THR Seeing the Light!
- Thread starter lovesstars
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Hi @lovesstars 
Dropping by to wish you a Happy Tuesday!
I hope you've been doing well over the past week.
Drop us an update one of these days. Miss you and would love to know how you're doing.
I hope you have a nice week!
Dropping by to wish you a Happy Tuesday!
I hope you've been doing well over the past week.
Drop us an update one of these days. Miss you and would love to know how you're doing.
I hope you have a nice week!
Lmflora
member
@lovesstars glad to hear you're doing better. I planted my paper whites, and I broke down and did an amaryllis as well. How are your paper whites doing?
Have a great week
Have a great week
OP
OP
lovesstars
graduate
Hi there! I read the book. It was super interesting, thank you!
I am doing a bunch...some pain...will write more below...stay tuned.
Thank you for checking, @wonkyhipoy!
Cheers!
OP
OP
lovesstars
graduate
Paperwhites are in the refrigerator. Once I put them on stones with water they will just take off...and I want greenery in January. So...I am holding them off. Plus, I want to give some for holiday gifts.
OP
OP
lovesstars
graduate
Hi @lovesstars
Dropping by to wish you a Happy Tuesday!
I hope you've been doing well over the past week.
Drop us an update one of these days. Miss you and would love to know how you're doing.
I hope you have a nice week!
Hi Layla and all:
Hope you guys are good.
I am trying to just do...everything.
I have to be careful because I get so exhausted so I do less every day.
I saw the PT on Monday. I told him the horror story of the OS visit. I asked him to suggest a new OS for me.
He applauded my cane walking...said my gait looks good and wants me to stick with cane a bit longer, which I am fine with doing.
He wants me to start working on easing my operative leg into bent/open position. (Cannot remember proper term)...like if I were sitting on the floor with crossed legs. But...not crossing midline at all. He has me lying on my back with my good leg bent, resting in the wall and my operative foot resting on other knee, bent into external rotation. Then pushing knee away from me gently, and pulling towards me gently. This made my subsequent walking feel more “open”. Was really interesting.
I started super adaptive Pilates last Friday. Really small stuff.
Plus...PT suggested that I don’t only need to kickboard in warm pool...but even just pool walking would be wonderful for me. Oh...and he said NO WAY could I go to India. Too far, he said. Too long a trip....and I will be sore.
Saturday morning I boiled tons of fish bones for stock...with garlic, saffron, fennel, onions, carrots. Was really excited for all that collagen. Made a great bouillabaisse....and then conked out on couch.
Weather has definitely turned here. Leaves all down now. Smells like winter, baby.
I am a week without Tramadol now.
Just Tylenol and Celebrex.
Yes, there is some achiness...but I am managing.
(I have a question...it seems like my operative leg is still swollen to some degree. My boots don’t fit as well on that leg. When might that improve??)
I hope you guys are all good!
Last edited:
SurreyGirl
supremo
Hi there! Sounds like you have a lot going on but pretty positive overall. I am very interested in those exercises you are being given and the outcome re your walking. Am still on a crutch myself although walking pretty well with it after the first initial five minutes.
That fish stock sounds awesome! At home We make a fish soup here with fish stock, Thai herbs and ginger, fish balls from the Chinese supermarket, prawns or seabsss poached in it and a dash of sesame oil plus coriander. Great for a diet and very nutritious. If I need more carbohydrate I add rice noodles..
That fish stock sounds awesome! At home We make a fish soup here with fish stock, Thai herbs and ginger, fish balls from the Chinese supermarket, prawns or seabsss poached in it and a dash of sesame oil plus coriander. Great for a diet and very nutritious. If I need more carbohydrate I add rice noodles..
OP
OP
lovesstars
graduate
@SurreyGirl this sort of fish soup I made ahead before my surgery and froze to have afterwards, to help strengthen me. The Asian market is basically my place for staple ingredients. And now I can go there myself!!!! Hurray!!! It’s not a shop of horrors! (See what I did there, @SurreyGirl ??).
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So nice to hear from you!
Sounds as though you're doing well and slowly and carefully moving forward. Way to go!
I'm happy to hear you're feeling encouraged and finding relief through some gentle PT and Pilates. Sorry about India. I hope you weren't too disappointed. Hopefully it's a possibility in your future, something to look forward to.
