THR That wasn't so bad!!!

[Poppet]

Sorry Sarah... Promise not to talk about food anymore...

Well I fibbed!

Went out for brekky, but I was very constrained, hubby had Eggs Benedict... evil looking sauce.... Oh! Those calories! But I was very good and didn't tell him off. He worked very hard in the Savannah Grasslands yesterday so needs it all.

Promise not to give you any of my lbs.. It's Kevin's fault he started it... Sorry Kevin, Hehehehe !!!

 

[plinej]

Merry Christmas to all my BS hipster friends!:xmastree::snowman:
Sandy, I have been watching your thread. I love the visual pictures you paint. I feel like I am actually there experiencing them as you describe them!!
Kevin, your humor and light hearted comments are a real gift and make my day!
Anita, your videos have been a God-send of encouragement and much appreciated.
Sarah and Buffi, I look forward to seeing how you are doing and hearing from you also.
I know there are others I forgot to mention but this site has been such a blessing!

Yesterday I was feeling great but also learned a lesson I have heard over and over - don't let the pain get ahead of you. I have been doing so well I cut way to far back on the meds. even when I feel the pain coming on trying to stretch my doses further and further apart. I really paid big time last night and woke up feeling it this morning so am playing catch up - no fun! So for the holidays I am going to stay on schedule. Nice thing, the Norco is still messing with my appetite a little so most of those nasty holiday sweets and other temptations do not sound good at all! I plan my first outing today (church at 5pm) then home for a relaxing Christmas Eve at home with my family and Daughter's boyfriend. I am in really good spirits although I notice watching all the holiday specials any singing, dancing I see makes me want to momentarily cry as I think "Boy, and I hurt doing a simple leg lift - will I ever be able to move like that?" I know it is early but I guess I am getting impatient
Luckily it only last a moment! Tomorrow a house full of company and much joy to look forward to. So much to be thankful for!!

 

[Jaycey]

Sarah you mentioned in another post a sort of schedule to get from walker to crutches to cane that's in the library. Do you remember where that is? I can't seem to find it. Thanks! xo

Buffi, there really isn't any "schedule" for transitioning from different walking aides. Everyone is different. Just move to the next "stage" when you feel confident - and more importantly - when you are no longer limping.

 

[Josephine]

Yes there is advice about walking aids

"Always use your walker, crutches or canes as appropriate, only moving from one to the other as you gain confidence or until as advised by your PT or physio."

That 5 lbs you lost ..... I FOUND IT !

:hysterical:

 

[DallasSarah]

Good Morning Plinej,

Ouch on pain Meds hope you'd have caught up today!

Sorry if I was a little misleading on the walker comment earlier with Buffi, I still think the thread (posted above) is an excellent time line, all the references definitely help, I have found they give me confidence and understanding of either what's in store for me, or where I need to be, always knowing we are all unique in the recovery phase.

Sending lots of holiday cheer!

xxooxx

 

[plinej]

I hope all my hip friends had a great Christmas! We had a houseful. Husband cooked up a wonderful spread!!! He is a fantastic cook and loves to cook for a crowd so I am truly blessed!!

I paid a pain price yesterday even with the extra meds . With all the company I spent way too much time sitting without getting up and really paid for it! Today is off to a better start and I have decided I really need to work on walking more (supposed to be a fairly nice day here - temps above freezing and sunny) so I am planning a walk outside with my husband. The in-house walking just isn't enough so he is home today and that is my plan! I have been trying to make myself useful with my grabber picking up around the house (wrapping paper, dirty dishes, etc,) 16 people in our little living area was a real obstacle course yesterday! So nice to have my house back but it was wonderful to have most of my family here!!! I have 6 brothers and sisters and 4 of them were here with their families!!

 

[djklaugh]

Sounds like a wonderful Christmas, plinej I'm glad you had a good gathering and great food. Have a lovely walk today - and many more to come

 

[Anitawants2tango]

Plinej, Sounds like despite the medication set back you had a joyous holiday with your family. I am so happy for you. Soon enough we will be dancing and high kicking, but for now we will just have to content ourselves watching others. Best wishes for a happy new year.

 

[Jamie]

Don't worry....you'll pop right back. Just keep at the slow and steady routine with a generous dose of pain management. That is the best path for recovery. You're doing just great!!!

 

[HandyAndy]

Plinej, As you mentioned in my own thread, you are 8 days behind me. And while we all recover differently, I have hope that you will start feeling much better real soon. I too have been feeling very tight and experience a great deal of discomfort just trying to do my leg raises. All of a sudden, today, it became much easier for me to lift my leg towards my chest and put on my sock, with no help. Just like that, a huge improvement. Every day is getting easier. And it was just in the last few days, so you are right behind me. Keep the faith! You're gonna get there real soon

 

[plinej]

Andy, wow! I can't imagine putting my own socks on without a tool! Thank you for the encouragement. I think sometimes trying to prepare preop has made me a very bad postop patient - I find myself getting so impatient for progress!!!

