Today at PT I was pretty sure Brenda and/or Dave were going to kill me when they heard I hadn't gotten in the pool again. They've been telling me for probably two weeks now to get in and walk in the water. They think it will help my confidence walking and allow me to slowly start doing exercises like standing on my toes to build my muscles up so I can do the exercises on land. I don't even know why I couldn't get myself to get in. I had all these excuses... It was cold. Snickers got sick. Then I got sick. Then last night someone threw up in the pool and my swimmers didn't even get to have practice. I realized I was making excuses because I was afraid and decided I just needed to go for it.
Tonight after coaching my high school swimmers I stayed and got in the pool. It wasn't too bad! But it was hard work! As a swimmer it's always really frustrating to me when I have to start slowly and build up to things and I can't just get right in and start where I left off. The work to get back to that point is hard, frustrating, and it really sucks! I started tonight by walking back and forth in the pool. That wasn't too bad, but it did feel a little weird to use the correct muscles and walk correctly for a change. Then I basically did some calf raises and tried to go up on my toes. It's a lot easier in the water than on land (I can't do it on land at all) but it's still really hard for me to do in the water, and was a bit painful. I tried speeding up my walking to a bouncy skip. That really hurt! I could just barely do a lap of that. I won't be running or skipping anytime soon! Then I tried to swim. It was tiring, but not too bad. I mostly pulled, but was able to do free, back, and breast with a butterfly kick and with a gentle breast kick. It feels like I have a whole new foot that is stiff and doesn't know the motions. Probably because that is basically the case. It amazes me that the rest of my body has such muscle memory and can go right back into swimming easily. Oh I love the feeling of the water when I'm swimming!! My new ankle/foot is going to need some time to learn and catch up. I finished up with a little more swimming and some sculling. My arms are already SO sore! It's the first time in over 10 months I've been able to do a real workout of any kind and feel sore afterwards. It feels GREAT and I am so happy!!
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Reconstructed Ankles Don't Like Ice
The snow we got last night into this morning was very icy. When I went out to clear my car off in order to pick up my Mimi, the snow was covered in a sheet of ice. Awesome. So I very carefully cleaned off my car. Until I dropped my ice scraper... into the gutter. (Seriously, this happened to me!) So I had to get down to look for it, saw that it was on leaves and at the top, and made a plan to get it. I inched forward crouching down on the ice and got it! But my ankle was not happy about the angle it had to bend to. I'm always nervous about walking on ice, but I was even more nervous today and walked VERY slowly. The inside of my ankle is still a little sore, and I'm not sure if it's from the bending or from working hard in PT this week. My plan is to rest it tomorrow. And to hope the ice melts soon!
Major PT Progress!
On Thursday morning I had major progress at physical therapy! I was put in Dave's schedule instead of Brenda's like I usually am, and I think Dave is not as nice and pushes me harder. I'm thinking about switching to him all the time! I started with 10 minutes on the bike as usual, but then Dave had me get on the treadmill for the first time! I walked to each side for 5 minutes each and then backwards for 5 minutes. It was hard! My ankle actually didn't hurt, but my legs were so tired! It's been almost a year since they've had a good workout. That's CRAZY!! Then Dave had me stand on one leg - my bad leg, of course. Ok. Fine. I can do that. THEN I had to bend at the waist to touch the floor while standing on one leg. Ummm - I'm not sure I could do that before surgery! But I did it!! It was A LOT of work for my ankle! But I was so happy to move onto more difficult exercises. I think I've been ready. I did the rest of my exercises and then practiced walking down stairs. That is the hardest things for me still, and Dave said that was normal and ok. But we started working on doing it correctly. Next time you walk down the stairs, think about how much your ankle has to bend. It is a lot! And my ankle still can't quite bend that much yet. Hopefully soon!! It was very exciting to do all of these challenging exercises!! But I was SORE later that night and the next day!
