THR Kylesh is Kayaking Again

[ByGosh]

zauberflöte You're too funny! (again) See what I mean Kylesh? She's tryin' to make me fall in...

 

[zauberflöte]

ByGosh no telling! You're a big girl now, you don't have to tell the teacher every little thing you don't like! *splashes ByGosh (just a little splash)*

 

[Kylesh]

Hi everybody...sorry I have not contributed much to the conversations, but I have been reading some wonderful fantasies, something to do with a nice looking gent from north of the US boarder bearing chocolate.
It has just been one of those weeks.

 

[zauberflöte]

Kylesh oh no. One of those weeks hip-wise or life-wise or both or more yet than that? Unburden yourself We are here for you

 

[Kylesh]

thanks zauberflöte and ByGosh (know she will be along shortly) -- it has been a week both hip wise and life wise. So first the hip -- I have been having a problem with my IT band that has made my knee really sore. The therapist has been working on loosing it this past week and it seemed to be getting better until yesterday. Not sure what movement or manipulation she did but wow...it is making life pretty miserable. I did manage to sleep, even through the storms thanks to my mister happy pills as my husband calls them. OS took away my Aleve PM and Meloxicam.
Life -- well stupid me locked myself out of my work computer, so I was not able to work last week, so I had to take leave, could have been worse, at least it was a short week with Monday being a holiday. Then on top of all this, we were issued furlough letters Friday. We are being furloughed for a total of 11 days starting in July.

So...who is up for a nice little kayak trip around the lake?

 

[zauberflöte]

oh my-- sounds like you are in non-profit! Orchestras all over the States are getting those notices. The players I mean...and your poor IT band-- I think I had problems there already...

So.... here we are on the shore of Buzzards Bay, in Woods Hole Mass. The sun is obligingly setting over the water (This particular bit of shore faces northwest) and there is less than an hour of sun left. As we hitch our butts and new hips into the seats of our kayaks more snugly, a pair of osprey call sweetly sweetly overhead. The tide is slack, the wind is calm, and the water is that miraculous thing-- a sunset bathtub. We have memories of "Endless Summer" running in our heads as we paddle lazily out along the sun path. A moratorium on speedboats has been declared, so it is perfectly safe to leave the coastline and strike out across the water to Penzance Point, where we will run into our only rough water today. We keep an eye out for cormorants-- don't want one to come up under me!! -- and seagulls just waiting to unload on our heads. The sky deepens.... we ship the paddles and rest in the long low swell, staring upwards. Off on the western horizon, a choo-choo train of clouds collects, and the sun slips behind the locomotive, which suddenly looks like a running rabbit with huge ears!
The osprey make their homeward run-- time to roost, must be. Time for us to head back, with the tide, to our stony little beach and a quiet, perfect, sunset..........

 

[ByGosh]

Oh dear Kylesh Not good at all.... but there's alot of info around here, in the library, I think, about IT band. Many people have problems with that. One BoneSmart member (if I remember who, I'll let you know) had a very tight one pre-op and her PT had her using heat first, then massage with a rolling pin, then ice. She said it helped tremendously.
Another thing we do for soreness or spasms in the muscles is the Acupressure Massage, which is also explained around here, probably in the library, too. They're both done 3xday. I'm not 100% sure if that massage is recommended for IT, though, but it's supposed to work wonders on tight muscles, and it sounds like yours are tight.
I also use the Arnica cream on muscle soreness. It has natural healing and anti-inflammatory abilities. I got mine at Rite Aid, but it's at Walmart, Walgreens, CVS. My brand is Arnicare by Boiron. It can't hurt, and may help.
I wonder if tagging Josephine, or one of the other forum advisors would help? They're great with giving you links to info for these things and very good with recommendations. One thing I know she'd say is to medicate the pain, because pain causes more tightness and stress hormones, which causes more pain.
Too bad you're off the anti-inflammatories, especially now with this! But you remember the BoneSmart 'mantra' whenever we have pain? Rest, ice, elevate, medicate. So take it easy on yourself for awhile.
So sorry about your job problems, too. And now of all times. Many people have had to take furlough days. It's tuff because we don't get paid for it, but it is a day off....more time to kayak...go walking...catch up on sleep....whatever. Try and think of it that way for now. Good luck, I hope you feel better, we're here for you.

 

[zauberflöte]

ByGosh I just got a tube of that exact same arnica stuff. I tried a little (in case it's actually poison ivy you know) and 10 seconds later, the tight bruised spot I'd used it on STOPPED HURTING!!! That was amazing! Now I must find out if it's ok to use while I'm still concerned about clots and also not using blood thinning agents...

