Probably last posting of the year... and boy has this year been quite a ride! Let me start by thanking all of you for your comments and support. I hope that this blog has been of some little help if you either have had a replacement yourself, are scheduled one, or are trying to avoid one!
So why "The Revenge of Frankenstein"? When I get up from a chair and start to walk I feel like I am doing a darn good (but not on purpose) imitation of Frankenstein. Lots of times I am walking near to normal - no limp, no listing to one side, no hesitation. But, every once in a while, I do feel that if my skin were green and I had some bolts coming out of my neck you would do a double-take, thinking you were for sure seeing Frankenstein himself, walking down the street! I can only be hopeful that my "steinish" walk will also improve as the months go by.
In terms of discomfort - I still have that feeling that I have a bad scrape on my knee. My guess is that I keep tearing tissue under the skin. I am on the fence about calling the doctor - my guess is that, even if that's it, there's nothing I can do about it - he certainly won't want me to keep my knee still - that would have even worse results. Meanwhile I've started using the stationary bike but not every day. I think that's too much right now.
So anyway, I want to wish you all a healthy, happy New Year - and my advice: TAKE CARE OF YOUR KNEES!!!!!!! If taking off weight or strengthening your leg muscles will help avoid or put off a knee replacement, make that your ABSOLUTELY MOST IMPORTANT resolution this year!
Miriam
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Am I dreaming?
Well it might be because what I noticed was in the wee hours of the night. My knee isn't stiff when it's been bent and I have to straighten it --- and it's not stiff when it's been straight and I have to bend it. I'm telling you... little things are so big!
Also - on the diet front I just want to share my "ah-ha" moment. I was in the kitchen in the evening, and not even hungry - just "looking" - y'all know what I mean. I had something in my hand and I put it down. I said to myself - "Every decision I make has a consequence." It wasn't just the consequence on the scale - because that is fleeting. The deeper consequence was that, given my tendencies, I know that if I had the one thing, it would have lead to eating everything "not nailed down" in the kitchen. Then I would have felt bad about myself. Then I would have had to "start over" AGAIN. I'm sick of starting over.
However, having said that - wishing you a healthy, prosperous new year - where all your start overs are perfect!
Miriam
p.s. Sandy - I hope you enjoyed your trip to Disney. Didn't I tell you the old-lady scooter would save you???
Also - on the diet front I just want to share my "ah-ha" moment. I was in the kitchen in the evening, and not even hungry - just "looking" - y'all know what I mean. I had something in my hand and I put it down. I said to myself - "Every decision I make has a consequence." It wasn't just the consequence on the scale - because that is fleeting. The deeper consequence was that, given my tendencies, I know that if I had the one thing, it would have lead to eating everything "not nailed down" in the kitchen. Then I would have felt bad about myself. Then I would have had to "start over" AGAIN. I'm sick of starting over.
However, having said that - wishing you a healthy, prosperous new year - where all your start overs are perfect!
Miriam
p.s. Sandy - I hope you enjoyed your trip to Disney. Didn't I tell you the old-lady scooter would save you???
Friday, December 16, 2011
I may have turned a corner :)
Finally! I can say that I have moved two steps forward and no steps back! In terms of turning a corner, not a sharp right, not even a right fork... more like a very slight bearing to the right - but I'll take it.
I've noticed it as I've been taking the steps at my office up AND down, step-over-step. Going down I have to hold on both sides (one side a railing and one side a wall). I cannot do it if I don't have an anchor on both sides. Going up I can hold on to just one side, and once in a while I try to do it with a "look Ma - no hands" sort of glee. I think that as the stair-stepping gets better other things are as well. Probably because I am getting stronger more than anything else.
My endurance on my feet is better too. I find that I can go grocery shopping and not be holding on to the cart for dear life by the time I make it to the check-out line. I still do feel the swelling but it's not as massive and depressing as it had been. What hasn't lifted at all is the numbness alongside the knee and part way down the leg. Also, I still do look quizzically at my knee, as it often feels as if it's been scraped, but the skin is just fine - the scrape is on the inside... weird...
I've been doing well with my dieting, and I'm hopeful that each ounce of weight loss will transfer to some relief to my knees.
Anyway - all is well, and things are looking up. I have started taking Arthritis-Strength Tylenol since I can't take any NSAIDs. So far so good - I think that has a bit to do with why I feel better as well. So I'm almost at the 7-month mark, and finally feeling a little bit better about my decision to do the surgery. I can't wait till I hit the 12-month or 18-month mark - I'm hopeful!
