THR Hip Hip Jeffraaaaay! Hip Hip Jeffraaaaay!

[CanukTriMom]

@2 for Jeff

Just dropping by to let you know I had a fabulous birthday! The highlight of which was going back to my trainer for the first time since Sept 11. I did Jacobs Ladder, lunges front and back, lunges side to side, mountain climbers, planking...it was great to sweat! 51 and kickin it Ironman style!!

Yes, look at it as an investment in your future! You sound like you are doing great but remember to take that day of rest as it gives your muscles time to repair themselves as every time you stretch a muscle, there are little tears in the muscle and then Those tears fuse together making a stronger muscle. Remember to stretch before and after!

Have a great day! I finished all the wrapping over 5 hours! Time for some chocolate!
Cheryl

 

[2 for Jeff]

@CanukTriMom Great news! I'm glad you had a nice Birthday. It sounds like you were in the gym for 2 hours.
Those endorphins must have been flowing.
Do you believe in them? Or better yet, do you experience them during and after exercising ?

I had a little issue with pain on the top of my operated legs foot, ever since coming home from the hospital.
It was a strange feeling in my foot, it felt like my veins were hurting down there. It was very sensitive to the touch. I kept shaking it off as some kind of after surgery soreness. You know, maybe they had my foot in a vise or some kind of devise while performing the surgery, and it bruised me up on the inside pretty bad.
Anyway, as of yesterday that sensation has been gone.
Today is 4 weeks for me and I was beginning to think I would have to live with what I was calling a little nerve damage in my foot. But, all gone now.

I've been getting packages in the mail like every other day from all of the online shopping Wifey and myself have been doing.
So I keep thinking to myself soon the bills will be coming like every other day as well.

They had me on a balance board yesterday at physical therapy. That was different... Never worked on my balance before. It was a little challenging for me.

I still wish I could drive. As I worked on those muscles I kept looking out of the window watching my brother walk around the parking lot smoking and talking on his cell phone. I feel like such a burden to everyone.

Oh well I'm off to PT again this morning. My brother should be here in about 1 hour. Talk to you
soon Chery


Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum

 

[CanukTriMom]

@2 for Jeff

Jeff

Nope only in the gym for a little over an hour but my butt is stiff today! A good stiff and doesn't require tylenol. Yes those endorphins are a wonderful thing but what I really like is the fact I sleep better when I have an exercise routine. Glad to hear your foot is better, it just takes times. Any weird sensations you feel prior to 3 months are normal as your body is going through the healing process on its own time.

Driving....hmm it really isn't about the actual driving....it is the loss of control and having the situation dictate when you can do what you want to do at that moment. You are not a burden to anyone! It is tough to ask for help when you think you should be able to do something yourself! Does that make sense?

It will come in time trust me...distract yourself with wrapping all those presents!

Take care and talk to you soon

Cheryl

 

[craftdee]

It is hard to get assistance @2 for Jeff , even if you haven't had to ask for it... the thing is us "doers" are used to "doing" without giving the logistics a second thought. I'm sure you are the type of person who would help anyone you thought needs it... have you ever considered that your brother (and other "helpers") may be just the same? He knows you need a bit of assistance right now and is able to provide it so of course he will ... if the shoe were on the other foot, no pun intended, he knows that you would help him, without question.

I hated NEEDING the help, like @CanukTriMom says, it's the loss of control that you mourn. It does, however, give you a slightly different perspective on giving help, being aware that the recipient may not enjoy being in that vulnerable position either, and I am now much more aware that what for me is a quick enquiry as to whether either of my elderly neighbours who don't drive need anything picked up, or a lift somewhere makes a BIG difference to their self esteem - if I'm offering they don't feel "needy" in the same way as if they'd asked me for the same thing, and I always tell them "it's no biggy" and I MEAN it
I was desperate to drive, and am very happy to have that privilege reinstated... but in all honesty I've only driven a couple of times a week since I could... the knowledge I can whenever I want is reassuring, and you'll be there very soon now. Luckily the Christmas Shopping comes to you now via the internet... unfortunately the bills do too


So get wrapping... I've got a spare room full when you're finished. :box: I love all things Christmas, so even though I'll whinge about wrapping all the presents just to have the mess (probably the next day, it's usually Christmas Eve by the time I get wrapping!) I wouldn't dream of NOT wrapping them... I make my "special" Christmas Truffles and Fruit Mince Pies too... and marzipan sweets for my sister who rather inconsiderately has a birthday on the 21st December! I moan a bit about all of it, but it is a gentle moan, all part of the process, because I'm secretly stoked that my Christmas Truffles are "special" (my son signed me up for 7 dozen last year... very special, apparently!) and that nobody makes Fruit Mince Pies like me. I am a legend in my own lunch time:reindeerlights:

Oh while I remember, re the balance board. I have a WII fit, and can't believe how much the balance board helped me both prior to the op to strengthen my core, and since the op in showing me how far I need to go to actually be spreading my weight evenly... some of the balance and yoga exercises on it are really good for movement, and the step exercises are HARD WORK... used to feel easy, again it shows up the weaknesses. Balance is very important, so a good thing to work on.

