Monday, December 20, 2010

Year End Inventory time! Be mindful in 2011.

Out with 2010 and in with 2011--another year gone and man did it fly! Someone said that time passes much quicker when your older because your life is so routine. How depressing. I always try to do new things, and travel to new places but it still flies by. And when you've got big things to look forward to, time flies until the big event, so you plan and wait for the next date/event that you have to look forward to. Maybe I should slow down and enjoy a little more of my everydays and not just my big events. Be more mindful of the present---instead of moving quickly through my days and evenings, and even conversations with people. I'm learning this mindfulness is very healthy. Regular practice of "mindful meditation" claims to makes a more balanced life, less stress, a more restorative brain, better pain tolerance and better awareness of the world around you. Tai chi, I know is wonderful as a moving meditation and really makes me feel better simply through the soft, yet strong movements, regular deep breathing and beautiful shifting of the weight and balance. I don't like resolutions per se...and that certainly is the expectation at year's end, but I am going to at least begin to be more mindful in my life, and in my work by simply asking these two questions: 1- Am I present right now?, and 2- am I giving this person/task my full attention? This is a good start and them I may progress to sitting quietyly for 10 or so minutes each day I can, just breathing and being present. Good thoughts!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Avoid Holiday Heftiness--But Enjoy! Need LF Turkey Gravy Recipe!

Lots to look forward to...Thanksgiving--my favorite holiday, even though I still have to cook. My stress fracture is healing very nicely and I'm slowly returning to my normal workouts. Boy did I get out of shape from 6-weeks of doing hardly nothing. Today I actually did 23 minutes of a bootcamp workout, and will be swimming tonight and of course will do 30 minutes of something tomorrow morning to offset my caloric intake...WHICH brings me to the best advice I read for this season. Be a Gourmand, not a Glutton! The article from November, 2010 issue of Comsumer Health Reports written by a cardiologist discussed the potential harm to your heart and body from eating a 2k-4k calorie Thanksgiving Meal. His featured patient consumed over 4,000 that day and sustained a heart attack. Its amazing what all those carbs, fats and alcohol do to your heart, brain, pancreas, kidneys, liver and digestive tract! Here are some great tips to avoid holiday weight gain: workout that morning; drinks lots of water all day; have water in between just a couple cocktails, and/or have wine spritzers instead of a whole glass of wine; don't go to the party hungry or skip meals, have a healthy snack or a protein before you get there; use a small plate and only choose what you really want to eat; keep it to one serving; choose small tastes of the desserts you like and enjoy them slowly; but stop there; try to socialize while eating so your mouth is busy talking, instead of gulping food down; eat slowly, and put your fork down several times; be mindful of what you are eating, of the occasion and of the people you are sharing the meal/holiday with; be mindful when you are satisfied, not stuffed to the point of misery or to a heart attack!
p.s. Anybody out there have a good tasting lowfat turkey gravy recipe?

Friday, October 29, 2010

When God speaks, I listen.

I can't believe I have a stress fracture in my right tibia (not the side of my wonderful hip replacement, the other one). This is my very busy time at work, and in the beginning of October I was running around like crazy preparing for 3 major events, along with all my normal seminars/classes, personal workouts, swim class, etc; and it overstressed my tibia, so it decided to crack. The pain in my right shin soon became unbearable and after a weekend of swelling and constant pain , I saw Dr. Steven Kulik here at GSH first thing next morning. After my diagnosis, he stressed--No exercise, no swim clases, no tai chi, no driving and light duty work for at least a month, but maybe 6 weeks. And if I did not let this heal this would haunt me the rest of my life! So is this God's way of telling me to slow down or what? That's my take-so I've re-assess alot of things. One of which is the fact that in spite of all my denial, I truly am 56 and my body is not 25 anymore. I'm not ready, AT ALL, for the rocking chair but will pace myself a little differently, work more efficiently, ask for help more often, and take more time to relax a little more. I'm just finishing my second week with this ball-n-chain boot cast, having my husband "drive Ms. Daisy" around everywhere, bumming rides like a hitch-hiker, getting to work with the crowing roosters, and missing exercise like crazy. I feel aerobically dead and my joints are desperately desiring some warm water workouts. I get up to the Good Health Center and spin the windjammer around for 10-12 minutes to work the heart and lungs at bit; lift weights for the upper body every couple days; and do some seated tai chi breathing and yoga as much as possible. I'm sleeping in during my usual workout time each morning and look forward I to my am workout routine once free and clear to exercise again. In the meantime, I'm catching up on alot of my "office work", planning, reading, resting, eating and watching the dust balls grow in my house. This weekend after working the health fair, I'm looking forward to eating crabs with friends, and a long ride out in the country seeking apples and enjoying the beautiful autumnal array of colors. Have I slowed down or what????? Happy Halloween to ALL!

