Life has been full lately, my friends! As most of you know, Nigel had both hips replaced. The first was done in 2024, and the second was replaced last May. To refresh your memories, Nigel had Avascular Necrosis in both femurs…AVN as most refer to it. It basically means the blood flow has stopped to the affected part. The ball of his right femur had collapsed so that was the first hip to be replaced. For the past year, I’ve tried to buoy him (and myself) up by saying things would get better. Unfortunately, they never did. Finally, with some encouragement from our PCP, Nigel agreed to seeking a second opinion. This is nothing against the first surgeon at all. I don’t think he did anything wrong. I think he may not have realized the depth of Nigel’s problems.
A second opinion…
So, we sought a second opinion from the surgeon who had repaired Nigel’s broken arm in 2015. He and Nigel have a wonderful relationship. His first question was, “Why didn’t you come see me first?” Well, the easy answer is we just followed the lead of the of the referring doctor. A second answer would be we were in such shock we didn’t think to see him. And, the third answer would be we didn’t think he did hips. It seems like orthopedic doctors have specialties, and we thought his was arms and shoulders. I had actually seen him about my foot in 2017. He referred me to the same group as Nigel’s first surgeon (the one mentioned above). So, there’s a long convoluted answer to why we didn’t go to him first.
Quick diagnosis…
As soon as this surgeon, Dr. D, saw Nigel’s x-ray, he knew what the problem was. Nigel has big bones, apparently, as in large circumference. That also means the inner softer bone (the marrow?) is large. In effect, what had happened with the first surgeries was the implants went too far down into his hip and were not lodged against and into bone. Now, one would think an x-ray would show this, but my thought is Nigel would have to be in motion for that to be seen. He has complained from the very beginning of pain in his thigh…unremitting pain. Nothing has ever quite lessened that pain. After all of the explanations, I asked Dr. D how confident he was he could repair Nigel’s hips to the point he could walk again. His absolutely immediate response was, “95%!” Y’all know me…tears and hugs! He put Nigel on a fast track to surgery, and he wasn’t kidding! The first thing he did was to withdraw fluid from his hip to culture for possible infection. I was surprised at that, but he said the possibility existed for infection even after almost two years. The next thing is a bone scan which will be this coming week with surgery on the 10th! How’s that for fast tracking? I am hoping we can take lots and lots of photos for blog posts in the future. If not, I may coerce ask my granddaughter to take them.
A book review…
Erin and Lisa host A Good Book and A Cup of Tea Monthly Bookish Blog Party each month. It has been a couple of busy days around Haus der Mitte so I didn’t have any photos ready for a fashion post. And, with the release of the new movie, Wuthering Heights, I thought I’d do a short little review of the book because it is my favorite book of all time! I will probably link it up with the March link party, or maybe I’ll link it with both!
A little history…
I first read Wuthering Heights when I was a Junior in high school. I immediately fell in love with the novel. The second semester of that year, I was in Honors Composition, and we had to research and write about an author. I, of course, chose Emily Bronte. I had to get special permission from the teacher because, usually, the author had to have written at least two or three books. Emily only wrote Wuthering Heights. As I learned in my research, technically, Emily wrote other books, tiny little books for the imaginary worlds of Angria and Glass Town. This came to be known as Juvenilia, also sometimes referred to as the works of Gondal. Not only was I smitten by her only novel, I was now enamored of this curious and mysterious author. When I spoke to a counselor prior to starting college, I had thought to teach high school English. The counselor advised me to consider something else as “high school English teachers were a dime a dozen.” Those were almost his exact words. But, in college, I took as many literature courses as I could. One of those was 18th Century British Literature.
The review…
Wuthering Heights is what I’d consider a gothic tragedy. It’s set in the moors of Yorkshire in Northern England. It has always been one of my dreams to visit Haworth, the Bronte’s home. There are the requisite hero, heroine, and supporting characters. There’s a love story, a mystery, and death. As you can see from the photos, I have read this book over and over again. I won’t be reading this particular book anymore as it’s really showing its age. But, I think I’ll have to buy a hard cover copy soon. Oh, that’s not much of a review, is it? Well, read on, friends, read on.
