Love this comment -- that's exactly why we are all here!
THR AllNat's 2nd THR (Lefty's Turn)
- Thread starter AllNat
- Start date
OP
OP
AllNat
Insider
Just a quick update to say that instead of going for what has become my usual stroll around the block, today I celebrated the start of Week 6 with my new left hip by doing my first outing that was not a medical appointment: I accompanied my husband to our local farmers market—a much more interesting and fruitful way to log some steps. 
JusticeRider
Insider
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2022
- Messages
- 870
- Age
- 48
- Gender
- Female
- Country
United States
Congratulations on your first fun outing, @AllNat ! That must have felt so good. I love a good farmer’s market 
That’s a decent amount of time on your feet too, so how wonderful that it went well!
I’m taking my first real outing this Sunday! We are meeting friends at a fancy bar/lounge for cocktails (mocktail for me…extra strength Tylenol and alcohol don’t mix) and appetizers. They have couches so hopefully I’ll be able to rest comfortably while we socialize. After that we are seeing a movie in one of those theaters that has the recliners. I insisted on going to an earlier showing because I know I will be getting tired…energy drain. You all know what I’m talking about.
I’m hoping that we’ve planned activities that will be nice and easy on my hip so we can have an evening out without compromising my recovery. The plan is for my husband to drop me at the entrance to each location to keep walking to a minimum and not risk encountering any slopes walking from a parking spot.
AllNat you are lucky you still have your farmer’s market going! Ours ended the first weekend in October. I will have to wait until spring! Cooler weather is coming, will you continue your outdoor walks as the weather turns?
That’s a decent amount of time on your feet too, so how wonderful that it went well!I’m taking my first real outing this Sunday! We are meeting friends at a fancy bar/lounge for cocktails (mocktail for me…extra strength Tylenol and alcohol don’t mix) and appetizers. They have couches so hopefully I’ll be able to rest comfortably while we socialize. After that we are seeing a movie in one of those theaters that has the recliners. I insisted on going to an earlier showing because I know I will be getting tired…energy drain. You all know what I’m talking about.
I’m hoping that we’ve planned activities that will be nice and easy on my hip so we can have an evening out without compromising my recovery. The plan is for my husband to drop me at the entrance to each location to keep walking to a minimum and not risk encountering any slopes walking from a parking spot.
AllNat you are lucky you still have your farmer’s market going! Ours ended the first weekend in October. I will have to wait until spring! Cooler weather is coming, will you continue your outdoor walks as the weather turns?
OP
OP
AllNat
Insider
Quick update on a busy week (my schedule always seems to have a week with no appointments, and then a week with all appointments 
):
On Wednesday I had my first post-op follow-up appointment with my OS. He said that the X-rays looked good and removed my restrictions. He also gave me the okay to get back into the pool, so I am planning to resume my aquatherapy appointments in a couple of weeks, after I have my last PT appointment on November 6. The physiotherapist who was assisting the OS had me walk a few steps without my walker and mentioned that I have a slight Trendelenburg gait. That didn't surprise me because I do feel some weakness and lopsidedness when trying to take a few steps unaided. I definitely have some strengthening to do and am determined to focus on establishing a proper gait. Yesterday I started using a cane in the kitchen so that I had one hand available to move things around more easily, but for the most part I'm still using a walker (especially when out in public) and trying to walk very mindfully. I'm not rushing myself to walk unaided just because I'm coming to the end of 6 weeks after my surgery.
While I was in the waiting area at the surgeon's, I had a wonderful conversation with a young woman who was there with her mother as a follow-up on a hip replacement that she got last month; she'd also had a PAO done on her other hip by a different surgeon earlier in the year. Her positive attitude was delightful, and she was very interested in checking out BoneSmart after I had mentioned it to her.
I saw my physiotherapist yesterday, who was pleased with my progress (my hip flexibility when lying down and pulling my knee up towards my nose is now at 110°) and adjusted my slate of exercises—she took one away but added three (gotta love PT math
).
@JusticeRider I did an outdoor walk earlier this afternoon. The trees are looking so beautiful right now! I did cut the walk a bit short today because I was tired and a wee bit sore after doing my morning round of PT exercises. I am planning to continue my outdoor walks as the weather allows; there's a stretch of time in the autumn in our area when the combination of fallen leaves and damp weather causes some slippery surfaces. Right now most of the leaves are still on the trees, and the days have been dry, so ideal walking conditions, in my opinion.
The outing that you have planned for Sunday sounds like fun. I can't remember the last time that I watched a movie in a movie theatre, but I do remember how comfortable those recliner seats are; they definitely spoiled me for regular theatre seats! I will admit to having some anxiety about going out socially after my THR surgeries unless the venue is one that I'm already familiar with.
