These are floating stairs in my son and dauther-in-law’s three story loft apartment.
I’m taking care of my daughter post shoulder surgery in the East Bay this week. I wasn’t quite prepared for how strenuous it would be. Mainly because I live in a big, flat house without a stair. My son and DIL have three stories that I find myself going up and down most of the day.
This spiral staircase goes up to the bedroom where my daughter is staying.
This is another view of the floating staircase above.
Needless to say, I was beyond tired the first day and stumbled home via Lyft to my Airbnb to fall asleep as soon as I got inside. The next couple days I got stronger. But I did sleep 10 hours last night. The very first night, my son ended up in the ER in extreme pain. He’ll be having surgery soon to repair a hernia. I’m waiting to find out when, so I can tackle those stairs some more.
My son put together a schedule for my daughter with times to take medicines, do her PT exercises, ice her shoulder, etc. It’s very complete and helps us stay on track and not let the day slide away.
My son also typed up a few of his own recipes for me to help them with their busy schedules. The Overnight Oats recipe is below:
Funny, I took care of my son five years ago for his shoulder surgery. I’m staying in the same Airbnb that I did then. I guess it’s my surgery digs. I have to say, I had a ton more energy five years ago and also, I wasn’t recovering post my ankle surgery. What a difference those five years made on my body. It was the COVID years, too.
Despite the unfortunate events that brought us together, I’m grateful for the time with my kids.
Do you notice a difference in your energy level or fitness from five years ago?
Is it better or worse and why?
Houses with stairs are for young people. I think you’re smart to be living in a flat home now.
I believe you’re right! That was one of our priorities when we moved four years ago. I fell in love with a house with spectacular views on a hillside. But the garage was under the house. I’d have to carry groceries up two flights of stairs. The bedrooms, living room and kitchen were on different levels of four or five stairs. Not major, but what a pain!
Five years ago, pre knee blowout, I was a different person physically. The stairs would be the death of me now. You’re a good egg to be running up and down those all day.
Hoping your so son’s surgery goes well and his recovery is swift.
I blew out my knee skiing and I was a different person before, versus after. Then it was my ankle at the start of summer! My son is waiting for appointments to find out his surgery schedule. My daughter is recovering from shoulder surgery, but it’s six weeks of being immobile in a sling.
Those type of open stairs scare me to death. I always feel like I’m falling through. There’s just no way I could be taking care of anyone and having to go up and down those. However, now that I live downstairs my legs and stamina are gaining ground as I go up and down a lot. When the snow is too deep to walk in I have a ready made workout just outside my door! I hope everyone is doing well.
I know exactly what you mean about the stairs. It’s the first time I’ve seen their new apartment and the stairs scared me. Plus, I’m afraid of heights. The good news is there are big handrails and I just hang on and look up! I was thinking about you living downstairs and that you face stairs every day. My daughter is doing much better than the first few days, but cannot use one arm. So that limits her abilities. My son is waiting for an appointment to find out when his surgery will be…I think I’ll be home this weekend and fly back for his surgery.
Wow, those stairs are narrow. I would have some trouble with them. That is sweet of your son to leave a recipe. I make something like that with oats, add some honey, milk and a tablespoon of peanut or almond butter and let sit overnight. Delicious! Handy, when I left early in the morning for work. Yes, my energy level is not as great as it was five years ago.
Lots of stairs. I just had to bring five bags of groceries upstairs and I feel like I did power lifting for the day! The overnight oats help my son and his wife get to work on time. I make one for my daughter at the same time so she has something nutritious to eat first thing in the morning.
I can’t believe how much my energy level has changed since COVID and going through knee and ankle surgery in that time.
I just feel I am getting older. The right hip is stretching and hurting more. I really admire my neighbors who walk a lot. I might try doing the same but I do lots of floor exercises given to me by the PT.
I am getting older! That’s a fact. I need to do my ankle PT. I’m so focused on my daughter’s that I forget to do mine every day.
That is admirable of you to help out! I hope they have good neighbors, also.
My son doesn’t have neighbors to help out. Everybody comes and goes without saying much to each other. My daughter has helpful neighbors at her four-plex, but she’s staying with my son and DIL. When she’s back in her own place, her neighbors will be there for her.
That’s a lot of stairs, Elizabeth! Love that you are making the most of the time with your kids even though the reason is surgery. Hope your son is hanging in there with his hernia!
I am enjoying spending time with my daughter, son and daughter-in-law in spite of the reason for being here. I was so stressed when I got the text about my son’s ER trip. That was not expected. He was first in command of post surgery care, but now he’s a bystander and I’m in the lead position.
Yes, you’re getting a nice workout! Ha, ha, hang in there. Tell your son that he needs to first check-in with you on your calendar (or should I say recovery) before he works with the doctor to schedule his next surgery. Ha, ha.
I am getting a good workout! A friend told me lofts were only for young people. I get what they mean. My son is 31. I guess that qualifies as young! At least compared to me. I have surgery scheduled mid November for my left foot. It got put off by my right ankle surgery….This is getting to be a crowded schedule with everyone wanting attention and care!
Omg worse. I think it’s mainly because aisle of achy joints. I feel my whole body creaks now
I know the feeling!
I’m probably the exception here that my fitness is way better now than 5 years ago. In early 2020, I had to take multiple breaks to get up a single flight of stairs at my job.
You kids are so lucky to have you willing and able to help, even when you’re facing your own challenges. Hang in there!
Thanks! The first day I was overwhelmed, but it gets easier for me each day. The stairs aren’t so hard and other things I struggled with are now second nature. Also, my daughter is so much better a week out from surgery than when I first arrived.
