A
previously mentioned, I welcomed the New Year with decongestants, cough
suppressants, plenty of liquids, and tissues. Since I was positive right away,
they postponed Pete’s knee surgery for January 4. When they went to reschedule
for the following week, the hospital could not schedule due to staff out with
Covid. By the third week, Pete had been confirmed as positive, so he was
scheduled for January 27th. We only had to have groceries delivered
once. While maintaining proper distance we were able to speak with fellow dock
mates for some interpersonal contact, while walking the dog or heading to the bathhouse.
Once
our sick days were done, we were able to reconnect with Coleen and Charlie of
SV SILLY CHARLIE. They left our marina on Kent Island the day after
Thanksgiving to begin their cruise without an enclosure or auto pilot. By the time they arrived in Ft. Pierce, the
Bimini and enclosure had been completed and the autopilot on order for
installation in Key West. It was so good to catch up over dinner at their
marina Harbor Cove Seafood Bar and Grill.
I found Blue Water Lilies in the pond at the Manatee Center while on a walk We
contracted with Georgia to make us new cushions for the salon. Our seating is
firmer and thicker while the backings are curved for more back support. The lighter material brightens the salon. I
ordered extra material so I can do the wrap arounds for the base of the sofas
as well as the headboard for the aft bed. Between the new cushions, newly
covered throw pillows, and the bed covering, I really like the new appearance.
Pretty, aren't they?!
One of our transient neighbors on the T-head was Cher
and John, MV SOUTHERN GRACE (a Biloxi Lugger, similar to the Buyboats of the Chesapeake). They are a super nice couple from
Maine, who were originally from Rhode Island. After comparing notes on RI, they accepted Pete’s offer for a
lift to Publix and the liquor store. They are heading south, but unsure if they
will be heading over to the Bahamas. Waiting to see how things shake out.
Our
dock mate, Dianne, MV ARGONAUT, mentioned to us that we could request our
current slip for an annual slip and only pay ½ month’s storage when we are not
in it. It will be ours when we return in
the fall. There will be no pressure to leave or return on a specific day. Just keep the marina posted on our departure
and arrivals so it can be rented while we are away. We really like Fort Pierce and the people of
I dock. It is worth keeping such a prime
location. We sit across from the fuel
dock and the activity is pretty constant.
It is easy to pop over for a pump out. The bathrooms, laundry, parking
(when there is a spot- which is about 80% of the time) and grass for walking
the dog are conveniently close. Besides the big Farmers Market on Saturday,
there is a smaller one on Wednesdays.
There are about 25 eateries within walking distance here in town, a
performance center, and shops, and a great bakery. We have good friends in the
area and great views. And friends who pass through here heading elsewhere. It
is a really good place to be. Add to that, slips are really at a premium just about everywhere. Even
our cruiser friends are having a very hard time finding slips during their
travels. Getting an annual contract is definitely a smart move on our
part. Thank You, Diane!
Pete’s
surgery was done at Boca West Hospital with the assist of the Stryker Maco
computer on January 27th. Our good friend, Betty, had the full knee done with
the computer aided and the healing and results we remarkable. According to their website: https://patients.stryker.com/mako-robotic-arm-assisted-technology . . .
Mako SmartRobotics™ is an innovative solution for many suffering from painful arthritis of the knee or hip. Mako uses a 3D CT-based planning software so your surgeon can know more about your anatomy to create a personalized joint replacement surgical plan. By guiding your doctor during surgery, Mako’s AccuStop™ technology allows your surgeon to cut less by cutting precisely what’s planned to help protect your healthy bone.
Poe monitoring his
patient while he recovers
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The computer takes out the guessing as to
where to cut the bone. Between previous CAT scans. stabilizing rods in the leg,
and a computer guided cut that matches perfectly with the new partial knee
replacement components. The procedure took about 90 minutes. He recouped for
another 3 or so hours, then walked to the wheelchair, with the aid of the
walker, and used the walker for the next week. He so looked forward to the cane
(so he wouldn’t look so infirmed!) Thank heavens for great friends. Ann and Howie opened their home once again
for as long as we needed. There is no way Pete could have done the stairs as
well as on and off a floating boat.
Their home is one-floor and perfect. Follow-up appointments and initial
PT was done in the Delray area. Pete felt stable enough to head back to the
boat after 3 weeks. As the therapist
said, “It is the rule of Threes: first 3 days are hell, the first 3 weeks one
askes himself, “Why did I do this?”, and after 3 months, “Why didn’t I do this
sooner!” Thankfully, his grumpiness began to subside after the 2 weeks, due to
the reduction of pain. He is still healing, and PT sometimes leaves an
achiness, but is definitely manageable. There are still 3 more weeks of PT. His
leg is straight, his mobility is 120 degrees, he can walk, drive, climb off and
on the boat and even lift and walk the dog, but muscles that haven’t been used
properly in the past years need to be coxed back to working. All and all, he is
doing fabulously! So. . . most of February
was pretty full of medical appointments.
Pete’s work didn’t stop, he just worked around the schedule. I even
caught sight of a launch while walking Bailey. It was the spinning, separated
boosters AND the rocket’s trail that drew my attention. Even though it was a
daytime launch I was able to track the rocket across the arc of the sky!
The separation of the fuel and rocket, Bailey "you can't see me!" and While
we were away, Pedro, the mechanic, and his crew, came and completed installing
the engine mounts and the hot water heater.
That meant that we needed to reorganize the boat before we could return.
We had moved everything from the aft cabin forward, as well as emptying the
cockpit and sugar spoon storage to give them access. Thankfully, it only took
about 90 minutes, which is so much better than we thought! We moved back on
board the next day. We also were able to move the PT appointments up to Fort
Pierce. Now PT is only 6 minutes away!
Breakfast, moonrise at the marina & 5-K Charity Run finish
Gathering for the Cracker Boys' Parade
Oh
yea! We are back to having Saturday breakfasts at the Farmers Market. This past
weekend, we also watched the Cracker Trail Association Parade. It is a
celebration of the Cowboys who used the sound of their cracking whips to drive
the cows across the state from Bradenton to Fort Pierce. The about 150 riders,
ranged in age from 10-ish to 70+, maybe older and spent the week crossing the
state.
Earlier
this week, we joined Barb and Mike, SV ELAN and Brenda and John (SV AWAY) up in
the captain’s lounge above the Marina Office.
We sat out on the deck overlooking the marina with good food and great
company. Unfortunately, Brenda and John
left on Friday to begin their trek home to the Great Lakes.
Some new friends, messy pelicans and a Tricolored African and ? Lizards
We
also enjoyed the company of Julia and Mike, who are selling their 38’ Juneau,
SV PAINTED KITE. We opted to have dinner at
Lola’s Seafood down in Stuart. Over
delicious seafood dinner, we learned that they are very begrudgingly selling
the boat. She has a business in Croatia while his is here in the states. They
and their children split time between the two countries, plus they are starting
to build a home on the Adriatic that will require more time spent in Croatia.
As Mike said, his “brain can only handle so much until it leaks!” (The great
line from the 1986’s movie,
Flight of the Navigator)
Julia is a medical doctor, who also works with
WHO and aids patients in the Ukraine. Both she and Mike are very concerned for
friends and patients with Putin’s war for possession of Ukraine despite some
heavy moments, we really had a wonderful evening. We will definitely keep in
touch.
It
feels great to be back home!
~ ~
~ /) ~ ~ K & P
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