Themes
Painting (Oil and Watercolor)
Art
Hot Weather
Music--Bernstein's Requiem, My favorite movement of all Vivaldi pieces, sacred acclamations from the Mass
making muesli from grain
Hornflakes
Panoramic Paintings
Hot weather
Meeting Jehovah's Witnesses
NOT climbing tower/s
Good food
Good Thai food
Seeking relief from the heat at a pool
seeing political leaders
Good company, throughout
Good homemade food
Good homemade Thai food
Good Indonesian rice table
assistive technology for exercising
Labels: accessibility, art, dining, exercise, health, list, love, music, painting, shopping, water exercise, weather
Sleepy, Physical Therapy Exercises
I've had a~2-hour nap this afternoon. Then I had a snack and drove to the gym for my prescribed physical therapy exercises. I did some recumbent bicycling, select exercises from my B + A sheets, then went to the pool for my pool therapy exercises. Showered, and figured it took about two hours to complete this whole process!
Maureen, Karina, and I will probably have a snack together this evening before I turn in.
Labels: dining, exercise, sleep, water exercise
Gentle Pool Exercises
Maureen and I walked to the gym together.
At 18.07 I arrived at the gym, then dressed for my water exercises.
I started water exercises at 18.15
Five minutes of water walking
Ten minutes of side-stepping
Twenty plie & releve sets
Twenty sets of "Kick Outs: Front, Front, Side, Back"
Left, then Right
Three X twenty-second lunges, alternating left and right
I signed out at 18.43 and was dressed and in the lobby by 18.53
I called Maureen to talk briefly, I'll talk to her at length when she arrives home.
Labels: walking, water exercise
Watch that Left Glute!
I'm getting pain in my glute after walking ~10-15 minutes...my orthopedist says to decrease my (impact) walking exercise and to increase my gentle stretching and strengthening exercises given to me by my physical therapist. I sincerely hope that it is just a soft tissue/muscle problem; and I'm sure they do, as well.
Labels: exercise, health, walking, water exercise
No Choir Practice: Ballroom Dancing
Today after work I went to physical therapy. Donna presented me with 4 compilations of music! I practiced the "A" set of land exercises and all of the water exercises.
Tonight, choir practice was canceled. Christina and I went to the ballroom dance class in Squirrel Hill. Whilst waiting for the class to begin, I observed the beginner Aikido classes, too.
We learned West Coast Swing and Latin, too. Brian taught the classes quite well. Christina's friend, Ryan, danced with us, as well as Brian and Ray from the Catholic group. We had a fun time and enjoyed ourselves dancing various ballroom dances.
Auntie Chi, Mom, Dad, and I chatted about our morning plans for tomorrow.
Labels: Choir, dance, dining, exercise, friends, water exercise
Walkin' after Seven
I went to physical therapy this morning, then taught this afternoon.
I had dinner, took a nap, and met up with Karina and Maureen for a walk to the far side of Shadyside and back to Maureen's car for a ride home. There was an opportunity to stimulate the economy, which I took.
Labels: exercise, friends, shopping, sleep, walking, water exercise
End of the First Week at Work, Fall 2009
This Wednesday I had an early morning physical therapy appointment, and a late Pastoral Council meeting. Carmella brought pizzas and homemade cake. Prayers were prepared and said by myself and Matt.
Thursday was my first office hours set. I had a student discuss the next lab assignment. Maureen picked me up and we met up with Nancy for the pre-season concert of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Lawrence Loh conducted, Ellen Chen-Livingson was solo violin on the Brahms piece (she was great with child), and Larry Richert of radio fame was the host.
They performed:
"Hoe-Down" from Rodeo (A. Copland)
Selection (II. Allegretto) from the Symphony No.5 in D minor, Op. 47 (Shostakovich)
Eljen a Magyar!, Op. 332 (J. Strauss, Jr.)
the (II.) Adagio from the Concerto in D Major for Violin and Orchestra (J. Brahms)
the (IV.) Presto from the Symphony No. 30 in D Major, K. 1866 [202] (W.A. Mozart)
Mars from The Planets (G. Holst)
Intermission brought the PSO President, Lawrence Tamburri, to our row...we had 2 subscriptions from our little group alone!