The seasonings you used for the fish stock sounds wonderful. My sister made me a good supply of bone broth when I was in early recovery. It was yummy and I was very thankful. I want to start doing it myself but I'm allergic to the kitchen. I only have one because it came with the house
In all seriousness, I do cook, and when I do, I'm decent enough, it's edible, just never been my thing to hubby's dismay. I think he wants me barefoot, in the kitchen all day over boiling pots and hot ovens, trying out new recipes. Nu uh, not happening, not this year anyway.
Keep in touch, it's nice hearing from you. I hope you have a great rest of the week!
@lovesstars
Sounds as though you're doing well and slowly and carefully moving forward. Way to go!
I'm happy to hear you're feeling encouraged and finding relief through some gentle PT and Pilates. Sorry about India. I hope you weren't too disappointed. Hopefully it's a possibility in your future, something to look forward to.
The seasonings you used for the fish stock sounds wonderful. My sister made me a good supply of bone broth when I was in early recovery. It was yummy and I was very thankful. I want to start doing it myself but I'm allergic to the kitchen. I only have one because it came with the house
In all seriousness, I do cook, and when I do, I'm decent enough, it's edible, just never been my thing to hubby's dismay. I think he wants me barefoot, in the kitchen all day over boiling pots and hot ovens, trying out new recipes. Nu uh, not happening, not this year anyway.
Keep in touch, it's nice hearing from you. I hope you have a great rest of the week!
@lovesstars
OP
OP
lovesstars
graduate
Alitm
post-grad
Helllo @lovesstars, wanted to pop by and see how you are doing.....and am so happy to read that you are coming along nicely and enjoying normal life activities again, slowly but surely. Sounds like you have a great PT.
It can be a challenge to find the balance between enough (when we want more!) and too much (go there more often than I'd like while discovering my every changing boundaries!)...but believe I am not alone on that!!
Cheers to healing!
It can be a challenge to find the balance between enough (when we want more!) and too much (go there more often than I'd like while discovering my every changing boundaries!)...but believe I am not alone on that!!
Cheers to healing!
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Hahaha! I love it too....wish I could take credit but I read it somewhere and it fits me to a T!!! So I’m sharing because I love a good laugh! I know you do too.
I wouldn’t worry about swelling at only a little over two months out. Some have it for 3 mo, 6 mo, my OS said you can for a year! I’d just ice and elevate whenever you’re sitting / laying around.
Hope you have a good one!
@lovesstars
I wouldn’t worry about swelling at only a little over two months out. Some have it for 3 mo, 6 mo, my OS said you can for a year! I’d just ice and elevate whenever you’re sitting / laying around.
Hope you have a good one!
@lovesstars
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Hi 
I hope you're doing well and feeling progress little by little.
It's getting to be that busy time of year. I'm feeling a tiny bit of pressure already to meet
deadlines. I want to drag out the tree and my holiday decor. I like to enjoy it for awhile because once December 26th rolls around, I've had my fill.
I hope you have a great week and if you don't visit us before Thanksgiving....I hope yours is a happy one!
@lovesstars
I hope you're doing well and feeling progress little by little.
It's getting to be that busy time of year. I'm feeling a tiny bit of pressure already to meet
deadlines. I want to drag out the tree and my holiday decor. I like to enjoy it for awhile because once December 26th rolls around, I've had my fill.
I hope you have a great week and if you don't visit us before Thanksgiving....I hope yours is a happy one!
@lovesstars
OP
OP
lovesstars
graduate
Hi there, @Layla ! On Monday I went to the grocery store by myself! And filled like three bags full — and put them in the car and brought them into the house...and suddenly was so exhausted I had to lie down!
It is truly amazing how many times during the day I feel like I have to try to rest to be able to make it though the day. That will improve, right????
I am not cooking a full dinner next week — only making the tofurkey and gravy from scratch...I have delegated side dishes. I am not sure how I will make it through the day any other way!
Last Thursday night I was a featured artist at a storytelling event. I walked out of the house without my cane! During the evening I limped a bit and thankfully didn’t fall. But I managed. Oh, and apparently I elicited “hoots and hollers”. I truly don’t remember those...but I was a bit out of my body in the storytelling and I never remember how the audience reacts. But woohoo. My four-months-on-the-couch shape isn’t my favorite...but I will, I suppose, get my shape back with a little more time. Things are already moving in the right direction.
