Recovery

 

Yesterday marked three weeks since my knee replacement surgery.

I did my PT twice and walked a couple of times, once around the block and once at an outdoor shopping center. By the end of the day, I felt as if I had been in a fight. My knee was swollen. My calf and ankle ached. I iced a lot and even slept with the ice machine sleeve wrapped around my leg.

Two steps forward, one step back has become my motto.

I continue to be surprised. I’ve always bounced back from things quickly, but this recovery is not linear. It is effort followed by inflammation. Progress followed by rest. Independence followed by humility.

What caught me off guard is not just the physical work, but the vulnerability. If you are used to being independent, needing help is its own kind of challenge.

In Caitlin’s Star, I write about the stars that twinkle behind the clouds. We may not always see them, but they are still there. That’s the brass ring.

Recovery feels a bit like that right now. The progress isn’t always obvious. Some days it is hidden behind swelling and fatigue. But it’s there.

 I saw this tee shirt on Amazon and think that it represents my recovery. I think I will buy it!

How Senior Professionals “Age Out” — And How to Prevent It

 “At some point, you age out.”

I heard President Obama say this recently on a podcast, referring to how, as we get older, we can lose touch with the cultural references and “immediate struggles” of younger generations.

I remember thinking, Did he really just say that?

It struck me professionally because it’s something I’ve written about, trained on, and spoken about since the Great Recession of 2008.

Some senior professionals don’t “age out” because they lack talent. They age out when they stop staying current.
It shows up subtly:
• Using language that hasn’t evolved with the field
• Talking about how things worked 15 years ago
• Leading with tenure instead of relevance
• Avoiding new technology instead of exploring it
• Having one résumé that reads like a job description instead of tailoring accomplishments to specific roles
• Refusing to network

Experience is powerful but relevance wins interviews.
The most successful senior job seekers I work with do a few things differently:
✔ They follow thought leaders in their industry
✔ They stay active on LinkedIn, even in small, consistent ways
✔ They learn new tools, especially AI and emerging technology
✔ They update their vocabulary to match today’s marketplace
✔ They demonstrate learning agility in interviews

They don’t try to act younger but they stay curious.

Thirty years of experience is impressive. Thirty years of experience plus active engagement in today’s trends is unstoppable.

In a rapidly changing workplace, the goal isn’t to avoid aging. It’s to avoid professional disconnect.
Stay relevant.
Stay engaged.
Stay current.
Keep learning.

That’s how you never “age out.”

What Surgery Reminded Me

 Two weeks ago I had knee surgery. It was routine and successful and except for the need to bend my knee more, I’m healing nicely. What surprised me most wasn’t the procedure (although parts of that were pretty brutal). It was the emotional aftereffect.

In the days that followed, I found myself more reflective. I was more appreciative of family support and aware of the kindness of friends and neighbors. I was also more conscious of how my independence quickly shifted into vulnerability.

During recovery, I thought about my mother. When we were kids, she sat beside us through fevers, injuries, and anxious moments. She remained calm offering reassurance and guidance.

That early shaping sticks with us.

When I wrote Caitlin’s Star, I introduced the idea of “Heavenly Jobs”, a way for children to think about how love and influence continue long after someone is gone. At its heart, the message isn’t abstract. It’s practical. The care we receive becomes a part of us.

Lying in that hospital bed, I realized I was remembering the lessons my mother modeled decades ago and one I hope I’ve modeled for my own children: face challenges with resilience, stay calm, and trust that you’ll get through them.

Surgery repaired my knee. Reflection reminded me that the real strength we rely on is often built long before we need it. That may be the most enduring kind of light there is.

We often discover our resilience was built long before we needed it. What shaped yours?

Hearing the Kids Outside the Window: Recovery Then and Now

 When I was six years old, I was out of school for two weeks with something called the Echo Virus. I remember lying in my bedroom, hearing the neighborhood kids playing outside, laughing and running, and wanting so badly to be out there with them.

My mother would bring my meals upstairs on a tray. I picked at my food. Every day my sister brought home my homework from school. It was a long, boring existence for a six‑year‑old who wanted nothing more than to be part of the action.

Here I am all these years later, two weeks after a knee replacement, and I find myself in a strangely familiar place.

I’m inside again.

I read. I write. I watch the Olympics and the occasional movie. I do my exercises. I ice. I elevate. I rest. I repeat.

And just like that six‑year‑old, I can hear life going on without me.

