Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Short Turn Around

There's a term in film and TV production for when you work the crew late and bring them in early the next day: Short Turn Around. Usually there's a penalty involved.

I was on a short turn last night. By the time I got to bed it was 2:00 AM. I had to be at the conference by 8:00 AM. I put in for a wake up call at 6:30 which turned out to be moot because I was woken up at 5:30 AM by a friend who didn't know I wasn't in New York.

I'm beat/whooped/kick-ass tired. I'm going to sleep now.
Don't think I'll have any problems nodding off.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Long Day

I finally got into LAX and am now on the Hertz bus then I'll be off to the hotel. Need to be up and to the Skirball Center by 8 AM tomorrow. Doesn't allow for much sleep. Or time to do PT homework.

I was limping a little when I got off the plane but that pretty much went away by the time I got moving.

Monday, April 28, 2008

Colleagues/Friends

The last 3 hours of my wait have been pleasant. Had dinner (and several beers) with two colleagues who are similarly stranded. We're all going to LA but not on the same flight.

Also, upgrade request is looking promising.

I have been at the airport for more than 9 hours now.

4 Hours to Go

Took a nap...

Blaaaaaaaah!

The Waiting Game

I'm SUPPOSED to fly out to LA today. For some reason I was booked on a 2:45 PM flight - I must have still been under the influence of the pain or too much Tylenol if I chose that time. Anyway, I made the best of the late departure time by going to PT in the AM and then showing up a little on the early side for my flight. There's bad weather here in NYC (rain) and although the radio talked about flight delays, when I arrived at JFK, mine was listed as being on time. Cool.

Then I get an email notification - flight delayed until 7 PM. Then I get another - delayed until 8. Then 8:30. Now 9:00. They've told me the aircraft that's supposed to carry us out there has departed LAX. We just have to wait for it to arrive and be turned around.

This is waaaaaaaay to much time to be hanging out here, but the thought of sitting in a car for an hour+ to get back into the city appeals to me less.

I've already visited both admiral's clubs, gotten myself a manicure, and drunk a beer. I can't go home and start this game again tomorrow because I need to be in LA by 7:30 AM tomorrow. Ugh!

Thank you Beth for the suggestion re CVS for a collapsing cane - I will be sure to check it out.

Sunday, April 27, 2008

What's in a Name?

I've got a site meter on my blog. I put it there at my mother's suggestion and out of my own curiosity. I find it interesting to check it out from time to time to see who's hitting The Year of the Hip. It shows the location of each visitor and if they found the site through a search engine, what the key search words were. All well and good. A lot of my hits come up as the result of people looking for more information on hip dysplasia, Dr. Buly, or other related subjects. Some are coming here through the links of my hip sisters. All cool.

Some are random Google miss-hits and near misses: platinum ring sets off metal detector, father-in-law, pain and Canadian crutches, etc.

Some are just plain icky searches. Unfortunately, some of my blog entry titles have made my site the pop up where I would just assume they not. "Metal Naked and/or Blubber Girl" was a real winner evidently. I've had hits from Bratislava in Slovakia, Diyarbakir in Turkey and Accra in Ghana to name a few. Clearly a journal of one woman's experience hip dysplasia isn't what they're looking for.

eeeeeeeewe!

On a positive note, I haven't used my cane since I left it in the car Friday night. I also haven't had any Tylenol this weekend. All good progress, but here's my dilemma: I'm headed back out to LA tomorrow - do I schlep the cane out there with me and leave it in the rental car or just make a go of it without it? I've done well this weekend without it, but can I make it through the next four days? I can always buy another one out there I suppose. Too bad they don't make canes that collapse down small enough to fit into my wheelie suitcase.

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Cardio Problem Solved

Today I went to the gym and did one of the two activities Adam OK'ed for me to get some much longed for cardio: I used a speed bag.

I've got so say, I REALLY LIKED IT. It also blows the doors off of the lame-ass UBE/hand bike. I had one of the trainers get me started and then he left me on my own. 45 minutes later I made myself stop because my technique was getting a little sloppy. Mind you, my technique needs a whole lot of work, but it wasn't nearly as hard as I thought it would be. Since I still have a fair amount of my crutch muscles left, my arms didn't get too tired. While I didn't get my heart rate up into the panting/sweating/outta breath zone, it was definitely up. The speed bag is also a fine way of blowing off a little tension. Mentally I feel so much better.

