Don't Put It Off - Travel Bucket List

I've been recently thinking about how important it is to live in the now, instead of wishing and waiting. I recently went on a cruise and had a wonderful time. I was 9 weeks post knee replacement surgery, so probably not the best timing. But the trip had been planned and I wasn't going to cancel. It wasn't the easiest, but I found ways to manage. During this trip, I visited Venice, Italy for the 2nd time. It had been 14 years since I'd been there, but I loved it just as much as the first time. 

 

Now, just a few weeks later, Venice is experiencing the worst flooding in 50 years and many priceless artifacts and buildings have been damaged. Venice is in serious trouble and it will cost millions to do what's necessary to protect this beautiful city.  (Photo credit CNN.com article)

I was talking to a friend who told me she'd always wanted to go to Venice and is now worried she'll never get there, or the city will be destroyed before she has the chance. I feel the same way about Petra, Jordan. I've always wanted to go, but it seems like it would be hard to get there. It's expensive, a long flight, few hotels, physically strenuous, etc. But if this is a city I desperately want to visit, why do I continue to put it off? There are ways to get around the roadblocks. I don't want to regret never visiting the place that's #1 on my bucket list. (Photo credit)

Don't let these excuses keep you from seeing the places in the world on your bucket list!

• When I retire, I’m going to travel to [my dream destination].
• I really want to go to [my dream destination] as soon as I can find someone to go with.
• Next year, I’m going to travel. (but then you don’t do it)
• A trip to your dream destination gets more and more expensive.
• You travel, but you go everywhere except the one place you most want to visit.

What can we do to make a dream a reality? 

1. Determine your obstacle. Is it financial? Is it deciding if you're traveling alone or need a buddy? Is it health related? Is it because you're afraid?

2. Brainstorm and make a list of ways to overcome that obstacle. If it's financial, find ways to start a travel savings fund or find inexpensive options for your trip. If it's health related, talk to others with your same restrictions to see what they've done, or talk to your doctor. Start an exercise regimen to get in shape. If it's because you're afraid to travel alone or the planning is overwhelming, start small. Find a friend to travel with you. Give yourself a deadline and work on a step each week or month. 

3. Apply your list. You have to decide if this dream location is worth overcoming the obstacles. If so, start today! You don't have to solve everything at once. 

I wish I had time and money to go everywhere. Literally everywhere. But I don't. So why am I procrastinating visiting the places I want to see the most? Now's the time to plan, save, and GO!

The Saga of Becoming Bionic

Here I am at week 11. It's been almost three months since my knee replacement surgery. As a relatively young joint replacement patient, I've certainly underestimated the length and ease of recovery. It's been a tough road that has tested my patience at every turn. Patience has never been my strength and I hate the uncertainty of waking up each day wondering how my knee will feel. A fellow patient recently sent me this meme, which sums it up perfectly.

Since it's been quite a few years since I've blogged, I'll share a bit of history for everyone. In July 2015 I had my first hip replaced and in July 2017 my second. While these were also major surgeries with fairly difficult recoveries, by 12 weeks I was mobile without a cane and feeling mostly back to normal. I was able to travel, there was no swelling, and no more need to ice and elevate. I remember feeling such a relief from the pain of bone on bone, that the recovery from surgery felt like something I could handle. Once my hips were fixed, it became evident that my left knee would be next. After years of compensating for my out of whack hips, this knee was crooked, weak, and completely void of cartilage. I had very little range of motion and got to the point where every day held some type of pain and stiffness.

It seems July is the month for my joint replacements. I felt very prepared for this one. Since I'd been through replacement of both hips, I figured this would be similar. My wonderful mother is a teacher, so she can take some time to come help me with the first couple of weeks of recovery. There really is nothing like having mom there when you're recovering from surgery. The early weeks were pretty similar. Ice, elevate, take pain meds, eat, nap, try to focus on TV or books. We had a major heat wave in Virginia, so I'm sure my mom was going stir crazy. But 100 degrees was too much for me and I wanted to be inside, close to my ice machine. But by the start of week three, I felt confident that I could be independent and my mom went home (my poor dad sure did miss her!). 

Other than the typical post-op blues and frustration of the slow healing process, I felt like things were  progressing at least. I had a wonderful vacation planned (a Mediterranean cruise!) at week 9 and my doctor said I'd be fine, just to take it slow. My vacation was amazing...hard at times with a lot of walking...but amazing! I even managed to hike up to the Parthenon in Athens! Ms. Knee was feeling great and getting stronger each week. Until week 11.

Here I am at week 11. Feeling new soreness and stiffness. My range of motion is still lousy. I still rely on my cane more than I'd like. I still have to ice and elevate every day (sometimes more than once). It feels like one step forward and a million steps back. So, I continue to cultivate patience. I pray for comfort and healing power. I listen to my body and try to find the balance between gaining strength and taking it easy. And have I mentioned I'm trying to be patient?