Feeling Good

Len doesn't seem to have botulism after all. We do have a can of Kroger brand hot dog chili sauce on our counter though -- not sure what he plans to do with it. Hmmm.

Injury update: I'm feeling pretty darned good these days. I can sit for much longer periods without discomfort and can almost straighten my left leg enough to walk on it. Every now and again I feel extra stiffness and pain, but I'm really seeing progress and can finally see the light. Hoo-rah!

I'm using my birthday gift card from Len for the first time today. I'm getting a facial at Key Lime Pie spa. Can't wait. When I can straighten out my leg and lay comfortably on my stomach, I'll use the rest of the gift card on a massage. Finally! I get to enjoy my 40th birthday!

No Spoilers Here

I always order the Harry Potter books way in advance so they are delivered to my door the day they are released. No standing in line wearing some Hogwarts-related costume for me. Unfortunately I neglected to consider that delivery when I arranged to visit my mom last weekend. No worries, the book was waiting for me when I arrived home and I pretty much did nothing else but read until I was finished with "The Deathly Hallows." It's not great literature, but J.K. Rowling does tell a good story. It's simple and straightforward, with lots of action: That's probably why it has such mass appeal.
Me? I like stories about good and evil, about growing up and learning about life. That's pretty much the gist of the series. Plus, there's all that action I mentioned before.
This last book was definitely a lot more grown up than the others, with Harry turning 17 and all. He faces a lot of grown-up problems and has to learn to make good decisions. Great lessons: I'm glad so many kids are reading these books.
I'm a little sad there won't be another installment, but I'm sure Harry will live on in fan fiction for years and years to come.

Botulism?

Len and I eat a lot of white meat turkey dogs. We just love 'em. Add a little of Castleberry's hot dog chili sauce and a Kroger light hot dog bun, some mustard and onions, and you have a decadent chili dog for fewer than 200 calories.

We last had these delicious treats July 3. In fact, I think I ate them for something like four meals in a row. So yesterday's news that Castleberry's issued a recall due to botulism is really distressing.

Len has been complaining lately of blurred vision. He's also been feeling a little achy. These are symptoms of botulism poisoning, so of course he is worried he has it. (Nevermind that I ate far more than he did of the dogs, and I have no symptoms.) He's calling our general practitioner today for an appointment.

He says I have to apologize for not taking it seriously when he's diagnosed with botulism poisoning.

If he has it, I will.

Back to the Sticks

It took a while for me to really get back into knitting after my accident. It wasn't until the painkillers were completely out of my system before I could complete a row successfully. But I'm back to knitting every day and I might even start finishing some projects! I wanted to post some pics of my latest work, but I am embarrassed to say I don't know how to download pics of my camera. Len will have to assist.
I've been hanging out at Knitch a good bit lately, trying to reacquaint myself with the yarns and just get back into the swing before returning to work. It's so nice to have a lovely spot away from my house to sit and knit with friends. I'm just so glad that place exists! It's better than therapy!
Speaking of therapy, physical therapy is going well, if painfully well. My stiff left leg is getting more range of motion and at last night's knitting group at the Highlander Pub I even straddled a picnic table bench with only a little difficulty. I am looking forward to being well so I can actually do some toning exercises. My legs are looking a little lumpier these days.

Under the Knife...Again

Today I had a follow-up appointment with Dr. Furie. My knee looks great, but my hip doesn't. I go back in August for further x-rays and a CT scan and we will schedule the hip replacement surgery.

Even though I told myself this was an almost certainty, I secretly expected my hip to heal well and the replacement surgery would not be necessary. I'm pretty blue today.

It seems the bones in the joint are not forming smooth connections. The last couple weeks I have noticed this weird feeling in my hip like bones were loose and scraping together. The x-ray helped explain why it's been feeling this way. Nothing is loose, but bones really are scraping together. Kinda like artificially created arthritis.

Anyway, the surgery will happen some time this fall, after all my other injuries are completely healed and at a time that doesn't conflict with Len's school schedule or my work schedule. Maybe mid to late September? If not then, then it will be after my company's big fall event (which requires me on my feet for a week), sometime in November.

Good news is recovery is much easier than what I have experienced thus far. I should be using crutches within a day or two of the surgery and perhaps walking without aid 4-6 weeks later.