Thankfulness Posting
Last year I shared my thankfulness song with my orthopedic surgeon. This year, I shared it with my primary care physician, who visited me every day in the hospital.
I have a lot to be thankful for:
Conditions that are relatively easily treated by common, standard procedures;
Kind, highly skilled, competent, and NICE doctors: anesthesiologists, surgeons, pain management team, etc.;
Nurses and nursing assistants who were kind, generous with their time, and on-time with my medications;
post-operative care (nurses, and physical therapists) who have helped me to get to where I am now.
My parents, who care for my basic needs and my dressing and anticoagulant injection and antiembolism stockings every day (NOT a small feat), as well as my snail mail.
Thankful for a "repeat performance" from last year's operation, so that I knew to prepare/ask about:
my IV drips' placements, so they do not interfere with a walker post-operatively;
my type of pain medication, so it does not interfere with my systems so drastically;
my selection of music post-operatively, so that I can enjoy various types of music as I heal.
Labels: exercise, family, music, pain, singing, Songs, surgery, thankfulness
Discharged....
I've officially been discharged from the nursing component of the post-operative monitoring. My nurse, Jill, indicated that nursing is present mostly to monitor my incision and my general systems, too. Since I am relatively younger and healthy, and my incision is healing nicely (no discharge, etc.), I get discharged from nursing.
Margie, my home physical therapist, will see me right until the day before my post-operative appointment with the surgeon. I have been progressing quite well. The strength is coming back to my legs, I feel more confident about doing more repetitions.
Labels: BAD, exercise, health, surgery
Sleep is Good for Healing
I know that sleep is good for healing. I often feel tired after my dosing of pain medication...until about an hour before my next dose. This makes it tough to do much but sleep.
I often find myself falling asleep in front of the computer screen while typing: while writing my blog, sending email messages, reading email messages, etc. I also find myself dozing off whilst reading a magazine.
My two choices for reading material during my recuperation period were very very short vignettes/stories: Lives of the Saints and a Dictionary of Quotes by the Saints. I told my friends while I was still in the hospital that I wouldn't be able to read anything longer than those abbreviated chapters.
Okay, now, time for a nap before my lunchtime medicine dose.
Labels: blogs, email, health, read, sleep, St. Lucy, surgery
Another first good look
I'm up in the middle of the night: This time, it's my pain medication---I forgot to take my last dose at midnight.
My first good look at my LEFT hip operation was very late this evening (cf. to 9 June 2008 post). All the Steri-strips are in place, held there by dried blood. Armed with the memory of my other hip, I told Mom that I thought that this L hip had a slightly longer incision than the R hip did. As with the R hip, the L hip has a dark, long, linear bruise posterior and parallel to the incision. My drain site is a healed-over small puncture hole inferior and medial to the incision site.
I have been sleeping with two pillows for my legs, each pillow folded in half:
~pillow #1 is used to prop up my operated L leg, so that the foot and leg don't list outward to the left, thereby causing pain. This is necessary because the muscles are not strong enough post-surgery to support the weight of the leg. This function is necessary, as it was last year, too.
~pillow #2 is used to keep the two legs separate and to prevent crossing of the midline by the operated L leg (one of the post-surgery "rules" not to break).
Labels: BAD, health, pain, surgery
Shower Chair
Yeah! I just had a shower chair delivered...I expect that my home care nurse, the nurse at the orthopedic surgeon's office, and the fact that the last two.5 changes of dressing showed no drainage will lead to an "O.K." to shower.
Now I have the appliance to make it a reality.
I am so excited!
Labels: cleaning, excited, surgery, surprise, tea, thankfulness
Home Physical Therapy
Margie arrived early today, and we did
(lying supine)
leg adduction (with pillow by my legs) 20 reps
knee curl ups (with the coffee can) 20 reps
heel slides (with a plastic bag) 20 reps
"snow angels"/leg abduction (with a plastic bag) 20 reps
straight leg raises 10 reps
(lying prone)
knee curl ups (oo, the knee feels that!) 20 reps
(seated)
knee swing-ups leading into flex that heel/ankle 20 reps
Then we walked to St. Paul Cathedral, where there was a funeral, so we went up the easternmost transept steps, looked in, then went to the parklet to relax.
Labels: exercise, flowers, neighbors, St. Paul Cathedral
Thriller
Two summers ago, I linked one of my blog posts to a video of Cebu inmates dancing a routine to Thriller. Yesterday morning, while at Tito Larry and Tita Tina's place, all of us watched the inmates dancing and being interviewed (some with make-up, which is most likely expensive in an incarcerated environment) about Michael Jackson. One of the wardens said the dancing and choreography is good for keeping gangs and violence down at the prison, and they've kept adding more songs to their repertoire.
