Uhhh ... this is super late. I blame the holidays.
For week of 12.14.15:
After three months, all I can think is that I have 3 left before I'm released from care. I assume by that time, I'll have at least started some type of running program. It's hard to know, though, what with wintery weather in Kansas City (!!) meaning icy roads. You can bet I don't want to risk a fall that could potentially set me back for months.
Life is getting a bit harder to manage these days. I was completely spoiled by my less than 2 mile commute and now having a 35 mile one every day in Denver traffic just takes more of my previous free time away. But, I'm still making it to the gym and getting my workouts in. Sort of.
Thinking of getting my PT a parting gift, but I can't decide what to get her. Food is always a safe option, as it doesn't violate any ethics codes, but I don't like the idea of just going to the store and buying something. So, I guess if I go that route, I'll need to put my baking skills to use.
Sunday
2.75 mile walk on the treadmill. Wasn't my first choice, but it was cold, it had snowed and the sidewalks just outside the neighborhood hadn't been cleared.
Monday
PT stretches followed by pushups and dips
Tuesday
1 mile warmup on elliptical
PT workout
Wednesday
PT stretches and pushups/dips
Thursday
PT
Got the okay to do kettlebell swings, pool running and more ab work (although she mostly recommended plank series, UGH)
Friday
40 minutes on the exercise bike (8.65 miles)
Saturday
Nuthin'. Got ready for the drive to Kansas City to look at houses and then to Iowa for Christmas! Yay!
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
Monday, December 14, 2015
Lucky week 13
There actually wasn't anything too lucky about this week, except that, after moving 35 miles away from my office, I felt lucky that I was only going to be doing that commute for a short while. I really learned that I don't want to live that far from my office. Makes home buying a little difficult, because you never know where your office might be in a few years, but there are also only so many places in Kansas City I can work with my background. So, there's that.
This week was the first week I really got tired of the continued achyness in my hip. I know it's not going to go away, but gosh darn it, I really would like it to. The left side of my brain is all, "Suck it up, this is normal," and the right side is whining, "I don't care, I just want it to stop!!!!"
Then I remember this is a first-world problem ("oh, no, my hip is still hurting after my fancy surgery") and I try to put things in check.
I don't talk about my faith a lot - it's probably the one thing I keep the most private in my blogging world - but I just had to share something that I found extremely profound this past week. I am Catholic, and am trying to celebrate the current season of Advent (preparation for Christmas for those not in the know) the way it was intended to be celebrated. For me, part of that is getting daily emails. The email for day thirteen talked about forgiveness under the theme of mercy. What I found so profound about it was that forgiveness was not saying "oh it's okay" and brushing offenses off. Forgiveness, as described in this email, was about counting what an offense cost you, recognizing that the hurt (in whatever way, emotional, physical, financial, etc) was real. And, after you count those costs, you release the person from that debt - you say, "I'm not going to make you pay this back." For me, it was something that really stuck with me, and has been at the front of my thoughts ever since. And I just thought, wow, that is something that is really universal, and I really had to pass it on. So thanks for letting me do that.
Aaaand ... here's how my week played out.
Sunday
2.3 mile walk with Jeff and his puppy cousin Finley
Monday
PT stretches
Tuesday
20 minutes elliptical (1.4 miles)
PT exercises
(workout log link)
Wednesday
Sooo tired from the work schedule change. Thought about setting up my new trainer and riding the bike ... but took the dogs for a 30 minute walk instead and spend 20 minutes doing PT stretches. My LEFT quads were incredibly sore from single leg squats the day before.
Thursday
PT - added single leg deadlifts and worked on both legs with my therapist. It didn't feel like I worked as much as I have in previous sessions, but we did spend a lot more time stretching, so that took up a good chunk of my hour with her.
45 minutes on the elliptical.
Friday
Rest
Spent time with family
Saturday
30 minutes on the exercise bike, followed by pullup training and stretching
This week was the first week I really got tired of the continued achyness in my hip. I know it's not going to go away, but gosh darn it, I really would like it to. The left side of my brain is all, "Suck it up, this is normal," and the right side is whining, "I don't care, I just want it to stop!!!!"
Then I remember this is a first-world problem ("oh, no, my hip is still hurting after my fancy surgery") and I try to put things in check.
I don't talk about my faith a lot - it's probably the one thing I keep the most private in my blogging world - but I just had to share something that I found extremely profound this past week. I am Catholic, and am trying to celebrate the current season of Advent (preparation for Christmas for those not in the know) the way it was intended to be celebrated. For me, part of that is getting daily emails. The email for day thirteen talked about forgiveness under the theme of mercy. What I found so profound about it was that forgiveness was not saying "oh it's okay" and brushing offenses off. Forgiveness, as described in this email, was about counting what an offense cost you, recognizing that the hurt (in whatever way, emotional, physical, financial, etc) was real. And, after you count those costs, you release the person from that debt - you say, "I'm not going to make you pay this back." For me, it was something that really stuck with me, and has been at the front of my thoughts ever since. And I just thought, wow, that is something that is really universal, and I really had to pass it on. So thanks for letting me do that.
Aaaand ... here's how my week played out.
Sunday
2.3 mile walk with Jeff and his puppy cousin Finley
Monday
PT stretches
Tuesday
20 minutes elliptical (1.4 miles)
PT exercises
(workout log link)
Wednesday
Sooo tired from the work schedule change. Thought about setting up my new trainer and riding the bike ... but took the dogs for a 30 minute walk instead and spend 20 minutes doing PT stretches. My LEFT quads were incredibly sore from single leg squats the day before.
