Hello again!
Yes, this is yet another entry today... but I just couldn't wait to share my excitement!
Do you remember a few days ago when I was shouting about being able to lift my leg an inch or two off the bed? Well, let me tell you, that shout now pales in comparison - as of tonight, I can lift my leg high in the air!!! Yes, really !!! It's like magic!
So, picture this. I'm there lying on my back on the bed, and Hubs is there standing beside the bed ready to help me with my whole-leg-lefts. I say, "wait - let me see how high I can left it".... not really expecting anything more than my usual 2 inches... I concentrated... and it started going up, and it went up, and up and just kept going until it was almost straight up in the air !!! I screamed, "OH MY GOD!" Then I screamed again!!!
This is MONUMENTAL !!! Please drink for me - drink to me - drink! 1 glass, 2 glasses, oh, have a whole bottle !!! (Of course, I can't do that or I won't be able to lift anything!)
I know this entry is dangerously close to being overloaded with exclamation marks, but you know what:? I DON'T CARE BECAUSE I CAN LIFT MY LEG ALL THE WAY UP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:) Amy
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Another Accomplishment on Day 25
I tried something new today, and I liked it! I walked outside on the sidewalk in front of the house - just using my cane for stability! I went down the driveway and turned to the west - past our yard and to the neighbor's driveway. Then I turned 'round and came back again, and on to the east past the other neighbor's house and to the corner, and then back again. So with the returns, it was a total walk the width of 6 yards. I could easily have done more, but it was starting to rain a little and Hubs was getting ready to go to the other house. I think I am going to add this to my daily routine, weather permitting!
Overall today, I feel the most stable that I've felt in the last 25 days! During exercises this morning, I told Hubs that I felt I was sort of on a plateau with the exercises. I haven't seen much notable progress in what I can do with leg-lifts since I was able to lift Bessie off the bed earlier in the week. But I think that overall stability is noticeably improved. I have actually been walking around the house today without the cane, and at times, I don't even feel like I'm limping.
I've also seen progress in pain-management. One of the prescriptions that I was given when I came home was 600 mg Ibuprofen. I have tried it a few times, and I never felt that it really did anything for me. That, in fact, is what I'm supposed to take for "mild to moderate pain" whereas, the Vicodin (or Percocet) is supposed to be for "moderate to severe pain". I've been using the Vic because I can tell when it's working, and the last 2 nights I've taken that at bedtime, and it has helped me go to sleep. Today I decided to try the Ibu again and see how it worked - it is supposed to help with inflammation as well as pain. So, far I think it is working better than the Vic in some ways. I feel much less stiff, so I think it really is helping with inflammation. So, maybe I have turned the corner in that regard as well!
I believe I mentioned in my entry last Wednesday when I talked about my PT visit, that the PT had manipulated my knee/leg vigorously. I sort of feel that his doing so set me back in my stability. I think it has taken me until today to recover from that experience, and get back to where I was before I went to that appointment. I think on Monday I am going to call Kristen and talk with her about this procedure. I want to find out what the purpose is and if this is something that is going to keep being done. I also want to express my feeling that this may have been more of a hindrance than a help. I'm not ready to say I don't want it done again, but I do want to find out what it is supposed to accomplish and let her know my experience with it. I will endure it if there is long term gain to be gotten from it.
Well, it's time to exercise yet again... so I hope all my readers are enjoying a lovely weekend! Which reminds me, here is a look at one of my favorite Maggie Smith moments on Downton Abbey:
Overall today, I feel the most stable that I've felt in the last 25 days! During exercises this morning, I told Hubs that I felt I was sort of on a plateau with the exercises. I haven't seen much notable progress in what I can do with leg-lifts since I was able to lift Bessie off the bed earlier in the week. But I think that overall stability is noticeably improved. I have actually been walking around the house today without the cane, and at times, I don't even feel like I'm limping.
I've also seen progress in pain-management. One of the prescriptions that I was given when I came home was 600 mg Ibuprofen. I have tried it a few times, and I never felt that it really did anything for me. That, in fact, is what I'm supposed to take for "mild to moderate pain" whereas, the Vicodin (or Percocet) is supposed to be for "moderate to severe pain". I've been using the Vic because I can tell when it's working, and the last 2 nights I've taken that at bedtime, and it has helped me go to sleep. Today I decided to try the Ibu again and see how it worked - it is supposed to help with inflammation as well as pain. So, far I think it is working better than the Vic in some ways. I feel much less stiff, so I think it really is helping with inflammation. So, maybe I have turned the corner in that regard as well!
