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
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
To NYC
I awoke at six o'clock to get ready to go to the City. I threw out the trash and lowered the windows. Arriving at Mom & Dad's with my luggage, I was surprised to hear that Mom had slept an hour prior (preparing for the trip). I loaded most of my luggage into the car. I stopped by the computer lab at work to print out the directions (from here to Donough's, ...to Uncle Dodong's, and ...to LSC; from Kelly's to Donough's homes) for our trip, which I had prepared last night. Stopped by to get hand cream at the drugstore...it was still closed, with newspapers strewn in front of the door.
I need to call to reschedule a medical appointment on Monday the 18th...must wait for their office to open this morning.
As Donough said, it will be nice to get together and to see each other after all these years: To meet his family, to see Aine and Eamon (and their spouses), again, too.
Labels: computer, email, family, friends, health, home, international culture, Ireland, New York, reunion, sleep, transportation, work
Jewelry makings, Renee and Belinda T's farewell party
Saturday, Karina and I made a trip to Waterfront Mall to the craft store there. We got beads and other jewelry-making supplies.
I got a nap in during the afternoon and plenty of grading.
~~~~~
Sunday after singing in choir Nancy C. and I met up with Karina to attend Renee and Belinda's farewell party in the basement of the Cathedral. It was a pleasant surprise to see Rocco there. Then we headed out to watch a movie at the Newman Center. No dice. So we went to get my car, follow Nancy home, and watch at her home. The "Millionaire" movie was a bad copy, so we opted for a nice music DVD of Milli Vanilli classical musicians in period costume. On Karina's help, I put together a charm bracelet of charms given to me by my parents two years ago, as well as charms I had purchased from Kaufmann's department store. What a lovely bracelet it made. We chatted with Nancy and her husband Tom, and we enjoyed a spinach paneer dish, gulab rogan josh, and grilled lamb chops at an Indian restaurant near Nancy's home.
Labels: biology, Choir, Ireland, jewelry, St. Paul Cathedral, surprise, work
Golden Wedding Anniversary Mass 2008
After singing noon Mass in the choir this afternoon, Mom and Dad told me we were invited to Phyllis and Gene's celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary this year at a diocesan-wide Mass at St. Paul Cathedral at three o'clock.
The diocesan choir sang, Debby and John W. cantored, Don played at the organ, with many of the acclamations, psalms, and hymns were written by Fr. Jim Chepponis. They also sang Ave Verum by Mozart, "Now Thank We All Our God," and a postlude, "Trumpet Voluntary."
We made our way to the basement social hall for cookies, punch, and coffee.
~~~~
We celebrated Ornella's birthday with her and a group of choir and Choireland friends at the Grill restaurant on Craig Street. We had a fun time, and sang "Happy Birthday/ Buon/Feliz Compleano" to her three times.
Labels: Birthday, celebration, Choir, Church, diocese of Pittsburgh, friends, Ireland, Mass, Mozart, Pittsburgh, St. Paul Cathedral, Zubik
Midterms Week, Fall 2008
So, midterms week is upon us again. Last night, after administering my midterm, I helped Michele and Tom out with setting up theirs, and stopped by to chat with Becky.
Today, I had lunch with Mom and Dad after administering my Tuesday morning midterm. A long (2 hour) nap followed. Then a call from Roberta W., a good friend from my days working at the Carnegie Institute. Stopped in St. Paul Cathedral, while a group from St. Ferdinand's was visiting...mentioned Phyllis and also Fr. Steve.
Just returned from my hip exercises at the gym. Today I did:
stationary bicycle (10 minutes)
pool exercises (~45 mins)
pool exercises consisted of
water walking (20 min)
water sidestepping (12 mins)
plies and releves (20 x 3)
front, side, back (both sides, 15 @ side)
lunges (3 x 20 sec each)
Now I am relaxing by checking my email before dinner.
Labels: BAD, biology, Carnegie, Church, exercise, Ireland, pool, school, science, St. Paul Cathedral, student, surprise, water exercise, work
Shadyside Arts Fest 2008, Faith Sharing, P.S. I Love You
After finishing my grading for the weekend, I went with my former coworker to the Shadyside Arts festival. We enjoyed taking pics; I collected Obama buttons for me, Mom and Dad, and William and Marissa; and I said hi to Marlo's mom. We got some drinks at one of the local drugstores, and I caught the bus to the Newman Center for faith sharing. We shared our thoughts on the parable of the sower (Luke), and Jose, Joey, Paul, Maureen, and I had a lively discussion. This was followed by pizza from a block away, carried to watch the movie P.S. I Love You by Maureen and I. Jose stayed through part of the movie, and Karina joined us later. Doug had recommend the movie to me because of the "Ireland" scenes, but we ladies enjoyed the sappy, cute, scenes that also made it a great "chick flick."
