November: Between Endurance and Readiness
Layers of Alignment
Another full week — at least one appointment every day — as I tried to hold my nerves steady for the upcoming Denver trip. I was hoping for good news about my right hip healing and, most of all, clearance for the left side in December.
My body is still adjusting from all the bodywork and alignment work that started in late October. It’s a lot of input, but I can feel the layers starting to integrate. I could easily collapse into bed at any hour of the day, but I keep moving — one careful project, one small task at a time.
Switching Roles
At home, I focused on things that make me feel grounded: backyard landscaping (participating via brainstorming while Patrick did all the heavy work), adding a wide rock border around the mulch beds, saving seeds from the garden’s final blooms. On Tuesday, the roles reversed when Patrick sprained his ankle at volleyball — so I switched into caregiver mode for a few days. It felt surprisingly good to take care of him, though it definitely took a toll on my body.
Simple Joys at Home
By Friday we were back in rhythm, hosting friends for dinner — they made us chicken piccata pasta, kale salad, apple crumble — the kind of night that feels both simple and celebratory. We’ve been loving NBA season too, grateful for the small luxury of streaming games together.
Preparing to Go Separate Ways
As Sunday approached, we both packed for separate trips: me to Denver, Patrick to Albuquerque. We’re tired of splitting off this way — especially during the holidays — but this is still our reality for now. A bright spot arrived in the form of a surprise: my brother is flying to Denver in early December to spend the days before surgery with us. I haven’t seen him since March, and it’ll overlap with a long-awaited celebration dinner with our legal team — a proper closing of that intense chapter.
Even while packing, I could feel the next chapter opening — one appointment at a time, one meal, one small win.
Reunion in Denver
Travel Sunday went smoothly — the kind of easy day I always hope for. My friend picked me up at the airport, and it was lovely to catch up on the drive. Reuniting with my mom felt like an exhale. We ordered gyros from our old favorite spot, Jerusalem, and sat outside catching up in the cool air.
Pampering and Planning
Monday was a pampering day — facials, rest, and a Frankenstein movie — the best kind of reset. Throughout the week we alternated between laughter and long, serious conversations about the upcoming surgeries and all we have been through over the last four+ years. We can hold hard truths and still find lightness together; it’s something I never take for granted.
Big Appointment Day
Tuesday was the big appointment day I’d been dreading — three-month post-op for my right hip with the PAO team. I walked in nervous and left with full clearance for the left hip in December. The relief was instant. The appointment I’d built up so much fear around turned out to be calm and encouraging — a reminder that anxiety rarely predicts reality.
The second appointment — a combined check-in with the arthroscopy team — went just as well. They were pleased with my progress and agreed that it made sense not to ramp up activity now with surgery just three weeks away.
I am already bringing in lessons from the last go-around with the right hip. Like asking directly for imaging orders and other details upfront to avoid extra hassle later and having a pain management plan involving local providers.
Unexpected Openings
Wednesday brought an unexpected win — a last-minute opening with the eye specialist I’d been trying to see since August. The exam confirmed what I’d noticed: my dry eyes are feeling better on the prescription drops. We’re trying a new one for glare sensitivity, and if that doesn’t help, we may need to look deeper.
There was good food threaded through the week — reubens at our favorite sports bar, sushi, Indian takeout — and by Thursday I was ready to fly home. It was a long travel day but everything went smoothly. Navigating Denver airport solo felt like its own milestone.
Back Home and Grounded
Back home that evening, I had a session with my energy-work practitioner. While working, she described seeing an image of dissolvable stitches reintegrating — my body rewriting its blueprint. The words landed deeply. My nervous system feels more stable lately, and I’m proud of the way I’ve been catching spirals before they take over though it often means doing less, taking in less (often why I don’t answer calls or texts).
We also talked labs and next steps: a fecal test on the way (ugh), hormone panel for ongoing cycle changes, and plans to hold off on new supplements while finishing the naso-neb protocol. I finally have an appointment set with my facial reconstructive surgeon (Nov 26) and a December plan with my ENT team to make sure things stay stable before surgery.
Steady and Preparing
By Friday, I was ready to slow down — PT, lab pickups, final logistics before the next phase. My body feels strong even as pain flares remind me to stay careful. Coming home to Patrick and the pups felt like pure relief.
As of today, November 15, I’m 23 days from left-hip surgery #1 (arthroscopy) and 17 days from leaving for Denver again. It’s wild how close it’s getting — and how steady I feel compared to the last time around.
Healing keeps reshaping itself — less about pushing forward, more about refining balance. This chapter feels like a bridge between endurance and readiness.
Somehow November slipped through my fingers — two full weeks held together by appointments, small joys, heaviness, and the slow gear-turning of pre-surgery life. These days feel like transition layered on transition: grounding into my body again, getting my home in order, preparing mentally and logistically for the next round, and letting myself feel what all of this stirs up.
