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TeeJay's recovery tale

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TeeJay, don't worry about the snow here in Vermont. We have none to speak of, but that could change any moment.

I just got off the phone, verifying my 4 week checkup appointment with the surgeon's office. It seems that they moved the appointment to late in the afternoon! I am anxious about their assessment of the situation. I am afraid they will say "hey, you need to move more and get with the program".... since many of you folks are walking the neighborhoods already. I have yet to go out! Since I live alone, it is a bit of a risk to stroll around the hood without anyone next to me. I will have to wait.

All along, I have been fighting the urge to compete with other hippies, after reading their great progress. My main goal it to let this appliance settle in to the bone and allow knitting galore to happen. I may be fooling myself by thinking "taking it easy" is the same as "knitting"......

So, TeeJay, you have been progressing nicely and doing what I wish I could do, walk the neighborhood. It sounds as though your plan is working so well for you and your wife. I love reading your diary each day. Surely hope your day, today, is going as smoothly as the day before's.

Sas (no snow):D
 
Thanks, Judy, for the encouragement and kind words.

I just came across with your 6 Week Post Op report, very interesting and confusing. You’re able to walk your dog for 2 miles, but also experience quite severe pain (7-8). You attribute this increase in pain to increase in exercise – walking ‘around the block.’ I’ve been reading old posts all morning and I gotta tell you, nobody can define normal recovery – an animal of that kind does not exist.

Interestingly, we had this conversation with my wife this morning at the breakfast table on hypothetical scenarios regarding the most advantageous exercise-pain-improvement balance. (Disclaimer: do not try this at home!)

In one of the scenarios, the supposition was that exercise is needed for the body to recover; the more exercise the better off to a certain unknown point. The major impediment for additional (or any) exercise is the pain. Take away the pain and you’ll be able to exercise more. One means to reduce the hurting is pain medication. Take additional pain medication, exercise more and recover faster. This basically is the current PT procedure already (take pain meds prior to exercise), why not slightly increase the ingredients and accelerate the process? The doctors prescribe the THR people the pain medication and the med regime more or less dictates how much exercise one can perform without exceeding tolerable limits.

At the moment, we’re in essence employing two traditional gauges: pain and experience. The experience tells us that THR patients should take it slowly to give the body and mind the space and time they need for successful recovery. This gauge is more universal than individual. (We, regardless of our age, weight, condition, etc., are provided with the same exercise routine.) It recognizes that some exercise is required, but does not specify any starting point or limits. The experienced pain is more precise gauge, although everyone’s ‘experience’ is subjective. Here the increase in pain is in direct correlation with the amount of exercise up to a point.

Again, we THR people are not being taken as individuals as regards to the pain medication – the dose, schedule and periods of time differ significantly, even within the perimeters of an individual. Let’s take TeeJay as an example. His doctor prescribed range for the Oxycontin is 10 to 20 mg 2x, and Percocet 1 to 2 every four to six hours. In addition, he has got the Vistaril to ‘play with.’ TeeJay’s doc thinks that he could, if necessary, take double the dose he is taking now.

I’m certain that a proper dosage could be calculated that would enable an individual to perform more exercises [from 15 minute walk to 20 minute walk (30% increase), for example] for the benefit of the body.

What do you think?
 
Hey,nannyshoo, and thank you for dropping by.

I’m humbled by everybody’s kindness and support, and I’m trying to response in kind. It helps to hear that actual people, such as your daughter, are on Coumadin and fare well. Thank you for sharing that.

Nannyshoo, it must hurt beyond belief to watch your own daughter do undergo surgeries. I can only imagine. Everybody is a wimp once day, and everybody has ups and downs. I’m so happy you’re doing so much better. I’m wishing a speedy recovery to your daughter as well.

sasVermont

Good to hear from you. Your 4-week will be fine. Just stay patient. I hear you, being alone is not the best scenario; in fact, it would be real scary. My hat is off to you and every hippie going this through alone. I’d be lost without my wife.

I’ve done nothing to earn my (so far) successful recovery. A week prior to the surgery, I honestly still believed that I’d never again be able accomplish most of the tasks of my daily life. Shugaplum’s picture and BobeSmart changed that ignorant belief.

