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THR And so, I Continue

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Day #4: Still a bit tired. Slept ok last night and got more naps yesterday. Contemplating 2 things today.

1) a trip out to the sidewalk to get in a bit more walking. 2) my first shower. I just don't want to get down the stairs and across the street and then hit the wall and need one of those sudden onset naps.

Starting to battle the boredom....
 
@gullimac so happy for you - you sound like you are doing wonderfully. :yay:

That is frustrating about the HR insurance stuff and the logon issues...grrrr - not the best timing for sure, but something that has to be done unfortunately. Hope you got your home PT set up.

The irregular sleep is rough but it will get better. Just listen to your body and rest whenever you can. You're doing great! That first shower will feel heavenly! :)
 
@gullimac the trick with venturing outside is to start with a distance 1/2 as far as you think you can go. Half way down the driveway, halfway past the next house, etc. You are absolutely right, you don't want to get to your goal and struggle to get back. Increase the distance very slowly. Still early days!
 
Moving, moving, moving! I am in total agreement with @Krista that the first 2 weeks are the worst. The bandage, the soreness, the bruises and the getting comfortable make us very tired. I think getting outside in the fresh air and taking mini walks to the mailbox, around the yard are therapeutic. You will know if you've done too much because you will be tired and worn out and may have to sit and ice a little more the next day. I've been going out in the yard almost every day and pruning a bush a little or pulling a weed here and there and it feels good. I'm now at 2 weeks and 5 days Post Op and we went to Lowes to the garden center and I bought some tomato plants to put in pots and some impatiens and petunias to put on my deck. I plan to plant them next week when I am just past 3 weeks :yes: . I'm not doing anywhere near what I would be doing in my yard as I know I have to take it slow but I can walk around, look at things, go shop for 30 min to an hour (someone else drives of course) and I know I can fill pots with dirt and plant tomatoes in a few days. You are doing so well and don't we all take baby steps to learn what feels good and what we can do each day. Staying IN the bed is so not an option. Get Well soon @gullimac !! --julie (just hanging out in Tennessee watching the trees leafing)
 
Speaking of walking, does anyone know if it is safe/permitted to walk on a treadmill for exercise soon after surgery? Obviously it would need to be at a slow pace. I haven't heard one way or another.
 
I was walking on a treadmill in physical therapy 2 weeks after my THR. It's fine, but keep the incline flat and don't go too fast at first.
 
:driver:@alexthecat - Thank you! I've only used it flat, so no problem there. Glad to know that is an option for exercise if I am careful because people drive like maniacs through my neighborhood.
 
Had my first shower a few minutes ago. Felt good to clean up. My dad headed back to NC around 1:00. Glad he came down, but by the end I think he was pretty bored. Had several more waves of quick onset exhaustion today. Sometimes I can "lean in to it" and catch some sleep. Other times it just eludes me.

I think by Monday when the wife goes back to work and the kids head to school I should be fairly self-sufficient. I have got a stool in the kitchen so I can make a basic lunch and eat right there.
 
@Toddlermom i think you are right. Need a good show to binge watch. I am usually a good legal thriller type, right now i still need something a bit more mindless. Last night I watched some old That 70s Show.

No matter what I told myself, I did feel a bit responsible for keeping my dad "entertained" and occasionally keeping the kids occupied. I think sending everyone else back to their lives will allow me to relax a bit too. Find my own recovery rhythm.

I do feel like hip #1 has taken some stress off of my back, but it seems too early to tell if it bought much time for the left hip. Looking foreword to seeing how things progress the next few days/weeks.
 
@gullimac- nice to hear your updates and I hope this week goes well for you. As far as mindless entertainment goes, there is a show that is rather silly but may be good therapy if you can find it and if you like it. It is called Impractical Jokers. It makes me giggle because it is just light and fluffy- not heavy or serious.
 
