China Lady`s Diary

[Munch]

I well remember that "home sweet home" feeling after the ordeal of traveling 3 days post op...such a good feeling.  I watched a lot of semi-mindless TV on NetFlix during my first week...and 13 episodes of the office, several movies and a documentary...just felt good to take it easy.

Hernanu makes a great point about ice.  Be sure to have a decent layer between your skin and the ice, and alternate on and off. I used a polar care unit (circulated ice water) and for that I could do 45 minutes on, then 45 off..with ice probably better to swap out more frequently. 

Keep those updates coming!   At 4 weeks I ditched my cane, so am now walking slowly but with no assistance.  You'll be there before you know it!

[Pat Walter]

Great to hear you are home.  Time for resting and healing.  Good Luck.

Pat

[REM]

Have friend going in for bilateral with Dr. Gross on Friday. Please have him and the staff in your thoughts and prayers. Another friend will be a week and 4 days tomorrow, a little rough at first but has turned the corner. My Polar Ice machine is being used for the third time in eight weeks it is getting a work out.  We are the lucky ones as we only live about 1 hr from hospital. Munch shoot me and email and let me know how you are doing. Hope everyone has a speedy recovery and good new year.

Richard
Ps. My youngest daughter was home this weekend and told me it was amazing to see me walk upright with no limp.

[China Lady]

today was my first follow up with Dr. Brockwell. everything is fine and in the right place. but he advised me to go slow the next 4 weeks also. no more walking than I already do. I will walk the slow path!

[hernanu]

That is great news!

It is always good to follow your surgeon's directives, they have direct view of your situation.

The slow path in this case is good. There is no rush, when you are healed and ready to go is when you reap the  benefits of the whole surgery. It is still early for you.

[China Lady]

today, 4 weeks ago, I checked in Mathilda Hospital on the Peak in Hong Kong. I was afraid what will happen to me. today, 3 weeks ago, I flew home to Shanghai/Suzhou, a 7 hour journey all over all.
today I enjoy the beginning fireworks to celebrate the beginning of the Year of the Horse. I am soooooooooooo happy! even with all the restrictions I am happy. a nice bottle of wine is on my table, I am pain free, spring is coming and some nice books keep me patient while being a couch potato. live could be much worse.

[Debcoco]

So nice to hear this China Lady!!  Sounds like you are doing what we all must do and that is to be patient.   It is amazing reading your story about how far you had to travel and with having both hips resurfaced at the same time!  And I complained about having to drive over a 3 mile bridge to have one done ;)

Keep up the good work!

debcoco

[hernanu]

Great to hear. Enjoy the new year and the new hips.

[China Lady]

today was the second follow up with Dr. Brockwell in Shanghai. everything is fine and he is pleased with my success. at ~7 weeks after surgery, I could show him that I am able to walk short distances without crouches and without a gait. I am able to pull on my socks alone and last night I slept on my left side for the first time. my over all flexibility is good. now I have the yellow-green light to start exercising. the yellow part of the light will stay for the next 4 weeks: go slow, be patient with yourself and don't do to much.
I was very happy, that I am now allowed to ride motorbike again; not the two-wheeler but the sidecar. the 650GS needs to wait another 4 weeks because he is not sure if I can hold the bike if it is out of balance with the being weak muscles

[hernanu]

That's great!

Personally, I kept the yellow light on until six months had passed me by in their glory.

It's good to be aware of where you are in recovery - the three months period is when the danger of neck break is at its peak. Due to several things in the area, the largest influence being (as I've read) the deprivation of blood supply due to the operation.

That area is not a vascular superhighway, but rather a meandering path. It takes time to get back to normal.

The danger recedes rapidly, becoming negligible by six months.

I treated the six months like riding in a sidecar - still doing what I wanted in moderation, but more enjoying the ride in preparation for the future.

[whyme]

Congratulations, take it easy and enjoy the improvements to come...

[John C]

Delighted to hear that you are doing so well. As for the motorcycle; my doctor did not want me riding for 6 months, largely because of the femoral neck fracture concern that Hernanu mentioned. I must say that even though I was training hard for my return to my skiing career at six months, I would not have felt solid before six months in catching my bike with my operated leg if I got off balance. I only get to ride a couple of months a year, so I am sure that your skills will serve you better than mine, and your doctor will have the best advice for your case.

[China Lady]

Hi John!
I am very lucky to ride a BMW R1200C/Sidecar. it is a "cruiser", comfortable with a quite low seat. Dr. Brockwell said it is OK to ride a sidecar, because it is stable and cannot fall down. before I mount the BMW G650GS, which can fall down, I need more strength and I will wait some weeks. but before I can ride, I need to mount! this will be my exercises these days. it is not that easy

[oldsoccerplayer]

Good to hear the news from the other side of the world!
Just be careful. At around 2 months I asked if it was OK to do anything as long as it didn't hurt. The answer was a resounding "NO".
Three major limitations
1. No impact on the op side (jumping / running etc)
2. No lifting more then 50lb (I think that was the number, don't have it in kilos)
3. No deep squats.

It's difficult when you feel well enough to do a lot of things but you need the discipline to wait until you're ready.

[China Lady]

today is a very happy day! 10 weeks after surgery I rode my bike again. no problem at all!

[Debcoco]

You made it! What a fantastic picture and day for you!  You continue to amaze me!  Enjoy the ride:)

deb

[hernanu]

Great picture.  How are you feeling?

[China Lady]

................ like a young horse on a spring meadow! my mind is playful but my legs are still "wooden". but it doesn't matter in the overall view.

[Beth]

You rock!!

[evant]

Brave determined lady - well done.

The picture shows how well your hips had to move to put you in that position.

Great achievement for a bi-lateral after only 10 weeks.

Your future looks bright - have fun.