~~~
It never ceases to amaze me how peaceful large groups of Filipinos can be. During the People Power revolution, there were never any of the violent encounters that there were at Tiananmen Square. Sure, there were tanks, but there were also nuns placing flowers in the barrels of soldiers' guns, too. And here, again, 1500+ Cebuano inmates dancing in unison to recent radio hits. I think it says quite a bit about the soul of the Filipino/a.
~~~~~
7.00, 2 July 2009
Here, a short from ITN news on the MJ tribute, and a short from CBS on the MJ Cebu tribute, as well as a short by the Associated Press.
~~~~~
14.00, 2 July 2009
Here, an organ tribute to MJ Ken shared with me.
~~~~~
13.30, 11 July 2009
Here, "Beat It" being performed impromptu by a crowd in Stockholm.
Here, "Thriller" performed by William & Mary students in Virginia.
Labels: dance, dreams, Faith, farewell, international culture, music, organ, Philippines, philosophical, Pilipino culture, politics, TV
The Gift Basket
So, a large, bulky, lightweight box was waiting for me at Mom and Dad's apartment upon arrival this afternoon. It was from the UPS store in the South Hills...I knew it couldn't possibly be my shower bench/chair.
I unwrapped it, and had Mom take photos as I unwrapped it...replete with Styrofoam packing peanuts. It was a gift basket/plate from Tita Tina, Tito Larry, and family!
Yum! Two family size Utz potato chip flavors, candies, biscotti and other sundry cookies, Crystal Light tea mixes, etc. Waow!
Delish. Dad, Mom, and I shared one of the chip flavors tonight.
Labels: friends, gift, surprise
Healing in the Novel of Heidi
...and when we were young children, my mom purchased a small pink and white plastic steamboat theatre play-stage for putting on plays (I think at auction). One of the plays/stories was Heidi, about a very young shepherd girl who goes to live in the anomie of the big city...later, another girl she befriends, Clara (whose name I recalled as Laura, or Lara), who was wheelchair-bound and who lives in the big city (Frankfurt) and who is pasty-faced from city-living, spends time with Heidi in her alpine environment and through healing with the sun, flowers, and shepherding, learns to walk.
This weekend was much like the healing in the novel of Heidi for me. Clara is I, I go to the mountains of the Laurel Highlands this weekend, and due to the fresh air, sun, and time playing with Tito Larry and Tita Tina's dog, Hermes, feel much better than before the weekend began. This morning alone I spent a good quarter of an hour walking about the main floor of their condominium with my crutches. At the beginning of the weekend, I used one crutch to get around the small guest room at my parents' home...by the end of the weekend, I felt strong enough to raise myself up onto one crutch and make my way about the main floor of the condominium. Most of yesterday's afternoon Hermes and I sat sat-by-side in the large, leather chair in the living room, alternately reading, listening to music, and, dozing off. Oh, and we ate a lot of VERY GOOD food!
~~~
...which brings to mind the "Haiji" cartoons/anime from the 1970's. My youngest sister as well as the daughter of my parents' friends, Didi, thoroughly enjoyed watching this series of stories when they were very young. My siblings and I---as well as Didi's siblings---were thoroughly taken by the similarity in sounds of laughter and distraught in Heidi = "Haiji" .
Labels: adventure, cinema, dine, dog, exercise, games, international culture, languages, meeting, mountains, music, sleep, walking
Impending Picnic
Off to an adventure this weekend--a picnic, etc. I've packed my clothes, toiletries (which are more due to my condition), my medicines and fresh bandages with tape, my appliances for dressing and moving about, my music and mini boom box, and my books and notes. Just need to change linens on my two pillows and wrap my commode chair, and I'm off!
(I travel light.)
(All for the love/need of a daily blood thinner injection...)
Labels: adventure, dine, family, health, music, pain, surgery, travel
Farewell, Farrah...and Michael
Farrah Fawcett passed away. Mom and I had seen the television special of her battle with cancer last month.
God bless her soul--she was a real fighter.
~~~
Today the home nurse, Jill, decided to leave all but the incision site covered, as the drain site has no longer any drainage from it. Yesterday, Margie the physical therapist noted v. v. little drainage from the superior end of the incision site, and no drainage anywhere else.
I'm ready for the adventure tomorrow!
~~~
at ~6.45pm
Mom and I found out that Michael Jackson passed away, too. He was an extremely talented force in the Industry, and his other problems could not eclipse that fact.
Labels: adventure, farewell, pain, surgery
Geography of the States
Mom sent me a geography test, to see the geography of the individual states of the Union. It can be found here, and quizzes the location in the Union of each state in turn. I received a 90%, with an average error of 14 miles, and 45/50 states placed perfectly.
Yeah, Mrs. C. in high school must have taught us something! (It didn't hurt that I have a photographic mind when it comes to things like this...)
Labels: Marietta, school
Recount
Just viewed a 2008 Home Box Office movie, Recount, that is a drama about the Presidential ballot recount, starring Kevin Spacey.
