Monday, May 30, 2011 - Almost 5 months

Well I'm 4 days away from my LPAO and I can't wait. I DO have mixed emotions, but just so incredibly ready to get it over and have everything behind me. I can't believe how far I've come...especially based on how low I was early on after the right PAO.

I really don't have much to update, just that I can't wait for Friday to come and go and hope Day 3 flies by. Looking back to the other post-op I was so miserable for about two weeks but based on how fast I snapped back it wasn't that bad when I look back. The only thing I'm not looking forward to is going to a wedding a few days after surgery and not being in my own house....but whatever.

Here are a few pictures of what my incision looks like before it gets cut open again! It's looking pretty great...for now.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - 4 Months and a few days

I had my pre-op/post-op yesterday. Yes I received funny looks from the staff at the hospital about that one. Post-op on my RPAO and pre-op for my left. Sheesh, people would say I was crazy....but I'm not.

The day was VERY long though. So many obstacles and what not. But when I finally got to see Millis (2 1/2 hours after my appointment time) it was all good. Actually I had seen him earlier when he was holding my leg for xrays. But Erin and Jaime came in and did most of my appointment. Doing my range of motion and what not and they were impressed with the ROM on both legs. So that's pretty cool. I was the most flexible of the day (except for the little down syndrome girl!), YES! I asked a few questions, she said the screws may be causing some of the odd aches and pains I've been having so once they are out I will get a better feel for what's going on in there. I feel like a pro at this. I only went through it 4 months ago! It's still fresh in my mind. Millis came in and also moved my legs around and almost broke off my left one! He was flipping it all around and I'm like OW! Then he goes "oh did that hurt" uhh yeah actually it did. But I said it's OK since I'm getting a new one, so break away! He again said he's going to cut a bit more and rotate it more than the right since the right one isn't as covered as he had wished but he wasn't sure while he's doing it.

Then I met with Jaime in PT and she had me walk with the crutches again. It's tough to get it into my head to switch legs. I'm used to the one leg but now I have to focus on the other one. Obviously it'll be easier after surgery because there's only one way I'm going to able to walk. But she was also telling me what to expect on the right hip after the screws are removed. It will be sore, but the three days in bed will help with that. There will be not weight restrictions so I can stand on it full weight right out of bed. Then I will officially be done with my right hip! Amazing if you ask me. She also works Monday and Tuesdays so she might be the one getting me out of bed on day 3! I apologized in advance for my mood on that day! That was pretty much the ONLY time I felt pain. Just a few tears but I got through it. Dread that day for sure!

So that's all I got....may not update again until after surgery so wish me luck!

Wednesday, May 11, 2011 - 4 Months

So...sorry for the HUGE break in updates but things have been pretty crazy since my last update.

The hip has been pretty good. I have since started back at the gym...a few days a week. I want to get in decent shape until my next surgery so my recovery can be quick and I will have more strength. So that has gone well. I do the stationary bike for 20-30 minutes with 5-10 resistance level. What a boring exercise is all I have to say. After that I try to do 10 minutes on the Elliptical, but my stamina definitely isn't back to where it was pre-op so I'm huffing and puffing by the end of that. I have also been trying to keep up with my hip exercises Jaime gave me at my last post-op appointment. My right hip is MUCH stronger than my bad one which I think is awesome. So I hope for the same in my left one after surgery. After I do those exercises, my love handle area is very sore. From what I hear, this is where the hip muscles attach and since we compensate for the pain, these muscles don't work properly, so now they have a big learning curve. So it is sore sometimes, but now I know it is a good sore.

My lower abdomen is still fairly numb, the scar is looking great. I will post pics eventually.

Ummm, indian style sitting is fine. I can get a full stride in and it doesn't really feel tight anymore. Sometimes when I stand up from sitting for a while I'm a little sore (similar to the pre-op feeling) and sometimes it feels as though the joint is stuck and needs to get back into position. I am hoping some of this is due to the screws so I won't know for sure until those get removed. I know full recovery is about a year and I'm not even halfway there yet so there is still a lot of healing left so I can't get too worried about the feelings yet.

So...just need a place for my mini rant...haven't been on here lately due to many reasons, but one would be the passing of my Grandma one week ago yesterday. She loved reading my blog and said it was the best novel she's ever read...and she has read practically every book out there! But at 95 years old, that terrible 6-letter word got her for good. The last week has been very difficult for me and doesn't seem to be getting any easier. For her, I will keep up with my blog because I know how proud of me she was.

On a lighter note, Tuesday is my pre-op for the other dumb hip and then another couple weeks and I'm under the knife again. Did I mention we're going to a wedding a couple days after I get discharged from the hospital. Assuming all goes well, we'll go from the hospital right to Cape Cod. If I'm not feeling up to it then I can always go home with my Parents for a few days. So it's going to be a hectic time.

So, that's all I have for now. Will probably update after my pre-op appointment when I get more news.