Now I Know Nickel Allergy to my BHRs - On The Path To Healing

[Two4One]

Wednesday February 1, 2012

Tuesday
Sleep   Weeellll,* I really woke up at 3am, fell back asleep at 4:30,
           and THEN woke up at 6am.  Considering I went to sleep at 10p =  (- 1 1/2 Hours)
           + 8 hours = 6 1/2 Hours

Morning
Tea -    I'm enjoying a nice cup of 'Traditional Medicinals Weight Loss Tea**
6:40     with half a packet of 'Truvia' Stevia      

Breakfast
9am       Oatmeal, 1/2 c Blackberries, 1/2 c Raspberries, 1 TBSP Chopped Walnuts,
             and 1 cup of skim milk

Snack     A True Bar and a 1/2 cup of skim milk
10am

Lunch     1/4 c Black Beans, a Tandoori Flatbread & provolone quesadilla
Noon

Dinner    Lean Cuisine Sun Dried Pesto Chicken, Seaweed snack, and a
5:30       Huge Yogurt Granola raspberry & blackberry Parfait.
___________________________________________________________

6am      Woke Up, Showered, and Trekked the stairs twice because I am
            trying to be cognizant of my Ten lb carrying or moving limit.  As a
            lovely bonus to weaning off the Vicodin 1st, (I still have a couple
            of other items on the menu to go.), I've also noticed that my
            spelling is rapidly getting back to it's normal winner of the 3rd
            Grade Class Spelling Bee level.  Huzzah!

7:00am  Catching up on my correspondence.  Writing, surfing the 'net, preparing
10:30     eating breakfast, and since I started the Free Seven Day Trial of Weight
             Watchers Online, I've been playing with my new toy.  Recovery's not too
             shabby when you get to lay about and waste time, which is my all time
             favorite activity.  "Procrastinate Onward" is one of my several and ever
             changing mottos!

10:15     Recovery Pod Rest, and ate lunch.

12:40 -  Home PT
1:45pm
         Supine Ankle Pumps: 3 sets of 12 reps
         Supine Isometric Combination of Gluteal Squeezes & Quad squeezes:  3 sets of reps
         Supine Straight Leg Roll Outs (not in):  3 sets of 12 reps
         Supine Bent Knee Rolled Outs (like a 1/2 Butterfly):  3 sets of 12 reps
         Half Bridges Combined with Half Sit ups:  3 sets of 12 reps
         Heel Slides:  3 sets of 12 reps

         Sitting Knee Extensions:  3 sets of 12 reps
         Semi squats on chair stacked with three pillows:  3 set of 8-12 reps.
         Standing Heel Raise:  3 sets of 12 reps
         Hip Lateral Hip Abduction:  3 sets of 12 reps
         Standing Knee Flexion:  3 sets of 12 reps   
         Pull Downs (Transverse Abdominus):  3-4 sets of 15 reps

         Step-Down/Step -Ups (Glutes & Quads): 
         3 Sets of 10 times per set on Each Leg,
                        Rest 30 seconds.  Alternate to the other Leg.

         Standing Triceps Pull Downs:  3-4 sets of 10 Reps

2:15pm     Straighten Home and ready to drive down to the pool.

3pm -        Pool PT
6pm          I Drove down to the pool and back, spent about 10 minutes in the hot whirlpool,
                but I actually did Pool PT for 25 minutes:  walking forwards and backwards, walking
                side to side, and doing underwater squats.

6:30pm     Recovery Pod Rest







* 'Samantha Stevens'

[Two4One]

Thursday, February 2, 2012

       'Lucky old sun is in my sky today'!  Man, we are so lucky to have this chance.
        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8S227FFNwl8 'Thurday's Child' David Bowie

Wednesday
Sleep     Asleep at 9:30 and awake at 11am.  Back to sleep
             by 11:30pm after taking Ambien, until 6am this morning = 7 Hours

Morning
Tea
6:50      Weightloss Tea

Breakfast
7am       Yogurt Parfait:  1/2 cup plain organic yogurt, 1tsp sugar, 1/8 cup Homemade
              Granola (bought in bulk at a local cheap health foods store- stay away from
              "Whole Foods", unless money is no object!), 1 tsp Michigan Maple Syrup, 1/2
              cup Blackberries (or any berry mix of your choice)

Lunch     Panini:  1/2 a slice of WW Tandoori Flat Bread, Roast Turkey, Onion, 1/4
Noon      avocado, baby spinach leaves, /2 slice swiss cheese, plus a cup of steamed
             broccoli. Desert was a 1/2 Yogurt Parfait, which is a far more reasonable
             portion size!