The second half of the evening brought:
The opening theme from Also Sprach Zarathustra (R. Strauss)
Part I of theh Concerto for Orchestra, "Zoroastrian Riddles" ( R. Danielpour)
III. Scherzo: Allegro vivace from the Symphony No 3 in E-Flat Major, Op. 5, "Eroica" (L. van Beethoven)
I. Bedachtig, night eilen from the Symphony No 4 in G Major (G. Mahler)
An American in Paris (G. Gershwin)
IV. Allegro Giocoso from the Symphony No. 5 in B-flat Major, Op. 100 (S. Prokofiev)
We enjoyed chatting afterwards (even though we hadn't a chance at chatting with Manfred Honeck in the Garden after the concert).
Friday I lectored at one of the early Masses. Fr. Breier celebrated the Mass, John was the altar server, and Ken provided the music ministry. It was the first Mass during which I walked out with the others on the altar (since before my operation). Ken and I spoke about the Advent/Christmas CD for the choir before Mass. I also had a lab meeting at work, Jen and I discussed G-20 Summit scheduling, and Maureen, Karina, and I went to Penneys and Borders to shop; we found out our favorite Thai restaurant closes at ~10pm, and we ended up eating at Victor's restaurant for a late dinner/snack.
Labels: Choir, dining, exercise, Honeck, Mass, meeting, music, pastoral council, Pittsburgh, PSO, shopping, student, water exercise
New Wireless Mouse, New Eyeglasses, Smoothies and Tea
Today before physical therapy I picked up a wireless mouse. After physical therapy I found parking (!) and picked up my new eyeglasses from the optical shop. I checked my email, then met Fannie and Don for smoothies and tea at a pan-Asian restaurant.
This evening I'll go to Joan Lippincott's organ recital at St. Paul Cathedral.
Labels: computer, email, exercise, glass, ice cream, music, organ, St. Paul Cathedral, tea, water exercise
First Day Without a Cane
Yesterday, I went to physical therapy, grocery shopping, to the eye doctor's, shopping/grocery shopping, and out for roast chicken with bacon sandwiches, all without a cane! They all required short jaunts, but there was some uphill-ish walking (grocery shopping), as well as stairs (dinner). I am SO proud of myself!
Labels: BAD, exercise, surgery, water exercise
Parking Court, Physical Therapy, Audrey Hepburn movies
Monday I went to parking court, and to physical therapy, where I found out that C & K are engaged to be married!
Yesterday made plans for next week, etc. Also, Mom and I found a Turner Movie Classic: Summer Under the Stars Audrey Hepburn marathon. I watched the end half of Love in the Afternoon and much of Roman Holiday, which has great scenes at L'Escalier Espagne and at the "Mouth of Truth." I love the scene at the barge.
Will go to physical therapy this morning and to the eye doctor, too.
Labels: automobile, celebration, cinema tv, exercise, health, water exercise
Pizza and Back to the Future
Yesterday, I went in the morning to physical therapy. After lunch and an afternoon nap, I met up with Christina and Rachel for pizza and a movie---Back to the Future, which I haven't seen since it came out back in the 1980's.
We noted little things about the movie, such as a cameo appearance by Huey Lewis. It bothered us that the character of Doc kept pronouncing GW (gigawatt) differently. But all in all, a wonderful movie...we were joined by Kristen and Daniel and by PJ and Joey before the end of the movie.
Farewells to Rachel ensued, as she is departing Friday for points west.
Labels: cinema, dining, exercise, farewell, languages, science, water exercise
Laundry, Physical Therapy, Airline Miles Promotion
I awoke at ~6am today to do some laundry. After breakfast I went to physical therapy. I told Keelan that I was kind of sore in the socket from Monday's walking adventures. I still need to develop my muscles...
I completed my profile for the airline miles promotion, and played the online geography game. I also took a nice nap this afternoon.