I went to the surgery with the conviction that I’d be bedridden at least for two weeks. We build my nest accordingly from shotgun (for bears) to gallons of water, DVDs, books, etc.. My plan was to be able to start my restricted life again next spring -- in six months. I had no idea that I’d walk the next morning. I did not ask for it, I did not pay for it, and I did not expect it. I think most of this wonderful recovery is due to my surgeon. The rest goes to my wife.

Sas, you have nothing to worry about. Your surgery has been successful, your recovery as expected and no snow yet!! Would it be nice to be able to run around already? Sure! But, you are giving your device enough time to get the bone growth thriving, and that is all that counts. I’ve hard time taking it easy when I compare myself to shugaplum; I actually don’t, but you get the idea.

No fighting anymore, sas, take your time and become a healthy Other Sider.

Thank you, sas, for your well wishes. My day has been perfect (no snow either). You take care, ookaay.
 
DAY 12

I’d a dream, a very refreshing and long dream: I was in Africa, went on a safari with my wife, one of those you shoot with cameras and stare animals that either stare back or ignore you. I’ll spare you the details, but suffice it to say, it was a wonderful experience. When I have one of my Africa dreams, I know everything in my life is well. I started having these Africa dreams soon after I found one of most favorite authors, Mr. Wilbur Smith, at the age of 11. He paints the continent like nobody else with vivid colors, scents and sounds.

I slept ten hours and, more important, woke up fully recharged, without a hangover, and painless. The reason for this experience is my pillow. I’ve been reading how other hippies struggle trying to discover a better sleeping pose and finally stumble on the solution. I had such enlightenment last night, and first time was able sleep on my left side. I prefer to sleep on my right side in a posture that resembles a combination of excruciating yoga poses, but the good doc operated that hip and I was out of options. It felt good to sleep a whopping ten hours without interruptions.

Yesterday was a very good day; the pain (discomfort really) was at minimum in the thigh and knee. I can feel the tightness, though. The activities of the past two days, especially the exercises and additional walking, have not generated any extra discomfort or fatigue. That is a good sign. Should the weekend follow the trend, I’m hoping for a great week ahead. Monday would be the 14th day on the other side. I’m going to see my surgeon on Wednesday, so expect full report on my recovery next week.

I really have to concentrate on my walking, which is rather difficult due to dizziness, but I can feel the proper angle the foot ought to hit the pavement. I keep on checking the going every 30 seconds or so. It feels fantastic to be able to walk already. I’m going to walk properly prior to the permanent snow. After that, I’m planning to use the treadmill as much as possible and maybe add swimming to the curriculum.

All indicators show that my recovery remains on track, which is good, because my experience is that things either go well or bad with me. Thus, I’m immediately concerned if any of the trip wires activates. I’ve suggested that people should drink a lot of water. Another measure that could prevent problems and promote health in the GI system is taking probiotics. Unfortunately, I can’t go into details, so you just need to take my work on that probiotics worked for me. On hindsight everything is so obvious. Prior to founding my current remedy, I experienced two distinctly trouble free periods in my life regarding GI track health. One was my stay in India, where my daily diet consisted of local homemade curd. When I was studying in Scandinavia, I ate a lot of local yogurt and sour milk that were crammed with acidophilus bacteria, a very beneficial intestinal bacterium. I’m taking Culturelle daily. I recently read one study that said the probiotic yogurts sold in America are not effective. The Culturelle (I’m sure any brand will do) costs about $ 20 for a month and should show its effectiveness in a week.

My wife completed her morning assessment: the wound is healing well, the swelling has decreased a lot, the lungs clean, BP 118/60, the heart fine, and the pain at 1.

I’m late because of the long rest. My plan for the day is three short walks, the exercises, plenty of good food, quality time with my wife, and staying out of the bed as long as it’s comfortable. It’s a beautiful autumn day, the temperature bit over 40, so staying outdoors and breathing fresh air is a no-brainer.
 
Again, we THR people are not being taken as individuals as regards to the pain medication – the dose, schedule and periods of time differ significantly, even within the perimeters of an individual. Let’s take TeeJay as an example. His doctor prescribed range for the Oxycontin is 10 to 20 mg 2x, and Percocet 1 to 2 every four to six hours. In addition, he has got the Vistaril to ‘play with.’ TeeJay’s doc thinks that he could, if necessary, take double the dose he is taking now.

