Now I Know Nickel Allergy to my BHRs - On The Path To Healing

[Dan L]

Incredible!  Very happy for you, many, many good days/years to come with new hips, congrats.

Dan

[Two4One]

Thank you, Dan & Nanu!

April 5, 2012 2:10pm Thursday - continued

11am Lunch

Huge Salad: Ham, shaved Parmesan, onion, red bell pepper, grapes, carrots, mushrooms, roasted pecans, arugula, and dressed with olive oil, cherry balsamic vinegar, & agave.  Desert was a Hershey Bar and a glass of Skim Milk.

1pm       Backstroked at the pool for 20 minutes.

2pm       Found the secret stash of Hershey Bars and ate TWO more, Ruh Ro.  Now, I'm in a pleasant post sugar
               coma on the couch!

[mslendzion]

There you are, it's about time you came back and updated us.  Glad all is well.   Awesome to hear you are free of restrictions. Did he clear you to cross your legs, I so miss that?  I see Dr Schmitt in a few weeks for my 3 month.  Looking forward to less restrictions.

How are the hips feeling for you?

[WTW15]

Sugar High!  then coma-nap. LOL  enjoy! 
Great to see you back here and posting up your success.  Your salad made me hungry!
Congrats on your appointment - you GO!!!  So much is good on your side now - for sure. 

[Aerial]

Wonderful progress.  Keep us updated as you get back into yoga!  Time flies doesn't it?

[Two4One]

Today is my 4 month anniversary post op, and while my Left hip feels only a 1 to 3 pain level, my Right outer quad and side hip remains a 4 to 5 consistently.  Schmidt says my right leg and hip muscles are more atrophied along with my IT band, and it will simply take time.  He also discharged me from PT and cleared me to do everything except running.

I CAN walk a mile most days, do errands, light housework, but that dang right side always hurts.  I'm NOT able to garden or do a full day.  I sure would like the pain and the Vicodins to be a thing of the past.

Ariel, yoga child's pose is too painful, so I'm going to see 'Rocco', a new tough guy PT my pain Doc is recommending.  While my strength is slowly improving, I struggle going up and down stairs, driving, and sitting for any length of time.

I need to find specifics of what exactly besides swimming, walking, and biking is going to help me get out of pain sooner.  Does anyone know of any ideas to help someone like me that was incapacitated for so long pre op?

2fer

[Aerial]

So glad to hear from you.  I was worried.  I think the key is is whether you feel improvement, no matter how slowly it might appear to come. If you feel incrementally better, that is progress.  You were worse off than many of us pre-op so it will take some time.  As far as child's pose, start slowly and place a rolled towel under your "bum" to elevate a bit.  Work into it slowly. Do you have anyone in your area who is certified in yoga therapy?

[hernanu]

Ankle weights? I found those helped when I added them into the side leg lifts that I was doing. I've also gotten into the totally non-GQ habit of wearing them around the house when alone, that seems to help the smaller muscles get into the fray.

I started with 2 lbs per leg and moved to 5 lbs per leg. You're doing yoga now, but balancing has worked for me, 60 seconds at a time on an unstable surface (pillow, or one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Airex-MATBAL-Balance-Pad-Blue/dp/B0011YY86G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335004962&sr=8-1 ). I also do balancing while juggling, which creates that constant instability that muscles thrive on. You could just use a ball and do figure 8's while balancing, that might do the same type of thing for you.

These have worked for me, but I still feel a bit of strength difference between the two sides, with my right hip being the more recalcitrant child.

Patience, 'One - you've come a long way, it'll come back in due time.

[Two4One]

Thanks, Ariel and Nanu.

This morning I've begun http://www.amazon.com/Strong-Knees-Chantal-Donnelly/dp/B001D261TS/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=133504m , and I am going to try it everyday for a few weeks upon getting out of bed and keep doing my daily one mile walk.  Every move in the DVD is also also a hip PT move; that may help.  Fingers crossed!

I have ankle weights that I'll add in as I can.  When  it warms up, I'd like to try a lite bike ride in the afternoon too.  My weight has gone up to 170, so that's freaking me out too and certainly can't be helping my right hip feel better.  The stark difference between the two hips is scary.

One

[Two4One]

Blah!  This is Day One of the LAST Detox, no Norcos/no Vicodin/ no Hydrocodone today!  (OK, the NEXT to the last withdrawal - which will be nightly Valium for sleep).  I'd noticed my right hip pain going down with using the 'Strong Knees' DVD and decided now is a good time to jump all in and enjoy being fully present again.  I've been dreaming of this day for years now, dreaming of what it would it be like to not be dragged down and medicated,  dreaming of how it would be like to be able to move about under my own steam, and dreaming of feeling the awareness of my hips incrementally healing.

So far today, I have no significant pain in either hip.  For that, and so much more, I am very, very thankful.  Dreams are powerful, and I'm even looking forward to the "Flu" of the next 72 plus hours as an end coda of an intensely desired outcome of every visualization I've had to desperately cling to in order to get here.  And this is a good place.

