01/01/2020, Wednesday, New Year's Day
Happy New Year!
I have a lot to look forward to this year, haven't I? The most important is the rehabilitation of my right ankle. Yesterday, I attended my first physio session. Although I can see how weak my ankle still is, there is a sense of optimism by attending. Because this marks the first day of recovery, so much to be grateful and celebrate. And in a couple of days, I will be moving onto partially weight bearing. Apprehensive but excited.
Small steps make a leap into a journey. This is something I've always believed and lived by. Queen's 2019 Christmas speech also reflected on that. So true, whether it's man landing on the moon, running a marathon, or just be able to walk again, don't ever underestimate the accumulative effect of small efforts and all the preparatory work we have to make in order to achieve something bigger.
02/01/2020, Thursday
Started my heat treatment today. Ideally I would use a reusable heat pad but that means I have to get down and up stairs everytime I need to have a treatment. Right now , I use disposable ones before I have enough strength to climb the stairs.
03/01/2020, Friday
Taking the first step today, hooray! The first few steps were a bit timid, probably because I had to get over the mental block of weakness and pain. But very soon, it's a joy to be able to walk again. Such a liberating feeling. 10 minutes every hour, that's my plan.
My right leg seems to be sensitive to heat (or long exposure of?). Already having some heat rash, after yesterday's heat pad, it has generated more. Skin problems annoy me a great deal. May have to stay of heat pads for a while.
Total walking time: 70 minutes
04/01/2020, Saturday
After yesterday's first go, I've become more confident that I can walk. I feel slight strain/pain at the ankle so I took a paracetamol to make walking more comfortable.
Total walking time: 60 minutes
Saturday, 4 January 2020
Wednesday, 1 January 2020
My NWB diary - 15-31/12/2019
17/12/2019 Tuesday
My sleeping is still a bit hit and miss, but overall better than the worst nights I've had (i.e. waking up four times in a night). I just need to accept that tinkering my right leg has become my nightly ritual.
And I can't wait to see my right leg again this Friday.
18/12/2019 Wednesday
My French class has broken up for the holidays. I start to feel that I am being left behind while my classmates are edging ahead.
It's frustrating but I know it's not about who getting there first. I may have to start the whole B1 from the beginning. That's ok. I will still progress.
19/12/2019 Thursday
Something mundane but more joyful given my circumstance is that we now have tasted panettones from three major supermarkets this December. We prefer the classic version so that's what we got from Asda, Sainsbury's and Tesco. One key difference among all three is the content of the butter, which somehow is reflected on the price. My personal favorite is from Sainsbury's, nice flavor all around, sufficient richness from the highest butter content from all three supermarkets, tender and moist crumb, gentle citrusy flavor without heavy handed with the spices. Tesco is our second favorite, not as buttery as Sainsbury's but overall good. Il Vecchio from Asda is quite heavy with vanilla and cloves to my taste, and uses no butter. Although it's moist, it has no the expected richness from a christmas treat. Although it's the cheapest among all three, I don't think I would go for that in the future.
Well done, Sainsbury's.
20/12/2019 Friday
First appointment with the hospital since the surgery. I had been anxious to see my right leg again, after imaging all the terrible things which could have happened. Well, when the back slab was cut open, nothing dramatic came out. The skin is in pretty good condition, the foot remains a bit swollen (and is likely to be for the next few months), and the wounds are healing properly (great!). As for the scars, they are very visible and I have no problem of showing them.
The Xray show that the alignment remains excellent, although one can't tell the bone growth/healing. We just have to assume that a healthy fit individual like myself will follow the text book trajectory of recovery. 2-3 months, for the bone to regrow, I was told.
Strangely, I feel much at ease now, after seeing all that. I need to be on NWB for another two weeks and start using my right leg little by little afterwards. Better start looking into physio side of thing from my private health insurance.
A relief.
22/12/2019
Following doctor's order, I've started simple ankle exercises to get the range of movement (ROM) back. It's been two days since I did the exercise and my ankle is still quite stiff. Moving the foot forward and backward is a lot easier than turning sideways or making circle. At the moment, the latter two exercises are simply not possible. Looking at my X-rays again I start to understand why. The metal insertions are close to the ankle joint, on the left and right side of my ankle. I am now a bit anxious about to walk in two weeks time. What have I done to myself?!
