I am sure most of you, especially the long-time listeners, remember a few years ago when my Smokin’ Hot Wife Carla stumbled over a pair of shoes and broke her ankle. There is a mystery that surrounds the owner of the shoes that continues to this day. No point in getting into that at this time. My attorney will not allow me to go into details anyway. In that moment of panic and confusion, I kept my cool, heroically scooped her up, and carried her, (although she would say, awkwardly managed to get her), to the car, and the emergency room. They put a plate and seven screws in her ankle and leg. When we asked if the plate and screws stayed in, he said 95% of his patients kept them for the rest of their lives, and only 5% had to have them removed. At that very moment, after hearing those odds, I should have prepared for this past month.
I did not.
About 6 months ago we were coming out of church and Carla stopped immediately and said, “My ankle won’t support me!” After about 30 seconds she was able to walk again. We chalked it up to a fluke. A month or so later it happened again. Then it started every week or so. Sometimes for a few seconds, sometimes a couple of minutes, then it was fine. Carla called her doctor to only be told, “He’s not doing ankles anymore.” My thoughts were, “Well, he did this one. We are not claiming a warranty, we just need it fixed.”
We found another doctor and he said the plate and screws had to come out. Carla started having flashbacks of not being able to walk for 10 weeks. I had flashbacks of waiting on her hand and foot, taking her to the bathroom, putting her in, and getting her out of the shower, (to be honest, if I’m telling the truth, that was not so bad, in fact, it was my favorite part of the whole thing. Refer to the “Smokin’ Hot part.)
The problem was not being her personal nurse and caregiver, the problem was working at Budweiser and doing it. I got up at 3am, opened Budweiser at 4am, came back home at 7am, got her show, made her breakfast, and got her on the couch, and went back to work. Came home at lunch, fed her, got her to the bathroom, back on the couch, back to work. In the middle of that period, we went to Panama City Beach with family for a week where I pushed her on the beach in a wheelchair that had humongous blow-up balloon tires, in 100-degree heat. This time I’m fortunate to be working from home, and although this surgery is very uncomfortable, and annoying, she is not quite as helpless, and it won’t be for long.
Thankfully, she still needs “assistance” with the showers. I will say re-wrapping her leg everyday with first the cotton bandage and pads, and then with the elastic wrap bandage, has been a challenge. Fortunately, this has given us a chance to work on our “Relationship skills. Especially communication and forgiveness.
I just love your relationship! You two are the best. Stay blessed!
Dang, Lamar, you are so darn funny! I love the way you write a story. God bless you and Carla. Hope she’s back on two feet in no time!
Ha! Thank God she’s hot🤣‼️
You crack me up. I enjoy your addition to the show!
Love you Lamar! You’re the best!
Lamar, Bless your Heart. Not to be confused with the OMG, bless your heart. I’ve lived this life for the past 4 years. After a series of ill fated surgeries at hospitals where the surgeons who graduated med school with a 2.0 go…. I did self care for my husband.
After I was done crying, I did learn how much closer it brought us. I’m still waiting for the chocolates and roses and 100% have made plans for my own care should I ever land in the same predicament.
oh my Carla. I had ankle surgery April 2021. The 12 weeks of non weight bearing, the plate and 5 screws, the husband taking me to the bathroom, putting me in the shower, washing my hair over the sink. Lamar makes light of it but it is a royal pain for the caregiver and the patient. I was depressed to not be able to stand and teach at my easel and even go to the bathroom myself. The knee scooter and the accoutrements around the house made me feel like the next stop was the nursing home. But as God taught me through my thick head, this too shall pass. I live in fear of the screws popping out and going thru it again. But thankfully we have good partners! heal fast
You are so funny.
This was a great story, Lamar (from a readers point of view) haha. God Bless you for being such a great supportive husband and helping her.
Praying for fast healing, so you two can get back to a more normal life.
I just love the two of you, you both are an inspiration. Lamar, I love your story telling!! Carla, praying for a quick recovery!!
Husband of the year I say! Thanks for the story- you are a good story teller.
Husband had knee replacement surgery yesterday, daughter broke her ankle with subsequent surgery at Thanksgiving. I have so enjoyed listening to Sheri and Lamar, your tales of caring for Kevin and Carla are funny, comforting, and definitely relatable!! Thank you All for continually making me feel at home. Long time daily listener
You are a wonderful husband and human being, so happy you are part of the Bob & Sheri Show.
I feel so bad for Carla and for you. Caregiving doesn’t work in a bad relationship so I know that you both will get through this. Hang in there.
Glad you are joined the show full time.
You poor sweetie! You’ve sacrificed so much☺️. Please publish Carla’s rendition of this starting with “a few years ago when my Smokin’ Hot Wife Carla stumbled over a pair of shoes and broke her ankle.”, and ending with “this has given us a chance to work on our “Relationship skills. Especially communication and forgiveness.”. I truly love you Lamar, I’m so happy you’ve joined them full time. You make me smile every time I listen. I’ve been a Bob and Sheri listener since the day Sheri joined Bob 30+ years ago. I download all the podcasts.
OMG, I just love you guys!😂❤️
Care giving is difficult for both. You at least have a story to share and in the long run all will hopefully be ok. Hang in there a little longer…. Keep up the good work on Bob & Sheri, love you guys!
I feel for Carla! From December 2022-September 2023 I had three foot surgeries and it was awful not being able to bear weight for almost a year and riding on a knee scooter for a year! Guess who is having back problems now!
Lamar she’s so lucky to have you to take of her. I’m sure if the situation was reversed she would do the same for you and allow you a few days off from cooking too. Haha
Lamar you are the best. I would do anything for a partner who does the things you do. Not only would I not be taken care of, I would hear “I am going down street ” and having to guess when he would be back ! You guys are so lucky to have each other. It is the little things in life which really make the difference .
Lamar. I broke my ankle at 64,in 2017. Plate and screws still in. My foot slightly crooked. I hope Carla has PT. Make sure she is walking correctly. I didn’t, now I’m sorry. Good luck❤️
Good article! I am a fateful listener of many years, I drive a school bus, and originally started listening at Christmas time. I love listening to Christmas Songs on the radio while driving and your station played lots! So, I became a regular listener year-round. I love all the stories and stuff you all do! I feel like you are part of my family! Thanks for giving this 75 year old woman much pleasure throughout the year! Susie in Tennessee 💕
You are a very devoted husband. She is a lucky lady to have you around. Hope she gets back to herself soon. I love your laugh.