THR Last joint- That's my plan and I am sticking to it

Exciting news today. Since no restrictions any longer and I felt quite perky and no snow/ice and dry roads I decided to do my first driving. Took husband along just in case on first foray in 6+ weeks. Went to the grocery store - two in fact. One store for more things and then the other for juts a couple items. No problems or issues. It felt really great to be able to get in and out of car without pain. I even put the groceries away when we got home. I almost went out yesterday when husband was out with the other car but decided discretion was the better part of valor - just in case. I am glad I did, he got to share the experience with me as he has been quite good through the recovery and pre op stage.

I find that after the 6+m of pain I still expect it with certain movements. I told my husband that sitting on the toilet and getting up was very painful pre op and I still at times expect that pain and am so relieved when it does not happen. Also, with sitting down in a chair or in and out of car. Funny how our bodies remember even when our brains know it is gone.

To all those that are earlier in the recovery process, patience and listening to your body will get you there.
 
Great update @leejaa
Driving, shopping, putting away groceries...awesome!
I'll bet it felt good to go to the grocery store, even if it's not your favorite thing.
I found the gift of being pain free after THR gave me a new appreciation for some of the tasks I normally didn't care for, or had difficulty engaging in due to a deteriorating joint. Grocery shopping was one for me. Post op, it felt good not to lean heavily on the cart, trying to hurry through the grocery store grabbing only what I needed so I could get back to the respite of my vehicle.

When you mentioned anticipating that familiar pain upon rising from the toilet or the seated position of a chair, or car seat, I can relate! Getting out of the car was about the most excruciating pain I dealt with on my journey toward surgery. The first time I exited my car after being released to drive (approx 4 weeks post op) and it didn't hurt, it brought tears of joy and disbelief! I wanted to do it again to prove I didn't imagine it because it felt too good to be true.

You're doing great and with newish knees and brand new hips, you should be feeling pretty solid and ready to take on the world. Twenty twenty should be a great year for you. All the best to you, always!
 
I even put the groceries away when we got home.
How wonderful! What a great feeling you must have had, from being able to do these things. :yes!:
I am really looking forward to this. (All the groceries.)

Thank you for your great description of what success can feel like and look like.
 
@leejaa, you are doing so very well! I love those moments when what used to cause pain doesn't any longer. :roseshwr:
You are making this recovery look easy but people need to realize how you are approaching it with a calmness and without pushing yourself. That is key.
Congratulations!
 
Yup, the return to "normal" life, even mundane activities like grocery shopping and putting things away, and most significantly being able to do those things WITHOUT PAIN is so great, isn't it, @leejaa? Normal might be "boring" but it is definitely something we all crave as we trudge along on the recovery journey. Good for you getting successfully back behind the wheel--here's to independence! Hurray! And happy Monday to you!
 
Good Afternoon on this eve of a new year :wave:
Sending a warm hug, lots of love and wishes for all the best in 2020.
Happy New Year!

:happy-new-year-smiley-emoticon-4: Cheers! :cheers:
@leejaa
 
The New Year started wonderfully for me. I actually cut my toenails all by myself ( I do have long handled scissors but I did it myself). Life is good. I hate being dependent on basics. I even managed to put the socks back on without my sock aid -- they were extra stretchy and easy but I did it.

I also rode my recumbent exercise bike for 15m at circuit 1 level1 which has some 1 and 2 minutes settings of level 2 and 3 (very few) in between the level 1 which is basically no tension. I made it though and did 2.7 miles. I feel it in my quads and butt but not real pain. I guess I will see tomorrow. I wanted to start the year with going toward some of my goals. My plan is to do this every other day and do some walking the other days even if it is at home to a you tube video. Living in the country provides some challenges to finding easy places to walk and around me even the road is steep and not ready for it. Also, snow and slippery. This is for me for recovery but also trying to get back on track with Weight Watchers as I still want to lose more weight. I actually only gained 3# in the 7 weeks since surgery and I do not think that is bad but getting myself back on plan and a routine will hopefully help me lose more.

