Stretch with Gretch

01/05/2025

27 days post op wrist
6 days post op knee

Riley is standing in for Tyler in reminding me to engage my glutes during leg extensions.

01/01/2025

Today's milestone - PANTS!

I've figured out a good rotation of pain meds and am feeling much better.

Happy New Year! 🎉🍾

12/31/2024

22 days post op wrist - 1 day post op knee

Doc says surgery went well. Last night was rough. I have a nerve block and ice machine. I started some at home PT today - engaging the quad, leg lifts, knee flexion, and knee extension. I'm able to get around with my granny walker, but mostly taking it easy in bed today. Popping hydrocodone instead of champagne tonight.

Celebrate responsibly tonight, y'all.

12/28/2024

20 days post op wrist
2 days to knee surgery

I thoroughly enjoyed my holiday. Sitting out on the cooking and cleaning was a bonus.

The sutures are out of my wrist, and I have this lightweight custom fit splint now. It's much more comfortable than the cast. I have a few finger exercises to do for therapy, and those are getting easier.

My knee surgery is scheduled for the 30th. Still doing at home PT twice a day. Colby got me back on the bike Friday. I know I'll take a few steps back with surgery, but I'm ready to get started on post-op recovery.

One day at a time.

12/20/2024

I did the extra credit and made it to 104° of knee flexion today! Seeing doc on Monday to schedule surgery.

12/19/2024

Seems like a good time to reignite my meditation practice. I believe strongly in the mind body connection. Prepping my noggin for the necessary pain that is coming.

I'm using Headspace to help me stress less, and I wanted to share my 30-Day Guest Pass with you: https://hdsp.co/share/67644513a28b3bfe9fc70bae

12/18/2024

Humbled! Left leg at 90°. Right leg not quite, but better than yesterday. Building empathy for the less flexible.

Posting for progress and accountability.

Thank you for all the well wishes.

12/17/2024

Progress! New cast. New brace. New wheels. Knee PT starts tomorrow. It has to bend to 90° before I can have surgery, hopefully in the next 7-14 days.

This is gonna be easy, right? Right!?

11/11/2024

Sweary Affirmation.

09/19/2024

Facebook and LinkedIn feeds are filling up with North Texas Giving Day posts. This is a big day for North Texas nonprofits and your donation to any one of them is greatly appreciated.

I have the privilege of sitting on the board of Journey Forward Mentoring. We are a small but mighty organization that provides one-on-one mentoring to four Dallas ISD High Schools.

We've been selected as one of Dallas Doing Good’s top 10 picks for North Texas Giving Day - https://dallasdoinggood.com/ntx-giving-day-journey-forward-mentoring-paves-pathways-to-higher-education-for-dallas-youth/

We have a goal to reach 100 donors by the end of the day and we’re only 27 donations away.

Will you help us reach our goal by donating to Journey Forward today?

Simply click this link to donate - https://www.northtexasgivingday.org/story/Gretchenforjfm

And thank you for your support!

-g

Help me raise money to support high school & postsecondary students through the power of mentoring!

09/16/2024

Journey Forward Mentoring is one of Dallas Doing Good’s top 10 picks for North Texas Giving Day.

https://dallasdoinggood.com/ntx-giving-day-journey-forward-mentoring-paves-pathways-to-higher-education-for-dallas-youth/

Help me reach my $2500 donation goal.

https://www.northtexasgivingday.org/story/Gretchenforjfm

Anjulie Ponce joined Journey Forward Mentoring in 2016 as a mentor and became Executive Director in 2018, inspired by the profound impact of mentorship on students' lives. Under her leadership, the organization has expanded its programs and support systems, offering long-term guidance from high scho...

09/11/2024

men·tor /ˈmenˌtôr,ˈmen(t)ər/
noun
An experienced and trusted adviser.

I was assigned a mentor when I started my first job at AT&T Bell Labs. Jerry had been there and done it all. He smoked like a chimney. My desk was on the factory floor not far from the smoking area. Every couple of weeks, he'd tap on my office and ask if I needed a smoke break. He knew I didn't smoke, but I never said no because there was always a nugget of wisdom he'd drop during our 15-minute chat.

He's since passed away. I'm not sure I ever properly thanked him. I'm doing my best now by serving on the Journey Foward Mentoring board and helping raise money for our high school and postsecondary programs. If you'd like to pay it forward for your mentors please consider making a small donation to my North Texas Giving Day campaign.

If you're interested in being a mentor or serving on our board or one of our committees shoot me a DM.

Help me raise money to support high school & postsecondary students through the power of mentoring!

09/10/2024

Work capacity days are no joke! This was my first group workout with Tyler

He's super nice and knows his stuff. He explained the workout, led us through a warmup to get familiar with each movement, and was a great cheerleader offering recommendations on rep counts, form, and breathing throughout the workout. The gym is spacious and well equipped. I'll be back next week.

Oak Cliff, you should join me!

Do it for future you.

09/06/2024

Have a great semester, baby girl! ❤️❤️❤️

09/05/2024

Go Terriers!

08/15/2024

If you're intimidated by dumbbells and barbells, another great way to utilize weights is to carry them. Toss some books in a backpack or invest in a ruckpack or weighted vest and go for a walk.

The added weight will help you build strength and increase your cardio endurance. You'll work your whole body. Your legs get a workout from the walk, and your abs, shoulders, and back get a workout from maintaing form while stabilizing the weight. You'll also burn more calories than walking without weight - up to 2-3 times more depending on your pace and the terrain. And probably the most important benefit, especially for the ladies, carrying the added weight helps slow down and potentially reverse bone loss.

In solidarity with my college kids who walk miles every day to classes and my high schooler whose backpack weighs more than they do, I'm adding a 20 pound vest to my morning walks.

Won't you join me?

08/03/2024

Holy moly! Still feeling Wednesday's squats. Taking a rest day.

07/29/2024

Amazing trip, but there is no place like home. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

Back to our regularly scheduled programming soon.