Labels: BAD, exercise, games, laundry, pain, sleep, travel, water exercise
What I Can Do Now! IV
I can walk with a minimal wobble, for short distances.
I can go in the therapy pool without covering my incision.
I can carefully dance, O so gently, so gingerly.
Yay-Ah!
Labels: BAD, dance, surgery, walking, water exercise
Pool Exercises, Free Sandwiches, St. Anthony
After donning an OpSite (TM) sticker on my small but pernicious? tiny scab, I did pool exercises (after my land exercises) for the first time before my second total hip replacement:
walking (10 minutes)
side stepping (5 minutes)
~ronde de jambes en l'air: i.e., "front, side, back" 20 reps/side
and, finally,
"Stretch that neck" by submersing in the water, putting my arm behind my back, and stretching my neck in the opposite direction. This is to counteract effects of using a cane on my shoulder.
I picked up Karina, and we bought sodas to get free bacon, cheddar, and roast beef Wednesday specials. We sat at the library, read women's and travel magazines, picked out books and ran into Jim B., my former boss, on the way to the car.
Went home to look for some misplaced/lost items (noticed this morning). Boy, oh boy, time to pray to Ss. Anthony and Jude for lost items. Found the documents I need to replace the lost documents, but it sure would be nice to find my lost items.
~~~~~~~~
Dinner was at William's family's home. I took photos of the children before they ate their dinner, but while they were seated in their high chairs. We had capelli d'angelo with sauce, chicken, fish, mixed veggies, milk, and raspberry-banana cake. Beatrice kept asking to be carried upstairs by me.."Not yet, Beata. Not today. Later."
Labels: BAD, career, Carnegie, dine, dining, exercise, friends, health, library, niece and nephew, pain, prayer, water exercise
Physical Therapy, Continued
Yeah! I can do more repetitions of my exercises at physical therapy (which are complementary to the exercises that were given to me for home work). I can't yet go into the pool for water exercises.
Labels: exercise, water exercise
Sunday in the Park with Beata, Solomon, and Will
Had brunch with William, his family, and his in-laws at the sushi buffet on McKnight Road: William, Marissa, Beata, Solomon, Les and Chere, Grampy Bill, Susan, and Will. We enjoyed a leisurely brunch.
After, we headed to the North Side water spray park. We had a lot of fun; the children even swayed on the swings. All was well until Beata headed to the "water activator" and slipped. Marissa and Solomon are with her now whilst she gets checked out. I dropped William off at home, as he has an event at Schenley Park. We noted a large truck disregarding the clearance of an underpass on the way home.
Labels: excited, family-Marissa, moving, Pittsburgh, traction, travel, walking, water, water exercise
Surgeon's Post-operative Appointment
This morning I have my surgeon's post-operative appointment. I am looking forward to it. I hope to find out all kinds of things, such as when I can stop using certain medicines/medical devices and when I can start to do such things such as outpatient physical therapy, pool therapy, drive, do laundry/work the dishwasher (waow!), and dance.
~~~
19.00
My post-operative appointment was with the physician's assistant, Greg S. After a short round of X rays, he removed all of my Steri-strips (which were hanging on), taught me a "Jane Fonda" exercise after having me demonstrate it. It is truly difficult, but necessary if I don't want to walk with a wobble. We looked at the X ray films, and I discussed them. I now have two screws holding in my acetabular cup on the left, which is 2 units smaller than my right socket.
And I asked my questions:
I mentioned the various types of pain I have (probably attributable to healing and the changes in my legs/hips due to surgery).
When can I be fully weight bearing? (now, starting with a single crutch or cane, and gradually progressing to no accessories).
Blood thinner injections in my soft underbelly? (no more).
Fashion statement hose/ old lady hose (no more).
Stated my lack of any pain medication since Monday morning, my problems getting to sleep, and, should I need pain medication, if I could take the Extra Strength/Arthritis Tylenol.
Outpatient physical therapy? (Yes, Greg would write me a Rx for 3x/week for four weeks.)
Pool therapy? (As long as there is no broken skin, scabs, or blood, I'm fine. BUT NO HOT TUBS).