Labels: art, biology, cinema, Faith, friends, Ireland, music, shoes, work
The Matchmaker
My friend Debbie R. who has been to Ireland thrice recommended a film with Janeane Garofalo (of Truth about Cats and Dogs and of Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion) called The Matchmaker. Noticed a couple of bloopers (namely, ambassadorial and liturgical), but all in all, a good movie---"a romantic comedy for the unromantic." I love everything I've seen Janeane Garofalo in, and the interactions between characters were understated (as interactions at a matchmaking fest can be), with beauteous scenery of the west coast of Ireland.
This film is the latest in Doug's and my volleys back and forth of film recommendations.
I echo Siskel and Ebert in their "two thumbs up"!
Labels: Choir, cinema, Ireland, singing, Wellesley
Jonathan's Choir Farewell party
Last night, after babysitting Beatrice and Solomon with Mom for a bit (and enjoying Marissa's cheese pasta), Maureen, Karina, and Jonathan retrieved me for a bit of celebrating with the choir for Jonathan's farewell party. Sara, our waitress at the Claddagh pub, was patient, organized, and nothing short of amazing as we drank and ate our way through the food and drink menu and shots< in the dark>.
Jonathan was instrumental in---no, singlehandedly accomplished---my return to choir in Lent 2005. With a simple invitation from Jonathan, another Jonathan and I were in choir by the end of Lent, 2005. Of the two, I was the only one who stuck it out. NOW, who will be our main choral recruiter?
We four departed last night making plans for Indian food before his departure next Saturday.
Labels: addiction, Choir, friends, international culture, Ireland, Pittsburgh, St. Paul Cathedral, travel
Becoming Jane
Just sent off an email to my friend, Doug, who recommended a movie:
Just saw the end of Becoming Jane. Quite the scenery and the story. Great actors for the characters. They captured the subtleties of the events.
Labels: cinema, international culture, Ireland, transportation, travel, writing
A Farewell Party for Jonathan and Jeff
Maureen, Jonathan, Jeff, Karina, and I carpooled to the Irish music and dance last night. I saw Susan E. and her friends, too. I danced
the Siege of Carrick
Two Hand Reel
and Waves of Tory
It was good to be back and to see my friends again--Susan, who taught the newbies the steps; Liz, who called the dances; Dan, who arrived with a coworker from the hospital; and others.
I stopped by Mom and Dad's house to say goodnight to Joyce and the children.
Labels: California, celebration, dance, farewell, international culture, Ireland, music, niece and nephew, Pittsburgh
Encyclopedia Article, Second Draft; Physical Therapy; Farewell Party
I sent off my second draft of my encyclopedia article this morning to one of my editors.
~~~
I'll go to physical therapy later this morning.
~~~
Planning for (one of) Jeff and Jonathan's farewell part(ies) tonight...
Labels: BAD, dance, encyclopedia, exercise, farewell, health, international culture, Ireland, music, pool, surgery, water exercise, writing
WQED Pledge Drives Day 2008
Off to WQED, the home of Mr. Rogers, today. The first pledge segment will be live with Chef Lidia this morning. Chef Lidia Bastianich will be back in the WQED TV kitchen from 9am-1pm cooking with Chris Fennimore!
The evening segment will be taped with various cultural groups, including:
From Patrizio: Con Amore
This young, Italian crooner took Pittsburgh by storm last year, and has left many Pittsburghers wanting more, more, more! There will be a program that shows some of his most popular videos along with new, behind-the-scenes footage!
Celtic Thunder
Pittsburgh has a rich Irish-American heritage that is seen by the city's incredible support of Irish performers such as Celtic Thunder. During their visit this spring, the members of Celtic Thunder clearly made many friends in Pittsburgh, and consider it a little piece of the Emerald Isle across the Atlantic.
Boy, this should be fun today....
~~~
13:40
Tita Odette, Melody, Tita Baby Carla, and I volunteered for the phone bank the first shift. After a brief training, we answered phones before the 10 to noon live segment with Chris Fennimore and Lidia. They prepared: Faro with tuna and tomatoes, shell pasta with seven-minute sauce (arugula and pecorino cheese), and spaghetti with garlic and breadcrumbs and oregano. We had an opportunity to try some of this food during a break. She also prepared pasta from homemade dough, and a custard-like dessert with flour in it. The studio recorded spots for pledges during the Frontline show on Tuesday evenings. It was great fun.
I look forward to it this evening.
~~~
It was fun, with Malou H., Tita Mila L., Tita Ellen C., Jeannie and her husband John, and we met a few other people, including one woman we swear will marry Patrizio, and an MD/PhD.