Labels: accessibility, American history, cinema, citizenship
First Day Out!
This morning at about ten o'clock was my first day out since making my way (to my parents') home after surgery. It is a beautiful 80-degree day with a slight breeze. Margie, my physical therapist, and I took a field trip to my home to run a phone errand and to pick up a pill cutter for Dad. Ida presented me with a package from Nancy C.---somethings for Beatrice and for me from her local public library. Upon returning, I did my exercises on my back, and Margie showed me minimal seepage from the upper portion of my incision site (as visible on my removed dressing). She changed the dressing, and left.
I worked on prescribed items as my project this lunchtime, and I then heated lunch for Dad and the guy helping him install shelves in Mom and Dad's storage unit.
This past half hour, I received my anti-coagulant injection (from Mom), and Mom is on her way to the pharmacy to pick up some pills. Sustaining a post-operative patient is time-consuming and exciting(-?).
Labels: adventure, Beatrice, Choir, dine, exercise, family, friends, gift, library, niece and nephew, surgery, surprise
Furniture, Moved
Last night, after watching Kit Kittredge: American Girl movie, Mom and I gave my legs some breathing room (TED hose off for ~ twenty minutes).
After, Mom and Dad moved some furniture from the guest bedroom: an antique rocking chair, some toy boxes of Beatrice and Solomon, and the cedar? chest and also its contents. Quite the event late last night.
Labels: adventure, Beatrice, children, health, pain
Kit Kittredge: American Girl
After making dinner tonight of hot dogs, rolls, gourmet cheeses, ketchup, Vidalia onions, and kettle potato chips and kalamansi-ade, I watched Kit Kittredge: American Girl.
I had heard that it was a good movie last year. Great to see it this year. Mom and I love the fresh acting abilities of Abigail Breslin, whom we saw in Little Miss Sunshine last year.
Labels: adventure, children, cinema
Checking up with the Surgeon's Office
This morning I am to check up with the surgeon's office as to my state of being now. (Actually, it's pretty good...I do not improve merely linearly each day, but it is closer to a positive hyperbolic scale. I am quite pleased.) I have made it to a "zero" on a pain scale of 1-10 when I am not moving. I am placing up to 30% of my body weight on my operated hip. My incision site is doing well.
~~~
14.40
When the nurse, Jacqui, changed my bandage this noon, there was little or no drainage from the drain site, and my incision site is clean. I told Lisa T., the nurse at the surgeon's office all this, and we are all so pleased with my progress.
Labels: BAD, health, pain, surgery, thankfulness
Margie, my Home Outpatient Physical Therapist
Today Margie, my outpatient home physical therapist came to visit. She and mom changed my dressing, she watched me with my exercises (and helped me to do my straight leg lifts), and we practiced going up and going down ~7 steps, with a railing on the right, ascending. We joked, and had fun throughout. I played my Vivaldi CD, to soothe me as I did the exercises.
Lunch was green salad with Vidalia onions and shredded cheddar, egg torta, rice, and little sausages.
After lunch, a loong rest (which led me to forget, temporarily, my blood-thinning shot), then, after, I took my oral medication at the appropriate times.
~~~
~5.00m
Chatted that night with Jennifer H. from choir. We talked about physical therapy, music, her two concerts she attended yesterday (Cathedral Organ Concert, Indigo Girls), etc.
Labels: dine, exercise, health, music, organ, phone, sleep, St. Paul Cathedral
Thankful Me
In answering some of my emails this morning, I'm realizing how blessed I am:
I have friends and family wishing me well and praying for me...to dance and cartwheel again soon.
I have friends and family reminding me that I need to do my physical therapy (and hidden in that wish is the fact that I underwent a standard surgical procedure that needs mainly only a visit to the surgeon and simple physical therapy as the major follow-ups).
I have friends and family who want to visit me.
I have family who are housing me and bringing me back to health every step of the way (yummy food, shelter, warmth--physical and emotional, medical care, etc. etc.)
~~~
Dad and I watched the Mass from St. Paul Cathedral this morning, with Fr. Kim and Fr. Joshua celebrating, and Debby Z. cantoring. They spoke about spiritual Fathers and how this is the year of vocations to the priesthood.
Mom woke up a short while ago, and we will help her prepare breakfast....
~~~
4.00m
Breakfast was blueberry waffles, with butter topping or butter, whole milk yogurt, fresh blueberries, syrup, sunny-side-up eggs, little sausages, sardines. MmmmMM!
Today Mom helped me to get my anti-coagulant injection, change TED hose and socks, and to change clothes (again).
William, Marissa, and the children came over for dinner. It was a lovely homemade spread of gourd, shrimp, and coconut milk soup; mixed green salad with grape tomatoes, shredded cheese, and dressing; roasted chicken; egg torta; with dessert of blueberries for the children and key lime pie for the rest of us.