Friday night at my meet, I wore a shoe for the first time instead of my boot. It went pretty well. I did sit during the break and the 500 while taking splits. But for the most part I was able to stand before, during warm ups, and during most of the meet, while also running around as always. I really love coaching and I love those kids!!
Friday night at my meet, I wore a shoe for the first time instead of my boot. It went pretty well. I did sit during the break and the 500 while taking splits. But for the most part I was able to stand before, during warm ups, and during most of the meet, while also running around as always. I really love coaching and I love those kids!!
Update: Snickers is home!
Snickers was released from the hospital on Thursday evening. When she arrived home she burst in the house and was SO happy to be home. She has been very tired, especially at first, but she is back to normal activities! She enjoyed the snow today, but we think her little shaved legs are cold! We are very happy she is home and doing so well!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
In an Emergency, I Can Run
Today I found out that even though I am not allowed to run until the end of March, I could (sort of) do it in an emergency...
I haven't been sleeping well for a while, so this morning I was moving pretty slow. I also almost fell over when I got up because my ankle was stiff and today my LEFT knee hurt. Awesome. I finally made it downstairs, let Snickers out of her crate, and ate breakfast while job searching. About a half hour later I tried to hobble back upstairs to get dressed, etc. I noticed that Snickers wasn't in the living room like I thought she was, but figured she was just out of sight in the dining room. Until I got to the bottom of the stairs and heard the worst sound of my life: rustling. Snickers rustles a lot of things but my heart stopped because I knew right away what this was: an almost full bag of Dove dark chocolate. I screamed for her to move and got up the stairs so fast you wouldn't believe. I didn't even feel the pain.
In my bedroom I found a very happy Snickers surrounded by what seemed like thousands of empty chocolate wrappers. I screamed again and within about one minute put on sweatpants instead of pj pants, grabbed socks and shoes, and put in my contacts and ran back downstairs to find my phone. I dialed the vet while putting on my socks and shoes and they said to bring her. I grabbed my coat, keys, and wallet while putting a leash on Snickers and we ran out the door. We live close to the vet, and I'm telling you we were there in less than two minutes.
We ran inside and they took her right away. I just kept thinking that Snickers was going to die, and it was all my fault. I know that dark chocolate is absolutely the worst kind of chocolate dogs could eat. And she ate A LOT of it. This was bad. They took her right away and then took me back to a waiting room. I tried to estimate how many ounces of chocolate she ate while they tried to make her throw it up. Luckily about half of it came back up. The vet techs tried to make me feel better by joking what a waste of good chocolate. Not amusing right now guys. They weren't able to get the rest out, and the vet came in to tell me that she still had a lethal amount in her.
If you didn't know, chocolate is toxic for dogs. Dark chocolate is the worst chocolate a dog can eat. The vet told me this would be a totally different conversation if it was milk chocolate. Snickers ate about 25 1-inch pieces of Dove chocolate (5/6 of a 9.5 oz. bag), which is way more than a lethal dose for a dog her size (42 lbs. I think?). Even getting half of it out was still lethal. Chocolate also causes an increased heart rate, seizures, and a host of other problems.
As I'm writing this in the middle of the day (although I won't post until later because I haven't told my sister yet. There's no sense in worrying her when there's nothing for anyone to do and she has to teach.) Snickers has been hospitalized at the vet. They gave her something charcoal based to absorb the rest of the chocolate in her system and hooked her up to an IV. They think she will be ok, but they are monitoring her and she will be there until at least 7pm tonight.
Snickers is seriously like a child to us. She is so cute and has such a personality. She has brightened all of our lives and we just love her so much. We will be devastated if something happens to her. Say a prayer for Snickers!
