Where does the time go?

Past the mid point in March, almost a quarter of our new year is gone. And I am not sure what I have to show for the time.  Certainly I have not accomplished as much as I had hoped to. Maybe my expectations are too high or maybe I am letting valuable time and effort get chewed up with non productive things. 

I have a six month check next week for the hip replacement surgery that I had in late September. Doesn't seem like six months. While I am still working on strengthening muscles in my legs, I have no pain in the hip joint and I am looking forward to a summer full of movement without pain.  My knee is another story, waiting for the call to have that operation.


Snow is almost gone, of course it is early yet and we could get more...but as my mother always said "It can't last when it comes in March or April"  I would like to give her the benefit of the doubt. 

The air smells like spring, although I am still looking for the first robin. Soon.

Six month Check Up

Yesterday's mail brought the notice for my six month followup since my hip replacement surgery.  The appointment is a month away but even so, it has been five months since I have had my surgery.  Things are certainly a lot better, there is such a big improvement. No pain in the hip joint. I am still working on mobility, I expect everything to be perfect but I have to do the physio exercises, which I neglect often, and I have to work hard to continue reducing my weight and building endurance. All easy if you say it fast but all take concentration and effort.  Sometimes too much effort at the end of a long and tiring day.

This past week has included an eleven hour workday, followed the next day with a funeral for a distant cousin's wife. Emotionally and physically demanding for me. But I have bounced back, I am looking forward to a four day weekend at home, true two days will be work days in my home office, but I enjoy my home office and wish I could work from here everyday.

So what do I want to achieve before my six month check up?  Lose at least another five pounds, Do my exercises everyday for the required number of repetitions and to get the rest my body needs and demands.

The six month check up will also be a chance to discuss getting my knee replacement surgery done sooner rather than later.

January 5, 2011

Tuesday morning was my first physiotherapy appointment in 2011 and my first appointment with Donna who will now be my go to person. My back has been sore for four or five days, tight and painful to do simple things like walking. I had stopped my exercises as they seemed to be aggravating the problem and I wasn't sure if that is what I should have done, so I was a bit apprehensive about the appointment.

It only took Donna about 15 seconds to figure out what was wrong and what had caused it. Seems the muscles in the hip area should be both strong and flexible. Mine are neither. My exercises were to build strength but I hadn't been doing anything to increase the flexibility so my back was taking the brunt of a lot of my moving activities. So now I am back to some really basic stuff to help improve flexibility. I have an idea that it will take me as long to learn to walk correctly this time as it did when I was a toddler and anxious to explore the world from an upright position.

I have another appointment for Friday am.  Two appointments a week, for a while. Oh joy! However, I will do what is required to get my old body whipped into the best shape it can manage. 

A new Chance

The end of a year is always a time of reflection and sometimes there are regrets and sometimes there is the feeling of accomplishment.  2010 has been a hurry up and wait kind of year for my husband and I.  First there was a scare that his cancer might have returned, so we hurried to get his blood work, only to wait on the results and specialist appointments. And we had good news, changes to the lab reporting system and changes to the labs were responsible for the changes in the numbers.  A big sigh of relief.

And then the phone call to tell me my hip operation was scheduled.  I had waited so long that I think I had forgotten there would actually be an operation. The feeling of relief to be within days of the operation was off set by the concerns of what could and might go wrong.  Feelings of doubt and almost panic. But the sense of reason returned and off to the hospital I went and I had the operation in late September.  I have mended well. With the help of a physiotherapist my walk is almost acceptable to my surgeon and I am feeling stronger and more confident every day.  And no pain in the hip joint.

Now I wait for the knee replacement surgery that will probably take another 16 to 18 months for me to make my way up the waiting list.

This fall has been especially sad with the passing of several friends, relatives and neighbours.  In the space of four short months, eight people that we knew or knew of passed away.  Some were almost expected, although that doesn't make it easier for those left to mourn, some were shocks and completely unexpected.  Unfortunately two were friends from our days in Manitoba so we didn't get the chance to pay our respects although our thoughts are with their families.

With the new year just hours away, I am filled with a feeling of anticipation.  Much like a writer feels when looking at a blank piece of paper or a blank computer screen. A clean slate that I can control what goes on it and what gets left off.

Our health care system is still limping along.  There has been an announcement by the Provincial Govt that there will be changes to the ER's throughout the province.  Early days yet, but hopefully the changes will increase the access to health care professionals which is so badly needed. 

I have started another blog: http://toptensforbusinesses.blogspot.com/  It deals with lists of tips and pointers for small business owners or managers.  Hopefully, it will be useful and informative.

Wishing everyone a healthy and happy 2011.

Three month Check Up

On Dec 22 I had my three month followup appointment following my hip replacement surgery. And as much as I have complained about the physiotherapy it has done its job, I am walking much better and usually without my cane. I got a good report re the hip joint and don't need to go for another appointment until late March. Life may be getting back to normal.

I really appreciate having access to a walker and other items during my recovery through the Red Cross. They have a branch office in Bridgewater and we were able to pick the items up there and return them three months later. And the cost was a voluntary donation to the Red Cross. A really great service.

No pain in the left hip and only occasionally in the right knee. I had an injection in the knee while I wait to work my way up another waiting list.