I believe I mentioned in my entry last Wednesday when I talked about my PT visit, that the PT had manipulated my knee/leg vigorously. I sort of feel that his doing so set me back in my stability. I think it has taken me until today to recover from that experience, and get back to where I was before I went to that appointment. I think on Monday I am going to call Kristen and talk with her about this procedure. I want to find out what the purpose is and if this is something that is going to keep being done. I also want to express my feeling that this may have been more of a hindrance than a help. I'm not ready to say I don't want it done again, but I do want to find out what it is supposed to accomplish and let her know my experience with it. I will endure it if there is long term gain to be gotten from it.
Well, it's time to exercise yet again... so I hope all my readers are enjoying a lovely weekend! Which reminds me, here is a look at one of my favorite Maggie Smith moments on Downton Abbey:
Thanks for reading! Talk to you again soon!
:)Amy
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Movie Review - The Reader
My faithful readers will remember that I reviewed a book on June 22 called The Reader. Yesterday I watched the movie made from the book. I give it 2 thumbs WAY up !!!
This movie was produced in 2008 and starred Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes and David Kross (the two men play the same character at different ages). Kate Winslet actually won several awards for this role, most significantly, the Oscar for Best Leading Actress.
I found the movie to be erotic, thought-provoking, historically interesting and sad, all at the same time, and I really enjoyed it. The DVD that I watched also had a list of deleted scenes. Those were very interesting to watch, and actually added some substance to the movie. As it is, the movie is over 2 hours long, so I totally understand why they might have chosen to delete some of the scenes they did, but some of them added significant plot detail that I remembered from the book. I'm glad I had read the book first, but it's certainly not essential for enjoyable movie viewing.
There were also a number of Special Features on the DVD in addition to Deleted Scenes that were very worthwhile. There were a couple about the making of the movie that really added a lot to my understanding of the historical background of the story. There was also a very interesting segment showing how they used make up to age Kate Winslet. At the time she made the movie, she was in her late 20s. In the movie, she goes from mid-thirties to mid-sixties. They did a lot with latex - not just on her face but on her hands and feet as well, to make her look older. It was amazing and spooky.
Overall, I can't recommend this book and movie too highly. It is one of those works that will be with me for a long time.
This movie was produced in 2008 and starred Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes and David Kross (the two men play the same character at different ages). Kate Winslet actually won several awards for this role, most significantly, the Oscar for Best Leading Actress.
I found the movie to be erotic, thought-provoking, historically interesting and sad, all at the same time, and I really enjoyed it. The DVD that I watched also had a list of deleted scenes. Those were very interesting to watch, and actually added some substance to the movie. As it is, the movie is over 2 hours long, so I totally understand why they might have chosen to delete some of the scenes they did, but some of them added significant plot detail that I remembered from the book. I'm glad I had read the book first, but it's certainly not essential for enjoyable movie viewing.
There were also a number of Special Features on the DVD in addition to Deleted Scenes that were very worthwhile. There were a couple about the making of the movie that really added a lot to my understanding of the historical background of the story. There was also a very interesting segment showing how they used make up to age Kate Winslet. At the time she made the movie, she was in her late 20s. In the movie, she goes from mid-thirties to mid-sixties. They did a lot with latex - not just on her face but on her hands and feet as well, to make her look older. It was amazing and spooky.
Overall, I can't recommend this book and movie too highly. It is one of those works that will be with me for a long time.
The Price of all this
There has been a great deal of talk in the press lately about transparency in the reporting of medical fees. I am very fortunate to have great insurance coverage that has covered all my expenses for this procedure and all its related testing. However, many people are not so lucky. Indeed, once I met my deductible (which is a union negotiated amount), everything has been covered completely. That is not to say that the fees that have been charged are paid in full. There is the fee that is charged and then there is the amount the insurance company has agreed to pay. Because my doctor and the facility are "in network" and have an agreement with my insurance company, they take what the company pays and write off the difference.
