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THR Sharon's Anniversary Waltz

calikat That's exactly what I do. I take Celebrex when I travel, when I dance, and when I take care of grandchildren. Otherwise, I do without. It boils down to a quality of life thing, I think. If QOL is being ruined, then I guess the drugs are an acceptable alternative, albeit one with some risks. If there is pain, but it isn't interfering with a normal life, then why take the risk. Prior to surgery, I was limping badly. Travel events were spoiled, I barely danced at all, and I wanted to do so much more with my grandgirls. Today, I follow my normal routines drug-free. Yes, there's some pain in various places, but I can ignore it. With a little help from Celebrex and Tylenol, I travel, I dance, and I take a kid to Disney World. So I'm good with the status quo. But we all know the status quo can change in a heartbeat, so I just hope I continue to stay otherwise healthy for a long long time to come. I'm pretty sure that's what we all hope for.

sunsetbiking My massage therapist did suggest using a foam roller. I looked at them, and I looked at some videos about how it works, and honestly....I don't think I could maneuver my body onto one and use it effectively. But she did a great job at breaking up the IT bands and getting them more supple or freely moving or whatever. Now I'm hoping just a monthly maintenance massage will keep them that way. Time will tell.

Cookie42 Oh do definitely go. Seeing it through the eyes of a child is priceless. But also trim your toenails carefully and wear roomy shoes. It turns out that the toenail pain was caused by a combination of my nail being just a little too long, and the huge amount of walking finally pushing the nail down below the cuticle line. There is blood pooling down there, which my podiatrist is concerned about, so I'm saying goodbye to the entire toenail next week. (person) He assures me that a new one will eventually grow in and replace it. I say phooey!! Also, I am thinking that when I take the next grandchild in two years, I will also take a walker...the kind on 4 wheels with a seat. I don't need it for walking at all, but it would have been wonderful to have it for a place to sit when I had to do so much standing in line. I thought about taking one of those little fold-up tripod seats, but DW doesn't allow them. They can't say no to a walker though.

Sharon
 
sharonslp said:
My massage therapist did suggest using a foam roller. I looked at them, and I looked at some videos about how it works, and honestly....I don't think I could maneuver my body onto one and use it effectively.
Click to expand...
I thought the same thing, I had a hard time getting down onto the floor and back up but the it helped my pain so much it was worth it!

Another fellow hippie friend of mine suggested a tennis ball, you can use that to roll on your IT band with your hand while you lay on your side or while sitting in a chair. That way you don't have to do all the maneuvers. I attached a link to a site I used for my foam roller.
https://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/flexibilityandstretching/ss/FoamRoller.htm

Take care,
Lisa
 
Hi, sharonslp ... I'm very sorry about your bum toenail and hope it's not too painful having it removed. Also, learning how it got to that state was a cautionary tale that was helpful to read about, though i am very sorry you have had to deal with this.

I enjoyed reading all about your trip to DisneyLand and I must tell you that I find your descriptions of getting around and about extremely helpful ... because you give details as to HOW you are able to do what you're able to do -- meaning, what pain relief you are taking, when, why. I think I was saying elsewhere that while it's wonderful to hear about people who are "doing great" I find it's really helpful to know the context and details behind that. My goals are to be able to walk and stand for lengths of time that enable me to do things with people, sightsee, etc. (rather than run a marathon or climb a mountain) and there is a definite limit to how long I can do things without other bodily parts chiming in with great protest. Anyway, your posts are very helpful because you explain what you can and can't do. You are the best at describing the nitty gritty details. And you have given great ideas about things I'd never thought of--the chair thing that you can take along for sitting, for example. I think there's a big "middle ground" among THR patients--those who haven't had horrible things happen, and those who aren't "it's all great and I'm all better and it's a done deal!" and I know I'm in that middle ground and truly in need often of how to figure it all out. So thank you for your postings.

Best of luck to you with your upcoming toenail procedure. Please let us know how you are doing.
 