 

[Kylesh]

ByGosh and zauberflöte -- thank you...I knew that I could count on you guys to raise my spirits. Thank you for the wonderful paddling trip, it was just what I needed. Of course the seagulls overhead made me glad I wore my hat. I chuckled when I read orchestra -- me playing an instrument would be like two ally cats sitting on the back fence howling Come on now, you have seen that cartoon. I work for the Air Force.

ByGosh, thank you for all the information on the IT band, it had been getting better but it was either one of the new exercises or the way she moved something that aggravated it on Friday. We will be having a discussion before she starts to manipulate the hip on Tuesday. I will look for the Arnica when I go out today, I have been using Bio Freeze. I am still taking Plaquenil (not sure it is an anti-inflammatory) and have an appointment with my rheumatologist tomorrow so I will ask her about the meloxicam, she was the one that prescribed it in the first place. As for the job, you are right it does give me more time to do fun things and I am blessed to be in a better position then some to absorb the pay cuts.

Hope you both have a wonderful peaceful Sunday.

 

[zauberflöte]

Kylesh ha! Those alley cats also figure in a number of piccolo jokes. But here's the best: Q:"What do you do when two piccolos are out of tune with each other?" A:"Shoot one of them!"
When do you go kayaking? Year round? (well, barring winter in your area I guess...) We only have one kayak, and it's stored where we vacation, as it's quite a project to get a 12' sea kayak on top of a Volvo station wagon..... so we can only kayak when we're at the Cape, more's the pity. I love it love it love it and wish I could do more.

 

[ByGosh]

Kylesh Yes, you're smart to talk to your PT, so it doesn't happen again, or get worse. I remember our forum administrator, Josephine has said something like 'these hips have a way of sorting themselves out without all of the PT (pain and torture)'. I agree. Unless someone has a marked limp, or muscular weakness from inactivity for a long time, I wonder how necessary it all is? Regardless, I hope you feel better PDQ!
zauberflöte It was Poppet who recommended the Arnica cream and wrote a great explaination about it on someone's threat - maybe Kim22 or sandybeach, I can't remember. But give Poppet a tag, or if you look it up here, you'll probably find it. Or since I tagged those two very nice and lovely ladies, maybe they'll come along and let you know (if it was one of them! I'll be embarrassed if it's not! ) I think the % in the cream is so low, it's not a risk. I'm impressed it helped your bruise so quickly! It is known for helping bruises, though. Some people actually take Arnica pills, but I'd be reluctant to do that myself. Oh, sorry for hijacking your thread Kylesh! But I know you're OK with it....because you're so nice.
I agree w/@Kylesh - great kayaking adventure you went on with her in Cape Cod. Sounds beautiful there. No wonder you lovelovelove it! Whenever we go up at the lake in Vermont, we enjoy it so much, we always decide to buy one. But then when the vacation's over, so is our inspiration, and we've never followed through on it. Many people around here do kayak on Long Island Sound, or in the waterways.

 

[Kylesh]

ByGosh -- it will only be a small fine for the hijacking.... Really no problem, hijack anytime. I have seen Josephine mention several times that PT was not needed and was even told that by my home PT. But, my OS prescribed it and I trust him, so I don't doubt that there must be some benefit in my case.

zauberflöte -- we have some beautiful lakes around here for kayaking and most of them have no wakes zones so the locals cant play lets tip the paddlers. If I could I would kayak all year, but hubby will not sign up for that, so mainly go from May to Oct, depending on weather. We have discussed trying out few rivers and streams this summer, but that will wait. Besides, they are running too high to safely kayak or almost any type of boating for that matter, almost daily there is news of a water rescue because someone just had to try. Hear you about loading and unloading the kayak, the length and weight do make it a major project even with a truck. I told hubby to save gas we should put them on my car...he said NO...of course it is a Fiat 500, so maybe he has a point.

But then when the vacation's over, so is our inspiration, and we've never followed through on it.

-- watch out one of these times your inspiration will not fade and you will join the ranks of trying to load/unload and tote your kayak around....might be similar to the toting of the ACs from the 3rd floor -- just don't store your kayak up there in the off season.

 

[Kylesh]

Laptop battery full, coffee cup full, furry children fed, DH asleep -- time to catch up with all my hippy friends. I have been trying to keep up, but with work, PT and other appointments the best I could do was a little quick peek here and there.