I’m also amazed at how you’ve come so far in five years. How awful to have to rest during a single flight of stairs. Although I’m huffing and puffing at my son’s.
I can fully empathize. I hope you continue to build strength and endurance back up!
Thanks. I’m sure I will feel so much stronger when I get back to my one level home!
I’ve long dreamed of a single level house, but stairs are a fact of life here. I can’t tell you how many steps I get in every day, but it’s a lot! Sounds like you’re making the most of your time with family.
I think I have less energy, but when I do get going, I have pretty decent stamina. Starting to notice stiffness when I get up or out of a chair.
That’s good that you have good stamina. It’s also good you have stairs that you have to use.
I was walking at home about one third what I did prior to breaking my ankle. But I think after this time on my son’t stairs I’ll got back home much stronger.
Most definitely! I retired a couple of years ago and I definitely feel a difference. No real drivers to my days so I’ve become lazier, slower and now struggle to get started. “That’s OK, I’m retired now” but it’s not really. Chores really are chores. It’s a mental thing not physical but it has affected my physical state, I’ve gained weight, which I really don’t like so an effort is now required to fix that.
I WILL fix it 👍🤣
I understand that without a deadline and a time crunch it’s harder to get started. But I think it’s okay to slow down. I need to add to my daily walks because they are shorter and I take days off when I feel like it.
This seems quite strenuous going up and down all day. Wishing rapid recovery to both your kids. Hugs
The stairs were tiring, but I also felt stronger at the end of the week.
Take care dear friend.
Thank you!
You’re welcome
That is a lot of stairs for anyone, especially someone recovering from ankle surgery AND needing ankle surgery!
You are Super Mom.
I can’t believe both of them are going to be in recovery; thank goodness for you.
Yes, my energy levels have dropped quite a bit in the last few years, but I’m happy to be still moving as much as I do.
Thanks for your kind words and concern. I had to put off bunion surgery because of the ankle surgery. Thankfully it’s not as bad as another ankle.
It looks like my surgery may be put off again because my son needs surgery. I’m waiting for his date before I get new X-rays and blood work! I don’t need to do that twice.
Under the circumstances, things are going smoothly.
It doesn’t sound like you’ve slowed down at all. I’m impressed with all you do!
Stairs 😩we spent the night at a house that had three stories and the stairs were very steep. The garage was the first floor . You had to carry everything upstairs! No way Jose !
I agree with you. I couldn’t live that way, but to take care of my kids, I’ll do it! I am sleeping very well because of the stairs.
lol I bet ! You’re a good mom .
Thanks! 😊
I have a love for spiral staircases! They’re quirky and have character, so I love the photo! But I can understand how the stairs would get tiring for you. I’m glad we have a one story. 🙂 Enjoy the time with your kids, and I hope they heal soon. You’re a great mom, Elizabeth!
My body is definitely different from 5 years ago. Back then, I didn’t have some health issues that I have now. These began in the last three years. I’m okay though and have learned to manage them. That’s all we can do. Learn to live with the hand we’re dealt. 💕
I was avoiding the spiral staircase the first day. Now I go up and down them without a problem. I’ll be ready for my son’s surgery when he gets a date and I come back!
It is a treat to spend time with my kids and DIL, regardless of the reason. I have made a promise to myself to come up and visit when everyone is healthy, just for the fun of it.
Yes, we all seem to slow down as we get older. It’s the natural progression of life.
I love that you see the beauty of spending time with your kids even if it’s under a unfortunate situation.
I think about people who live in Italy or the mountains of France, in villages where there are stairs everywhere- up and down to the market every day. Little old women who live to be 100!
I guess I can go for my little walk….
That’s so true about the people in mountain areas. They have to do the walks. I’ve gotten stronger this week. The first day I was afraid of the stairs and huffing and puffing. I came back to my Airbnb the past two evenings and went for a walk! That’s a huge improvement for me. Of course, it was for the best pizza ever…
I’m motivated to walk for pizza, too!
Now I’m home and I miss that evening walk for pizza. I do have my daughter’s pug that I’m babysitting until she’s healed. So I take him on a morning walk each day.
When we were house shopping a couple of decades ago, we made it clear to our Realtor that if he showed us a house with Stairs, he would cease to be our Realtor. We knew that as we aged, getting up/down stairs would make the second floor useless. We still live in the House we purchased back then, and it is a large, single-story Ranch with no stairs.
That’s so smart and exactly what we have too. Our next door neighbor is a year older than me. He wants to sell because it’s two-story. He’s a great neighbor and we hope we doesn’t move! But we get it.
I would not like those stairs! So kind of you to be there for your DIL,be careful on the stairs!
Sorry about your son’s injury! 😔 and needing surgery.
My son eats overnight oats a lot. I have tried it before too. Need to get back to eating more oatmeal.
My energy level is thankfully a lot better than five years ago, due to my heart surgery. ❤️
Those stairs wore me out! Actually, it was my daughter who had surgery. She was staying at my son and DIL’s apartment. They took care of the night shift and I did the day shift. My son’s upcoming surgery threw me for a loop. I’m waiting for the date. I’m supposed to have minor surgery Nov. 17. I’m not sure if I should put it off until next year because of his.
Ooh, Ok, I had thought it was your daughter, but then I thought I was mistaken because of you being at your son’s apartment.
I think your whole family needs a break from surgeries!
I hope his surgery doesn’t interfere with your surgery, and you can get it over with.
I realized it was confusing. My son insisted that our daughter stay with them so they could watch her at night. She’s still there and I’m home with her pug!
I agree that we need a break from surgeries! I can’t imagine going through what you did, though.