Hi Sharon, great story about going to Disney with your grandkids. You ARE a great grandma. You always have such a good attitude about your own aches and pains and issues. You inspire me. I think you have accepted aging a bit more than I lol. Sorry about the toenail thing. Yikes, it sounds painful to have it taken out. Hope it isn't. Glad to read your update. Always nice to read someone's update who listens and inspires others so much so I can send a bit back at ya :). - cathy
 
sharonslp, Hi Sharon! Just wanted to drop in and say hello! I hope all is going well for you. I haven't been here much and I suppose that's a good thing. It doesn't mean I'm not thinking of all of you, just means we are all getting on with life! I hope you have a wonderful holiday and I thank you sincerely for all of your support before, during, and after my surgery! Life is good!!:friends:
 
And a new year is rolling round again! Time seems to fly whether we're having fun or not, doesn't it?

2013 brought me mostly fun. I traveled as though it were going out of style. Lots of small jaunts, and two major ones: a bucket trip to Alaska, and the first of my grandchild trips to Disneyworld.

The year brought some sadness; deaths among family and friends. I guess I'm in the age demographic where this is simply going to be the status quo.

Hip-wise, I'm pretty happy. My soft tissue issues seem to be well under control. I've taken two falls in recent months, and badly injured my pride, but nothing else. I have finally begun to take control of weight issues as well. The experts all say that losing even 5% of your weight has a strong positive impact, and I've met that goal. Hoping that 10% will follow soon....and more after that. However long it takes; there's no turning back. It would be nice if I could meet my goal by my daughter's wedding in June though.

And in 2013, I also accomplished a major goal by scoring a decent scholarship to law school.

Which is what 2014 will be all about!! Be careful what you wish for; you may get it! My first THR brought me lots of time for introspection, and I ended up starting a paralegal program as a result. All that did was make me certain that I belonged in law school. So January 2nd will see me immersed in a whole new venture.

I need to state some disclaimers right off the bat (thinking like a lawyer already). 1) I reserve the right to quit after (or during) the first semester, if I'm in over my head, or if I'm not getting enough enjoyment out of it. 2) Since I'm going part-time, it will take me five years to finish....if I finish. I reserve the right to not finish. 3) If I finish, I might or might not ever pass the bar. 4) If that faraway bar passage ever actually occurs, I might or might not put the education to some useful purpose.

Right now, I'm just another senior citizen taking some classes to help keep my brain awake.

To all my fellow hippies out there....wherever you are in the process....remember that it is an ongoing process. It takes time to fully heal. It may not solve all your pain problems. New problems can crop up and they aren't the fault of your hip replacement. Don't rush things in the beginning...this tends to create those new problems.

I wish each and every one of you enough of whatever it is you need to be a happy person. We all get some pain, some problems, some disappointments. Some get way more than is fair. So I wish you enough of the good things in life to balance it out, and allow you to be happy.

Raising a glass to the new year....cheers!
Sharon
 
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@sharonslp Nicely put, my friend. Glad you're doing well despite your recent encounter with black ice. Want to wish you the best of luck in law school. I'm glad to see that you're willing to give yourself permission to throw in the towel if it doesn't meet your needs or expectations. But just for the record, I think you've got what it takes intellectually. I went back to school at around 50 for my Masters in Mental Health Counseling & I loved the challenge & the classes.

Good luck with the weight issues. I've been battling the same forever. Here's to chocolate: May it someday take its rightful place on the food pyramid!!

Well, this year sounds like its been pretty momentous for you. I wish you continued growth & happiness. Now I want some!! I hit the operating table 2 weeks from Friday & I'm ready to grab whatever happiness, pleasure, & satisfaction still remains. I'm tired of being tired, depressed, disabled, inactive & testy. Paraphrasing the character in "When Harry Met Sally," I want what YOU have! Nothing is perfect, but it's gotta be better!

Happy, happy New Year to you. May you be a svelte gazelle for the wedding. And if not, not. You'll be loved just as much.

Ellen
 
Wow! Good for you. I'm very awed.
Glad your black ice experience didn't have long term damage. I have been dreading a fall. It is inevitable. Very happy you're okay. Thanks for sharing it.
Happy New Year!
 