So pardon my loitering.....

 

[Poppet]

ByGosh I just got a tube of that exact same arnica stuff. I tried a little (in case it's actually poison ivy you know) and 10 seconds later, the tight bruised spot I'd used it on STOPPED HURTING!!! That was amazing! Now I must find out if it's ok to use while I'm still concerned about clots and also not using blood thinning agents...

zauberflöte, I have probably missed a post, but what is your concern with Arnica.. Perhaps I can shed some light?

 

[Poppet]

Sounds like you are settled in for the day/night pleased to hear from you

 

[zauberflöte]

heh Poppet I asked you a question about whether arnica was contraindicated while I'm taking my aspirin anti=coagulant, over on my thread, and you never answered so I figured that was too much like practising medicine so when I went to see the PA on Wed, I asked him, and he was unfamiliar with it (he's the one who recommended pineapple, which you already cleared up for me ) but he said it was ok. Too bad nothing hurts any more Thanks anyway
Kylesh your list sounds like mine..... but I don't do the coffee, sure wish I could tho!

 

[Poppet]

zauberflöte, hiya Chris.. I need to go read your thread and will check out your question re arnica there

 

[Kylesh]

Wow – been a while since I posted, where do I start? I guess things related to the hip. I have been doing PT 3 x a week for the past 5 weeks and the hip is coming along. I am still having a problem with the lateral rotation and I still cannot put on my sock or shoe. When I bring up the foot to try it pulls on the outside and bottom of the knee. At first both therapist though it was an IT issue, but my current therapist said she does not think so anymore. She said with the stuff I have been doing if it was related to the IT band it should have released/eased by now. So…she called my surgeons office to discuss. When I went in for my session on Monday she told me she had called and told me that they were expecting my call to make an appointment (scheduled for 1 Jul), not that she is pushy or anything. She is also going to suggest that I do more therapy to improve the leg strength, but if that is not possible, she said she would develop a home program for me. She even told me about a webpage (power-systems) where I could order the bands and other items for ½ the price that they sell them. I am loving the massager she recommended called the stick, it works great.

So I think I am doing pretty well for 11-12 weeks, depending on how you count the weeks. Never did figure out if you count the day of or the following week as week one.

Life/work – I have been back at work for a while (minus the week I locked myself out of my computer) and the comments have stopped. Like Peaches mentioned, I have had the folks with stories of people that we running
the streets right after a THR and also the ones that can’t believe that I am walking without assistance.
But people are now pretty occupied with the furloughs. They officially start on July 8th….so bonus, I will as ByGosh said have more time to enjoy the great outdoors. As well as get ready to move. They are doing away with my job and instead of staying here and bumping some poor sap with less seniority out of a position, I found an opening in Georgia and ask for it instead. I have been tentatively hired, but under sequestration, they are not allowed to move me. So, in a few months I will either be in GA or someone else will be looking for a job. Positive thoughts for GA.
Let the countdown begin….1 week until I am officially back on the water…..this time next week, I expect to be thoroughly exhausted from a day on the lake and enjoying a Mexican dinner with the group (an after paddle trip tradition). Of course, I will have my Tylenol and chemical ice packs just in case…

 

[Poppet]

Kylesh.. I am sorry I have missed so much of what has been happening with you... Promise to catch up,over the next few days.. Just know I am thinking if you and sending hugs in the meantime from down under.. Hugs x

 

[ByGosh]

Kylesh Great report! It sounds like you're right on track with your recovery. Your PT seems very invested in you getting better and is happy to recommend things you can use at home, too. Did you get the massager from that website she recommended? I'll have to check that out.
It's good that you're seeing your OS July 1st so he can check whatever's going on with your knee. It seems we all have something that lingers or crops up post-op that we have to deal with, besides the hip.

Your job situation seems a little unsettling but very secure and at least you know you won't be out of work. That's good! You seem very willing to make a move - I'm impressed! It'll be interesting to see how that turns out and whether or not you'll become a "Georgia Peach". Fingers crossed it all works out the way you want it to. At least the winters will be warmer for you, better weather for the outdoors which means more kayaking, right? That's a real positive for you! Year round kayak trips? Wow, that would be too good to be true. Of course, I'm not really sure how warm the winters are in Georgia, but I bet they're warmer than where you are now! Nothing like better winter weather.
Like I said on my thread, I'm looking forward to hearing about your first kayak trip next week. Keep up the good work and dont' forget to keep us posted. Good luck with the trip, the OS visit and Georgia!