Hey, 2026!

After being a Social Media ghost for the last few months* I have been slowly getting back online. What I missed was the real connection with many of you. Why I went away was because of the overexposure I was feeling. When it comes to Social Media, always remember that YOU are in control of what you choose to share but also be aware that when you DO share stuff, it can be repurposed by people with shady intentions**.

If you’re ever looking to connect with me, please always make THIS website (you’re currently looking at) the number one spot! You can e-mail me through my Contact page and I can confirm whether or not you’re actually interacting with me on Social Media.

I have, quasi-reluctantly and uber-cautiously revived an online presence with Instagram (@amyvolume) and also Facebook (AMYV0LUME). I think my LinkedIn is still there but I’m honestly not very active with it.

So far in 2026 health news, I’ve:

Made it 1 year post op with my latest joint replacement (blog post) and 3 years with the new hip (news article, video)! Hoping to chill out and avoid any planned surgeries for at least 12 months!

Unfortunately had a rough go with viral season. Them’s the brakes when you A) have an autoimmune disease that is B) treated/managed by meds that wipe out your immune system. The struggle is REAL.

Living in a body that gives constant feedback is a mighty challenge but I’ve been doing this since 1988 and will continue to move forward, sometimes with accommodations or adaptations as needed, because science (& nature) is awesome! And kids being diagnosed with idiopathic/rheumatoid arthritis don’t have to be as limited or destined for joint replacement procedures thanks to modern medicine.

Thanks for reading and if you know someone who could use a little inspiration in spite of health setbacks or challenges, don’t hesitate to reach out!

* link to Blog Post about me quitting Instagram, Jan. 28, 2025
** link to Blog Post about my profile being cloned by a scammer, May 18, 2023

Skiing at Mount Pakenham:

It’s our second winter season living near Mount Pakenham. Since my foot was “in repair” last year, I am happy to finally be able to experience downhill skiing. I’ve only ever gone once during a class trip either with Lourdes or Bishop (elementary v. high school; can’t remember).

Click here to visit Mount Pakenham’s website. As a complete beginner living with a physical disability, plus the added challenge of bringing my 8 year old (who’s never been downhill skiing before), I wasn’t sure what we were in for. From start to finish; the greeting and walk through from Front Desk staff, to the hands on help in the Equipment Rental shack, to all the kind, smiling faces and words of encouragement from employees and other skiers/boarders (of all skill levels); it was an awesome night.

In fact… the whole family just purchased skis, boots, helmets over the weekend (thx Play it Again Sports - Kanata)! It was a wonderful experience and we can’t wait to get back out there.

More than happy to answer any Qs you may have about mobility challenges or other health concerns that may be a perceived barrier to outdoor adventure. Just message me but note, I can only share what my experience was. Yours may vary!

2024: That’s a wrap

Time to ring in the new year by having more surgery! You may recall me having my hip replaced in May (2023) and how it changed my life for the better… I got into fitness, big time, and have reached new heights in terms of capability, health, you name it. The sky finally became the limit - until I was taken out by a mysterious injury.

Rock radio announcer calls orthopaedic surgeons at The Ottawa Hospital the true rock stars, published October 2023.

It was a few days before we moved out of our Hintonburg house when I experienced a very intense, searing pain in my right ankle accompanied by swelling. I came home from work, sat down to take off my sneakers and BAM - I was out. I had to keep going though; we were moving. We have two kids who were about to be on summer break. I also work full time. ‘Not moving’ is not an option, no matter how much it hurts. This happened June 21st (2024). Some relief came within a few days when I felt (and saw) my tendons ‘pop’ and ‘snap’ near my ankle after forcing it to bend. It was later revealed through examination (by three doctors), ultrasound and MRI technology that I had some bony spurs growing along the back of my right ankle. They have likely been growing for decades but had become so large, they were now forcing my tendons out of place. The relief I felt came only after my tendons began to stretch to accomodate the new bones.