Labels: dine, exercise, Mass, prayer, St. Paul Cathedral, surgery, thankfulness, TV, visitor
Well Wishes
With my second hip replacement surgery, I've been truly blessed by well-wishes and prayers from near and far away. Many of my friends and family have even come to visit me, too. It's been a real treat to have their presence.
The hospital staff has been nothing short of superb. Some of them I recognize from my same procedure on my other hip last year. And I had three volunteers visit me--two Eucharistic Ministers (one on Tuesday, one right before my departure on Thursday), and a familiar volunteer face from last year, a woman with a strong spirit and a C-leg.
My friend Joan has made me know that I have been prayed for this week at St. Paul Cathedral.
Labels: BAD, diocese of Pittsburgh, family, friends, patient, St. Paul Cathedral, surgery, thankfulness, volunteering
On the "Road" Again...to Healing
As I heal, I'm making smarter snack choices: Last night, I had corn, prunes, and yummy yogurt.
I'm on the road to healing. This time (this leg), I am trying to focus on stepping on an "egg" in my arch of my operated leg while using the crutches...to focus on placing a little more weight than I would normally place on my operated leg, and to place that weight in a central location on my foot. Note that this method of walking may cause more pain afterward, but, hey, it's supposed to help bone growth into the prosthetic.
My prosthetic is a non-cemented device, just somewhat "knocked" into my bone, then allowed to grow into the bone. My last operation last summer resulted in fine bone growth into the prosthetic, with my ceili dancing a little over two months out of the operating room.
Labels: BAD, dance, dine, international culture, Ireland, pain, surgery
First Day Home
Now I start my first day home. I have checked my email.
I am in some pain upon moving, but hey, I just had major surgery! I also think that Wednesday I had a particularly "moving"/active day at physical therapy, and Wednesday after 9am I was off the high-power oral pain medication...didn't go on another high-powered oral pain med until 4pm Thursday, and that at a lower dose. Part of the reason was that I just don't feel pain when I'm just lying in bed or sitting in a chair, not moving.
Margie just called, my outpatient home physical therapist from last year. We talked and had a laugh or two...she asked me if I told the joke to Dr. Crossett this year again about being able to play the violin...I said no, but that he and I talked about the chemistry of the colors of the bouquet Ornella had brought for me. Margie will be my therapist this year, too.
So exciting! Time for breakfast and the rest of my medicines.
~~~
Twelve Hours Later (21:10)
So, the outpatient nursing and physical therapy staff stopped by today: First, Mary, the evaluative physical therapist stopped by in the morning and watched me go through my exercises (twenty reps of each, as opposed to half that number in the hospital) and watched me walk with the crutches, and took a peek at my incision and drain site. The drain site included an area that looked as if it had a tape? blister, according to one of my hospital nurses. This area was sort of oozy. Hmm. I've already been told that my incision is very clean, but somewhat swollen (to be expected---that's my body's response to what's been done to it).
I rested from mid-afternoon on, and had made a snack of peanut butter sandwich and kalamansi-ade, and kettle chips with ketchup before my nap. Mom and Dad returned from Robinson Town Center with a pizza slice for me, and I enjoyed that with Coca-Cola. Dad got some of my food and my mail (snail mail) for me, and erased my old voice messages (that I had already listened to). It's late, but we made a snack of sweet corn, so I'll be enjoying it shortly.
Listened this afternoon to my new CD of "Italian Baroque--Vivaldi" from Barnes & Noble. It's nice to have music to keep me sane.
Labels: dine, email, exercise, home, music, pain, surgery
Back Again, Back Again, Jig-A-Dee-Jig
Just left the hospital after four days in: 10-noon for surgery and to get to the recovery room (and recover), and Tuesday-Thursday for recovery and healing in the hospital.
It's a good thing I only have two hips, otherwise, I'd spend every summer like this.
Labels: adventure, health, pain, surgery
I guess this is it...
Time to carry my stuff down to the car---one bag for now, two small bags for post-surgery, and a CD player for music.
Off to the hospital!
My hips will match next time I write!
Labels: BAD, health, music, surgery
Last Meal before Surgery; Feast of Corpus Christi
So, I just enjoyed my last snack before surgery:
Cabot gourmet cheddar cheese melted on multigrain sourdough bread
a cornet from French Canada
potato chips
a tall glass of kalamansi-ade and
~4 dried plums
Jen McG called me while I eating, and we talked for a short amount of time.
