New Hippy

[johnd_emd]

One week and a day out today.  Home alone and had to put on my compression tights; dang these things are sexy!!!  LOL  Anyway, I did it. It took me a while to get the surgical leg stocking on, but was able to pull my right leg up to the seat edge.  Left leg doesn't take very long.  I walked yesterday twice. Total was a little more than a mile.  Not bad for one week out.  Seems some of the swelling has gone down, but discoloration has increased.  Literally looks like a mule kicked me.  Already have reduced some of the pain medication.  But, don't want to do it too much.  Less pain I feel the more I'll be able to get up and around and rehad/recover.  Anyway, going to go sit outside in the sun and read a book.

[hernanu]

Sounds good, John - do you have one of the handy dandy sock putter onner? (my own term), they definitely helped me with putting on the TEDs.

Here's the one I used, it slips right on.... :

http://www.amazon.com/Sock-Aid-with-Foam-Grip/dp/B000SOJM84/ref=sr_1_2?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1328814996&sr=1-2

[johnd_emd]

Hernanu,

Nah, didn't mess around with one of those.  I know Dr. Rector/Boulder hospital makes them available to the patients, but they didn't offer one to me.  I was actually able to put my socks on before I left the hospital; although it was a stretch (no punn intended).  I just got back from a 1 mile straight walk with my wife.  8th day out and I think that's pretty good.  Hard to believe it all is true, especially after one really rough period post op.  I cried like a whooped pup for about 3 hours.  Definitely had my tail between my legs.  Pain meds helped though.  Those who do this just need to remember, once you nod your head for the gate, you just gotta ride it out and make the best of your ride. 

[hernanu]

That is good, John - we all overreach, sometimes it kicks our behinds, other times, just slaps us around a bit. That tones down in due time.

[johnd_emd]

Okay, tomorrow it will be two weeks post op.  I've been walking daily and the last 5 days have been putting in at least a mile straight each day.  Yesterday only used my cane for about 1/3 of it, and today didn't use my cane at all, and actually had a pretty brisk pace.  I did all my PT exercises afterwards, then iced.  Did some things around the house, drove into town and did some "Valentine" shopping for the kids and wife.  After getting home, fed all the animals, picked up the eggs, etc.  Tonight, iced the hip well, took a jacuzzi, then iced it again.  Swelling has finally gone down about 50%, so I'm sure that's helped.  Still drinking lots of water as instructed.  So, feeling pretty happy about things so far. 

[hernanu]

Sounds like you're doing well, happy for you. Remember to elevate the leg also, not just ice it - that is the other 'leg' of getting the swelling down. I loved that driving after being housebound.

[curt]

    John, congrats on a successful surgery and continued recovery.  It WAS worth it.  And Boomer, you are a class, top drawer, awesome man.

Curt

[johnd_emd]

Two weeks and a day post op.  I was able to ride the stationary bike one hour solid today (did 1/2 hr yesterday) and then walked two miles afterwards without even taking my cane.  My gate felt smooth and it's the first time in several years I was able to extend my right leg back on extension.  Still doing the PT exercises daily, and that appears to be helping with all those synergistic muscles that support the back and hip.  So far, things seem to be going pretty good with the recovery.  Hope this helps someone who's thinking about getting their hip or hips done. 

[mslendzion]

Wow, that's awesome.  I was advised today not to do more than 20 minutes on the bike &/or elliptical.  I was pretty excited about being able to do 20 minutes as I've been really pushing to get on the treadmill &/or other.  I could do more but was told not too.  Anyone have thoughts on why?

[johnd_emd]

Well, I'm three weeks and a day post op.  The hip seems to be getting better each day.  Sunday rode 1 1/2 hours on the bike, did a two mile walk.  Tuesday, Wed, and today rode between an hour and an hour and a half.  I try to walk at least two miles each day after my rides and then do my PT exercises.  My range of motion continues to increase and the joint feels stronger and stronger each day.  Swelling is about 90% gone; although there's still some pretty good discoloration.  What an experience this has been.  It's been amazing to watch the body heal.  I can't believe how well my incision looks.  Dr. Rector is an absolute perfectionist. 