I asked my doctor's secretary what his charges were for being the surgeon, and she gave me a price quote which matches what is shown in my Explanation of Benefits as being submitted by him. She didn't even have to look it up - she knew it right off. I then called the hospital to ask about their fees, and I got a very different answer. Evidently, they anticipate this question from many patients because they had a section of their phone system set up just for the question of price. I left a message on the automated line, and got a call back the next day. The person who called informed me that they could not give an exact amount because the procedure could vary greatly from 1 patient to the next. Couldn't she give me a ball park figure or a range, I asked? No, she was not authorized to do that. I suppose I could have pushed it and asked to speak to someone higher up, or I could have written a letter to someone, but I chose not to press the issue.
Well, in the past few weeks, the claims to my insurance company have been listed in my claims section on the website. My doctor's fee is listed, as is a fee to the GP at the hospital. Then comes the anesthesiology fee, and another fee for the hospital itself. I don't know how inclusive the hospital fee is - whether it includes pharmacy or not. I have not looked into each claim specifically yet.
Those of you who know me, know that I am not shy about discussing money. I've given some thought to listing all the fees here - transparency, and all.... but I've decided not to post the amounts here in my blog due to the very public nature of the internet. However, I will be happy to share the specifics with individuals who know me and are curious. So, if you are a friend or relative and would like to know what all of this has cost and what my insurance company paid, just send me an email, or leave a comment, and I will email the information to you.
Happy 4th of July to everyone!!!
:)Amy
I asked my doctor's secretary what his charges were for being the surgeon, and she gave me a price quote which matches what is shown in my Explanation of Benefits as being submitted by him. She didn't even have to look it up - she knew it right off. I then called the hospital to ask about their fees, and I got a very different answer. Evidently, they anticipate this question from many patients because they had a section of their phone system set up just for the question of price. I left a message on the automated line, and got a call back the next day. The person who called informed me that they could not give an exact amount because the procedure could vary greatly from 1 patient to the next. Couldn't she give me a ball park figure or a range, I asked? No, she was not authorized to do that. I suppose I could have pushed it and asked to speak to someone higher up, or I could have written a letter to someone, but I chose not to press the issue.
Well, in the past few weeks, the claims to my insurance company have been listed in my claims section on the website. My doctor's fee is listed, as is a fee to the GP at the hospital. Then comes the anesthesiology fee, and another fee for the hospital itself. I don't know how inclusive the hospital fee is - whether it includes pharmacy or not. I have not looked into each claim specifically yet.
Those of you who know me, know that I am not shy about discussing money. I've given some thought to listing all the fees here - transparency, and all.... but I've decided not to post the amounts here in my blog due to the very public nature of the internet. However, I will be happy to share the specifics with individuals who know me and are curious. So, if you are a friend or relative and would like to know what all of this has cost and what my insurance company paid, just send me an email, or leave a comment, and I will email the information to you.
Happy 4th of July to everyone!!!
:)Amy
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Day 22 PT
Today was my first real work-out at the PT facility. I worked with Jim, who is an athletic trainer at one of the local high schools (not mine). The PTs in this office are in teams of 3, so Kristen is the team leader and then Jim is one of her 2 assistants.
Jim started me off on a stationary bike, but he didn't have me actually pedal all the way around. I just rocked my legs back and forth, and when my right foot pushed the pedal forward, that would force Bessie to squeeze up... so the goal was to squeeze and let up.... alternating for 5 minutes. That was my warm-up. Then he took me to the table and had me lie on my back while he manipulated my knee. He pushed and pulled and rubbed and squeezed and massaged - some above, some below and some on the knee. He wiggled my knee cap. None of what he did hurt, but there were a couple of places that he touched that were a little sensitive - mainly right on my scar. He explained why he was doing what he was doing. Part of it involves loosening scar tissue. I told him that I have been massaging my scar, but I can't tell that it is softening up much. He said it takes a long time. He also said that there is still swelling inside, and it takes a long time for that to completely go away as well. (My left foot is still swollen, but the ankle and lower leg has gone down a lot.)
Jim was very mindful of the issue of not inflaming my right knee, and I was glad to hear that, because that was one of my concerns. After he did the manipulation, he asked if I could still raise my leg off the table, so I showed off for him and I could!!!