The actual review…
When I was younger, I was taught a review wasn’t a retelling of the story. It was a summary. So, here goes. Catherine Earnshaw is a bit of a spoiled brat who lives with her parents and her older brother. Her father leaves home for business purposes and comes home with a “gypsy” child, Heathcliff. The brother, Hindley Earnshaw, is furious as is Cathy (as she’s called then). Both had wanted other gifts. Heathcliff doesn’t get a backstory at all from Emily. We are left to ponder where he comes from, but he is often described as having dark skin, more olive than black. Some have speculated he’s Mr. Earnshaw’s love child. The only person to give the poor little boy any affection is Nelly Dean, the narrator of the story. Hindley is sent away to school; Catherine and Heathcliff become fast friends; and Nelly Dean, who had been Catherine’s friend, becomes a servant. Cathy meets distant neighbors, the Lintons. Hindley goes away to school and returns with a wife. Mr. Earnshaw dies. Heathcliff runs away. Cathy, now Catherine, marries Edgar. Heathcliff returns and wins the Heights in a card game. Catherine gives birth to a child. And, that’s where I’m going to leave it. Trust me, read the book before you see the movie. I haven’t seen the movie, but the book is sure to be better.
Why I love it…
I love the language of the book. But, more than that, I love the characters. There has never been a book for me like Wuthering Heights.. As I said, I’ve read it so many times, I’ve lost count. The biggest reason I love it is this. I begin by liking Heathcliff. As the story progresses, I feel badly for him. I want him to be loved and cared for by someone, anyone. But, his character changes, and I dislike him heartily. At the end, however, I once again love him and want only for him to be loved. The same goes for Edgar Linton. In the beginning, I feel like he is the weakest milksop (truly it’s the only word for him) in the world. Then, you see this amazing man emerge from that beginning. He is, maybe the true hero of the book. But, he comes between the two lovers which doesn’t exactly make me dislike him as much as dismiss him. Then, there is Cathy. I love the wild, wanton child she is in the beginning. She is not to be tamed, and yet, she appears as this demure young miss after staying with the Lintons. At that point, I don’t much care for her. But, her true colors emerge as the book continues. By her end, I am in a bit of a quandary. I really just want to shake her and tell her to get a grip. You can’t, however, do that to a pregnant woman.
More of why I love it…
Every time I pick up this book and read it, I think, through some magical alchemy, the ending will have changed. I read it with that thought always in my mind. I’m almost surprised by how it continues to play out the same. It’s like a gothic Groundhog Day for me. And, yet, that’s exactly why I love it. Maybe the next time I read it, the end will be different. And, as strange as it sounds, the book does have a happy ending! But, again, you’ll have to read it. Take it from me, you won’t regret it!
Favorite quotes…
And the very best…
One year, Nigel had this quote made into a poster, framed it, and gave it to me for my birthday. It was one of the best gifts he’s ever given me because it showed how much he loved me. He actually listened to me talk about a book and found the exact quote I said was my favorite ever!
Wrap it up, Marsha!
I cannot wait to see the movie. There are certain scenes I am really hoping are there. I’m going to actually make a checklist so I know. Who knows? Maybe, I’ll do a movie review next! So, can we talk? What is your all time favorite book? Are there quotes in it that speak to your soul? Is there a book you read, hoping the ending will be different this go around? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as quickly as I can.
Thank you!
Thank you so very much for reading today’s post. I hope you enjoyed it. I also very much appreciate those of you who comment, email and/or subscribe. It’s what keeps me going! If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, you can find me here.
Affiliate links, discount codes, and such:
Just a reminder that Marsha in the Middle may use an affiliate link. Those links are usually italicized. If you click or make a purchase from an italicized link I provide, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for your support. My April Cornell code, MARSHA15, now works, but it’s good for only one use. You can get $15 off $100. I’d wait and use it during a really good sale! Use Marsha12 for 12% off any order of $65 or more at Buykud. I have also become a Halftee Partner. Use the code, MARSHA2098, for 20% off any purchase. I am also an affiliate with Clara Sunwoo. You can use my code, MARSHA10, for 10% off your entire order. Use MARSHA15 at Katia Designs for 15% off your order. In case you didn’t know, bloggers must disclose the use of affiliate links. That’s why I include this in each post.
Where you can find me:
Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, Suzy Turner, and Away from the Blue as well as Deb’s World. I also link up with I do deClaire, Mummabstylish, Style Splash and Elegantly Dressed and Stylish as well as the Senior Salon Pit Stop (Esme’s Salon) and Slices of Life. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I also am a co-host for Ageless Style on the third Thursday of the month and Songful Style on the last Monday of the month as well as the Global Writing Challenge on the second Thursday. I co-host Traffic Jam Weekend every Thursday with Melynda, Lisa, Cat, and Rena. I also host Final Fridays on the last Friday of the month as well as 10 on the 10th on the 10th of the month! I do hope you’ll check out all of these blogs and link parties!