rlowney-blog

[rlowney-blog]

Solitary Living

Pioneer Life

I have been pondering this for the past few weeks. Amid the craziness at the grocery stores, the hoarding of toilet paper and endless posts about it, the countless talk of masks both N95 and homemade, lack of ventilators, and just general malaise over life itself, I have found myself wondering what life would be like if social distancing became the norm? What if we were forced to…

[rlowney-blog]

Decade End Musings

It’s hard to believe we’ve reached the end of another decade!

Y2K

When I think back to Christmas 1999 there was much anticipation for the coming of the new Millenium. Businesses were scrambling to figure out if their software was going to boot up on January 1st. Banks were going crazy hoping they weren’t going to lose everyone’s accounts because no one knew if the computer counters handle…

[rlowney-blog]

Sewing

Article on Sewing

I came across an interesting post and I got thinking.

I made all my clothes when I was in high school because I never fit the “mold”.

I had long arms and a long torso. Sewing allowed me to have more things because it was cheaper to make than to buy at the time.  I loved it and I was really good at it!

I was up on all the fashion, as most teenage girls were, and was proud of my…

[rlowney-blog]

Appliances-Repairs-Warranty

New Appliance -First Repair

Nothing is worse than when you have to deal with your first repair on a new appliance.  You’ve done our homework, you’ve checked all the reviews and consumers reports,  You get your shiny new appliances and BAM!!! Something goes wrong…sometimes in the first few months, sometimes it ovule be just before the warranty goes out.  Still you scramble, find your receipt…

[rlowney-blog]

Knee Replacement

New Joint Same Process-Knee Replacement

It’s been a year since I had my other new joint, hip, done and sadly I needed a knee replacement as well. While the prep is the same the recovery is not.  All the pre-op follows the same protocol as the hip (see previously posts) but the recovery in the hospital is slightly different.

Post Surgery

My particular surgeon is a fan of the CPM .  I woke up…

[rlowney-blog]

Joint Replacement-Post Surgery

Immediately after Hip Replacement-Hospital Stay

I know this has really taken a long time!  You get so focused on healing that everything else takes a back seat.  That’s a good thing because you do need to focus on yourself.  Healing is the most important thing in your life for the foreseeable future.

Back in the Room

When I came out of surgery I felt OK.  Obviously they did a pretty good job…

[rlowney-blog]

Joint Replacement-Pre and Surgery Days

Joint Replacement-Pre and Surgery Days

Pre-Surgery Days

Hello I’m Back!  Yes I’ve been pretty slow getting back to you about my experience with my hip replacement. Well as you can guess life does a way of getting the way!!  So let me continue with my story.

After visiting Joint Camp (a very necessary and informative few hours) I realized I wasn’t prepared for what was to come.  I mean I knew I;d be laid up and I knew I’d need home…

[rlowney-blog]

Joint Replacements-Up close and Personal!

Joint Replacements-Up close and Personal!

Preamble

I injured my right hip and knee several years ago.  I have arthroscopic surgery to try and fix what went wrong but for the most part it was only temporary.  Now I have reached the point where I can’t ignore the pain and the problems that old injury has caused.  My quality of life is suffering greatly as am I.  I am too young to be sidelined from life so I am “biting the bullet” and…

[rlowney-blog]

Shopping and Saving

Signup and Save 

I don’t normally promote sites  I have used this one last few months and find it’s easy to use and has a lot of variety.  I know there are other programs out there but this is a quick tip.  If you shop the internet, as I do, and wish to get money back for the items you would normally buy anyway, then this is a no brainer!

There are no fees to join.  You can download an app.  They…

[rlowney-blog]

Moral Responsibilities

Sometimes we are faced with very difficult and possibly impossible choices. If you choose to live in a moral and ethical way then you can find yourself caught between the duty of your immediate family and that of your extended family. Unless you live a totally selfish life, centered on your own needs, damning all others, you will face this issue one day. I have on many occasions and I have to say…

[rlowney-blog]

Frustration with Social Medicine

Frustration with Social Medicine

I’m sure I will hear back about this topic. But I believe I can speak to it from a unique point of view.

I grew up in Canada where I believe socialized medicine was first introduced when I was a kid in the mid-1960’s. I only remember going to the doctor’s office and my Mom showing a card and that was it. Later I found out that we had prescription coverage as my father was part of the UAW and…

[rlowney-blog]

Joint Issues

Deteriorating Joints

Here’s a subject I know quite well!  I watched my mother suffer from osteoarthritis for several years.  She became quite debilitated to the point where mobility was severely restricted.  Over the next several weeks I will be making posts that will document my foray into joint replacement.  I am scheduled for a hip replacement in late summer.  I have tried a few other things…

[rlowney-blog]

Special Moments😊

I had a special moment today.

My husband and I had our first date 25 years ago.  With so many things going on in our lives, whether daily stress or medical issues, we need to take time out to acknowledge these special little moments that come along.

I know everyone celebrates the big ones-birthday milestones, wedding anniversaries, etc. and as we get older we tend to forget to take time out to…

[rlowney-blog]

Traveling to Asia

Facebook reminded me recently we returned home 3 years ago from our 32 day trip to Asia!

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 3 years but time does fly and were has been so many changes in my life since then notwithstanding this trip.  Actually, this journey marked the beginning of our relocation out of NYC.  So it was a milestone in many ways.

Planning   

It took us about 18 months to 2 years to…

[rlowney-blog]

Migraines, Headaches, Upset stomaches and more...

Migraines, Headaches, Upset stomaches and more…

I have suffered from migraines most of my adult life.  Anyone who also does knows these types of headaches come in many forms and can be very debilitating because besides the pain they often are accompanied by an upset stomach (nausea), sensitivity to light and sound and just a general overall feeling of feeling crappy!!   At one point in my life I used to count the number of days I did NOT have…

[rlowney-blog]

Life Choices

Today was the anniversary of my immigrating to the USA.  It was a big life event for me.  Not only did I change jobs I change countries!  It was a huge decisions and a big move.  It was one of those defining moments in your life that you look back and wonder if you did the right thing. There are all sorts of reasons for making changes in your life: failed marriages, career changes, etc. but they…

[rlowney-blog]

Adventure Cats — Discover

I came across this site and thought it was just amazing! I love cats, have had them all my life. I think they are amazing. Don’t get me wrong I love dogs too and have one as well. But I often think cats get short changed on what they are capable of doing. If you love your cat and you were thinking of trying something like this then check these guys out! Always do your homework and ask questions.…