We did a series of exercises with me standing at a bar to hold onto. I did toe-heal raises (20x), I moved my left foot up onto a 6" step and back down (20x) - but didn't actually step up onto it yet. I stood on my left leg for 30 sec at a time (4x). I did 20 squats there as well. Then he took me to another machine where he had me step into a loop which he pulled up to my knee and I had to pull my leg back against it, straightening my knee each time. Back at the table, he had me sit on the side and kick Bessie straight out. I can't get her totally straight yet, but we're about 80% there. After that he had me lie back down, and he measured my passive bend at 90 degrees. He didn't force the bend at all. That is up from 84 on Monday, so he was impressed with that. So was I !!!
We ended with the electrodes for 15 min - 4 this time, but no ice. I told him it was painfully cold last time, so he left it off. The electrodes are supposed to help with pain, so I am not taking any pain meds, and I want to see how long the effect of the electrodes lasts. I am going to go put an ice pack on it for awhile while I watch TV.
So, that's my big adventure for today. Thanks for reading, and I hope everyone has a great holiday!
Happy 4th !!!
:)Amy
Jim started me off on a stationary bike, but he didn't have me actually pedal all the way around. I just rocked my legs back and forth, and when my right foot pushed the pedal forward, that would force Bessie to squeeze up... so the goal was to squeeze and let up.... alternating for 5 minutes. That was my warm-up. Then he took me to the table and had me lie on my back while he manipulated my knee. He pushed and pulled and rubbed and squeezed and massaged - some above, some below and some on the knee. He wiggled my knee cap. None of what he did hurt, but there were a couple of places that he touched that were a little sensitive - mainly right on my scar. He explained why he was doing what he was doing. Part of it involves loosening scar tissue. I told him that I have been massaging my scar, but I can't tell that it is softening up much. He said it takes a long time. He also said that there is still swelling inside, and it takes a long time for that to completely go away as well. (My left foot is still swollen, but the ankle and lower leg has gone down a lot.)
Jim was very mindful of the issue of not inflaming my right knee, and I was glad to hear that, because that was one of my concerns. After he did the manipulation, he asked if I could still raise my leg off the table, so I showed off for him and I could!!!
We did a series of exercises with me standing at a bar to hold onto. I did toe-heal raises (20x), I moved my left foot up onto a 6" step and back down (20x) - but didn't actually step up onto it yet. I stood on my left leg for 30 sec at a time (4x). I did 20 squats there as well. Then he took me to another machine where he had me step into a loop which he pulled up to my knee and I had to pull my leg back against it, straightening my knee each time. Back at the table, he had me sit on the side and kick Bessie straight out. I can't get her totally straight yet, but we're about 80% there. After that he had me lie back down, and he measured my passive bend at 90 degrees. He didn't force the bend at all. That is up from 84 on Monday, so he was impressed with that. So was I !!!
We ended with the electrodes for 15 min - 4 this time, but no ice. I told him it was painfully cold last time, so he left it off. The electrodes are supposed to help with pain, so I am not taking any pain meds, and I want to see how long the effect of the electrodes lasts. I am going to go put an ice pack on it for awhile while I watch TV.
So, that's my big adventure for today. Thanks for reading, and I hope everyone has a great holiday!
Happy 4th !!!
:)Amy
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Day 21 - Shouting from the Roof Top !!!
Celebrate with me, everyone! I am sooo excited, I can hardly contain myself. Tonight, just 3 weeks after surgery, I was able to lift Bessie off the bed!!! Both from the position of lying flat on my back, and also from sitting up. I can left my whole leg up off the bed about an inch or two. I can't even tell you how HUGE this is !!!! I almost cried!
I can also now get into and out of bed without using the leg cross-over technique that I had been relying on. It is very rewarding to know that all this exercising I've been doing is paying off!
I walked around the house most of today with no walker or cane. I take it slow, and I still hold on to things occasionally, but I really don't feel that I need the aids in the house. (I wouldn't go out without my walker yet.)
It might be my imagination, but I think my new leg is just a tad longer than the old one. It would make sense, since Doc put in a plastic piece to replace the missing cartilage. I don't know how thick that is, but it is more than has been in there for years.
Tomorrow I go back to PT. She told me to bring my cane as well as my walker. I can't wait to show off for her!
