2009 NHL All Star Game & Festivities

In previous blog posts I stated that there was no way that I was going to be interested in this year’s NHL All Star Game and surrounding festivities. That was true until I found out that the Skills Competition was going to be televised. Usually, this part of the All Star weekend [...]

Satin Pajamas & A TKR

This sounds like it should be a song. Anyways, sleeping concerns during the recuperation process after having a total knee replacement are common. It’s so common, in fact, that I have already made a variety of blog posts on this subject. Always looking for any way to get a good night’s sleep [...]

Henrik Zetterberg – Longest Deal in Detroit Red Wings History

Here is some hockey news which I found on TSN’s website. Great news for Wings fans! Woohoo!
The Red Wings have agreed to a 12-year contract extension with forward Henrik Zetterberg worth more than $72 million.  The extension marks the longest deal given out in team history.
“Henrik is one of the world’s premier players at both ends [...]

Kill Those Germs with All-Natural Cleaning Agents

OK..after posting my last blog entry about germs in the home, I thought it would be appropriate to write a post about all-natural home cleaning solutions. I remember my great grandmother talking about these back in the 1920’s (no, I wasn’t living then…she regaled her stories to me when I was growing up). [...]

Top 10 Places That Germs Lurk in Your Home

Seeing that people recuperating from a total knee replacement have a compromised immune system, I thought it was appropriate to pass along this informative article I found on The Weather Channel’s weather.com site. The article was also featured on WebMD.com.
Got misophobia? You’re not alone. Fear of germs is common and can increase [...]

How Long Does It Take To Heal From A TKR?

One of my readers (you know who you are..:) ) let me know about this interesting article written for tkr patients that I – in turn- wanted to pass along. The information on this Guest Post is as follows:
Total Knee Replacement: How Long Does It Take To Heal
Written by Richard Haynes.
http://physictherapy.blogspot.com
When you finally [...]

Meal Preparation After A TKR

Literature regarding preparing for a total knee replacement state that for a time period after the surgery, patients will need to have help with their meal preparation. I’ll vouch for that…
The first week after my tkr, it was very uncomfortable to stand up for longer than a few seconds. And, the crutches I [...]

Leg Straightening Exercises After A TKR

There have been a number of blog posts here about ways to straighten your leg after undergoing a total knee replacement. I have used them and they work well. The basic exercise is there, but it is always fun to see these exercises in a different perspective – how they can be individualized [...]

Sleep Concerns After A TKR

It has been almost one year since my total knee replacement and a good night’s sleep is still nonexistent. I take that back. There was one night in which I slept the entire night. This was after eating a nice two-cup sized bowl of smoked salmon chowder. Maybe there is [...]

What’s A “Gordie Howe Hat Trick”?

Sometimes when one is watching a hockey game, the term “Gordie Howe Hat Trick” – or, “A Gordie”, is used. You may be wondering what this is. So…
A “Gordie Howe Hat Trick” is when one player scores a goal, gets an assist, and gets into a fight – all within one game. [...]

EJ Hradek & NHL Live! Update

Today’s special guest on NHL Live! was none other than EJ Hradek. Finally, viewers got a chance to find out what has been going on with him and the show. He has not been on the show for a few months.
According to EJ, his Senior Writer position at ESPN The Magazine, [...]

Buying An Exercise Bike During Economic Trying Times

As I have mentioned in prior blog posts, an exercise bike really helps during the recuperation process after a total knee replacement. Brand new, though, they can cost a pretty penny. How can you get around breaking your budget? Well , there are a variety of places to find good/great deals without [...]

NHL Vintage Game

There is a NHL Network broadcast involving the 1996 game between the Detroit Red Wings and Washington Capitals. It is part of the Vintage Games series broadcast on this hockey network.
Why is this important? Well….included in the Detroit Red Wings line up are Sergei Fetisov and Vladimar Konstantinov. They are the [...]

Leg Straightening TKR Update

My previous blog post consisted of an easy exercise involving the straightening of the bionic knee during the recuperation process of a tkr. When I ended physical therapy 11 months ago, my knee range was 95. It’s been an ongoing process since. I still have a ways to go, too.
Update…There are [...]

Another Leg Straightening Exercise & A Tkr

Even though it has been 11 months since my total knee replacement, I still have issues straightening out my leg. This is due to my hamstring still needing stretching.
A great way I have found to do this involves not propping my leg on a pillow while sleeping or stretching out. I just [...]