~~~
This morning I went to choir practice, dropped off most of my music, saw E, Kelly & Maris's child, and we all headed up to the choir loft. Saw Mary Ann H., who came to say hello to us. At Mass we sang:
Jesus, My Lord, My God, My All (#488)
Gloria Sine Nomine (Bernard Newell)
Psalm 116 (Murray/Gelineau)
Eastertide Acclamations
Draw Us in the Spirt's Tether (H. Friedell)
Taste & See (J. Chepponis)
Ave Verum Corpus (W. A. Mozart)
Father, We Thank Thee (#558)
Mom, Dad, and I attempted to go to a new Japanese buffet, which was still closed...so we went to a buffet in Greentree. By the time we headed home (after picking up some batteries for my smoke detector), all three of us were tired, so we took ~two hour nap.
I headed to William & Marissa's for a photo/video session of me pre-L hip-operative. Solomon was duly entertained.
And William & Marissa presented me with the Cabot cheese, cornets, petit pains de St. Genevieve, and apple jelly.
MMmmmMM!
Labels: Choir, dine, gift, international culture, Mass, St. Paul Cathedral, surgery
It's Down to the Wire, Now
Twenty-four hours from now I will be in the operating room (OR). It's down to the wire now! I'm making lists of things I need to do before surgery, I need to pack, I need to make sure are at my parents' home (for when I return, post-operation), I need to bring to the hospital, I need to ask the anesthesiologist and orthopedic surgeon, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.
Meanwhile, I have a small breakfast of a hot dog and take my medicine. I wait until it is time to go to choir practice, for our last Mass of the choir season...
Labels: Choir, dine, list, Mass, St. Paul Cathedral, surgery
Automatic musical instrument museum--Bayernhof
This afternoon Nancy and I are off to the Bayernhof Museum, a museum of automatic musical instruments. We will be participating in a tour this afternoon.
I spoke with Auntie Chi and also spoke with William this afternoon. Dad also called to inform me that he lectored for the televised 8:15 morning Mass today.
~~~
18:40
I'm helping to prepare dinner with mom after the museum. William, Marissa, and kids are on their way her now...
The Bayernhof was stunning. A home- and music-lover's paradise. I even had my fortune read! "A good year, in general...If employed, look for a promotion. If unmarried, look forward to court and to get married this year." Or something equally interesting!
Labels: family, lector, Mass, museum, music, Pittsburgh, TV
Bakery run!
Off to a bakery run with Maureen to Highland Park! O joy...
She wants to get a pie for her brother, the same that is Fr. Mike's favorite.
~~~
13:30
I got one pie too, and we each got a slice of sweet or savory breakfast layered strata or pudding. We shared some madeleines, dipped cookies over the computer (the virtual hip replacement website and her Facebook links).
Labels: computer, dance, dine, dining, love, smell
Pre-Operation 2009
Talked to the pre-operative nurse this afternoon.
Just sent my date & time of operation to my family and friends by email.
Have been revisiting my blog posts I wrote post-operative from 2008....and am currently working on one that has instructional websites. I am currently trying to do virtual R hip surgery...but the website is slow.
Labels: blogs, email, patient, surgery
Magnificent Evening!
I received a cell phone call from Mom on the way home from the symphony: "We won the Stanley Cup. Be careful around South Side and Oakland."
By the by, the afternoon at the Three Rivers Arts Festival with Nancy was fun...we got a chocolate & fresh strawberry crepe with whipped cream. The chef was totally into the process of making it! (And we were into the process of eating it!)
Mahler's Resurrection Symphony (No. 2 in C minor) was nothing short of magnificent. Manfred Honeck conducted after introductory words by the outgoing concertmaster, Andres Cardenes. Elizabeth duShong (Mezzo-soprano) and Katy Shackleton Williams (soprano---a last-minute substitute) accompanied the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh (directed by Betsy Burleigh). The piece vacillated between piano movements which exploded into fortissimo movements. The fourth and fifth movements were sung by the women and the choir, respectively. The fourth movement was entitled Urlicht (Primeval Light), and the fifth movement included pieces "Aufersteh'n"/"Resurrection" and "O Glaube, Mein Herz"/"O Believe, My Heart." An immediate standing ovation greeted the artists, with several repeat calls.
Due to sudden street closures we ended up on the West End Bridge to the Hot Metal Bridge and in Oakland, where we heard whoops of joy. We were thinking of going to Victor's for a snack when Mom telephoned, and we had second thoughts.
Nancy handed me a puzzle/mystery, library book, and well wishes before we see each othe tomorrow.
Labels: art, dine, dining, games, Honeck, Mahler, music, Pittsburgh, Point, PSO, rivers, sports
Resting Pre-Op(erative)
I've been resting pre-operative. Today I crawled in bed to rest, and spoke with Mom, Nancy, and the pre-operative nurse. It's been a slow day. My R shoulder and L hip are bothering me...just a little pain in my L thumb, too.
Nancy and I will go to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra this evening to hear Manfred Honeck conduct.
Labels: family, friends, health, Honeck, pain, PSO, sleep, surgery
Time to go to the doctor's office...
Time to go to the doctor's office because of my swollen thumb....