UPDATE: Snickers was doing well at the vet on IV's until she had a seizure around 3pm. She was still convulsing a bit afterward. I went back over to the vet and around 4pm they transported her to a specialist a mile down the road (they said she couldn't travel any further). I followed in my car as a truck took Snickers and a vet in the backseat, in case she seized again. They think the seizure was caused by the charcoal used to absorb the rest of the chocolate. This is apparently a reaction some dogs have. The charcoal was absorbing too much water and caused her sodium levels to rise quickly. They think this is what caused the seizure. At 6pm she was transferred to the emergency vet to be monitored overnight. We got to see her before she left and she was looking better than when I saw her carried, limp, from the truck earlier. She had a cone on her head and IV's all over. She was able to stand for a few seconds before collapsing down again. She kissed my mom and wanted to leave with us. My sister got there to see her too. The worst part of my day was having to call her to tell her what happened. My mom called the emergency vet to check in just before 10pm and they said her sodium levels were continuing to move toward normal. We will reassess everything at 7am.
I haven't been sleeping well for a while, so this morning I was moving pretty slow. I also almost fell over when I got up because my ankle was stiff and today my LEFT knee hurt. Awesome. I finally made it downstairs, let Snickers out of her crate, and ate breakfast while job searching. About a half hour later I tried to hobble back upstairs to get dressed, etc. I noticed that Snickers wasn't in the living room like I thought she was, but figured she was just out of sight in the dining room. Until I got to the bottom of the stairs and heard the worst sound of my life: rustling. Snickers rustles a lot of things but my heart stopped because I knew right away what this was: an almost full bag of Dove dark chocolate. I screamed for her to move and got up the stairs so fast you wouldn't believe. I didn't even feel the pain.
In my bedroom I found a very happy Snickers surrounded by what seemed like thousands of empty chocolate wrappers. I screamed again and within about one minute put on sweatpants instead of pj pants, grabbed socks and shoes, and put in my contacts and ran back downstairs to find my phone. I dialed the vet while putting on my socks and shoes and they said to bring her. I grabbed my coat, keys, and wallet while putting a leash on Snickers and we ran out the door. We live close to the vet, and I'm telling you we were there in less than two minutes.
We ran inside and they took her right away. I just kept thinking that Snickers was going to die, and it was all my fault. I know that dark chocolate is absolutely the worst kind of chocolate dogs could eat. And she ate A LOT of it. This was bad. They took her right away and then took me back to a waiting room. I tried to estimate how many ounces of chocolate she ate while they tried to make her throw it up. Luckily about half of it came back up. The vet techs tried to make me feel better by joking what a waste of good chocolate. Not amusing right now guys. They weren't able to get the rest out, and the vet came in to tell me that she still had a lethal amount in her.
If you didn't know, chocolate is toxic for dogs. Dark chocolate is the worst chocolate a dog can eat. The vet told me this would be a totally different conversation if it was milk chocolate. Snickers ate about 25 1-inch pieces of Dove chocolate (5/6 of a 9.5 oz. bag), which is way more than a lethal dose for a dog her size (42 lbs. I think?). Even getting half of it out was still lethal. Chocolate also causes an increased heart rate, seizures, and a host of other problems.
As I'm writing this in the middle of the day (although I won't post until later because I haven't told my sister yet. There's no sense in worrying her when there's nothing for anyone to do and she has to teach.) Snickers has been hospitalized at the vet. They gave her something charcoal based to absorb the rest of the chocolate in her system and hooked her up to an IV. They think she will be ok, but they are monitoring her and she will be there until at least 7pm tonight.
Snickers is seriously like a child to us. She is so cute and has such a personality. She has brightened all of our lives and we just love her so much. We will be devastated if something happens to her. Say a prayer for Snickers!
