CT Scan

I got my CT Scan done yesterday! Finally! It was pretty easy too. I had to wait a little bit, but the scan itself only took about 5 minutes. If you were ever curious what a CT scan was like, I'll tell you! It's a machine that looks a lot like the MRI machine (it might even be the same machine. Maybe one of my doctor/nurse friends can tell me). It's like a huge machine that almost goes up to the ceiling and has a hole in the middle of it like a donut for you to go through. For me it's not too bad because only my foot and leg really have to go in. I don't think I'd like being inside a machine more than that. You may know that I have a weird, sort of irrational fear of machinery. It's weird, I know. So these things are not fun for me. I was really nervous beforehand. I don't remember feeling this nervous before the MRI, but it's been over a year since I had that done. I do remember being even more nervous before surgery. I hate that feeling! Any ways, the CT Scan kind of sounds like a really loud washer or dryer. Not nearly as bad as the MRI that also bangs around A LOT and takes a lot longer - I was in the MRI for forever it seemed last year!

Now I just have to wait until July 27th to see my doctor again and see what the CT scan told us.

I Hate Insurance Companies

I didn't get to have my CT Scan over the weekend thanks to my stupid insurance company.

I got a message late Thursday night (but didn't talk to them until Friday morning) saying that my insurance company had not approved the CT Scan and had requested more information from my doctor. Great. Apparently the radiology place contacted my doctor for more info and then sent it to the insurance company, but they needed at least two business days to review everything.

I don't understand why this happened (other than the fact that insurance companies suck in general) and it's really annoying. I never had any problems with my MRI and everything before the surgery. I do have a different insurance company now than I did then, so maybe that's the problem. The surgery and everything was when I had my old insurance, so maybe it seems weird to the new insurance that I need a post-surgery CT Scan. Who knows. But I REALLY hope they figure it out this week - they rescheduled me for this Saturday morning instead!

In the meantime, my ankle continues to swell and be painful - especially when walking. I really can't walk without shoes on right now, which is a fairly new development. My tennis shoes and Dansko's are my savior! It's really hard to walk in sandals without pain right now. But it's still so hot!!

My New Ankle Survives Another Busy Vacation!!

This (long) weekend my ankle and I got to take another trip. We made it!! And had a good time! While making some necessary adjustments along the way...

Saturday my mom, my sister, and I headed up to NYC again. I wore my Sketchers sandals that are very good for my feet. When it is 104 with a heat index of 115 I'm sorry, but I need sandals!! We got to NY early enough that we could do some shopping at Macy's and all on Saturday. Although we drove down to that area, there was lots of walking through Macy's and a bit to other stores to do. As the day went on I was in a lot of pain! I went back to the hotel to rest, but it didn't help much. This kind of pain means I walk slower (which is to say even slower than my current "normal") and sometimes am limping a little bit. It limits how far I can walk for sure. Luckily we stayed in Times Square where you can find anything you need including restaurants close of course! And the Marriott Marquis is right between the two shows we came to see!! After seeing the Broadway musical Porgy and Bess that night I went back to the hotel and iced my ankle before bed.

The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess! This year's Tony winner of Best Musical Revival! Amazing!! Even without the star Audra McDonald (from Private Practice anyone??) who was on vocal rest!

Sunday I made a woredrobe adjustment: I switched to tennis shoes. I was able to find a nice outfit for the theater that didn't look ridiculous with tennis shoes! We spent the day shopping on Fifth Avenue and stopped by St. Patrick's Cathedral before eating lunch and heading to the main event - the Broadway play "The Best Man" featuring Angela Lansbury, James Early Jones, John Larroquette, and many more! (See my pictures at the bottom!) It was not the type of show we are used to seeing on Broadway, but it was great! How many chances do you have to be in the same room as legends like Angela and JEJ?? AMAZING!! After the show we waited by the stage door to see them come out and hoped to get a picture and autograph. MY FEET HURT!! I am beyond glad I switched to tennis shoes!! But the promise of seeing these amazing actors kept me going and we waited long enough to finally see James Earl Jones come out!! Sadly, Angela Lansbury left earlier through a side door. We were so disappointed, but the woman is 90 years old, it was over 90 degrees out, and she's a superstar; she can do whatever she wants in my book! Dinner on Restaurant Row was amazing and then we headed back to the hotel to watch Olympic Trials (to look for my dad on tv!) and rest my ankle. I went back out for a bit that night. TENNIS SHOES ARE MY SAVIOR!! I feel like I can do anything in them!!