I like to make sure that the seating is something that I will be able to use comfortably (the thought of sofas in a bar/lounge would have me worrying that they would be funky/sexy-looking but too low to sit in in my current condition), and in my city there are a lot of restaurants/bars that have inaccessible washrooms located in their basement; those are a No-No for me these days. I hope that the conditions are optimal for you on Sunday and that you have a marvelous time!
On Sunday I have an outing as well: my family is gathering in the party room at my mum's assisted-living residence to celebrate the three October birthday ladies in our family. She turned 93 yesterday! I can't wait to see everyone!
):On Wednesday I had my first post-op follow-up appointment with my OS. He said that the X-rays looked good and removed my restrictions. He also gave me the okay to get back into the pool, so I am planning to resume my aquatherapy appointments in a couple of weeks, after I have my last PT appointment on November 6. The physiotherapist who was assisting the OS had me walk a few steps without my walker and mentioned that I have a slight Trendelenburg gait. That didn't surprise me because I do feel some weakness and lopsidedness when trying to take a few steps unaided. I definitely have some strengthening to do and am determined to focus on establishing a proper gait. Yesterday I started using a cane in the kitchen so that I had one hand available to move things around more easily, but for the most part I'm still using a walker (especially when out in public) and trying to walk very mindfully. I'm not rushing myself to walk unaided just because I'm coming to the end of 6 weeks after my surgery.
While I was in the waiting area at the surgeon's, I had a wonderful conversation with a young woman who was there with her mother as a follow-up on a hip replacement that she got last month; she'd also had a PAO done on her other hip by a different surgeon earlier in the year. Her positive attitude was delightful, and she was very interested in checking out BoneSmart after I had mentioned it to her.
I saw my physiotherapist yesterday, who was pleased with my progress (my hip flexibility when lying down and pulling my knee up towards my nose is now at 110°) and adjusted my slate of exercises—she took one away but added three (gotta love PT math
).@JusticeRider I did an outdoor walk earlier this afternoon. The trees are looking so beautiful right now! I did cut the walk a bit short today because I was tired and a wee bit sore after doing my morning round of PT exercises. I am planning to continue my outdoor walks as the weather allows; there's a stretch of time in the autumn in our area when the combination of fallen leaves and damp weather causes some slippery surfaces. Right now most of the leaves are still on the trees, and the days have been dry, so ideal walking conditions, in my opinion.
The outing that you have planned for Sunday sounds like fun. I can't remember the last time that I watched a movie in a movie theatre, but I do remember how comfortable those recliner seats are; they definitely spoiled me for regular theatre seats! I will admit to having some anxiety about going out socially after my THR surgeries unless the venue is one that I'm already familiar with.
I like to make sure that the seating is something that I will be able to use comfortably (the thought of sofas in a bar/lounge would have me worrying that they would be funky/sexy-looking but too low to sit in in my current condition), and in my city there are a lot of restaurants/bars that have inaccessible washrooms located in their basement; those are a No-No for me these days. I hope that the conditions are optimal for you on Sunday and that you have a marvelous time!On Sunday I have an outing as well: my family is gathering in the party room at my mum's assisted-living residence to celebrate the three October birthday ladies in our family. She turned 93 yesterday! I can't wait to see everyone!
Last edited:
OP
OP
AllNat
Insider
On Sunday I got together with my whole family to celebrate the three October birthday ladies, which include the oldest in our family (my mum, who turned 93 last week) and the youngest (my grandniece, who turned 5 a couple of weeks ago). It was so wonderful to see everyone and give everyone a hug. There were a lot of laughs and great conversation, and the food that everyone brought was delicious. Topping it off was the amazing Opera cake by our local European bakery. I adore buttercream frosting!!
Sounds like you’re doing so well, and had a fun family weekend too.
Thank you for recommending Bonesmart, that’s very kind and hopefully will help others to learn and recover well.
Please do be ultra cautious once back in the pool, it’s very easy to overdo movement in water as it feels so much easier.
keep up the great recovery and do please keep us posted.
Thank you for recommending Bonesmart, that’s very kind and hopefully will help others to learn and recover well.
Please do be ultra cautious once back in the pool, it’s very easy to overdo movement in water as it feels so much easier.
keep up the great recovery and do please keep us posted.
JusticeRider
Insider
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2022
- Messages
- 870
- Age
- 48
- Gender
- Female
- Country
- United States
You were so right, @AllNat …both places were new to me and the sofa was indeed funky/sexy-looking but not supportive at all, and the reclining seats at the theater were nothing like the comfy, leg extending ones at the place we went before. I wrote in my own thread about the soreness that resulted for me! So your anxiety is not without reason.! I will admit to having some anxiety about going out socially after my THR surgeries unless the venue is one that I'm already familiar with.
