Goodbye 2015, Hello 2016!!

 

                                     

Happy Holidays to all!

As most of you know, this has been an interesting year for me!  In January I went on my first winter Florida vacation on the Gulf Shores.  It was beautiful and we had a great time, but oh how cold it was.  We had to buy some warmer clothes to wear!!

The winter was long and difficult but I was very thankful to be able to go to the gym and work with my personal trainer.  In the spring I had a visit from sister Judy and husband from Kentucky in May.  This month was also eventful because I bought a new Trek Silque S bicycle – my first full carbon.  I managed to get two rides on it – a 20 mile with a friend and a 30 mile with my “Misfits” friends from the gym.

My new wheels have been resting ever since because on June 11^th I received the disappointing news that the stem of my artificial joint had broken and would require two major surgeries to repair. June 2 was five years since my last hip implant.   My surgeon, David Maish, performed the first surgery on June 24^th and, fortunately, even though it was a very extensive and complicated procedure, it went according to his plan.  This allowed him to remove all of the hardware from 5 years ago all the way down to the knee.  Sister Judy was kind enough to play nursemaid for the first 2 weeks and then I had two nurses with me in the morning and many friends and family helped to get me to appointments, make food, spend the night, and much more.

In August I was able to take our scheduled beach trip and enjoyed most of the week on an ocean front balcony.  On the way home from the beach, we attended nephew Jake and Christy’s wedding in Baltimore.  It was a beautiful wedding and lots of fun!!

After 15 weeks of rest and hopping on one leg using a walker, Dr. Maish implanted my third hip on Oct. 7th.  The procedure went very well and again Judy played nursemaid for a couple weeks.  This joint is a much improved one and so far I have done very well.  It has been a “pleasant experience” compared to all of my other surgeries!!

I continue to recuperate and see daily improvement!  Despite being slowed down, I have continued to work with my personal trainer, took PT twice a week, and managed to get the house decorated for the holidays!  My ongoing exercise and training have been instrumental in allowing my surgeon to continue with my treatment.  Currently, I’m on stationary bike; next spin; and my new Trek Silque S by summer!

So…… the most important message I have to share with each of you is to keep working out and exercising!  It is extremely important in your wellbeing!!

I hope all of you have a fun holiday season with family and friends and I encourage you to appreciate just how important they are in our lives!!

Happy New Year! 

2016!!

Jan.22, 2013 Retired!!

Hello to all, I'm happy to report that I am officially retired from teaching! I am very happy that I was given the opportunity to make that decision by myself!! Many ideas of what to do and will take my time making decisions about what I will do! I look forward to enjoying this next phase of my life - I hope to start training again and hope I don't get slowed down by another medical issue. Last summer I had done two different 50 mile rides and then on June 13 did 40 miles in the morning. Unfortunately I fell and broke my wrist resulting in surgery and a big cast!! The good news is that I didn't get infected this time!! Thanks Dr. Darowish!! I hope all are well and still riding! If you ever come through Gettysburg, be sure and stop! Carole

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Hi everyone,

Just a quick note to let you know that I had an appt. with both doctors at Hershey Medical Center today and all went well. It was the best appt. so far!!

I'm doing well and looking forward to continuing to do so!!

Hope all are well!
Carole

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Hi everyone,

Thought I might post to give an update since the last time I did it was Easter. I had a successful school year and finished without any sick days other than appointments at HMC. I continued to get stronger through the year with my day consisting of work, working out, dinner, shower, to bed and up and do it all over again. I was riding and building up distance and endurance even while still dealing with discomfort in the leg.






In early June, I went to the beach with my sister and her family. The youngest graduated from high school this year. It was a great time - fun to watch the kids taking over some of the adult respnsibilities. I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to walk on the sand without my cane, but was pleasantly surprised that I could do it if I was wearing a pair of water shoes. I do have sun sensitivity issues due to the antibiotic that I have to take to keep the infection at bay.






Toward the end of June, I flew to Seattle and met a friend and my sister. We rented bikes and did some of the paved trails there. I did ride across this bridge!! It was a test to see how my hip would hold up on back to back days of riding. I was able to have dinner with two of the riders from my cross country ride. It was great seeing them!!



A lot of summer days were spent meeting with friends who had helped me when I was so sick. I am forever indebted to them for helping me when I most needed it.


In the fall, I headed back to teaching for what I hope to be my last year before retiring. It is scary because I know that I need to be busy - currently looking for something productive, but fun to fill my time. I still have blood work done every two months to check for infection markers, but currently, I am doing really well. I have less discomfort and am still exercising daily. I was happy to have achieved my goal of a 35 mile day on the bike in October. Now, I am working toward a 50!

So here I am on Thanksgiving Day with so much to be thankful for - my doctors topping the list. The picture of my siblings was taken last evening - not very often do all get together. My sister from Kentucky is home and staying at my house. The time will be short, but I am thankful for it.

I hope all of you have had a great year and are doing well!
Carole