Boomer is now officially a Hippy

[hernanu]

Cool. We want you all fixed up.

[Kiwi]

Thanks Boomer, although I must have over did it in the pool yesterday as I has another large multiple muscle spasm last night. Hence, why I think I need to take a leaf out of your approach to rehab!
Getting there...

[curt]

     Boomer, you are soooo right.  Now that the hip pain is gone and weeks are marching by, I find that I make noises again when I get up, bend down, etc.  No not the clunking or clicking type (though some of my unoperated joints do protest loudly), but the type of noises my father made.
    I think that I've gotten so used to the loss of the chronic pain that I now pay way too much attention to the everyday pain that comes from passing decades and my new increasing activities.  Knees, wrists, ankles, etc.  When I try to remember how BAD the old pain was, and I would rather not thank you, it makes me smile to have the multitude of smaller pains that I've earned along the way.  Just get me moving, throw in a few Alleve or Advil and I relubricate and get through another day, happy to be getting a second chance with my shiny new hip. 

   HAPPY, HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND MERRY XMAS ALL YOU HIPPIES!!!  MY RECOVERY WILL INCLUDE EGGNOG WITH BOURBON FOR THE ENTIRE WEEKEND!!

Curt

[Boomer]

I had my three week follow up with Dr. Rector today. He told me, and showed me on the x-rays, that the protheses were positioned "perfectly". I couldn't tell about the cup angle, but the cap on my femur was definitely installed dead center. The devices look huge on the x-ray. I can certainly see something this large and robust lasting me the rest of my life, but of course I'm already 57! Dr. Rector, who is normally pretty dry, was clearly pleased with his work. Nice to see that kind of enthusiasm when someone is talking about your new Birmingham Hip. What a nice meeting we had. I expect all of your Hippys remember your follow up meeting fondly.

I've been released to drive, ride a stationary bike, use the elliptical and walk as much as possible. I've also been cleared to sleep on my sides. I can even tie my own shoes, which I accomplished for the first time today at Dr. Rector's office.

Just a few days ago I was struggling with PT, and sleeping, and lots of issues that become very petty, when your surgeon tells you that your hip was installed "perfectly". What was I thinking? All I have to do now is lead an active life, and my body will continue healing and getting stronger. Live Strong.

I'll be drinking a toast to my new hip, Dr. Rector and his team, and to all of you Hippys tonight. What a great day this was! Tip one back for me if your looking for an excuse.

Happy Holidays to All. We received 8 inches of fresh snow here today in Denver. We're having a White Christmas.

Boomer

[Aerial]

     Boomer, you are soooo right.  Now that the hip pain is gone and weeks are marching by, I find that I make noises again when I get up, bend down, etc.  No not the clunking or clicking type (though some of my unoperated joints do protest loudly), but the type of noises my father made.
    I think that I've gotten so used to the loss of the chronic pain that I now pay way too much attention to the everyday pain that comes from passing decades and my new increasing activities.  Knees, wrists, ankles, etc.  When I try to remember how BAD the old pain was, and I would rather not thank you, it makes me smile to have the multitude of smaller pains that I've earned along the way.  Just get me moving, throw in a few Alleve or Advil and I relubricate and get through another day, happy to be getting a second chance with my shiny new hip. 

   HAPPY, HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND MERRY XMAS ALL YOU HIPPIES!!!  MY RECOVERY WILL INCLUDE EGGNOG WITH BOURBON FOR THE ENTIRE WEEKEND!!

Curt

I'm having an eggnog and rum right now, one of my favorites  I was hoping my gait would be stable enough to enjoy some libations (responsibly of course) this weekend.  I have had my first "clunks" this week, 2 1/2 weeks post op.  I think the swelling has to go down enough for things to have room to make noises!  Boomer, I am jealous that at 3 weeks you have been the go ahead for stationary cycling and the elliptical.  Did your doc use the posterior approach?  I have a wonderful elliptical at home that I would like to get on.  I am three weeks this Monday.  Dr. Gross doesn't allow cycling or elliptical until 6 weeks.

