Rehab: Let the Physio Begin!

On Friday, February 28th, I began (the long and ouchie road) of physical recovery in the form of Physio. This was the catalyst that got me to peak physical form (for me) after having my hip replaced in 2023.

Since moving from downtown Ottawa to Almonte, I’ve taken on a new physiotherapist and clinic (but I’m very happy to give anyone in need recommendations for my old clinic and care provider because they RULE).

I have a lot of work to do and have been advised to ‘cool it’ on the amount of walking and weight bearing activities I’ve been doing.

My care providers said to not expect a full return to sports or more intensive activities until August, so my previous goal of being ‘back in shape by June’ have been shifted.

Moving goal posts is fine by me. I know by now that when you over-do it, you get injured. This surgery and recovery period have been exacerbated due to injury so I’m not looking to repeat any of this pain filled process!

Physio will be a bi-weekly thing til my gate improves and my muscles get back to strength. There is a lot of work to do and an equal if not greater amount of wins to look forward to once I cross the finish line. Until then: baby steps!

BEFORE

Rheumatoid Arthritis causes joint deformity; walking was too painful for me as a child, so I failed to form healthy feet.
NOTE: My left MTP was fused in 2003.

AFTER

On January 9, 2025 I had a bony growth (osteophyte) removed (ankle debridement) and big toe corrected (MTP fusion) in a 2-for-1 surgery at the Ottawa Hospital.

coke canada gave me a bunch of new drinks to try. here are my thoughts:

Coke doesn’t need my endorsement. I’m not being paid for this. If my opinion influences you to try their new flavours then I guess my work is done? I’m not an influencer. I just pass along praise where praise is due, and I don’t give any extra time or effort (or blog posts) to products that I felt were ‘meh.’

Full disclosure: a rep for Coca Cola Canada asked me if I’d be interested in trying their new flavours and I said ‘heck yes!’ Look, I know caffeine isn’t good for me. I know sugary drinks aren’t a healthy go-to snack. Everything in moderation, and I honestly gave the sugary drinks to my kids because I’m a good mom (right?). Again, everything in moderation - and brush your teeth - etc.!

Ok. So. Back to caffeine being bad. Let me tell you something, 'oh boy, do I ever love a caffeine in my drinks. I limit myself to two cups of coffee and one Diet Coke per day. When I saw these fuze Iced Tea options had zero sugar AND caffeine, I was very intrigued.

Can I also just add that Iced Tea has really snuck up on me as a thirst quenching option lately? I’m not sure why. I’m not big on sugary drinks, or juice or any sodas (really) outside of Diet Coke… but lately, when I’m craving a drink that has a bit more flavour than a glass of water (because I also love, love, love drinking water), I’ve been opting for Iced Tea. Maybe it’s because I’ve been watching so much Southern Charm? I don’t know.

Here is the fuze iced tea line-up they sent me to try; all are delicious. When I need a bit of a sugary ‘pick me up’ before doing something semi-physical, I grab one of these. 10/10 can solidly recommend giving them a try and the sugar free version tasted just like the real thing.

My kids are big orange flavoured soda fans, so I let them have at the Coke and Coke Zero Orange Cream sodas. Here are their comments:

“I liked the zero sugar one, it had a hint of orange. And the regular one, I found the flavours blended well.”

“I love both of them!”

So consider them fans, too. Nice to have the zero sugar option. Not a lot of sugar-free flavoured soda options that deliver on taste.

Do what you want with this information. As a consumer myself, I will be purchasing these fuze drinks as a household staple (especially in the warmer months). Would highly recommend the zero sugar fuze iced tea and raspberry fuze as an impulse buy when you need to quench a thirst and want a little boost with flavour.

Coca-Cola Canada was officially trademarked in 1905. Their first factory outside the US opened at 65 Bellwoods Ave. in Toronto. Today, Coca-Cola Canada bottling makes 250 drinks across 38 brands employing over 5,700 people in more than 50 facilities from coast to coast.

If you’d like to learn more about Coca-Cola Canada, please click here.