Also called the orthopedic doctor's office because I stepped on a pottery shard this morning and currently have a bleeding pad on my foot. (Not to worry, just keep it clean & dry.)
I'm really looking forward to my surgery Monday!
~~~~
20:30
My primary care physician told me to soak my hand in warm water and slowly, gently bend the distal joint. I did this during my pool therapy for physical therapy.
Went to look for tiny jars for hand/face cream at the drugstore...no dice.
Went to the campus to use the computer lab. Ran into a former student who is currently taking organic chemistry.
Labels: biology, computer, exercise, health, school, shopping, student, surgery, water exercise
Sore Digit
Today Mom, Dad, and I celebrated Father's Day early---with a card and a trip to the Japanese sushi buffet. We continued north to visit with Gene and Phyllis (we shared the PAMS 2009 Inaugural Program Book with them). We chatted, standing in the kitchen, with drinks of filtered water. Phyllis appreciated my photo bag, which had photos of Miranda + Benny & Beatrice + Solomon, Saint cards, S + me, Miranda with her birthday gift from me, and Dad + Mom at the 2009 PAMS inaugural ball.
Upon our return home I enjoyed a snack of sourdough bread and Gouda cheese melts, and I printed photos of Luce + me, and of Jenny + me, too. I inserted the photos on my photo bag.
We headed to Wa's home, and then to the gym, where I saw my coworker Mayte and her daughter. I spent ~40 minutes doing my pool exercises:
20 minutes walking
12 minutes side stepping
20 reps of plie + releve
15 reps of kick out "front-side-back" with the R leg
20 reps of plie + releve
15 reps of kick out "front-side-back" with the L leg
20 reps of plie + releve
3 reps of lunges (20 secs, each leg)
10 reps of weight shifting to each leg
..which I have been doing for many months now.
We went to Market District next, and I ran into Franco from the Newman Center (and his friend Barat). M + D + I will soon enjoy a snack...
~~~
my thumb is still swollen.
Maureen and I went to the final (thirteenth) Tuesday in the Saint Anthony Novenae on Troy Hill yesterday night. Each person present was welcome to a loaf of St. Antony's bread.
I asked Maureen if we could stop at the Newman Center on the way home, to check out the library. We said hello to Jennifer (the MPH student) and settled into the library, reading books about the saints' lives. Then we looked up various saints, and chatted about friends far and near.
As we were departing, we saw the last 13:24 seconds of the Penguins v. Red Wings game--Hey! the Pens are in for the seventh game of the Stanley Cup this year.
~~~
I'm so mad...yesterday afternoon I told Dad to "Wait.." while two young, nattily dressed young ladies attempted to enter his building. Instead, he opens the door, then we have to contend with the process of NOT allowing them in. We explain to them that they need to be buzzed in...Dad departs for the elevators, and I turn around to see them propping the door open as we (supposedly) depart.
"You have to close the door," I politely note to them, whilst pushing the door shut. One young lady was particularly averse to this action, and was heavily leaning on the door. I got a "stoved" digit in the process, and have iced it, but feel very swollen and sore. Time for some Tylenol. Visitors cannot behave like this around residents, it makes the residents feel less secure. K. thanked me for keeping the building secure.
Labels: accessibility, Faith, light, neighbors, pain, philosophical, read, rosary, sports
Thoughts on Commencement 2009
I was particularly taken by a certain part of this year's commencement speech given by my classmate, Kim Dozier. She stated,
"I talk to...people about what it is like to be injured and recover. I talk about getting out of the injured box. When you are injured, everyone just remembers that you’re broken. They don’t remember that you healed. They don’t know how hard you fought to become whole again. They think of you as a victim, not a survivor."
As I prepare for my surgery, I focus on the hopefulness of my condition...that I will soon (within two months) be dancing again. The fear creeps in occasionally, but I fight it back by staying busy, focusing on the needs of others, and by doing things like getting blessed in preparation for my surgery (by Fr. Breier after lectoring at Mass for Grandma today).
~~~
By the by, Don played "Ubi Caritas" during the preparation of gifts during Mass today. I particularly like that hymn.
Labels: lector, Mass, pain, St. Paul Cathedral, surgery, Wellesley
A Week from Now...
A week from now I will most likely be wheeled out of the operating room (OR) to the recovery room. I will no longer be a hip chick, but a hipS chick. I'll be gaining another new hip, and will be (better than) new.
Just went for a walk to drop off my info for Vickie E. for my volunteer work at the Church. Spoke with Pat P., Carol, and Eileen. Petted Princess, Carol's dog. Pat noted that I could audition for Celtic dancing (!) at the end of the summer.
The progression was discussed: bed to chair to walker to crutches to crutch to cane to Nothing...to DANCING! (All within two months of surgery.)
