THR Dorothy's 2nd hip recovery, June 22, 2012

[Anniepops]

Hi Dorothy, pleased you and Cathy had a nice(lol there's that word again) time together. Hope all goes well in work tomorrow. Take it easy.

Take care

Ann

 

[Poppet]

I am envious that I am so far away to be able to meet any of my BS buddies.. very pleased that you had a nice visit with Cathy.

I am very interested in your IF machine Dorothy, I have constant lower back pain with 3 discs that keep popping in and out..

Do take it easy on Wednesday, you will most likely be tired and feel the energy drain and loss of stamina... make sure you rest up when you get home.

hugs

 

[rider1960]

I'm almost done with my first day back at work and I'm doing fine! I haven't done much actual work because they didn't have my computer returned to normal functioning. Tomorrow will be much more work intensive because things should be up and running and some cases will be in my queue, transfered from other analysts. I was told what the plan is as far as my workload and it seems doable. I have two day of training for changes in the way we processes some things on the computer next week and I think that will be more exhausting than regular work.

It was really great seeing my work friends again. I spent probably half the day making "the rounds" chatting and catching up

Sandy, I wish you were closer too ... Australia is a little far for lunch. Sigh ... The IF machine is great. I have to do some programming adjustments this evening to get just the right setting for me. Much of that is trial and error to see what works the best. The unit is small, compact, and runs off a rechargable battery. I can even bring it to work if I want and zap myself. Have you thought about getting one for yourself?

Dorothy

 

[C Mac]

Hi Dorothy,

You sound AWESOME, even with the return to work... I thought about you earlier and was going to suggest that if you had to climb out a window to escape from work, to try to make sure it was a ground floor window...

I'm sure Lucy is not at all happy about your return to work....
Take care,
Cardie

 

[VThereandnow]

Hey Dorothy, I sure had a "nice" time meeting you too. Glad you have the first day under your belt. Nice you started on Wed., before you know it, it will be the wknd.

I know it must be frustrating having the hip flexors still be an issue, but let's face it, in reality, you are not just taking it easy and resting them. You are living life, fixing horse fences, climbing in and out of your jeep, taking care of your horses etc. I don't mean that as a criticism, just that you are probably doing more than most, with a hip flexor injury. So maybe it takes a bit longer to heal when you are doing so much. Like Z told me once, at least you are out there living life and not having to be down because of it. Heck, I was impressed with seeing how well you were getting along with your surgery being the end of June.

Good luck with the rest of the week back at work, Cathy

 

[rider1960]

Getting ready for another day at work. Gave myself an IF treatment this morning and the back is feeling pretty good. I'll even bring the machine to work with me if I find it tightening up during the day. I'll look pretty weird with wires hanging off my back, but if I feel better, who cares!

Cardie--I'm on the 4th floor ... so I better not try to escape out a window, lol. Your comment about the window made me think of something--when I was in training years ago, our class was on the 5th floor, which was undergoing a lot of construction. One of the huge floor to ceiling windows had broken, and we spent the entire 2 months of our training classes in that room with nothing more than a sheet of plastic over the window!! There were also electrical cords hanging down from the ceiling all over the place. I thought ... if OSHA ever came here ... they'd be screwed! We all lived though, and nobody jumped out the window ... so I guess that was a good sign we were all going to survive the job itself.

Surprisingly, Lucy handled my first day at work pretty well. I was really proud of her! My neighbor did come over and spend some time with "the girls" mid afternoon. She and her elderly mother (still pretty spry at 86) will be over today. They typically spend about an hour with the girls. I asked them to come over the first two days because I knew it would be a tough transition. I wish they had time to come over every work day ... but that's asking a bit too much. When Heidi was a puppy, though, they came over every day to take Heidi out, and of course play with Lucy too. This went on for 2 months and they formed such a strong bond with the dogs. They don't have any pets, but love them, so this is a way they can have dogs without actually "having" dogs. My dogs, particularly Heidi who grew up with them as aunt and grandmother, practically do back flips when they see "E and R"--I can't even say their full names in front of the girls because they get excited and start looking around for them

Cathy--ditto on the great time chatting! I thought you were doing very well too. I'm still very impressed that you are able to kayake (I could probably get in it ... but getting out???? They would have to bring in a crane, lol) and biking too--terrific!!

I agree that the hip flexor will improve and that I'm able to still live and do some things I want to do while it's healing. At least I know it will get better ... instead of the old arthritis, which was only getting worse. So, I'm still ahead of the game, as are you!

Now, off to work I go!