UPDATE: Snickers was doing well at the vet on IV's until she had a seizure around 3pm. She was still convulsing a bit afterward. I went back over to the vet and around 4pm they transported her to a specialist a mile down the road (they said she couldn't travel any further). I followed in my car as a truck took Snickers and a vet in the backseat, in case she seized again. They think the seizure was caused by the charcoal used to absorb the rest of the chocolate. This is apparently a reaction some dogs have. The charcoal was absorbing too much water and caused her sodium levels to rise quickly. They think this is what caused the seizure. At 6pm she was transferred to the emergency vet to be monitored overnight. We got to see her before she left and she was looking better than when I saw her carried, limp, from the truck earlier. She had a cone on her head and IV's all over. She was able to stand for a few seconds before collapsing down again. She kissed my mom and wanted to leave with us. My sister got there to see her too. The worst part of my day was having to call her to tell her what happened. My mom called the emergency vet to check in just before 10pm and they said her sodium levels were continuing to move toward normal. We will reassess everything at 7am.
Happy Birthday Snickers!
Last week we celebrated Snickers' 8th birthday. It's not really her birthday (we don't know when that is), but it's the anniversary of her adoption! In honor of the occasion, here's the story of Snickers...
When I went to college (back in 2003!) my sister wanted to get a dog. My parents, (and sorry Dad) especially my Dad, said no. I think they thought they would end up taking care of it instead of Kelly. My sister persisted and with the help of our grandma, Mimi, kept working on them. For Christmas 2004, my dad wondered why Kelly didn't get a dog for Christmas. My mom took this as a sign that he had accepted the idea. :)
Kelly had found Snickers online before the holidays at the New York Ave Humane Society in DC. On their website it said that Snickers was found playing in the street when a friendly motorist decided she needed a safer place to play. He opened the door to his car and she hopped right in, ready to go! He brought her to the shelter. (I know. Doesn't that story just break your heart?!) Somehow, as cute as she is, Snickers remained in the shelter over the holidays.
In January 2005, my mom and sister picked me up from the airport, after my CUA training trip in Florida!, and we went straight to the shelter (which is close to Catholic). We met Snickers. She was so cute! She was happy to meet us, and walked around and jumped up on us. The poor thing had kennel cough and was a bit matted still. They thought she was about a year to a year and a half old. The people at the shelter had named her Snickers, and she didn't answer to that name at first. But we liked it, so we kept it.
Soon Snickers came home to live with our family. She had some trouble at first - she ate out of trashcans, ate pencils and other ridiculous items (actually this hasn't entirely stopped), and wet on her rug. We figured the trashcan eating was due to being on the streets for a while. She didn't bark for most of the first year she lived with us. We wondered if she even had a voice because we never heard her! (If you've visited our house more recently, you know that this is no longer the case.) Eventually, she settled in.
My other favorite part of her story is when I came home from school that May. Snickers didn't think I lived in my house, since most of the year I hadn't been there. She hated me! She would tried to intimidate me and push me out of chairs or off the couch, claiming the spot for herself. She's the sweetest dog in the world, but she would growl and bark at me! After a few weeks, she finally accepted that I lived there too. We've been friends ever since.
Of course when Kelly went to college in 2006, Snickers stayed home with my parents. She has kind of become my mom's dog. Snickers chose her. My parents did end up taking care of her! But I honestly don't think they minded. Snickers has the best personality and has brought a lot of laughter into our lives. She is like a child to us. She's spoiled with toys, loves to play and go for walks. She sits on the furniture. She's pretty sure she owns the house. She's cute and cuddly and will snuggle up with you. She sleeps on a (human) bed with a pillow like a person. And no one greets you like Snickers.
I've seen pets improve the lives of so many people. I know Snickers has done that for my family. I'm kind of obsessed with Snickers. I've always loved her, but since my ankle surgery she has been my companion many days. She has been very concerned over me and gentle with me. When I was using my scooter and only could use one leg, she was patient for her dinner because I was moving so slow. I've never seen that happen before! And although one day when I was walking with crutches (ok a walker because I'm actually 80 years old) she left a toy in my path to the bathroom, she otherwise has been my loving protector. I don't know what we'd do without her.
