THE PAO Shopping List

So, as I was prepping for Hip surgery, I had QUITE a bit of shopping to do. Below is my original list with some notes... So grateful to Mom, Dad, and others who came through and helped me get these items :-)

Pillows of all shapes a sizes

This was essential. Oh my gosh, sleeping is such a booger when you have a shark bite in your side!

Heating Pads

I read on all the websites to get heating pads, but was actually cautioned NOT to use them because it doesn't help with swelling. I definatley needed them for my lovely monthly visitor during recovery. Period pain is way worse when you are recovering from hip surgery!

Ice Packs: Gel or super soft, Large and small sizes

This is probably the one thing I couldn't have survived without. When the pain pills wear off this is the only way to go for relief. It is important to have lots of sizes because random places hurt.

Slippers

Screw shoes.

Socks with "grippies" on the bottom

Again, screw shoes.

Very large full butt panties

OR no panties.  My scar was covered by the steristrips for 3 solid weeks but I just didn't want anything touching it. Its a lot easier to pull on granny panties too! 

Very large drawstring shorts or pants

Or no pants. So many nightgowns and dresses during recovery! Thankful for nice weather during my surgery. Can't imagine if it had been super cold or super hot!

Scar Gel

A friend of mine gave me Defining Gel from It Works and it really does well! I have never used any other product so I don't have much of a comparison, but this stuff works well and smells yummy!

Vitamin E Oil

I never bought any and I'm still here... so.....

Grabby Extender

Essential! especially for easily frustrated fools like me.

Cleaning Body Wipes or Baby Wipes.

Very important! Liked have some with and without alcohol because your skin does weird things during recovery. My normally dry skin was oily a bunch because of less showering and the alcohol wipes made me not have to shower as often.

Face Wipes

YES YES YES. MUST.

Dry Shampoo

I used this less than I thought I would, because it turned out that I gave no fucks about what my hair looked like.

Swatches of different textured fabrics (this is to rub on my leg/hip to stimulate the nerves and help healing)

Didn't do this, but am making one now for my RPAO. Still having some weird nerve numbness and tingling at 10 weeks post op.

Walker Organizer

We ended up finding me a walker with a seat, so this wasn't necessary. I LOVED this walker though.... it really made me be able to live life a little!

Backpack

Again, super important because of all my accouterments I must always have.

BONE BROTH

Didn't stick with this as much as I wanted and ended up healing just fine.  But this was all I ate for a few weeks while the pain pills were messing me up!

Low Carb, High Protein, High Fiber Foods

Oh yeah. So much protein! So much fiber. Pooping is near impossible without the fiber, and my energy level was always SUPER low. 

Another important thing that was not on the original list....

RECLINER! It was the only way I could sleep and I didn't transition back to my bed until week 6 or so.

Hope that my little list will help any hippies out there who are starting to pack. Happy Shopping!!!

New Gig in the Works! Greek Myths!

Very please to announce that I'll be joining Attic Salt Theatre Company for some Children's Shows! See the article here.....

http://mountainx.com/arts/attic-salt-extends-family-theater-series-through-december/

Videos of Our Rental Disaster

For those who are interested.... a bit of live footage of our recent rental debacle. 

Post-Surgery Life and beyond.

One week ago today, I was packing my bags and doing last-minute research about having a life-changing surgery. I always Google everything too much :-) but in this case it is really helps me. I really wanted to be more diligent about writing a blog about my experiences, but I've had a really rough time in recovery, so it has been not so easy to write down my thoughts every day. I'll do my best to upload more photos and explain my journey with my LPAO. Bottom line is that I've done quite well. It's been difficult as hell, but no more difficult that expected. Thank you universe, for loving me!

              ...Me and mom at the pre-op waiting room at Charlotte Mercy Hospital.

Oleanna Reviews!

As we approach our final weekend.... just wanted to share some of the lovely press we've had over this run. Thank you all for being so amazing! Love to Kier, Crack, and Connie Bonnie!

Our amazing poster by Rodney Smith and Charles Mills...

 

The ACT Website!

 

The Laurel of Asheville Preview Article

 

Jim Cavener's Review in the Asheville Citizen Times

 

Kai's Review in the Mountain Xpress

 

"... this show is a winner, all around."

 

"The role of Carol is interpreted by Asheville native and Mars Hill College (now University) musical theater grad Chelsea Lee Gaddy, who has performed widely among the area's various theater companies. This is a tour-de-force role for Gaddy, and she gives terrifying life to Mamet's rare leading female role. "

 

~ Cavener

 

 

 

"However, this production belongs to Chelsey Lee Gaddy who plays Carol. In the beginning, she sits before us like a young and meek Toni Collette but is soon chiseled into a towering Tilda Swinton. Gaddy’s icy and bitter portrayal drives nails into the coffin of John’s future. When Carol nearly opens up about a secret, we witness Gaddy’s face flush and we feel the tremors inside her body. This kind of acting is what up-close stages, such as 35below, were meant for. Gaddy’s performance alone is a must-see — her character is a true radical who will stop at nothing to win a battle of wits. Gaddy is sensational and, thankfully, gives the show a much needed electrical surge.

In fact, the utter strength of Gaddy’s character makes this particular production feel one-sided. In this case, that is OK. She’s so spellbinding that we catch ourselves rooting for the relentless Carol — right or wrong. It makes us feel good (and a little dirty) when she uses John like a tool and he becomes defenseless. We side with her malice, which makes us question our own morals when John cracks."

 

~Kai Elijah Hamilton

 

3 months....

 

It's been about 3 months without ya, Gracie.  We have a new friend for your brother Lui now, and he is precious and wonderful, but he's no Grace.  I'm surrounded by boys now. 

 

Groovy and Cooper still sniff around your gravesite.  They miss you I think, as we all do.

 

Please visit me in my dreams.

 

Love you, angel dog.

October Update!

Wow! So many things going on in Chelsey Land!:-)

Finished an exciting production of Company the Musical by Stephen Sondheim at HART. I played April.  What an amazing cast of friends! Literally one of the best experiences of my life!

The Cast of Company

I love HART, and we are SO excited to be getting married there just shy of a month on November 9th. Also looking forward to next year's productions with them. 

Hart's Season Brochure! Chelsey on the far right in Elemenopea.

 

We still have season auditions to participate in for numerous companies, but already have some gigs booked for the coming year before hip (hip-hooray) surgery in March.  First up will be Oleanna at ACT's 35 below, co produced by myself and my friend Kier, and directed by my long time buddy Chris Allison.  I've been wanting to star in this play for years, just because of it's difficulty and the amazing themes surround it that are incredibly close to home right now.  (Google: waking life saga.)

Photo Credit: Tempus Fugit Design

My next project after Oleanna will be back at my favorite theatre, HART in the Studio!  My cousin and I are finally getting to collaborate on a project!  SQUEEEEEEEE!!!!!

"MISCAST CABARET will feature Dwight Chiles, Chelsey Lee Gaddy, Kirby Gibson and Jay Jay Ponton performing roles they would never "book" because of race, sex, family relation, voice type etc. MISCAST will be an exciting night to reexamine the characters we think we know and to break the mold of how a performer 'should' look or how a character 'should' be played. Expect surprise solos, duets, quartets from the best Classics, Sondheim showstoppers and everything in between. Nothing is off the table tonight!"                                 

 

Also booked a few modeling gigs in the last few months, and I'm loving my continued work with Rodney Smith of Tempus Fugit Design

 

Pippi From "The Great American Trailer Park Musical"

 

Modeling for #goodgirl Jewelry by CARY NICHOLS

 

Group shot of Tempus Fugit Design's 2015 calendar girls

Calendar to benefit "Our Voice" Charity

 

But for now... the only thing on my mind....

 

NOVEMBER 9TH!!!

 

 

 

Stay tuned for more exciting adventures <3 p="">

Peace, love, and diabetes,

Chelsey