Author: admin

The September Outing That Inspired a Christmas Gift

One family Christmas gift became a daily guessing game filled with clues, laughter, and connection—and eventually inspired my book, *A Gift to Talk About*.

Eight Weeks Later: Getting Pieces of My Life Back

Eight weeks after hip replacement, Piper and I are both enjoying a little more freedom. Photo by Daisy. Image edited for presentation.

Eight weeks after my left hip replacement, recovery remains complicated by femoral nerve palsy. Even so, I am regaining movement, independence and some welcome pieces of ordinary life.

Trademarking Peacock Pen Press: What I Learned Doing It Myself

The Canadian trademark registration certificate for Peacock Pen Press, displayed with two of its published books.

What I thought would be a straightforward application to trademark Peacock Pen Press became a nearly two-year lesson in government terminology, deadlines, unsolicited offers from lawyers, a little help from ChatGPT — and a whole lot of waiting.

A Walker, a Reacher and a Little Ingenuity

It seems Piper is adapting too — and ready for cuddles again.

By Weeks 5 and 6, my hip pain was improving, but femoral nerve palsy was still affecting how I moved. With a walker, a reacher and a growing collection of workarounds, I was learning how to regain some independence safely.

Kick Me When I’m Down

Sometimes an early-morning trip to the backyard doesn’t go quite as planned.

Sometimes recovery is challenging enough on its own. Add an urgent digestive problem, a CRA review of your medical expenses and a Labrador with unfortunate timing around a skunk, and you have one very memorable week.

Hip Replacement Recovery, Weeks 3 & 4: Finding My Way Forward

By Weeks 3 and 4, getting out of the house was still a process, but I was gradually finding ways to manage the walker, the car and my recovering leg. Photo by Glen. Background edited for privacy.

Weeks three and four after my hip replacement brought less pain and swelling, but little change in the femoral nerve palsy. As I learned new ways to dress, move around the house and manage everyday tasks, small steps toward independence began to feel like real progress.

Hip Replacement Journey, Part 4: Learning to Live With Dependence

Follow-up X-rays showed that the hip implant was well positioned and healing appropriately — reassuring news, even as recovery from femoral nerve palsy continued more slowly.

Six days after my hip replacement, I found myself back in emergency feeling shaky, weak and overwhelmed. As the hip healed, femoral nerve palsy continued to affect my mobility, sleep and independence — forcing my family and me to find new ways to manage everyday life.

Hip Replacement Journey, Part 3: Learning to Recover Differently

My living room became a recovery zone, with a lift recliner, walker and improvised laptop setup helping me manage daily life at home.

Coming home after hip replacement was only the beginning. With femoral nerve palsy affecting my ability to control my leg, everyday things like getting into the car, showering, sitting comfortably and starting physiotherapy all required new solutions.

Femoral Nerve Palsy After Hip Replacement

AI-generated medical illustration created with ChatGPT.

After my hip replacement, I couldn’t lift my leg, bend or straighten my knee normally, and I had reduced sensation. The diagnosis was femoral nerve palsy. Here is what I have learned about this uncommon complication, how it is investigated and what recovery may look like.

When Hip Replacement Recovery Took an Unexpected Turn

I prepared carefully for hip replacement surgery and expected to go home the same day. Instead, repeated knee buckling, difficulty walking and an unexpected nerve complication turned a routine recovery into something very different.