When is Too Much Exercise?

While going to my physical therapist for my total knee replacement rehab, I asked her how to tell if I was overworking my muscles. “How do I know when too much is too much?” is what I asked her. She told me very matter of factly….”You can tell you’ve done too [...]

Iron Supplements & Total Knee Replacement Pre-Op

Recently, I was asked about taking iron supplements prior to my total knee replacement surgery. I know from personal experience that the iron supplements are needed due to blood donations. During my pre-op procedure procedure, my surgeon recommended that I donate two pints of my blood. This blood would be “put back [...]

“Lingerie Break” and NHL hockey

The NHL Network had a vintage game on yesterday that was just too good to miss. It was played at the Olympia Stadium in Detroit and was a match between two of the Original Six – the Detroit Red Wings and the Chicago Blackhawks. It was a honest-to-goodness 1965 classic broadcast on Hockey [...]

A Short Thank You

I wanted to take a brief moment and send a “thank you” to all of my readers. You have shared your thoughts, questions, and provided inspiration to both me and everyone else who visits this blog.
What began as simply a process of recording my book writing journey has turned into a mini-support system. [...]

Scars As Trophies

Here is another excerpt from my book…
Obviously, scars can be the result of quite a few things. This article talks about the physical appearance of scars upon one’s body. These may have occurred due to surgeries, medical procedures, life’s experiences, or other such occurrences.
It has recently come to my attention that scars are [...]

NHL Winter Classic

Today I came in contact with someone who is a Chicago Blackhawk fan.  She told me that her husband wants to buy tickets to the Winter Classic at Wrigley Field.  She doesn’t want to go because it’ll be TOO COLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
When I reminded her about the experience she’d be missing, the ponds all the skaters are [...]

What? A Swollen Knee….still?

It’s been almost 6 months after my total knee replacement and my knee has really swollen up today.  I’ve been exercising more while attempting to increase its flexibility.  I’ve gone up and down 18 stairs 3x today. Going downstairs is getting easier,  but the swelling has increased.  Yesterday I went on my routine walk around [...]

Remembering the Humor

While figuring out ways to incorporate humor into my book about being laid up for two years, I suddenly recalled the hilarious encounters I shared with my hospital roomie. Each of us were in there with major injuries (she had a fractured hip) and we needed laughs desperately. And, to boot, we got [...]

Sleeping Positions after a Total Knee Replacement

Some readers have asked me about how long it takes to sleep in various positions after a total knee replacement.  Well, for myself, it took a good two months before I could turn over onto my side. I still place a pillow between my legs and it eases any discomfort.  Others might be different.
It’s still [...]

Attending an Air Show after a Total Knee Replacement

OK, I may be stretching it here, but….here is some advice I can give about enjoying an air show while recuperating from a total knee replacement.  It’s been 5.5 months since my tkr, but my knee is still swollen and I am still working on regaining my flexibility.

Air shows are a great way to get [...]

No Expensive Exercise Equipment Needed-TKR

In addition to providing stretching of the leg muscles, ankle weights serve other purposes while recuperating from a total knee replacement.  Even though one can achieve a great workout by using a leg extension machine, this can be done at home for dirt cheap.
Here’s the step-by-step breakdown of utilizing this muscle strengthening exercise:

Simply take an [...]

NHL Winter Classic…WOOHOO!!!

This posting may be a few days late, but better late than never.  The Chicago Blackhawks will be playing the Detroit Red Wings in the NHL Winter Classic Game.  It will be played January 1, 2009 at Wrigley Field.
HOW COOL IS THAT???????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Two of the Original Six teams facing it off in an open air stadium [...]

Pain Immediately after a Total Knee Replacement

I have been asked by quite a few of my readers what the pain is like immediately after my total knee replacement. Well, it seems to go through phases.
While laying in the hospital bed, not moving, there was no pain. There are three reasons for this:
1) My knee was continually iced. Icing [...]

DAAAAAAAYYY OHH

The 2008 MLB All Star Game happens to be on now (no, I’m not a baseball fan…I’m just watching it cuz it’s at Yankee Stadium). There’s something special about Yankee Stadium, fan or no fan. Yogi Berra is there, also. Cool…I remember him telling someone to cut the pizza into only [...]

Watch Out for this TKR hazard

I have already mentioned elsewhere in my blog that small kids, animals of any size, and loose cords can be potential hazards for a total knee replacement person.  Well, there is a new one to add to the list that is not mentioned in any medical literature….
Today while in the grocery store, a man was [...]