No time to despair. I know. I just have to keep at it until I get my ROM back to normal(ish). Reading through the ankle fracture blogs, "back to normal" may be a fantasy but I will do as much as I can to be independent.
23/12/2019
Now I try to do ankle exercises 5 times a day. That forces me to fragment up my routine in finer pieces. Not convenient but it's good for the recovery. I know my goal is to get back on my both feet asap (literally and metaphorically).
24/12/2019 Tuesday, Christmas Eve
This is probably the simplest CE dinner we've had. With store bought items and the duck basically taking care of itself, it's relaxing and still festive.
Pate and pickles
Chinese 5-spice roast duck
Thin flour pancakes/small tortilla wraps
cucumber sticks
green onion slice
Hoisin sauce
Blueberry cheesecake with cranberry topping
We got the cheesecake from Sainsbury's. Wow, it tastes just great, the right balance of richness and freshness. The blueberries bring a very nice twist to the cake. Despite the negative comments on the web, this is possibly one of the best desserts from Sainsbury's. Will come back for more!
25/12/2019, Wednesday, Christmas day
Smoked salmon with cream cheese
Roast beef sirloin
Brussels sprouts in soy and balsamic vinegar
Horseradish cream sauce
Roasted chestnuts and sweet potatoes
Cheese platter (Morbier, Tomme de Savoie and Fourme d'Ambert)
We ordered the beef from Marks and Spencer. Wow, such a nice piece of meat. We cooked it following the instruction and it came out juicy, tender and flavorful. The cheese platter was assembled with a selection from Cambridge Cheese Company. We did not disappoint. The quality is just excellent.
26/12/2019, Thursday, Boxing Day
No shopping for me, not even an online one.
Last night I discovered a nice trick to improve the efficiency of the ankle exercise. So far, I've been doing the exercises by willing the ankle to move on its own. It works ok for moving forward and backward but I feel my ankle hardly moves sideway or draws a circle. I decided to use my hand to guide the ankle to "remember" how it should move. I first get a feel how my hand should guide the ankle by simulating on the normal one. After that, I put my left hand under the right foot, at the heel, gently moving the injured ankle. Instead of willing the injured ankle to work, I make sure my ankle is doing the expected movement by assisting with a hand, in a very gentle way of course. I think it's working, certainly better than just willing it.
Recovery is certainly a long process but by the end of the first week I start to see the difference in ROM. I wish I had realized the "assisted" exercise earlier but it's still early days. I have another week to go before trying walking. Let's hope my injured ankle will be awakened quickly!
27/12/2019 Friday
Second week on since the post-surgery visit and more than four weeks on since the surgery.
Today I received my first physio appointment lettre!! My very efficient NHS, thank you! I'd mentally prepared for a long wait but hey, Addenbrooke's did not disappoint me.
Now, I have to speed up my ROM exercises!!
31/12/2019 Tuesday, New Year's Eve
Seafood paella
Cheese platter (Gorgonzola, Taleggio and Cornish cheddar)
Vanilla cheesecake
Ching-ching!
My sleeping is still a bit hit and miss, but overall better than the worst nights I've had (i.e. waking up four times in a night). I just need to accept that tinkering my right leg has become my nightly ritual.
And I can't wait to see my right leg again this Friday.
18/12/2019 Wednesday
My French class has broken up for the holidays. I start to feel that I am being left behind while my classmates are edging ahead.
It's frustrating but I know it's not about who getting there first. I may have to start the whole B1 from the beginning. That's ok. I will still progress.
19/12/2019 Thursday
Something mundane but more joyful given my circumstance is that we now have tasted panettones from three major supermarkets this December. We prefer the classic version so that's what we got from Asda, Sainsbury's and Tesco. One key difference among all three is the content of the butter, which somehow is reflected on the price. My personal favorite is from Sainsbury's, nice flavor all around, sufficient richness from the highest butter content from all three supermarkets, tender and moist crumb, gentle citrusy flavor without heavy handed with the spices. Tesco is our second favorite, not as buttery as Sainsbury's but overall good. Il Vecchio from Asda is quite heavy with vanilla and cloves to my taste, and uses no butter. Although it's moist, it has no the expected richness from a christmas treat. Although it's the cheapest among all three, I don't think I would go for that in the future.
Well done, Sainsbury's.
20/12/2019 Friday
First appointment with the hospital since the surgery. I had been anxious to see my right leg again, after imaging all the terrible things which could have happened. Well, when the back slab was cut open, nothing dramatic came out. The skin is in pretty good condition, the foot remains a bit swollen (and is likely to be for the next few months), and the wounds are healing properly (great!). As for the scars, they are very visible and I have no problem of showing them.
The Xray show that the alignment remains excellent, although one can't tell the bone growth/healing. We just have to assume that a healthy fit individual like myself will follow the text book trajectory of recovery. 2-3 months, for the bone to regrow, I was told.
Strangely, I feel much at ease now, after seeing all that. I need to be on NWB for another two weeks and start using my right leg little by little afterwards. Better start looking into physio side of thing from my private health insurance.
A relief.
22/12/2019
Following doctor's order, I've started simple ankle exercises to get the range of movement (ROM) back. It's been two days since I did the exercise and my ankle is still quite stiff. Moving the foot forward and backward is a lot easier than turning sideways or making circle. At the moment, the latter two exercises are simply not possible. Looking at my X-rays again I start to understand why. The metal insertions are close to the ankle joint, on the left and right side of my ankle. I am now a bit anxious about to walk in two weeks time. What have I done to myself?!
No time to despair. I know. I just have to keep at it until I get my ROM back to normal(ish). Reading through the ankle fracture blogs, "back to normal" may be a fantasy but I will do as much as I can to be independent.
23/12/2019
Now I try to do ankle exercises 5 times a day. That forces me to fragment up my routine in finer pieces. Not convenient but it's good for the recovery. I know my goal is to get back on my both feet asap (literally and metaphorically).
24/12/2019 Tuesday, Christmas Eve
This is probably the simplest CE dinner we've had. With store bought items and the duck basically taking care of itself, it's relaxing and still festive.
Pate and pickles
Chinese 5-spice roast duck
Thin flour pancakes/small tortilla wraps
cucumber sticks
green onion slice
Hoisin sauce
Blueberry cheesecake with cranberry topping
We got the cheesecake from Sainsbury's. Wow, it tastes just great, the right balance of richness and freshness. The blueberries bring a very nice twist to the cake. Despite the negative comments on the web, this is possibly one of the best desserts from Sainsbury's. Will come back for more!
25/12/2019, Wednesday, Christmas day
Smoked salmon with cream cheese
Roast beef sirloin
Brussels sprouts in soy and balsamic vinegar
Horseradish cream sauce
Roasted chestnuts and sweet potatoes
Cheese platter (Morbier, Tomme de Savoie and Fourme d'Ambert)
We ordered the beef from Marks and Spencer. Wow, such a nice piece of meat. We cooked it following the instruction and it came out juicy, tender and flavorful. The cheese platter was assembled with a selection from Cambridge Cheese Company. We did not disappoint. The quality is just excellent.
26/12/2019, Thursday, Boxing Day
No shopping for me, not even an online one.
Last night I discovered a nice trick to improve the efficiency of the ankle exercise. So far, I've been doing the exercises by willing the ankle to move on its own. It works ok for moving forward and backward but I feel my ankle hardly moves sideway or draws a circle. I decided to use my hand to guide the ankle to "remember" how it should move. I first get a feel how my hand should guide the ankle by simulating on the normal one. After that, I put my left hand under the right foot, at the heel, gently moving the injured ankle. Instead of willing the injured ankle to work, I make sure my ankle is doing the expected movement by assisting with a hand, in a very gentle way of course. I think it's working, certainly better than just willing it.
Recovery is certainly a long process but by the end of the first week I start to see the difference in ROM. I wish I had realized the "assisted" exercise earlier but it's still early days. I have another week to go before trying walking. Let's hope my injured ankle will be awakened quickly!