I’m certain that a proper dosage could be calculated that would enable an individual to perform more exercises [from 15 minute walk to 20 minute walk (30% increase), for example] for the benefit of the body.

What do you think?

I think you're spot on. IMO people are generally under-medicating themselves far too much, even to the point of cutting their pills in half in case they get 'addicted'!

What they are failing to appreciate is that addiction (or dependency as it really is) is mostly a matter of time rather than dose. So would it not make sense to take a decent dose in the early stages, be able to get stuck into the recovery and thereby - hopefully - be able to do without the pain killers more quickly.
 
teejay
i did also have a fractured femur which may be the reason for more pain. I was only on percocet altough my doc freely gave it to me. The fracture was small and occured in surgery.
i do remember my home physical therapist told me to start walking outside. She offered no specifics so i took off around a rather large block. Then i had the severe pain. when she came back she told me she expected me to go two house lengths.
The pain was not when walking, but the next day coming down the stairs.

I was always confused as to how much activity i should do. At about 4 weeeks i did start swimming almost daily. I do believe that helped tremendously with range of motion. it was about a 1/2 mile each way walk to the pool, me and my cane!!
Teejay your plan for today sounds good. I'm going to get ready and take the doggies on a hike. it does cause back pain, which is controlled most of the day by percocet. 20 days till surgery and i love being outside, so off i go.
Have a great day . I look forward to your next post
judy
 
DAY 12 – part II

My shoes are not made for walking, I noticed. I bought my shoes for the hospital stay as instructed (did not use them once), and at that time I imagined I’d be walking 10 ft/h, 400 ft in all. I own an excellent pair of sneakers I’ve to learn how to get into.

I estimate that we walked about 1.5 miles this morning. My wife wanted to translate minutes into marched miles; thus the calculations. We strolled twice, 20 and 15 minutes respectively, and had a 30-minute break in between. If memory serves, an average person walks about 3 miles per hour. Our speed was slightly slower than our normal pace in the woods, but I’d still call it a decent walk. Thus, a 35 minute trek translates into 1.5 miles if anyone is interested in learning.

One of the best gauges -- I’ve learned to employ -- to measure a condition is pulse (and breathing), i.e. how much I recover from an exercise in a minute. Some days ago walking really took it’s toll on me, and I felt the need to rest for awhile even after the hospital provided PT. (Breathing is even more precise gauge.)

The change started on Wednesday after a painful repercussion for overdoing my exercises. We started to think, my wife and I, how to get out of this cycle of pain and sluggish improvement. Since Wednesday, I’ve been able to exercise more, walk more, do more daily activities, feel better, god rid off the nausea, feel more energetic, and subjectively gauged – recuperate more. I had to try.

Let me stress that this is an individual result and not scientific in any way, and, more important, can change in a minute or week. Do not try this at home.

Brief recap: My tolerance for pain meds is high. I left the hospital with orders to take 10 to 20 mg Oxycontin 2x. 1 to 2 Percocet every 4 to 6 hours. 1 to 2 Vistaril every 4 hours when needed. 1 + 1 Celebrex daily.

My initial daily pain management consisted of 10 + 10 mg Oxycontin, 5 to 7 Percocets, and 1 to 2 Vistarils. Last Wednesday my wife and I made the decision to increase the Oxycontin to 20 + 20 mg for a day or two to battle the pain I experienced on the 7-Percocet Tuesday after the 3-Percocet Monday. It was a lucky move, because I started to experience slight pressure in the crotch when the swelling reached its peak.

I was on 20 + 20 mg Oxycontin for two days. The pain disappeared, and I was able to not only accomplish my daily PT exercises, but also walk more. I took 5 Percocets on Thursday. On Friday, I reduced the Oxy by 1 pill, taking 20 + 10 (I know, I wrote that I returned to the “regular level” but that was before I decided against such a move). I walked twice and longer and had other activities, such as a trip to the clinic. I was feeling great and no pain on that 5-Percocet day.

To sum it up, by increasing my slow-release Oxycontin dose I was able to get rid off the pain, exercise and walk more, and reduce my Percocet quantity and feel better.