This guy is pretty cheesy, but watching this clip before I went to the gym gave me a little bit of a clue as to what I should be doing: http://youtube.com/watch?v=oCGZ6smWppI

Friday, April 25, 2008

Ix-nay On The Ayaking-kay

So, at personal training this morning I excitedly told Adam about my great plans to go Kayaking For Cardio this weekend. He didn't share my enthusiasm - too much compression of the hip flexors evidently.

Maybe I'll drink 17 cups of coffee tomorrow morning. That would get the heart rate up.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

High Stepping

For about two weeks before I was given the green light to graduate from my crutches to a cane, I had dreams that I was walking unassisted. Now after three weeks (today is my Nineweekanniversary) of using the cane, I find myself leaving it behind - upon leaving the house in the morning, leaving the office at the end of the day, at restaurants. I have to make a conscious effort to remember it or else I'm likely to leave it behind. I think I'm ready to 86 it.

Today I wore my heels around the office. Once my body (and feet) got over the initial shock, it was fine. I even went out for lunch with a friend wearing them. They slow me down a bit more than my chefs' clogs but they're good for my psyche.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

The Blues

I've been having a rough couple of days - I feel kinda blue/blah/PMessy. I think part of it is being off of the pill (clotting risk post surgery) but it's mostly the lack of exercise.

I know, I know I'm a cry-baby broken record on this topic: whaa, whaa, whaa! While riding into work this AM it occurred to me that I could go kayaking for cardio. So now I've got my fingers and toes crossed that the weather holds out this weekend. I'm also hoping that the kayaking place up the river is still in business.

In getting my head game together for my surgery and recovery, this aspect of it never crossed my mind. I just never thought I'd feel this way about working out. I've never been particularly regimented about going to the gym (I'm kidding myself here, that's a gross understatement) but commuting in and out of Manhattan means lots and lots of fast walking, and stairs, and dashing through intersections to make lights. Exercise happens without even trying. To my credit, I did do Pilates and T'ai Chi on a regular basis. I also walked the pooch every morning and ran her in two agility classes every week; I putzed around the garden, and ran up and down the stairs at home every time my little A.D.D. brain decided I needed something from whatever level I wasn't on.

I am walking from GCT to Times Square and back every day, which is maybe a little over a mile in total. I also try to get out of the building every day to walk and get my lunch from a local deli. The big diff now is that I have to use my "regal walk," as Adam calls it: The queen isn't in a rush, heavens no, she won't ever move fast enough to perspire.

Another thing that's got me down is that today would have been my former assistant's 27th birthday. Tragically, he died in a car crash during Christmas break a little over 3 years ago. I still miss him. He was one of my best and filled with potential.

I'm getting a massage tomorrow morning, which is always good for the spirits. I've also refilled my Yaz and will start those back up the nanosecond I can.

Tuesday

I was still sore from yesterday's PT for most of today. I also spent way too much time sitting and climbed way too many stairs so I'm pretty stiff now.

I went back to the chiro for the first time in about 6 months. Got some good upper back cracks. I also didn't owe one bloody cent for my visit now that I've totally maxed out my out of network cap. Of course, they're still trying to tag me for more than double my cap. Rat bastards!

This evening Doug and I went to a screening of a doc titled "Very Young Girls," directed by my friend and colleague, Nina Alvarez. It's about girls in prostitution who are under age in the United States. Sad but true fact, the average age that most girls start is 13. I believe that most of us here think of child prostitution as something that mostly happens overseas, like in Asia. Sadly it's happening right here in our own backyards.

I recommend the film if it happens to come to your local film fest. I believe it will be airing on Showtime at some point too. Worth a watch.

Lastly, but not least, best of luck to you Cass!!! I'll be thinking of you tomorrow. See you on the other side!

Monday, April 21, 2008

Whooped

This morning at PT Adam had me add some new exercises to my routine, but still no cardio. It's starting to wear on me. He's told me he hasn't forgotten about my ambitions, but isn't ready to cut me loose. So instead he worked me hard and then told me to avoid stairs for the rest of the day. As if...

I was pretty sore all day today. I've depleted my and every one of my employees' supplies of Tylenol and Advil, so I went without and limped though the day. But still on a mission, I decided to head to the gym tonight after buying a 250 count bottle of Tylenol. I spent 20 minutes on the one and only piece of equipment I'm allowed to use: the hand bike. (I know it has a real name but it's escaping me.) So, 20 minutes later I had effectively hand-biked a third of a mile and burned 19 calories. I wish I were joking - NINETEEN. Gee, I think I'll have an extra carrot stick tonight... The worst part is that I didn't even break a sweat. So much for cardio on that thing.