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| Wearing her winter coat this year. Isn't she the cutest?? |
Kelly had found Snickers online before the holidays at the New York Ave Humane Society in DC. On their website it said that Snickers was found playing in the street when a friendly motorist decided she needed a safer place to play. He opened the door to his car and she hopped right in, ready to go! He brought her to the shelter. (I know. Doesn't that story just break your heart?!) Somehow, as cute as she is, Snickers remained in the shelter over the holidays.
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| Snickers picture from the shelter. Who could say no to that face?? |
Soon Snickers came home to live with our family. She had some trouble at first - she ate out of trashcans, ate pencils and other ridiculous items (actually this hasn't entirely stopped), and wet on her rug. We figured the trashcan eating was due to being on the streets for a while. She didn't bark for most of the first year she lived with us. We wondered if she even had a voice because we never heard her! (If you've visited our house more recently, you know that this is no longer the case.) Eventually, she settled in.
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| Kelly made Snickers this doggy pillow. It's still one of her favorite things. |
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| Snickers and I getting to know each other in Summer 2005 |
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| Snickers, sleeping in my bed with her head on a pillow like a human. |
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| Snickers LOVES Mom! |
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Whoops! I've been MIA
Whoops! I haven't had time to update my blog recently. Well last week at PT we had to dial things back slightly since I was in so much pain from standing too long over the weekend. It's kind of frustrating, but when I think that just a few weeks ago I was barely walking on my own, it doesn't seem so bad.
Since I had so much pain last week, they advised me to wear my boot to my swim meets this past weekend. (Yes, I had 2 in one weekend!). I think it is better to wear my boot to those because I REALLY swell up when I stand for a bit.
This week started out ok on Monday - I was feeling pretty good. Not too much pain and not too stiff. Then I think I over did it. I was cleaning for a while without any shoes on (a big no no) and then tried to carry stuff that was too heavy. I forget with things like that, that I can't just pick up anything like I used to. I have to work back up to carrying heavier things.
My incisions were super sensitive when I tried to go to sleep last night. I still sleep with my foot on a pillow, but I have been trying to put the pillow and my foot under a blanket now. My foot was not having that! It hurt to have anything touch it. Today when I woke up my foot was pretty stiff. I think it is also effected by the weather and it had been pretty rainy. Of course, my right knee hurting as well. Awesome. I went to PT today and we're still taking it a bit easier because of the stiffness/pain. But I did get leg exercises to strengthen my leg back up and hopefully help my knee as well. I also moved up from the blue resistance band to the black for my pointing and flexing exercises. Brenda and Dave (PT) REALLY want me to go swimming. Mostly they want me to practice walking correctly in the water and work on standing on my toes, doing calf raises. I am still limping a bit, and it gets worse the more pain I'm in or the stiffer I feel (aka as the day goes on). They think practicing that in the water is going to help me finally walk correctly and feel confident about it. They have threatened to keep calling to check in with me to see if I've swam yet. I guess I'll take my suit with me tonight...
Since I had so much pain last week, they advised me to wear my boot to my swim meets this past weekend. (Yes, I had 2 in one weekend!). I think it is better to wear my boot to those because I REALLY swell up when I stand for a bit.
This week started out ok on Monday - I was feeling pretty good. Not too much pain and not too stiff. Then I think I over did it. I was cleaning for a while without any shoes on (a big no no) and then tried to carry stuff that was too heavy. I forget with things like that, that I can't just pick up anything like I used to. I have to work back up to carrying heavier things.
