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THR wcgirl painting rainbows

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Thank you! So many milestones. Today was an Air Quality Alert day on Cape Cod. It reminded me that I am still in recovery mode as it stopped my in my tracks. It's so easy to forget to pace myself!
 
Its difficult to get right we know we need and want to increase our activity, but also doing too much can also hold us back.its a case of the stone needs to be moved to stop the.moss but not let it be the start of an avalanche. Good look and Quality air alert?????? Our air is fresh and bracing with the odd tendency to almost blow a chap over.

Legin THR Sep 14
 
15 weeks -- So I go about and try to keep active, and everyone is amazed that I am walking so well, and we all forget that I am still in recovery. Had a busy week driving here and there and doing too much of course. Again, stopped in my tracks! A bit of an asthma attack during the night and had to use my inhaler. I ended up dozing most of the day. The weather has cleared and cooled nicely. It is wonderful to open the windows, eat 3 good meals, and rest!
 
Finally, my 4 mos checkup with the surgeon. I can now proceed onto strengthening exercises. I've been in the pool and now it's time to swing a golf club and work on strength & endurance. I'm used to organized exercise as this keeps me focused and prevents me from hurting myself! I'll be working with the same PT outfit and they promise that they won't allow me to do anything that will require more PT going forward. I believe them.
[Bonesmart.org] wcgirl painting rainbows

OS did advise that I use heat for bursitis on my hip… I wonder why? That's about where I get stiff from driving/sitting too long.
 
My physio is strong on heat for tissue healing, especially after dry needling. With bursitis you would think that heat would increase the inflammation? I don't know anything about it but you seem to have a good program planned for healing. All the best!
 
@Granny Di It does seem counterintuitive. I'm not totally convinced its bursitis. It really feels so much better when I lie flat and do my basic bed exercises of stretching out flat, pushing my knees into the bed, then the glute squeeze. I suspect there are things getting into alignment and healing. 30 min and i'm painfree.
 
I belong to a fit plan and had an evaluation done on Thursday. We went through a few basic things. And then we realized that I needed even more basic! I am still 'protecting' my hip and have really lost strength. Water exercise has been great for range of motion but now I need to get more weight bearing. I think @Legin has it right with walking. I felt good after the exercises -- warm up on bike, stretching that quad with clams, modified lunges with straps for stability. Every other day for starters.
 
Sounds good @wcgirl --I like the idea of every other day.
I assume "protecting" leads to limping. I am a month ahead of you in recovery and I think you are doing well.
 
@Granny Di I have not had full range of motion for a while since before my surgery. And so in order not to challenge my hip I had and sometimes still 'roll' or 'twist' to help it through some motions. I was trying to do the clam shell to strengthen my hip when the outside of my knee was not happy at all. PT had me back up to the wall so that I could see what I was doing. I don't have a limp, but I had to exaggerate lifting my leg when walking to get that hip joint working after surgery.
So now, Core tightened, glutes squeezed, align hips, go! No pain.
♪ "The ankle bone is connected to the leg bone, the leg bone is connected to the knee bone…" ♪
 
That's what I do too but I think the pain is referred from my back until I get it all aligned and in sync. Who knows?
I wish I had a great doctor who could fix me all up. I will go back to physio when we leave our cottage and move back home.
 
@wcgirl - Are you still taking pain meds? I tried to go without but still need a tylenol or two -more if I do more -but that is also for the other hip that needs to be replaced too.
 
@Granny Di I am happy to say that I have not taken pain meds, to include tylenol, for a couple of months now. Hope you are doing better every day!
I have just started back on 'land' exercises at my rehab center where I do water exercises. I signed up for a golf exercise clinic. PT is by my side through every exercise so that I do them correctly. My right knee was challenged through my recovery so I want to make sure that I don't do harm. PT told me to have protein 30-45 minutes after workout and take a day off in between. I have to say I really want to take a nap first! But after a good protein fix I'm not so tired and get my energy back. The clinic is 2x week for 4 weeks. Plenty!
Yesterday I drove to visit my folks and spent the afternoon with them after a dentist appointment. [I now have to take 4 - 500mg amoxicillin pills before dental work.] I'm increasing my stamina now and have no pain. I can actually keep up with my 90yrold mother shopping now.
I do have to remind that my surgery was due to a bad fall in 2002 and arthritis taking over my hip. I'm now into staying active and protecting my joints. My body still speaks to me when I need a break. Stretching out with a good book works. I'm still threatening to put a beach chair in the trunk for the park in case I need to pull over for a rest!
 