The Best Man - full of so many amazing actors!!

Monday we left NYC bright and early (if it wasn't summertime it would have been DARK and early! but we had places to go, people to see...) for the Boston area where I got to see my love and favorite bride-to-be Shannon!! We spent the day doing lots of wedding things which was very exciting! I didn't have to do too much walking though, so my ankle didn't hurt too bad! By the end of the day at dinner it was pretty swollen though. Sometimes I'm really glad when other people can see my swelling, because there are times my ankle/foot looks really good and I think everyone thinks I exaggerate my swelling! haha It's very weird, it will look just like my other ankle/foot in the morning, but as the day goes on it can balloon up to two to three times the size of the other one! What's going on?? But I digress... I am so happy I got to go to Tewksbury to see Shannon (it's been way too long again!), do wedding things (when will I get to do this again?? it's so much fun!! maybe I should have been a wedding planner instead...), make plans for her bridal shower (I CAN'T WAIT!! I'M SO EXCITED!!), and see Shannon's parents, Terry and his family, and Allison! Maybe I should move to Boston... I can think of at least one person who would like that! :)

After a long but AMAZING and FUN day with my love and favorite bride-to-be!

Tuesday was a travel day and I wore tennis shoes even though I was riding in the car. I love tennis shoes and they really are the best thing! When we got back my sister and I went to see Brave at night. It was GREAT!! Go see it!!

I am so glad to have today (Wednesday) off for the 4th to unpack and relax before going back to work for the rest of the week! I'm limping a bit today, but have to admit that I am not wearing shoes, which could be the problem. My original physical therapist Cristina told I should ALWAYS wear shoes now. My feet just want to be free sometimes!!

My ankle and I are hoping to take another vacation or two before the summer is over. There are so many friends to see!! But it will depend on when I can get the screw taken out after my CT Scan this weekend. I hope my heel is healing!



John Larroquette signing after The Best Man on Sunday!



Kerry Butler reaching over my head and signing!



Candice Bergen signing. Murphy Brown anyone?? Or any fans of Boston Legal??



Eric McCormack signing. AKA Will from Will and Grace! I miss that show!!



James. Earl. Jones. This man needs no other statement. He's that amazing - and oh so cute in his old age!!



Dessert Pizza

Happy 4th of July!!

I'm getting caught up on updating my blog today with both recipes and ankle news! I've been pretty busy lately and let my blog go for a bit - I'm sorry!! But there have been graduations, and parties, and birthdays, and parties, and retirements, and parties, and trips/vacations, and seeing friends... Just so much going on, especially over the past month or so! So I'm back now and of course will try to be better about updating! I've heard from so many friends (who I am lucky to know all over the country!) that they actually read my blog, which makes me so happy!! Feel free to leave me a comment from time to time if you're visiting my blog! :)

Today I'm bringing you a recipe I made earlier this morning for the 4th of July - my second favorite holiday!! (Come on y'all, if you know me at all you know my devotion to all things Christmas! But I also love summertime, fireworks, and all things patriotic!)

Of course this can be made for any occasion - just change up the fruit and the design of it! This looks like a lot of steps, but it's really so easy to do! Enjoy!

Dessert Pizza dressed up for the 4th of July! My favorite!!

Dessert Pizza (from The Pampered Chef)

1 package (18 oz.) refrigerated sugar cookie dough
1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar assorted fruits (apple, strawberries, banana, kiwi, blueberries, etc.) - they suggest selecting three

1.) Preheat oven to 350.
2.) Remove 1 cup of cookie dough and reserve for another use (I don't do this. I use all the dough! But remember it makes for an even bigger cookie, which means not only bigger, but a longer cooking time too).
3.) Press sugar cookie dough into a 12-inch circle on a 13-inch baking stone using lightly floured hands.
4.) Bake 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.
5.) Remove from oven and cool for 10 minutes.
6.) Loosen cookie from stone by sliding knife between cookie and base of stone. Cool completely.
7.) Combine cream cheese and sugar in a bowl.
8.) Spread mixture over cooled crust.
9.) Prepare fruit for topping (peel, slice, etc.).
10.) Arrange fruit on cream cheese mixture.
11.) Chill until ready to serve.
12.) Cut into wedges or squares with pizza cutter and serve.

Sugar cookie dough all rolled out on the baking stone. You could also use a pizza pan I suspect!

After baking almost 15 minutes since I used all the dough!

About to put the cream cheese/sugar mixture on!

Ready for some fruit!

There's nothing like fresh fruit in the summer!!

