Wednesday, March 30, 2011 -- Day "I lost track"....

Sorry sorry sorry to anyone trying to follow me and keep up with my recovery from my PAO. Today is 11 weeks post op! Can you believe it has almost been 3 months since surgery? Let me tell you, right now I can't even believe I had surgery, I feel wonderful. Here's a brief rundown of my last few weeks.

My last update was after my post-op appointment. Since then, we went on a cruise. I took my crutches with me (worst decision of my life) they were SUCH a hassle when I didn't need them. They sat on our cabin closet the entire cruise (thank goodness). I didn't know how I was going to feel so wanted them just in case. After doing a lot of walking I was afraid the next day I would be super sore! But I was not at all. Imagine, waking up and not being stiff and sore. What a great feeling. So I definitely did a TON of walking...sometimes over a while at once. I was tired, but not sore (except of course the left hip). I also took pain meds with me but didn't open the container once. I am so incredibly thankful. We snorkeled in St. Thomas and that was awesome. First time in the water! We were in there for a while and after about 30 minutes or so I was getting tired so I went back to the boat. But that was really great exercise for my PAO hip. After that we walked over a mile to Downtown and I felt so great. I can't even believe all I did this cruise. We also went to a Rainforest in San Juan. We did a small 10 minute hike and it was great. It wasn't a tough hike by any means, but it was walking on uneven ground over tree roots and ditches. I am almost back to normal. So, without going crazy about the cruise, I will say that I am probably 90-95% back to normal...for anyone needing a pep-talk, there it is! I also danced in the club a couple nights and did lots of walking up and down deck stairs since the elevators were slow as molasses AND walked in HEALS! YAYA.

My indian style is about 98% painfree. It's not so much painful, just a little tight when I try to lean forward. My hamstring is getting much better. I haven't been exercising because I was just so exhausted everyday on the cruise I didn't have the energy. Even though I was doing a lot of walking it wasn't working the other hip muscles that my target exercises do. I did them last night for the first time and definitely felt it! The incision sticks out of my bathing suit about an inch on a normal two-piece bottom that sits low on the waist. With a tie-string side the entire scar is seen. I felt bad-ass so it was ok with me. haha. I can run upstairs...I tried to run quick across my lab today before my water overflowed (long story) but that was crappy because my left hip is very very sore. But I can't wait to be able to jog around a little.

In more news, surgery was scheduled for June 20..but I got an email that there was a cancellation June 3 and Doc wants me to get in as soon as possible...so looks like I'm going under the knife in 2 months! I'm so excited. Not nervous at all and I don't think I will be. I'm pretty good with stuff like this and the first was so great. I know the second will most likely not be as smooth, but I can hope for that, right?

It's amazing how far I've come in such a short period of time. My parents were shocked to see my without my crutch! It seems like almost overnight I've transformed. From about...just under 2 months to right now has been the most improvement and it's obvious to see. I can tell just by my flexibility. I did email Jaime because I feel like the front of my hip is real tight and I can't take a full stride, but that will come with time. So all is great. I can basically bring my leg up almost completely to my chest, stand on one leg to take off shoes, shave my legs....basically everything. I recommend this to ANYONE. Maybe it's better for me because of the pain I was in for SO long, so I can really see the difference. Of course I'm not 100% yet....but compared to how I was before Jan 12 it's nice night and day. To be looking forward to the second one says a lot!

If anyone is reading this and debating surgery....go for it! A fellow hipster had said something to me recently about how she is "missing out on life" I don't want her or anyone to feel like that. At first it is very difficult (as you have read in the beginning of this blog). But look at us now. Walking 1-2 miles, going to the gym. I just flew and went on a cruise! Some things may be restricted at first...but we've all come SO far in such a short amount of time. A few months, one year to be back to normal is so worth it if you ask me! :-)

All for now. My incision is looking great. I think the salt water and hot tub really helped to heal me. So those will come shortly.

Now be jealous:

Tuesday, March 15, 2011 -- Day 62

Tomorrow is 9 weeks, amazing. And today was my second, and last post-op for my right hip!! Say hallelujah, say amen! Where do I even begin?

So we drove up to Boston and had reservations for dinner and we met up with fellow hipster Alana whom I've been in contact with since October. She had her second PAO a week before mine, early January. So we were referred to as the "crutch reservation" great. Megan, our other hipster that was also my roommate and a couple days after me, unfortunately couldn't make it! Total bummer. So anyway, we had some dinner and then walked a block to have drinks at another bar. It was such a fun night and really great to hang out and really talk to someone going through the same thing. It was her and her boyfriend, Kevin, my brother and I...and it was a real fun time.

