It's another day for me on the recovery trail, and actually feeling pretty good again this morning, particularly remarkable as I made it through the night with no Tramadol wake-up call at 2:30 AM! I thought I'd set my phone alarm but clearly didn't. When I woke up aching a bit at 7:15 AM I realized with a smile that I'd slept through the entire night--woo, hoo! Thus, another "first": I made it all day and night yesterday sans narcotics! I immediately popped 1000 mg Tylenol before getting out of bed, but then tottered downstairs to grab the Sunday paper and curl up in our downstairs family room with my morning, latte, thoughtfully provided by my dear husband.
Yesterday I managed to make it to a local store for a few groceries and sundries. We had our handicap sticker but there are apparently a LOT of folks with those so our handicap parking place was still a bit of a hike into the store. We only bought a few things so it wasn't a lengthy trip and folks steered out of my way when they saw me coming. Of course, I walked along slowly with my trusty walking pole.
@Alitm and
@SurreyGirl, I have no idea what sort of walking/hiking pole it is--it's fairly lightweight, metal with rubber tip on the bottom and a grip on top. As I mentioned, it is a loan from a friend of mine and so far it's working really well both inside and outside. It is a constant battle with myself to walk mindfully and not lurch along, but at least with the pole I have the ability to stand up straight and walk deliberately. I never felt able to do that with the hated walker.
My daughter and her family arrived around 4:30 yesterday, and my husband ordered pizza and salad for dinner. Everyone had beer, wine or a cocktail except me--boo, hoo--who virtuously drank some apple juice. As we were eating dinner we all retired to our TV room to watch the UW Huskies fortunately (my husband would have been devastated otherwise) beat UCLA. They didn't beat them by a wide enough margin apparently, as despite the win my husband and son-in-law were grousing and yelling at the TV throughout the entire game.
I am not sure whether or not I'll try the narcotics tonight. I did well without them last night, and woke up in no greater discomfort than I have before, just the usual slight achiness but minus the grogginess brought on by the narcotic. It is a tough decision for me to make. I am someone who is probably always going to "push the envelope" a bit, but I don't want to be stupid and overdo activity or minimize pain medication too early. I realize I'm less than two weeks out from surgery, seemingly progressing rapidly but not wanting to muck things up by poor decision making.
My husband is going to a pro football game this afternoon with his brother, so I'm operating solo this afternoon. I will probably try not to do too much, icing and lounging with the idea that I might be able to go to a local bar this evening for trivia which is hosted by our younger son on Sunday nights. It only lasts about an hour and a half, and I know our son has missed the familial cheering section that until lately has shown up regularly. But I also know the seating in the bar is small, hard wooden chairs and bar patrons...ahem...aren't always the most careful when passing by disabled individuals even with crutches/canes in evidence nearby. And there is really no place to prop my leg up if it starts aching. I will spend this afternoon thinking about this. As with so many decisions faced by recovering hip replacement patients, it's sometimes a bit difficult to know how far to reasonably push things, and when it's more appropriate to take a pass.
United States
Onward to week two, during which lots happened for me..wishing you the same! I know the 
feeling though....trying!
I'm wondering if the walking poles feel better. Can one use them in the house or do they do bad things to wooden floors? I've never seen them up close, just from a distance!
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