Anyway, have a good day
Donna

 

[xtina16405]

@2 for Jeff. I agree with @craftdee and @CanukTriMom about the loss of control. At 3 weeks, I had a mental meltdown because I felt I was cooped up and couldn't go anywhere. I was tired of my home and felt like I was in jail. A nice jail that is.

My dad was my chauffeur. And I felt awful when I had to ask him to take me here, there and everywhere. He did and was actually very good about it. He did tell me to stop feeling bad for asking for help and still gets upset with me when I try to do things myself. It is that freedom and control issue.

I like you have online packages coming in daily. So happy for online shopping though. Don't care for the crowded malls. Online makes life so much easier, at least for me.

Congrats on week 4! I felt like week 4 was the turning point for me. While the road is still bumpy, the recovery was easier after week 4. What a change I felt!

Get to wrapping. The one nice thing about being off still is I won't be wrapping all my presents at the last minute as usual.

All my best, Kristina

 

[Jaycey]

Just checking in on your thread @2 for Jeff . Sounds like you are doing great! Hang in there for a bit - you'll be driving soon.

Balance, it can be a challenge post op. Weak muscles - or in my case weak ankles. Hope you have a good PT. They can make all the difference!

 

[zauberflöte]

In response to your #137(that is how behind I am!) -- my foot straightened out after surgery too, but I didn't push anything on it. Here I am 19 months out, and have just started noticing that the op foot goes straight, and I think it swings straight through the step as well. Non op leg still turned out and I think it throws itself out or around a little with each step. What I did concentrate on, after a few months, was walking with my legs together rather than the splayed stance I had been forced by pain to develop. What a joy to walk right again!!!!!


My phone sent this using BoneSmart Forum, clever phone!

 

[CanukTriMom]

@2 for Jeff

Jeff

Just wanted to drop by and wish you a great Holiday season! Things have been crazy at my place but just starting to die down! Well we spent all of yesterday watching a Dr. Who marathon on TV to help recover from the chaos of the 25th!

Hope Santa was good to you and yours:box::santaclap::tree lights:

I also hope you are risking your time with the PT!

Hugs

Cheryl

 

[2 for Jeff]

@CanukTriMom Hi Cheryl, it's been a while since I've been online. Happy Holidays to you and your family also.
I did bring a pillow, water, and some pain medicine to my daughters Christmas play, and I made it through with no problems. However, in general my left non operated hip is beating me down day after day.
It's amazing that my right hip is so happy after all that we've been through.
One more week to go until my first follow up with my OS since operation.
I can't wait to tell him let's make a date for my left hip.

 

[faster pussycat]

Hope that follow up goes well and you get a date for hip number 2. I've decided my left hip is bad enough to get done this year too so I'm going make an appointment to see my surgeon soon. I can't wait ! And I can't believe that I can't wait !!


Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum

 

[2 for Jeff]

@faster pussycat My follow up was today and all restriction lifted and was told to stop taking all medicine including pain killers, and to just buy some over the counter NSAIDs for left hip. my wife and daughter hugged my surgeon as we looked at the 3d EOS images of my new hip.
I was happy to show my surgeon how I could stand up from sitting in a chair with nothing but leg muscles and without the use of my hands. Three weeks ago in PT I couldn't do it.
I feel ok at 6 weeks post op but not as good as 4 weeks out. At 4 weeks I was seeing huge improvements every day, and after week 5 my left hip started slowing me down. WAY DOWN!
But I'm still moving forward. No more out patient PT for me because of the new year only gives me 20 visits to the PT in 2015 and I will save them up for after my left hip is replaced.
I will go to the Golds Gym by my house 4 times a week and continue my home exercises with my wife and daughter. I'm very exited for my future, especially after I drop Chloe off at school tomorrow. It will be my first time that I will go back to my gym in over 1 year. I hope my membership card still scans me in.
Anyway I'm all set with dates written on every calendar in the house for hip #2
My pre op day is set for January 19th and my left hip replacement is scheduled for February 13th.
I know I know Oooooo Friday the 13th , it's not a bad day to me. My daughter was born on the 13th and its a sign of birth to me.
So I'm ready for part 2 of my journey. @Jamie put me down for February 13th please.
I hope you faster pussycat had a festive Holiday. And I wish all of those who check up on me from time to time a Happy New Year

 

[faster pussycat]

@2forJeff - happy new year ! And it will be a happy one too with two shiny new hips ! So pleased that you've got your date, there will be no stopping you this summer ! And I really like the idea of a new hip being a new birth, a new life Hoping I won't be far behind you


Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum

 

[2 for Jeff]