[Boomer]

Aerial,

Dr. Rector uses the posterior approach.

I haven't had any clunking yet. I never had much swelling or bruising either. And no "monkey fist in the butt".

I'm going to use the treadmill for a few more days, and then it will be the stationary bike. I think the elliptical sounds a bit too aggressive for me. I don't have much range of motion yet, but riding my bike on the trainer should help with that.

Boomer

[Two4One]

I have learned a lot about physical therapy as part of getting ready and recovering from my hip surgery. I realize now, that I need a daily routine to address the things that are getting old. It's really an everyday thing now. - Boomer

Words to live by.

....issues that become very petty, when your surgeon tells you that your hip was installed "perfectly". What was I thinking? All I have to do now is lead an active life, and my body will continue healing and getting stronger. Live Strong.

I'm having an issue with my surgeon that I hope is petty, and I hope in the scheme of things I will be able to more equitable.  Boomer, your above quote resonates with me....Thanks, it's helped me tone down my Irish temper and Welsh stubbornness and helping me to just give it some more time and to see if hindsight brings wisdom.  So, for now I'm not going to go negative on the board over this issue and have adopted a more wait and see how things shake out perspective

[Woodstock Hippy]

Boomer, riding your own bike on the trainer is also just going to make you feel so good!

[Boomer]

Woodstock,

You are so right. Nothing better than getting back on your own saddle. Still, I am concerned about getting on the bike for the first time today. Before surgery, I required a stool, and it was still a tenuous, risky proposition getting my right foot over the top and clipped in.

No complaints about anything from me anymore. It's all good from now on. Even if I need ropes and pulleys to get over the top tube for awhile.

Glad to be monitoring your fabulous progress. Being a little nutty gives you an edge.

Come Spring, we'll both be back out tearing up the trails. How good will that feel?

So today it's 10 minutes warm up on the treadmill, 10 minutes no resistance riding on the bike, a walk with my dog in the snow andcthenvthe home based PT to stretch everything out. I'm still going slow and easy.

Boomer

[Woodstock Hippy]

Do you have a set of flat pedals?  I used flats for my first two trainer rides.  Just step on the pedal with a running shoe and step right over.

I'm going clipless now but still not increasing wattage very much, just working on cadence and smooth motion.

Be careful in the snow, it's too good right now to have to start over.

Right after my first knee surgery, six years ago, we had a big snowfall at my Woodstock House.  I went up and shoveled my way in from the road so I wouldn't have to walk in the deep snow.  I worked out great until I went back out to get our bags and went flying right down the stairs!  Scared the crap out of me but there was no new damage.

[Two4One]

Boomer, you rock.  I have a Soft Ride I did a Century on that I have not been on practically since forever.  I refused to sell it.  I also have a 3 yo Hybrid (clip-less pedals) that I loved riding through park trails that's been gathering dust for 2.5 years.  It will be so sweet to ride my bikes again and join the local bike club again.

Please share more about your bike training and what your surgeon allows.  I'm really happy for you!

[Boomer]

Two4one,

I'm clipped in and I increase my time in the saddle by 5 minutes every morning. I did 20 minutes this morning after warming up on the treadmill with a slow 15 minute walk. No pain. Pure joy being back in the saddle.

Dr. Rector is a cyclist, so he was comfortable with me clipping in as long as I have a stable base. I've been clipped in for 20 years, so riding any other way would be unnatural.

I have no restrictions at this time. Rector told me to get on with my life. I'm not crazy, so no running or skiing for a year, but anything goes in the saddle. Come spring, I'll be back in the mountains climbing again.

Two4one, nothing finer for getting strength and range of motion back in your hips than spinning the wheels. You'll be getting after it shortly and will love how good it feels. Spingtime will be wonderful.

Woodstock, are you really riding flats? I don't even own any flats. Did two one mile walks in the snow today with my ski poles. Beautiful sunny day here in Denver. Needed to nap for two hours, but it enabled me to avoid watching the Broncos. No pain, no soreness. I think this fellow Rector knows what he's doing.

