THR Are We There Yet?

[Barbaraj]

Oops, @Layla, I forgot to ask about application of creams, etc. to the scar. Right now I can barely see the sucker as it's completely covered with steri-strips. But definitely will add that question to my next series of questions for the OS. Today's appointment with someone else (junior OS?).

 

[Lea61]

Thank you @Lmflora .... I have been taking 100mg of Tramadol and Tylenol. I guess I will see how it goes and can try taking a 50 for the middle of the night dose.
How great to be able to go back and look at your thread from 4 years ago.

 

[Layla]

Sounds like you had a great post op visit. It's always nice to get the reassurance you're progressing as expected ted. Yay! You can drive! I waited several days after getting permission also. If was just nice to know that if I chose to get behind the wheel, I could. Glad you made it out for a celebratory lunch afterward. Slowly but surely you're tip toeing back into life.
@Barbaraj

 

[Alitm]

@Barbaraj I finally got back to BoneSmart and read through your thread! You are doing so well! Congrats on your appointment again, and on all your accomplishments. Doing normal every day life things are so helpful!

The trainer who has my young horse actually stopped by the barn late afternoon to pick up my young horse's saddle, as the trainer was in my area this afternoon. My regular horse sitter who has covered the last three days (including tomorrow) was at the barn, and the three of us were having a good yack about various things re: horse training, changes of horse show schedules etc. They were also amazed that I was walking around the tack room unassisted, although my trusty pole was ever ready close by. It felt so great to be talking about things that had nothing to do with hips for the most part!

Your comments about your hubby heading out to work and you getting going in the AM on your own steam, feeling rested, getting the paper etc. resonated with me. It is such a great feeling to do the morning routine without needing someone there to assist...although it was so welcome at the time!

I fell asleep around 9:30 PM waiting for our youngest to get home. Then I wake up again and can't get back to sleep for awhile. Using this time to catch up with a few people I wanted to "see" here today/tonight

 

[Mojo333]

Hope your appointment goes well.
Slow it goes...but worth it in the end!

 

[Barbaraj]

Ah, happy hump day! It's going to be another banner day in my neck of the woods, and I'm taking off shortly with my husband to the gym. No, I won't be foolish, only about 10 to 15 minutes on the elliptical or treadmill at the very lowest setting, but feeling excited about this. My husband will, of course, do a much longer workout but I'll just settle into the lounge area with my Kindle and read until he's done. Afterwards, I'm hoping he'll take me to the library park again for another walk, perhaps just a little longer than yesterday's walk. I suspect this is the time when it will be tricky for me--getting such good, positive news yesterday might cause me to push the envelope more and I certainly don't want to overdo things and pay the price afterwards.

I was warned about this at yesterday's appointment. I was sternly told that folks "like me", who are doing so well, often feel as if they can do more than they really should and then set themselves back. Seems as though I've read a few stories about that on this forum! I do want to be sensible, however, and not screw things up so I will try to be mindful and push just a little each day, but not enough to be stupid about it. Hmmmm...that may be easier said than done!

I actually slept pretty well last night, although woke up at 5:30 this morning. I wasn't as achy as I've been other mornings so I got up and decided to skip my morning Tylenol dosage. We'll see how that goes, particularly with some morning activity planned. I did get up, made coffee and grabbed the newspaper, but also threw on an ice pack as well. Ice is still your friend, I was told, so I intend to try to use my rotating ice packs regularly when I'm sitting around.

Well, another day starts, another day closer to my end game of full recovery. Carpe Diem!

 

[Going4fun]

Sounds like you are rock and rolling @Barbaraj. I'm heading to the gym one of these days ... I have put it off ... well because I didn't want to walk around with a cane at the gym ... but now I'm really close to being able to walk without limping without the cane (I've been saying that for seemingly two weeks) .... So one day soon, I will get on the elliptical.

Part of my hesitation is that I don't trust myself to avoid overdoing it ... But at my post-op, surgeon's nurse said I could also do upper body exercises ... so I'll start that soon ...

Anyway great to hear of your report! ....

 

[MrDIY]

I'll just settled into the lounge area with my Kindle and read until he's done. Afterwards, I'm hoping he'll take me to the library park again for another walk, perhaps just a little longer than yesterday's walk.

It’s great that you get out like that @Barbaraj
It’s good for your state of mind and outlook in my opinion.

Well, another day starts, another day closer to my end game of full recovery. Carpe Diem!

Have a good day!

 

[SurreyGirl]

Great update BarbaraJ and glad that you are mindful of the warnings. Hope you have a great week!

 

[Barbaraj]

Thanks, @Going4fun and @MrDIY. I am lounging in a cushy chair right now, waiting for my husband to finish his workout. I managed 15 minutes (could have done more but trying not to overdo it) on the treadmill at a ridiculous snail’s pace but you gotta start somewhere, right?

And @Going4fun, I had my walking stick with me although I am able to walk without it. It mainly serves as a warning to others. A year ago at the gym some careless guy came around a corner, walking too fast and not paying attention, and basically body slammed me to the floor! Now, just three weeks after hip replacement, I am leery and will be bringing my stick with me for awhile. So, get back out there—that first time will be the hardest but I choose to believe it’s all positive forward motion. And good idea to maybe do some upper body work.