For someone who’s literally never been IN GREAT PHYSICAL SHAPE until this year, I can tell you that it friggin’ sucks falling OUT of shape. I had to change my routine from walking/weight bearing activities to doing a lot on the floor. The cool news is that I now have a pretty strong core - but the crappy news is that I am struggling due to this injury. To anyone reading this who has fallen out of shape; IT SUCKS SO MUCH both mentally and physically.

Per usual, though, there is hope. The light at the end of this tunnel is coming on January 9th; six months post injury, I will be having my bone spurs evicted (debridement) and right toe corrected (fused) at the Ottawa Hospital.

What went from a curious new ailment to ‘we know exactly what that is and how to deal with it” proves that we have world class doctors at home in Ottawa. I have been disabled since 1988 and have, over the years, been very lucky to have assembled a care-team of geniuses with heart. I don’t have surgery because I’m asking for it; I have surgery because my body will not function without it. Surgery is the last resort.

That said… 2025 is going to be brighter. I get to experience getting back into shape. What feels like a mountain to climb ris my focus. Falling out of shape for 6 months has inspired me to get back into it in 6 months, so let’s aim to catch up in June: a year post injury? Watch this blog space for progress reports.

You can also follow along on my instagram account. That’s where I’ll be sharing updates more frequently.

Reminder: I am not a fan of social media and I do not have a Facebook page/profile, nor any presence on Twitter/X. I am not very active on LinkedIn. Instagram remains the only spot where you can follow me: @amyvolume.

Dry feb: done & nearly dusted

Another year doing Dry Feb and I approached it the same as I typically do: with a ‘Let’s see if I can pull this off’ attitude. Well, these past few days I’ve been sick with a virus requiring medicine so I there is zero chance I’ll be drinking today - or tomorrow - or probably for the next several days/weeks. I’m considering that a win!

Did I have some drinks on Family Day Long Weekend? Yes. Of course!

The truth is (for me) that I enjoy social drinking and am in the best shape I have probably ever been in (in my life - thanks to this surgery you may have heard me talk about). This Dry Feb I challenged myself to stop drinking during the week and that, as it turns out, was pretty easy.

Every day is a good day to re-evaluate your dietary/life choices. Just as every day is a good day to check in with yourself physically and mentally. This initiative is predominantly to promote awareness and raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society.

Over $50 million went towards cancer research through last year’s efforts. In addition to said research, funds also helped over 6,800 people get to their cancer related appointments through Wheels of Hope. To learn more about Dry Feb: Click Here.

That said, I have one day left in February and haven’t reached my fundraising goal. If you feel so inclined, you can donate (and get a tax receipt) by clicking the button below!

Thanks for reading & following my daily adventures.

The New Hip (x ray)

This is the thing I’ve been wanting for a few years - finally had installed in May - and have been in recovery for, ever since.

Recovery is a long road and will likely continue for a few more months. Visually, you can see how walking one way for nearly 40 years will take some “getting used to” in the aftermath!

Thanks to all who have been patient with me. Thanks to my coworkers who’ve had to take on additional stuff while I was away or maybe not firing on all cylinders.

Thanks to my moto social pals & the Ottawa riding community for allowing me to take five: i hope to be back with a killer event in July! STAY TUNED! 👀

At 37, I didn’t see this coming. When I was told I would require surgery, I figured it was a “down the road” thing. The arthritis pain was something I can’t accurately described but please read my blog(s) over the past few years for a basic idea. I’ve tried to document my journey to help others following the same path.

I really, really wish that I could be more public about this surgery and recovery online, however there is an account on Facebook posing as me. They screenshot my posts and captions here on Instagram and put them on Facebook in an attempt to make their scams seem more legit. Since going private, I have been able to slow down their efforts. Reporting them has done zero so I had to “go dark” (post in private).

Please share my story with anyone in your circle who may benefit. I wish I had more “young” people to talk to at various stages along my path so I would love to be that person to others.

Always keep going. Love your body & be kind to yourself.

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