Yeah, disgusting, I know! There should be a limit to what some people put up on their blogs! I had my reservations, but Rob said that at least some of the viewing audience would think the pics here interesting...yeah, that's a good word for it, aka nasty!
Anyways, as many of you already know, Rob had surgery on his shoulder earlier this week. He now has a metal plate in it which is to be removed in 8-10 weeks time. I'm pretty sure that's gonna leave a scar! Oh, if you're wondering what is up with the stitches on his wrist, that would be because the surgeon removed a tendon there to replace the one in his shoulder that is virtually non-existent due to his injury. Don't worry, it is a common procedure with this type of injury, the tendon he removed is actually extraneous, and most surgeons do it this way in the states as well. Crazy I know, you would assume he kind of needs that tendon, but apparently not. Anyhow, two weeks after the removal of the plate he is suppose to be at full capacity...here's hoping! I will be so happy if it's completely successful and he can get proper rest again. The surgeon who worked on him is supposed to be very good though and has had very high success with this particular surgery, so we are very hopeful.
Oh, and btw, they did give him something stronger than Tylenol after the surgery, much to our relief. He's been on Tramadol, which is pretty strong and seems to do the job. He's actually feeling pretty good today though and hasn't taken any pain meds since last night. He's thinking he can go back to work in a week, which will be interesting considering he won't have the use of his right arm, but he's convinced he'll manage.
In other news, which some of you have also already heard, we have decided to move back to the states prematurely so that Rob can take a job managing a new clinic in Colorado Springs. We are pretty excited about this because it is an awesome career opportunity for him. The plan was to stay in New Zealand a few more years, but this is not the sort of job he can pass up, especially since he went to such a fancy schmancy (translation = ridiculously expensive) graduate school, so we got to go where the moola is! There are a number of things we'll miss about New Zealand, we've met some great people here, and it does feel like we're just getting the hang of things and now we're leaving, but we know it's the right choice. This is a beautiful country, but extremely expensive, and if we stayed savings would inevitably be next to nil. But it has been well worth being here, even for just a year. Professionally it's been a really good externship experience according to Rob, especially since he wants to go into management and his boss here gave him a lot more independence and responsibility that he would typically find while externing in the states. He's convinced that is part of the reason he got this job offer. But also culturally it has been worthwhile. There are a number of things I really like about New Zealand and will miss, but I also have a whole lot more appreciation for many things in the states. I know I won't take a lot of things for granted that I just never really thought about before. Btw, the first time I once again enter a Walmart or Costco, I am literally going to cry....everything in one place, the variety, and for so cheap! I never would have thought that before, but compared to what they pay here for groceries, it's a steal!
Anywho, as far as timing, we don't have definite arrival dates yet in the states since Rob still has to hammer out details with this new company, but they'd like him to start the first week in June. But if the surgeon here says he needs to wait to take the plate out until 10 weeks out instead of 8, we will not quite make that and will need to arrive a week or two later. Basically he'll have the second surgery and we'll get on a plane to the states a day or two later. Wish us luck! Apologies to any who intended to visit us here, that would have been fun, there is lots to do. I wouldn't mind coming back for a visit myself someday. So that's our news, we'll keep you all informed and updated via the bloggie.
Cheers for now! Hmm...I wonder if I can get away saying that once we move back, I've gotten used to it...Americans would probably look at me really odd like I'm trying to be all Kiwi or British when I'm just a Yank. Oh well =).
Anna, Lizzy, Mason, and Grace. Getting these kids to look at the camera and smile at the same time was no easy feat.
Shelly and Lizzy, double trouble.
Lizzy, Grace, and Shelly at the creamery.
The girls with their fun aunt Becca.
The Gardner/Schofield clans; Grace, Lizzy, baby Emily, Shelly, and Jason.
This was Rob's doing, naturally.
Lizzy with cousins Kalli, Brook, and Chloe.