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@wcgirl That was a good update! You have a plan and a program and are seeing progress. I am trying to get my mood up as I AM getting better but it is so slow now that I don't always see the improvement. I still need tylenol or I hurt. I just got back from walking the puppy 3 km in 42 minutes (slow!) and my knee hurt with every step. Perhaps when I get orthotics that will disappear. Also my unoperated hip hurt every step so that tells me that if I ever get back to real hiking I will eventually need that hip done also. :badspidy:
I will go to physio when we move back home in October. Next week we are off to a reunion with some friends from our university days where we will exchange stories about our aches and pains. :groan::groan:I always told myself when I was young that I would not be one of those old people who were always talking about their latest operation or medication. And here I am! :old:
Your mother sounds amazing! Put that beach chair in the car -I like that!
Cheers!
 
Strengthening that muscle that was sorely abused is my challenge now. It has affected my balance. But I am pleased that my stamina is improving. I have continued on with exercise clinics and have some good exercises to do -- I feel like I'm starting all over again. Maybe crawling would be good! (Alas, I can't do them all on the bed. HA!) Weight watchers is my friend these days. I have changed my diet trying to get in good foods to help with recovery -- it's a balancing act. See @Poppet 's nutrition suggestions. I had a friend visit with type 2 diabetes and we tracked our daily food and realized we hadn't eaten enough and her sugar was low. So MANY things to balance in our lives. Summer was great here on Cape Cod. There was No Rain! So now the downpours are here and the air is finally cooling down. It's been hot, hot, hot and my poor new lawn needs a break. The summer visitors are gone and the traffic is on a different schedule. Fall will be quiet and beautiful. I'm lazy today but will get to the pool after lunch.
Today I honor those souls lost on 9/11. We all have memories of that day. I remember hearing the car radio announcer describing the 2nd flight as it approached the 2nd tower. I knew then that the US was under attack. I went home and put out my flag and cried for what had happened and what was to come. It was eerily quiet. We were a Nation on high alert and in mourning. Hard to believe so much time has passed.
 
@wcgirl - I remember that day, watching it all unfold on TV, and crying for days after. I remember I was able to do a "hill" workout with two girlfriends on a sunny fall day, brightly coloured autumn leaves in view across the landscape as we reached the peak. How could there be such suffering and cruelty on a beautiful peaceful day?
I sure can't do a hill workout now!
Yes it is all balancing act -for me trying not to go too heavy on the overdoing it side. I too have to get serious about my diet as I have gained 13 pounds since I became active AFTER surgery. Best wishes to you and all Americans on this day.
 
So I'm doing some land exercises this past month. The quads on my operated leg are just not very strong and it has affected my balance. I am working with my PT and actually working up a sweat. (I'm usually in the pool.) I am relearning how to get up off the floor! with my bad hip it has been pretty ugly. I am learning how to protect & strengthen my knees. It is 4 1/2 mos out and with these new exercises I can feel twinges and pinches in the soft tissues around my new hip. Let the healing continue! All this is done gently with assists. I do not want to wear out any other joints. But now I am able to gently participate in sports activities pain free. It is just incredible. After an hour of sweating I came home and had my protein shake and then took a nap. Naps are good for healing too. :sleeep:
 
I'm 6 1/2 mos now and I'm 'almost' forgetting that I have a new hip. I sometimes still stop tho when there is an instance that I would have to tread carefully on uneven ground or stairs and realize, Yes!, I can do this painfree now! It's a wonderful thing. So I'm still learning and getting a 'new' muscle memory that is a good one. People here comment that they see a spring in my step. That just makes me grin from ear to ear. I am blessed. It's been very hot in Florida but things are changing tonite. I'm still doing pool exercises gladly. :swim:
 
What a wonderful update @wcgirl ! I can only imagine how great that feels when someone tells you they see a spring in your step - awesome!! :yes:
 
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