The Hip Post-Operation List....Let's keep up with you and your progress....

[MsCat62]

Actually the ball sounds like a good idea..
My pt left a little while ago. We talked about last weekend, my walking, my being ready to go to a gym.
We agreed I should wait until I see my doc again to do anything but my home exercises after she leaves. She said it is too early to do the eliptacle . It would be too much standing. My plan of course was to stay on it and get a cardio workout.
She also told me I should graduate to using the cane. She didn't expect me to go out for a walk with it. Also I just did too much.
It's just when you read of some peole going back to work at 4 weeks, I feel like I should progress each day.Too many people have told me I did too much, so I will have to go with that and mellow out here at least for a few weeks.
Thanks
Judy

Even though I'm not the one who had the THR, I can relate to reading post about some being able to go back to work so quickly. Or some just seeming to have all this incredible progress period. And while I know Jim has done really well, he's not ready to go back to work yet. At least not in my opinion. There's still a lot he can't do here yet.
But I've also come to realize, and it's been posted by others as well, that everyone heals and progresses at their own pace. So just because Jim goes to a cane in a month, doesn't mean that everyone will. And/or just because someone else does it in a week doesn't mean anything is wrong with Jim's progress either. It's just his progress. Just as how you progress is your progress.
In the end it really doesn't matter as long as you DO progress and do it correctly, without putting yourself at risk for injury because your trying to progress as quickly as someone else.
Josephine posts all the time about people who reach certain marks in a week, while others don't reach that same mark for a year. Though I get the impression that a year is rare. But some people just need that long and that's ok if they do. Though they may not think so, but hopefully I've made my point. Don't worry and be safe, It will come. ;-)

 

[JudyS]

OK Cat,
I guess I am pretty stubborn. Those of my children who have this same problem got it from me!!!!
I just spent the afternoon sleeping.

I will be a bum for the next 2 and a half weeks!!!
I am tired enough to.
thanks,
Judy

 

[MsCat62]

OK Cat,
I guess I am pretty stubborn. Those of my children who have this same problem got it from me!!!!
I just spent the afternoon sleeping.

I will be a bum for the next 2 and a half weeks!!!
I am tired enough to.
thanks,
Judy

Judy,
If I upset you, I'm soooo sorry. All I meant was don't be too hard on yourself if your not doing things as fast as other may be. :-(

 

[bnew]

Hi, everyone! I haven't posted in about a week. I have gotten so busy with my schooling, and when I get on here I am overwhelmed trying to read EVERYTHING that has been posted! Anyways I had my LTHR on May 19 so Monday was my 6-week anniversary! It has really gone so quickly. I am doing very well, thanks to PT!! I'm still a little sore at times around the incision site, but nothing too bad. At the very beginning of my recovery I was the one that was extremely anxious about the leg discrepancy I had. I am glad to report, however, that it seems to be getting better. It's still not perfect, but it is not as noticeable anymore. My PT thinks it is due to my muscles becomiing stronger. I am planning on getting back into the gym again since I am being released from PT after two more times. My OS told me today that I could do the elliptical, treadmill, pool (laps), pilates, yoga(but don't get too twisted), and golf. These are the things I am really wanting to get back to doing so I was glad to get the go ahead from my doctor. Good luck to everyone out there reading this who may be getting ready to or have just gone through hip replacement. It really does get better!
Bridget

 

[Sofa King]

Thanks Bridget!

We've missed you!

~D.

 

[JudyS]

Hey Cat,
I didn't see this earlier for some reason. Did not upset me in the least
Judy

 

[MsCat62]

Hey Cat,
I didn't see this earlier for some reason. Did not upset me in the least
Judy

Judy, I'm so glad! :-D
Cause I would never want to add any upset to what you and/or anyone here is already dealing with.

 

[JudyS]

I'm at 4 weeks tomorrow. Can hardly believe it.
I had my last home pt visit today. She since last week had really wanted to talk me out to my car.
So we just went. I was sure I was not ready. After being in my car, she agreed!!!
Lifting my leg from the gas to the brake is anything but smooth and natural. I'm not the least bit disappointed. Actually feel good that I knew I was not ready and proved it to her.

On the accomplishment side, I can go in the driveway using my reacher/grabber and play fetch with my dog!! He got used to it after a few throws understanding I must use that thing to pick up his toy!!
My neighbors got a kick out of it too.
Off I go
Judy

 

[westexas]

O.K. Here goes the Patty speech again....Who cares that so..n..so..went back to jogging at four weeks...I am at 41/2 months and still struggling with NOW the little things.
Each of us heals differently and each of us has the good days and bad days. The ol' saying......one step forward, five steps back, three steps forward and ALL steps forward....BUT there will always be that one step back episode and I have that quite a bit lately because I am doing POOL/GYM therapy almost everyday and will wake up at 2am aching...It is the healing process....I was soooo out of shape to begin with...pain and otherwise....Now I am dealing with healing the muscle, stopping the limp and many other little issues. I have talked to so many people and 6 months seems to be a BIG magic number for a lot as far as feeling NORMAL again...Just give it time....You are all still in the early stages.....Patty

 

[JudyS]

Patty,
It was all pretty funny to me as my pt kept telling me that people have their right foot on the gas and break at the same time!! Therefore you do not have to move it up and down.
When she first told me this I made a mental note not to be on the road with her.
Of course now people are going to tell me that is the way they drive!!!