I am giving my ice skates to my 15 year old neighbor.
I am still using the sock-aid to help me with socks. But it does seem that I need the other dressing aids HARDLY AT ALL. Wearing only slip-on snow boots at this point. No need for lacing — and they run big, so...easy.
I am walking up and down the stairs normally, sometimes at the end of the day when my leg is tired I don’t lead with my surgical leg. Getting down onto the floor is near impossible. I did it once, two days ago.
Listen, guys...in many ways it has been a rough few weeks. My mom has been evacuated due to fire — and maybe @1stSurgery has been talking about this but I have been off the site — I hope you are safe, @1stSurgery and other Californians.
My family is in Thousand Oaks as well — and we were married there...so stuff has been, well,...sad.
In other things, we have had one snow — and another coming this weekend. The year marches on. I cannot bear to put ice on myself when my house is so cold. FOR HOW LONG DO I ICE — AND WHEN DO I ICE, EVEN AT THIS POINT????
I am on Tylenol in the morning — and take another set late afternoon/dinner time. That’s improvement!
Love to you all!
It is truly amazing how many times during the day I feel like I have to try to rest to be able to make it though the day. That will improve, right????
I am not cooking a full dinner next week — only making the tofurkey and gravy from scratch...I have delegated side dishes. I am not sure how I will make it through the day any other way!
Last Thursday night I was a featured artist at a storytelling event. I walked out of the house without my cane! During the evening I limped a bit and thankfully didn’t fall. But I managed. Oh, and apparently I elicited “hoots and hollers”. I truly don’t remember those...but I was a bit out of my body in the storytelling and I never remember how the audience reacts. But woohoo. My four-months-on-the-couch shape isn’t my favorite...but I will, I suppose, get my shape back with a little more time. Things are already moving in the right direction.
I am giving my ice skates to my 15 year old neighbor.
I am still using the sock-aid to help me with socks. But it does seem that I need the other dressing aids HARDLY AT ALL. Wearing only slip-on snow boots at this point. No need for lacing — and they run big, so...easy.
I am walking up and down the stairs normally, sometimes at the end of the day when my leg is tired I don’t lead with my surgical leg. Getting down onto the floor is near impossible. I did it once, two days ago.
Listen, guys...in many ways it has been a rough few weeks. My mom has been evacuated due to fire — and maybe @1stSurgery has been talking about this but I have been off the site — I hope you are safe, @1stSurgery and other Californians.
My family is in Thousand Oaks as well — and we were married there...so stuff has been, well,...sad.
In other things, we have had one snow — and another coming this weekend. The year marches on. I cannot bear to put ice on myself when my house is so cold. FOR HOW LONG DO I ICE — AND WHEN DO I ICE, EVEN AT THIS POINT????
I am on Tylenol in the morning — and take another set late afternoon/dinner time. That’s improvement!
Love to you all!
SurreyGirl
supremo
So sad to hear about the fire, it has affected so many people :-(
On your own recovery it sounds very positive and glad your audience appreciated you. You are brave go leave the house without a cane. I am nowhere near that yet!
Sent you a pm which includes a bit about icing. I am continuing to do it after work when driving leaves things a bit inflamed. I would imagine when and if you do it is very much up to you rather than prescribed. I do find that icing keeps things under control with less need for painkillers although I am now icing my right knee as much as my operated hip!
How are you intending to get back into shape? I know I need to eat less and keep up the walking
On your own recovery it sounds very positive and glad your audience appreciated you. You are brave go leave the house without a cane. I am nowhere near that yet!
Sent you a pm which includes a bit about icing. I am continuing to do it after work when driving leaves things a bit inflamed. I would imagine when and if you do it is very much up to you rather than prescribed. I do find that icing keeps things under control with less need for painkillers although I am now icing my right knee as much as my operated hip!
How are you intending to get back into shape? I know I need to eat less and keep up the walking
OP
OP
lovesstars
graduate
Leaving the cane at Home was an accident!
