THR Let's make it a matched set!

[gertie]

There is no part of my body that likes this humidity, including my new hip and all the traumatized tissue! I feel like a sponge that has absorbed too much water.

 

[Layla]

That struck me as funny, even though it's not. It's just the way you phrased it
I don't like humidity either, gertie. It feels gross. I'll take heat, cold, wind, rain, even snow, over humidity any day. It's been humid here in the Upper Mid-West, and still hanging around today.

I hope you're able to get out with friends this weekend for a drive, or just the company. You've been through a lot and you're a real trooper. It's sounds like you're progressing nicely, already thinking of losing the cane.
Hope today is a good day!
@gertie

 

[gertie]

@Layla I grew up in Cincinnati so I'm used to this weather but that doesn't mean I like it. Terrible for any body part that has some scar tissue in it. A friend is coming over soon and we might go for a very short stroll down the driveway and some other friends are bringing supper tomorrow so a couple of social events.

 

[gertie]

Noting mini-milestones: I did a load of laundry today (washer/dryer on main living floor) and I've cooked a simple pasta supper for myself. I looked back at my thread for the 1st hip and it looks like I'm on a similar "event" schedule to that recovery.

 

[enoughpain]

@gertie Good to know that your terrific first recovery wasn't a fluke. You must be very happy to be taking these steps toward "normal". Keep moving forward, I will be following you soon!

 

[CricketHip]

sounding good, Gertie!! I was a born and raised Buckeye, too! More north towards Dayton, though. You sound great! I agree about the humidity, I can sit on the front porch and literally feel my leg puffing up! Honestly!
Im glad to hear that you will have some guests. it does indeed help, doesn't it? I ended to mail something this morning and I also wanted to go to a particular store to get a new dog leash for Rooney ( yellow lab) so off we went of a field trip. It has done wonders for my mind and soul! returned home to nap all afternoon and ice up.
I hope you get rid of some of your "yahyahs" this weekend, too.

 

[gertie]

Im glad to hear that you will have some guests.

Especially guests who bring the meal!

Much cooler and drier today and hip and leg generally appreciate the change but my lower back is protesting all the sitting and walker pushing. If it ain't one thing...

Unfortunately my rental recliner has terrible lumbar support--I'll play around with cushions.

 

[CricketHip]

Gertie, I had that issue with the last hip.. the staff at the medical supply store where I ordered my lift chair advised me to get the large recliner and it just didn't fit me well at all. It pushed my head into a forward head position and didn't support my mid/lower back. So this time around I didn't follow their advice and ordered the medium sized lift chair and it is a match made in heaven. Do you know what size chair you have? Just wondering if you could either size up or down, in regards to how you are feeling? I am 5'8" and have found in a lot of cases people assume I need a larger size but I think I'm right on the "in between" size.. On the other hand, I did play with pillows with the first hip and could find relief. But I do recall sending the chair back after about 2 1/2 weeks and this time around? I am keeping this on until my full month is up! I love it.

 

[gertie]

I don't know the size but it seems medium==the footrest hits me mid-calf. I add another footstool so that my ankles and feet are supported. I don't spend that much time in the recliner usually--but yesterday was so miserable that I was indoors in the AC and the recliner. I'm usually on the daybed on the back porch which has its own issues with low back support and I'm playing around with various cushions including the lumbar support cushion I sometimes use in my desk chair. The real problem is sitting so much, sometimes moving awkwardly, leaning more on the walker at night or first thing in the morning when everything is stiffened up, etc.--in other words, recovery! This too shall pass.

 

[CricketHip]

I sure do understand that! Sometimes just laying as flat as I can on my bed is the best. I feel like it helps my spine reset. I'm sorry your footrest part of the chair isn't extending down to your feet. Almost sounds like a small chair? ah well, like you said, Recovery woes! But overall we are doing very well, aren't we?

 

[gertie]

But overall we are doing very well, aren't we?

Indeed--so true. Re: the footrest--I'm 5'9". For my first surgery I rented a large chair but it was large in width rather than length. I generally prefer recliners/chairs w independent footrests and rented this one for the lift feature.

 

[Mojo333]

My recliner "fits" me but my lower back bothered me a lot the first month with lots of sitting and icing.
Definitely a process
I sometimes had a heating pad on back and ice on my thighs...
And a fan blowing in my face!

Things WILL continue to get better and easier....as you know.
Healing momo coming your way @gertie

 

[Layla]

Very often you feel like, Goldilocks, in recovery, lol.
This chair, bed, sofa, is too hard, the next too soft, then hopefully something that's just right. Aaah!
Thankfully we heal and it all gets better. You're on your way.
Have a great week!
@gertie

 

[gertie]

I had my 2 week check up yesterday. All looks good. I know they need to look at xrays to make sure everything is healing as it should but it's a long trip (40 min each way) for xrays and a few minutes with a PA. Ah, well--I had a good visit with the friend who drove me. The PA said I could drive whenever I felt like I could manage an emergency stop. She suggested starting with really short trips and gradually building up. I think I need another week but the first step is figuring out how to safely get into and out of the driver's seat of my smallish car so Thursday, with the PT's help, I am going to try that out.

 

[Jaycey]

first step is figuring out how to safely get into and out of the driver's seat

Don't forget the trick with the plastic bag on the seat. It will help you swivel into place. A firm pillow on the seat might also make things easier.

 

[gertie]

Thanks for the reminder about the plastic bag. I think the big challenge will be getting my long legs under the steering wheel--I practiced this a lot pre-op to see what I needed to do to avoid rotating inward, especially getting out from under the wheel.

 

[Jaycey]

One of our recent "graduates" had this issue. Let's tag her and see if she has any input @SurreyGirl .

 

[Layla]

Happy Wednesday to you
Great news on your post op visit. Wishing you luck on getting back into the car.
Before you know it you'll be on the road cruising again.
You're doing well, gertie. Keep up the good work
@gertie

 

[Layla]

Hi again gertie,
This may be helpful as you're questioning how you will access your car to drive -
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/thr-getting-into-and-out-of-bed-bath-and-car.36912/
Hope this helps.
@gertie

 

[gertie]

@Layla Thanks for the link but the video is about getting into and out of passenger side--not a problem for me--just wondering how to navigate the steering wheel on the driver's side.