After        Weightloss Tea
Noon   
      
Dinner   
6pm       Tandoori WW Flat bread Homemade Pizza: I'd definitely use white
              variety next time, and I topped it with Sun dried tomatoes packed
              in oil and the oil pre drained off.  I caramelized onions and roasted
              sweet red bell pepper in my wok for more yummy toppings, and
              finished with mozzarella and tomato basil herbed crumbled feta
              cheese.  Then, I stuck it under the broiler for about 10 minutes or
              so until cheeses are melted and the ingredients are warmed through.
              A big cup of steamed broccoli, a small Yogurt Parfait, and a quite
              bracing Vodka/Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice Cocktail completed our meal.
________________________________________________________________

6am -
6:45      Woke up, groomed, dressed, and Trekked Downstairs, and I'm wondering
             what this Thursday will bring me?

8am -
9:30      Out Patient PT: approximately 20 minutes each of leg presses, walking side to
             side with a bungee apparatus, and Step Ups/Step Downs with a 6" high Box,
             alternating legs

10am    Went Grocery Shopping and then to the library.

11:40    Arrived Home and prepared Lunch.

1:30 -   Recovery Pod Rest and took a little napl
3:30

5pm -    Started preparing dinner.

7:50      Home PT -10 minutes Yoga Portion
8pm -    Supine Isometric Abdominal Squeezes 1 set of 10 for Warm Up
8:50      Supine Half Butterflies - Hip abduction/adduction with Knee Flexion
                                                L leg lying straight and R Knee bent,
                                                Gently lower R knee to side and return.
                                                Alternate with opposite leg.
                                                Do 2 sets of 12 - 15 reps each side.
             Bridges 2 sets 10 reps -Tighten Glutes, the Abdominals
                                                Take 5 seconds to lift to half bridge
                                                Hold for 5 seconds
                                                Slo wly lower for 5 seconds
           
           
             Added 1.7 lb Ankle Weight Cuffs:
             Resisted Knee Extensions
             Standing Knee Flexions 2 sets of 10 reps
             Hip Lateral Abduction/Adduction to Midline

             Unassisted Squats - No More Chair! 2 sets of 8 - 10 reps
             Standing One Legged Heel Raise 2 sets of 12 reps
             Step Downs/Step Ups 2 sets of 10, Rest 60 seconds, Alternate legs.
             Standing Pull Downs (For Transverse Abdominus) 3 sets of 15 reps
             Standing Tricep Pull downs 3 sets of 15 reps

10:30    Went upstairs after catnapping a few minutes here and a few minutes there.



             
                 

[hernanu]

All sounds good 'One - Good description of home PT and glad that you're doing the pool PT. Touching all the elements there.

[Luanna]

How did you like working out in the pool? I'm anxious to get back to it. Love the feeling of being in the water where gravity can't hold me back.

Luanna

[Two4One]

Thanks for the encouragement, nanu!

Luanna, I am loving the pool!  I cried a little the first time back into the pool because I'd never been able to take even one step in the pool for 2 1/2 years pre op, so it was emotional and deeply satisying. 

Pool PT Kristi, with an "i", don't ya know, tells me on my first pool visit this past Monday that it's fine to start doing water yoga.  I told her I'd take a pass and get clearance from my surgeon, Dr. Schmitt, on April 4th. 

I really love the HOT whirlpool with the HOT sauna following my dip in the pool.  I look forward to reading of your water adventures!

2fer               

[Two4One]

It's two in the morning, and I can't sleep.  Is there something wrong with me?

You'd think that after all this time sleep would become more an more normalized.  Instead, I'm tantalized by a night here and a night there of slumber, but the over all percentages of being able to go under at night are too damn low.  Maybe I should see a therapist about sleep?

I'm not in pain at night, so that's not it.  Well, at least it's not significant enough pain to keep me pie eyed and unable to drift off or even feel tired.  I don't know what's going on.  I fell asleep, like I do most nights 9:30is to 10:30ish and then wake up an hour and a half later, and then I may as well 'kcall it a night', NOT.  I'm not drinking my one cup of coffee, and I'm reducing my one daily cocktail to more of a 2 a week indulgence.  I'm trying to start eating more cleanly again, and I'm exercising as much as I possibly can in the hopes it will help. 

[Two4One]

Friday, February 3, 2012

        I had a major scare this morning.  It all started with Hubs.  Doesn't it always?
        At any rate, I lay the blame for my mishap squarely at his feet.  I'm in the kitchen
        making tea, the way I've done every time I've ever made tea in my entire life, I
        might add!   I start by putting in the microwave a cup of water, place the saucer
        over the tea cup to keep the water from evaporating, and nuke on 'High'.