Is there anything more American than a giant cookie with fruit on it to disguise it as something healthy?? I think not! :)

June (9 months since surgery) Doctor's Appointment Update

I had my latest doctor's appointment this past Tuesday - June 26. The appointment was just the next one after surgery and mostly about the fact that I am still having A LOT of pain, swelling, and have even been limping around lately. The verdict of the appointment was what I suspected: Start thinking about having surgery to have the screw taken out. The surgery for this would be a lot less involved than the original surgery. But it still sounds scary! Dr. Buchanan said I would only need "a little bit of sleepy medicine" and it would be a faster recovery - I would need to take 7-10 days to be off my feet, but then could get back to normal. Right...

I have a CT Scan scheduled for Saturday, July 7th. This will tell us if my heel bone has healed after the work they did on it during surgery. If it has (which it should have and they think it has) then the screw can come out. Then it's just finding a time to take 7-10 days off (let's be honest, 10 or more knowing me and how I heal!) to really rest and not walk. Again. Ugh.

When I think about it, it seems like the screw needs to come out. It's what the doctor says they do if people are still having pain. It's what Dave at physical therapy said a lot of people have to do when they still have pain. Dave has also seen it work to help people's pain. (Obviously the doctor has too). And I have talked to several people who have had this surgery or know someone who did who have said the same thing - when they continued to have pain they had the screw taken out and the pain got better. So it looks like I will most likely have the screw taken out. But when?? I don't qualify for medical leave until March when I will have been at my job for a year. That's too long to live in pain with activity restriction like this still!! And there are lots of important events coming up! It's like I am stuck and I would REALLY like to move forward. So I have to find a time and save up my sick leave I guess...

After having the CT Scan done this weekend, I go back to the doctor at the end of the month and a decision will be made then. Hopefully I will have figured out when to schedule surgery too. I'm looking forward to getting back to normal life at some point!

My New Ankle's 1st Trip to NYC

My ankle and I took our first trip together to NYC with my mom's school in the beginning of June to see Newsies on Broadway! While we were there we also saw my friend Brendan! My ankle held up pretty well, especially considering all of the other events to attend that week, but was very swollen and painful as the day went on.

Now is the time to seize the day! Don't be afraid and don't delay!
Tell that to my ankle...

Earlier in the week I attended my mom's last concert (she's retiring after 35 years of teaching!) and my cousin's graduation at Nissan Pavilion (I don't care that it's called Jiffy Lube Live or whatever now. What a stupid name! It will always be Nissan Pavilion to me!). Then bright and early Saturday morning we took the bus up to NYC. Brendan was kind enough to meet me and I got to get away from the middle schoolers and the tourists in the Times Square area for a bit. Of course taking a taxi is the way to go for me in NY, whether or not I've had surgery. :) We did a little bit of walking after lunch, and then my ankle was pretty painful. Resting it while at the show was great, but putting my pain patch and tennis shoes on when back on the bus was the best. It's not an instant fix, but it's so much better!

The biggest lesson from this was about shoes. Yes, I am allowed to wear Birkenstocks. But they are probably a "sometimes" shoe, to be worn occasionally, but not several days in a row. But what's a girl to wear to the theater with a dress?? Birks are definitely better looking than tennis shoes! I know people wear everything to the theater anymore, but I still like to look nice! I guess in the future if there's an event when I will want to wear my Birks to look a little nicer, I'll have to NOT wear them for a few days before. Man I miss the days when I could wear whatever shoes I wanted!!

After getting back from NYC it was time for my cousin's graduation party the next day. I tried to do a lot of sitting that day to rest after such an adventure! June was an insanely busy month!!

Easter/Spring Pretzel Treats!

Yes, I'm a little behind on my blogging and especially with my recipes! But this treat can be made anytime of year - just change your M&M's colors! It's so easy!

Finished pretzel treats with Spring/Easter colored M&M's!

Pretzel Treats

bite-sized "waffle" or "window" shaped pretzels
Hershey's hugs candies
M&M's

Preheat oven to 170. Place pretzels on a cookie sheet and set one Hershey's hug on top of each.
Bake for 4-6 minutes (Hugs should be melty, but not totally lose their shape yet).
Remove cookie sheet from oven and quickly place an M&M on each one.
Let cool for a few minutes and then place them in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes to set.

Start with these "window" or "waffle" shaped pretzels on a baking sheet.

You'll also need Hershey's hugs and M&M's!

Unwrap and place hugs on the pretzels.

Press M&M's onto pretzel/hug combinations as soon as they come out of the oven!