Miriam
I've noticed it as I've been taking the steps at my office up AND down, step-over-step. Going down I have to hold on both sides (one side a railing and one side a wall). I cannot do it if I don't have an anchor on both sides. Going up I can hold on to just one side, and once in a while I try to do it with a "look Ma - no hands" sort of glee. I think that as the stair-stepping gets better other things are as well. Probably because I am getting stronger more than anything else.
My endurance on my feet is better too. I find that I can go grocery shopping and not be holding on to the cart for dear life by the time I make it to the check-out line. I still do feel the swelling but it's not as massive and depressing as it had been. What hasn't lifted at all is the numbness alongside the knee and part way down the leg. Also, I still do look quizzically at my knee, as it often feels as if it's been scraped, but the skin is just fine - the scrape is on the inside... weird...
I've been doing well with my dieting, and I'm hopeful that each ounce of weight loss will transfer to some relief to my knees.
Anyway - all is well, and things are looking up. I have started taking Arthritis-Strength Tylenol since I can't take any NSAIDs. So far so good - I think that has a bit to do with why I feel better as well. So I'm almost at the 7-month mark, and finally feeling a little bit better about my decision to do the surgery. I can't wait till I hit the 12-month or 18-month mark - I'm hopeful!
Miriam
Monday, December 5, 2011
Just my luck
I've recently been told by the doctor that I have to stay off NSAIDs (Advil, Aleve, Motrin, etc.). I got my blood tests back from last week and I have low kidney function (thank heavens only a few numbers off from normal, so it very well be MY normal) - but he suspects it might be from the anti-inflammatories I've been living on since about 2003, and especially since I started them after my surgery. The first few days were hard - especially since I had gone walking (only a mile ... but still...).
I realized with the walking that even every other day is too much. If I go walking once or twice a week it's all I can handle now. I have been going up and down steps, though, step-over-step. Not more than a flight at a time, but still I'm happy with that. (And holding on, on both sides.) And, I've been using my recumbent bike more often. So, little by VERY little... at least I'm moving.
Diet-wise, I'm doing well. With being on South Beach recently, I've been making the shift back to "clean eating" - I am finding that I just cannot follow RULES. Suggestions, yes. Guidelines, yes. Rules - NO. So I'm making my own... but within reason! lol Also, I've come to the decision that counting is counting - some days I do points, some days I do calories, some days I do food groups (just as a system of checks and balances). I find that if I use any of these counting methods just to make sure I'm eating within a health range (not too much, not too little) I do well with my overall choices and portion decisions.
I think that any diet works if you follow it. What drives my choices is health, not diet rules. I think rules are good - to a point. Then you get someone like me who GAINS weight on a diet, and you know that I'm a fighter... lol Not making an excuse not to diet - I actually AM, I'm just taking the best of everything and fashioning what is good for me. A little WW, a little SB, a little ECD, etc.
I guess I do have a few rules:
(1) NO JUNK
(2) NORMAL portions
(3) If it ain't hunger, food isn't gonna fix it
(4) Stop at two bites if my only need is to "have just a taste"
I can live with those!
Miriam
I realized with the walking that even every other day is too much. If I go walking once or twice a week it's all I can handle now. I have been going up and down steps, though, step-over-step. Not more than a flight at a time, but still I'm happy with that. (And holding on, on both sides.) And, I've been using my recumbent bike more often. So, little by VERY little... at least I'm moving.
Diet-wise, I'm doing well. With being on South Beach recently, I've been making the shift back to "clean eating" - I am finding that I just cannot follow RULES. Suggestions, yes. Guidelines, yes. Rules - NO. So I'm making my own... but within reason! lol Also, I've come to the decision that counting is counting - some days I do points, some days I do calories, some days I do food groups (just as a system of checks and balances). I find that if I use any of these counting methods just to make sure I'm eating within a health range (not too much, not too little) I do well with my overall choices and portion decisions.
I think that any diet works if you follow it. What drives my choices is health, not diet rules. I think rules are good - to a point. Then you get someone like me who GAINS weight on a diet, and you know that I'm a fighter... lol Not making an excuse not to diet - I actually AM, I'm just taking the best of everything and fashioning what is good for me. A little WW, a little SB, a little ECD, etc.
I guess I do have a few rules:
(1) NO JUNK
(2) NORMAL portions
(3) If it ain't hunger, food isn't gonna fix it
(4) Stop at two bites if my only need is to "have just a taste"
I can live with those!