I must have done something right though, because I passed out on the sofa while watching TV. Maybe the hand bike isn't all that bad?

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Just Get Over Yourself Cowgirl!

Looking for an alternative to my cowboy boots, today was probably the most depressing shoe shopping trip I've had EVER...

Everything is either too high, too flat, or just too damn frumpy. I found a pair of Stewart Weitzman wedges that would have worked with my suits that I could have actually stomached. They were even on sale. Of course, "on sale" is code for: they're complete sold out of my size system-wide. Of course they are. At least the woman was nice to me. In every other store I went into I probably could have taped a platinum American Express card to my forehead and they still wouldn't have helped me. No one wants to wait on Cane Girl with the sour look on her face. Admittedly, my mood went downhill pretty quickly.

So that leaves me back again with my cowboy boots. I did remember today that I have a pair of chefs' clogs in my desk - I'll have to dust them off tomorrow and give them a shot. But I'm still without anything I can wear with my dressier pants. I think my only option is to wear the clogs back and forth to work and then slip into something less comfortable once I get there.

You'd think skirts would be a good option, and I'm all for them in the wintertime when I've got the security of black tights and boots to cover things up. But I'm as pale as the dead, so skirts in the spring/summertime are always dicey with me. I end up worrying about whether or not my self-tanner is blotchy or has started to molt, which doesn't do a whole lot for my self confidence in what I'm wearing. Makes me kinda miss the days of using a tanning bed without all the guilt.

I realize that this is just a whole lotta whining about shoes. It just depressed the hell out of me today. When we went for our pack walk tonight I had my moment of just being tired of all of this: the gimp sticks, the PT exercises, of not being able to wear my suits and my shoes...

I need to keep things in perspective:

  • I don't have the pain that I had before my surgery.
  • I live in a country and an area where I have access to some of the best doctors and hospitals in the world.
  • I have insurance - even though they are trying to screw me.
  • It's just shoes
Buck up Cowgirl and get over it!

Saturday, April 19, 2008

My Hip Father-In-Law

Doug and I drove up to Cape Cod today to see my father-in-law. He's doing worlds better then when I saw him last, just after his surgery. He's still in rehab and next week will likely get moved to another facility for patients who require a little less supervision. All and all he's doing well. He asked me a bunch of questions about my hip, my recovery and PT. We now have a common bond beyond his son.

I haven't used my cane all day and was walking really quite well up until late afternoon when the limp switched on again. By the time we took my mother-in-law out for dinner the pain had spiked up to about a 6. Thank G-d for Advil and pinot noir.

Now we're making the long trip home. I wish we could somehow teleport ourselves back to New York and be spared the seemingly endless and painful drive that is highlighted by 112 miles on I-95 that spans the length of the state of Connecticut.

At least the Yankees are on the radio.

Friday, April 18, 2008

Moving Forward

PT went pretty well this morning. I told Adam how much I've been walking without the cane and he didn't seem pissed - probably because I've been good about doing my homework. I'm about ready to ditch it altogether.

I'm also making progress on the Cigna front. Lucky for me, my sister is an attorney with experience in this type of thing. It really looks as though I shouldn't owe a dime beyond the $4,000 I was told I would. If I have my left hip done later this year they should cover it entirely. Of course, we'll see where the pieces fall, but she said that in disputes such as these the patient and not the insurance company usually prevails. I hope she's right. I feel like I'm pretty motivated already to get the other hip done and over with already. Not spending an additional $4K is even greater incentive.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Spring Time in New York

Today was a beautiful day in New York - the kind of day when you can feel that the air has softened; gone is the sharp edge of winter.

Unfortunately, I didn't leave the confines of the office between 9:30 AM and 7:00 PM. It was still warm and nice when I finally left and even now, just having gone for a "pack walk" (Doug, me and the dog) it was still very pleasant. This is truly my favorite time of year.

Since I've stopped wearing my workout pants to work, I'm in jeans. All of my suit pants are hemmed for 3.5" heels, which I'm not quite ready for. My jeans are all hemmed for heels as well, but my cowboy boots are both high and low enough to work. Right now, they're my only option. I love them, but I just can't wear them every day.

