THR Beanie on the go

[Beanie18]

Hi all! I just celebrated 6 weeks on Wednesday, which was also my 40th birthday. My husband and I went to Oregon for the week (where I lived for 15 years, up until two years ago) to celebrate with my closest friends. I think the challenge of doing more was good for me in a way, as I seem to have made a leap and can walk without the cane much more, and at the same time I was way more prone to overdoing it and was often sore and pooped by the end of the day. My upper thigh might be swollen, warm, and firm before bed (I brought my gel ice packs on the trip with me). The other downside to Portland (if one can call it that) is that there is so much incredibly good food and I am feeling pretty chunky right now. Ah well, it's vacation and we had a great time.

I'm back to work some, but pretty easy stuff. Tomorrow, though, I need to drive five hours for an all day job on Monday, then drive back Monday evening because my follow up with my OS is Tuesday morning. Not ideal but there was no one else to do it. At least it's the driving that will be the most challenging part, not the work so much.

I can't wait (well, I can, but I'm looking forward to it) to get to exercise more. Back to biking properly, walking more (without OA pain! The idea!!). I suspect on Tuesday the OS will say I can do whatever doesn't hurt, so it's just more waiting and healing. But overall I'm very happy with my progress so far.

Ok, just about to take off to head home! I hope everyone is doing well - Thanks for checking in!

 

[Mojo333]

Back to biking properly, walking more (without OA pain! The idea!!)

Great Update!!!
Life with no OA pain...

 

[Layla]

Happy Six Weeks and Happy 40th! You're a pup, lol.
Nice you were able to travel and spend your special day with your closest friends.
Consider bringing gel ice packs for your road trip. It may help. You could bring a small cooler for an extra, or two. Take breaks to stretch and walk so you don't get too stiff. That's a lot of driving for early on. I don't know about you, but I had an intolerance for several months. Thirty-Forty Five minutes and I was toast!

Let us know how the drive goes and your post op with the OS on Tuesday. Safe travels home today!
@Beanie18

 

[Beanie18]

My road trip went fine - thank goodness for cruise control! I did bring ice packs but they were only good for the drive there - the hotel room had a useless freezer and the next day I was working all day and then getting int he car and driving home. The day I was there was challenging, lots of walking and not much time for resting, so when I got home I went to bed with ice on.

Tuesday was my follow up with my OS, the first time I've seen her since the day after surgery. She said everything looks great and I'm free to do whatever I want as long as it feels ok. Apart from my long day Monday, this week I've ditched the cane and am just moving slowly and deliberately with a bit of soreness/stiffness when I first start walking. Yesterday was a long day at work, however, and I'm feeling it a bit more today. Thankfully today is a shorter day and I can spend some time on the couch with ice again when I get home mid afternoon.

I took a picture of my x-ray on the Dr's screen and I'm just fascinated by it - that's inside me! And it got inside me through a barely 4 inch incision! Wild.

 

[Jaycey]

Sounds like you are doing really well @Beanie18 ! That stiffness will ease with time. Still lots of healing going on. Thanks for the update!

 

[Mojo333]

I took a picture of my x-ray on the Dr's screen and I'm just fascinated by it - that's inside me! And it got inside me through a barely 4 inch incision! Wild.

Isn't it?
I felt the same way.
Bionic Beanie!

Looks great to me!
Have a great weekend!

 

[Layla]

Great update, Beanie!
And you know the funny thing to me is....you actually forget that hardware is inside of you sometimes.
I truly never thought that would happen, but it does.
Hope things keep getting better and better.
Happy weekend to you!
@Beanie18

 

[Beanie18]

Happy two months to me! The recovery milestones are becoming more subtle but they're still there. I can walk a bit faster now, I'm slightly less stiff when I first stand up (unless I've overdone it somehow). I can get myself to work on my regular bike (not the electric assist one I borrowed from husband for a bit), albeit slower than my usual and I definitely feel muscle weakness. Doing some gentle stretching, maybe a plank or two a couple of times a week. I can't believe it's been only two months - the first days of recovery seemed endless.

I'm so glad I made the decision to have this surgery at this age rather than suffer for another decade (or two!). If I had the means I'd become the Oprah of hips, giving them out to everyone who needs one - you get a hip! and you get a hip! You over there, you get two! *screaming and streamers*

 

[Mojo333]

Aren't they grand!
Happy two month hipversary @Beanie18 !
Onward....

 

[SwampHiker]

If I had the means I'd become the Oprah of hips, giving them out to everyone who needs one - you get a hip! and you get a hip! You over there, you get two! *screaming and streamers*

I agree! I proclaimed this the day after I got my new hip to the physical therapist. She just thought I was nuts. I was afraid they were going to wheel me to the psych ward instead of the car