27/12/2019 Friday
Second week on since the post-surgery visit and more than four weeks on since the surgery.
Today I received my first physio appointment lettre!! My very efficient NHS, thank you! I'd mentally prepared for a long wait but hey, Addenbrooke's did not disappoint me.
Now, I have to speed up my ROM exercises!!
31/12/2019 Tuesday, New Year's Eve
Seafood paella
Cheese platter (Gorgonzola, Taleggio and Cornish cheddar)
Vanilla cheesecake
Ching-ching!
Saturday, 14 December 2019
My NWB diary - 1-14/12/2019
28/11 Thursday
The swelling has gone down a bit, I think, as last night I felt my foot was bursting out of the back slab cast. A day of lazying. Nothing intellectual, just being grateful for my body's healing power and the wonderful teams at the hospital.
01/12 Sunday
I can allow myself to start thinking about Xmas. Feel more legit now.
03/12 Tuesday
Many people think I would get bored by resting at home. I really wonder why?
Finally I have the time and space to read the books I always want in one go, not just a few pages before sleeping. And I still intend to keep up with my French. I need more disciplines for this. I shall use this forum to remind myself. And, of course, there are some drama series I've bookmarked for so long that I finally have time to watch it.
I start the day by reading my chosen book (only a few chapters left now). Pause for a mini lunch. Do some emails/admins/news reading. Start my French in the afternoon. If I get tired afterwards, I rest for one hour. Then the night falls. Dinner (prepared by hubby these days) and some unwinding for both of us. Then it's the drama time. Sometimes I may read more just before going to the bed, if I am in the middle of highly irresistible part of the book.
I am quite pleased with the routine so far and it works reasonably well.
08/12/2019 Sunday
2:30am
Recently I have had problems sleeping during the night because of the cast leg position. It seems every night I need to find a different position to alleviate the build-up pressure from the leg. The leg or rather the foot firstly starts to feel very warm. I feel lots of blood has been trapped at the foot so I raise my leg up in the air for a while and lower down. I have to do this many times over while readjusting the support pillows many times over too.
It's exhausting as it can take hours before I find a decent position to sleep again.
09/12/2019 Monday
4:30am
Last night was a better night of sleep than the previous. It seemed that positioning my cast leg near the edge of the bed prevents the pressure build-up at the heel. With just a pillow underneath the calf, the edge of the bed seems to support the ankle/heel sufficiently without making me feeling uncomfortable. Let's hope that my leg likes this position for the next few days.
8:30am
Morning, feeling relatively refreshed, certainly more than previous days.
I finished ''Becoming'' yesterday. Such an inspiration book, feeling truly honest, straight from the heart and full of hope. This is the kind of book which I want to read it again and again.
Today I shall start ''Matisse, the life''. I always like Matisse but it's only after seeing a documentary about his later life which elevates him to another level for me. He spent lots of time in bed due to illness when at an older age. But that didn't curtail any desire to create and creativity. No longer being able to use brushes and paints, Matisse used scissors and color papers instead. He generated a series of wonderfully joyful and remarkable cut-outs. I can feel he's pouring over his passion and every last zest of life onto those cut-outs. I also realize that when you want something badly, you find a way to do it, irrespective of the circumstances. That, for me, is the meaning of living a meaningful life.
11/12/2019 Wednesday
I slept through the night!! Possibly the first since I became NWB. The first half hour was a bit hard as I was trying to find a perfect cast leg position again, although now just with fine nuances. After that, I woke up around 6:30am. I think not having extra liquid in the afternoon (no warm tea then) also helped as it prevents the need to go to the loo.
Ecstatic!
12/12/2019 Thursday
Election day.
In a deeply divisive and polarised society, there is little choice for moderate voters. I still hope to perform my civic duty despite having one leg functional.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes, I voted.
13/12/2019 Friday
Friday, the 13th.
I don't know what to say about the election results. Despite people say this election is not about B*t, the results clearly suggested otherwise. Looks like we are stuck with BJ for a while.