Miriam
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Back in Business
Thanks to Sandy at "New knees- the good, the bad, and the ugly!" for reminding me that I haven't posted for a while. My work crunch has subsided and it was my intention to start reposting on Monday - but it was nice to get the nudge this morning! First, congratulations to her for reaching her 1-year anniversary. Anyone who has had a knee replacement, or is considering one, PLEASE bookmark her site! I, myself just had my 6-month anniversary.
I still have the tightness and swelling, but I knew going in to this that 6 months would only mark the 1/2-way point. After reading Sandy's blog I realize that might be too over ambitious, and that indeed, six months might only be the 1/3-way point. That's good to acknowledge, though, because it takes the edge off the disappointment. Anyway, when going in for my check-up I decided that I was going to feel any way the doctor reacted to my progress. In other words, although I am miserably disappointed that this is "only" how far I've come, if he's thrilled and happy about my progress I will be too. Needless to say - he was thrilled and happy. So I had to let a lot of my expectations and feelings go, and be grateful for being just where I am.
I have started to use the stairs at work instead of the elevator - just tackling one flight at a time up and down, step over step, several times a day. My inclination is to hold on both sides, but now I'm holding on to just one side, and even at that, I practice not holding on at all. That's a big deal, believe me! I let everything else slide (the swimming and the stretching) because of that awful setback I had, but am now going to pick up on walking. The doctor was absolutely impressed that I could walk 1 - 1.5 miles without resting. He said to stick with just one mile for a while so as to not have another set-back. (That old teetering on the line between what is just enough to make progress, and what is too much that will result in a setback.)
In terms of dieting - that has been going well, I am happy to report. A chat friend and I have started Linda Spangle's "100 Days of Weight Loss" - two of my "followers" here also are doing that - and it's nice to have support with that. It's not a diet - it's a way to help with any eating plan you are doing. It's been quite helpful and I haven't missed a day yet (granted I'm only on day 14... lol).
So - back in the saddle! Exercise and diet.
Miriam
I still have the tightness and swelling, but I knew going in to this that 6 months would only mark the 1/2-way point. After reading Sandy's blog I realize that might be too over ambitious, and that indeed, six months might only be the 1/3-way point. That's good to acknowledge, though, because it takes the edge off the disappointment. Anyway, when going in for my check-up I decided that I was going to feel any way the doctor reacted to my progress. In other words, although I am miserably disappointed that this is "only" how far I've come, if he's thrilled and happy about my progress I will be too. Needless to say - he was thrilled and happy. So I had to let a lot of my expectations and feelings go, and be grateful for being just where I am.
I have started to use the stairs at work instead of the elevator - just tackling one flight at a time up and down, step over step, several times a day. My inclination is to hold on both sides, but now I'm holding on to just one side, and even at that, I practice not holding on at all. That's a big deal, believe me! I let everything else slide (the swimming and the stretching) because of that awful setback I had, but am now going to pick up on walking. The doctor was absolutely impressed that I could walk 1 - 1.5 miles without resting. He said to stick with just one mile for a while so as to not have another set-back. (That old teetering on the line between what is just enough to make progress, and what is too much that will result in a setback.)
In terms of dieting - that has been going well, I am happy to report. A chat friend and I have started Linda Spangle's "100 Days of Weight Loss" - two of my "followers" here also are doing that - and it's nice to have support with that. It's not a diet - it's a way to help with any eating plan you are doing. It's been quite helpful and I haven't missed a day yet (granted I'm only on day 14... lol).
So - back in the saddle! Exercise and diet.
Miriam
Monday, November 7, 2011
busy at work....
I am going to suspend my blog at least until Thanksgiving. We are entering a very busy "crunch time" at work and my only free time will probably be spent vegging out when I get home, waiting for bedtime to arrive.
No worries, though - I will continue my paper journaling and look forward to sharing with you at the end of the month!
Have a great month and everyone enjoy your Thanksgiving!
Miriam
No worries, though - I will continue my paper journaling and look forward to sharing with you at the end of the month!
Have a great month and everyone enjoy your Thanksgiving!
Miriam
Sunday, November 6, 2011
The Morning After
No - don't worry - it's GOOD news. For two days now I have been following Phase 1 of the South Beach Diet and it has been SO easy. (Flo - thank you for the recipe link.) My cravings have already begun to subside, and I feel normal again. The "morning after" reference isn't that "hangover" mode - quite the opposite!