Celebrate with me! Have a glass of wine... or 2... When you lie in your beds tonight, lift your left leg an inch off the bed and think about me!!!
Hugs!
:)Amy
I can also now get into and out of bed without using the leg cross-over technique that I had been relying on. It is very rewarding to know that all this exercising I've been doing is paying off!
I walked around the house most of today with no walker or cane. I take it slow, and I still hold on to things occasionally, but I really don't feel that I need the aids in the house. (I wouldn't go out without my walker yet.)
It might be my imagination, but I think my new leg is just a tad longer than the old one. It would make sense, since Doc put in a plastic piece to replace the missing cartilage. I don't know how thick that is, but it is more than has been in there for years.
Tomorrow I go back to PT. She told me to bring my cane as well as my walker. I can't wait to show off for her!
Celebrate with me! Have a glass of wine... or 2... When you lie in your beds tonight, lift your left leg an inch off the bed and think about me!!!
Hugs!
:)Amy
Monday, July 1, 2013
Day 20 - New PT Facility
Today I started my Physical Therapy at the office that is connected to my surgeon's office. I knew this was to be an "evaluation" visit, but I thought we'd do a little more actual therapy than we did. I was a little disappointed in the lack of rigor in today's visit.
First, I sat and talked with my PT, Kristen. She asked about the history of my knee problems and about the exercises I've been doing on my own at home. She seemed impressed by the long list of things I've been doing (Yea, Andrew!), so that was good.
She also asked what my goals were for our therapy sessions. There are basically 3 things I hope to be able to do once I am done with therapy: 1 - to be able to do an entire grocery-shopping expedition without having to sit down half-way through, and without having to use the electric cart. 2 - to be able to walk the nature trails at our local park with Hubs (he has very generously been pushing me in a wheelchair there for the last year or so). 3 - to be able to return to my regular water aerobics class. Since I chose the surgery for the knee which has historically given me the most trouble, I am hoping that this surgery will noticeably improve my quality of life, even though I still need to have the other knee done.
Kristen had me get up on a table and she worked both of my legs to see what my range of motion and my strength was. She measured the passive bend on my right leg at 95 and on my left leg at about 85ish. This was just from me sitting with my foot flat on the table and pulling it back as far as I could under my own leg-strength. She said their goal is going to be to get to 110 on the left. (I think that is optimistic given the size of my thighs and calves, but we'll see.)
She then had me lie flat on my back with my legs out straight, and she raised Bessie straight up from the hip joint - 20 times. She asked if I have been doing that. I said no, I have Hubs do it from a sitting position, so she wants us to add this to the list of things we do.
The next thing I had to do was also from the position of lying down. I had to bring my knees up (not forced, just comfortably) and then raise my butt off the table while squeezing my glutes together. (This is called The Bridge.) I also need to add this to my repertoire.
That's it. That's all she did with me.
For the last 15 min I was there, I sat with electrodes attached to my quads, and then my leg wrapped in an ice blanket. This is supposed to stimulate blood flow to the area to help reduce swelling and pain. She also told me that it is ok for me to start massaging my incision/scar even without lotion so I can start breaking down the scar tissue that is making it very hard.
This afternoon, Hubs and I did the full regimen of exercises, and then I iced for about 20 min. I am now having more twinges of pain than I usually have.
Kristen also informed me that they are going to do my PT twice a week so that I will get more weeks. (My insurance covers 20 sessions per calendar year and I already had 6 with home care.) So my next appointment is Wed, and then I will have Tuesday and Thursday next week. My next door neighbor is very kindly driving me in my car, and she is happy to be able to help.
So, that's my news for today. Thanks for hanging in here with me! Talk to you again soon!
:)Amy
First, I sat and talked with my PT, Kristen. She asked about the history of my knee problems and about the exercises I've been doing on my own at home. She seemed impressed by the long list of things I've been doing (Yea, Andrew!), so that was good.
She also asked what my goals were for our therapy sessions. There are basically 3 things I hope to be able to do once I am done with therapy: 1 - to be able to do an entire grocery-shopping expedition without having to sit down half-way through, and without having to use the electric cart. 2 - to be able to walk the nature trails at our local park with Hubs (he has very generously been pushing me in a wheelchair there for the last year or so). 3 - to be able to return to my regular water aerobics class. Since I chose the surgery for the knee which has historically given me the most trouble, I am hoping that this surgery will noticeably improve my quality of life, even though I still need to have the other knee done.