Dorothy

 

[sharonslp]

Dorothy, it's great to hear everything going so well, including the return to work. As we noted in Katy's thread, your expertise makes you a very valuable addition to the work force.

Sharon

 

[Poppet]

So pleased for you Dorothy that your return to work has gone so well and that all your wonderful animals are handling you being away.. great neighbours you have

We did investigate the IF machine, but it was over AU $1000, so a bit out of my reach..

 

[rider1960]

Sandy, I was fortunate that my medical insurance paid for the IF machine. I have very good insurance coverage as long as I go with a participating "in network" provider. Fortunately my hip surgeon and hospital were in network, or I would have been very poor right about now.

Sharon, how good to hear from you!!!! I'm assuming you are doing well?? I haven't seen an update from you. Maybe you should post something so we can keep track of your wonderful progress!

My second day at work was a little more difficult. I was much stiffer and sore. Still doable, though. Day three coming up, and then a busy weekend.

Dorothy

 

[Poppet]

Hi Dorothy, one more day, then a weekend off, I know you are busy, but try to get some rest honey...

Yes, I would love an IF machine, but would like to try it first.. Must research PT's here.. Would it work on one's spine with three prolapsed discs?

 

[lncrwley]

I'm not exactly sure what an IF machine is but I'm thinking it's sort of like a tens unit. You put sticky pads on your body that zaps the muscles, is that it? If so, there's a site called onesaleaday.com and dailysteals.com that have those kinds of units on occasion. They are called PT massagers and such. When I see another one for sale, I will surely post on here. They are usually around $20.00 plus about $4.99 shipping.

 

[Poppet]

Hi Lynne (and Dorothy )

The model we were looking into here in OZ is the...

M.I.G Single Type Dual Channel Interferential Current Stimulator, cost AU $3190.00

I have an ordinary TENS machine, but didn't find it helped my back. Essentially, any movement like bending (slightly) and at the same time picking something heavy up, like a suitcase! Prolapses 3 discs and then when I stand up straight again, I get nerve impingement..

It has been an ongoing issue for many years and I have had several opinions, each one saying emphatically - no surgery..

It is like my Chronic Kidney Disease, I have learnt to live with it and ignore it as much as possible, when I can't e.g. Too much pain, I rest, ice etc...

 

[Elle11]

Helo Dorothy,

I was checking into see how it was for you ro be back at work. It sounds like things went pretty well for you! It is so heartening to see colleagues and catch up. It sounds like the girls might have been more stressed by your return than you were! So lucky to have those kind neighbors to visit them.

Your IF machine seems to have been making quite a splash here online!

Ooop...pizza coming (Saturday nite!) and I will check in again.

Hugs to you and keep well.

Elle

 

[rider1960]

Yes, back to work ... sigh ... Actually, other than feeling like I don't have enough time to get everything in my life done now, I think it's good to have a routine again.

Although in general I'm OK with working, I'm definitely more stiff and sore since returning to work. Nothing that doesn't work itself out after a short time after I get up from a chair, but it's noticable. Mostly in the groin (that wonderful hip flexor issue), the butt cheek on the new hip side, and my back. The IF machine makes the back feel much better while it's in use and shortly afterwards, but it doesn't seem to take the new stiffness and pain away. I think I'll just have to heal some more so my body can support the new challenges that being back to work has created. I find I tense my body a lot when I'm concentrating and I'm sure that leads to the soreness, as well. "Relax those muscles" has become my mantra. I think I may also bring my IF to work and use that sporadically while I'm working. I'll look a little weird with wires coming out of the back of my pants ... but if it works, I don't care! I think I need to do something to help the muscles relax while I'm working. It's a subconscious thing I do and I don't know I'm doing it until things stiffen up afterwards.

Sandy, the IF machine may help you by working on muscle spasms and promoting general healing by bringing more blood supply to the area. As I'm sure you already know, though, it won't heal your disc problem itself. It feels so good, though. I love the IF's waves of current much better than the steady buzzing of the TENS. There is a setting on my machine where it will build, taper, stop for a couple of seconds and then start again, repeat. I can feel it penetrating the muscles.

Lynne, I think those machines you listed are TENS units. Some people get a lot of relief from them, but they've never done much for me. Thanks for posting the links, though. It's always good to know where there are bargains out there.

Elle, so good to hear from you again, and that they have pizza where you live! That's a food I'd never want to be without

Well it's the weekend and I'm busy. I have an outdoor cookout-type of party in the afternoon if it doesn't get rained out, a friend's birthday dinner in the evening, and I'm working at a trail riding fund raiser event tomorrow--nothing strenuous--they have me sitting at the food sales area taking people's money ... I hope I can give the right change back! Sometimes my brain still doesn't want to work.