My brother made us take one T back to his apartment and not switch lines to get off at the closer stop so I ended up walking well over a mile last night to and from dinner, but I felt great! (except my left...duh).

So this morning we went to CHB early and tried to find a place to eat....which consisted of Kevin and I walking in a HUGE circle...at least a mile...just to end back up at Au Bon Pain at CHB. SO annoyed and in pain def...but not on the right. I checked in, got my x-rays, put in a request to get a CD of my x-rays and sat back in the waiting room with Alana...and waited...and waited...and waited. I think she got called in about the time my appointment was supposed to be, we didn't get called in until noon..for a 10:45 appointment. Got into my appointment, immediately Millis did my strength test be putting my leg in the air and asking me to hold it there, then he did the range of motion exercises, he was flipping my leg ALL over the place, and then did my left one...I'm sore now. Erin asked about my second hip and I said June 20 and Millis almost had a cow. He said that I can't wait until then to have this one done and he will get me in before then. So...cross my fingers I get this done soon.

I asked the few questions I had..the baby screw is holding muscle in place...the screws are affecting my ROM slightly, he's not sure why my shoulder lost rom and may have to see a shoulder doc...and if I can start PT after my cruise....awesome news...I don't need to do PT! He said I am really strong so basically there's not much the PT can do that I can't do at a gym. SO YAY! Although I was looking forward to doing PT. Erin also asked if I've been using my crutch...I kind of gave her a look like "I want to tell you no, but I don't want Millis to hear me" so she got the point. She asked me to walk without the crutch down the hall and said I was plenty strong so it's not an issue. I said it was only the last couple of days when everything clicked and felt really great so she told me that I'm right on target with how recovery should go...so it's not too surprising I'm doing well.

Bummer alert - Millis said I have too much ROM still. He uses the healing of the first hip to decide how to do the second PAO and he said he could have done more on the first hip, so I'll be able to move it more than he would like, but this is not a bad thing, the left will just be slightly less flexible.

I went to meet with Jaime and got new exercises...YOWCH!
1) I have to keep doing the hamstring stretch and have Kevin help because it's still REALLY tight.
2) Lay on my non-op side (left), left leg bent op leg straight. Lift the leg halfway up (count of 3) then lift it all the way up (count of 3) then down, 5x.
3) Lay on op side, left leg bent and knee resting on towel in front of me, op leg straight out underneath it. Raise the op leg up off the table as much as possible. 5x (this one hurts unless you lay on a towel, it felt like my screws were ripping through my skin)!
4) Same bridge as before, squeeze towel between my knees, lift pelvis, squeeze butt..then "march" with my right and left feet 3 times each...just slightly off of the ground.

So these are all quite difficult. I also was curious about the tightness I felt when I lift my leg up close to my body, I feel like I get to a certain spot and I can't bring it any closer to my body. She said this is scar tissue, swelling and what not that is affecting the motion. I will also be a little restricted since the femur is now stopping my joint to move all over the place. But she gave me another stretch to help get things moving in there. I also had a question about walking...I don't feel like I can get a full stride, like I cut my stride short when my op leg is back. I will ask her if that's along the same lines.

I got a CD of my x-rays...I wanted all of the rays taken since Oct but I guess they only gave me the x-rays from today...so here ya go! p.s. I can walk without crutches as much as I WANT!!! BIG NEWS.

Sunday, March 13, 2011 -- Day 60

60 days, a little over 8 weeks and I feel really good. I was sore after the commotion on Friday but today I am feeling fine. I went shopping and didn't use my crutch, I just used the cart to walk around. I walked around the house with no assistance today. My left hip was very painful but the right feels so wonderful I can't believe it. I was on the floor doing to arts and crafts, although I couldn't get into a comfortable indian style, I was sitting on my knees and that was good.

Tonight I did my exercises because I haven't done them in a while. I used the harder stretch band and that was easy. My hamstring stretch hurts because I've never been very flexible so I don't try those too hard. But I did new stretches and my Indian Style is about 95% perfect and almost comfortable. I have a little longer to go, but I feel that this is coming along great considering I was told it would take a while to get this motion back.

I'm heading up to Boston tomorrow and meeting up with one, maybe two fellow hipsters! One girl had her second PAO a week before my first - she was my inspiration when I first found out what a PAO was. The other girl was my roommate in the hospital she was a couple days after me. Two of us have a post-op on Tuesday so I hope we can all get together. What a site, three chicks on crutches cruisin' around Boston. So hopefully Millis will let me ditch my crutch for good...although I will keep it near until I really feel comfortable.