Total Knee Replacement Surgery Pre-Op

Getting ready for a total knee replacement, for me, was a pain in the royal derriere (butt). Here’s why:

I couldn’t take any of the herbs that were a part of my daily routine.   Western medicine wasn’t sure if they would fit in.  Western medicine needs to catch up with reality.
I couldn’t take any aspirin, [...]

Why We Need NHL Live! TODAY…

According to the NHL Network, as of July 9, 2008, the following is happening:
Sergei Fedorov re-signs for one year
Ray Emery has signed a one year contract with the Russian Continental Hockey League
Ken Hitchcock has signed a 3 year contract with the Blue Jackets
Chris Chelios, Stanley Cup Champs Detroit Red Wings, is still an unrestricted free [...]

Motorcycle Training Courses and a TKR

There is a paved LARGE motorcycle training course in my backyard.   While walking back from the mailbox the other day, I put the unused pavement to use.  It makes for a great walking course.
When not in use by the motorcycle guys and gals  – the pavement is perfect for a total knee replacement [...]

First Day Without NHL Live!…ho hum..

Yesterday was a strange day.  It was the first time since March that I did not turn the tv on and watch NHL Live! with Don LaGreca and EJ Hradek.  There was no laughter, hockey news, nor entertainment for me.  The only other alternatives were not worth watching.
Alternatives to NHL Live!: I can only take [...]

Sitting at a Desk After a Total Knee Replacement

Well, a discovery was made earlier this week. Prior to this week, five months after a total knee replacement, I was sitting on the sofa with my laptop. Sometimes I would have my leg extended while other times I would not. It finally was getting too uncomfortable sitting on the sofa, so [...]

More Walking after a Total Knee Replacement

Yesterday I walked for an hour at a steady pace. My new knee loves it when I take her for a good walk. Not too fast, not too slow. It was very enjoyable. Then, near the end of the walk I noticed that sweat was pouring down my face. To admit it, [...]

A Book Excerpt…

Here is a book excerpt, to at least show that I’m working on my book project (and make myself feel better).  After all, my book project is the original purpose of this blog. 
“What Time Is It?”
While first hospitalized as a result of my auto accident, I was in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) [...]

1959 Stanley Cup Final

There was a great hockey game on NHL Network tonight.  During the Vintage Games show,  Game 3 of the 1959 Stanley Cup Final between the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs was on.  Wow!  How cool was that?!  Frank Mahavelich and “Rocket” Richard were both in it.  Now, that’s what I call a game!  [...]

Adding Humor to Serious Topics

I finally figured out how I can liven up the topic of being in a life-threatening car accident which resulted in multiple injuries.  I will intersperse stories that have no humor in them with ones that do.
That way, instead of having my readers become downtrodden like they’re reading a book on economics, they will be [...]

Five Months after a Total Knee Replacement

Well, something great happened today.  I was icing my knee after an hour long walk when I noticed something.  I could see the outline of my kneecap (patella)!  That means that my swelling is starting to go down, and I could actually feel my knee cap for the first time since my surgery.
It’s amazing how [...]

Independence Day in the U.S.

Well, the Fourth of July celebrations are done.  There is something special about a professionally done fireworks display.  It signifies independence, our country’s freedom, and a special time in our nation’s history.
A great way to enjoy the holiday (in my opinion) is to watch “Yankee Doodle Dandy” with James Cagney.  This film is a classic [...]

No More NHL Live! – on hiatus

Well, today was the last show of NHL Live! for the season.  It’s on hiatus until September 15. Bummer.  Today, as a final gesture, Gary Bettman (NHL Commissioner) was on bidding the show farewell.  That was way too cool.
The show also had Eddie Olcyzk (aka “Eddie O”) on today.  He has done a weekly spot [...]

Why Does Knee Hurt after Total Knee Replacement?

I recently had someone ask me this question.  Here is what is happening to me….5 months after my total knee replacement, I experience pain and stiffness in my knee area.  It is not in the knee joint itself, however.  My pain is centered in the surrounding tissues and muscles which emcompass the entire knee area.
My [...]

No More Seattle Sonics

Well, it’s finalized. The Seattle Sonics are leaving.  Their new home is Oklahoma City.  I may not be a basketball fan, but it’s still disheartening to see a professional sports team with such a rich history (40 years) leave town.
And, to make matters worse, Seattle cannot have another professional NBA team in the immediate future.  [...]