@Layla thank you so much!
Well I got back last night from my trip to Edmonton and although a challenge it was great! First trip since my surgery March 1 and my hip gave me no problem whatsoever. I took 2 ice packs and rotated them and iced 4-5 times a day as I was able to and this included the nighttime as there was a freezer in my room so that was even easier. Here I was away from my home and all my things (raised toilet seat, rollator for when it too much pain, etc) and I did it. My main concern had been my good knee which had improved a lot but still wasn't great. Both times at the airport I had a wheelchair so that was great. They let me off at the bathroom if I needed it and at the gate so I highly recommend that. The sitting before the flight was the hardest as once on the plane it was easier. I had an aisle and stood up a few times to stretch. I walked on and off the plane with my cane.
At my cousin's house her toilet was not only lower than standard but the lowest I have ever seen. I am not kidding. But what to do I had to use it and actually could do it without pain. That was a huge challenge. I didn't use her shower but her apartment had a workout room with a walk in shower. It was only Luke warm water mostly cold and barely any came out but it did the trick. I did not swim though my cousin went twice as I really was being protective of my knee.
Each day it got better and I even walked a few steps without my cane the way I did without thinking with my hip.
Miracle of miracles. I went to the cemetery thinking I would have to stay in the car but my cousin's grave was right where you parked so it was easy. It was a memorial at her gravesite. I got a ride with another cousin whose car was low and there was not problem there either. It all was a challenge but I had no pain doing these things or after. I only took minimum painkillers too (Tylenol) so was pleased. I would say all in all my knee is still sore and painful but almost 75%- 80 better. This morning I am going back to the pool to see what I can do to get back into it without hurting myself.
The plane coming home was delayed 2 hours. I didn't know till I got to the airport. Now that was a challenge. I went to have lunch and the waitress and I were talking about hip surgery and she said her father had had one. I asked her if she happened to have ice and she brought me a huge bag (double bagged)! the kindness of that simple act almost brought me to tears. It lasted an hour and really helped the swelling I still get in my hip. After it melted I went back and got another one. I was struggling walking to the bathrooms which were far from the gate but all in all I did really well. Today I am stiff but better than when I took off on Friday.
So let the healing continue...
Hope everyone else is doing ok. I have not had a chance to read the forum so hope to catch up later today.
Cheers everyone! and all of you in the beginning process of recovery know that a whole new world is out there for you...just takes time and patience. I have learned one day at a time and even one minute, hour at a time is my new motto.