MY FABULOUS NOVEMBER
I cannot believe that we're almost at the end of another year. It's certainly been a big one for me and November wasn't to be left out. After all the "excitement" of gaining a new hip in October, I had the pleasure of getting my life back to normal and celebrating my 61st birthday without a limp. It's been a great few weeks and here's a little of what's been Fabulous throughout the lovely month of November....FAMILY-ING
Not much happened on the family front. My mum came down to help
celebrate my birthday and to pick up the new car she ordered and that she'd been waiting a few months for (delayed deliveries are the norm for new cars these days) - it was a very exciting event for her. It's always great to
spend time with her - lots of laughs and plenty of coffee and food
catch-ups.
Speaking of food catch-ups, my lovely husband and I also ventured
out on a beautiful Spring day almost exactly 5 weeks after my
hip replacement
and walked along the beachfront to a cafe for coffee and cake -
5,000 steps! It was definitely worth celebrating.
BLOGGING
It's been a quiet month on the blog - I've shared a few thoughts
from the lead up to my operation and a couple of other things that
had been floating around in my head. I like that I can use my blog
to untangle my thoughts and put them together in a more coherent
fashion - and I can't believe that I've been doing this for 8 years! If you missed any of this month's posts, the links are below:
BIRTHDAY-ING
I had a lovely birthday - with calls and video chats from the
family, lunch with my husband, and another lunch with my mum and
brothers the following day. Some thoughtful gifts and a splash of
cash to spend on something nice when it catches my eye.
HIPPING
My hip
is recovering really well - the progress slowed a little after the
first couple of weeks because it became all about building strength
back into the cut muscles and being able to walk a little further
each day. It's so nice to not limp any more and to feel like I'm
getting my old self back. Every day I add on another 5 mins or so of
walking, and 10,000 steps are definitely on my horizon. Sooo
different to where I was in October.
I also did a gradual return to work. I'd been told to take 4 weeks
off, but I went back after 2 weeks for a short day, then a bit
longer on week 3 and back to normal on week 4. It was a good way to
ease back in and feel like I hadn't been out of the loop for too
long. By week 4 I could drive myself into work and also to my
physiotherapy appointments. It was a strange feeling getting behind
the wheel - and back on
my scooter
again after such a long break. Last week I had my 6 week final check with the surgeon and passed with flying colours. I'm so grateful to be pain-free and mobile again.
CREATING
Another birthday present was Johanna Basford's newly released
colouring book "Rooms Of Wonder". Lots of tiny little details and
pretty pictures. I'm still on page 1, so I think I'll have plenty left to be continuing to colour when I'm 85 -
but that means it was great value for money!
I also finished the second half of my Medieval Maidens collage book
and have added it below for those who have been kind enough to tell
me that they enjoy my cutting and gluing.
FABULOSITY
I finally decided what to do with my birthday cash - my husband suggested it might be time to look into a tablet. I'm not a Mac user, so Ipads have never interested me, but we found a Samsung Tab 8 at a fabulously discounted price and I couldn't resist. It's been fun setting it up and swapping out my laptop for a smaller version. I like the idea of incorporating my Kindle and all my usual apps but on a smaller scale than my go-to laptop. Time will tell how much use it gets, but it'll be a good back-up for holidaying and portability.A FABULOUS QUOTE TO FINISH WITH
In honour of my birthday month, I thought this was the perfect quote to
share - we all get more Fabulous as we grow into ourselves....
BEFORE YOU GO:
If you'd like to know when I write a new post, please click HERE for email updates.
If you'd like to comment but not here on the blog, feel free to email
me at
leanne.crestingthehill@gmail.com - I'd love to hear from you.
And please share this post by clicking on a share button before you
go.
Hi, Leanne - I am delighted to hear that your hip has been recovering well, you had a fabulous birthday and treated yourself with a new tablet. Your positive attitude about the hip surgery procedures has definitely led you to great things!
ReplyDeleteHi Donna - I'm grateful every day for how well my hip surgery and recovery has gone. I think part of it comes down to putting in the effort to bring the best results, but also a great surgeon, and being 'young' and healthy. It's so nice to be getting my life back more each day. xx
DeleteThat's lovely news about your hip recovery! That in itself is fabulous.
ReplyDeleteTablets are very convenient. When I went to Sweden in June, I decided to only bring the iPad, and found out how to do all photo editing and exporting with the iPad in case I would want to post something on the blog while I was away. I love lightweight equipment!
I'm loving the quote about getting older... I'll keep it in mind now when I'm getting VERY close to 50.