Despite all that, this week we continue our warming exercises with Christmas roasts. Last week we tried roast duck, served the chinese way with pancakes, cucumber sticks, green onion slices and hoisin sauce. A simple and elegant dinner and everyone had fun.
Today, it's the turkey. I am usually not a fan of turkey but this "basted" turkey crown from ASDA changed my view. When I opened the packet, I couldn't see where the basting mix was. The turkey skin was clean and nicely dry already, no extra pouches to remove/open, no sign of smeared mix anywhere on the turkey. I did notice the tiny holes regularly dotted on the turkey breast. I figured that might be it? I followed the roasting instruction and served with roasted sweet potatoes and homemade cranberry sauce. When we bit into it, wow, the meat was juicy and actually had some taste. And the skin was well grilled and crispy. Everyone agreed at the table, no discussion. This is a tasty turkey, the nicest I've ever done.
Now, what should we try next week?
The swelling has gone down a bit, I think, as last night I felt my foot was bursting out of the back slab cast. A day of lazying. Nothing intellectual, just being grateful for my body's healing power and the wonderful teams at the hospital.
01/12 Sunday
I can allow myself to start thinking about Xmas. Feel more legit now.
03/12 Tuesday
Many people think I would get bored by resting at home. I really wonder why?
Finally I have the time and space to read the books I always want in one go, not just a few pages before sleeping. And I still intend to keep up with my French. I need more disciplines for this. I shall use this forum to remind myself. And, of course, there are some drama series I've bookmarked for so long that I finally have time to watch it.
I start the day by reading my chosen book (only a few chapters left now). Pause for a mini lunch. Do some emails/admins/news reading. Start my French in the afternoon. If I get tired afterwards, I rest for one hour. Then the night falls. Dinner (prepared by hubby these days) and some unwinding for both of us. Then it's the drama time. Sometimes I may read more just before going to the bed, if I am in the middle of highly irresistible part of the book.
I am quite pleased with the routine so far and it works reasonably well.
08/12/2019 Sunday
2:30am
Recently I have had problems sleeping during the night because of the cast leg position. It seems every night I need to find a different position to alleviate the build-up pressure from the leg. The leg or rather the foot firstly starts to feel very warm. I feel lots of blood has been trapped at the foot so I raise my leg up in the air for a while and lower down. I have to do this many times over while readjusting the support pillows many times over too.
It's exhausting as it can take hours before I find a decent position to sleep again.
09/12/2019 Monday
4:30am
Last night was a better night of sleep than the previous. It seemed that positioning my cast leg near the edge of the bed prevents the pressure build-up at the heel. With just a pillow underneath the calf, the edge of the bed seems to support the ankle/heel sufficiently without making me feeling uncomfortable. Let's hope that my leg likes this position for the next few days.
8:30am
Morning, feeling relatively refreshed, certainly more than previous days.
I finished ''Becoming'' yesterday. Such an inspiration book, feeling truly honest, straight from the heart and full of hope. This is the kind of book which I want to read it again and again.
Today I shall start ''Matisse, the life''. I always like Matisse but it's only after seeing a documentary about his later life which elevates him to another level for me. He spent lots of time in bed due to illness when at an older age. But that didn't curtail any desire to create and creativity. No longer being able to use brushes and paints, Matisse used scissors and color papers instead. He generated a series of wonderfully joyful and remarkable cut-outs. I can feel he's pouring over his passion and every last zest of life onto those cut-outs. I also realize that when you want something badly, you find a way to do it, irrespective of the circumstances. That, for me, is the meaning of living a meaningful life.
11/12/2019 Wednesday
I slept through the night!! Possibly the first since I became NWB. The first half hour was a bit hard as I was trying to find a perfect cast leg position again, although now just with fine nuances. After that, I woke up around 6:30am. I think not having extra liquid in the afternoon (no warm tea then) also helped as it prevents the need to go to the loo.
Ecstatic!
12/12/2019 Thursday
Election day.
In a deeply divisive and polarised society, there is little choice for moderate voters. I still hope to perform my civic duty despite having one leg functional.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes, I voted.