My incisions were super sensitive when I tried to go to sleep last night. I still sleep with my foot on a pillow, but I have been trying to put the pillow and my foot under a blanket now. My foot was not having that! It hurt to have anything touch it. Today when I woke up my foot was pretty stiff. I think it is also effected by the weather and it had been pretty rainy. Of course, my right knee hurting as well. Awesome. I went to PT today and we're still taking it a bit easier because of the stiffness/pain. But I did get leg exercises to strengthen my leg back up and hopefully help my knee as well. I also moved up from the blue resistance band to the black for my pointing and flexing exercises. Brenda and Dave (PT) REALLY want me to go swimming. Mostly they want me to practice walking correctly in the water and work on standing on my toes, doing calf raises. I am still limping a bit, and it gets worse the more pain I'm in or the stiffer I feel (aka as the day goes on). They think practicing that in the water is going to help me finally walk correctly and feel confident about it. They have threatened to keep calling to check in with me to see if I've swam yet. I guess I'll take my suit with me tonight...
The BEST Salad EVER
This is my absolute favorite salad dressing. I usually have it with spinach, a sliced granny smith apple, and golden raisins. You could also add cheese (I like feta) or chicken or whatever else you think would be delicious. It's healthy and amazing! Enjoy!
1/4 cup sugar (I use Splenda to be healthier and it tastes the same!)
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 t garlic salt
1/4 t celery salt
1/4 cup sugar (I use Splenda to be healthier and it tastes the same!)
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 t garlic salt
1/4 t celery salt
Sunday, January 8, 2012
A Weekend of Fun = Sad Ankle
Friday night some of my mom's students sang the national anthem at the Wizards game. It was so cool to go with them early and be backstage at the Verizon Center. We also met Ted Leonsis who owns the Wizards, Capitals, Mystics, Verizon Center, Patriot Center, etc. He pulled his car right up to the back elevators we were getting in and got out and started talking to us and the kids. He was very friendly and even got into the already-crowded-with-12-14-year-olds-elevator and rode with us. One of the boys knew who he was and asked to take a picture with him. It was really cute, and I think it possibly made his life.
Any ways, this means I was walking and standing from about 4:30pm until we finally went to our seats after 7:15pm. For me, that's a really long time. I wore my boot knowing that I would be walking from the Metro and standing a bit. But when I got home I could barely walk to get off the Metro again and went straight to bed to put my foot up. It didn't do much to help though. When I woke up on Saturday it was still pretty swollen and stiff.
Saturday afternoon I had a swim meet. I put the boot on again in preparation. The kids were so cute and noticed right away (after finally wearing a real shoe all week at practice!). "Coach Erin! You're wearing your boot again!" I really love them. Anyone who has ever been to a swim meet knows that I was then standing for quite a bit again. Not to mention practically running with a swimmer who cut her foot during warm up to get a bandaid to stop the bleeding so she could swim the first relay, running around trying to find someone who almost missed his event, finding all the 500 counters, etc. When I got home, even though it was only 7pm, I went straight to bed again. I was aching! I tried to just rest and stretch it a bit the rest of the night. It didn't help.
When I first woke up this morning I could barely walk. I would have used my crutches if they were still out my foot hurt so bad. I couldn't decide if I should rest it more or try to stretch it and get it working. I opted for resting it more. I'm thinking this was the right move because when I tried to stand again a few hours later it was better. Now that I've been walking a little bit it's feeling ok. But not great still. I guess I won't be going anywhere today. Boo.
Any ways, this means I was walking and standing from about 4:30pm until we finally went to our seats after 7:15pm. For me, that's a really long time. I wore my boot knowing that I would be walking from the Metro and standing a bit. But when I got home I could barely walk to get off the Metro again and went straight to bed to put my foot up. It didn't do much to help though. When I woke up on Saturday it was still pretty swollen and stiff.
Saturday afternoon I had a swim meet. I put the boot on again in preparation. The kids were so cute and noticed right away (after finally wearing a real shoe all week at practice!). "Coach Erin! You're wearing your boot again!" I really love them. Anyone who has ever been to a swim meet knows that I was then standing for quite a bit again. Not to mention practically running with a swimmer who cut her foot during warm up to get a bandaid to stop the bleeding so she could swim the first relay, running around trying to find someone who almost missed his event, finding all the 500 counters, etc. When I got home, even though it was only 7pm, I went straight to bed again. I was aching! I tried to just rest and stretch it a bit the rest of the night. It didn't help.