On the other hand, it sounds like you had a great time at your sweet birthday get together and enjoyed some family time and some lovely cake with buttercream frosting! I so love buttercream frosting. But now I need to know what Opera cake is…
OP
OP
AllNat
Insider
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2017
- Messages
- 48,144
- Gender
- Female
- Country
- United States
OP
OP
AllNat
Insider
Today, as per what has become my morning routine, I set up the bed for my first round of PT exercises, laying out all of the equipment with care: Theraband ball (65 cm/26"), "sliding bag" for friction-free bum skootching, leg lifter, and Theraband rubber strap—all were in their designated spots. I sat on the bag and got myself onto the bed smoothly, using my right ankle to support my left leg as I swung it up. Then, with my right hand, I groped for the leg lifter to get my left leg up onto the ball. But when I looked down at my feet in preparation for looping the leg lifter onto my left foot, I was shocked to find that it was already atop the ball, beside my right foot! 
I had no recollection of moving both legs up, but there they were, ready for me to start rolling the ball to bring my knees toward my face. I was so stunned that I found counting my reps an almost impossible task; my thoughts kept swirling, my brain trying in vain to remember giving my left leg instructions. Had it gone rogue? Nah, it just decided, "I've got this!" Now I know how my dad must've felt when I took my first bike ride without my training wheels.
One more first for today: first time getting behind the wheel since my surgery. The only thing that was a problem was the traffic.
I had no recollection of moving both legs up, but there they were, ready for me to start rolling the ball to bring my knees toward my face. I was so stunned that I found counting my reps an almost impossible task; my thoughts kept swirling, my brain trying in vain to remember giving my left leg instructions. Had it gone rogue? Nah, it just decided, "I've got this!" Now I know how my dad must've felt when I took my first bike ride without my training wheels.One more first for today: first time getting behind the wheel since my surgery. The only thing that was a problem was the traffic.
OP
OP
AllNat
Insider
One thing I forgot to mention in my earlier post: Today marks one and a half weeks that I've been sleeping on my right side rather than exclusively on my back. I'm using my beloved ObusForme knee pillow, something that has enabled easier side-sleeping since the onset of my hip pain almost 10 years ago. My hubby is still sleeping in our guest room because my sleeping on the left side of our bed (which isn't my normal side but does make getting into bed easier in this early post-op period) makes me quite an ungainly flopper when I'm trying to turn from my back to my right side. 
Awkward though the shifting may be, it's well worth it! 
Awkward though the shifting may be, it's well worth it!
OP
OP
AllNat
Insider
Thanks, @Legseleven . When I did my evening round of PT exercises yesterday and my morning round today, I still put the leg lifter on the bed to let my left leg know that I was ready to support it, but my left leg quoted Britney: "Oops, I did it again!" So rather than getting on top of the ball just being a one-off yesterday morning, this is now an encouraging pattern.
JusticeRider
Insider
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2022
- Messages
- 870
- Age
- 48
- Gender
- Female
- Country
- United States
@AllNat I love that your leg took matters into its own hands, so to speak! I am constantly in awe at the wisdom of our bodies. It just knew when it was ready. So exciting, and also funny!
And I relate too because the first time I swung my leg up on the bed, my husband was there ready to lift it for me… and we just looked at each other in total suprise! It just happened.
I feel like we get all this pressure sometimes from other people, and sometimes even ourselves, to try to make our bodies reach this or that milestone after these surgeries. But if we just trust them, they’ll know when they’re ready! It’s a beautiful thing.
I also appreciate your funny writing making me smile and laugh! Thanks for the good fizzy vibes! May your body continue doing its thing and happily surprising you
You’re doing great, @AllNat !
And I relate too because the first time I swung my leg up on the bed, my husband was there ready to lift it for me… and we just looked at each other in total suprise! It just happened.
I feel like we get all this pressure sometimes from other people, and sometimes even ourselves, to try to make our bodies reach this or that milestone after these surgeries. But if we just trust them, they’ll know when they’re ready! It’s a beautiful thing.
I also appreciate your funny writing making me smile and laugh! Thanks for the good fizzy vibes! May your body continue doing its thing and happily surprising you
You’re doing great, @AllNat !
OP
OP
AllNat
Insider
Alas, my hubby has been sick with a gastrointestinal issue since Thursday and went to the ER on Saturday because he was dehydrated. But he seems to have rounded the corner and is feeling noticeably better, I don't seem to have caught it, and we now have a bowl of Halloween treats for ourselves because I didn't dare hand any out on Saturday and risk passing along whatever was beating him up. And today is another unseasonably gorgeous day, so lots of silver linings!
I hope you had a good weekend!
@Layla
