The Year in Review

I don't think that 2008 will go down as the most fun time I've ever had, but it certainly was a year of change, and I'm hoping that change is for the better as time goes on. My recap, in a nutshell:

1. 2008 saw the end of my knee function. It became so bad that by early spring I had already sworn off spinning class, walking for exercise, the elliptical trainer, and finally, long bike rides. My workout routine became an unending series of upper body weight workouts. As a result of the cardio deprivation, my heart health began to show signs of wear and tear.
2. As a result of the lack of exercise, my metabolism ground to a halt. I've had to struggle on a daily basis to just hold even.
   
3. In late March, Millard and I moved closer to our retirement dream by purchasing a 2004 Fleetwood Flair motorhome. Although circumstances prevented us from traveling as much as we wanted, we did manage to have some really good times in it, and plan to have even more good times this coming year.
4. Our son finished school and moved back to Michigan. It's good to have him closer.
5. Our daughter finally quit complaining about her crappy job and went back to school to train for her CNA certification so that she can start to accrue the health care experience she needs to apply to physician assistant programs. She also started back on science requirements, since she's been out of her undergrad for too long.
   
6. Following a long stretch of illness, my mom agreed to move into assisted living. My sister spent a huge part of her summer and early fall helping to facilitate this transition, and it's gone amazingly well.
7. I finally gave up on the toxic boss and found a better job. One with people who actually care about me and want to work with me.
   
8. After flunking out of obedience training, Stella has slowly learned to listen to some commands and chew things less than she had been. However, she is now obsessed with the rocks on one of the plants. This proves that Cesar Millan is correct when he says "You might not get the dog you want, but you always get the dog you need." I am working on becoming more patient.
9. And Dexter is still the dog from Heaven. He is 110 pounds of loving protector. We are blessed to have such a good friend.
10. My favorite cousins, Al & Rita, were finally able to adopt their foster kid, Patrick, who now gets to fit into this crazy family. It's so much fun to get to know him

Should I not check back in until January--happy new year to all. I'm looking forward to yet another wild ride in 2009.

On the Eve of Christmas

So, at 2 pm I am sending the staff home, and then I will head home to begin 11 days of vacation time. I have tons of household projects to do over the holidays, plus preparation for the long stretch off after surgery, but I'm ready to tackle it all.

I plan to hit the gym for a very limited, modified workout and also do some pool running or swimming over the holidays. I have physical therapy on Friday, then twice next week, then I'm done until I'm post-op. I plan to eat tons of vegetables, take my vitamins, drink plenty of water, and meditate every day. I have only 3 weeks of work left with lots to do and I know that time will pass quickly.

This morning Jess learned that her friend Aaron was involved in a serious accident on I-75 last night, near Saginaw, so she is headed north as I type this. If you are reading this post, please say a prayer that Aaron will be OK. He's a good guy; he was trying to hook up chains to his car, which had slid off the road, when another vehicle slammed into him.

A safe and peaceful Christmas to all.

Tuesday PT Report

Today we added leg presses and WALL SQUATS!!! I HATE WALL SQUATS!!!

Onward and upward.

Monday Update

Well, I spent the weekend taking it easy, and except for a nagging cough, I seem to be well on the mend from the past two weeks of flu, followed by a bacterial infection of my sinuses and lungs. I am sleeping better and my appetite is back.

I went to see my chiropractor on Saturday and got adjusted; I am scheduled to resume acupuncture later today. Tomorrow I'm back to PT, thank heavens! And my exercises this morning went well, no new sore spots. In fact, the act of lying around for the past two weeks seems to have made my muscles feel a lot better.

One issue that became very clear this past weekend is that I have absolutely no hamstring strength. While helping Millard bring a large package into the house, I found myself in the position of having to take a step up onto the porch, backwards, while holding on to this item. The item wasn't heavy, but I simply could not find those muscles. I couldn't make them move. Jess had to retrieve the package so that I could turn around and mount the step in a forward position.

