• On Life and Love

    My Alien Baby

    Bet you never thought you’d read “my” and “baby” in the same sentence unless a plant or a cat was involved, huh? Well, this ain’t a baby I want, either. Content warning: below the cut is medical and biological talk, including descriptions of physical pain (but no pictures). Also, NSFW language, which honestly shouldn’t be a surprise around here. If you don’t want to read all this unpleasant stuff, here’s the short version: I’m having a hysterectomy on October 10, and this is a welcome event.

  • On Life and Love

    Questionable Decisions: Hot Yoga

    I made a questionable decision this afternoon. After coffee with a yogi friend, I was inspired to start climbing back on the yoga horse. Most yoga studios in my area only have Saturday morning classes, so I had very few options for something in the afternoon. Whatever. I was feeling brave. I signed up for an all-levels Vinyasa hot class at a studio I’d never been to. Ninety minutes.

  • On Life and Love

    I swam!

    Physical therapy has been progressing nicely. I’ve “passed” all my flexibility/range of motion requirements, and am focusing pretty heavily on strength while making sure not to lose the flexibility. I saw the surgeon Tuesday for a check-in, and they were a little disappointed at my strength at this point in my recovery. September 13 was the 3-month mark for the surgery, though, which is when I’m supposed to be clear to resume some more interesting exercise. With surgeon and PT approval, I’m doing so. I’m taking things quite slowly, because if I do anything off-hours that leaves me too sore to move (or worse, injured!), then my PT work will…

  • On Life and Love

    Moar PT

    Halp. They keep adding exercises, but not taking any away. O_O My current routine takes about 45 minutes, and I do it three times a day. Forty-five minutes. Pendulums (I like front/back and side-to-side better than circular, but I do them all) Table slides (1×10 at two angles) Pulleys (1×10 at two angles) Single-side shoulder blade pinch External rotation stretch (1×15; done lying down with a cane) Lying cane raises (1×15) Isometric flexion (1×10) Isometric extension (1×10) More pendulums Each of those (sans the pendulums) has a 5-10 second hold on it. If not for audiobooks and kick-ass music, I’d probably be tempted to shortcut some of this. Which would…

  • On Life and Love

    First PT Appointment!

    I’m a little late starting PT, as I mentioned before, but this morning’s session went well. The therapist had me lie down and relax as she gently wiggled my arm away from my body in different directions. I was impressed that my arm could get as high as it did after being in one position for seven weeks.