We will see the real results in a few days. Should I be able to walk as much as I do now, without increasing the dosage of the pain medication, would be a confirmation the experiment worked for me. Other indications could include reducing pain medications and being able to exercise more. I’m convinced that exercise (balanced with quality rest) is the only way to recuperate from this surgery. I know, take it slowly. I will, I promise. I’m merely trying to discover my individual limits.

Okay, folks, I had my afternoon delight, and we walked the twenty-minute route, but it took only 15 minutes this time – so much for the scientific feature of our experiment. It felt good. I can feel the stiffness in my leg, anterior from knee up to hip. I think I’m getting the hang of using my bionic leg properly. Still have to concentrate on placing my foot correctly on the ground, or it turns to 270. I had my sneakers on and felt like running.
 
Josephine

This must be so frustrating for you, people not listening? Medical community’s whiffle-waffle does not help either. It’s like the badge of honor to get rid off the meds, the sooner the better. Luckily, here people obtain the proper information. How they choose to take advantage of it is up to them.

Judy

I’m with you, we the people need better and more accurate instructions – we need specifics! How hard can that be? I think you’re lucky to commence swimming. It’s one of the best ways to work out, not to mention convalesce, and it’s rather safe.

Hopefully you had a nice walk with the dogs and will enjoy a painless, relaxed evening. I’m still on dog restrictions. Can’t even imagine taking them for a walk. We have taught our dogs to walk off-leash, but even if my wife had them on the leash, it would not be safe enough for me. Can’t wait, neither can they.
 
Hey teejay i hope you keep posting your day by day very interseting and helpful....Glad yo are doing well.....Ill wait for the next update...........)
 
Josephine

This must be so frustrating for you, people not listening? Medical community’s whiffle-waffle does not help either. It’s like the badge of honor to get rid off the meds, the sooner the better. Luckily, here people obtain the proper information. How they choose to take advantage of it is up to them.

No, you are spot on in all your deliberations. I totally understand the drive to be off meds, specially if you're the kind of person that doesn't like taking them in the first place. It doesn't bother me a bit, taking meds, but some people are really averse to it. So you have to go with what suits. But it does worry me when I read of people actually cutting their pills in half in order to avoid addiction when, if they took the prescribed dose for a few weeks, they would actually be done with them altogether much sooner. It's all a balancing act and a trade off in the end - putting up with something you don't like for x amount of time in order to be rid of it.
 
I did have a great walk with the dogs and the best part is the puppy sleeps for hours when we get home and is tired the next morning as well. Otherwise nothing is safe from his new sharp teeth.

Glad you are on a steady improvement. Soon you will be able to run, although it is more than discouraged. I just remember how great it felt the first time i cheated a little.
Have a great sunday.
Before you know it the dogs will be with you.
judy
 
DAY 13

The night went well. Despite fears of yesterdays rather demanding walking routine manifesting uncomfortable results today, nothing happened. Nada! I’d love to conclude with a Q.E.D., but things can change in a minute. I will say, though, that this thing of ours appears to be working. I’m trying my best to shoot down our grand idea, to challenge our findings and theory but fail every time.

I tried my pillow trick again, and that too was successful. Even better – you ready? – I accidentally found myself turning over to my right side (the operated hip), and because no explosion followed, I tweaked the pillows, and eyes closed, holding my breath took the posture and fell asleep. Imagine that! That felt so good. I’m practically unable to sleep on my back, and sleeping on the left side also sucks. I’m a right-side sleeper. Now I’m back.

I’m getting so fond of the pillows that I’m thinking launching TeeJay’s Pillow n Stuff, a manufacturer of custom pillows. The TPS would offer the best hip pillow in the world. Our custom line would start with the modest $1200 LTHR models, and every pillow would be hand Made in the United States by American pillow technicians from organically grown American components.

The process would start with a careful measurement of your body, followed by the steps of developing the perfect mold that is sculpted by one of our artisans until the mold matches the precise shape and form of your body. We’re able to control every aspect of construction and quality to achieve an extremely high degree of top class workmanship.

Our board of directors is planning to contact shugaplum with an offer she can’t refuse: VP of Marketing. She’d be responsible of all areas of marketing, but her main focus would be in marketing communications. I’m certain that just one shuga Ad would launch the whole TeeJay line of custom pillows. Picture this: shugaplum standing in her world-famous pose whispering in a low voice, “TeeJay pillow made this possible.” The tsunami of orders would be so colossal that it would shut down the Internet for hours.