As much as it breaks my heart, I might just have to go shoe shopping this weekend. Bummer ;)

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

M.I.A.

I think yesterday was the first time I missed a blog entry since I've started this journey. Don't worry Mom, I'm still alive.

I've been walking more and more sans cane. I've also been really focusing on walking sans limp. I've also been good about doing my PT homework. I think it's all starting to pay off. I got through most of today without the cane, although I was limping again by the end. To make good, tonight I took a walk around the block with Doug and Paris using my gimp sticks and righted myself again.

Negotiations with Adam to be had on Friday....

Monday, April 14, 2008

Walking the Straight and Narrow

I went to personal training this morning. As tedious as the exercises are, they're really working. I've noticeably improved over the last couple of weeks - I'm becoming more flexible, limping less.

I still have a limp when I walk without my cane. But the weird thing is that if I walk without it with my arms directly out to the side (like the letter "t") I have almost no limp at all. To fit through hallways I have to modify to "cactus" arms and limp only slightly more. Arms back down: I'm limping. I have no idea why it works and even Adam was stumped by that one. I visualize myself walking normally - as hard as I try, I can't yet walk like a normal person.

So, today at the office I T-walked and cactus-walked around a bunch without my cane. Adam would be pissed, I know but I am sooooooo sick of it. For the first time in 8 weeks I wore jeans to work - i.e. something other than the black workout pants. I crave normalcy.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Insurance BS.3

Now the fun with Cigna really begins...

Before my surgery I called Cigna like an obsessed person. Did they get my predetermination paperwork yet? Had they approved it yet? Are we sure we're talking about the right hip? How much will I owe? $4,000, OK. OK, NOW TELL ME AGAIN THAT I WILL ONLY OWE $4,000, RIGHT????? They swore up and down, that's all I would owe.

Guess what? They're leaving me on the hook for more than $8,100. of the surgeon's fees. Of course they are. Insurance companies are in the business to make money, not pay to it out.

And so now the appeal process begins for me. Little do they know, I'm not going to roll over and/or give in. I've also kept copious notes and call reference numbers every time I contacted them. I am not going to be beaten by them.

My biggest fear is that they will screw me entirely when I try to have my left hip done later this year.

AAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGG!

Date Night Again

Doug and I went out tonight for the antithesis of last Saturday's pool hall: we went to one of mid-town's former speakeasies and present day champagne bars.

I wrote this whole big entry about only using one of the gimp sticks and about fitting into a smaller pair of jeans only to have the posting lost in cyber space. Guess that happens when you drink champagne.

Good times!

Friday, April 11, 2008

Coffee with Sarah

Today Sarah, of Paper or Dysplastic fame, and I met for coffee. It is she that I have to thank for leading me to Dr. Buly and for writing a blog that answered so many of my questions. Nearly a year ahead of me, she's having her hardware removed next week. It was her blog and the others that ultimately inspired me to write my own. At first I published mine out of a sense of duty - returning the favor to those who are walking this path behind me. I had no idea when I started what a positive outlet this would turn out to be.

It occurred to me while we were talking that had this been 15 years ago, I would have had to face this whole ordeal alone. Sure, I have the support of my husband and family, but sympathetic as they are, they haven't lived in Hipville. It's been the internet and the blogs of my HipChick Sisters who have made me feel that I am not alone, I am not a freak, and that I can do this. Thank you too Lauren, Sam, and Cass (just to name a few.) I think of us as an underground sorority of sorts - Alpha Phi Dysplasia.

Sarah and I are seemingly in the minority in Hipville, having had FO's and not PAO's. I've seen the CAT scans of my femur bones pointed in different directions; my hip sockets are small, but serviceable. I know that what I had was the right procedure for me. I'm grateful to know someone who not only had the same condition, but is also in my neighborhood.

Best of luck to you next week Sarah. You will be in my thoughts Thursday afternoon.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Metal Naked and/or Blubber Girl

This morning I got to LAX extra, extra early due to the on-going American Airlines MD-80 drama (thankfully, I'm on a 767-300) and the metal blade that is dutifully holding my femur bone together. I took care to dress as metal naked as possible today - my wedding band, bra, and dental fillings are the only metal on me. For whatever reason, LAX is on high security today with cops set up at the airport entrance for trunk checks of vehicles. I'm thinking that this is a perfect opportunity to truly test my metalness.

