WTW15 - On the Other Side - and it's GREAT!

[WTW15]

10.5 wks - have been fighting a stomach bug for over 2 wks now, finally saw the doc on Thursday, and also my acupuncturist who loaded me up with pro-biotics and oregano pills to help my poor system get straightened out.  Doc was worried about me a bit and ordered some tests, but at this point, after the herbals have started working, I think I'll skip the tests.  Feeling almost normal tonight. 

But this has really slowed my PT progress.  Just the last 3 days have I felt like working out. So, of course I have over-done it.  But not so much that I am really hurting.  Some Ice and some tylenol and I'm doing very good.  Walking 2x day, spinning on the bike, and ALL the PT they've given me and I am starting to really feel like I'm making some progress and some strength.  I even have a little 'definition' in my quad!  WooHoo!  So while I may not be where I think I should right now, I am making progress!!!!! 

[hernanu]

Really good, Denise - glad you're seeing the improvements and woohooing! Life's always going to interfere, the important thing is to pick it back up the way you have.

[mslendzion]

Awesome news about the workout results. Keep up the good work.

[WTW15]

~!*~!*~!* 3 MONTHS !~*!~*!~*
Celebrated the 3Month/12week/84day mark with a nice little ride on my Mountain Bike OUTSIDE!!!  Yes, the wind in my face, 2 wheels underneath me, real saddle time!  I won't lie - I did not ride too far, but it felt GREAT!  And my doggie was so happy!  She's missed our rides.  I chose my flat pedals as I did not want any issues with clipless.  I feel Great and have tomorrow off to go ride at my leisure as much as I want wherever I want.  Our trails nearby are clear of snow and shouldn't be muddy so maybe I'll trek over there and ride what I can.  It's just great to be out.  Maybe I'll see a moose. 

It's been worth waiting for this day.  Didn't want any femur fracture issues if I had any mis-haps and other than trying to to a little bunny hop and slipping a pedal (on the non-op'd side) and the lump on my shin, it's all been Good. 

It's true - once you learn to ride a bike, you never forget  :P

Happy Healing Hippy-Friends!  Hope you are reaching your milestones and feeling better with each one. 

[hernanu]

I missed this earlier, congrats Denise - nice to see you stepping out.

[WTW15]

So, just shy of Week 13 and I went on a "real" mtn bike ride.  Boulder County has done some things right and their open space trails are one of them.  They looped one area together and I've not ridden it till yesterday.  I didn't quite look at the whole map, but I knew where it went and had ridden most of the trail prior to surgery many times.  So I venture out on the new section, which is very smooth gravelly path, very gentle climb, and wide.  Not many people out and it's a beautiful afternoon.  So I ride to the 4 mile point and take a break, stretch, drink some water and enjoy the true freedom of being on my bike and pain free! 

The next 4 miles are awesome, too,  and now I'm on the sections of the area that I've ridden before.  Definitely one section I walk due to many step up rocks and water-bars.  It's changed over to nice single track, but again, not much climbing and what there is, is gentle.  I am feeling SO GOOD!  Cloud cover has helped take some of the heat off me.  It was in the 80* range, and the FlatIrons look awesome. 

At the 8 mile point I am thinking I'm over 1/2 way so I may as well continue the way I'm going, ride the rest of the single track and then the Looooooonnnngggg downhill back to the truck.  The dh is loose and gravely and while I've ridden it many times, I didn't want any accidents so I kept it at 15mph or so.  Final tally:  13.5 miles. 

I really thought I'd over-done it, for sure.  But I iced as soon as I got home, and again before bed and took some tylenol.  Today - I feel great - really surprised how good I do feel.  I went for a 2.5 mile walk today and that felt good too.  WOW - This Hip Resurfacing stuff is da'bomb!!! 

[hernanu]

Just beautiful. Love to see this kind of experience. Thanks for the report, sounds like a great track.

[David]

nice...I can see you grinning from here... :)

[stephen1254]

That is terrific to hear, and really something for me to look forward to. It's also nice that we are having a "real" spring in the mountains this year.

[Two4One]

That is SO COOL!
You've really worked hard and now you get the payoff!  I'm so proud of you and  happy for you too.

2fer

[WTW15]

Approaching Week 19 and WOW - as people have stated, it just keeps getting better.   

I hiked Sat and Sun, loose, overgrown trails, some times no trail at all, steep and rocky.  The hip felt GREAT!  It didn't miss a beat.  Uphill and downhill, sidehill and all.  I thought about it the whole time and not once did it even make a peep! 

Today I did the one thing that drove me to this surgery> I was at the point where I could not throw my leg over my KTM250f.  I'm 5'6" and the bike is original height except for the seat is 1" lower. So by all standards, It's tall to get over.  Well - I DID IT!   ;D  And the hip had NO PAIN Whatsoever!  The muscles are still a little tight, but 1 yr ago this weekend, I couldn't even do that.  I still have 7 more weeks to go before I can/should ride, but just knowing I can throw a leg over the bike has made me so HAPPY!  All of my dreams lately have been about riding.  As a 47 yr old mom, wife and business woman, riding has been my passion since birth - and it's coming back!  YEAH!  This, too, has been Worth The Wait! 