OP
OP
lovesstars
graduate
How am I intending on getting back into shape? I suppose I am going to walk a bit more, pilates once a week...and still try to get to the therapy pool one-two times per week, building up. But SERIOUSLY, when I have gone to the pool and used the kickboard to do only a few laps I am SUPER exhausted for a few days. But PT has encouraged me to go and just walk around the periphery of the pool...that water-walking is really helpful — and that I don’t need to “push” myself to get the right exercise.
It is a bit disheartening, though, because although I am doing so much I still feel in some ways really weak from the surgery. I feel as though my immune system is lower, that on the surface it seems that I have energy but my stamina has not even begun to return. I am taking vitamins, herbs, eating strengthening foods and getting acupuncture. My professional self tells me it will take time but the me that is inside my body is like “man, this is just taking too long!”
One of my friends said to me about the grocery store visit earlier this week: “You are a force to contend with — even for yourself”!
It is a bit disheartening, though, because although I am doing so much I still feel in some ways really weak from the surgery. I feel as though my immune system is lower, that on the surface it seems that I have energy but my stamina has not even begun to return. I am taking vitamins, herbs, eating strengthening foods and getting acupuncture. My professional self tells me it will take time but the me that is inside my body is like “man, this is just taking too long!”
One of my friends said to me about the grocery store visit earlier this week: “You are a force to contend with — even for yourself”!
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Congrats on the grocery run! I do think your fatigue will slowly lift. You aren't even three months post op yet.
They say it takes our body up to a year to recover from this major surgery. Just think of all the energy used to
repair the assault your body took on. Subsequently there's not a lot left for you to engage in the activities of daily living. Do what you can and dedicate time to rest / sleep as you're able.
Sounds like you have the right idea for Thanksgiving. All hands on deck....get the help you need to make a special day with loved ones as easy on yourself as possible. You have a good excuse this year
Now for tofurkey
I'm a carnivore, cave woman, I want the real deal. Give me the meat, baby, lol.
I hope that didn't just make you sick
Awesome on the story telling and no cane! It's a positive sign when you start forgetting it.
You couldn't pay me enough to put on ice skates!! Although living in the icy frozen tundra of the Upper Mid-West, I often feel like I'm on them, as I gingerly take small shuffling steps on the sanded icy pavements so familiar here this time of year. Every outing poses a slipping hazard! I know you understand.
So sorry the news out of California is hitting you in a more personal way with your ties there. The photos and news coming out of the state is heartbreaking. Thankfully much of the country is holding them in prayer.
Ice as long as it's bringing you relief from either pain or swelling.
Glad you're enjoying the pool walking, the weight will come off in due time. First things, first.
It sounds like you're doing all you can to build stamina and strengthen your immune system. I realize you feel it's all taking too long but we all recover differently. You're continually progressing so it's all good!
Hope you have a nice weekend and a beautiful holiday with those you hold dear.
Big hugs!
@lovesstars
They say it takes our body up to a year to recover from this major surgery. Just think of all the energy used to
repair the assault your body took on. Subsequently there's not a lot left for you to engage in the activities of daily living. Do what you can and dedicate time to rest / sleep as you're able.
Sounds like you have the right idea for Thanksgiving. All hands on deck....get the help you need to make a special day with loved ones as easy on yourself as possible. You have a good excuse this year
Now for tofurkey
I'm a carnivore, cave woman, I want the real deal. Give me the meat, baby, lol.I hope that didn't just make you sick
Awesome on the story telling and no cane! It's a positive sign when you start forgetting it.
You couldn't pay me enough to put on ice skates!! Although living in the icy frozen tundra of the Upper Mid-West, I often feel like I'm on them, as I gingerly take small shuffling steps on the sanded icy pavements so familiar here this time of year. Every outing poses a slipping hazard! I know you understand.
So sorry the news out of California is hitting you in a more personal way with your ties there. The photos and news coming out of the state is heartbreaking. Thankfully much of the country is holding them in prayer.
Ice as long as it's bringing you relief from either pain or swelling.
Glad you're enjoying the pool walking, the weight will come off in due time. First things, first.
It sounds like you're doing all you can to build stamina and strengthen your immune system. I realize you feel it's all taking too long but we all recover differently. You're continually progressing so it's all good!
Hope you have a nice weekend and a beautiful holiday with those you hold dear.
Big hugs!
@lovesstars
OP
OP