Not sure if I posted this already but I was SO bloated still! But once I hit 8 weeks, everything got moving and I am SO much better now. I don't have a huge rock in my stomach anymore. So glad that fixed itself and not looking forward to it again.

So I will post some incision pictures, it's looking a little better. Will be interested to hear what Millis has to say, I hope to start PT when I get back from the cruise. :-)

Friday, March 11, 2011 -- Day 58

Well I was in Boston today...and Millis would probably kill me if he knew I participated in Running of the Brides for my friend!!! I was ready to beat some bitches up with my crutch! I took a folding/camping chair to sit on when my non-op leg got sore...I did really well though and didn't get trampled (my one goal). It was an experience I will never forget. I did some trading of dresses but it was kind of difficult carrying those huge as things around when I couldn't walk to begin with! But we survived....dress-less. I feel pretty good. Op-leg is a bit sore, just from the standing/walking/sitting...stressful on the ol' hip and my non-op of course is sore as always. But they were troopers for me today! So YAY!

Anyway, exhausted and going to bed...will post incision pics soon.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011 -- Day 56 - Week 8

I know I've been SLACKING lately, but how many times can I write the same thing day after day.

This weekend my parents were here and boy did I do a LOT of walking. After our daily adventures, I came home and did my exercises and my hip was starting to get a bit sore. So I haven't done my exercises in a few days and I've been trying to really use my crutch more often to allow my hip to heal more. Today I was walking around work without my crutch and I felt like I was walking perfect. But I'm sure there was still a limp...I may never get rid of that. Plus my left hip hurts so it's inevitable that I will limp.

I'm still feeling great. I walk up and down the stairs without my crutch and it feels so fine. I plan on taking both crutches on the cruise just to be on the safe side. And get through security quicker. haha

My indian style is getting great, I'm still about 90% there. My exercises are getting pretty easy. I'm still on the basic stretch band so will move to the harder one soon. But my hamstring stretch is still pretty rough, I've never been flexible to begin with so this stretch is killing me. Other than that, I'm ready for my new exercises.

I see Millis again on Tuesday...seems like I just saw him! I hope to start PT when I get back from the cruise so I will ask him. I will probably be able to drop the crutch, but obviously use it when I need. I'm almost done with my aspirin and I take my vitamin every day.

That's about it for now. Next post will most likely be after my appointment, 9 weeks, and before the cruise. YAY!

Sunday, March 6, 2011 -- Day 53

Sorry, I've been slacking a bit lately! It's been quite a busy few days. My parents came Thursday night because there's a Basketball Tournament a few towns over so they stayed with me. Then Kevin left Friday morning to go snowboarding up in Canada. Friday I left work a little early to go to the game and got home around 10pm. Saturday morning we all left early and went to the games again, between games we went to Stew Leonard's and then back to the game, then out to dinner and got home at 9pm. I walked up and down the bleacher stairs a zillion times, I sure got my workout! My left hip, surprise surprise, is hating me so much. The right feels great though.

I don't really have too much to report. My right feels really great, still sticking to the one crutch as much as possible because I don't want to hurt anything. My exercises get a bit sore, mostly with the band around my legs and moving my leg out to the side, that one is still pretty sore and tough. Otherwise I'm doing fine. Countdown to June 20?? haha

Heading out to do some errands!

Wednesday, March 2, 2011 -- Day 49

Hellooooooo week 7!!! That sounds like a lifetime, and really it is but it has gone pretty quick in the entire scheme of things. I mean, a few weeks ago I was on two crutches now I'm able to walk with NOTHING. I remember when I needed help putting my sock on, now that's like second nature...it's a little difficult, but I can at least do it myself. Most recent accomplishment is putting on my pants while standing up (full weight bearing on my op leg for a second or two), and doing an entire hair drying and straightening without sitting down...an approximate 30 minute process. haha So I'd say that things are going well. We retired the commode, walker and shower seat to our "basement" storage area and will pull that out again in June.

I'm trying to stick to my crutch as much as possible because I don't want to do anything too soon. I was doing too much at work without the crutch and I worry myself so I've been a lot more cognoscente of that. I've forgotten to do my exercises the last couple of days and I'm not happy about that. I have a cruise in 16 days and I have to be as strong as possible!

My next post-op appointment is March 15 and hopefully be allowed to get off crutches and be more comfortable with it, get more exercises AND start PT! I can't wait for physical therapy.

I'm going to do my exercises...two days worth...then call it a night.