Back to earth. I had my morning stroll. We toured the neighborhood again about 30 minutes, in two 15-minute walks, enjoying a short rest in between. The elevation in our neighborhood varies quite a bit, so I’m walking uphill and downhill almost all the time. It gets easier and easier to walk like a normal person. I noticed that my right foot is not any longer fighting the forces that wanted to rotate the foot towards the midline just yesterday. It feels good to simply walk. During the hike I felt my right and left knee a little. Also, my thigh broadcasted its presence, but no pain. A couple of hours after the excursion, I can’t perceive any negative fallout. Walking outdoors and breathing fresh air combined with the fact that I’m improving, the autumn is beautiful, and I’m holding my wife’s hand makes me feel the luckiest man on earth.

My vitals were okay, and so was the incision. My appetite is perfect and my mood elated.

I can’t recall if I’ve mentioned earlier that I’m, as the days go by, spending increasingly more time out of the bed. I created a wonderful office for myself on the dinner table, so I’m able to observe the happenings in the backyard as well as watching TV while “working.” The drawback is the dogs lying around me, and the fact that I’m an easier target for the cat attacks. The bottom line is that I feel more alive and like a normal person.

It appears that today’s menu is Italian. I’ll be back.
 
Howdy TX

Well, thank you, Kim. I’m very appreciative that I’m doing so well. You people support me a lot. With the wish that all is well with you.


Josephine

I absolutely agree with you. You make so much sense that I can’t begin to comprehend how some people think they know better. An excellent example is what you brought up regarding the early quitting of pain meds.

Getting the recovery right is rather challenging, especially when things go wrong or one is provided with false or inadequate information. It is a balancing act, for sure, nobody just tells it to the patients.

I do see how hard you attempt to keep this site fiction free, and that is one of the aspects that makes BoneSmart a superduper web site. I, myself, can’t thank you and Jamie enough for all your work.


Judy

Good to hear you enjoyed your walk. I’m not so sure I’d be walking as much without the K-9s. And, you are right in that give them the exercise and your home is saved from a disaster.

I’m pretty pleased that my body is healing. I’d settle for a long hike in the woods, but you make running sound so good that one day in the distant future I’m going to try it. Little by little.

Have a nice week, Judy.
 
Teejay, there is not a doubt in my mind that you're going to be doing whatever you want to do very soon.

Your BoneSmart journal will be so helpful for others who follow you too. I do so appreciate you taking time to chronicle each day.
 
DAY 14 -- Two Weeks

I started posting 6.5 hours after my surgery. At that time, I did not have any idea how things would evolve, but I decided to share my experiences with you regardless. I did not plan to compose a daily diary, and a couple of times I decided to quit. Every time I was convinced otherwise by one of you fellow travelers expressing that s/he was enjoying my story and, especially, that my experiences had alleviated his/her particular voyage. I felt ungrateful and humbled and I continued. This is my way of paying it forward, as Jamie puts it. Soon other people will take over and the cycle continues -- the life goes on.

It so happened that the stars aligned perfectly for me (thus far) and my progress has been rather astonishing. I found the BoneSmart because I was desperately trying to obtain information about the THR. Before I was enlightened by the People of the Other Side, I truly believed that I would never again be able to do my work, take my dogs out to the woods, sit on a sofa, carry garden stuff for my wife, or hold my grandkids. As I have stated numerous times before, it was the photo of shugaplum that stopped me in my tracks, and the posts of those who came before me that gave me my life back. I chose not to undergo the surgery before I found you.

What have we accomplished in fourteen days? From the top: I’m walking without any aid (except my wife) rather briskly over two miles without pain or slightest exhaustion. (I’m using the walker in restroom, shopping and clinic visits.) I have not tried to march more, because I’m afraid that my new hip is going to explode in the fashion of Galaxy M82 and we all know how much the three-letter people dislike anything that goes bang. I’m able to take care of myself independently, the right-foot sock being the sole exception – I’m unable to put that on.