~~~~~
~19:00
Mom and I left ~14:00 to get Mexican food and to go shopping: I for an 18-month calendar and music at Barnes & Noble, she for clothes and gifts at TJ Maxx and Marshalls. We also went shopping for knick knacks. I got a bias-cut shirt and a cute li'l skirt for dancing!
Labels: BAD, Church, dance, dog, excited, friends, international culture, Ireland, surgery, talent, volunteering, walking
Sunny Sunday Afternoon
I'm typing while listening to a Tchaikovsky piece on the radio from Balanchine's Jewels ("String Serenade" Serenade for strings [or piano, 4 hands] in C major, Op. 48). The late afternoon summer sun is streaming into the west-facing window. After a three-hour-long nap, this typing with a slight delay in appearance on the computer screen is fine---a slow, sleepy end-of-day.
Chatting with Christoph about his research is enlightening and makes me realize how common across the sciences and health sciences research issues are.
~~~
Dinner follows, and a sit in front of Mom & Dad's television set...a movie with Debra Messing and the beginning of Titanic...a check of my email, with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra playing "Pictures at an Exhibition" by Mussorgsky as orchestrated by Ravel, conducted by Leonard Slatkin.
Labels: blogs, Choir, dance, friends, music, phone, PSO, Ravel, research, Tchaikovsky, TV, writing
Valentino
This morning, I took a nap after doing laundry and chatting with Deb. She warned me of viewing the world of others through my eyes exclusively.
After a snack, Mom and I were shuttled to the documentary movie Valentino by Dad (at the Manor Theatre in Squirrel Hill). We did some shopping, I went to the bank, and all three of us went shopping in Mount Lebanon. A trip to Kentucky Fried Chicken was in order, and we got half a bucket of KFC Original, and the other half grilled chicken. It was delicious, with veggies and Klondike ice cream sandwiches after.
I retrieved a message from my friend, M, who stated Teody had given her tickets to be delivered to me. After Wednesday's PNR meeting (which I left Pastoral Council meeting early to attend), where the ticketing process was hashed out by Jun C., the process was made clear to us, and rehashed and sent out by Jun at the end of this week via email. I had contacted neither Jun nor (Tina nor Teody)---the ticket sellers' points of contact---about tickets. "I did not order tickets from Teody." It seems that Jun C. made the flow of ticket sales clear, but somewhere along the line someone had ordered tickets in my name without my knowledge.
There are three of us in my immediate family housing performers, selling tickets, and publicizing/marketing the event. There is no need to send me unsolicited tickets to sell. I feel bad that my friend M was stuck in the middle and has to deal with homeless tickets.
~~~
Turns out the tickets are for me to give to my mom for T. (O well, I guess I get to be the bearer of the tickets = "Mercury") Some kind of communication mix-up...
Labels: cinema, ice cream, international culture, Philippines, Pilipino culture, Pittsburgh, PNR, politics, school, singing, visitor, voice
While doing laundry....
I ran into one of my truly elderly neighbors in the basement while doing laundry this morning:
She: Which side have you had [surgery] on already?
Me: I've already had my right side done, and will have my left side done this summer.
She (using a cane with her right hand): How do you know which side to use your cane on?
Me (using a cane with my right hand, too): Well, you should ask your doctor.
She: Well, I talked to my physical therapist, and I had my hip done [back] in 200x ... well, I don't know which side to use my cane on.
Me: Maybe you should ask your doctor how to use your cane.
She (looking at me): Well, which side do YOU use your cane on?
Me: It's best to use the cane in the opposite hand that you have the pain.
She (smiling): Well, I don't have any pain. I just walk funny.
O, gosh, my neighbor is better off than I, and is asking advice from ME (!) as to how to use a cane. Too bad she hasn't listened [yet] and asked her doctor....
Labels: health, neighbors, surgery
Pre-operation Testing
Today I spent in medical appointments. First hurdle was to determine if I needed to have my films for my first appointment. My first appointment went smoothly: There was discussion of my risks (probability times outcome) for me, possible prophylaxis prescription treatments, etc.
I went across the street fro my pre-operative testing: electrocardiogram (EKG), nasal swab (for MRSA or MSSA), and chest X ray. Unlike last year, I did not gain any additional jewelry for pre-operation.
Went home and met Mom, Dad & Tom (their building maintenance supervisor), who were working to install the fax machine. Helped a little bit in that process.
Went home for a nap...
Labels: health, sleep, surgery, tests
Miranda's Birthday
This week was Miranda's birthday. Last Friday, while Jenny was here, I mailed out two packages for her from me and from her Lolo and Lola. We sang for her yesterday over the airwaves!
Ran errands on Wednesday--to the bank, for eyecare and skincare at Rite Aid, and to the library to return a CD of Rachel Barton Pine. Stopped by Wawa's, too.
I'm slowly taking care of my June bills before surgery.
Mom and I went "fun" shopping in Bloomfield yesterday.