Hi Susanne - I think I need to put some serious learning into how to use a tablet for blogging. We're heading off for a few days' holiday next week and I'll probably pack my laptop and my tablet because I'm not confident enough yet to risk getting stuck not knowing what to do ..... but I'll figure it out by our next holiday - the challenge is on!
Delete5,000 steps is definitely a reason to celebrate!! It sounds like you really had a fabulous November and a wonderful birthday. I bet it feels amazing to walk without pain again.
ReplyDeleteHi Joanne - I keep thinking about how I couldn't walk two house lengths without a crutch by the time of my op - and now I can walk the full block twice every day. My muscles still complain a little, but that's to be expected after not being used much and being chopped up by the surgeon. I just love that I don't limp or "waddle walk" anymore!
DeleteLeanne, I can't believe how quickly you have gotten back to normal activities. It just goes to show what patience and a good attitude will do. Spending time with your art, and celebrating with family have to have been positive contributors as well. Looks like November provided the perfect recipe for healing. Just what the doctor ordered! Happy Birthday
ReplyDeleteHi Suzanne - I made extra sure that I did everything possible to give myself the best result - and I still have a little bit more to go (and some solid sleep would be nice!) I'm so grateful every day for the lack of pain, for the fact that I walk like a normal person (and not a zombie lurching along) and that I'll be able to do stuff with the family for Christmas instead of being so limited. November has definitely been a month of healing and happiness. x
DeleteHappy belated birthday 🎂🎂🎂 glad you are doing so well with your hip ! It’s all about those muscles !!! I really enjoy your sentiments about life.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the birthday wishes and for the hip advice - it's definitely all about the muscles! My hip joint feels like butter, but those poor cut muscles are reminding me when I overdo things! I'm just soooo glad to be on the other side of the op and not limping along like an old woman anymore (my 80+ year old mother was outpacing me towards the end!)
DeleteHappy belated birthday. What a fabulous way to come into the end of the year. So glad your healing is going well - it must be amazing to be mobile again. Here's to that new hip of yours and a creative and family-full December.
ReplyDeleteHi Jo - thanks for the belated wishes, and yes it's lovely being able to walk again (you'd remember that feeling after the torn calf days!) I'm just looking forward to eventually being completely pain free and sleeping well - and hoping that it's not just wishful thinking!
DeleteIt has been quite the year for you, Leanne, and I am glad that all turned out fabulous. 💕Your great attitude makes all of the difference. You were also proactive with the exercises and preparation before your surgery. I love the photo of you and your husband enjoying coffee and cake with a beautiful view. Thank you for sharing you and inspiring me. xx
ReplyDeleteHi Erica - yes I did everything I could to make sure I contributed to getting the best result possible + having a great surgeon helped! Recovery is a process though, and I think I still have a way to go in that area - all that chopping and sewing takes time to get over. It's great though to be able to go for walks again - and to enjoy a coffee in the sunshine. I hope all's well in your world and looking forward to catching up soon xx
DeleteYou've had another fabulous month Leanne, despite your hip issues. I'm so pleased the recovery is going well and you sound like you aren't rushing into things too fast and trying to be patient with it all. It's always nice to splash out some cash and well done on a new tablet, enjoy!!
ReplyDeleteHi Deb - yes patience is definitely a virtue and I have to keep reminding myself that I had major surgery less than 2 months ago, so recovery of my muscles etc will take time and a slow rebuilding - especially for the final stages. I wanted to be up and running much sooner than was realistic and need to keep pacing myself - I'll get there though!
DeleteHi Leanne, it's so good to read how well your recovery from surgery is going. Looking back to how you were feeling in October, it's amazing that you've now had the surgery and almost completely recovered. Sounds like November has been kind to you even though you've been in recovery mode.
ReplyDeleteHi Jenn - yes, it's amazing what a few weeks does to the body - that surgery was a godsend and I am still amazed at how far I can walk and that I can get up and down, in and out of the car etc without that grinding pain. Now I just need my cut up muscles to get on with completely healing and I'll be a new woman - maybe that will be my Christmas present to myself!
DeleteHi Leanne - Wish you a belated happy birthday! I am extremely glad for you, that everything is looking up, and your life is a lot better than it was earlier; and you had a lovely November.
ReplyDeleteI have been reading your posts (which I get via email, so I don't miss any of them) but since I have been tied both at the office and home fronts, I haven't been able to write a comment to all the posts.
I wish you the very best in the coming days, months and years.
Hi Pradeep - I've been keeping up with your posts too - and seeing I'm not as busy as you I always comment and enjoy reading what others have said in that section. You have quite a diverse readership. Thanks for all your kind wishes and I hope your Christmas preparations go well - I'm looking forward to time with my kids - Yay!