Below is the day-to-day — how these weeks actually looked from the inside.
Monday, November 18 — Labs & Feldenkrais
An early start for labs, then a slow walk around town with Patrick. Taos was in one of its “half-open” moods — a few fun shops, many dark doorways — but we wandered anyway. Feldenkrais in the afternoon shifted things I didn’t even realize needed shifting: spine mechanics waking up, my leg lifting differently, small internal adjustments that felt like possibility.
Tuesday, November 19 — Big PT Day
PT and massage — a full-body reset. I did some big lateral movement I haven’t touched in ages, core work that lit everything up, and somehow walked away feeling pretty darn good. A rare gift.
Wednesday, November 20 — Weather Shift, Body Shift
The weather started turning late Tuesday, and I felt it. Off and achy. Chiropractor, energy work, and bodywork helped, but my system felt like it was bracing for something.
Thursday, November 21 — PCP Appointment
Patrick left for a few days, and I had my PCP appointment with a provider I’d never met. She wants me to redo some labs and add hormone panels — but reassuringly, it doesn’t look like perimenopause (a relief I didn’t know I needed). Still, more questions, more data, more unknowns.
Friday, November 22 — PT + Errands + Eye Drop Saga
PT, errands, home things, and the Nuggets game in the evening.
I’ve been testing new prescription eye drops — the first ones in a long time that seemed to maybe be helping. Fewer headaches, less strain. But then I did a trial run Friday while Patrick was out of town and… not great. Enough to set me back off of them for now.
Saturday, November 23 — Birthday Party & Mosaic Post
A friend’s kid’s birthday party — unexpectedly fun, grounding, sweet. I was so glad I went, saw people, and was home by 6:30 with energy to spare.
I also posted my mosaic piece that night — a big emotional exhale.
Sunday, November 24 — Rest
Absolutely nothing more to say: rest.
Pre-Surgery Prep (all week)
I’ve been clearing out so many things — cabinets, closets, piles I’ve avoided for months. Letting go of what’s worn out or just never fit. And we bought some new house things too: kitchen tools, rugs, an entertainment center, clothes. It’s wild how long I’ve lived in a scarcity mindset. Now I’m trying to untangle those tendencies and let myself have what makes life easier, softer, calmer.
Monday, November 25 — PT & More Labs
PT again, then pre-op labs for surgery and hormone testing. Everything came back clear — so it really is just stress, which brings its own subtle uneasiness.
Tuesday, November 26 — Otie at the Vet
Poor Otie had been regurgitating more than usual. The vet thinks it’s acid reflux — my sweet little mirror baby — and the new meds already seem to be helping him.
Wednesday, November 27 — Nose Realities & Core Work
A tough telemed appointment with my Co Springs Facial Reconstructive Surgeon to discuss the possibility of a perforated septum repair surgery to help prevent recurrence of MRSA and rare pseudomonas infection in my nose. Because of all the trauma, there’s nothing to be done for my nose right now and he suspects we would not have a successful repair. We’ll revisit in the spring when I’m in Colorado for post-ops, but I’m not holding my breath. PT after, lots of core work, grounding me back in my body.
Thursday, November 28 — Thanksgiving
My first Thanksgiving in four years where I wasn’t acutely post-surgery. Heavy in its own way. Different, quieter, more reflective.
Our tradition has become cooking Indian food as our Thanksgiving meal. We had a lovely day just the two of us and the animals hangin at home; we started the day with several hours of art. Creating while enjoying my morning coffee really hit the spot.
Friday, November 29 — Pre-Surgery Feelings
The heaviness continued — that familiar emotional undertow as surgery approaches. Readiness and grief sitting right beside each other.
Saturday, November 30 — Friendsgiving & Running Charades
Friendsgiving was so needed — silly games, laughter, community, even running charades… which in retrospect, maybe I should’ve been more careful about. I’m not technically cleared for running… But it felt good to get out of my head for a night.
Sunday, December 1 — Realignment
A big rest day, plus a last-minute chiropractic appointment. My hip was out of alignment (of course), so she worked on that and released some emotional stress that had been building.
And just like that, November is over.
Wrap-Up
The last two weeks were a strange blend of strength, heaviness, movement, and pause. A lot of preparing — for surgery, for winter, for whatever the next chapter holds. My body is shifting, my home is shifting, my heart is shifting. Some days I feel steady; others I feel like I’m bracing. But I’m still here, still standing yet again — even as the season turns.
Continue regular weekly appointments with Taos providers as able
12/4-20ish: Denver
12/4: Fly to Denver
12/5: Patrick and the pups arrive in Denver
12/5: End of Legal Battles Celebration with Our Team
12/8: L Hip Arthroscopy in Boulder
12/11: L Hip PAO Pre Op
12/15: L Hip PAO - inpatient at Swedish in Denver (1-2 night hospital stay)
12/22: First PT Appointment post surgery
TBD: return to run, impact, and higher intensity exercise