13/12/2019 Friday
Friday, the 13th.
I don't know what to say about the election results. Despite people say this election is not about B*t, the results clearly suggested otherwise. Looks like we are stuck with BJ for a while.
Despite all that, this week we continue our warming exercises with Christmas roasts. Last week we tried roast duck, served the chinese way with pancakes, cucumber sticks, green onion slices and hoisin sauce. A simple and elegant dinner and everyone had fun.
Today, it's the turkey. I am usually not a fan of turkey but this "basted" turkey crown from ASDA changed my view. When I opened the packet, I couldn't see where the basting mix was. The turkey skin was clean and nicely dry already, no extra pouches to remove/open, no sign of smeared mix anywhere on the turkey. I did notice the tiny holes regularly dotted on the turkey breast. I figured that might be it? I followed the roasting instruction and served with roasted sweet potatoes and homemade cranberry sauce. When we bit into it, wow, the meat was juicy and actually had some taste. And the skin was well grilled and crispy. Everyone agreed at the table, no discussion. This is a tasty turkey, the nicest I've ever done.
Wednesday, 27 November 2019
My NWB diary - 11/2019
14/11 Thursday
The rain finally stopped over night. The sky is clear with a little bit sun. I'm going to the gym.
Parked in a bay higher than usual as lunch time tends to get busy. Engine off. Bag on and off we go.
There are many leaves on the ground. Found a wooden slope on the edge of the leaves, wet but no leaves. Hesitated for a few seconds, I told myself I will just walk slowly.
First step ok, second step, oh no, violently fell to the ground and twisted my right ankle completely 90degrees left, flat on surface, as if I could walk on it.
And I heard a pop.
In shock for 5 seconds, not really sure what to do, my instinct told me to twist my ankle back to the normal orientation. So I did.
Luckily a work colleague just came out of the gym. I managed to get his attention and that's when I discovered my right leg can't support any weight now.
Long story short, I am now in A&E and the Xray confirmed two bones have been broken on both sides of my ankle.
I need a surgery.
Cast on, in the hospital green gown, wheeled to a bed, waiting for my surgery.
This is the start of my non-weight bearing (NWB) journey.
15/11 Friday
Woke up in the hospital not sleeping very well. The non stopping beeping machines, the nurses diligently checking vital signs every 2 hours throughout the night make it a bit hard. Around 9am, the orthopedic surgeon came to examine (with his entourage). Cut the cask open and told me that the swelling is too severe for the surgery. Come back in a week.
I was given crutches, shown by the physiotherapist how to use them, and 3 boxes of meds including two types of pain killers.
And I went home.
I had a very good night sleep, feeling better.
16/11 Saturday
Waking up and realised that every simple daily routine now takes extra long. Just getting out of the bed took me a few tries to figure out a routine. No matter, I am a scientist and I can think.
17/11 Sunday
The hospital called in the early afternoon. Informing me to get ready for Monday afternoon op.
Feeling eeriely excited. I am back in the system and about to make the next step (no pun intended).
Yes, I am ready.
18/11 Monday
Arrived at 11am to get prepped for the op.
- Medical questions, answered.
- Samples, given.
- Vital signs, taken.
- Anesthesian, spoken.
- Samples, given.
- Vital signs, taken.
- Anesthesian, spoken.
I'm getting close.
The chief nurse came to inspect the swelling, she said it's borderline.
Then the surgeon came. No. When he compares my good ankle to the broken one, I know there is no argument.
Sent back home the second time.
Use ice packs, elevation and rest, he said.
19/11 Tuesday
Feeling really defeated, even though it's for the best outcome. I just need to be patient.
20/11 Wednesday
We decided to cancel the Xmas holiday in France and my Chinese new year trip in mid January. My brother had planned a trip to Japan but that I can't go either.
I'm also gutted to give up my French classes. H is the best teacher I've had, ever, and I had to give up after just one term. So lots of emailing and calling during the past few days.
21/11 Thursday
Called to confirm the surgery on Friday. I hope my nightly ice treatment so far would get me under the knife smoothly (as ironically as it sounds).