Day 15 - feeling much better today. I think that over Christmas I tweaked my knee a little getting used to the cane and squeezing through some narrow crowded spaces - caused me some knee/calf pain that was hard to deal with. Took it easy yesterday and babied that area and all seems to be back on track today. Made it through the night with no pain meds - still feel comfortable now so today I may start trying the arthritis strength tylenol instead of the Norco. I am very anxious to make that a thing of the past.

The exercises are getting easier - actually did the leg raises and was able to hold them. Yesterday I did make it out for a little walk (10laps of the walkway in front of our house - about 40 small steps each but at least it was something.) Our driveway is treacherous (steep, gravel with ice and washouts,etc) so my walking options are very limited. Wishing I had an elliptical or bike to use!!

It has been a very good holiday! My youngest found out she made the deans list again(engineering student at University of Michigan - very tough program!!!). She is trying to apply for an internship for next year as a Disney Imagineer - her life long dream has been to design roller coasters. We are very proud of her!! She comes from a very creative background. My oldest is a textile artist, my son is a glass artist (lampworking), my mother is a quilter who has published a book and taught classes around the world.

 

[DallasSarah]

Morning Plinej,

Fabulous news about your daughter, plus your other children all so talented...congratulations!!

Be careful with cutting back on your pain Meds considering you had some pain issues the other day, I'm a couple of weeks ahead of you and just now starting to go for longer time periods before taking but still keep them one a basic routine. My dr's nurse had mentioned we will talk this Thursday and if I'm ok we can start cutting my dose. I know we are all different in healing and pain tolerance. Are you still feeling nauseated on the norco? Maybe your dr can call you in something different. I'm babbling sorry. I just think its important especially the first few weeks not to have any type of pain, not meaning the stiffness etc just pure pain it's so discouraging and I'm sure can effect everything.

Be good to yourself!

Love,

Sarah

xxooxx

 

[DallasSarah]

Ohhhhh don't be impatient either. I'm still using the sock gadget, my good leg I probably could do by myself but my operated leg nope!! What a clever gadget
I use it primarily for those yucky TED stockings.

 

[Jaycey]

plinej, I think you will find that if you cut down on your meds at this early stage you will only set your recovery back.

The trick is to stay ahead of the pain at this stage. Regular meds keep the pain under control so you can gain mobility. It's a cycle - but it's important to keep things balanced. This is a temporary situtation but it can not be rushed.

 

[plinej]

Sarah and Jaycey, I am being careful with the meds, I think. The last several days I have noticed I feel great the first half of the day and the pain (more discomfort) sets in later in the day. I have been using 1 Norco first thing in the morning and usually one more 4-5 hours later. This morning I tried 2 arthritis strength Tylenol and it seems to be working fine! I have done 2 full sets of exercise and 2nd one felt better than the first I plan to take 1 norco this afternoon and maybe one at bedtime. Getting really tired of fighting the constipation thing. My biggest problem now is I am getting cabin fever! Husband scheduled classes all day this week so it is either spend the whole day at our school, which I don't think I can do physically or mentally, or keep myself occupied at home. My daughter is spending the day with her boyfriends family. My son may be in and out today. So it is me and the boob tube!

 

[DallasSarah]

I'll leave the pain med advice to Jayce!

Plinej I'm just thinking it was my 3rd week that i invested in big naps, and that week was my laziest week, not sure if that's good or bad. My gut thought is saying enjoy being home with boob tube and take some naps and relax its been hectic the last few days with holidays, I just wrote I'm tired today....you've had a full house of fun it might not be a bad idea to tune into some junk TV and pop a pain pill and snooze!!

Just my Tuesday morning speech hahahaha sorry!! It's an interesting roller coaster of energy too!

If you need ideas for junk-smut TV ask me. Wait I'm now on lifetime movies that's a serious sign Im watching to much TV but their movies are so easy to watch! Laughing at myself!

 

[plinej]

Sarah, I have been sleeping better than ever at night so I seem to have a lot of energy during the day - really haven't felt the need for naps. I am taking tylenol for pain so not nothing and saving the big guns for the evening when I need it more! So far, so good! As for smut tv! I have actually watched, Hoarders (makes me want to clean house big time!!), Toddlers and Tiaras (some really awful parenting!) and others I am ashamed to mention - all those channels and so few good options!

 

[DallasSarah]

Your reply made me laugh big time!! Hoarders oh my goodness that's another days conversation hehehehehe! It's is funny how many silly but entertaining shows are out there uh! Enjoy your day xxooxx

 

[rider1960]

I feel like a neat freak whenever I watch Hoarders! My clutter doesn't look so bad after that!

Dorothy

 

[djklaugh]

(((plinej))) Mega congratulations to your daughter!!!! Dean's List in a tough engineering program is a huge accomplishment!! Wishing her the very best in her endeavors. And your other kids are also very talented - well done, Mom!

I hear you about the cabin fever - got that going on myself big time!!! I've been watching old movies - anything to bring on the giggles is good. I like getting the endorphins flowing (or as one movie character said "the endolphins" .... :hysterical: )