THR Nerdgrrl has a new hip!

[nerdgrrl]

Thanks, Diane- I have two cameras that I use, depending on what I'm doing. I have a Nikon D5000 that is a full DSLR with a nice 400mm zoom lens. It is wonderful, but heavy and I don't want to carry that much weight hiking. I also have a Canon SX40 that I bought recently ( because that is what sissy46 uses) and I found one with a big markdown on Amazon. It has incredible zoom (effectively 800mm), is still kind of heavy for hiking, but I am willing to sacrifice the weight. I found a nice bag for it that fits on the chest strap of my pack. I am still learning how to use it well, mostly because it would help if I actually read the manual. For wildlife it really helps to have as much zoom as you can afford.

Yes, I think the terrain in your country can be very similar to here. I really want to visit some time, but it wont fit into the budget for a great while, I think. I like your plan of going somewhere with walkways. That would be a nice way to get out, but still be safe. One of the places I went at first is a waterfront park with a paved path.

 

[octopus]

Mmmm lovely cameras. Mines a cannon entry level SLR. I can't remember the model number. It's a few years old now. I have a number of lenses, my favourites are a wide angle and macro. I'd love an 800mm! I haven't used it for ages, due to the arthritis and the extra weight involved in carrying it. I've made do with my phone, but I'm looking forward to getting the SLR out again. I do have a little pocket camera that I take to the beach on wild windy days, as the SLR does not appreciate sand and salt water, I would be very upset to ruin that!

 

[sissy46]

You'll enjoy the video on the SX40, too. I finally downloaded the PDF manual and read it, but I'd much rather have a print manual. A friend of mine just bought the new SX 50 (with 50X optical zoom.) Makes me wonder how far they're going to go with these super zooms.
Nerdgrrl, I'm so thrilled for you that you're able to go hiking now. I know how much that means.

 

[nerdgrrl]

Wow, hard to believe, but yesterday was my 6 months anniversary since surgery. I thought I would post an update. I probably will post one again after my follow-up appointment in June with my surgeon. Otherwise, life is getting busy and I'm spending quite a bit less time on Bonesmart. So this isn't really a farewell post, but more of a I won't be around much post.

On to the hip news. Well, no news really. I think in this case no news is good news! It feels pretty good most of the time, and most of the time it is the "forgotten hip". I only have a tiny bit of stiffness when I have been sitting for an extended period of time. I don't even think twice about walking anywhere around work. My balance is good, and at PT I can tell the glute and hamstring strength is nearly caught up to the other side. I still ice my hip after big workouts, but don't need to ice in the evenings after work any more. I can tell I am beginning to trust it more, because I am actually thinking about doing a class at the gym called "body blast". I will have to do the low impact modifications, but I think it is doable. I will wait until after my June appointment though, since it is coming up soon, and I want to clear it with the doc.
The big problem now is my left knee is being a pest if I do much walking. I have decided to go ahead and make an appointment with my knee doc and see where things stand. I hope to not need to make an appearance over on the knee side for quite a while longer, but we'll have to see how it goes.

Thanks for all the support! If I can be of help to any of you, just ping me via Bonesmart and I will check in. I am still following a few threads as well.

 

[octopus]

Awesome news! Six months, it's hard to believe. I just realised I'm into my eighth month of being a Bonesmart member! Time flies! I'm hoping with you that you don't have to join the knees just yet.

 

[Vida]

nerdgrrl That's great news! We were 'done' at the same time and I can remember being so inspired by your recovery, especially your walking stories, you seemed so much further ahead. I still don't think I'm nearly as strong as you yet, although my new hip is also a major success and I can walk distances pain-free on relatively flat terrain. I put it down to a 10-year age difference! Thanks for sharing. We also have opposite knee issues in common..next week I'm trying durolane in an attempt to stave off more surgery for a while and do some traveling but I expect to be back here on the knee side at sometime in the future. Good luck and take care of yourself. Vicki x

 

[Giraffe44]

Three cheers from another 6 month veteran. It is so good to be able to do thing normally (well, mostly). I dreaded the surgery but no regrets at all.

 

[dede62]

Congrats, neighbor. I'm officially there tomorrow!!

You've done really well and it's been nice to be on the ride together. Shame we've had the other bumps in the road, but like you I can't ask for anything better when it comes to my hip.

We really must get together for that coffee/bakery run!

Go Warriors!

 

[nerdgrrl]

Oh Yeah, dede62, a bakery excursion totally needs to be on the agenda!

 

[nerdgrrl]

Well, I went to the general orthopedist on Tuesday to have a look at my left knee. As I suspected, I have some bone on bone action going on the medial side. So I guess I will still be on Bonesmart for awhile, just more over on the knee side. I meet with a surgeon next week to see what the options are. I (think) am hoping that I can get by with some cortisone or synovisc for awhile before going down the knee replacement path. I will be posting pix of the xrays on the knee side this weekend- I only have hard copies, so not sure how photo's of an xray will turn out. If anyone over here has some Seattle knee surgeon recommendations, I would love to hear them.

On a more positive note, the hip is feeling really good!