Dorothy

 

[Elle11]

Hey Dorothy,

You sounds SO good and I certainly have never worried about looking weird...nor should anyone. We are who we are and if you need wires coming out of your back for comfort, than so be it.

I am guessing you are more stiff after returning to work because you have to sit at the computer. That is wonderful that you are aware that you tense your muscles when you concentrate. What would really work is if you set a timer on your computer (say 20 minutes) and get up and/or do some desk stretches for just 2 minutes. If I sit longer than this, I find I am stiff and limp the first couple steps. I also massage my hip (talk about looking weird...HA!) from time to time. We have to be even more vigilant of taking care of ourselves with our swell new software.

Hope the groin is healing.

Hugs,

Elle

 

[VThereandnow]

Hey Dorothy, just checking in on you. Things seem to be moving along. Guess it is normal to have a few more aches and pains when all of a sudden you are working again, but it seems it is something that you are managing. After meeting you I can see this thing will never keep you down for long. You have too much you want to do in life and too many, animals that depend on you. Speaking of that, how are things going with Mac?

Of course I know you are busier with being back to work, but let me know when you have time, cathy

 

[rider1960]

Hi Cathy and Elle,

Yes, being back to work is having a big effect on my social life--both computer and in person. Darn that job! lol

I'm doing OK. I'm trying to be very patient about the hip flexor problem. I've been told it will likely take 6 months to heal, and I bet it will take at least that long. It's very slow going. I think I might have tendonitis in that area too. I wouldn't be surprised if it's still sore even after the 6 months and he has to something like a steroid injection to calm the iliopsoas tendon down, or some other action to try to resolve it. Other than that, I just have a bit of residual weakness and muscle stiffness in the hip, similar to how the 1st hip felt at this stage. I look and feel like a 90 year old when I first get up, but then it works out in a very short period of time after which I walk pretty normally.

I do best if I alternate sitting/standing/walking frequently, as I think most of us do while healing. Yesterday I worked at a horse club event where I was helping to prepare and sell food. I sat between customers and then stood up and moved around when we had a customer. That seemed to agree with my body quite well. I also think being around horses and talking "horse" with people releases endorphins in my body! That's the best medicine for me.

Mac is doing well (thank you for asking about him). His vision probably continues to deteriorate as the days go by, but he doesn't seem to mind, so I figure I won't worry either. I'm past the initial shock. Amazing how well he and other blind horses I've heard about cope with it. Not all horses do well, though, so I feel fortunate that he is like he is. I talked with a woman who goes to auctions and buys horses that no one else wants. She is going to keep her eyes open for a little pony or miniature horse to be Mac's seeing-eye-horse companion so I can take Babe away from him to ride her without him falling apart. He has become even more attached to her as the vision has deteriorated. Poor guy needs a babysitter and can't be left alone.

My animals do keep me busy and moving. I am the biggest animal lover you will ever meet. They are a huge part of my life. They were also instrumental in my hip recoveries. Between taking the dogs out to play or sitting outside with them, and caring for the horses, they've helped me to be more mobile. Otherwise, I might have stayed in the house too much. I was out taking care of the horses every day after just one week post op with the last hip. It helped me to have a purpose when I was going for my walk out to the barn to care for them.

Hope you are both doing well too. Cathy, you looked great when we met. I had so much fun that lunch, as I also did the day Diane and I got together. Elle's a little far to meet for lunch

Dorothy

 

[dianemarie]

Dorothy,

You sound wonderful. Yeah to the animals for giving you so much (love, purpose, etc.). That is awesome. Hoping we can meet up for lunch again. Glad you are able to get about without many issues. Have a great day!

 

[rider1960]

Well, my being back to work for a week and a half is creating some new challenges. I'm getting that feeling I had last hip about "trying to be normal in the world when I don't feel normal yet." Staying home and regulating my own schedule and activity is one thing ... being back to work, even at my sedentary job, has its challenges. Sitting in an upright position like that causes pain and stiffness in the areas still healing, as well as the groin pain/hip flexor issue from PT after the surgery, and let's not forget the wonderful chronic back pain that was there before the hips. I'm having a hard time dealing with it all.