I’m able to take a shower, use the throne, climb/descend stairs, hoist a cat from the floor (following Josephine’s well-thought-out technique), sit on a chair and write hours on end silly stuff, surf the net, answer the door, get up from / go to the bed, and I can sleep on my operated hip. I’ve got my appetite back, the wound has healed, and I’m pretty sure I’d be able to drive my car and the space shuttle. I do not limp. I’d rate the pain level at 1. After the walk, I can feel the stiff muscles (Josephine counts that as some kind of accumulated pain), and, at times, some referred pain in the knee. I feel very energetic and ready to conquer the world. I think I’m very lucky.

I heard somebody asking, “What was your worst day?” If I had to pick one, it would be the second day after the surgery. I experienced a bit more discomfort, that’s all. The second week was remarkably better than week 1. At times, I forget that my hip was attacked by a bunch of medical professionals with saws, drills and God knows what. I need to pay more attention to what I’m doing. I’ve not found any short cut to recovery. However, I believe an Other Sider can, and ought to, take certain necessary steps to promote the recovery.

What have I learned? I have learned that the world is full of remarkable people ready to assist those in need of a little push or a kind word, or wanting exact scientific information on specific implant’s effect on wear and tear in various body parts on Tuesday afternoons, or on quest for plain common sense – plenty of that around. I’ve learned to trust everything Josephine or Jamie say – they absolutely know their stuff. I have learned that my wife really is the best thing that ever happened to me. I have learned to enjoy living again.

Much more important -- <B> very important </B >-- is that to be able to recover and get rid of the pain medication, an Other Sider ought to follow the advice of Josephine’s. She is simply saying that we must take our pain medications (prescribed amounts) regularly as long as we need to take them. A proper pain management promotes speedy and painless recovery. I did, in fact, increase my dose a tad to accomplish my goal of almost painless increased exercise routine. I’m hoping to decrease the pain medications soon, but my body will determine the time and amount.

Knocking on wood here – my recovery is progressing remarkably well. I wish the trend will continue and I’ll be back among normal people before long. An avid reader of this forum will make the observation that recovery from the THR varies greatly, and, unfortunately, sometimes fails. Please be patient, and let yourself heal at the pace it needs.

Josephine and Jamie, I salute you for your impressive work that support countless people in pain. I thank you, shugaplum, for your lifesaving photo and cheerful character. I thank all for your unconditional support. And, I thank all of you hippies that came before me and left the breadcrumbs for me to follow. Thank you BoneSmart for being there for me.
 
I do see how hard you attempt to keep this site fiction free, and that is one of the aspects that makes BoneSmart a superduper web site. I, myself, can’t thank you and Jamie enough for all your work.

Josephine and Jamie, I salute you for your impressive work that support countless people in pain.

Thank you BoneSmart for being there for me.

Thank you for that, TJ. You know Richard Warner's (owner of BoneSmart) sole philosophy for BS was to provide clear and unbiased information for prospective patients, devoid of any marketing hype or hyperbolie. He (we) strive towards that end. This began because when he was trying to research for his own THR, he could find nothing on the net that was unbiased or factual. Thus began his dream of providing such a resource and this forum is just one of his dreams in action! He reads this forum every Friday afternoon before he finishes work and I'm sure he will read what you have posted and go home with a "full heart", knowing that things are working out so well.

God bless you. :cnsl:
 
Sorry I'm so delayed in responding! For some reason I cannot log on to bonesmart anymore on my other browser...but now I have it working if I open up firefox.

I would LOVE to be VP of marketing! What a fabulous idea!

Glad to hear you are doing so well!
 
Josephine,

and there I thought this would be just between us few chosen ones. Now you’re telling me that the Man is reading our prose? I can feel the writer’s block coming; I’ll be plagued by temporary lapses in ability to create text. This can’t be true, just when the healing started …

shugaplum,

How we have missed you, but I’m so happy you’re getting back to your life. You’ve got places to see, people to meet, dances to perform, young hearts to teach … the whole life ahead of you. Always keep in mind that you saved one soul and can achieve so much in the next eighty years. One day I’ll open the paper and there you are celebrating the opening night of your first show in Paris, London and New York. I’m eagerly awaiting that day.
 
Teejay...no worries....and NO writer's block! Remember that Richard Warner is one of us...the Head BoneSmartie. He had joint replacement surgery also! In fact, since it was a hip replacement, I'm sure he is relating to your journal in every way!!

So banish any thoughts of writer's block and post away!!! Just remember that you're helping many, many folks with your easy-reading stories of daily recovery.
 
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