Kristen had me get up on a table and she worked both of my legs to see what my range of motion and my strength was. She measured the passive bend on my right leg at 95 and on my left leg at about 85ish. This was just from me sitting with my foot flat on the table and pulling it back as far as I could under my own leg-strength. She said their goal is going to be to get to 110 on the left. (I think that is optimistic given the size of my thighs and calves, but we'll see.)
She then had me lie flat on my back with my legs out straight, and she raised Bessie straight up from the hip joint - 20 times. She asked if I have been doing that. I said no, I have Hubs do it from a sitting position, so she wants us to add this to the list of things we do.
The next thing I had to do was also from the position of lying down. I had to bring my knees up (not forced, just comfortably) and then raise my butt off the table while squeezing my glutes together. (This is called The Bridge.) I also need to add this to my repertoire.
That's it. That's all she did with me.
For the last 15 min I was there, I sat with electrodes attached to my quads, and then my leg wrapped in an ice blanket. This is supposed to stimulate blood flow to the area to help reduce swelling and pain. She also told me that it is ok for me to start massaging my incision/scar even without lotion so I can start breaking down the scar tissue that is making it very hard.
This afternoon, Hubs and I did the full regimen of exercises, and then I iced for about 20 min. I am now having more twinges of pain than I usually have.
Kristen also informed me that they are going to do my PT twice a week so that I will get more weeks. (My insurance covers 20 sessions per calendar year and I already had 6 with home care.) So my next appointment is Wed, and then I will have Tuesday and Thursday next week. My next door neighbor is very kindly driving me in my car, and she is happy to be able to help.
So, that's my news for today. Thanks for hanging in here with me! Talk to you again soon!
:)Amy
Sunday, June 30, 2013
This Year's Garden
This year's garden is all thanks to the Hubs. I did plant the 2 tomato plants, but otherwise, I haven't been there to do much at all. I am enjoying the harvest however.
For the last week or so, we've been getting a daily harvest of sugar snap peas. We had enough tonight to have them for dinner. Steamed with a little salt.... mmmmm ... Veggie Perfection! As you can see we've also had a huge crop of lettuce. Hubs picks off the outer leaves for our salads, and it never looks like he took any off. We've also harvested 1 cherry tomato so far.
Even all the wildlife that we get in the yard at Old House has left things alone, thanks to our little meagre fence. Yea for the garden!!!
For the last week or so, we've been getting a daily harvest of sugar snap peas. We had enough tonight to have them for dinner. Steamed with a little salt.... mmmmm ... Veggie Perfection! As you can see we've also had a huge crop of lettuce. Hubs picks off the outer leaves for our salads, and it never looks like he took any off. We've also harvested 1 cherry tomato so far.
Even all the wildlife that we get in the yard at Old House has left things alone, thanks to our little meagre fence. Yea for the garden!!!
Day 19 - Progress continues...
While I have seen progress every day, most of the progress has been in the strength of my leg. It was a big day when I was able to lift my foot off the floor, and I can now get it up about 80% to the lockout position on my chair-straight-leg raises. I still can not raise it off the bed in my straight-leg raises there.
One of my biggest frustrations these last 19 days has been in my sleeping positions. My leg was dead-weight in bed for a long time, and so I used my sheet to move it during the night. For the most part, I've only been able to sleep on my back with my legs out straight. This becomes uncomfortable, but without alternative positions, I've been forced to deal with it, although my back complains loudly.
I am very excited to announce progress in this regard. A couple of nights ago, I was able to roll on to my right side and put Bessie on a pillow out in front of my right leg, and that was comfortable for probably 20-30 min at a time. Last night, I was able to sleep on my left side for awhile (maybe as much as an hour). I am now able to move my leg enough that I don't have to only use the sheet to move it, I can move it somewhat under my own leg-power.