Thank you, humbly, all you hippies, for showing the way through.

2fer

ONE


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgSyB5xSo2U Jump IN -The Pointer Sisters 

[Two4One]

God has plans for me. thank you for your continued prayers, best wishes, or vibes, and for lifting me up to the Lord and the Universe.  I am grateful.  It's working.....this spring I'll be hiking in green pastures with my husband, and my little dog Boo, and the sun will be bright and strong. - Day 12 of my post op log

Hubs, Boo, and I have already had several one mile walks around my subdivision!!!  Last week, I walked the mile 5 days out of seven!  Once the "Flu" is over, our little family will try the trails at a very close by wilderness park, and THEN that not so long ago picture in my head will be true.

[hernanu]

Really happy for you, you've had a long struggle, but happy days are ahead. Awesome.

[Two4One]

Thanks, Nanu, for dropping by and for your encouragement!

I'm not as sick as I'd anticipated on Day Two Detox of Norco, just feeling kind of flattened to the bed like a puddle.  The sun just came out and if the temp climbs up to 60, I think I'll make myself do a short walk for my puppy.  He's right here with me and is such a good deserving Dog.

Hubs cut up some fresh fruit and yogurt for my breakfast, and he's also prepared my lunch of chicken and the sweet potato roasted veggie dish that I love.  Hubs is being awesome one more time to help me get through this last bit.

2fer

[Aerial]

"Be Present"..... It is a worthwhile goal and you are so close.  It is pretty spectacular world, engage fully!

[Two4One]

Thanks, Ariel!  Boy, was I 'present' today - saw Rocco for a second PT opinion this morning, did errands, prepared meals, went to the library, and walked a half mile this evening.  It felt like I was walking on legs that didn't even belong to me.  They were heavy and painful by the evening, but I think I'm definitely in the mental game portion of recovery where I need to accept it's going to take the time it takes, and no more rapid improvements like those first exhilarating three months post resurfacing.
2-4

[WTW15]

Keeping you in my thoughts!!!!   You've come so far - the journey is worth it. 

~~~~~~  Peace to You ~~~~~~~

xoxoxoxox

[Two4One]

Thank You, WTW!  Girl, I think about you too and really love how you are getting your Colorado life back, one day at a time.  Your thoughts and sharing mean a lot to me.

Peace be with you, too.  It's the main thing, besides love.

2 4

[Luanna]

Hi 2fer,
You're doing well. Make peace with your hips and realize that "time" is the ultimate decider in the healing process. It will take as much of it as it needs to make sure that you heal as strongly and perfectly as possible.

I'm at 8 months and still find myself needing to practice patience from time to time. I'm learning patience by force. Nothing else to do but go with it and take each day as it comes.

Stay clean. Stay clear. Stay positive and all will be well.

Best wishes to you always,
Luanna

[Dan L]

Two4;

Happy to see your back and doing better, all the best for a continued positive track.  The pain may come in fits and starts, but over time, you should continue to get better.  You've been through a huge amount of disruption, and time should help.

Take care and keep after it,

Dan

[Two4One]

One year later after my bilateral resurfacing with Dr. Philip Schmitt, I feel my results are "Satisfactory", not "Poor" nor "Excellent".

Pros
- For the most part, no pain meds or narcotics for seven months (I don't count one Vicodin a month & Aspirin x1/week)
- Walk dog for 15 minute outings four times a day, and walk everywhere else I want to
- Cook, housework, clean for up to 2hrs+ daily
- Lost 20 lbs from my all time high weight while I was incapacitated for nearly 2 years pre op
- Able to drive SIX hours in one day, which I've done more than once while moving with Hubs to a new city

Cons
- Level 2 Pain in both hips, often a '3' in the evening
- Recurrence of bilateral knee pain I had pre op and pre hips going bad
- New upper back pain
- Have to take Ambien to fall asleep with the various aches & pains

All in all, my current state beats the pants off of being on Dilaudid and Fentanyl & that only reducing my pain level to a '6'!  The knee pain goes away after a few weeks if I exercise cycle for 20 minutes most days, per Dr. Schmitt's follow up, (and it comes right back if I don't.)  The upper back pain comes on after running around on errands for an hour or two.

I think I'm kind of a wimp because I find the low level hip pain to be very distracting, even though I knew I'd have it post op.  My challenge now is to form and stick with a daily exercise routine in hopes that in another year's time I'll continue to improve.  Regardless of my hips, I've been shocked at how much the whole 51 year old body has 'broken' down after those years of misdiagnosed convalescence compared to being 48 yo & a fitness hobbyist.

I do feel my results are realistic for my own case and for being post menopausal, but I'd like to close my Report Card with one 'Excellent' grade given to Hubs!  He makes me laugh everyday, and we are more intimate than ever! 

Thank you to everyone and many special someone's that have helped me through this extraordinarily long process!!!  Those of you who are new and facing your surgery, there IS light on the other side.  My thoughts/vibes/prayers are with you.