So then, I DON'T set off the metal detector and I'm actually a weensie bit let down. I almost feel as though I've earned my special TSA pat down what with all of the effort of my surgery. Now I'm wondering maybe it WAS the barrett that set it off on Tuesday and not the 10" of stainless steel lodged in my thigh. Or maybe it's the blubber on my thigh that's concealing my pin. I do recall being told that I would only set off the detectors about half of the time, but it makes me wonder.

Before my surgery I dropped about 5 pounds that needed to go and then during my 6 weeks on crutches lost about 3 more due to the cardio workout that crutching through NYC brought on. Now that I've been on a cane for 3 weeks those 3 pounds are back. I've got virtually no cardio in my life now that I'm walking at the pace of an 80 year old. Come to think of it, I know some 80-somethings (Ray) who probably walk a lot faster than me right now.

I've never been one to obsess about my weight. I'm not pencil thin by any means, but I am blessed with a high metabolism, slim parents, and healthy eating habits. Never in my life have I been this sedentary. I feel like a potato.

I have a personal training date with Adam bright and early tomorrow morning. He's told me twice now that he's not going to let me get on the stationary bike just yet. I may resort to begging. Either that or I'll have to dust off the crutches and take a couple of laps around the block just to get my heart rate up again.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Scouted

The scout is over and, traffic being what it is in LA, it was too late in the day to bother going into the office. So I'm back at the hotel dealing with emails on the b'berry despite the fact that I'm in a room with lousy reception. I've got time to burn at this point. I thought about going to Forever Hollywood, as it's something I've always thought would be cool to check out, but I've already done a lot of walking today and am pretty tired. Ditto on going to The Grove (although I have been there a zillion times.)

I'm glad I'm heading home on a day flight tomorrow and not the red eye tonight as originally planned. Now, what to do for the next 14 hours?

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Fun with Flying

Got to JFK this morning with plenty of time for my special wanding. I did set off the metal detector, but I'm also wearing a gianormous hair barrett that probably would have set it off anyway. On the return I will make sure that I am completely "metal naked" to see if it's the 10" blade plate that sets off the machine. The TSA didn't give a rat's ass about the special ID card. As I suspected, my platinum status on the airline got me further.

The drag is that the flight has been delayed by more than an hour and a half. Some silly little part in the landing gear that needs to be replaced. They futsed around for 20 minutes before deciding to scrap the whole idea and put us on a different aircraft. Baggage and catering transfer will take 45 minutes at least.

As impatient as I am by nature, I'm surprisingly good in these types of situations. Flying an average of 70K miles a year, I'd drive myself to drink if I let every flight delay get to me. There are a lot of people on this one who aren't taking it quite so well. It's just air travel people, deal with it.

Me, I'd just assume have landing gear that works.

Monday, April 7, 2008

Step it Up - or Not

Adam and I are back on speaking terms. He gave me 3 new exercises to add to my personal training regime. He also told me to cut back on the stairs. Anyone who's spent any time living in NYC knows how hard that is - subway elevators and escalators are often either out of commission or a full block or more away from the entrance/exit you need to use. I infinite respect for the permanently disabled people living here. It's a challenge everyday. I have the good fortune of knowning that I will walk unassisted once again. Hats off to those of you who won't. Good for you for not letting the city beat you.

I negotiated with Adam regarding the stairs and he let me trade my cross-town shuttle for a three long block walk. It cuts out 4 flights of stairs (RT) and leaves me feeling like I got the better end of the deal.

Big day tomorrow - flying out to LA. TSA, here I come.

Sunday, April 6, 2008

T-t-t-t-ake M-m-me Out T-t-t-t-o The B-b-b-all G-g-g-g-ame

Being a die hard baseball fan anywhere other than in a warm climate, is a challenge during the month of April.

We went to the Yankees game today and although it was only in the mid 40's, it was humid and felt bone-chillingly much, much colder. Having a 10" stainless steel blade plate embedded in my femur only makes it worse. Inexplicably, today I decided not to wear long underwear under my ubiquitous workout pants (OK, so what I failed to mention yesterday, is that the jeans I wore were probably my loosest, but hey, you gotta start somewhere...) It seemed warm enough when we got up, but did I really think I would be too warm??? Really??? I also forgot to bring my stadium blanket and rail pass with me. Good thing my head is attached. To make it through the game we ended up applying for Master Cards in order to get free fleece blankets, since the shops were all sold out. We'll only cancel the cards when they arrive - I was just desperate.