Lots of work to do before next month! I'm looking forward to the holiday break (12/24-1/4) to have more time to maybe increase my efforts to twice a day, plus do some swimming.

An Off-Topic, Inapppropriate Political Rant

OK, so I agree with the majority of the people in this great country that the U. S. automakers have mismanaged their businesses. I agree that they failed to anticipate the need for more fuel efficient autos. But does this economy REALLY NEED a few million more working people on unemployment? If we can give hundred of billions to AIG, with no strings attached, and no visible benefit to any of the problems in this fragile economy, why are we are not stepping in to help keep people employed? Employed people pay taxes, which you need if you are going to keep handing your banker friends hundreds of millions with no strings attached.

If the people in this country really think that Michigan is that expendable, please sell us to Canada--we like Canadians, we know them well, and maybe the Detroit Lions would do better in the Canadian Football League. Then my taxes would go to a government that is at least supporting some of things I want and NOT fighting useless, purposeless wars while good working people lose their houses and go hungry. Canada, by the way, is propping up their auto industry, as are most of the countries in Europe and Japan.

Back on the Rails

So I went back to PT today, after about a week off. We focused on mostly on stretches and working me back into the strength exercises. One of the benefits of spending the last week in the recliner? My hip and back muscles are EXCELLENT, no tightness or pain at all. If only there wasn't that "walking" thing, I'd be fine.

Catching Up

OK, now I get it. The reason I felt so lousy last Tuesday was because I was coming down with the flu--it had nothing to do with my rehab progress. So, after almost a week of lying around sipping tea and coughing my fool head off, I'm heading to the doctor this afternoon for what looks to be a case of residual bronchitis. I've not been back to PT, or acupuncture, or anything else for the last week.

The good news--after 6 days of very limited activity, my knees, hip, and back feel pretty good.

Tuesday Update

Owwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. High pain day. It's cold and wet outside, freezing rain, so that might have something to do with it. I have to lead a senior staff meeting at 10, and then have a meeting with our computing core at 11, and then I might go home and curl up with dogs. PT was minimal today because I felt so bad.

PT Update, Thursday

Another good morning in PT. I've been using the ice packs this morning (sat through an entire interview with one on my knee) but no hard drugs . . . yet.

I see 2 people each time I go in: Kristin is my physiotherapist and does the actual manipulation, traction, and other hands-on therapy. Sarah is a PT tech (a student in training, I think) who works with me on strengthening exercises. Some of them require me to balance on a wobble board or ball while holding onto a Dynaband that Sarah is jerking or pulling. Anyway this team works great together and I'm in really great hands, I think. They are becoming like family, I see them so often.

Today Sarah and I were talking about her life, and I realized that she is engaged to one of our UM football players. She said that he has signed with an agent and will be training with the Cleveland Browns this year--which is sad, because it means he will go into the draft before he graduates. Michigan's team has been in the gutter all year and it's sad to lose what little existing talent we have.

And the Good Follows Bad

Yup, a good morning in PT. Still some problem spots in my iliopsoas, piriformis, QL's and IT band, but some slow and steady progress is becoming more and more apparent. Back to some of the upper body strengthening exercises and more ball work for balance and core strengthening. I arrived at work before 9, iced my back and IT band for 30 minutes, and now I'm prepping for meetings the rest of the day.

I have an acupuncture appointment later this afternoon, and nothing planned for after work. YAY!!!

Turkey Report

Well, Al, Rita and Patrick are safely back at home. By some miracle, I gained just 2 pounds and was able to keep up with my exercises all weekend. I was expecting much worse news when I hopped on the scale. I'm back on my eating plan, which includes no alcohol for the next two months. I'm trying to get my immune function as high as possible before surgery.

Today I got the clearance to start swimming again--so I am looking for a pool that has hours that will work with my hectic schedule. I am to start with just 10 minutes (hardly worth the effort of changing clothes twice and taking a shower, but it's a start) and we will assess as we go.