12 Hours Without Power

 Last night there was a terrific wind and suddenly there was no power.  We were just getting into bed close to midnight.  We found the flashlight and knew that when the power came back on, we would be surprised with bright lights and loud signals.  But the power did not come back on.  I checked my phone around 1 am which was the only way to know the time and it gave an estimated time of 4:30 am for restored  power.  Then that got pushed back to 2:00 pm. 

 Jim had his annual physical at 9 am but the garage door opener was not functioning of course.  He was able to open the door manually which we had not done in the six years we lived here.  I tried to message him to pick up coffee at Burger King but with the internet down, that message did not go out.  However, he thought of that great idea himself and we got our drug of choice even if we enjoyed it a bit later than usual.  

With Jim gone and my cell phone out of power, I was more careful than usual not to fall.  I would have had no way of getting help until he got home.  It was so dark and disconcerting to walk into rooms and try to turn on a light foolishly!  We had guests coming at 4 pm and I was hoping to bake some almond bars but that had to wait.

11:44:  Suddenly the dining room lights brightened the apartment.  Power!  Hooray!  But we still had trouble with WiFi.  I suggested Jim turn the router off and on and that seemed to do the trick.  However, Xfinity messaged us later to say they restored WiFi at 4:50 pm.  

It was not cold at least  and we didn’t need to cook.  Jim took a quick shower before leaving home—while there was still some hot water in the tank.  I washed up with cold water later.  

How dependent we are on power!  I read my book for a while carefully finding a place where light was coming in a window.  During the night I opened the blinds just to have enough light from the sky to find my way to the bathroom.  

Our guests were at the Hampton Inn and were not aware of losing power.  Jeff said he was also not aware of losing power.  Maybe it was a very localized Barclay Square issue.  But we are glad it is over and we are in touch with the world again!

Celebrating the end of “The Year of the Hip”

The year began on March 3, 2025 when an x-ray came back as severe osteoarthritis and officially ended on March 3, 2026 but I was having too many problems with back muscle spasms to want to celebrate.  However, that has been much better the last few days so tonight we went to our usual place for celebrations—On the Border.  We were early enough to do the happy hour and today was a special for fajitas for two.  I thought I ordered a small margarita but there it was—the grande.  And it was good and a real treat after a month of no alcohol with my pharmacy of post surgery drugs.

I am able to walk without a cane or walker in the apartment.  I haven’t wanted to walk outside yet without some assistance but that time will come.  I am doing some exercises daily that Jennifer and Justin, my physical therapists,, taught me.  I am trying to walk at least a short ways daily.  Sadly, some bills are starting to arrive and there will probably be more asking for what insurance did not cover.  But the “year of the hip” is over and I am so grateful to be walking without pain and with more mobility.

A Bridal Shower

Katie’s maid of honor and bridesmaid gave her a lovely shower this afternoon. It was held at Chamber’s Cafe in Lawrenceville, about a twenty minute ride from Princeton.  Susan and Katie gave me a ride there and Alex gave me a ride home.  The room was decorated festively and there was a bingo card designed to help us mingle and get to know each other.  The buffet brunch was delicious.  I was thankful for Julie Weed’s help (Eli’s mom) because using a cane and filling a plate can be a challenge.  

The gift opening was going to be saved for later at Jeff and Susan’s house.  I was happy with my purchase of a mirrored vanity tray—very much like the one someone gave me at a bridal shower almost 60 years ago.  I hope Katie can use it and remember her grandma for many years to come! 

I was unsure if I would be able to make it to the shower with the back muscle spasms that have been bothering me this week.  But I did it and managed to forget them for most of the time.   

30 Days of Drugs

 I am taking the last of the many drugs prescribed for me for the aftermath of hip replacement surgery.

One was to coat the lining of my stomach to protect it from all the others.  One was an anti-inflammatory drug.  Two baby aspirin a day were to prevent blood clots.  And then there was the Tylenol—three times a day with three 275 mg pills.  Plus OxyContin which I did not take and an optional laxative.

I stopped the megadoses of the Tylenol a few weeks ago.  I was not having pain and did not want to take so many of them.  But I diligently took the other pills and recorded my doing so on a spread sheet lest I forget or overdose.  

And ….finally the day has arrived.  I am taking the last of the medications today.  Tomorrow I can have a glass of wine again-or maybe even celebrate with an On the Border margarita later this week!  In June, when I took the last of the 30 days of pills, my right hip started to hurt.  Apparently it had been protected by the Celebrix.  I have no more hips to be replaced.  I hope the knees and shoulders don’t start aching! I am so glad this day has arrived!