22/11 Friday
Reported to L2. You would not have imagined it's 7am as every seat has been taken in the waiting area. I am on a wheelchair so just need to find a place to park.
Got seen quite quickly first by the anesthesian and by the surgeon. Judged by the area just above the ankle, the swelling is too visible to ignore, even for the untrained eyes. The skin is "shiny" and not in the usual color.
Yes, going home the third time. I feel like really defeated. I have tried all I could and it's still not enough. Maybe it's a bitter medicine I need to swallow.
Wait for another call on Sunday.
24/11 Sunday
Got a call around 11am. Being pushed back to Tues. One more day to fight the swelling.
25/11 Monday
I'm slowly getting used to do delteparin injection. It makes me see diabetic patients in awe.
26/11 Tuesday
Surgery, yes, really. Anesthetist came and then the surgeon, too. Finally the consent form. Going in now. Excited.
27/11 Wednesday
I remember waking up in the theatre with a head still full of some drugs. Cloudy and not in full fledged pain. I had a hunch that the op went well.
Today my surgeon came to see me. He said the surgery was a success and he was able to fix both sides of the ankle as the swelling had gone down to an acceptable level. He will see me in 2 weeks to follow up the recovery. Going home today.
La récupération, quel doux le mot!
26/11 Tuesday
Surgery, yes, really. Anesthetist came and then the surgeon, too. Finally the consent form. Going in now. Excited.
27/11 Wednesday
I remember waking up in the theatre with a head still full of some drugs. Cloudy and not in full fledged pain. I had a hunch that the op went well.
Today my surgeon came to see me. He said the surgery was a success and he was able to fix both sides of the ankle as the swelling had gone down to an acceptable level. He will see me in 2 weeks to follow up the recovery. Going home today.
La récupération, quel doux le mot!
Saturday, 16 November 2019
2019 weekly - Week 46
13/11/2019
Into biscotti this week. The taste from the following recipe is great, even though a bit crumbly as it contains no flour. I will keep on playing with it until the process is less messy.
Ground almond and oat biscotti
- 1 cup ground almond
- 1 cup oat flour
- 1/2 cup sugar (1/4 cup + 2 T stevia)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1 egg
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon orange extract
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/4 cup chopped apricots
Note to self: after the 1st bake, cutting the main dough into slices with a sharp kitchen knife doesn't work well for me. Perhaps reduce the b.p to 1/2 t next time.
Into biscotti this week. The taste from the following recipe is great, even though a bit crumbly as it contains no flour. I will keep on playing with it until the process is less messy.
Ground almond and oat biscotti
- 1 cup ground almond
- 1 cup oat flour
- 1/2 cup sugar (1/4 cup + 2 T stevia)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1 egg
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon orange extract
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/4 cup chopped apricots
Note to self: after the 1st bake, cutting the main dough into slices with a sharp kitchen knife doesn't work well for me. Perhaps reduce the b.p to 1/2 t next time.
Saturday, 9 November 2019
2019 weekly - Week 45
05/11/2019
Finished my French assessment tonight. It's still hard but I'm very lucky to have a good teacher this year. So the test nor the lessons demoralizes me.
I feel fortunate to have H who is organized, teaches thoughtfully and effectively. She gives us lots of homework but that's really to help us meet the expectation of B1. Now I have someone correct my writing and chain of logic every week! What more can I ask?
Merci mille fois, H.
07/11/2019
Every other year I have my 4-day a week starting from November til the end of the year. This is just so good!!!
Finished my French assessment tonight. It's still hard but I'm very lucky to have a good teacher this year. So the test nor the lessons demoralizes me.
I feel fortunate to have H who is organized, teaches thoughtfully and effectively. She gives us lots of homework but that's really to help us meet the expectation of B1. Now I have someone correct my writing and chain of logic every week! What more can I ask?
Merci mille fois, H.
07/11/2019
Every other year I have my 4-day a week starting from November til the end of the year. This is just so good!!!
Thursday, 7 November 2019
2019 weekly - Week 44
A late post for Week 44. Been under pressure for an "assessment" of French. Totally forgot.
More later.
More later.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)