When I first woke up this morning I could barely walk. I would have used my crutches if they were still out my foot hurt so bad. I couldn't decide if I should rest it more or try to stretch it and get it working. I opted for resting it more. I'm thinking this was the right move because when I tried to stand again a few hours later it was better. Now that I've been walking a little bit it's feeling ok. But not great still. I guess I won't be going anywhere today. Boo.
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| "Backstage" at the Verizon Center before the Wizards game |
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| Ready to walk onto the court before the game! |
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Dill Dip (aka Crack Dip)
For New Years Eve I made my famous Dill Dip. As usual, it was a hit! My co-workers at Notre Dame loved this dip so much, they re-named it "Crack Dip." It is addictive! It's easy to make, great with all different veggies, and sinful with potato chips!
Dill Dip
1 cup sour cream
1 cup mayonnaise
1 T onion flakes
1 T parsley flakes
2 t season salt
1 t dill weed
Mix together and chill.
Dill Dip
1 cup sour cream
1 cup mayonnaise
1 T onion flakes
1 T parsley flakes
2 t season salt
1 t dill weed
Mix together and chill.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Mimi's 7 Layer Bars
For me, nothing says Christmas like my Mimi's 7 layer bars and her fudge. Sadly for you, her fudge recipe is a family secret that I was sworn to protect when finally given the recipe two years ago. But the 7 layer bars I make for events year round and everyone always wants the recipe. Mimi does allow this one to be given out. Although I will say at this point neither of us needs the recipe to make them, we go by what looks right! Enjoy!
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 1/3 cup flaked coconut
6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
6 oz. butterscotch chips
6 oz. peanut butter chips
1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup chopped nuts
Preheat oven to 350.
Melt butter in 13x9 inch baking pan.
Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs over butter evenly to make crust.
Sprinkle coconut and three types of chips evenly over crumbs.
Pour sweetened condensed milk over chips.
Top with nuts.
Bake 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool. Chill if desired. Cut into bars.
We think they taste best when stored in the fridge. They are so easy to make and you can change the chips around to your liking! Have fun and enjoy!
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 1/3 cup flaked coconut
6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
6 oz. butterscotch chips
6 oz. peanut butter chips
1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup chopped nuts
Preheat oven to 350.
Melt butter in 13x9 inch baking pan.
Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs over butter evenly to make crust.
Sprinkle coconut and three types of chips evenly over crumbs.
Pour sweetened condensed milk over chips.
Top with nuts.
Bake 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool. Chill if desired. Cut into bars.
We think they taste best when stored in the fridge. They are so easy to make and you can change the chips around to your liking! Have fun and enjoy!
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| Mimi's 7 layer bars in the pan after coming out of the oven! |
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| I don't usually cut mine quite this big because they're rich! So yummy!! |
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
What does "normal" mean?
I'm writing my first post from my new iPad! I've been so busy over the holidays because finally there were other people around during the day for me to see!
Last week on Thursday I got re-evaluated at PT since I had an Ortho surgeon appointment this week. And there was progress! According to Dave (PT) my foot now moves within the normal range of motion! Now don't get me wrong, this is very exciting, but it still doesn't feel normal to me. It's definitely not where it was pre-surgery. My left foot can also point like a ballerina, as they say, or as I say like a swimmer. Apparently this is not normal and your foot shouldn't point that much and my new right foot will probably not go back to pointing that much. Ok. Well I hope it doesn't effect my kicking! Being in the normal range of motion also means that I should be able to walk normally. I cannot. I'm still walking with a limp. Dave says this is because I do not have the strength, especially in my push off (because I can't stand on my toes yet) and because I am trying to get off my foot quickly. I'm hoping this improves soon.