Last night I was laying in bed and spent close to two hours talking myself out of going to the kitchen to eat BBQ potato chips that I had bought for my guys. The conversation went like this: One small bowl of chips won't hurt. ... But you KNOW you won't stop at that.... Yes I will... No you won't... Okay then I will have some fruit... But you committed to Phase 1 to get rid of cravings... Okay, then I'll have potato chips.... Well it's 9PM and the kitchen is closed - that's a great rule.. But if I'm hungry I want to eat - there's no rule that says I have to go to sleep hungry...." OMG this went back and forth for TWO hours. But then instead of words I tried to hone in on the feelings - how I would feel in the morning if I gave in to the chips. How I would hate myself and beat myself up and have to start all over again on day 1.
But really, I was hungry. So I made myself a plate of about 5 pieces of very thinly sliced deli turkey. And this morning I feel great! Willpower is like a muscle - when you exercise it, it gets stronger. Maybe tonight the conversation will go on for only an hour!
Meanwhile, I had such a busy day - I started with 2 1/2 hours of teaching my belly dance class. I was able to join the gals for part of the drills. It felt so good to dance. I just couldn't do the steps where I my right leg had to bear the weight. That will still take a while. Then I grocery shopped for at least two hours, making a detour to TJMaxx where I bought a new top and some glass Pyrex food storage containers (I'm trying to get away from plastic - it's expensive so I'm just going to get a couple of pieces at a time). ETC. So last night my legs (not just my knees) were just aching. I found one prescription pill from after my surgery (stupid me threw them out because I didn't like them - but one pill escaped) and took that with TWO Advil-PMs and slept really well. THAT coupled with not hating myself this morning feels just SO good.
I really was SO hungry the minute I woke up I grabbed a piece of chicken that was left from dinner last night! I'll call that breakfast unless I make some eggs later. Also having a coffee.
Lunch: Huge salad with olive oil, walnuts, and cut up chicken.
Dinner: I am making brisket with lima beans. I'm REALLY looking forward to that!
My new favorite evening treat (more than the Skinny Cow ice creams I've been having) is a small container of fat free Greek yogurt, walnuts and a spoon of splenda. When I am off Phase 1 I will add 1/2 sliced banana to it.
Moral of the story: Mornings after CAN be good!
Miriam
Last night I was laying in bed and spent close to two hours talking myself out of going to the kitchen to eat BBQ potato chips that I had bought for my guys. The conversation went like this: One small bowl of chips won't hurt. ... But you KNOW you won't stop at that.... Yes I will... No you won't... Okay then I will have some fruit... But you committed to Phase 1 to get rid of cravings... Okay, then I'll have potato chips.... Well it's 9PM and the kitchen is closed - that's a great rule.. But if I'm hungry I want to eat - there's no rule that says I have to go to sleep hungry...." OMG this went back and forth for TWO hours. But then instead of words I tried to hone in on the feelings - how I would feel in the morning if I gave in to the chips. How I would hate myself and beat myself up and have to start all over again on day 1.
But really, I was hungry. So I made myself a plate of about 5 pieces of very thinly sliced deli turkey. And this morning I feel great! Willpower is like a muscle - when you exercise it, it gets stronger. Maybe tonight the conversation will go on for only an hour!
Meanwhile, I had such a busy day - I started with 2 1/2 hours of teaching my belly dance class. I was able to join the gals for part of the drills. It felt so good to dance. I just couldn't do the steps where I my right leg had to bear the weight. That will still take a while. Then I grocery shopped for at least two hours, making a detour to TJMaxx where I bought a new top and some glass Pyrex food storage containers (I'm trying to get away from plastic - it's expensive so I'm just going to get a couple of pieces at a time). ETC. So last night my legs (not just my knees) were just aching. I found one prescription pill from after my surgery (stupid me threw them out because I didn't like them - but one pill escaped) and took that with TWO Advil-PMs and slept really well. THAT coupled with not hating myself this morning feels just SO good.
I really was SO hungry the minute I woke up I grabbed a piece of chicken that was left from dinner last night! I'll call that breakfast unless I make some eggs later. Also having a coffee.
Lunch: Huge salad with olive oil, walnuts, and cut up chicken.
Dinner: I am making brisket with lima beans. I'm REALLY looking forward to that!
My new favorite evening treat (more than the Skinny Cow ice creams I've been having) is a small container of fat free Greek yogurt, walnuts and a spoon of splenda. When I am off Phase 1 I will add 1/2 sliced banana to it.
Moral of the story: Mornings after CAN be good!
Miriam
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