DeleteHappy birthday, Leanne and it certainly has been a fabulous year for you - even with hip surgery. Fabulous that the surgery went well and your recovery is on track. We can always find a little 'fabulousness' in everything can't we? #WWandP
ReplyDeleteHi Sue - thanks for the birthday wishes, and yes we can always find a little bit of fabulosity or positivity in life if we appreciate how blessed we are. I'm grateful every day that I could have my surgery early and be on the road to recovery months before I'd originally thought I'd be.
DeleteHappy belated birthday Leanne! I don't remember if I already wished you a Happy Birthday or not but if I missed it (which I probably did) I'm sorry but better late than never. I'm so happy to hear your hip is healing well and you're getting back to walking and normal activities and NO LIMP - hooray! Your collages are beautiful and that colouring book looks fun - I love colouring in - always have!
ReplyDeleteHi Min - I keep my b/day off FB so it's pretty rare that anyone knows when it is, so you didn't miss any great announcement. Thanks for your kind words about my collages and yes, it's amazing to be able to walk properly again and to be able to cover some distance without the grinding pain and limp.
DeleteCongratulations on the all good after the hip surgery. And woo hoo for spending some money on you...I know, you need encouragement, unlike me. I applaud the positivity and joy radiating from this post...methinks getting your mobility back and pain free is a HUGE plus in your life!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for joining in this week’s WWandPics link up where I got to celebrate being 73. Still getting used to the new number…Here we are, it’s December and there are 3 more weeks to link up till I take a short break. I always enjoy seeing your blog pop up on the website. Take care, Denyse.
So glad your hip is healing well and you're able to get back to your old activities! That must feel amazing. Happy belated birthday!
ReplyDeleteHi Janet - yes, it's SO good to feel normal again - still some residule muscle pain that will take a few more weeks to settle, but I remind myself that it was major surgery and I'm doing really well!
DeleteIt sounds as though you are doing very well after your hip replacement.
ReplyDeleteHi Anne - I'm really happy with how it's going. I just needed to pull my expectations back a little from perfect recovery in 6 weeks, to gradual recovery over time - muscles take longer to heal than I'd anticipated!
DeleteHappy belated birthday, Leanne. Your bracelets are pretty. I have something similar in a rose quartz. They are fun to wear.
ReplyDeleteHappy Friday.
I love my new bracelets - they just catch the light and glow - they make me happy and that's always something to enjoy. Small pleasures are the best in my humble opinion.
DeleteHappy Birthday and also glad to hear your hip is healing. You must be so pleased.
ReplyDeleteThanks - and yes I'm so pleased that I'm mobile and out and about again. To not have that grinding pain limiting me in so many ways is such a relief!
DeleteHappy belated birthday, Leanne! I am so happy to hear how well your hip is doing and that you are able to get back to walking again. Your perseverance is paying off. Here's to a fabulous December!
ReplyDeleteHi Christie - being able to walk a reasonable distance is still something I'm not taking for granted. I keep thinking back to the pre-op weeks where I couldn't walk at all without pain. Also getting up and down, and in and out of a car is so easy now - modern medicine is beyond amazing!
DeleteHi. This is dinah from the coffee share. Congratulations on your brilliant recovery! Wishing you continued ease and success 💜
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Dinah and for you good wishes - I still have a little way to go, but I'll get there. I'm so grateful to have progressed as far as I have already - being out of pain is wonderful.
DeleteHappy belated birthday, Leanne! I'm glad to read your hip recovery is going well. It must feel amazing to be mobile again. Thank you for your weekend coffee share. Have a fabulous December!
ReplyDeleteHi Natalie - thanks for the birthday wishes and yes things are going so well with my hip and my walking - being able to be out and about again as Spring and Summer progress is an absolute joy.
DeleteHappy Birthday!! Hope it was a wonderful day and I'm so happy to hear of your successful recovery! How nice it is to get back to our lives we enjoyed..
ReplyDeleteHi Kathleen - I'm waiting to hear how your op goes and your recovery too. I know it's going to be great and we'll both be dancing in the new year!
DeleteHappy belated birthday. My husband and I both have November birthdays, so it's fun to meet another November birthday girl. I'm so glad you hip is working out. It should give you a lifetime of comfort. Your other one functioned for 60 years! It looks like you are having a lot of fun! Enjoy your year.
ReplyDeleteHi Marsha - happy birthday to you and your husband too. The only problem I'm finding with a November birthday is that I don't have any gift requests left for Christmas! And yes, this new hip is a godsend - I just hope my right one behaves itself so that I don't end up with matching butt scars!
Deletesounds like a great November Leanne! Happy Late birthday!!! I'm so glad your recovery is going well.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kirstin - it's been a good month all round x
Delete