For some reason 4:00 am is the magic hour. At that time, I wake up, no matter what time I went to sleep, and I am very stiff. I have to spend some time moving and stretching - legs, arms, back. Before, after I stretched, I just went back to sleep in the same position, only to wake up a couple hours later, stiff again. Now, I can find other positions to alternate, and that helps a lot with the stiffness. I still can only stay in one position for 30-60 min before I am starting to get uncomfortable and have to move again, but this is better than it was.
Before I had my surgery, I usually went to sleep on my right side and slept that way for a couple of hours. Then I would wake up and flip over to the left side for a couple of hours - and alternate that all night. I'm looking forward to a time when I can return to that routine.
I have also been drinking a lot of water since surgery, which means I usually have to get up during the night to go to the bathroom. This is a good excuse to work out the stiffness, but it is still an annoyance. Last might I made it until 6 am before I had to get up.
So, the side-sleeping thing is huge, and I'm excited that I can now do that. I can also now get up off the bed without having to cross Bessie over my right leg for an assist.
That's it for now. I hope you are all enjoying a nice weekend. We had about 2" of rain here yesterday evening. It all came down in less than an hour in a huge downpour. We stood and watched it pour over the eaves trough at the front of Old House. Maybe we need to get our gutters cleaned out?
Talk to you again soon!
:)Amy
One of my biggest frustrations these last 19 days has been in my sleeping positions. My leg was dead-weight in bed for a long time, and so I used my sheet to move it during the night. For the most part, I've only been able to sleep on my back with my legs out straight. This becomes uncomfortable, but without alternative positions, I've been forced to deal with it, although my back complains loudly.
I am very excited to announce progress in this regard. A couple of nights ago, I was able to roll on to my right side and put Bessie on a pillow out in front of my right leg, and that was comfortable for probably 20-30 min at a time. Last night, I was able to sleep on my left side for awhile (maybe as much as an hour). I am now able to move my leg enough that I don't have to only use the sheet to move it, I can move it somewhat under my own leg-power.
For some reason 4:00 am is the magic hour. At that time, I wake up, no matter what time I went to sleep, and I am very stiff. I have to spend some time moving and stretching - legs, arms, back. Before, after I stretched, I just went back to sleep in the same position, only to wake up a couple hours later, stiff again. Now, I can find other positions to alternate, and that helps a lot with the stiffness. I still can only stay in one position for 30-60 min before I am starting to get uncomfortable and have to move again, but this is better than it was.
Before I had my surgery, I usually went to sleep on my right side and slept that way for a couple of hours. Then I would wake up and flip over to the left side for a couple of hours - and alternate that all night. I'm looking forward to a time when I can return to that routine.
I have also been drinking a lot of water since surgery, which means I usually have to get up during the night to go to the bathroom. This is a good excuse to work out the stiffness, but it is still an annoyance. Last might I made it until 6 am before I had to get up.
So, the side-sleeping thing is huge, and I'm excited that I can now do that. I can also now get up off the bed without having to cross Bessie over my right leg for an assist.
That's it for now. I hope you are all enjoying a nice weekend. We had about 2" of rain here yesterday evening. It all came down in less than an hour in a huge downpour. We stood and watched it pour over the eaves trough at the front of Old House. Maybe we need to get our gutters cleaned out?
Talk to you again soon!
:)Amy
Saturday, June 29, 2013
3rd Book Done... and Then There's TV...
I just finished my 3rd book: Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks. Yes, it is totally chick-lit. I love Nicholas Sparks and have read all of his books, going all the way back to his first, The Notebook. The only one I didn't like and couldn't finish was Three Weeks With My Brother which is his only non-fiction work. I have heard all the negatives - his books are sappy, emotional and very predictable. I'm ok with that. I like his writing style, and I enjoy being transported into the world he's created. It is a nice escape.
This book is a romance set in North Carolina. A young woman shows up in a small town. She's on the run from an abusive relationship and she has changed her identity so that her husband can't find her. Most of the story is told from her point of view, but there are some chapters written from the point of view of the husband and how he reacts to coming home and finding her gone. I'm not really giving anything away by saying that after a period of about 6 months or so, he does track her down and go after her. (Predictable, remember?) The climax of the story is the sequence of events that happens when he finds her. That's all I'm going to say. If you know Nicholas Sparks books, you know that they always have happy endings...
This has been made into a movie, and I have it on my Netflix list, so I will be getting it in the next week or two.
