soak up the sun

Another week down in the clinic-- hard to believe I've already been here 3 weeks, and have been away from home nearly a month. Life at MVP is pretty good. I'm learning lots from my CI, and see an average of 8-10 patients a day. My current favorite patient is a 90-year old man recovering (quite well, I must say) from a hip replacement. Despite the fact that we communicate solely through an interpreter, we get along quite well. I've seen loads of shoulder patients so far, am becoming more comfortable with the neck, and even have a high schooler with chronic regional pain syndrome, the most bizarre diagnosis I've seen in an orthopedic setting yet. 

can you spot the only hockey memorabilia in the clinic? (at least it's a signed Miracle On Ice photo!)

Considering many Tacomites are employed by Boeing or JBLM (Joint Base Lewis McChord), a huge Air Force base, we see quite a few vets, and kids of military men who incessantly call me "ma'am," regardless of how many times I ask them to call me by my first name. MVP also plays host to future PTs, PTAs and ATs who are looking to boost the volunteer hour numbers on their grad school applications. Pretty cool to be followed around and to field PT questions-- I love teaching!

We've been blessed with sunshine most of this week and weekend, which resulted in several lunchtime runs through Lakewood. I maintain that the best way to really see a city is to run though it-- that's how I got to know Brunswick, Northfield and Rockford. During the rare rainy days this week, I was introduced to "sucker holes," as they're lovingly called, which refer to temporary breaks in the clouds which suddenly turn back to rain. Thought it was going to be a sunny day after all? Sucker! One day, it was sunny on one side of the building, and around the corner, it was pouring. I rest my case. 

As for this weekend- I've ventured back into the kitchen, where I've spent little time since living in Rockford. Alas, I'm taking a hiatus today, as I no longer have any A) free Tupperware, or B) room in the fridge. Between Friday and Saturday, I whipped up: 

-a thai shrimp spinach wrap with zucchini (my own creation, nice and zesty)

-baked apple cinnamon chips (so dang easy, and just as healthy-- delicious)

-sweet barbecue crock pot chicken (my #1 favorite recipe, maybe ever)

-no bake energy bites (quick energy, perfect for when I'm en route to the gym)

-coconut-crusted French toast (not my best meal yet)

-quinoa mac and cheese (the ONLY way I'll eat quinoa from now on--awesome)

quinoa mac & cheese, with leftover bbq chicken

I couldn't be more excited for this week, well until next week, that is (when Clay visits for 11 days!, and we head to the ocean!). 12 hours in the clinic Monday, then on Tuesday, 1) I will be officially 8 weeks post-op (with full ROM, and rapidly improving strength :), 2) Train's latest release, California 37, will be music to my ears en route to... 3) sweet home Minnesota! I fly out that evening for a brief 30-some hour trip back to the midwest.

Let's hope the next few days fly by so I can fly home. In his words, only one more edition of the Monti Times before my sports writing beau picks me up from MSP. See you soon, MN!