[stephen1254]

That's terrific! It is amazing what this surgery can do.

[B.I.L.L.]

Approaching Week 19 and WOW - as people have stated, it just keeps getting better.   

I hiked Sat and Sun, loose, overgrown trails, some times no trail at all, steep and rocky.  The hip felt GREAT!  It didn't miss a beat.  Uphill and downhill, sidehill and all.  I thought about it the whole time and not once did it even make a peep! 

Today I did the one thing that drove me to this surgery> I was at the point where I could not throw my leg over my KTM250f.  I'm 5'6" and the bike is original height except for the seat is 1" lower. So by all standards, It's tall to get over.  Well - I DID IT!   ;D  And the hip had NO PAIN Whatsoever!  The muscles are still a little tight, but 1 yr ago this weekend, I couldn't even do that.  I still have 7 more weeks to go before I can/should ride, but just knowing I can throw a leg over the bike has made me so HAPPY!  All of my dreams lately have been about riding.  As a 47 yr old mom, wife and business woman, riding has been my passion since birth - and it's coming back!  YEAH!  This, too, has been Worth The Wait!

NICE !!!  That was a huge milestone for me as well. I spent years pushing my bike and then climbing on it like it was a horse lol.  Riding it will be the easy part haha. I can't wait for your first couple ride reports. Wish I knew some women out here that ride, my wife (also 47 yr old mom) needs another girl to ride with. Keep us up tp date 8)

[WTW15]

Bill - I got all kinds of women-friends that ride and ride well. I'll hook your wife up with them.  They are a HOOT and our age :D

[B.I.L.L.]

Bill - I got all kinds of women-friends that ride and ride well. I'll hook your wife up with them.  They are a HOOT and our age :D

Sounds like a win win to me  8) 

[WTW15]

Just sped past week 21 and in doing so was reminded by my body that I am still healing.  Bumped up the routine with 2x/day walks and then threw in a Mtn Bike ride and was rewarded with some achy-soreness deep in the muscles all the way down the leg.  In that first moment of panic/soreness I wonder - is this my hip joint pain?  And as I laid there in bed and did a full body assessment, I was able to rule out the joint pain and relax with knowing it's just the muscles and nerves still healing.  Push a little, they push back a little.  Took today off from workouts and will give things a chance to calm down.  Also iced.  Even at 5 months, icing still helps and feels good. 

Not that I am counting, but only 34 days till my 6 month check up!  Braaaaaap!

[WTW15]

20 days till my 6 month check up and the Dr calls to reschedule cuz she's got vacation......WHAT?!!!
Ok, 5 days later, but still, emotionally I was so tied to 7/19.  I still have 7/20 off from work and will be taking my first moto ride.  Everything feels great, I am riding my mtn bike at 80% of where I was before hip pain.  Amazing! 

Can't wait to post up after 7/20 - hopefully hubby will take a good photo so I can share it. 
Now if Colorado would just stop burning!

[WTW15]

Well, Here I am at almost 9 months post-op and feeling pretty darn good.
I can see how we each do this on our own "terms" and thought I'd been doing really well, began to slack off on the exercising and it shows... :(  I am trying to get back on it regularly but life can just interfere.  I know I know - must make priorities but a lot has gone on to derail me. Now if I can just take these as motivation to get back on the right track I should be good.  Ski Season is FAST approaching.

As for my Motorcycle Riding - well - it's been great!  I went back and redeemed myself on a trail I had not ridden for 5 yrs.  One of the toughest single-track trails in Colorado.  This was in celebration of our 25th Wedding Anniversary (a few weeks early as our actual date is 10/10)  Hubby told me it was the "Petroleum Products" Anniversary so he bought me new tires, new grips and bought my gas for our trail ride  ;D  He's a Great Guy! 

I've taken 1 hard fall on the moto, of course on the surgical side and was in a small accident on the non-surgical side when I got hit by another rider.  Neither have seemed to have affected my hip.  I took real close inventory - trust me.  No new pains, twitches, spasms, nor any other weirdness.  I am glad it was after 8 months that the 2nd incident happened. 

I am SO GLAD that I had this surgery.  I have recommended it to so many people and have touted my success.  Most people can't believe it.  Now if I can just get myself boosted back up to the daily exercising - I know it'll be good for my hip, my heart and my overall well being. 

[B.I.L.L.]

Awesome story, And Congrats on 25 Years !!!    ( Our 25th was this year as well 8) )

Looking forward to reading some skiing stories this winter. Any pics of the trail ride ?

[hernanu]

Great stuff, glad to see everything is holding up.