Monday, October 18, 2010

Reply to Anne Re: Hip Incision

The incision length is a frequent concern for potential joint replacement patients. My incision is only 4 inches long which is terrific for a traditional hip replacement. When I first took care of these patients back in the 90's their incision was about 12 inches long. In your research I'm sure you've learned about the anterior, and the 2-incision hip replacement surgery. Here at Good Samaritan Hospital in baltimore, Md., our chief of Orthopedics, Dr. Michael Jacobs is expert with these smaller incision surgeries and also with using the specialized "Hana" table in the operating room which facilitates these procedures very nicely. Hope this helps.

A Little Set-back...Time to Re-Assess

Well last post I talked about my crazy busy fall season and darned if I didn't have a big snafu thrown in my plans. Somehow in these post couple weeks I sustained a right tibial stress fracture and am in a bootcast for 4-6 weeks and cannot drive, exercise, teach tai chi or my arthritis aquatics, golf or do much of anything. I am hitching rides to and from work whenever possible and must be very diligent and compliant with my recovery or this will haunt me the rest of my life. And these stress fractures hurt! This boot really cramps my style, but I gotta stick it out, and I really get irritable if I don't exercise! After my pity party the first couple days, I thought about lots of things, i.e. What kind of shape are my bones in? Why did my tibia fracture...I eat right and exercise all the time? I better start taking my Calcium and Vit D diligently? Am I really getting of the age where I need to slow down? Am I gonna need a lot of help and people to ride me to work for at least a month? WOW!
I have resumed my Calcium and vit D everyday even though I eat right and exercise regularly, realizing that at my age that's just not enough. I've rearranged my schedule, cancelling the events I cannot attend and postponing others until able. Getting rides to/from work remains a creative strategy, but working out. I'm lifting weights to keep my upper body strength up & core exercises while sitting and watching TV, and using the Aerodyne machine in the Good Health Center here at GSH to maintain some aerobic endurance. But I don't have any answer to the "age of slowing down" question yet...that one I'll face later...

Monday, October 4, 2010

Fall Frenzy!

Pretty soon the fall will be over and not one blog have I written...so I took a moment to post. Vacations are bygone now and my busy work season is frenetically here! One health event after another until the Thanksgiving weekend without break...YEP! I am up for it. Trying to eat right, exercise to sustain good energy for the season. I'm happy to be sleeping again! As alway, my hip reminds me when I have done too much.
Really enjoyed the Book club on Sept 14, and look ahead to the next meeting on November 9th @ 7pm at Greetings & Readings. We're reading, "Change Your Brain, Change Your Body" by Dr. Amen. Its quite fascinating...our brains are unbelievable, mysterious untapped organs that have tremendous power over our bodies. Would love to see you all there next meeting.
I'll be at Senior/Baby Boomer Expo this Wednesday & Thursday (Oct 6 & 7) and would love anyone to stop by the Good Samaritan Booth. Remember this year we are all in the cow palace!
Will check in later.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Refreshed from Vacation and another birthday

Just spent a delightful week in Holden Beach, N.C. with my daughters their boyfriends, my husband, his sister and her daughters family. I really dreaded the long drive with my back and hip but I chose to stretch out in the back seat with my legs up in the air periodically, and it was great. Due to my lack of sleeping lately, I didn't have to drive on the way down at all. My husband and dear sister-in-law, Marla took on that task for 8 long hours. The beaches of NC were lovely, remining me of Ocean City Md. about 40 years ago...very laid back, quiet and no high rises! Our house was perfect, one block from the ocean, a pool right in our back yard, and a huge house with 4 BR an, 3 bathrooms, jacuzzi, 3 decks and a huge living room and kitchen.
I really gave my hip and back a rest from my hard core DVD workouts....boy did it pay off. Each day I either rode my bike for 45-60 minutes (flat terrain everywhere) and/or did a aqua workout in the pool with my noodles and weights. No pain at all till I finished that brutal ride home as I am really trying to adjust to staying in shape in a gentler, low impact fashion.
Well yesterday Cal Ripken turned 50 and I turned 56, and began my 57th year---somehow as I eek closer to 60, old age seems like something real instead of some far-off notion. At dinner last night with my daughters (27 & 29 and obsessed with youth and all the marketing that goes with it) I told them to prepare themselves over the upcoming years as my body changes...because we are supposed to age! They were speechless! Aging is natural and inevitable, but not license to default to the rocking chair and wait to die! Last night while I couldn't sleep I thought of the things that I'm doing and want to do these next 50 fifty years. These things came to mind, in no particular order--just brainstorming:
I just acted a small role in my step-son's indie movie this past Sunday (aging biker chick was my role-YIKES!); get my research study published; get a second Master's or my PhD.; visit Asia, Australia and complete my visit to all 50 states (only 11 more to go); cruise the Mediterranean; join a research travel group; hone my technological skills; join a drama company and act; be a grandmother; retire in my current occupation but continue to promote vibrant aging through all my movement therapy classes; design and execute an aquatic tai chi class; continue my tai chi studies and do a triathalon or whatever the 5k run/walk, 10-mile bike ride and 1 mile swim is called. Whew--maybe this is why I can't sleep, too much to think about. Anyway--I off on another vacation to my beloved little condo in OC from Sept 2-10...will check in later

Friday, August 6, 2010

NYC Daytripping...WOW Experience

Had a long, but very fun daytrip this past Wednesday in NYC. I love New York, but never enjoy the "pushy people" and attitudes of the New Yorkers. Boy was I ever surprised by this trip. My husband and I went with another couple from our church who are from NY so they really knew the ropes... so we let them plan the whole day. Of all the things to do, we chose this time to see a Yankee game, nice dinner and squeeze in a broadway play...and of course my first time on the Megabus. The Megabus experience was really great...esp. the price...$37.00 round trip for my husband and I. Comfortable, clean BR, perfect temperature...not one negative thing at all. Even the people on the subway, smiled, offered up there seats and actually made eye contact!
My first trip to the new stadium is where the WOWS continued. People walking up asking"How may I help you",..."Hello Welcome to Yankee Stadium...at every level. Our seats ($75.0o ea) were totally shaded, under cover and very comfortable. Good thing for that price! Arriving early so my husband and I could see the museum and Hall of Fame...we rushed to get in what we could before gametime. As we approached the line for the Hall, one usher said , "sorry line is closed", but another female usher said "Are you from out of town....then go ahead". While I was looking at all of the signed baseballs, I was asked if I needed help finding a ball. An usher greeted us and pulled the seat out for us. A young man in the 7th inning just stopped by to ask if we needed anything and how our day was!!! At that point I had to check what city I was in and pinch myself. The only bad part was the girl who sold me my lelmonade (rude, curt and no eye contact), and witnessing Alex Rodriquez (whom I loathe) hit his 600th HR! Only the 7th player in MLB to do so...the good news is that the lemonade was fresh squeezed ($5.00) and I got to be part of MLB history. I am so impressed by the fans...they love their Yankees, and let them know every opportunity from singing songs to each player upon introduction to, applauding every strike, out or hit! And the stadium is sold out every game!
We had a lovely Mexican dinner at Tolouache's, tequila shots and dessert on the house, then a wonderful time at the Kerr Theatre for "A Little Night Music"...which we had to leave 10 minutes fbefore the ending to catch the Megabus Home. Even the bus facillitator allowed us to board way before any one else, because my friend was older and walked with a cane. The crown in line (from D.C.) bboed and hissed, and the facillitator said "I don't know what you all do in D. C. but here on the NY Megabus we let handicapped people and seniors board first. I was very proud of him!
So...I've turned the corner on dissing NYC people...they were lovely and I can't wait till next trip so I can see if they keep up the good work!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Sleepless in Baltimore...

Pardon the unoriginal title of this post but it so appropriate! I am, I guess, finally in the throws of menopause (it's about time don't you thing at 56), and the worst symptom is not sleeping. I take melatonin and it works sometimes, and sleeping pills very judiciously, but when you wake up at 2:30 in the morning and stay up for the remainder of that day, its the pits. This has been going on for about a month now and the cumulative effect is really getting to me. I don't even feel safe driving. I can't even form complete sentences and my memory is mush. Performing at peak level during the week is out of the question and forget exercise....that has really diminished, but I am trying to do a little something each day. So- anyone out there want to offer up any solutions so I can get some sleep!

Monday, June 21, 2010

Summer Workouts!

Ahhh! first day of summer, the summer solstice...longest day of the year...whew! its hot as blazes out there and wish the sun would go down. Its really hard to workout when its this hot but I'm not willing to get out of shape so it looks like I'll need to make some changes. My motto is to break a sweat each day with exercise...well, these dog hot days leave you dripping with sweat without even lifting a finger, but you still have to get moving, work the heart, and strength train to keep your metabolism working in your favor. Remember, at rest muscle, burns more calories than fat, so even while your sleeping that beautiful muscle you've been developing is burning your metabolism very efficiently. For a really cool, stress-less workout get moving in the pool, lake or whever you swim. Jogging, skipping, jump rope arms, 50 degree turnabouts, side shuffles, whatever can be done in the water with no stress on the knees, hips or weight bearing joints. Use a noodle to biclycle, cross country ski, back stroke and reverse bicycle to get a great workout. Do bicep curls and tricep kickbacks while standing on one foot. Yes--you can lift weights in the water and its alot easier on your joints but still quite effective. And if keeping your hair dry, and/or not being able to swim is an issue...no worries, you can do all the suggested moves in water up to your chest! Just be a little creative and try whatever moves you do on land in the water ...you'll be surprise how easlily they convert.
If the pool is not an option, or to keep things interesting with your workouts then small burst of aerobic intervals mixed with strenth training(weights, or squats, lunges, plies, etc) are just perfect for your body! Say 5 minutes of jumping rope, or jumping jacks, then 2-3 minutes of strenth training on your back and shoulders; then repeat 5-minute of some kind of aerobics with 2-3mins. of strengthening another part of your body--say lower body(lunges, squats), then move to arms, etc. Three or four circuits of this will get it done!
This way you won't get too worn out doing 30-45 minutes of straight cardio on these hot days, but still get a great workout doing intervals. I actually like interval better and so does my body! Anyway--keep plugging away at it--DRINK WATER LIKE A CAMEL...and I'd love to hear any more fitness tips from anyone out there. Stay fit this summer!

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Back From Alaska and Getting Back to Myself!

My Alaskan cruise was pure heaven and highly recommend to any and everyone who enjoys grand, majestic landscapes, wildlife and lots of daylight hours (only in summer of course) should visit this gorgeous state. The helicopter ride onto a glacier was spectacular, and the highlight of the trip was spending time with an old nurse friend who moved to Ketchikan 8 yrs. ago (how lucky is she?) It was great to see you Deb! It was great to see the whales, bald eagles, orca babies, sea lions, bears and mooses.
I'm happy to report just a 2-lbs. weight gain,( which I already lost) mostly because I went to the gym at the hotel and ship mostly everyday. Kayaking was great fun and my legs did well steering and being cramped up in the kayak for 2 hours. My hip held up very well. I was humbled from this sport; rowing that kayak is not small feat and either is getting in and out of the vessel. I am looking forward to trying it again.
I am very aware, since the bursitis, of not overdoing anything. I just got released from Physical therapy today and gained about 8 degrees of stretch in my hamstrings. Boy--its really important to keep those hamstrings flexible to prevent back pain and just to be able to take a full stride.
Would love to hear how my hip replacement friends are doing and also from anyone who wants to share their Alaskan memories!

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Aging Wisdom and Ahhh Alaska!!

Well the rehab is helping, and won't last much longer... my therapist says I'm too high level and functioning very well...but I am sick and tired of the whimpy workouts. However, I know this is a very teachable moment. I can still work out but must adjust them accordingly. I can no longer do all that repetitive motion, at a fast pace. Not just because of my hip replacement but moreover because of the bursitis and other soft tissue arthritis in my hip; and most importantly because I AM NOT YOUNG ANYMORE!!! This aging process really commands respect--don't mess with MOTHER NATURE! You can be in shape but slow it down, mix it up and get creative with your work outs! Lift weights while sitting in a chair to take the load off the back, hips and knees. Do 10 minutes on an elliptical, then lift weights or do a resistance machine, then ride the recombant bike for 10 minutes then 5 minute back to strength training. These circuits really burn the calories and rev up your metabolism. Beside the more you mix it up the more the muscles are being fooled and working more efficiently. All great stuff! So my team is in 2nd place with the in house fitness contest, but we are still on the extreme level and charting our exercise points very honestly! And I still feel very much in shape.
This weekend I'm off to my nursing conference in Seattle, then an Alaskan cruise for the following week! New frontiers and adventures. Plan on trying some new sports....fishing, kayaking, and float planeing, whale watching and seeing the glaciers from atop a helicopter. Should have lots of stories when I return. Anything Alaskan cruise stories out there you want to share?????

Monday, April 26, 2010

Over did it...Now Paying the Price!

Oh well! They say that a good thing doesn't last forever and I guess it's true. In my last post I bragged about the 3.5mile walk in under 55 minutes and how great I felt. I also touted how this was the longest power walk I had done since way before the hip surgery...3 years ago! Well, that little walk, a couple weeks later, along with all the other exercise proved to be my undoing. Let me explain. First of all, here at Good Samaritan Hospital we have this wonderful wellness program every spring called "Strides for Life". Basically its a contest, where teams of 3 compete for the most points accumulated in exercise and weight loss. New this year is an EXTREME level where each person much complete a minimun of 375 minutes of exercies per week or they lose points. The contest started in March and runs until Memorial Day. Well that night of the walk, my aquatics class was cancelled due to the water main break Towson area was experiencing so I panicked wondering how I was going to get my needed 60 minutes of fitness in...so I grabbed my husband ans told him we were taking a power walk for an hour. That walk was absolutely too much on my hip bursa with all of that repetitive motion, for an hour along with all the the other exercise stress I was putting on myself so now I have bursitis, tendonitis and my I-T band (ileotibial band) is all inflammed. The pain is quite intense, so I am back on celebrex, had a cortisone shot in my bursa last friday and am scheduling some Physical Therapy sessions for pain and to learn what exercises I can/cannot do. So, suffice it to say my glorious bionic hip replacement bubble has been busted (only temporary though), and I have to scale back a bit. I am still exercising but at a more mild/moderate level and will continue to do so unless medically contraindicated. I want to stay in shape and of course, stay in the Strides competition. Oh...did I mention MY TEAM IS IN FIRST PLACE!!!!!

Friday, April 9, 2010

New Hip Record!

I am so happy to blog that this past week I did an awesome power walk of 3.5 miles in 55 minutes after work on a gorgeous summer-like day in April! What's the big deal with this is that this is the longest and fastest I have fitness walked with my new hip replacement! I know folks get tired of hearing it out there, but this new hip NEVER DISSAPOINTS!
And the next day, I was only a little stiff with the right hip (which is my natural hip)!

Monday, April 5, 2010

Ahhh! Spring--Achey Joints Anyone!

What a gorgeous Easter weekend-being outside, riding with the car windows wide open and feeling the breeze across my bare arms and legs! Its been a long winter. The barometric pressure sure is changing and I sure can feel it in my joints. Anyone else feel the same thing? It makes sense though...our joints are held together by gravity and atmospheric pressure so it stands to reason that when the pressure shifts our joints respond via achiness and stiffness. Well for me the best thing to do it get them moving, with a good balance rest in between...and don't forget heat/cold therapy whichever feels best. Don't ever put heat on an inflamed, red joint...it will only make it worse. Great time of year to ride a bike (not painful at all as long as you're on a cruisier and your torse is upright and hands are positioned correctly); take a walk, with periods of rest of course. And last but not least swimming-that's the best type of fitness one can do with achey joints. Are there any other helpful hints out there for staying fit while managing your arthritis?

Ahhh! Spring--What to do..what to do!?!?

What a lovely Easter weekend! Got to see the family and enjoy the entire afternoon on the deck! Never can I remember welcoming spring as much as this year. I'm really sensitive to the warm breeze on my face and bare arms, both of which were covered for what seemed forever! Its nice to smell the fresh air flow through my house and ride with the car windors down. I'm reminiscent of last year recovering from my hip replacement down the beach during the dreariest dark days of any spring I have ever live through. Oh well, if you think about it, better to be laid up recovering while the weather is crappy, than during gorgeous sunny weather. What's in store for this spring with my new hip?? Working hard to get in better shape and shed some pounds so my arthritic right knee doesn't hurt. Its funny how the barometric pressure changes, and winter is replaced by spring my joints hurt! Its really true--our joints are held together by gravity and the atmospheric pressure so when it does shift our joint respond by achiness and stiffness. Anyone else

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Hip, Hip Hooray! One Year Ago Today...

Yep! it's been one year today, March 10 that my left hip was replaced! Anyone who has followed my blog knows what the past year has been like so no need to rehash! But in a word, it has been fabulous...in a sentence, it has been the best decision I have ever made. I am so busy, being my old/new self that I've hardly had time to blog. Work and professional endeavors are in full swing, and spring is imminent. Back over a month now from our glorious trip to Ecuador and planning next year's mission to India, yes India (departing January 26th, 2011). But closer to my radar is my nursing conference in May to Seattle, then off to an Alaskan cruise at the conference close. It's great to back into life again, feeling great. If anyone out there has joint pain that's robbing them of their quality of life know that you do not have to suffer--rethink joint replacement and start living again! To my friends Linda E. and Chuck B. (both received new hips in the past three months)--drop me a blog and let me know how you are doing!

Monday, February 15, 2010

Hip Snow Stories!

Whew! My new hip passed probably the biggest test of all---shoveling all that snow! I could only do it for 45minute increments at a time but it sure served me well. When it began to feel tight, that was my warning to stop...so I did. I have to be extra careful not to slip in this mess as well. It's hard to believe that on March 10 it will be 1 year since my total hip replacement. Still the best thing I have ever done! It was really cool having my younger neighbors, stick their heads outside and ask what was I doing shoveling snow! I have to admit that I worked circles arund them. Moreover, my 65 y.o. old husband was non-stop with the snow shovel--working 4 hrs. that first Saturday and 5 hours this past Thursday...AMAZING how regular workouts give you the capabilities you need when outside stressors come into play. It made us both very thankful that we make exercise a part of our life everyday!

Monday, January 25, 2010

Mission Accomplished--Ecuador!

Whew! Returned to the US late Thursday evening with my mind still reeling from the past weeks' events in Ecuador. We were able to operate on 30 patients, replacing 39 of their joints even a few bilateral knees done at the same time! Everyone did very well except for one man who remained in the hospital a couple more days due to some medical problems...the rest discharged either day 3 or 4! The mission went well, quite chaotic, but very well due to some real dedicated nurses, doctors, therapists and volunteers! The interpreters were pulled every which way but always rose to the occasion to translate for the patients, families and health care providers.
My stamina was really put to the test. Very long 12-14 hours days, 5 days in a row--and doing actual patient care which I hadn't encountered for years! I am quite proud of the work I did; and the patients were so appreciative. Their self-efficacy was amazing--these folks were so eager to test out their new joints, most often walking to the bathroom just hours after their surgery.
The country of Ecuador was really quite beautiful--such a diverse topography; jungle, mountains, oceans and coutryside/city and we didn't even get to the Galapagos Islands! We did however enjoyed two brief afternoon excursions. First to colonial Quito and the museum and secondly to Mital del Mundo--center of the Earth--the acutal Equator! Really cool.
My sleeping was really off, didn't get much of it. No time to wind down so by mid week I was really a zombie, but somehow pulled through till the end. Not exercising at all didn't help the cause either. Been sleeping 12-13 hour nights with 1-2 hour naps daily since I've been home.
I'm still quite amazed how my new hip held up during all this stress. By the end of the mission I was slightly achey there, which considering the week's conditions wasn't bad at all. Amazing--how these prosthesis really work...and you can count on me to keep putting it to the test!

Monday, January 11, 2010

Gearing up for the Book Club & Ecuador!

Big week ahead...better get pumped up! First of all just celebrated my 10 month anniversay since my hip replacement and all is still going great! My Book Club, Better Health by the Book is meeting tomorrow evening at 7pm at Greetings & Readings and 40 people are registered to attend! I am excited--just love meeting all of these new vibrant people with such a zeal for life!

And on Thursday, January 14th I leave for Quito, Ecuador for my second mission with Operation Walk Maryland. This year, my role as a floor nurse will take me back to the old days when I worked on the orthopedic floor caring for fresh total hip/knee replacement patients. I am very excited to be back at the bedside especially for such a crippled, underpriveleged population that we are about to serve. No worries this year though, with regard to my stamina, fatigue and pain because those troubles are over the bridge since my hip surgery! Can't wait to share my stories upon my return on January 25. Until then....