Also through Netflix, I am watching the series Downton Abbey from the beginning. I had not watched any of it when it was on TV because it is on on Sunday nights, and I'm usually doing school work on Sunday nights. I have read and seen a lot about Highclere Castle in England, so that captured my attention. I started watching it mainly for the scenery and costumes, but after 1 episode I was hooked on the story. I absolutely LOVE Maggie Smith, the woman who plays the Grande Dame of the family. Her rye humor makes me laugh out loud. There are 2 servants who are quite devious, so it is fun to see what they come up with in each episode, and 2 of the 3 daughters are constantly sniping at each other.
Here we go with the whole heir to the estate thing again and its close companion, the arranged marriage (of course there is no male heir in the immediate family...). In fact, the story begins with the announcement of the sinking of the Titanic on which the heir to the estate (a cousin of the family) has perished. Then the household, both upstairs family and downstairs servants, are thrown into a tizzy wondering who will now inherit the estate since it can't go to a lowly woman! The oldest daughter Mary had been expected to marry this now-deceased cousin, so the search is on for a new suitor for her, much to her disgust. She makes it clear that she will NOT be matched to someone she doesn't love. But, but, but.... TRADITION? Ah yes, Mary, and her sisters, are getting uppity, as women were wont to do back in that time.
There have been 3 seasons of the story so far (it began in 2010). The first season had 7 episodes, and I have watched 5 of those so far. This weekend, I will complete #6 & 7. Then there are seasons 2 and 3 with another 18 episodes between them. Season 4 doesn't resume until January of 2014, so I've got plenty of time to get caught up. I am alternating discs of this with movies since I can have 2 out at once on my Netflix subscription.
The weather is gorgeous in Central Ohio right now. I hope everyone enjoys a glorious weekend! Thanks for reading and for your continued support!
:) Amy
This book is a romance set in North Carolina. A young woman shows up in a small town. She's on the run from an abusive relationship and she has changed her identity so that her husband can't find her. Most of the story is told from her point of view, but there are some chapters written from the point of view of the husband and how he reacts to coming home and finding her gone. I'm not really giving anything away by saying that after a period of about 6 months or so, he does track her down and go after her. (Predictable, remember?) The climax of the story is the sequence of events that happens when he finds her. That's all I'm going to say. If you know Nicholas Sparks books, you know that they always have happy endings...
This has been made into a movie, and I have it on my Netflix list, so I will be getting it in the next week or two.
Also through Netflix, I am watching the series Downton Abbey from the beginning. I had not watched any of it when it was on TV because it is on on Sunday nights, and I'm usually doing school work on Sunday nights. I have read and seen a lot about Highclere Castle in England, so that captured my attention. I started watching it mainly for the scenery and costumes, but after 1 episode I was hooked on the story. I absolutely LOVE Maggie Smith, the woman who plays the Grande Dame of the family. Her rye humor makes me laugh out loud. There are 2 servants who are quite devious, so it is fun to see what they come up with in each episode, and 2 of the 3 daughters are constantly sniping at each other.
Here we go with the whole heir to the estate thing again and its close companion, the arranged marriage (of course there is no male heir in the immediate family...). In fact, the story begins with the announcement of the sinking of the Titanic on which the heir to the estate (a cousin of the family) has perished. Then the household, both upstairs family and downstairs servants, are thrown into a tizzy wondering who will now inherit the estate since it can't go to a lowly woman! The oldest daughter Mary had been expected to marry this now-deceased cousin, so the search is on for a new suitor for her, much to her disgust. She makes it clear that she will NOT be matched to someone she doesn't love. But, but, but.... TRADITION? Ah yes, Mary, and her sisters, are getting uppity, as women were wont to do back in that time.
There have been 3 seasons of the story so far (it began in 2010). The first season had 7 episodes, and I have watched 5 of those so far. This weekend, I will complete #6 & 7. Then there are seasons 2 and 3 with another 18 episodes between them. Season 4 doesn't resume until January of 2014, so I've got plenty of time to get caught up. I am alternating discs of this with movies since I can have 2 out at once on my Netflix subscription.
The weather is gorgeous in Central Ohio right now. I hope everyone enjoys a glorious weekend! Thanks for reading and for your continued support!
:) Amy
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