        Hubs says, "No, that's not the way you're supposed to do that!"  What?  Doesn't
        he have anything better to do, like make his own funking lunch salad for work?
        I guess you guys have the picture by now that my Hubs is in international IT for
        Big World Company, and thinks all I need are improved procedures in mostly
        every task I have the bad luck to perform in front of 'Mr. All Knowingness
        I Have An Opinion About Everything You Say or Do', and here's a hint,
        it doesn't ever seem to be a rousing endorsement of yours truly.  Needless to say, I
        heartily and vociferously disagree with his never ending 'helpful suggestions', so we
        squabble and bicker practically every single day.  Geez, I'm getting away from the story
        of my mishap.

        Anyway, back at the ranch, Hubs says you're not supposed to heat the microwave safe
        cup with the, again microwave safe, matching saucer on top of it. I tell him why, because
        I'm nice like that, even though it's none of Hub's funking business.  He says, "Well, you're
        just not using enough/too much water!"  I don't know which way he said it exactly, because
        by this time, I'm trying real hard to tune him out.

        So, to keep the fragile morning peace, I take the high road and put the cup of water in
        the microwave, sans saucer.  Sure enough, the water did boil off by at least a third.
        No matter, but inside I am feeling a little out of sorts now though.  I take my tea to
        my wheeled table/tray and sip in the living room, out of the hot spot of our kitchen
        zone where Hubs is still rattling about in a bid to get out the door for work by 6:30am,
       (his regular departure time).

        When it seems safe to come back into the kitchen and start my breakfast.  As I'm
        rising from my chair, I stumble over a dog toy with my right foot.  I start to go down,
        it felt like my hips were flashing before my eyes in slow motion, and I had less than a
        second to strategize my fall to do the least amount of damage and to save myself
        from the hard crash of one of my hips to the ground.  I swear it was like out of
        "The Matrix", and 'One better get her ass in gear fast!

        My right foot gets caught in my chair, which was a lucky break, because the chair
        dragged and rotated by 75 degrees and slowed my fall.  With my left hand, I grabbed
        the rotating L chair arm, and my body continued it's free fallin'* nose dive to the floor.
        I then ricocheted into the dog kennel, further breaking my fall, grabbed the wire kennel
        door with my right hand, and I was able to almost softly complete my fall to the floor
        with my hips squared, both arms bracing my hips from impact.  I lay there stunned
        and scared out of my head for a few moments, realizing how badly that fall could have
        gone!

        None of this would have ever happened, no close call, no fall, had it not been for Hubs
        interrupting my morning tea flow. ;)  Hubs said something like, "Yeah, Right.  A butter-
        fly's wings flapping causes a catastrophe half way across the world!"  I say, "Exactly!"


        *http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gqT6En2O78 - 'Free Fallin' Tom Petty 1989

Thursday
Sleep     Fell Asleep by  and 2am or thereabouts, and for sleep to happen at all, I had
             to take an Ambien 10mg.  After hearing my own cries of pain, I awakened at
             at 5:45am.  1 Hour (sorta catnapped late last evening) + (Asleep at 2am ish
             until waking at 5:45am = 5 Hours of Ambien assisted sleep.  Gah! :-\
             
Morning
Tea
6:50      Weightloss Tea

Breakfast
7am      Basic Slimmer Oatmeal:  Boil 1/2 cup water, and add 1/3 c organic unprocessed,
            long cooking oats.   Turn down flame/heat to a low simmer and cook until desired
            consistency, anywhere from 5 minutes to 10 minutes.  Meanwhile, finely chop both
            1 TBSP walnuts and half a medium banana, (2 oz, give or take).  Scrape cooked
            Oats into your bowl, add a dash of cinnamon, and stir in.  Next, add walnuts and
            banana.  Of course, I always like to wash it down with a cup of refreshingly ice
            cold Skim Milk, (I always add an ice cube or two to my Skim Milk, a fact I keep on
            the down low because people look at you funny when you order a medium Skim
            Milk over ice at Starbucks!)
[/size]
_______________________________________________________________________________

[WTW15]

OH DAMN 2fer!  So Glad you are OK!!!!!!   I think that flashes before all of our eyes at some point.  Now just take the rest of the day easy - saving SuperWoman - and let the adrenaline cool down and just enjoy the peace that you are OK and continue on.  {{{HUGS}}} 

[Luanna]

Well 2fer glad you averted a major disaster. Take it easy and try to relax today. 