We took some pledges for the Steel City Chef's recipe and coupons, the 3 DVD set about Pittsburgh, as well as tickets to Andre Rieu and Patrizio's upcoming concerts. Andre Rieu is a violinist who has a full well-produced music show. Patrizio is a technically gifted singer and a consummate gentleman, according to Stephanie, who a couple of us claim will marry Patrizio.
After a gift from the station for serving, we departed at ~9pm to let another shift take over with the pledge operations.
Labels: dining, international culture, Ireland, Philippines, Pittsburgh, TV, work
One Year Since
It turns out that it's been a year since we departed for Ireland, as Don pointed out this evening. At this time last year, I would be over the Atlantic snoozing away.
Today Mom and I spent the morning organizing my clothes closets, then Dad and I went to run an errand in Squirrel Hill, and then to pick up Mom's fave seafood pizza in our neighborhood.
I took a Looooong nap after lunch, and it was great to go to the anticipated Mass at 6pm. Fr. Breier celebrated, Matt lectored, Christina cantored, and Don provided the organ music. Mom and I spoke with our friends Joel (whose fiancee is from Bulacan, Philippines), Mrs. Mary T. (a neighbor), the Cruz family, Matt, Don, and Tom (Nancy Mc's husband). Mom got worried: "They're blinking the lights at us," as they dimmed more and more of the lights, as our conversing was loud, and as there were confessions being held.
We returned home to pizza and Lawrence Welk, and I worked on the References section of my encyclopedia article.
~~~
I watched the last two hours of a Harry Potter movie---the third in the series.
Labels: cinema, dining, encyclopedia, Ireland, Mass, Philippines, Pittsburgh, sleep, St. Paul Cathedral
Take Me Out to the Ball Game
Before Mass this morning, Mom and I watched a movie starring Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and Esther Williams entitled Take Me Out to the Ball Game. There were dancing sequences in which Sinatra kept in tandem with Kelly, dancing to traditional Irish tunes, and swimming scenes with Esther Williams. I commented to Mom that the song Take Me Out to the Ball Game was written in 1908, and that one of our choristers was asked to sing it for audience participation at a castle in Ireland last summer.
~~~
6:00, 23 June 2008
This morning's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette front page tells the story of the song "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," with accompanying video of baseball fans singing the song.
Labels: cinema, dance, games, international culture, Ireland, Pittsburgh, pool, sports, swim, travel
Physical Therapy Evaluation---Post Surgery
This morning I'll be going to a physical therapy evaluation, post surgery. My home care physical therapist, Margie, says to say "Hi," to my evaluator. I must ask for information on water exercises, since I will be using the shallow pool on campus starting in the fall.
In the meantime, Marissa has spotted on my blog in the wee hours of this morning that I can now SWIM! She has invited me to join her early in the morning, about this time. Mom, Dad, and I will see the kids, William, and her for lunch today; I'm sure we'll discuss that then.
As related to reaching goals and pursuing dreams, my friend Stacy said she dreamt that she saw me at Mass, sans cane! I LIKE her dream...
~~~
Keelan, my physical therapist, agreed that water exercises are a good idea and asked me to bring my bathing suit to my next appointment. I shared my goal to ceili dance by the end of the summer with him.
After physical therapy, I convinced Dad to stop at the bakery for pretzels: We devoured two on the way home. Mom, Dad, and I met up with William and family for Chinese food for lunch (Marissa and I got smoothies, lychee and mango, respectively). This was followed by an hour with Marissa, Beatrice, and Solomon at Mom and Dad's home; followed by a nap.
Marissa and I plan to go to the pool tomorrow early morning for a little workout fun.
Labels: BAD, dance, dining, dreams, exercise, health, Ireland, pool, sports, surgery, swim, water, water exercise
Waiting at the Airport, May 2008
I cleaned up yesterday, prepared my paintings for storage, did some organizing of my encyclopedia article, caught up on correspondence, and napped deeply!
I met Mom and Dad at the airport at about 10pm---waited next to the Lallys, who were waiting for Michelle's return from the continent and Dublin. We chatted about travelling, cell phones, and my imminent surgery.
Mom and Dad were glad to be back from Las Vegas, and glad to see me bearing fresh fruit. Dad was chatty, and mom was fighting a cold, caught at the casinos' air-conditioned and smoke-laden air.
Labels: BAD, cleaning, encyclopedia, friends, Ireland, organizing, painting, surgery, surprise, travel
my BAD hips
I have cBAD (congenital bilateral acetabular dysplasia). That means I have bad hips from birth. No clue of this status for me until ~4-5 years ago....