@CanukTriMom Hi Cheryl, I haven't been able to update you and the others because the last 3 weeks I have been packing stuff up and throwing things out because I'm in the middle of moving to the other side of town. We have been living in a one bedroom condo since 2003, but now Chloe needs her own room. She's so excited and I'm so tired. My right hip is amazing at 7 weeks out now. But like I Mentioned earlier it's the left one that's slowing me down.
So the official move will be this coming Saturday, but We have been bringing little things over to the new apartment every day.
My pre op is Monday and left hip scheduled for Feb. 13th.
I hope we are settled in the new place way before then.
I can't wait to have the second operation. I just know I'm gona be amazed with all that new hardware in both legs. Just like @bsilvers and @MarkK have been telling me. By the way how are you two guys doing ?
Anyway Cheryl I hope your doing good and just to let you know I ordered a small box of those Sanders chocolates with the sea salt and caramel for Christmas for myself and dark chocolate with almonds for Wifey and Chloe. A little pricey but worth it.
Ok back to packing, its unbelievable how much stuff you have in your house. You never realize it until you have to move.


Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum

 

[2 for Jeff]

Hi all just a little update. And yes I miss you all but I've been in the middle of moving across town.
It's been 7 days now with no Percocet. At first I didn't think I could live without those little life savers. But I made through it. Just a few Ibuprofen and I'm ok.
I finished up my Pt right around NewYears and finally started going back to my gym. I had a nice little workout going for a week and my body was just getting use to the new exercises, and then this moving thing came along.
Well I have to try to have everything packed up by Saturday and I still have 2 more rooms to go.
Oh yeah, remember the old, up with the good leg and down with the bad one? Well I can't do anything with my left leg. I have to lead off with my right side (new hip) going up and down. My left hip doesn't want to have anything to do with me anymore.
This hip abduction and adduction machine at the gym is awesome

See Ya....


Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum

 

[CanukTriMom]

@2 for Jeff

Jeff

Wow sounds like you have been very busy the last 3 weeks.be very careful with the move and lifting ....use a dolly for the boxes when you can. Don't forget to ask for help! You do not have to do it all your own.

Glad to see you treated yourself to the Sanders....What did you think of them? I am absolutely addicted to them, so I cannot have them in the house with the exception of the holidays.

Good for you to let go of the Percs. If you aren't in pain, then take over the counter stuff. Just think in a month you will be taking them for the other hip, so your original hip will benefit as well.

Back to the gym is the best thing you can do for not only now but your next operation as well. Try and build up the glut muscles in you bad hip as much as you can as it helps so much with recovery.

I have started training for my next big race by swimming, weight lifting, strength training, spinning and yoga. Finally beginning to feel the strength coming back in my left hip and that it is doing the same work as the right leg. All in all I am very happy. Looking at a new road bike, something more aerodynamic for the future Ironmen races as well as endurance practice drives.

I will keep Checking the forum for messages rom you as I am very interested to see how your life is effected by two shiny new hips.
Take care

Hugs

Cheryl

 

[bsilvers]

@2 for Jeff ,
Great to hear that you got your date for your 2nd hip. I'm eager to hear your recovery for your 2nd hip and renewed journey to getting your life back!

 

[Jaycey]

@2 for Jeff Great news about your second op date! Looking forward to following your recovery journey again.

 

[MarkK]

Jeff,

I've been away in warm places for the past two weeks, lucky me, so I am now catching up. Glad to see that you are doing so well. You will love when your left hip is done, you will feel so much better. As for me, I am doing really well. I am 6 months past my RTHR (and 2 years out from my LTHR) and I never notice the hips any longer; I do notice occasionally that my right thigh is a bit numb, but that is slowly going away. Keep up the workouts, nothing like them.

Mark

 

[2 for Jeff]

Well, the movers finished up at 7pm. So many hidden fees it ended up costing $700.00
There are boxes everywhere, and we didn't get to bed until 1am.
Mind you, this all went down on Sunday in the middle of an ice storm.
What a long day.
Anyway I can tell I've come a long way because my wife and Chloe are home totally exhausted and I'm already in the lobby at the Hospital for Special Surgeries for my pre-op
(All alone) that's a big step for me.
I just keep telling myself, been there, done that.
By the way Cheryl, those Sanders chocolates were totally addicting, and I'm on their mailing list.
I'm at the 2 month point with my right hip and I must say I've been way to active but some things I couldn't avoid. Things that I've noticed is if I sit beyond 90 degrees I'm slow to get up and there is a slight pain, so I try not to anymore.
I'm still limping like I never even had surgery at all but that's all gonna change soon.
Well, let me get up stairs for my EOS appointment. I can't wait to get new Bone Smart Members on board. I also can't wait to ease some of these folks fears by telling them I just did this in November and I'm back for more.
See you all later. This is a long 6 hour day without Wifey and Chloe


Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum

 

[Jaycey]

@2 for Jeff Having just been through a major house move - my condolences! Almost time for #2 - well done you! Hope your pre-op is done and dusted soon!