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!

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!

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....

Enjoy This Time of Year!

Well its Christmas and I am blessed for my health, great family and friends....and of course my new hip. I still can't believe how my life has changed since the surgery 9 months ago and how much more I can enjoy this season--and my workouts have really gained momentum. I've started doing that Zumba class everyone talks about. Its the fast paced aerobics dancing moves to that cool latin beat, with a littlebellydancing thrown in! Pretty cool--I like to mix up my workouts and keep my body fooled and working efficiently.
Lots of things to look forward to these next couple weeks. A new year, my trip to Ecuador with my medical mission Operation Walk Maryland; the second meeting with my ever-so-fun book club at Greetings & Readings called Better Health by the Book. I've given my current book, "Younger Next Year" to my dearest friend for Christmas...it is live changing! Hope you can join me there on Jan 12.
Wishing a wonderful holiday season to L. E. and Jerry, hope you all are doing well with the hip replacement recovery and don't forget to call me if you need me. Call me anyway so I know how you are doing. Merry Christmas and PEACE to all!

Christmas 09 --Total Bliss!

This time last year, all I wanted for Christmas was my new left hip! Well my wish was granted and there's a huge difference in every aspect of my life during this holiday season. I can actually shop more than 20 minutes at a time; bake an entire day; stand while conversing at all the holiday parties; and host a holiday party for my family which included all day cooking and serving a party of eight an entire 5 course sit-down dinner! And its only December 14th! Last year I shopped on line; baked only one batch of cookies; attended only one party,( my family's which was mandatory); and declined any invitation to host any holiday parties at all...and I was so cranky most of the time because I hurt and wasn't sleeping. If people only knew that this one surgery could make such a difference in their life, and I specifically mean the quality of their life they would not hesitate to get a hip/knee replacement. On well, on to my list of what to do next....

Good Luck to L.E. tomorrow--Here's to your new hip!

Well I survived T-Day, but still have the 3 lbs. I had last week, but no more. It was a great holiday and I enjoyed every bit of it. I'm keeping on the game plan being active and careful with my portions and drinking lots of water. Most importantly I'm reaching out to L.E. and sending you good hip surgery vibes, for your hip replacement tomorrow, Dec 1st. You will be so happy you did this! I'll be up to see you in a couple days when you will be feeling more human!

Speaking of hip arthritis, I'm about to walk in the 5K Arthritis Foundation's Jingle Bell Walk/Run this Sunday at DuBurns in Canton. I've been the GSH Team Captain for several years now, but really look forward to walking PAIN FREE this year. Last year I was only able to cheer the rest of the team on from the sidelines because of my hip pain. This is the Arthritis foundation biggest annual fundraiser who's cause is to help find a cure for arthritis! Wow-wouldn't that be great! Thanks to everyone on the team this year and for all who donated!

Preparing for Battle!

Well its that time of year to really give yourself a good talking to and plan a manageable strategy not to gain weight this holiday season. I'm a little bummed at myself...having lost about 12 lbs. these past few months with Weight Watchers, I've managed to gain back about 3 lbs. by succumbing to my social calendar and eating too much at dinner parties, weekends away and Ravens games! Worst part is that T-Day is 3 days away. The 3lbs. has got to go! Here's my game plan: Exercise for 45 minutes everyday this week, even if in done 2/20 minute session, or a little here and a little there--AM, PM or whatever! Get drunk with water--its filling and great for your skin, and your bowels and bladder--keeps everything working-drink as much H2O as you can! So whenever you're hungry drink a big glass of water, first, wait 15 minutes if still hungry eat, but choose wisely--like an apple/orange, yogurt or string cheese! Brush your teeth and/or chew gum while cooking, especially on T-Day! I sample everything, but this year I'm not going to do it. After the big meal--take a walk, just a nice stroll, not anything brisk. Remember extra weight is horrible for your arthritis--causing the pain in your lowerback, hips or knees to worsen. We usually can't control that we have arthritis but can certainly can do our part to manage it; the extra weight and inactivity really do make it worse. Take charge and be responsible for your own wellness! Happy Thanksgiving and wish me luck with the weight war!