The Impatience of Healing

This time, I understand what’s happening. I know I’ve had major surgery. I understand that bone healing takes months. Soft tissues need time to settle. Inflammation doesn’t disappear on command.

And yet, there’s a part of me that wants to push recovery into two weeks instead of the months they say it will take.

I want to hurry it along. I want to check the box. I want to be “back.”

But biology doesn’t negotiate.

When Recovery Feels Like Childhood

What surprises me most is not the pain or the stiffness. It’s the emotional echo.

That same feeling of being sidelined. That same impatience. That same longing to be where the action is.

As a child, I didn’t understand why I had to wait. I just knew I didn’t like it.

As an adult, I understand the science of healing — but I still don’t like waiting.

There is something humbling about needing help again. About relying on others. About accepting that progress will come in increments, not leaps.

The Shift That Will Come

If I look back at that six‑year‑old, I know something she didn’t know then: she would recover. She would go back outside. She would rejoin the world.

This season is no different.

Two weeks after knee replacement is still early. It is the “inside phase.” The swelling phase. The repetition phase. The slow and steady phase.

There will be a shift. Not overnight. Not dramatically. But gradually.

A little less swelling. A little more bend (uggg this part is so hard). A little more confidence.

And I hope,
one day, without noticing exactly when it happened, I’ll be back outside again.

Living the Lesson

As someone who writes about resilience and hope in Caitlin’s Star, I’m reminded that growth doesn’t always feel inspiring while it’s happening. Sometimes it feels boring. Frustrating. Confining.

But healing — whether at six years old or decades later — still requires patience.

The kids are playing outside the window.

And this time, I know I’ll join them again.

Preparing for Major Surgery: More Than Just Recovery

 When people hear the words major surgery, they often think about what happens afterward — the healing, the physical therapy, and the road back to strength. What I’ve learned in preparing for my upcoming knee replacement is that the preparation itself is almost a journey of its own.

It’s not just about showing up at the hospital on surgery day. It’s about preparing your home, your body, your mind, and your heart.

In a week I will be undergoing a total right knee replacement. The surgeon is using a newer method called the Zimmer  Biomet Quad Sparing Knee Replacement. This surgery is supposed work around the quad  muscle, have  less bleeding and a quicker recovery time. I'll still be out of commission  for six or more weeks with many patients feeling like themselves again in a year.

Preparing Your Space for Recovery

One of the first things I realized was how much my everyday environment needed to change — at least temporarily.

Out came the scatter rugs that could cause a slip. Shoes were moved off the floor. Even the dog toys had to find a new home so I wouldn’t trip while using a walker.

I had to think carefully about:

• Where I’ll sit during the day

• How I’ll get up and down safely

• Where I’ll sleep comfortably

• How I’ll shower without risking a fall

Simple routines suddenly required planning. It was eye-opening how many small things we take for granted until mobility becomes limited.

Preparing Meals Ahead of Time

Another important step has been preparing meals in advance.

Cooking will be difficult in the early days of recovery, so I’ve been stocking the freezer with easy, nourishing meals and organizing quick snacks within reach.

This preparation brings peace of mind. Knowing that meals are ready allows me to focus on healing instead of worrying about what to eat.

Preparing Mentally for Surgery

Perhaps the biggest preparation of all is mental.

Major surgery naturally brings a swirl of thoughts:

• The reality of blood loss

• The discomfort of recovery

• The pain and effort of rehabilitation

It’s easy for fear to sneak in. But I’ve been working to replace anxiety with knowledge, trust in my medical team, and a focus on the long-term goal — better mobility, less pain, and a fuller life.

Mental preparation also means coming to terms with a sense of helplessness. At my pre-op session yesterday, both the doctor and nurses repeatedly referred to the procedure as “major surgery.” Hearing it described that way surprised me and made the reality of it all sink in even more.

I’m someone who’s used to being independent, so learning to rely on others has been its own adjustment. My husband will be walking Augie, driving me to rehab appointments once the first two weeks at home are over, and helping with everyday tasks I normally do myself.

Letting go and accepting help isn’t easy but it’s part of healing.

Understanding the Risks and Being Cautious

Another reality of major surgery is being mindful of infection.

With a new joint in place, even a small cut or scratch can become serious if bacteria travel to the implant. It’s a reminder to be extra careful, keep wounds clean, and listen closely to medical guidance. Even dental cleanings will need an antibiotic.

It may sound scary, but understanding the risks helps me stay vigilant and proactive during recovery.