Like so many others with new hips I am looking forward to this year and being able to enjoy the little things in life as well as some trips and walking to see things without hurting.
 
Sounds like a great start to your new year and will keep my fingers crossed for no sneaky pain popping up! :fingersx:
You seem to have a solid plan going forward which is great!
:upright:
 
Socks and toenail clipping--those small goals may seem insignificant, but they are actually the kind of small steps that will move us all forward towards full recovery. Good for you, @leejaa! You are doing splendidly and I predict within a few months you will hardly be considering those hips at all, but striding along confidently and without any discomfort. Cheers, and here's to a sensational new year! 2020 is going to rock for you!
 
Such good news and a great recovery. My husband is a cycling fiend. I’m now starting back on stationary recumbent bike as well to try and prepare for the tandem recumbent trike my husband bought for us for our camping outings. He joked with the OS when showing him a picture of the trike, that he had my rehab all under control. :heehee: It’s so nice to be able to look forward to normal things this year, isn’t it? I wish you continued good recovery and healing and all the best in the new year.
 
Hello and Happy Friday to you! :hi:
What a nice update! It's those little things that can make your day and feel so uplifting early on in our healing journey. I don't need to remind you as you're a pro at this recovery biz by now. I'll bet between the recumbent bike and your walks around the house you'll quickly shed that measly three lbs you gained in no time. You're on your way to pain free and hopefully some travel you're dreaming of. May 2020 be a wonderful year for you.
Have a great weekend!
 
@Hip4life. A trike sounds like fun and tandem. My husband would not like a trike unfortunately even if tandem. I keep toying with the idea of a sporty trike for me since I really do not want to fall but will see how I feel in the spring.
 
@leejaa Here’s a pic. My husband rides his recumbent trike on Bike Ride Across Nebraska (BRAN) and Registers Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) I have no desire to be out on a hot road in the heat but am looking forward to the spring and getting him in shape! :) There was so much I wasn’t able to do last year. Time to make up for lost time.
 

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Happy Two Month Anniversary!
I hope you're enjoying the New Year so far.
Wishing you health, happiness and all things good in 2020!
@leejaa
 
Wow! 2 months, already.. how does time goes past so quickly? I think there are many of us looking forward to a great 2020!
 
Thank you all for celebrating the 2m with me. Time certainly has flown. Doing well with my slow and steady pace and taking no risks. I am now up to 20m on the stationary exercise bike which gets me usually about 3.8-4miles with some small hills programmed in for a few short periods - the tension level never goes over 3 and these are of short duration. I also went for a walk along the edges of the fields this weekend ( I live in the country on 70 acres) since the weather was glorious on Saturday and OK on Sunday - On Sunday did about 1/2mile of uneven ground but I had my trusty hiking poles with me and they make all the difference and walked carefully and slowly. It felt great. The road I live on is hilly and my hip does not like hills yet so the field was preferable and prettier. We have benches set out in certain spots and it was nice to sit there, rest and enjoy the trees, clouds and sunshine. Our dog really loved that I went out with them.

Today I started volunteering at a food bank. I was there almost 3 hours and on my feet most of that time and I definitely felt it at the end but once I got home and rested all was good. I was originally thinking I would stop at the grocery store after but decided going home and resting was a better idea. I am going back on Thur and luckily they do 2hr shifts most of the time so it will not be too much but gets me out of the house and walking and it is a good organization. So sad how many people need assistance for basic need of food. We are a small county and town and they served 350 families per month average in 2019.

Last week we went to a buffet lunch in a casino and my husband noticed I was waddling walking and I realized I was having a hard time on their super plushy carpets (carpet not so plush but lots of cushy stuff under the carpet)- they had give to them and it was hard to keep to a good step. It was kind of funny in a way. Just sharing in case someone has a similar experience.

The other bright spot is that I only gained about 3# during my surgery recovery and that is all gone plus an extra pound. I am down 40# since mid May.
 

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