Watched the last period of the Penguins last night--it was good to have them win another game in the Stanley Cup (4-2).
~~~
Today, it turns out I don't need to produce my films and pathology reports for my appointment this lunchtime. And here I was, like a chicken with no head going around looking for them...turns out if the appointment is "within the system," there's no need to request the results.
I have to stop by for my final pre-operative testing sometime soon--probably today--at Shadyside Hospital.
Labels: adventure, Birthday, health, library, niece and nephew, shopping, singing, sports
Saint Anthony's Novena
Went for pre-operative testing at my primary care physician's office and lab work this morning. I still need an electrocardiogram (EKG), chest X ray, and a nasal swab...I will go later this week for that.
I enjoyed a couple of naps today.
Maureen and I went to Troy Hill for St. Anthony's Novena. For special intentions, I mentioned K and her family, M and her family, for my surgery in 12 days, and a special intention.
We enjoyed chatting over lemonade and key lime pie at my home afterward.
Labels: Faith, family, health, rosary, sleep, surgery
WQED Pittsburgh Magazine's 20th Annual Best Restaurants Party-Foodies
Nancy C. and I went to the annual WQED fundraiser: Pittsburgh Magazine's 20th Anniversary Best Restaurants Party (this year at the David Lawrence Convention Center) with samplings from various restaurants in the area. We met a gentleman who swore by one of the restaurants in Mt Lebanon; met up with Kathy B (Enrique's sister) and her friend, Monica over ice cream by Ha...; and saw Mary Pat from choir. The food was wonderful and delicious. We played the game "six degrees of separation" and sung "It's a Small World" with Kathy and Monica as we were surprised by our connections to each other.
Labels: Choir, dine, dining, diocese of Pittsburgh, friends, ice cream, international culture, neighbors, Pittsburgh
Jenny's Visit--Now the Preparation Starts
Now that Jenny's visit is over (3/3 visits by friends from afar), I must hunker down to the task of preparing for my second total hip replacement.
I joke with friends and family that I am lucky that I only have two hips, for if I had more, I would have to undergo surgery every summer. (Good thing I'm not a centipede!---ha, ha, they have exoskeleta, anyway).
~~~~
So, Jenny's visit consisted of:
Thursday: My catching the 6:00 bus to the airport and our trip back to my home. We took a nap in the morning, I introduced her to Carlos at the library on campus, as well as the facilities and resources in the old WQED building on campus. We then went to my department, where we met Heather and saw my stomping grounds, as well as checked our email in the computer lab; went to the Great Hall at the Cathedral of Learning, had a snack at the cafeteria in the Cathedral of Learning; had lunch of unagi bowl and chicken teriyaki bowl at my favorite bento box restaurant nearby; stopped in the Law Department at Pitt; stopped at Posvar Hall (saw the home plate of Forbes Field); stopped at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (to pick up a CD by RBP); returned to the Cathedral of Learning; enjoyed some iced tea at the Cafe downstairs; went up to visit the view; stopped by my parent's home to see them and Beata and Solomon; NAP; and then go to the Hofbrauhaus for dinner, drinks, and entertainment with the choir crowd.
Friday: We enjoyed a white chocolate/berry crepe at the creperie in my neighborhood. Jenny and I chatted with Jenn P. about the Legal Studies program at a local cafe. We headed to Vic's restaurant for the lunch buffet (dee-lish); checked email at the 24/7 location on campus nearby; drove up to Mount Washington and took the Duquesne Incline to Station Square; returned to Mom & Dad's to pick up packages for Miranda's birthday; NAPPED; dined at the P. Ring Restaurant in Squirrel Hill (sizzling rice soup, Ma Po Tofu, and ); and then enjoyed the chocolate bomb dessert with Etta Cox and company for Jazz Night.
Saturday: Picked up Maureen for a bakery run (madeleines, fruit tarts, Key Lime pie, and brioches) at Highland Park; dropped off the refrigerated goods at my home; a visit to the bakery in Millvale; the Big Lincoln for breakfast; dropped off Maureen (she picked up her baked goods); went to the Andy Warhol museum (where we purchased gifts, made art packets, and visited the 4th floor); went home and napped, and had dinner at the Vietnamese restaurant in Lawrenceville. We joined Mom and Dad for gin rummy and Mom for Celebrities.
Sunday: Jenny took a walk in the neighborhood while I went to choir practice. She enjoyed the loft and Jennifer H. joined us for lunch of gyoza, veggies, General Tso's chicken, and smoothies and tea at the Pan Asian restaurant. We relaxed and chatted at my home before waiting for the airport bus.
~~~~
Sunday evening brought a pleasant dinner and conversation at Mary Ann's porch with Nancy, Mary Ann's neighbor Rosa, Christoph, and Ornella. We enjoyed, and had a lovely time.
Labels: friends, health, Pittsburgh, surgery, visitor, walking