Preparing the Body: Prehab and Rehab

Preparation doesn’t start on surgery day, it starts beforehand. 

Pre-surgery exercises (often called “prehab”) help strengthen muscles and improve flexibility, which can make recovery smoother and faster.

After surgery, rehabilitation exercises will be just as important. While they won’t always be comfortable, they are essential in regaining strength, movement, and confidence.

Thinking of rehab as part of the journey — not just a hurdle — has helped me mentally prepare for the work ahead.

Embracing the Journey

As someone who believes deeply in learning and growth both personally and professionally, this experience has reminded me that some of our greatest lessons come during life’s challenges.

Preparation isn’t about controlling every outcome. It’s about setting yourself up for the best possible recovery and approaching the experience with courage and resilience.

Much like the themes I share in Caitlin’s Star, this season is about trusting that even in moments of uncertainty, there is light ahead.

Learning From Others and Helpful Resources

One thing that has surprised me in the best way is just how much information and support is available.

There is a lot of helpful guidance out there on preparing for all types of surgery, and I’ve personally learned quite a bit by joining several Facebook groups where people openly share tips, experiences, and encouragement.

Hearing from others who have already walked this path has helped ease anxiety and provided practical ideas I might not have thought of on my own.

Final Thoughts

Preparing for major surgery is far more than a checklist of medical instructions. It’s creating a safe space, caring for your future self, and strengthening your mindset.

If you or someone you love is facing a major surgery, my biggest takeaway so far is this: give yourself time to prepare — physically, practically, and emotionally.

It makes the journey into recovery feel far less overwhelming and much more hopeful.

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Have you been through major surgery or are you preparing for one? I’d love to hear what helped you most in the process.

When Snow Days Meant Panic, Not Peace

There was a time when a snow day didn’t bring joy or cozy moments at home. It brought panic. When my children were young and I was working full time, the announcement of school closures sent my heart racing. Schools were closed. Daycare was closed. After-school programs were closed. And my parents didn’t live close by. 

Meanwhile, our companies still expected us to be at work. Coming in a little late was acceptable, but staying home was not. I didn’t have what people would call a “critical” job. I wasn’t in medicine. I wasn’t in public safety. I worked in Human Resources at a pharmaceutical company. Important work, yes, but not work that required my physical presence during a snowstorm while juggling childcare emergencies. 

 So when snow days happened, I didn’t start calling around for help, I took a personal day or I used a vacation day. Not because I wanted time off, but because I had no choice. As a single mom at the time, there was no partner to switch off with. The responsibility was entirely mine. Later in life, when I did have a partner, we could sometimes take turns. But even then, as the mom, I usually ended up using my vacation time the most. 

What made it even more stressful was that we technically had “Work Life Balance” procedures. On paper, they were meant to support employees. In reality, if we needed time off, we were required to come up with a plan to make up that time. The message was clear. You could be away, but the work didn’t go away. There was no working from home. No Zoom meetings. No flexible schedules. No logging in from the kitchen table while kids played nearby. If you weren’t in the office, you were considered absent.For parents, especially working parents, snow days felt less like a break and more like a penalty. 

Looking back now, I realize how much unnecessary stress was placed on families Today, many people can work remotely when weather hits. Meetings shift online. Emails replace office visits. Work still gets done, often just as effectively, without forcing parents into impossible choices. The world didn’t fall apart because people weren’t physically in the building. In fact, many companies discovered something important. Flexibility works. 

 Back then, we didn’t have that option. Instead, we quietly absorbed the burden, using our own time, our own days off, and then working extra hours to make up for it. Since I used the days as personal or vacation days, I took them seriously. We played outside, made cookies and hot chocolate. The kids still remember those days too. 

 For many parents of my generation, they were filled with anxiety. And the truth is, much of that stress was unnecessary. The systems simply weren’t built with families in mind. I’m grateful that today’s parents often have more flexibility. It’s not perfect, but better. I hope companies continue learning that productivity doesn’t require rigid rules that ignore real life. Because raising children is already challenging enough. We don’t need snowstorms turning into emotional emergencies.Sometimes progress isn’t about working harder. It’s about working smarter and kinder.

Sources for Caitlin's Star

 
 

Welcome, Caitlin’s Star is an interactive picture book offering comfort to children and families navigating loss. Explore the book, media features, and related resources below.

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 Caitlin's Star Book Trailer 

Nancy Range Anderson reads Caitlin's Star here.  

Nancy Range Anderson explains how to use the interactive prompts and journal pages here.

 

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