Have to tell you that I'm having a hard time not coming over there and slapping your hubs around a bit! Have you considered finding a new one? That nice man that walked you from the church to your car sounded pretty good!!  ;)

Luanna

[mslendzion]

Glad the fall was not serious. Take care.

[Two4One]

WTW, Thanks for the Hugs!  I really needed them today.  You're a gem.

[Two4One]

Lol, Luanna! 

I basically retreated up to my turret when Hubs came home from work.  I have no time or patience for any more drama.  He's the calm one, while I let the F bombs fly every other word because I'm so inflamed from his little innocently incendiary remarks.  I am busting my ass with two daily PT sessions that are often an hour and a half (not including the hour and a half of driving), going grocery shopping everyday, cleaning, and cooking meals for myself, and quite often Hubs as well, all while weaning off a 2 and a half year pain medication reliance, well let's just say I lose my temper hardcore along with my patience for his asinine insensitivity.  After asking him to run an errand tonight, filling 2 prescriptions of narcotics because my hips have nothing left after the pool and the junk I just listed above, and then I get static that I should plan better and take responsibility for myself!  Gawd, that man is impossible and actually expects me to function at full capacity and belittles me when I can't.

This is a ridiculously personal post, and the only reason I'm being so candid is because I wonder how many other hippy couples out there buckle under the strain of recovery?  Being in pain, being on hard narcotics, getting little to no sleep, and yet I am still being ridiculously happy that I can walk and love my life.  I love everything about this blessed 2nd chance I've fought hard for.

Hubs grilled salmon outdoors in the cold, roasted asparagus, and he brought me dinner in my room upstairs tonight.  He's handsome, charming, funny, kind, thoughtful, extremely intelligent, and Hubs has a mouth that needs to be sewn shut.  As I'm working will all my cylinders firing, I am struggling with letting go that I won't ever 'measure up', especially in my husband's eyes.  We are committed to each other and always seem to work things out, but I'm getting ugly and fighting dirty and would like to cut my part of it out.  I give him credit for trying to let the toxic sh-- pass and going right back to being sweet.  Is all this marital terrorism normal when the stress of your own or your partner's massive pain has finally been fixed and addressed? 

Thank you for any insight any of you hippies have to share, and would you mind telling me about your marriage set backs during your recoveries and what you did about it/them?  I don't want to stay snagged, and I need your/The Universe/The Lord/aandd any good wishes or sage advice, so please help, won't you?  l to dig deep and find the resources not to be so reactive.

Thank you,
One

[WTW15]

 :'(  I can't imagine how difficult it must be for you - both of you - all that you have been thru.  Having been on the other side of the pain meds issue - hubby has migraines and the doc just kept upping the narcotics till we found a new doc, then he had to go through detox and all, I knew my role was to be supportive, to push when needed and to keep my mouth shut on many occassions because he was "not" who he really IS due to all the stuff.  It's a difficult balance and when one's 'valve' is not always in check, and both are at their limits, things can be said or done which can be hurtful or detrimental.  I am passive - I try to put others first and know that any outbursts are not directed at me personally cuz the Love we have runs so much deeper than just words, but sometimes it's hard.  Yesterday was the 29th anniversary of our first date - yes - we celebrate that.  One "incredible" kiss on a chair lift at age 17 and it's been a wonderful ride ever since, for better and for worse.  Hang in there - I don't know what else to say.  True Love has it's ways of working things out and sometimes you just have to be the duck and let shit run off your back - and sometimes he has to be the duck.   Good Times are here - your hips are healing - there's so much to look forward to - talk it out - make a plan for the short term and long term.  The Universe IS looking out for you - you have the faith.  You've made it through the toughest times. 

[Aerial]

Sorry to read your recent posts about hubby issues.  Maybe you need a little weekend away, either a girls weekend or by yourself.  Sometimes a change of environment does wonders.  My husband and I are unusual I guess.  I often take "me time", usually a full week vacation by myself each year (to a quiet beach house in the Panhandle of Florida).  He often travels during the spring and summer on weekends with his cycling team.  I truly think some time away from each other does us good! Does you husband need some holistic work?  Get him into yoga!

PS- that flatbread pizza with sundried tomatoes you describe in a recent post sounds delicious!  :)

[Two4One]

WTW,

Thank you.  I cried when I read your post.  I do have faith, and more than that, I have the gift of determination.  When Hubs said to me three years into our 11 1/2 year marriage, on the cusp of our divorce being final in two business days, "I don't want to have only memories of you.  I want you."  I wasn't having it and asked why, and Hubs said "Because you are the most determined person I've ever known."  My grit, sand, determination, whatever you want to call it, makes me dig in my heels AND simultaneously kick the 'line in the sand' all over the place!