Besides, we both know what will happen when I drive again. I will put that off as long as possible
l
Judy

 

[bnew]

Patty,
Well said!! Everytime I think I'm back to normal, I feel pain again. My friends and family look at me weird when they see me limp every now and again because they think I was past that. Aaaaaargh, I want to be at my 6 month mark!!
Bridget

 

[westexas]

Patty,
Well said!! Everytime I think I'm back to normal, I feel pain again. My friends and family look at me weird when they see me limp every now and again because they think I was past that. Aaaaaargh, I want to be at my 6 month mark!!
Bridget

Honey, so do I.......Just want to get to the doc visit next week and see how things are going with the new lefty...Will be at almost 5 months. And then, I need to see about my right hip....UHGGGGGGGG.......

 

[JudyS]

Well, do to yesterdy's 4th of July activities, I woke up with about 7 steps backwards. I kept thinking all day yesterday what kind of shape I would be in today.
I knew I was overdoing it.
Today I will lay low!! I will also keep up with pain meds.
Of course part of my issue is my back and neck. It is my thoracic spine which really to get a few minutes of relief I have always had to lay flat on my back on the hard floor. Of course that is not possible with hip restrictions.
As far as my neck or really upper back I woke with it extremely painful to turn my head to the right.

Thankfully I have plenty of percocet

Judy

 

[MsCat62]

Hey Everyone, :-D

Sorry I haven't been around much, but I swear if I had a tail, I'd be chasin it lately. <lol>

It's been an interesting and at one point nerve racking week for Jim.

To start, a few days ago I had bought 2 small sage plants for our flower bed cause they were marked down really cheap to get rid of. Well, guess who got on his knees and planted them! :-O He did very well too.
Then the following day our A/C went out. Here's the nerve racking part. The coil on the unit had frozen over, but that coil was located on a part of the unit....under the house! It's a 4 ft crawl space and Jim crawled under there. We had no choice because there was no one else who could help us and we really didn't want to call a repair man unless we had to on a Sunday, on a holiday weekend. But he was very careful and did no damage thank goodness. It turned out to be a freon issue and is now working once again. But I was holding my breath the whole time he did this.


Then yesterday he saw the OS again (exactly 7 weeks post-op) and everything is fine. I didn't go with him (long story), So he drove the 100 miles one way by himself. But I knew he could at this point too. He forgot to tell the OS about going under the house. {{{ rolleyes }}} But I'm not worried about that, cause it looks like he's going to be released back to work pretty soon. The OS said to just give it a few more weeks, then it's up to Jim when he goes back. And just to let the office know and they'll send the release paperwork.
The OS also said that Jim is doing very well, better than most. Which of course makes me glad to hear. I did suggest to Jim that he doesn't go back though until he can walk better without a limp. He does pretty well during the day. But come night it's there.
And the OS is also suppose to send orders to PT to start that up again for a short time. I'm not sure how that will go along with going back to work, or if he'll even still be doing it once he goes back.
But I'm pretty much to a point where I leave Jim alone unless he ask for something. He's even been able to finally get that sock on his foot, though it's difficult. But it won't get any easier unless he does it.

 

[JudyS]

Cat,
Sounds like everything is great there, glad to hear that. Glad to hear the AC was a relatively easy fix (after Jim came back from under the house!!!)
Seems like your life is almost back to it's regular crazy normal!!!!

I'm sure your wonderful dedicated care taking skills helped with Jim's awesome recovery.
Judy

 

[MsCat62]

Cat,
Sounds like everything is great there, glad to hear that. Glad to hear the AC was a relatively easy fix (after Jim came back from under the house!!!)
Seems like your life is almost back to it's regular crazy normal!!!!

I'm sure your wonderful dedicated care taking skills helped with Jim's awesome recovery.
Judy

Judy, Thank You. But as much as I'd like to take credit for his recovery, I think it had more to do with his determination and stubbornness. ;-) <lol>

I'm sure you'll be the next one on here posting about getting back to hikin those hills! :-D

 

[JudyS]

Hi Cat,

I did go swimming today for the first time. Actually I have not swam laps for exercise for about 24 years. I only swam 2 laps today. My neck really hurt and I was trying hard not to put my leg in any forbidden positions.
It was about 1/2 mile walk home (I got a ride there). It was great. I am planning on going again tomorrow.

There was a lady who was 90 in the next lane. She swam slowly , but non stop. I joined the ladies who stopped at each end of the pool to talk!!

Judy

 

[MsCat62]

Hi Cat,

I did go swimming today for the first time. Actually I have not swam laps for exercise for about 24 years. I only swam 2 laps today. My neck really hurt and I was trying hard not to put my leg in any forbidden positions.
It was about 1/2 mile walk home (I got a ride there). It was great. I am planning on going again tomorrow.

There was a lady who was 90 in the next lane. She swam slowly , but non stop. I joined the ladies who stopped at each end of the pool to talk!!

Judy

Judy that's wonderfull! :-D See! I bet you'll be hikin in no time!
WOOHOO!!!!!
{{{does happy dance}}}

 

[westexas]

Hey Judy and Cat,
Back from the Doc visit last Thursday and exhausted. Trying to fly to Dallas, walk the airport, get to the doctor and back to the airport to fly to Austin, dinner and then on to Fredericksburg(hour 1/2 drive). At 5 months post op I am still dragging. Could not do much on Friday. Both the New Hip and the arthritic hip hurt so bad....Just cannot seem to get my energy back. I will go back to exercising tomorrow. I also have to deal with my third child. We will be going back to Dallas for back surgery...17 years old...Powerlifter. Herniated his L-5, S-1 back in March and we just did an MRI last week before I left. He also has bone fragments. So, not doing a happy face today....Got to get him well and me strong....Patty

 

[JudyS]

Patty,
That is a lot to deal with, my friend. I have been visiting a site called brain talk for the spinal issues. I don't know if this will help with your son.
I'm sorry to hear about your hips also. I was hoping the new one would not give you so much trouble at this point.
Judy