Even though my exertion this morning was pretty pitiful compared to all the strong and healthy folks “jocking out” around me, it is a small and positive first step forward in terms of mental attitude and slow rebuilding of strength and stamina. Getting back to my old daily gym habit (and, sheesh, @MrDIY, I remember reading your pre-surgical exercise workout in great awe!) is helpful for those who did this pre-surgery.

 

[Layla]

Good for you! Glad you took it easy so you can monitor your energy and any aches you may feel later, or tomorrow. Hopefully all you'll feel is great!
@Barbaraj

 

[Lmflora]

@Barbaraj way to go hip sister!! Glad to hear your having such a great day. How did it go skipping the Tylenol? The stick is a great way to ease fatigue, I took a walk down the hill to the barn and back. All gravel road, had to remind myself to stop gawking at the beautiful blue sky and watch where I was walking. All is well

Went to see my horse, took her blanket off, it is too heavy for this warm weather, she was sweating, so I cleaned her up and chased her around the pen brushing her, didn’t have a halter, pretty stupid on my part, did not fall, but decided to bring halter next time. Going to my OS tomorrow so I’ll get her a new lighter blanket and take it out to her. I drove myself, no tramadol and I have use of my gas/brake foot. I suspect I’ll get the driving clearance tomorrow.

Been stretching, finally able to get my foot of my operative leg onto the knee of my other leg and slowly stretch it out. Felt tight, but good.

Have a great evening, cheers

 

[Barbaraj]

Hey there, @Lmflora--gotta watch you, chasing around your horse! Silly woman, accident waiting to happen--glad to hear next time you'll be sensible and bring a halter. And glad to hear the walking stick is working--don't you just feel more like "yourself" as opposed to that wretched walker?!

Skipping the Tylenol has worked so far. I can tell I feel stiffness and a bit of soreness when I don't take it, but I am not in any significant pain so I'll just continue to monitor myself. I know that pain can slow healing, and I definitely don't want to do that. But like having no meds except the baby aspirin.

Haven't taken any Tramadol for so long that I do think I'm out of the woods in terms of narcotics. I have a half bag full of prunes and thinking, as my husband is out for the evening, that I may make a prune quick bread loaf--feel that might be good for breakfast, a slice slathered with butter along with my morning latte. Have a great evening yourself!

 

[Barbaraj]

Thursday morning here in the PNW, and another stellar day weather-wise: sunshine, cool fall temperatures and just about perfect. I am off to get a haircut this morning, a friend is bringing take-out for lunch and then a lounging afternoon. I was a bit achy last night, so retired early to bed, to read and watch a bit of TV with a large ice pack flopped on my hip. This morning I decided to take a dose of Tylenol and read the newspaper with another ice pack. Feeling pretty good at the moment. I always have an ache, usually quite manageable but one gets so tired of it! Patience, patience, I know.

Yesterday I was alone for the evening as my husband had a work function to attend, with a nice dinner included. I had leftover pizza and a small salad for dinner and then was hungry for dessert and went ahead and made a treat for myself. I decided to use up the rest of the bag of prunes I had since I'm off narcotics and no worries about constipation, so I made a spiced prune loaf. Didn't chop up the prunes into small enough dice so they all heavily sank to the bottom of the loaf, but still tasty stuff! My husband won't eat it, but I'm hoping maybe my lunch guest will have a slice for dessert and then maybe I can persuade her to take the rest of it home. The problem with baking, when you don't have kids at home, is that stuff lingers too long in the kitchen, shrieking out in all it's buttery, sugary goodness, "eat me, eat me" and while an occasional dessert is okay, my slothful lifestyle isn't conducive to daily desserts. I guess I can always pitch it out...but seems so wasteful!

So, another recovery day and need to get in a walk somehow. Not sure when/if I can do that. I know I'm supposed to be increasing my walking--maybe a walk outside at some point although I am a bit leery of uneven surfaces. But if I go slowly and carefully, and bring my walking stick, I should be okay. I have got to start doing this kind of thing independently, I can't rely on my husband daily for this. Something I need to think about further and figure out. Always something...

 

[Layla]

Hey...it was your Three Week Anniversary yesterday. Happy belated!
Isn't it sooo much better being on this side ?!!
Hope today is a good day. New hair always makes us feel better
@Barbaraj

 

[Alitm]

@Barbaraj Are you getting the stellar weather like we are, as a result of that big and unusual high up by Alaska? It is stunning here.

Hope you are having a lovely hair-do-day and wishing you an enjoyable take out lunch with your friend. I
hear you on the baking and the slothful pace of life at the moment!

I purchased hiking poles on Amazon and use two on uneven terrain. I am a total convert!

 

[Barbaraj]

Good morning, @Layla (or maybe afternoon where you are--so good afternoon!) and, yes, of course you are absolutely correct that it's far better now mentally than pre-surgery. I am still a bit stiff/sore/achy like before surgery, but MENTALLY I am feeling encouraged, not that nagging dread/worry about surgery and a mostly positive attitude that I'm on an upward trajectory instead of steeling myself daily for the unknown surgery ahead.