Bless your life,
'One
aka
2-4
aka
2fer

[Two4One]

Hey Schmitty Hippy, mslendzion,

Thank you.  I'm so glad we are in each others' corners.  You've been phenomenal, and I really appreciate you and your kindness.

'One
Blah, Blah, etc. :-*

[Two4One]

Hi Aerial,

The Universe knows I Do need some time away!  That is one excellent suggestion; I was planning on staying in my room and never coming out!  (That'll show him!)

Sorry to read your recent posts about hubby issues.  Maybe you need a little weekend away, either a girls weekend or by yourself. - Aerial

Aerial, your idea is a lot better.  If I can crash at Somebody Else's pad for even one night, that would help me regroup sooooooo much.  8)

Now, I have to pick the girl to see!  Probably, I'll call and ask my sis in law that sort of doesn't like me, BUT who is unfailingly polite, gracious, who sent notes, cards, flowers, both through my two and a half years of being chained to that hospital bed in my living room that still stands there, like a huge Vincent Price device of medieval torture, and although not calling or emailing me because we really aren't close, she still kept up her support even after my surgery.  She's done more than my friends and family combined. 

If sis in law allows me a short visit, it would be a very light and superficial one night stay because she'd be doing it out of her innate politeness, her sense of family duty, and out of her deep love for her brother.  (My beautiful, Grace Kelly look alike mom in law said once, a long time ago, "I can't take another Hub's divorce!" ;D)

B.O.A. had me in it's grasp, I did trips and weekends away all the time!  I'm an extrovert and love socializing, and he's an introvert who's enervated from being around a lot of people, especially at the same time.  (Part of his issue there is that Hubs exhausts himself monitoring me because "I never know what you're going to say!", yet his family and my friends all accept me with open and loving arms, just as I am.)  Oh, the irony, life is so freakin' weird.

I truly think some time away from each other does us good! Does you husband need some holistic work?  Get him into yoga! - Aerial

Yes, he does.  I've suggested it; Hub's somewhat receptive to the idea "because all the top traders do yoga", but I don't believe he's open to anything I have to say about him getting help because Hub's firmly entrenched in an unsound paradigm that I'm the source of any problems he has. 

Whew, that really sounds hard to keep up to me.  I mean it takes a lot of work to hold on to a construct, but I stepped back the day I fell in love with him and decided to not interfere with his journey or his detours that keep him from his best self.  I love him for who he is, for who he was then, for who he is now, and not for his 'potential'.  Again with the irony, because I'd like nothing better if Hub's would choose to weed his own garden instead of hoeing around in mine.

Thanks for the compliment on my ad hoc pizza!

Top of the Morning To You,
2-4/'One

[obxpelican]

Two4one,

What you have been going through is both tough emotionally and physically for the both of you.  What you are going through is not new, I've read about what you are going through over and over.  When one person is homebound it's really hard on both people.  It's going to change, believe me.

It's tough on everyone when one of you is not who they used to be, but keep thinking positive because you will be back to 100% before you know it, you might even be better off than what you were because now you will learn to really appreciate being able to do things that came so easily before your hip issues.

I have a better outlook on life now, now I am the one to suggest going to Hawaii, buying a boat and 3 jet skis and going out and enjoying life, before my surgery I was not of sound mind and certainly not of sound body.

Just the other day I took my daughter to a rifle range, as I was walking down to setup a target 100 yards down range I stopped and looked back and remembered that I always had my daughter or wife set the targets up for me, now she is the one sitting at the rifle bench.


Chuck

[lynne123]

Two4One,

Without posting all my sh*t I can tell you that I am experiencing a similar situation.  Although, it has been this way for years and not the stress of recovery. It is so much extra stress trying to recover and live on eggshells at the same time.  I feel for you! Keep focused on your recovery and your own goodness.  Time will tell you what to do.

[ScubaDuck]

Twofer-

I am really sorry to hear about the discord in your life.

I have found that when someone looks outside themselves for blame to their problems and credit for their joys and successes, they will always be disappointed.  They will always be searching for their happiness until they realize that these come from within.  They feel like they are at the mercy of outside forces to determine their state of mind.

I gathered from your writing you are a very strong and insightful person.  I recommend that you employ a judo philosophy.  Use the other persons strength and momentum against themselves for defense.  You must realize that it is not you they are attacking but rather exhibiting their frustration at what they feel is lack of control of their life.  Help them realize that it is not you that control their happiness nor sadness.

Peace be with you.  Thank you for sharing.

Dan