Today I went back to Dr. Buchanan, the Ortho surgeon. He was very pleased and impressed with my progress! He said the biggest scar looks good and it will eventually be a white line that's not too noticeable. I'm so glad, because I have been worried about that one incision. Also that it was ok not to wear the brace and that I can still wear my boot if I feel tht I need it (usually to walk far or if I'm sore or swelling more than usual). But over the next month I should move to only wearing a shoe! I told him how nervous I've been to wear a real shoe on the pool deck while coaching because Cristina (PT) made me so nervous before. Dr. Buchanan said I shouldn't worry about it because my ankle could take a minor slip and fall at this point. So I'm going to wear a real shoe to swimming! Let's see how long I can stand for...
My biggest concern is getting back to normal activities. For me, that's working out - last year for my birthday I got a brand new road bike for triathlons that I haven't been able to use. I want to finally ride my bike! I want to be able to swim and run, do yoga and Pilates, and box again (yes, I do still want to BOX. But no kickboxing after my ankle was reconstructed I think...). At PT I see people who are athletes doing crazy jumping in boxes and onto round things. Dr. Buchanan says I have several months left before I can do all that. Dave and Brenda at PT promised they would get me to the point of jumping, but it's several months away. My recovery is about a year total, so I still have almost 9 month left and it will be at least another 3 until I can try to run. It's hard to be patient, but my foot is definitely not ready for anything tht intense yet! I just like to know when things might be coming!
2011 was probably the worst year of my life for many reasons. I know I still have most of 2012 to recover from my surgery, but at least it finally feels like I'm moving in the right direction and can get healthy again in 2012!
Last week on Thursday I got re-evaluated at PT since I had an Ortho surgeon appointment this week. And there was progress! According to Dave (PT) my foot now moves within the normal range of motion! Now don't get me wrong, this is very exciting, but it still doesn't feel normal to me. It's definitely not where it was pre-surgery. My left foot can also point like a ballerina, as they say, or as I say like a swimmer. Apparently this is not normal and your foot shouldn't point that much and my new right foot will probably not go back to pointing that much. Ok. Well I hope it doesn't effect my kicking! Being in the normal range of motion also means that I should be able to walk normally. I cannot. I'm still walking with a limp. Dave says this is because I do not have the strength, especially in my push off (because I can't stand on my toes yet) and because I am trying to get off my foot quickly. I'm hoping this improves soon.
Today I went back to Dr. Buchanan, the Ortho surgeon. He was very pleased and impressed with my progress! He said the biggest scar looks good and it will eventually be a white line that's not too noticeable. I'm so glad, because I have been worried about that one incision. Also that it was ok not to wear the brace and that I can still wear my boot if I feel tht I need it (usually to walk far or if I'm sore or swelling more than usual). But over the next month I should move to only wearing a shoe! I told him how nervous I've been to wear a real shoe on the pool deck while coaching because Cristina (PT) made me so nervous before. Dr. Buchanan said I shouldn't worry about it because my ankle could take a minor slip and fall at this point. So I'm going to wear a real shoe to swimming! Let's see how long I can stand for...
My biggest concern is getting back to normal activities. For me, that's working out - last year for my birthday I got a brand new road bike for triathlons that I haven't been able to use. I want to finally ride my bike! I want to be able to swim and run, do yoga and Pilates, and box again (yes, I do still want to BOX. But no kickboxing after my ankle was reconstructed I think...). At PT I see people who are athletes doing crazy jumping in boxes and onto round things. Dr. Buchanan says I have several months left before I can do all that. Dave and Brenda at PT promised they would get me to the point of jumping, but it's several months away. My recovery is about a year total, so I still have almost 9 month left and it will be at least another 3 until I can try to run. It's hard to be patient, but my foot is definitely not ready for anything tht intense yet! I just like to know when things might be coming!
2011 was probably the worst year of my life for many reasons. I know I still have most of 2012 to recover from my surgery, but at least it finally feels like I'm moving in the right direction and can get healthy again in 2012!
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