Happy New Year Sharon and thank you for sharing your wisdom regarding recovery from THR.What you said is so true.I am glad that you had a good year and that you had no lasting effects from falling on the black ice.I wish you lots of success with your law studies. Thank you for all the support you gave me after my surgery.
 
Sharon you are an inspiration to all us bonesmarts so sorry to hear about your loss the wifes father Isn't keeping well and so glad he got through the Xmas period.

Don't rush things in the beginning...this tends to create those new problems. Never a truer word said if new bone smarties are looking in please take these wise words on board.

Glad to hear losing weight has helped and your pride was the only thing that caused any major pain.

Have a great 2014 sharon and a great big hug all the way from Scotland

Billy xx
 
@forbesy


Don't rush things in the beginning...this tends to create those new problems. Never a truer word said if new bone smarties are looking in please take these wise words on
Hi Billy I couldn't agree with you more.Happy Hogmanay
 
Happy New Year Sharon. I love your plan and I absolutely love that you put your own disclaimers in. Your wisdom and the way you live life is a continued source of inspiration for me and I am so glad to have gotten to meet you thru this site. I'll raise a glass with you and welcome 2014 and whatever it will bring :cheers:
 
@sharonslp ... I'm relieved you are okay after that black ice incident. I almost fell on it, too.
I'm so impressed with the goals you've set and met. I always learn something and/or feel
better from the things
you post here ... you really nail it -- and always in a thoughtful, intelligent, and graceful way.
Best wishes for a wonderful 2014!
 
@FionaW Thanks for asking. Yes, it's been a most eventful summer....a very scary story but with a very happy ending.

To recap for anyone just catching up with me:
1. Two THRs with mostly easy recoveries. Gradually returned to contradancing, and most recently purchased a recumbent trike for fun bike riding with my significant other.

2. Decided I was ready for a new chapter of retirement life and went back to school for paralegal certification. Decided that I really wanted to be in law school, so I started part-time in January 2014. Successful first semester and loving it.

3. On May 31st, my SO had a sudden cardiac arrest. Fortuitous CPR by two emergency professionals who just happened to be in the area; maintained for 20 minutes or so. Subsequent terrifying time wondering if he would survive, and wondering if he would have any brain left if he did survive. Airlifted to a hospital which uses the therapeutic hypothermia protocol. Discharged 29 days later and now back at home and recovering from a quintuple bypass as well. EXCELLENT RECOVERY is happening. Truly, it's been an amazing roller coaster of a story, but he is steadily returning to a normal life. We fully expect to be back on our bikes by fall, if not sooner, and back to dancing before winter...if not sooner. Statistics for sudden cardiac arrest were not on his side, so this has been huge.

4. In the middle of all this, I left him two days after the bypass surgery to attend my daughter's wedding in another state. It was a wonderful wedding and family time, and he managed to survive just fine without me for five days.

5. I did have to withdraw from school in the middle of the term. But I will start right back up in September. This whole experience has left me questioning once again whether I will ever actually finish law school. It will take me a full five years going part time (and I don't have any intention of increasing the load...two classes at a time is PLENTY!) and it is a heavy time commitment. At this stage of my life, I have no intention of sacrificing family and friends in order to finish. So I'll take it just one term at a time, and keep re-evaluating as I go along.

6. I think that's it. That's enough for one summer; don't you all agree?

Sharon
 
You are one amazing woman Sharon, @sharonslp - but then you know just how much I care about you and your SO. Hugs to you sweetie xxx
 
Wow, Sharon...what a year it's been! Congrats are doing what you want and going to law school! That is so admirable! It really is never too late. There was a nurse practitioner doing an internship at my PCPs office a couple of weeks ago. She had been a nurse for 20 years, then became an attorney for 20, and now soon to be nurse practitioner or was it Physicians asst. She was a sharp and vibrant 68! What you both are doing is so admirable!

Thank goodness your SO is OK! What a lucky, lucky guy! I hope for a slightly calmer year for you ahead!
 
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