@Alitm, yes we've got the same fabulous weather that you're enjoying. When I got back from my haircut appointment, I took a slow walk around our yard. Fresh air was fabulous (sun is a bit shadowed today as clouds are starting to roll in) and it was a good walk, but a depressing view of my poor yard and garden areas. My husband has been out to mow the yard, but--argh--my garden areas are so weedy, and so much of our shrubbery needs pruning desperately. Our landscape gardener guy is coming on the 29th and I am hoping he can at least do some pruning and trimming, but I'm afraid the weeds will have to wait until the nicer weather in late spring when I will be spending quality time sitting on a kneeling pad, slowly wending my way through the weed patches. It feels a bit overwhelming, but I know from past experience that taking it slowly--the swiss cheese approach--will eventually get things tidy and then a little bit of daily work to keep things under control. When I think back to this summer, I once again realize how much my world had narrowed with a wonky hip. Getting down on the ground and trying to weed was hard, and I was so stiff and awkward. Not that I "love" weeding, but I've always considered it very satisfying, especially given my complete lack of talent when it comes to planting, tending, and pruning. In all years past, my gardener has always complimented me on how I've been able to keep weeds mostly at bay. Not this year, I'm afraid. But a brighter, weeding future next year, I'm hoping. Have a great day yourself, and glad you're a convert to the walking poles. I think they're great too, although I'm more klutzy than you and can only manage one at a time! PS I hear Canada got legalized pot starting today! That will be interesting. I swear that Washington seems to have a pot store on every corner these days--I always wonder: will they overtake Starbucks?!

 

[Alitm]

@Barbaraj I think so many of us were doing less and less pre-op. I could hardly get the horses taken care of, let alone work on my garden. It is such a mess. I have two cedars in pots by my front door, and the front looks garden looks dreadful. I have been slowly trying to sort out my pots at the back door, as all our friends come in the back door. One day before hubby's health issues came to the fore, I removed flowers from my back door pots, and tidied around my miniature evergreens. On another day I put in some pansies (they are under cover so keep blooming here!) that will take me to just before the holidays where I'll put in some seasonal evergreens...their names escape me....have little red berries. I love to garden so am looking forward to the spring and being able to garden in earnest!

Oh yes, a friend messaged me from Victoria late yesterday afternoon to say she'd just come out onto the street from an office meeting and all she could smell was you know what! Ugh. I believe a blind eye was taken yesterday, but it is like alcohol, not to be consumed in public, except for licensed open air "bars" or the like. It will be interesting to see how it will all unfold. Not my thing, but I support its use in medical environments and hope the legalization will allow for more research for medical use.

 

[Lea61]

@Barbaraj... That's the second time this week at the gym. That's great. I was curious, when are away from home, are you using a cane? How about when you're home. I know how much you hated the walker. How long did you use it?

 

[Barbaraj]

Good morning, all--foggy here to start the day, but I'm hopeful for sunshine later on as a friend just texted me and asked about a walk in late morning. I told her "absolutely" but reminded her my walking isn't all that fast and I don't want her to get frustrated with me. So, we'll see. I am doing alright this morning--I was a little worried after yesterday as at the last minute I decided to accompany my husband who was picking up our granddaughter after school and taking her to a ballet lesson before dropping her home. Anyway, we dropped her off and then we walked very s-l-o-w-l-y down about 2-1/2 blocks to a local restaurant near the dance studio. I am ashamed to admit I'm willing to push myself a bit for the prospect of snacks and booze--we had one lovely drink apiece (grapefruit martinis--yum!), with truffle fries and roasted cauliflower with parmesan shavings to munch on. We walked slowly back to pick our granddaughter up and drop her at home, and when I checked my step counter on my phone last night, I saw I'd taken more steps yesterday than I'd taken since before surgery! Of course, that meant I immediately worried about overdoing it so I immediately settled into a chair for the evening with an ice pack on my hip. I thought about taking Tylenol but then held off, wanting to see how I was feeling this morning.

I feel pretty good today, so rest and icing seem to have done the trick. By the way, @Lea61, I pretty much ditched the walker at the end of week 1. As I've said before, I hated how I hunched over, the little old lady stance, and I felt too much energy going into moving the walker and not enough attention to gait and posture. Inside the house, I used the walking pole (tried two, but I'm too much of a klutz and couldn't get into the rhythm of that very easily) and then went to walking unaided after about 1-1/2 weeks. I do bring my walking pole when I am outside, but as I'm always with my husband on those outside forays, I often find it easier to just grab the walking pole in one hand without really using it, and just hold onto my husband's arm for stability as I walk. Of course if he drops me off somewhere, in front of a restaurant where we'll be dining, I do use the walking pole by myself. I am not sure I really and truly need it, but it warns folks that I'm less than steady on my pins and they should keep their distance.

Big treat of the day is that because it's Friday, it's "date night" with my dear husband which is always a treat, disabled or not. Hope everyone has a great day!