More Progress!

 

Yesterday was an important day in my recovery.  For the first time in many weeks, Jim and I went to get groceries together.  With a storm forecast for today, Trader Joe’s was so busy.  We have never stood in lines that long before to check out.  But we left with $140 with of food—many items that will be new and fun for us.  Plus some of our favorites like almond coffee cake and salmon and my almond granola—and our favorite ice creams and chips.  We know our prices and coffee and wine are usually good buys.  

I pushed the shopping cart which serves as a walker,  but I was not in pain as I have been so many times shopping before surgery.  I was very aware of my progress in recovery and very grateful.  

Maybe soon I will be walking farther without the cane as I am doing in the apartment now.  Maybe we can make that trip to the Princeton Art Museum that motivated me to face the surgery.  Sometimes I just stop and think that I no longer have to dread the surgery—it is over and I am healing well.  And I am thankful!

February 26:  An important big step—literally and figuratively.  I told Jennifer, my physical therapist, that today was my last day.  At some point, I may get another scrip and work on my core to ease an aching back but for now, I am done with the waits and the copay which has doubled this time around and the busyness of that big facility.  Jennifer is always cheerful and thanked me for allowing her to come along on my journey!  The business plan for her is to have three or four patients going at one time and it seems hectic even though she is calm.  I can do almost all the exercises at home with the exception of the recumbent bike.  I can make sure I do some good walks outside the apartment each day.  Jennifer suggested to keep hydrated and drink coconut water to prevent the RLS that continues to worry me.  She said to mention magnesium to the doctor.  I hope that issue will just go away and I won’t have to trouble Dr. Culp’s care team again.  

I have 3 1/2 days of drugs left so that too is close to the end.   The “year of the hip” is almost over!  

Progress!

I had my second outpatient PT session with Jennifer this morning.  I have had three nights now without RLS (restless leg syndrome) and am hoping this means that whatever was causing that problem has healed.  So I don’t have to contact Dr. Culp’s Care Team at POA for advice on what to do next.  I am making progress in the 30 days worth of drugs—over half way through them.  

Plus I have caught myself walking across the bathroom or kitchen without a cane and felt OK doing it.  Jennifer checked my gait and said I could walk without the cane as long as I felt safe—better to use the cane than to be a “furniture walker.”  I understand that term because I want to hang on to the counter or table when I walk without a cane.

We were not happy to learn that we owe $45 more each per month for our UHC Medicare Advantage plan.  And now we have learned that our $25-40 copay has gone up to $50 copay.  I mentioned this to Jennifer complaining that Trump has not cured inflation and she said not to go there and that he has done good things.  I disagree completely but find it hard to understand that she must be a Trumper!  

I will do another few weeks of PT although I feel I could do the exercises on my own and not have to go to that busy venue.  I don’t like being there as kind and affirming as Jennifer is.  I hope to cook a supper tonight for the first time really—except for the Valentine’s dinner of slow cooker lasagna that we did together.  Probably I’ll ask for Jim’s help again tonight.  We have had several meals from friends and family and leftovers from them as well as the slow cooker lasagna which made three meals. 

 I am so thankful that I got through the second surgery and am walking without pain.  I was a bit haunted by the hard parts of it last night when I thought about going back and giving some suggestions to the nursing team on the survey I was asked to complete.  Some nurses were very competent and kind, but in the middle of the night, two of them carried out a procedure without telling me how or why it was being done.  I asked questions and was not given much of an answer except to say that no, it would not cause an infection.  It was scary and I had a very hard time getting any sleep afterward.  

Best to forget the traumatic parts of the operations and hospital stays and focus on the improvement—and hope there will be no need for repeat operations.  

Happy Birthday, Jim !

 

Jim’s birthday is a day after Valentine’s Day so it often means a two day celebration.  This year it was a three day celebration.  We made slow cooker lasagna together for Valentine’s Day.  We wrote each other notes as we often do.  Jeff and Susan brought us Olive Garden take out to celebrate Jim’s actual birthday and we shared an ice cream cake.  Then today, Laura ordered subs from Subway and Jersey Mike and Jeff and Dan and Alex joined us for lunch.  Sam and Ruth came too as it was a day off from school.  I made brownies for dessert.  It was good to sit around the table and share stories of travel and times past.  And now it is quiet again.  It was a great start for Jim’s beginning his 9th decade as Susan put it!  80 seems old but it is a reason to be grateful to be here and in good health and able to enjoy family.  I will try not to think too much about what has to lie ahead of us and just be thankful for today!