 

[dede62]

Well, I went to the general orthopedist on Tuesday to have a look at my left knee. As I suspected, I have some bone on bone action going on the medial side. So I guess I will still be on Bonesmart for awhile, just more over on the knee side. I meet with a surgeon next week to see what the options are. I (think) am hoping that I can get by with some cortisone or synovisc for awhile before going down the knee replacement path. I will be posting pix of the xrays on the knee side this weekend- I only have hard copies, so not sure how photo's of an xray will turn out. If anyone over here has some Seattle knee surgeon recommendations, I would love to hear them.

On a more positive note, the hip is feeling really good!

I wondered if you would be posting this...bummer. Hopefully you can hold off for a while, but that bone on bone shows little to no mercy. My hip guy is also a knee guy. I also talked with a friend whose mother and son also saw/used him for their knees and were very happy with the results. I'd see him if I needed to for my knee. I trust him implicitly. I love his staff as well.

 

[octopus]

Hi Nerdgrrl, so sorry to hear this. We'll come and visit you on the knee side!

 

[Vida]

Ha... poor you. I am in the same boat, only in the patella femoral compartment. MY OS wants to do a PKR when I'm ready, but I am so not! Both knees are perfect other than that. I had durolane a week ago and apparently I am one of the one percent who experiences excruciating pain, not simply the increased discomfort as advertised. Not from the shot itself, from the after effects. The pain that came on like gangbusters three hours later was worse than childbirth and worse than anything I ever felt with my hip. Unfortunately, my husband had just had a trapeziectomy on his thumb and had a heck of a time looking after himself, plus a wife who was unable to walk for two days. I felt so guilty as it was his turn to be the patient. It did disappear eventually and I am now left wondering if it will work. If it does, I would do it again in a heartbeat. I am optimistic but for now I am glad to be back with the pain I am used to. Let me know how you get on with your synvisc shot.

 

[Poppet]

Pleased the hip is feeling stronger.... sorry about the knee... we will come visit you on the knee side

 

[nerdgrrl]

I went for what turned out to be my 8 month check with my hip surgeon and all is good! Due to traffic I was a little late to the appointment, so I was a little flustered... I still have a couple follow up questions, but he basically said I have no restrictions. ( other than the aforementioned no bungee jumping) He says I don't need to come back to see him for 5 years unless I have issues.

On the left knee front, I have altered my diet (no milk products - which in addition to intestinal issues over time, seem to have an inflammatory effect on me) , and have been faithfully wearing my unloader brace for any extended walking or standing. Those things, plus the extended nice weather we have had, means my knee is feeling pretty darn good. We'll see how I feel in the winter, but right now I feel like I could put off any action on the knee for a couple more years.

I have gotten back to my pre surgery weight and have started a new fitness routine aimed at improving my muscle mass and overall fitness. All in all things are going really well.

The only slight downer is that I broke my little toe on my left foot two weeks ago (unshod foot met furniture a bit too abruptly), but even that seems to be healing pretty well. I just can't quite do hiking boots quite yet- too much pressure on the toe.

 

[sissy46]

Well, a silver lining---that broken toe has kept you from going out hiking and has given your knee a rest.
Great report on the hip. I see my OS next month, and after that it will be once a year unless I want something else fixed.

 

[octopus]

Great news nerdgrrl! Hip going well and knee behaving itself. Sorry to hear about your toe. I kick my toes all the time in the summer, it's painful. Haven't broken one yet though, except for when I was about two. I can't wait for summer, for the good weather that is, not the toe kicking, that I can do without. We have just had our coldest day this winter.

Go out and enjoy that summer! We'll be having it back downunder soon. in my dreams!

 

[puddle fish]

Thanks for the update, glad its going well, the warmer weather has also calmed my knees down. I have noticed when i overdo things recovery time is getting quicker.

 

[Vida]

What lovely, uplifting news! We had our hips done at the same time and it looks like we have both come back really strong. So glad you are doing well and that your knee has settled. I am still thrilled with my durolane shot into the evil knee, am hoping it gets me through a few upcoming vacations. And I never, ever think about my hip any more. Like you, I am back to my pre-op weight but still have to work on reaching my new normal.. ie. before hip pain stopped all activity three years ago. Best news of all, I am back kayaking and hiking (no hills because I want to spare the knee) and have finally cracked the 10,000 steps on my pedometer! It means I have to do a decent walk twice a day, then fill in with normal activity. But I finally feel like an active person. Oh yes, without thinking, I ran across a busy street yesterday. I would not have been upset if I'd got a ticket for jaywalking. I just couldn't believe I did it!

Wishing you all the best dear nerdgrrl.

 

[hip-hip-hooray-in-seattle]

First time I have logged in for months. I recognized your pics of the Twin Falls hike. It's great so many folks are doing so well. I am almost 7 weeks post op and doing great. I can do so much more with no pain.

I do have a quick question - I walked 4 miles Saturday and hiked Sunday (Twin Falls). Today I have mild groin pain today. I took some Advil but it sounds like I should be icing after new activitites (even though I felt fine when I got home). Any thoughts?