Driving an automobile? (Yes. And NO OTHER movement limitations.)
Dancing? (When tolerated.)
Omega-3 fatty acids, which I had dropped ten days before surgery? (Go ahead and take them).
I was instructed to get a set of X rays every two years or so, so as to prevent foreign body expulsion of polyethelene cup liner degraded pieces.
~~~~~
This morning, I contacted my outpatient physical therapist, who quickly booked me an appointment for tomorrow.
Labels: BAD, dance, dreams, exercise, health, list, pain, patient, surgery, walking, water exercise
One of the Rules: "No Chubby Checker"
When I was doing inpatient physical therapy right after surgery this year, I went to a satellite unit (really, a room with tools, toys, and contraptions in another wing of the floor I was staying). The first day there I was quizzed about "The Rules" for hip replacement patients. I rattled them off, without getting rattled:
1./ No angles (less than) 90 degrees whilst seated (angle of femur to hip/lumbar region)
2./ No crossing the midline with your leg
3./ No "Chubby Checker" = No Twisting of the leg!
I reminded Stan, the physical therapist asking me the question, that he had taught me the third rule himself last year. He turned to the younger, "newbie" physical therapist, explaining that I was a "repeater" who he could tell had learned the rules from him.
~~~~~
I'm really looking forward to physical therapy, to get back to higher levels of activity. I told my outpatient physical therapist, K., that I'll see him post-surgery, this time with the "clock" (for hip extention/flexion exercises), my funny term for the machine which caused problems (so!) last summer, due to weight bearing on my then-unoperated hip. Also, I'm looking forward to the water exercises too.
Labels: BAD, exercise, pain, surgery, water exercise
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
Luce visits last week
Last week Luce visited from LA, NM. She arrived on Thursday afternoon during rush hour.
Before she arrived, on Monday and Wednesday I had physical therapy early in the day, and on Wednesday at noon I joined a meeting at Shiloh for the University of the Philippines Madrigal Singers. It was a planning meeting for the marketing and publicity. Also, there was a meeting Thursday morning at the Pittsburgh Foundation about the new website, Pittsburgh Gives.
Luce's plane arrived about two hours late, so we stopped at the Pan Asian restaurant for dinner for her, and went directly (with suitcase in tow) to choir practice.
Friday morning we walked about 800m to Pamela's (whew!) for breakfasts of a waffle with whipped cream for me and an egg and corned beef hash and potatoes breakfast for her. We stopped at the 24/7 computer lab, dropped off materials at the Carnegie Library, stopped into Heinz Chapel, and visited half of the nationality rooms (south & 1/2 of west aspect) on one floor of the Cathedral of Learning. We had lunch with Marissa, William, and their children at the Thai restaurant in Bloomfield. The afternoon brought a siesta, a walk to a mailbox for one of my clearances, etc. then we had appetizer and smoothies at the Pan Asian restaurant on Craig Street. We drove up to Mount Washington, took the Easternmost Incline to Station Square, where we went shopping, went home, and had snacks at home.
Saturday Luce awoke to climb to the uppermost public floor of the Cathedral of Learning. We then went to Penn Avenue of the Strip District, where we had a late breakfast at Delucca's...I had the caramel apple crepe (YUM). We had a siesta from noon-two, went to the bead shop and the Pan Asian restaurant (for her fave drink) and to the craft & Irish store. I went home and to Mom & Dad's, she to the New Balance store. At about 5:15 we headed to Squirrel Hill to check out the shops. We dined with William, Marissa, Beatrice, and Solomon at the Filipino restaurant. I selected the Filipino sampler, which was as Mom described.
Sunday Luce was a guest with us during Mass. Mom, Dad, and I took her to Eat N Park at the Waterfront for a late brunch. We stopped at Marshall's, TJ Maxx, and headed home to either nap or work on medical history paperwork for a future doctor's appointment.
Monday morning we took the early bus at seven to get to the airport. We did some last minute shopping (to spend her dollars--!) and she blew me a kiss from security (TSA).
Labels: exercise, friends, visitor, water exercise
