Between Us

30. Routine

I woke up before Jane as usual and did my yoga and took a shower. I started making us pancakes and sausage and juice when I feel.arms wrap around me.  Samantha didn't hear me with the music on and jumped.   " Oh, I am sorry I didn't mean to startle you." Jane kissed the back of my neck. " Wow,  you got up without any help m. Yeah,  but I have to go to the restroom and..."  Samantha turns off the stove and helps me.  "Jane baby steps and you are doing better. Next week, I need to return to work.  If you still not mobile enough,  Joey said he would get you a stand up recliner for the office and you come with me and its not up for debate." Jane nods her head and I help her get dressed. I wash my hands and Jane walks on her own and sits on the chair. I hand Jane the weights and she starts working on her therapy. I start the breakfast again and set the table for us. " Samantha I am going to be realistic. please have Joey to order the recliner. I have promised you three wwll four now that I would not over do it. The doctor will.actually tell me his medical opinion. I  can at least show him my progress and tell him no more Pizza Parlor. " We finish eating and Jane even helps me clean up.  We are walking down the steps which she is strong at but going up still giving her problems. We meet with her doctor.  "Wow vast improvement.  I need you still off of work from the pizza place, but you can return to the studio with weight limitations." " I no longer will work at the pizza parlor but will work full time at the studio. I am still having problems walking upstairs and pulling up and down my underwear, shorts,  sweat pants. I can put my own bra and shirt on but takes alot of time to do."  ' With this new  information, I want you to do a ct scan and come back so we can go over it." Jane and I went to get her ct scan and waited to be called back into the office.  Jane was looking at her watch.
" Deb I am still at doctors office waiting on results from ct scan on my knee. Let's push your time to two instead." ' No problem, it will give me time to actually enjoy my lunch than inhale it.  LET me know what he says about your knee.I  think you just developing arthritis in it. Welcome to the world of getting older and high school injuries resurfacing with new problems ."
" Oh great,  thanks. "
" Deb thinks I.may have arthritis in my knee.
I don't think I ever get done with PT."  The doctor tells me what Deb told me. "You will have good and bad days. I am going to give you this brace to wear and write up another month of PT on workmans comp. After reviewing my notes,  I should of added that. You did complain of a  little discomfort. This is how you put it on. Not too tight though.  I will add for you to pick up an ice packs for the freezer and prescription for deep blue."  The doctor removed the brace and showed me on his my knee how much to apply and he rubbed it in. Here are four more braces.  Wash them in luke warm water and let them air dry only no dryer. You can return next Thursday but with weight limitations . I will see you back in a month. If it gets worse,  you come back in. Here is a cane to help you with your mobility.  We schedule my next appointment and leave . " I feel like an old lady."  " Jane feeling and looking are two different things. Let's go pick up the items from the pharmacy that he called it in for you..We will pick up some lunch to go and head back so you can make it for your shoot with Deb. I will help you set up the front room and go to my place m Just call me when Deb is leaving and tell maura and her nani."  I wait in thr vehicle while Samantha picks up my prescription.  I had called the pharmacy to inform them that Samantha Hough would be picking my Rx on my behalf. I conference call Nani and Maura to update them.  I also tell Maura not  to say anything to Joey about yesterday.  She said Samantha had already text her.  They wished me well and to not over do it..Maura took her last final today and would be leaving for Europe to spend time with her nani.  Samantha hands me the bag and we head off to Quiznos for sandwiches,  chips and a drink.  I  am walking up thr step with the brace and cane and can feel the difference.  I don't struggle as much..We eat and Samantha carriers the back drops, lighting and brings me the two cameras and lenses and one tripod for the second camera. Samantha is kissing me when she hears the knock.  I had given her the code to get in but she promised not to give it to Becky especially when she realized Samantha lives in the same complex." DEB COME IN."  Samantha leaves and changed into her outfit.I  position her how I want her to be.  " Jane your hands are cold. " " Oops sorry. was drinking my ice water before you came." The shoot took an hour to do.   " Deb I will set thr digital ones for you to see right away. Hurry up and change.  I will have you in the room while I develop the others."  Deb enters the room and I ask her to close and lock the door. While Jane is processing the other film, she is telling me what the doctor says and hands me drom her sweat pants her PT and what the doctor wants to be included . " I  see it is arthritis.  We  work on it. You will need not to gain weight or your joint will hurt more anf your way top young for a knee replacement.  Even with one,  you will never fully be the same."   Deb showed me which ones she wanted and I wrote them down and the sizes. "Jane I love all of these but want these two in 11x14.and the rest in 4x6 and love the photo books to choose from but these one I like more. "  " I will have them ready for you. I will have you come and get them or I will keep them In Samantha vehicle and after my session with you.  You can transfer to to your vehicle." Deb writes me a check and I walk her to the door. I  call Samantha and tell her I will be printing out photos and making two on canvases. Samantha brings my equipment back in to my spare room. " Wow,  she came out nice in these.  Becky will love them. Which ones did she want on canvas? She chose the perfect ones for the canvases. Do you want me to help you yeah?"  " I  will need your help stretching the canvas. Those are printing now. "   We finish an hour later with both working on them. I paid Samantha even though she protested.  " Samantha you have taken all this time off of work and won't let me pay you at all. "  " I am only taking it because I don't want to argue with you" Jane said,  " Let's take a nap."
We woke up and Jane made lasagna and fresh bread with the bread maker. I made a salad with my own home made vinaigrette.  We ate out on the balcony.  I poured us a glass of Zinfadel. Even though Jane wasn't 21. She occasionally drank  but not in excess.  We were watching the stars when I suggested we go to my place to use my telescope.and stay at my place.  We cleaned the kitchen, Jane packed a gym bag with her pills and other items the doctor prescribed for her. Jane secured her home and set her alarm.