[mslendzion]

Wow, that's impressive.

[johnd_emd]

Thanks mslendzion.  Just trying to stay active and busy.  Seems the more active I stay, to a point of course, the better the recovery seems to be, and the better my psyche is. 

Also, I'M FINISHED!!!!   I took my last Fragmin shot this morning.  HOOOORRRRAAAAAYYYYY.  I hated taking those shots every morning.  Today was my last one and now that chapter of this whole process is closed.  I still have one more week to wear these TED hose though.  Can't wait till I'm able to take those off for good.

[hernanu]

I hated those socks too, just think though, if we were in the 1700's we'd have to wear those all the time.

[johnd_emd]

LOL, yeah Heranu, but I bet I could get a pair in a nice Forest Green.   ;)  That would look so much more sexy than these white ones.  I bet I could even get a nice pair in red!!!   Robyn Hood green would be good though.

[jakemn]

Hey John, enjoy reading about your progress!  You are about two weeks ahead of me, as I am about a week and a day post surgery today.  You have indeed set the bar high.  I will probably start some elliptical work in the next day or two to start shedding those post surgery pounds LOL!   Indoor rehab in February in Minnesota kinda sucks, but at least the big snow has been staying away, so I can walk outside.  Continued good luck to you buddy in your recovery!

[johnd_emd]

Congratulations Jake on making it through.  I bet it's hard doing it up there in the middle of Winter.  Who did your surgery?  Did you have to travel to have it done?  As far as setting the bar, I don't know about that.  It's all relative.  I was very fit coming into surgery, so I had an unfair advantage.  ;D  I just do what I think is good.  I don't take any risks, and I do know my body.  What might work for me might not for others, and vis-versa.  Bottom line is we all find a way to make progress.  I'm just a firm believer in making sure I'm proactive in my own recovery and don't let others place limitations on me.  Good luck with your recovery as well.  I'm sure you'll find the right balance of what's just right for you.  If you over-do it a little just ice a little more and move on.  I look forward to hearing how you progress too.  You'll have to post back on letting me know.

[jakemn]

Catching up to ya, John.. but real, real, slowly LOL!  Since last post, I've been down to the health club a couple of times.  First day, 13 days post op, I hit the elliptical for real for the first time post op for me.  Went about 20 minutes and did 2 miles on it, albeit only on level 1, whereas I was used to level 10 pre-surgery, but I was happy with that and worked up a good sweat on my "dough-boy" arse LOL!   I just got back today from doing the same, and I was able to increase my distance up to 2.5 miles in 20 minutes on level 1 again, but hey it's progress.   

Today, I noticed an older gentleman in a wheel chair sitting at a table near the fitness floor, and I ended up having a nice chat with him.  Turned out he was a retired PT from Mayo Clinic that happened to work with some of the earliest THR patients.  I will post a separate thread about this, because I think it may have some common interest on this board.

Jake in MN

[johnd_emd]

Jake, that's great.  Biggest mistake I think athletic people make getting back after surgery is that they still have that "Training" mentality.  Even though I'm doing quite a bit, my mentality is a "Recovery" mentality.  I'm riding the stationary bike an hour to two hours a day, but with almost no resistance.  I do all my PT exercises and walk 2-3 miles a day, but everything is very easy and at a recovery mode.  I don't need to "Train" right now, just recover.  I'm just 4 weeks out yesterday, and I'm still icing several times a day. 

[jakemn]

John, to answer your question, my surgeon was Dr. Rogerson.  I haven't been icing down very much, but then again, I haven't been pushing it that much.  My whole story is here:

http://surfacehippy.info/hiptalk/index.php?topic=3495.0

Also, the 1969 THR history discussion is here:

http://surfacehippy.info/hiptalk/index.php?topic=3530.0

[midiowa]

congrats!! john. sounds like doing great!!                     Boomer hats off, top notch guy!!! and wife too!!!