I started having pain after a few-month hiatus from swing dancing (Big Band music). My then-boss used to write emails to her friends making fun of my use of assistive devices. I am glad that I don't work with her anymore. I quit dancing on a regular basis about that time. Until then, I had danced 3-4 evenings per week---Irish ceili/set dancing, ballroom dance, swing (big band) dance, and sometimes Latin/mixed ballroom/swing dance. Boy, I really enjoyed my dance.
I am really excited about having my procedure done...total hip replacement. My medical team insists that I will be able to do basically "anything [within reason]" after my surgery. I guess that means getting back to dancing, swimming, maybe [stationary] biking, but I guess I won't be able to play the violin [snif].
I am currently held together by "string, tape, muscles, and God." What I have done in my life up to this point is pretty amazing---scratch that, miraculous---considering my bone structure, or lack thereof: Ballet to pointe (I was accepted to a ballet school for a large-city Ballet Theater), gymnastics, I lettered on the track team in high school (100m hurdles and 400m dash), modern dance and choreography in college (with my good friend, Liz, through MIT Dance Theatre), rockclimbing in college and beyond, hiking for recreation and work (our little research group of American and Mexican scientists were self-entertaining when we were lost!), and the dance styles I took up in Pittsburgh, mentioned above.
~~~
I am truly thankful that my parents did not inform me of my bone structure until I started to have pain when I reached "a certain age": That they did not limit my activity as a child. "Hey, she can walk---let her be, have a normal childhood."
I am thankful for a good orthopedist: Who understood my need to try to strengthen what was already in place with physical therapy.
I am thankful for a good PT team that has held me together with a little more muscle for good measure.
I am thankful for my PCP and treatment team which have been part of my greater support network.
I am thankful that I have one of the best orthopedic surgeons in the region doing this procedure for me.
I am thankful for everyone who has gone before me in this procedure: Gene, Joyce's father-in-law; Tom, Jen's dad; Dr. Linda, who gave helpful advice...and especially for Gene's helpful hints to me during our visit to California.
And finally, I am thankful that I have a problem that can be easily solved by the miracles of modern science, technology, and medicine. I am truly fortunate.
Labels: BAD, Carnegie, dance, excited, exercise, family, international culture, Ireland, research, soils, surgery
Birthday Celebrations 2008
Yesterday, after morning Mass and a nice nap, I met Marissa, Beatrice, Les and Chere for an afternoon in Schenley Plaza. I had some snacks from the Asian Tea House, Les picked up a tape of Don Juan De Marco (another Johnny Depp movie recommended by Laurie) for me, and retrieved a number of other items from the library, too.
The evening included ceili dancing in the Strip District! Mary Louise wished me a happy birthday there. Vickie, Jen and Bri, Marie M (from C&L at the Newman Center), and Nancy (from choir) and Tom all turned out to celebrate. Mike had asked me a couple of times to dance; I said hello to Joyce (his wife) at the same time as declining for later dances in the evening. I was pleased to dance
Sweets of May
Waves of Tory
Keel Row
all favorite dances of mine, after dosing away on acetaminophen for the night. Marissa had lent me her videocam for the night, and Jen videographed moments from throughout the night. What fun!
~~~~~
Today were office hours, administrative matters with Carole and Mayte, handing off my completed project to Carole (from her request on Monday, in my last posting), then a nap, a visit with Les, Chere, and Beatrice (during which time Beatrice resisted sleep like a well-wound spring). Marissa was induced to labor this evening. The evening was started with a visit to the Greentree Inn, for a PNR meeting, replete with RFPs, emails, Props, reports of the trip to the Philippines by various members, and a slick slide show of the Philippines visit by Warren. The evening was topped off by the presence of Tito Andy and Tita Fely, who spearheaded the PNR project with seed money back in the day.
I am back at M&Ds waiting for the time to depart for the airport to retrieve them from their voyages to Jerusalem/the Holy Land.
Labels: art, Beatrice, children, dining, excited, Faith, family, international culture, Ireland, Mass, niece and nephew, Philippines, photography, photos, Pilipino culture, Pittsburgh, PNR, prayer, travel
Exercise this Week, March 2008
Tuesday I took about half an hour to pedal on the recumbent bicycle about ten minutes, then to do ball exercises and elastic band exercises for an additional twenty minutes.
Yesterday, I took a half hour out of my day to do water walking. It is always fun, and I look forward to doing that after my surgery, too.
I've thought about what I want to do before I have surgery---Irish ceili dancing (with video evidence of it) is high on my list. I dance ceili dance like it is aerobic dancing, so I would like to do this before my surgery. (Post-surgery hips preclude aerobic dancing.)
This Tuesday I commented to Mom that "after hip replacement, I won't be able to do the moves on Dancing with the Stars." My mom countered, "Can you do those moves Now?" I replied, sheepishly, "No."
Labels: BAD, dance, exercise, international culture, Ireland, TV, water exercise