Okay @gullimac just had to pop in here and recommend COLORING for something to do to occupy your hands and free your mind to relax. I have found my 'coloring books' to be the best therapy I could ever imagine. I'm coloring gardens and whimsical scenes but for someone residing in a 'dudes den' or a man cave, Amazon has some great ideas. Here's one with lots of other suggestions on the same page. Buy a big box of colored pencils and start working while you ice. https://www.amazon.com/Classic-Fifties-Dover-History-Coloring/dp/0486433269/ref=pd_sim_14_2?ie=UTF8&dpID=51EJULDWRwL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL320_SR240,320_&refRID=17S4KXSWSMXXDYJH62BM
--julie (who has recently purchased another set of pencils after wearing down the first to nubs)

and another in the endless list of therapy coloring: :chillpill: https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Haven-Country-Scenes-Coloring/dp/0486494551/?tag=ate362da-20
 
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@guillimac so glad to hear of your progress and doing so amazing! I don't know how you managed those stairs on day one! I bet you are enjoying the girls even through the pain. Ice is now our friend. It was great your father could come and keep you company. It's hard to be sedentary when the spring weather is getting so beautiful. But be careful not to over do it. Your hip will let you know when you have. When you're used to pushing through the pain its hard to retrain your brain to think in terms of easy does it. But it seems in this instance, we have to listen to our bodies and not push farther than yesterday are ready to go. So glad to hear of your progress and determination. Have a good night!
 
Glad to see you are travelling pretty well. I think it will be nice for you to relax with no one around next week. I am the same, I feel responsible for keeping people entertained when they are at my house so I will have to try and let that go.

Yay for a shower!
My friend and I caught up on the weekend and she was in the army reserves and said that in her training they were 'out field' with no showers so they had wipes with which to clean with and they called them a'birdbath' haha I imagine I will be having a few bird baths myself until cleared to shower!

Wishing you a restful week


Candice, 29 yo. Rheumatoid Arthritis. Australia. Sequential unilateral THR June 1st 2016 and July 13th 2016 :)
 
So yesterday was a day of waste...literally! Finally ended my post-op battle with constipation around 7:00 pm last night. Was completely wiped and promptly fell asleep. This of course has resulted in getting my days and nights mixed up. Now wide awake since about 2 AM. Also missed a dose of pain meds while passed out, so playing catch up.

Had planned to try and make it out to the sidewalk today, we will see what I feel like later. Still haven't heard from at home PT yet, so I figure that will happen today too. Wife heads back to work today. Will be nice to be on my own for few hours.
 
@gullimac - hope you are resting right now and that your body is continuing to heal and be restored. Keep making progress but don't overdo it. Since you have a background in athletics, envision your healing as a successful athlete would- doing something in the weeks to come that will signify healing. For an athlete it might be scoring a winning touchdown or home run or accepting a gold medal. For you it could be a walk at the park or a meal out with the kids- anything that helps you see yourself as healed, powerful, strong, whole. One day at a time. I'm sure right now just being able to use the restroom and sleep is nice- the point is you are making progress and not to be discouraged. It's early in the "game" yet, and your best "plays" are yet to come!
 
@guillimac :happydance::yay: Congrats on your victory! :yes!: I'm thankful @Miss Muffet addressed this issue in her pre-op research otherwise I would not have been aware of or prepared for this problem. I sort of envy you your solitude today. My DH insists I not be alone at all. Luckily, my BFF of forever was able to come out and stay with us so she is making it fun! Plus she is an awesome cook so yep, I'll have to go on a diet when she leaves! Hope your day is great!:flwrysmile:
 
Hi @gullimac sounds like you are doing great. I can understand how you might have felt responsible to entertain your dad while he was here. I bet it will be nice to have the family back to their normal routines and for you to have the house to yourself today. The self-sufficiency will feel good - just be careful and take it slow. Keep up the great work!:)
 
@gullimac hope this pic shows up.. made me think of you lol.. Hope your feeling much better today.. [Bonesmart.org] And so, I Continue
 
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