To Twitter Or Not To Twitter…That Is The Question…

I have been approached by someone to start “Twittering”. Apparently, this is the new and fun way to become involved in social networking via the Internet. Please pardon my ignorance, but I don’t understand.
With all the ways to invade one’s privacy nowadays, especially via online communications, isn’t this just another way for Big [...]

A Memorable Journey: Buses, Stairs, and Walking After A TKR

Today is the second day in which I have become a homebound couch potato whose main source of companionship is an ice bag. There is a reason for this situation:
An important meeting was scheduled for Friday in which I needed to use a multitude of commuting options. I had hesitation about the buses [...]

Riding Buses & Climbing Stairs

Upon doing both of the above during yesterday, and recuperating today…I have penned the following poem:
Riding buses is kind of cheap,
Let others do the driving,
Sit in the right seat.
Know your schedule,
Don’t go astray,
Let that be a lesson,
To have a great day.
And….
Climbing stairs for exercise,
Is easy to do upon sun’s rise,
Climbing stairs at day’s end,
Makes for [...]

Brendan Shanahan Signs

TSN just reported that Brendan Shanahan signed with the New Jersey Devils.
This was posted on the NHL Network.

Healthy Eating Speeds the TKR Recuperation Process

It’s common knowledge that eating healthy can help everyone. However, this is doubly important during the recuperation process. Having a total knee replacement surgery is hard enough and we need as much help as we can get to make the process easier. Good nutrition is vital for a proper recuperation.
So…here are some [...]

2009 NHL All Star Game

Well, the final tally for this year’s NHL All Star Game lineup is in. And…it’s absurd. The East Team consists of two players from the Pittsburgh Penguins (Sidney Crosby and Eugene Malkin) and the remaining four from the Montreal Canadiens (“HABS”). That makes a lot of sense.
As far as the West goes [...]

Eleven Months After A Total Knee Replacement

It is that time of the month again…time for my monthly update. As of today’s date, I am 11 months post total knee replacement. Here are some of the results:
My scar is beautifully healed. Only the top 1.5” above my knee is discolored. I like my scar and view it as [...]

Example of a Telecommuting/Online/Writing Gig Joke….

I just received an email with details about an available writing gig in which I expressed interest. The position was posted on Craig’s List (which has many GOOD paying telecommuting gigs). Watch out for these…they are prevalent with online writing. I have added the BOLD for emphasis.
The position is on a pay [...]

The 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship

Kudos to Team Canada! They are the recipients of the coveted Gold Medal for the fifth consecutive year. This was decided by their 5-1 victory over Sweden last night in the last game of the series held in Ottawa, Canada. It was telecast on the NHL Network for all to enjoy.
Coach Pat Quinn, [...]

Watching the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic 2009 on NBC compared to the CBC’s HNIC

When the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic 2009 was recently televised on NBC, I was glued to my seat – as were many other hockey fans and interested viewers. In fact, the viewership ratings for this event had increased over last year’s – according to NHL Live! today.
Watching the game was pure fun [...]

Excerpt #2

Having recently undergone a total knee replacement, I have had my fill of ‘pain meds’. None work that well.  At least for me they haven’t.  There is one method, however, that is surprisingly great.  It is all-natural, cheap, and convenient.  In fact, it can be found in everyone’s freezer.
This effective pain reliever is known as [...]

Comparing an Upright to Recumbent Exercise Bike for a TKR

Recently, I was given an upright exercise bike to aid in my total knee replacement recuperation. I thought my flexibility was coming along fine until I used this bike. See, I have been using a recumbent bike for the past 6 months and doing just hunky dory – in my mind, anyways. [...]

Is a Total Knee Replacement Worth It?

I keep getting questions regarding whether it is worth getting a total knee replacement. Throughout my blog, I have mentioned the good and bad about having this surgery. Well, overall, it is without a doubt – worth it.
Prior to my tkr (total knee replacement), I could not go anywhere without carrying a pair [...]

2009 NHL Winter Classic Update

Well, the game just ended with Detroit winning 6-4. Detroit is now 4-0 against the Chicago Blackhawks this season. It was great seeing Chris Chelios and other players singing “Take Me Out To The Ballgame”. Fun…
And, Ted Lindsay did the ceremonial puck drop instead of Gordie Howe – for whatever reason. [...]

2009 NHL Winter Classic Puck Drop

According to the pregame show on the NHL Network today, the ceremonial puck drop for the 2009 NHL Winter Classic will be made by Gordie Howe (Detroit) and Bobby Hull (Chicago). How cool is that??!!!
This is going to be a great game!! It’s so cool to see how great the Chicago Blackhawks have [...]