Knee

Walking up a mountain

On the first of September, 14 months after my TKR, I achieved my pre-operation goal and walked up a mountain. It was our thirtieth Wedding Anniversary and instead of pearls, we went to Scotland for a long weekend to celebrate. I asked friends who know about these things for an easy Munro, (a mountain over 3,000 feet) and they recommended Ben Chonzie. The route started at the top of a glen with a long winding track before following a line of old fence posts up to the summit.

According to Strava, we walked 7.8 miles to be exact and climbed 2,289 feet. My husband kindly carried the backpack and was much faster, in his normal greyhound way, while I plodded along well behind, wondering why we hadn’t gone to Paris instead. But I made it and now I’ve been back in my mountaineering gear, been in the middle of nowhere and experienced those views, I feel that the only way in the future, will be up.

Recipes

Avocado and proscuitto salad

This avocado and prosciutto salad can be assembled so quickly if you have the ingredients in the fridge. It shows the importance of shopping and the prosciutto or any other type of dried ham such as Serrano or Parma will last quite a while if you want to stock up in advance of an operation.

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Knee

One year after

Looking back a year after my total knee replacement, what have I learned? I realise I’m fortunate. I didn’t have a terminal illness or a long term chronic condition but end stage arthritis in one knee that could be fixed. Before the operation, my world had narrowed and now it has widened out again and

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Knee

Month 12 after the TKR

It was a year since my total knee replacement at the end of the month and I’ve come full circle. It felt an emotional month as I relived the days leading up to my operation. I celebrated by walking over ten miles through the Cotswold countryside. This was my target and will put me in

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Recipes

Moussaka

This is my moussaka recipe which feels nostalgic as I threw one of these together on the morning of my operation and then froze it for when I came home. I can make it on automatic pilot. Cooking the aubergines in the oven means that they don’t soak up lots of oil and you don’t

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Recipes

Mango, halloumi salad

Mango and halloumi salad is one of my favourites as it tastes so fresh and summery, but it can be eaten all the year round. A pack of halloumi lasts a long time in the fridge and so it can easily be brought out and combined with anything else going to make a delicious meal

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Recipes

Sticky toffee loaf cake

Sometimes you just need cake. In fact, my daughters say I offer cake as an answer to everything. This sticky toffee cake with fudge icing is one of my favourites. It contains dates and pecan nuts, and is moist but easy to cut and carry about. I made it recently for a big outdoor picnic

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Knee

Month 11 after the TKR

The world expands so much once you have an orthopaedic operation such as a total knee replacement. I can now walk into the middle of the countryside far away from a road and experience the landscape and the peace and quiet. This has always been so important to me ever since I moved to London

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Recipes

Pea and avocado dip

This pea and avocado dip can be whizzed up very quickly in a food processor or with a stick blender so it’s ideal when you’re tired or can’t stand up for long. I often have it with some tomatoes, cucumber sticks and slices of red pepper for lunch. Pitta crisps make a good alternative. Sometimes I

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Recipes

Leek and celery soup

This leek and celery soup is one I make all the time. Soup is so comforting after an operation and someone else can make it and leave it for you to heat up. The exact weight of ingredients doesn’t matter, as whatever you use, it will work out fine. I freeze it in one portion

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