I usually take a Percocet when I get up and go back to bed until it kicks in. Then it's easier to get ready for work, take care of the pets/horses, and get to work. But, I try not to take any more, and by the end of the day I'm one hurting puppy. Earlier in the week I had a two day training class at work and I had to be clear headed to absorb that information, so I didn't take the morning Percocet. I had a very hard time tolerating the stiffness, soreness in the groin and back. Everything hurt. I found myself feeling very down mentally and emotionally as well. I felt like I was forcing myself through the day.

If I could change positions at my leisure things would be better, of course, but to really feel good I would have to bebop up and down every 5 minutes or so, or lie down. Sitting in a 90 degree upright position is very hard for me to maintain for the length of a work day, even if I get up and move around every 45 minutes or so. My job situation is the kind where I have a lot of latitude for that kind of thing, but the bottom line is that I have to get work done so I can't be taking more frequent breaks--I'll never get anything done. I will say that my supervisor and manager have gone out of their way to help me ease back into my work. Even during the training classes, they told me to get up any time I needed to, walk around the room, whatever. I'm very grateful to have such empathy and support in an era where employers sometimes don't care about their employees.

I started to doubt that I was going to get better ... I had some "flashbacks" of the old feelings of frustration and hopelessness that I had in the days when I spent a year and a half going from doctor to doctor trying to get a correct diagnosis for my pain and getting no where. I was feeling that "this is never going to get better!" feeling again big time.

You may remember that when the groin pain/hip flexor problem reared its ugly head when PT pushed me so hard, my surgeon checked me out, thought it was a small muscle tear, and thought that it would heal on it's own with some gentle PT to help out along the way. He has seen things like this happen and finds that most resolve within 6 months without doing anything more aggressive.

Since I was feeling so down and having doubts, I decided to email my hip surgeon to discuss things. I received a reply later that day saying that he really does want to wait out the 6 months and has faith that things will be much better by then. But, if not, "I promise I will look into it more." And, judging by my past experience with this guy, he *will* keep his word (and he knows his stuff, so he is able to get to the bottom of things, whereas others I've seen in the past were clueless). He also advised me to not get carried away with pursuing more aggressive treatment for the back because he expects the back to calm down within the same timeframe as well, since back problems people have often flare after a hip replacement surgery but settle with time.

Yesterday was a "normal" (vs. training class) day, so I took a Percocet in the morning and I even took another one later in the day when the morning one wore off. I felt SO much better physically, and between that and my surgeon's assurance that he isn't going to blow me off and leave me hanging (that baggage thing again ...), I'm doing better. It's just SO hard to make the transition back to trying to be Normal ... when I'm really not normal yet. It's a real adjustment.

That also made me feel better from the emotional/mental standpoint--I guess I'm just dragging along so much baggage from the past when I was blown off by so many doctors who either misdiagnosed me and led me on a wild goose chase in a different direction, or frankly just didn't care and blew me off. I've been through the mill, and my confidence in physicians and the medical community in general can be low at times.

The bottom line is that I've decided that I'm going to have to "do what I gotta do" to get through the rest of the healing process. If I have to take "the hard stuff" (Percocet) to feel better and get through my day, than so be it. I had this discussion with the nurse practitioner at the pain/back clinic a while ago. I was concerned about continuing to take even my morning Percocet on a daily basis. She told me she thought it was worse if I didn't take it and therefore didn't move around as much as I should, in addition to feeling worse emotionally and mentally. She didn't think I was a high risk for addiction, and even if I did develop a tolerance or physical dependence, they knew how to work with that and switch me to something else, or whatever was needed. She really stressed the need to take the meds to be more comfortable and stay active. After trying to tough it out for a couple of days, I have to agree.

Well, my Percocet is kicking in. Horses, dogs, cats, and my work day are waiting for me. Time to rise and shine!

Dorothy

 

[Poppet]

Hi Dorothy

Oh, how I feel for you! Going back to work at a desk job is difficult. Are you able to have ice packs on hand. They helped me enormously for the first month back at work..

Also, don't worry one little bit about taking your prescribed meds, you have pain and discomfort, you have had two surgeries, simple really.... You need to still be taking the meds! You will know when the time is right to ease back on them, but it certainly does not seem like now is the time.

So pleased you have confidence in your OS.. Sad that you had a bad experience earlier on in your recovery.

I think you are doing quite enough for the time being...... Managing a property, looking after your beloved animals, working full time... That is a lot on anyone's plate.. So rest whenever you can.

I would definitely get up every 45 minutes, even to just stand and hang onto a filing cabinet or some sort of strong support and do some tippy toes, move around your chair, your area, go get a cuppa, go to the bathroom, it is important not to get too stiff sitting. You have a supportive manager, so go for it hon... You are number one! Sending: