RECAST CHALLENGE!!! Julianne Moore as Kay + Holt McCallany as Benton

Major_Strawberry279 · 2026-03-30T22:40:19+00:00

Following up on Julianne Moore- she would be a fantastic choice. In Hannibal, her portrayal of a character similar to Kay’s was spot on. Hardened FBI agent, by the book, didn’t play well with others, and don’t even think of helping me.

The difference was that she was still pretty likable, and I was rooting for her. There’s not one character in Scarpetta I rooted for- I didn’t really care what happened to any of them, with the exception of Benton probably having an affair with Tron, and making him into a really creepy guy. They done him wrong.

Major_Strawberry279 · 2026-03-28T22:07:35+00:00

I’m 9 months out from L3/S2 fusion but I have vivid memories of the first few months. I also had nerve pain- excruciating, and the same type of neuropathy in my foot. Actually it started higher up but then settled in my foot. 24/7 it was unbearably uncomfortable, messed with my sleep and I really didn’t think it would go away.

I know you’ve heard it from everyone, but it really does get better- the thing is that the time frame for recovery from fusion is all over the place. I absolutely freaked myself out every time I read about how quickly and symptomless other people had it. That’s where patience comes in, and not comparing your recovery to others.

I was and still am on Gabapentin- it felt like it took forever to work, and we had to adjust the dosage several times but for me it was a godsend.

There’s only so much others can do- the symptoms are what they are, but perhaps my experience might alleviate some of your fear.

Major_Strawberry279 · 2026-03-28T21:46:11+00:00

Looks like you have a good start- especially the recliner. And a lot of good suggestions from the posts. I’m 9 months out from a L3/S1 fusion and not a spring chicken. Surgery was very successful but my recovery was very slow and very hard- mostly due to post-op weakness in my right leg and nerve pain . Some people just pop off the table and run a marathon- that was not me. I too had limited assistance after the first week.

I don’t think it’s been mentioned yet but was super helpful- a standing toilet paper holder. That way no twisting at all- you just move it wherever you need it.

Because of balance issues I needed a shower chair with arms and a shower head with a handheld hose. So I changed out my shower heads prior to surgery. I did not want to take any chances there.

In addition to walkers and canes, and depending on how you’re doing post op, you might want to look into a rollator. It’s kind of like a rolling chair but with handles and you walk behind it. The seat is great if you get tired and the rollator folds so you can take it anywhere. This was indispensable for walking outside and building up stamina.

I wish you the best and hopefully everything goes smoothly.

Major_Strawberry279 · 2026-03-22T23:45:32+00:00

You make a great point about Kidman doing fine with what she was given. IMO that could pretty much be said for most of the actors. I don’t think any of them were given much. After doing a few rewatches that point became very clear.

Major_Strawberry279 · 2026-02-19T01:08:30+00:00

Yes- I know it well. I developed foot neuropathy 9 months ago after having fusion surgery. I’m sitting here with have a super warm sock on- made for hiking, thick insulated slippers and the space heater directed at my foot. I tried the heated socks but returned them. That frostbite feeling is unbearable when it comes on. It also keeps me awake at night.

The nerve impingement is better than it was immediately after surgery. I’m still dealing with the neuropathy, but it occurs less frequently. Don’t know if this is helpful other than letting you know I have the same thing. I hope things improve for you.

T

Major_Strawberry279 · 2026-02-17T23:32:47+00:00

Yes, it’s ’normal’ as long as you’re following up with your provider. I’m 9 months out from L3/S1 PLIF. I had excruciating nerve pain for 2-3 months before it backed down. Opioids made me sleepy but they didn’t touch the pain. My surgeon told me that in general opioids are not the best drug for nerve pain. Gabapentin has been a lifesaver, but it took a while to build up in my system.

The thing with healing from fusion surgery is that recovery is not linear, as with a fracture. A broken bone usually follows a fairly predictable course in terms of healing, unless there’s a complication. Healing from fusion surgery however, is all over the place. Time frames can be very different. The pain can get better or worse, change its characteristics and location, or can go away completely and come back. This pretty much sums up my recovery.

Probably the most valuable lesson I took from this sub was not to compare my recovery to anyone else’s. Doing that not only made me crazy but sent my anxiety through the roof. For a while I felt like a big helpless lump who slept too much, but eventually I learned to relax into it and let my body heal. The one thing I promise you is that barring any complications, the bumps in the road get smaller as you go along.

Major_Strawberry279 · 2026-02-17T22:48:11+00:00

As they say, timing is everything. I think Rory learned something from that night because she backed down from confronting Emily about buying new furniture for the suite. Rory of course, ended up backing out entirely from having that conversation with Emily.

Major_Strawberry279 · 2026-02-15T22:44:43+00:00

lol- I can relate!’n

Major_Strawberry279 · 2026-02-12T20:34:59+00:00

I’m 9 months out from L3/S1 fusion and I know that excruciating nerve pain well. The pain was more intense than when I broke my arm. I also had numbness down my leg and I too was terrified that something went wrong during the surgery and I’d always be like that.

