house. Sometimes it takes OTHER people to get the ball rolling.

    Bummer about the hair---but........it's good for the compost pile???
    : /

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  10. Granny your family is good to you! That's a testament to how well you raised them, and the wonderful spouses they chose. You are now reaping what you've sown - but in a different way!

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  11. Great handrail Granny! They did a fine job! I agree with Kelli, hair or no hair, you are always beautiful to us! It's what's inside that counts! Your hair will come out, but.....it will grow back! Luv ya

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    1. Robin, I was told early on that it would ALL fall out and NEVER grow back. I just assumed, at the time, they meant with the chemo. It's the radiation. Amy bought hats last night.

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    2. yes, it's the radiation. "The Italian" had whole brain almost 4 years ago. It took awhile to fall out, since the radiation can work up to 6 months. I don't remember how long it took to come back.....but, it really wasn't all that long

      I bet you have some stylish hats!

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  12. That's a great looking handrail, kudos to the busy builders! So sorry about the hair loss. If you want, I'll knit you a hat. :-)

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    1. Oh, Anke, what a sweet offer! My blogger friends are the best :-)

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  13. The handrail is really nice, they did a good job. What's your favorite color? I can crochet a beanie for you. I made some for my brother, he is going through chemo for Lymphoma. Stupid cancer. He, like you, has a great attitude.

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    1. Thank you, Peggi! I think I'm leaning toward denim blue, as that would match all my jeans.

      I need to keep up a good attitude. I'm doing all I can, and the rest is out of my hands. There are more important things to take care of, and I'm just looking for enough time to get all in order.

      Good vibes for your brother :-)

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  14. Beautiful handrail! I showed Rita and she was wowed.

    I relate to Bryan as I also wear a size 14 shoe! Most everything else about me has shrunk back to "normal" size, but the feet don't get any shorter! GO BRYAN!

    You are such an inspiration, Carol, with your spunk and attitude. THANK YOU!

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  15. one step at a time granny...thinking of you + send happy gardening wishes over the cyber fence! Spring is here finally:-) now I am complaining about the mud-lol

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  16. Awesome handrail. Looks like a real professional job. Kudos to Bryan and Amy.
    On that hair thing-were you aware that there are several organizations who offer *FREE* wigs to cancer patients? You may want to look into something like that. I did a quick Google and found this list: http://hair.lovetoknow.com/Free_Wigs_for_Cancer_Patients

    Who knows, maybe if you're lucky you can get a blue one and we can call you Our Blur Haired Granny. :)

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