Life is very good. Ditched the cane today. I don't even remember where I left it. I'll be hitting the bike early AM for 25 minutes before opening gifts. I've got a new hip that's working perfectly. Merry Christmas!

Boomer

[Woodstock Hippy]

I bought the flat pedals from Performance, cheap, to make it easier to get back on the bike.  I put them on my Kestrel that's been semi-permanently mounted on the Computrainer to make it easier.  After the first two rides I felt loose enough to just step over the top tube and I put the Speedplays back on. 

I'll get back on the trainer this morning, but I need more strength before I go outside.

No mountain bike for me until sometime this summer.  I push that thing pretty hard and I crash a lot.  I don't want to ride easy, and I want to make sure that I can handle the crashes.

[Boomer]

I agree with you about taking it slow. I won't ride outside until March, and then it will be on our bike trails. I'll wait six months before riding the hard tail.

I'm not stepping over the tube. I'm climbing over it with considerable effort and little grace. Getting off takes some time as well.

[Two4One]

Truly Fantastic, Boomer & Woody! 8)

Santa,

(or 'Sugar Daddy' as Hubs has been referring to himself while I've been living the good life pre op),

May I please have super cheap, happily used, Ski Poles to walk in the snow with?

Yours, Two4One


Oh man, you guys are really getting me to picture the sheer awesomeness that's going to be mine....just around the corner now.  I forgot all about my 3rd 'bike'- Stationary Bike in Basement.  YAY!!!!!  Double Freakin' Yay!!

[bdoughty]

Belated congratulations, Boomer, and welcome to the club. I remember a year ago at this time I was in agony and just told how bad my hip really was, with recommendation for THR. Research led to BHR and Dr. Rector, surgery last March. Today, I barely even think about it. I'm doing everything I want - bike, gym, swim, hike, have even started shooting hoops again (but can't play until one-year mark). Truly remarkable. Just do what you're supposed to do and you'll be there in no time too.

[Two4One]

Hi bdoughty,

I love the word 'doughty', a powerful Can Do handle!

surgery last March. Today, I barely even think about it. I'm doing everything I want - bike, gym, swim, hike, have even started shooting hoops again (but can't play until one-year mark). Truly remarkable. Just do what you're supposed to do and you'll be there in no time too.

You wrote my list for the spring, except for hoops, but who knows now that the sky's the limit?

A Big Thank You,
'One

[mslendzion]

I have learned a lot about physical therapy as part of getting ready and recovering from my hip surgery. I realize now, that I need a daily routine to address the things that are getting old. It's really an everyday thing now. - Boomer

Words to live by.

....issues that become very petty, when your surgeon tells you that your hip was installed "perfectly". What was I thinking? All I have to do now is lead an active life, and my body will continue healing and getting stronger. Live Strong.

I'm having an issue with my surgeon that I hope is petty, and I hope in the scheme of things I will be able to more equitable.  Boomer, your above quote resonates with me....Thanks, it's helped me tone down my Irish temper and Welsh stubbornness and helping me to just give it some more time and to see if hindsight brings wisdom.  So, for now I'm not going to go negative on the board over this issue and have adopted a more wait and see how things shake out perspective

two4one, can you share with me the issues you referred to? 

[Two4One]

Sure..but it's tiny.  I'll pm you.  I am making my own meals now and making so many strides I'm having trouble keeping up my posts 'cause I'm so active with my fine new hips.

I'll Pm You, mslendzion.  I am 100% satisfied with Dr. Schmitt's work - no clunking, no waddles, lots of strength right away after being bedridden for 2 yrs pre op, Fantastic ortho wing at DMC Huron Valley Sinai, great references, a visit from a former patient while in the hospital!, the list goes on.....I think he's a good guy, but he IS a surgeon....we both have big egos & maybe crossed our wires.  I see him on Wednesday; the issue was so unimportant and won't affect any other patients, so I'm sure it will be a sunshine and puppies lovefest when I show Schmitt what his hips can do!!! 8)