(Almost) 6 Weeks post op: xrays & the big ‘check up’

Everyone knows that the first check up, post op, is to make sure you’re doing what you’re supposed to be doing and not showing signs of infection or neglect, etc. It’s the six week appointment where you get a taste of freedom, assuming everything’s been progressing as it should.

My ‘six week’ appointment was yesterday. I breezed through, too, after showing up early. It was a pleasant Valentine’s Day surprise! Plaster Room > X Ray department > right into the Exam Room. I was greeted right away by my surgeon (which is also such a nice surprise as it’s never a guarantee you’ll be seen by your doctor).

Overall, foot is looking good! Healing okay, some problem scabbing on my toe so I’m back on the band-aid wagon (I’m a big ‘let it breathe’ person so I opt to go without probably more often than I should). The extra bone growth (osteophyte) that was removed from my ankle was a big one and there was some manipulation of tendons and nerves which is why I’ll be swollen there for a while. My toe is now ‘looking normal’ after a lifetime of being deformed. My shoes feel so strange and I have to ‘rebreak’ all footwear in to fit this ‘new toe’. I also finally have the same shoe size for both feet - something that I’ve never had in my (almost) 39 years on Earth.

I have had the MTP Toe Fusion surgery done before (left foot), when I was seventeen. Let me tell you friend, I was NOT into fitness at that time. I was not athletic at all. So I don’t remember the following restrictions being ‘a thing’: no running/jogging for six months. No skiing for the same. No real sports til August. As expected, this winter is a bit of a wash for me sports-wise, but I am happy the procedure is in the rearview. I will have to adjust my fitness goals/expectations from June to maybe the fall now but that is ok.

I plan to take this family day long weekend to settle back into a normal routine which means not having my husband do everything for me (and the kids) 24/7. I can drive! I can walk (sort of)! I will be not just okay but better with each passing day. I made it and I’m gonna keep going.

Thank you, Ottawa Hospital. Your doctors, nurses, techs and care workers are such a critical part of my life and the lives of others like me. They have used their lives to study medicine in the pursuit of helping others which involves sacrifices of its own. Their efforts are not lost on me and there is no thank you big enough to express how grateful I am, and continue to be, with my care team.

Thank you!

Green, Liberal, NDP or PC: Ontario VOTES

I put the above parties (in the title) in alphabetical order. You can likely correctly guess who I will be supporting on February 27th l but since I am a public figure, I should keep that info to myself.

Health Care is my number one issue. I am very privileged to have the medical support team I have. I’d would not be here today without them. There are millions of people like me who are without a support system.

If you are wondering what each political party has promised RE: health care in the province of Ontario, you can sign up for press updates via the Ontario Medical Association’s website.

ETA this article on 02.10.25: Ontario parties are promising family doctors for all. Compare the plans.

Again, in alphabetical order, you can also visit each major party’s (provincial) website:

• Green

• Liberal

• NDP

• PC

You can register to vote here.

The deadline to vote by mail is February 21 and you can register to do so here.

Recovery/Boredom

Though I’ve been working since my surgery (I was off air, but programming, the week immediately following my procedure), I’ve reached the point of absolute “drain.”

I know I need to give myself some slack but I miss my friends. I’m bored of being in bed all day. I miss fitness and working out. My foot is still far too swollen to walk, even in the aircast and I’m trying to do core fitness floor workouts but I’m honestly so tired it’s really hit or miss.

Digging very deep, I was able to work my bar shift in Barry’s Bay on Saturday night (with an assist) but slept all day Sunday a result. I will do the same this weekend but hopefully be in a better place, physically.

My next apt, with X-rays, is Friday, February 14. It won’t technically be six full weeks, post op until Thursday, February 20. I am hoping the X-rays set me free in terms of the air cast and I also hope the swelling in my ankle goes away so that I can learn how to walk with this new foot. It’s the same side (right) in which I had my hip replaced two years ago. I’ll get the hang of it… again!

Following that appointments guidance, I expect to be back at the radio station full time, per usual. While it’s awesome to be able to work from home - it is not the same. Looking forward to seeing people, driving, getting dressed, bathing, walking, tidying up, etc. and hopefully being surgery free for another few years! More than two would be nice.