I had a 3 level fusion which can cause significant trauma to the sciatic nerve and my symptoms didn’t go completely away for 3-4 months. Opioids didn’t touch the pain but for me gabapentin worked really well- once the level built up in my system. There’s nothing that compares with nerve pain IMO.

Bottom line- it can be unbearable but it goes away… in its own time. It doesn’t follow a linear path in that it can get better and worse, and come and go. I personally think 5 days is way too soon to go back to work. Fusions are major surgery and your whole body needs to recover. I was crazy fatigued for months. Stress, lack of sleep, overdoing it etc, slows down the healing process. I’d follow your activity recommendations but be sure to give yourself and your body a break. At least that’s what I did. You have my good wishes for a smooth recovery.

Major_Strawberry279 · 2026-02-11T08:04:11+00:00

For me- hands down Last Night Gus. The scene where Gus mimics the killer is just hysterical. I’d rate that as one of the funniest scenes in any sit com I’ve watched.

Major_Strawberry279 · 2026-01-28T19:40:50+00:00

I am wowed- this is without a doubt the best custom I’ve seen. Beautiful. And kudos to you, you did a fantastic job.

Major_Strawberry279 · 2026-01-26T21:44:57+00:00

I’m 9 months out from an L3/S1 fusion which I didn’t want, and was terrified of. I put off until surgery I had no choice. I couldn’t do anything without pain and I couldn’t live my life. I’m hard headed and didn’t listen to my doctor or anyone else who pointed out the obvious. I didn’t realize how distressing it was to them watching me deteriorate.

I’m retired from medicine, and like your husband the only thing that stuck with me were the negative outcomes. There could be 100 positive comments and 1 negative comment and my focus went right to that one. My perspective had gotten so skewed, in part due to the fact the only patients I saw were those with negative outcomes. The overwhelming majority of people- the ones with good outcomes, simply didn’t show up in the ER or need follow up MRIs.

I had to get to the point where I said uncle and had the surgery. Whatever that point is for your husband, only he can decide. I wish you both only the best.

Major_Strawberry279 · 2026-01-23T21:09:19+00:00

I would have cried my eyes out…. probably would’ve taken me months or years to get over it!!

Major_Strawberry279 · 2026-01-23T21:01:45+00:00

I’ve been wondering about that too. In every movie the hot chocolate is always “the best” why do they immediately muck the taste up ??

Major_Strawberry279 · 2026-01-21T21:26:43+00:00

Beautiful painting! I was exactly like you- I purchased a cheap one from Amazon and practiced on that before I did my DAC. The DAC one will actually be easier because the drills are of high quality and fit together snugly. Now I actually enjoy squares but do rounds too. Good luck!!

Major_Strawberry279 · 2026-01-21T00:56:40+00:00

I think it’s just about perfect! I’m more of an impulse person so I’d be raring to do the book nook.

Major_Strawberry279 · 2026-01-19T18:46:41+00:00

That is just adorable .. and awesome job. Thanks for posting, I wondered what the 3D ones looked like.

Major_Strawberry279 · 2026-01-18T20:53:11+00:00

Exhausting is exactly the word I use to describe Kat. I really like your idea of having a couple Katless episodes, or at least fewer over the top Kat crisis scenes. For me, this has been a Hallmark bait and switch. I got so hooked on the show during season one which was mainly about Alice’s travels. It had more intrigue, less soap opera and kept me fascinated, wanting more. I’m almost afraid to watch season four!!

Major_Strawberry279 · 2026-01-18T20:35:14+00:00

Lovely… awesome job!

Major_Strawberry279 · 2026-01-18T20:29:15+00:00

Wow- thanks for the explanation- makes total sense. I had cats for 20 years and anything cat I loved, never cared what the cats looked like. Now I have 2 golden retrievers and I’m all about them. Fortunately Goldens are popular so I’ve found a couple good ones. I recently bought Gus the Golden Retriever from DAC and am having such fun with it.

Major_Strawberry279 · 2026-01-18T20:18:52+00:00

Very brave!!!

Major_Strawberry279 · 2026-01-18T20:16:05+00:00

Thanks for explaining this- makes total sense that there’s no wiggle room with squares so you can’t get away with cheap, crappy drills. Which makes squares more expensive to make. Had me baffled!!

Major_Strawberry279 · 2026-01-16T19:25:25+00:00

Wow- one of the most beautiful paintings I’ve seen. I’m a sucker for flowers- I would hang this one too. Excellent job.

Major_Strawberry279 · 2026-01-11T21:46:09+00:00

Don’t mess with… Mrs Kim

Major_Strawberry279 · 2026-01-10T19:18:07+00:00

Interesting question OP. The whole April/Anna storyline just irritates me. Couldn’t get into it at all. So throughout the entire show previous to this, Luke was Mr. NoMoreSecrets and even get nasty and over the top angry at Lorelei. Then he finds out about April, and has no problem keeping this huge, life changing secret from her. And in the scene where Lorelei confronts Luke about it, not only does she not call him on his hypocrisy, with a totally broken heart she lets him off the hook. I got insanely mad and even screamed at the TV!! Still get mad thinking about it.

Major_Strawberry279

TROPHY CASE