On this trip to the stadium I used my Canadians instead of the cane. I notice an improvement in my walking, for at least the short-term, every time I use them. Also important: people stay out of my way and give me the berth I need.

Tomorrow morning I'm back at PT. I hope Adam is feeling better.

Date Night

My big milestone today is that I finally got up the nerve to try on a pair of jeans and thankfully they fit!!! So, for the first time in almost 8 weeks I got to go out wearing something other than workout pants and shoes other than my Mephistos. Yay!

To celebrate Doug and I went out and played pool. I won two out of four games, but only by default. I did play better than I did on February 10th and I was also in less pain than I was then, but I'm still a pretty poor shot.

I used my Canadians (a.k.a. "gimp sticks") going in and out of the city - they really do make a big difference between walking like a normal person (albeit with Canadians) and walking with a cane and a limp. We got on the subway and there were no seats available so I leaned up against the door. An eastern European woman who had to be in her 80's saw me standing there and started bitching, in whatever her native language is, at the other passengers on the train. No translation required - she was pointing at me and then them. Finally she stood up and offered me her seat (which I declined) and someone else gave me theirs. I honestly would have been fine standing, but it is a lot easier to sit. Who knows, maybe common curteousy is tied to the economy.

Friday, April 4, 2008

B*tchy B*tch

I'm not a happy girl.

I got up at 6:00 this morning, despite the rain that blocked the sun which is the preferred way for my primitive brain to awaken versus the dreaded alarm clock. Skipped the shower, because I was going to PT after all, and headed into Manhattan dressed like a schlub - again, because I was going to PT. (You see where this is headed...)

I get all the way into f'ing Grand Central only to get a call that ooops! my PT guy, Adam has called in sick. Lovely. I have the joy and pleasure of finding myself at the office at the ungodly hour of 8 AM at a company where the norm is to work from 10 AM to 7 PM. Wahoo - I just love the fact that I've stumbled into an 11 hour Friday, unshowered and dressed for the gym.

I can't get a manicure because they don't open until 9:00. I can't go to Starbucks because I can't manage the cane and carry a purse and an umbrella AND a hot drink. I'm stiff and my back is killing me from the penguin walk. AAAARRRRRGGGG!

Upon reviewing my calendar for the day, I am reminded that a group of about 20 juniors from my alma mater will be here this afternoon to meet with me and two of my colleagues in the hopes of shaping their precious futures. "Hey kids, you too can grow up to be a crabby TV executive and limp into work looking like you just rolled off of the sofa after a day long marathon of True Life reruns." Yeeha.

I had best get my attitude in check by 1 PM... Have I mentioned that I'm not a morning person???

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Plain Old Thursday

There's just not a lot to say about today. In a lot of ways I feel like my old self.

What's different is that when I get up from sitting for any length of time (i.e. more than 15 minutes) I'm extremely stiff. I can walk it off pretty quickly, but it never ceases to amaze me how insanely stiff I am - I feel geriatric. It's odd because I'm moving more now than I have been for the last 7 weeks (it just occurred to me that today is my SevenWeekAversary) and yet I feel more stiff than I think I felt two weeks ago.

The right side of my butt started spasming tonight. I'm hoping this as a sign that it's decided it's time to start coming out of hibernation (I believe it's been hiding in my right thigh.) Right now if I stand sideways I look like before and after shots of someone with butt implants: viewed from the right = before, viewed from the left = after.

Have to be up early tomorrow for my personal training session. I, never the morning person, have found myself all booked up with 8 AM sessions for the rest of the month. I am thankful it's not the dead of winter. Without the sun to wake me up, I'd never make it.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

O Canada!

This morning I picked up my "Canadian crutches." After showing up at work for week with a cane, I just can't go into the office with these - people will think I've gone in hip surgery and come out with MS.

I will say, as much as it's been great to ditch the crutches, I'm constantly fighting the inclination to hunch over with the cane. I have all kinds of new aches and pains as a result of walking again plus upper back pain from stooping. Using the Canadians does make me walk upright.

So, I will use them at night and on weekends. I will definitely use them when we go to our next Yankees game on Sunday.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

The Yankees Win!

Tonight was a good one. The weather was unusually warm for early April and the Yankees beat the Blue Jays 3-2.

I am completely exhausted from climbing all of the many, many stairs going to and from the stadium. Too tired to write anything more.

Must sleep now.