Patience is Indeed a Virtue.

Day 10. 

This is indeed a process.  I'm now in my tenth day of recovery and a life that consists of:

- Adventures consisting of bathroom runs and ice refills.
- Upper body dancing to Lady Gaga.
- Elevation, elevation, elevation.
- Pills.
- Leg pumps, leg lifts, heel slides, stretches.

Everything takes time.  Making breakfast requires numerous set downs, glass slides across the counter (you forget you can't pick anything up with both hands on crutches), and thoughtful preparation.  Showering requires a large garbage bag around the leg with painters tape and most of the pressure and balance on my left leg, crutches to join in the shower, and a patient mom in the other room listening to ensure I don't fall.  I always knew I was an impatient person, but this process has definitely been a wake up call.  Work in two weeks?  Please!  This process takes much longer than that. 

We take the small things for granted.  I know everyone says that, but like everything in life, you don't truly understand until you live through it.  When I used to quickly jump off the couch to get myself something to eat, or "jump in the shower," or grab my handbag and head out, I never understood how those little things could very well be big tasks.  There is a cause and effect to everything... or rather a side effect.  Pain is exhausting, two hands on crutches prevents holding a bag or someone's hand, and Norco prevents other important bodily occurrences from taking place (Lets just say 7 days is a long time!).  Which leads to my next observation...

[Observation #2]
The little things in life are what truly matter.

Thanks to my mom for understanding that a little emotional outburst is okay, a mani/pedi can make you feel just a tad more beautiful, and living life sometimes is not easy.  E. Emmett for pre-surgery goodies!  Jdub... chocolate and chick flicks are a girl's best friend. :), Kim for understanding and never judging.  The little things are the fabrication of the larger events.  So to my fellow friends, enjoy the sunshine.  Dance! Take long showers.  Kiss someone special.  Pick wild flowers.  For my ladies; wear heals!  Life is way too short not to appreciate all the intricate details.

Here are some little things that I have captured recently that make me smile.  Enjoy this gorgeous day!

 Three ladies on the Spanish steps in Rome.

Beautiful scarves in Hyderabad, India

 Flowers at the farmers market in SF.

 Remembrance.

 Holiday beverage.

 Nephews that grow too fast.

A simple yellow door to brighten a block.

Fresh fruit on a sunny day.

Break a Leg! (or knee)

This is my very first post on my new blog and what better time to start than when I'm sitting on the couch, leg up in a brace.  Oh yes, my first experience with knee surgery occurred last week at UCSF Medical Center. 

This is me plopped on my parents' couch with my contraption consisting of a large brace from my mid thigh down to my ankle and an ice/cold unit (the most amazing invention for knee surgery patients); the product of an meniscus repair and ACL reconstruction.  My days consist of bathroom runs (not really runs but rather slow hobbles), changing of the outfit, knee exercises, and endless reading and youtube watching.  Cleanliness is a challenge and just yesterday I had my first successful hair wash (with the help of my mom).  I felt like Meryl Streep in Out of Africa when Robert Redford washes her hair out in the wild in Africa, although we were in my parents' courtyard and I lacked a hunky male star as my hair dresser.  Although my situation and couch rest can get quickly annoying, there are some definite benefits....

1. My knee is fixed!

2. Time for reflection and healing (mind and body)

3. Time for diving into other interests that I never allowed myself  while I was working too many hours.

4. I'm especially grateful for all the help people have provided throughout this entire process.  I have some amazing friends and a wonderful mom who have been there for me and continue to show and provide their support.  You discover during times such as these who is really there for you and can be relied upon because you honestly just can't do the day-to-day by yourself.  This has led to my first blogged observation...