Almost 3 weeks ago, David underwent an arthroscope. Last January, David twinged his knee while dusting. Yes, dusting -- not dancing or mountain biking on a wild terrain -- dusting. David is a committed and vigorous duster, an expert. We'd had a particularly intensive workout at the gym that Saturday morning, and, as is our weekend domestic habit, we set out to tidy up the apartment afterward. But this time, he bent his knee in an awkward way and felt a pop. We now think that because his knee was exhausted from the workout and so weaker than normal, it couldn't sustain the movement. Since then, his right knee hasn't felt right. After a series of physiotherapy sessions, x-ray, frustrating dealings with his insurance and an MRI, we searched for an orthopedic surgeon who is sympathetic to dancers. Fortunately, we found Dr. Bauman, who is the orthopedic surgeon for the New York City Ballet.
The surgery went smoothly. Dr. Bauman discovered that a piece of cartilage the size of a dime had broken off under the knee. There was also a slight tear in the lateral meniscus, which he corrected. He performed chondroplasty (a process in which the damaged surface is burred away in the hope that the healthy joint surface will heal over the defect). It was good for David to have undergone the surgery, and in good hands. Unfortunately, the recovery period is longer than we expected -- David will be in a brace and on crutches for 6-8 weeks, and it will take several months more before he's back to dancing form. While he's on crutches, it is crucial that he not put any weight on his right knee and let it heal completely.
And so for the last couple of weeks, we have been home-bound, and I have worked from home so that I could look after David. It's amazing what one takes for granted. Being on crutches, it's difficult to get anything without a helping hand. Sure, you can crutch over to the kitchen and go to the fridge for food... but then how will you bring it back safely to the couch, where you can put your bad foot up and eat something? Everything is a hassle. It's much easier when you have a partner who could help you. Good thing David and I are pretty experienced at doing everything together and being attached at the hip, practically. We're getting through, and staying positive, even though seemingly simple tasks become bigger events. Also, having lost my expert duster and house-helper, I realize just how much David does around the house when he's not on crutches. The process has made me appreciate the share of housework David readily does.
Not being able to leave home, aside from doctor's visits and physio sessions, cooking at home has become very much a daily occasion. (Take-outs aren't desirable options, since they're bound to be less healthy/tasty than what might be made at home -- and because David is not moving around and exercising, it's important that he eat well so he won't get chubby.) It's a big shift in New York, to commit to cooking all meals at home. I need to be smarter about grocery shopping, for instance, since I can only carry home so much on my own. Thank goodness for Fresh Direct delivery service! And the frequent cooking definitely demands that I expand my repertoire, if only for my own sake, since I don't want to keep eating the same dishes I'm comfortable making.
To be honest, it took a little getting used to, energy-wise, for me. House-work takes much longer when it's just you to do it; and when you're in the house all the time there always seems to be something to clean or make. But I think I'm getting the hang of it, finding a good balance. Last week I wrapped up the casting for London (hooray!), which will take the pressure off from me waking up early to liaise with people in London during their working hours. I've kept up the gym routine on my own, with David instructing me what I should do for each session -- I write down the daily program on a post-it note and bring it with me. Since we have a gym in our building now, I can go downstairs for an hour, have my mobile with me and be reachable. Although I worried that my gym-going will wane without David to motivate and take me, I've managed to get myself there on my own, about which I am very proud. The days somehow seem to speed by faster than I've known them, in our current state of me being the only fully mobile one in the couple. While I felt exhausted by the end of the day for the first couple of weeks, I'm starting to feel good and confident about getting everything done.
And, most importantly, it feels great to be able to help the person you love, to be useful. When David tells me about his last post-surgery experience -- he lived alone and didn't have a girlfriend, so he had a cooler with ice and hummus and protein bars set up for himself, and wheeled around his apartment on a desk chair -- I wish I could cook him something, back then. It's not easy being on crutches, having to stay put for 8 weeks. It's frustrating, boring, and dulling to the body -- especially for someone like David, who is so active. But at least we can do this together, and, luckily, I'm not casting any shows for a while and so I don't have to go away.
Since I will be cooking all the time, I hope that this period will inspire me to greatly expand my culinary parameter.
And in this spirit, here are a few recipes and dishes I've tried recently, which are easy and delicious:
ZUCCHINI PANCAKES
These were amazing, and so easy. The recipe calls for potatos -- I didn't have any, and used butternut squash instead, which worked wonderfully (and looks great). I didn't have parsley either, and used mint -- also a great substitute. This recipe has many possible alteration and adjustments. So easy, so delicious, and a great way to eat vegetables!
BOURBON CHOCOLATE BREAD PUDDING
Great for dessert or as a brunch item. David loves it with some maple syrup. I used rum instead of bourbon, and grated some orange zest for aroma. Easy, tasty, and decadent.
BOILED ARTICHOKES (no website)
Artichokes are in season, and boiling them is an easy and tasty way to eat them. Fill a pot with water, add whole pepper corns, a lemon (cut in half), and a drizzle of olive oil (about a table spoon); bring the water to a boil. Artichokes should be cleaned as follows: cut the excess stem off; take kitchen shears and clip off the top parts of each leaf; cut about 1.5 - 2 inches off the top of the artichokes. When the water comes to a boil, submerge the artichokes in the pot. A good way to do this and make sure the whole artichoke remains under water is to put plate(s) on top of them. At a medium-high heat, boil for about 30 minutes, or until a fork goes easy through. We dip the leaves in a garlic aioli (mayo, minced garlic, mustard, lemon juice, salt, to taste).