Thursday
PT - added single leg deadlifts and worked on both legs with my therapist. It didn't feel like I worked as much as I have in previous sessions, but we did spend a lot more time stretching, so that took up a good chunk of my hour with her.
45 minutes on the elliptical.
Friday
Rest
Spent time with family
Saturday
30 minutes on the exercise bike, followed by pullup training and stretching
Monday, December 7, 2015
A double whammy! Two week update
I'm behind on updates. My apologies if anyone has been chomping at the bit, wondering how I was progressing over these weeks.
These weeks were better than week 10, in some aspects. I had a lot on my plate, between moving in with family as the lease on my apartment was up, moving everything other than clothes and food and Jeff's stuff into storage and a last-minute trip to Kansas City ... well, it made for an exhausting two weeks. I didn't work out as hard as I would have liked this most recent week, but, hey, that happens when you move.
My PT still is pleased with my progress. She didn't add any new exercises this week, but she did say my form looked good. Asked about adding deadlifts the following week since I wasn't going to see her, and I was told yes, but RDLs, not powerlifting style. Also, got told I could add dumbbells to my walking lunges.
... and that last minute trip to Kansas City? The result of one amazing phone interview. I had an in-person follow up and .... I will be moving back to where I belong after the New Year! I couldn't be more excited.
I also had my 3-month post op appointment during week 12. I had xrays done (this would be set #2 since surgery, and set #3 overall), met with my PA, who I asked for a referral for a surgeon in Kansas City, and who tested me with single leg squats and essentially gave me permission to push a little harder and get my butt back. Actually, he phrased more in a "get the glutes stronger" way, but it's the same thing.
I can do that.
Then I met with my surgeon, who gave me a similar butt speech, told me I didn't really need to see a surgeon in KC unless something felt wrong, gave me a name of a guy that was a fellow under him a few years ago and then said, "Actually, if something goes wrong, call me and then I can call him and fill him in." Another reason I like my surgeon. Then, after taking information to deal with more insurance stuff, he shook my hand, wished me luck and that was likely the last I would see of Dr. Genaurio.
Week 11
Sunday
2 mile walk (40 minutes)
Stretching/The Stick
Monday
PT/Stretching
20 minutes elliptical (1.5 miles)
Tuesday
Chest/Tris/Bis metabolic workout
Wednesday
23:17 on exercise bike before PT
PT
Thursday
Stretched, The Stick
Friday
Chest/Shoulders metabolic workout
20 minutes on elliptical
Saturday
Stretched
Moving in with family next weekend, so moved most of the items I was keeping to their place. Was going to do full PT, but glad I didn't, as those stairs were enough of a workout.
Week 12
Sunday
Early morning (5:30 AM) flight to Kansas City, where it was 40* and rainy meant 1) brunch with my second family and 2) no 2.25 mile walk. Instead, I looked at a few places to live, met another friend for a late lunch and wandered around one of my favorite local stores.
Monday
Met with a realtor (house buying!!!) in the morning, met old co-workers for lunch and secured my new job in the afternoon.
I celebrated by doing an attenuated version of my PT exercises while I waited for the friends I was staying with to come home. Attenuated only because I didn't have all the equipment I needed, but it was better than nothing.
Late night flight back to Colorado.
Tuesday
Exhausted from the past two days, so did the ex bike for 30 minutes. No upper body lifting this week, sorry.
Wednesday
Apparently I need glasses now (the eye doctor told me so).
After that news, PT exercises at the gym, where I pushed it - bumped single leg press up to 80 pounds, did single leg squat heel touches from a higher box and made my butt nice and sore two days later.
Thursday
Stretched and got lots of stuff packed. Then I went to bed before 9.
Friday
PT exercises at the gym, followed by lots and lots of packing.
Saturday
Moving day. Enough Said.
Wait ... stairs, stairs, stairs, stairs.
Now, enough said.
Monday, November 23, 2015
Comfort food is no longer my friend: Week 10
This past week was the first week it was cold in Denver - and by that, I mean, there were morning lows below freezing. Of course, then during the day, it would get warm enough that I looked like an idiot in my winter coat, but hey, I totally needed it while roaming around before the sun came up. And with this, came a myriad of ... everything.
The Good: My PT has started to really challenge me. For awhile, I felt stagnant in my progress, but the past few weeks, she's been giving me new things to do, and I love that. This past week was the first week I felt a little bit of DOMS from the new work she gave me. And I loved and hated it at the same time. Also, my chiropractor emailed me just to check up on me, which I thought was so kind. I really lucked out with health care providers in Denver. I also got to meet up with lost Loopster hairgirl and her husband, who are both so much fun.
The Not-Really-Good-But-Not-Really-Bad-Either: With the cooler temps, I found myself in a comfort food overload. I made chili, gluten-free cornbread (scratch), gluten free chocolate cake (box) and macaroni and cheese; I drank lots of beer (for me); and then there was the comfort food potluck at work. Oye vey.
The Bad: with all the comfort food and lack of vegetables, I felt really icky most of the week and therefore slacked on my workouts and my energy just plummeted. Not a really fun way to feel for an entire week. Of course, that just made me want more comfort food.
The Ugly: My resting frowny face all last week. I seriously don't know what my deal was. Frowny faces aren't a good look for me.
Here's how the week unfolded:
Sunday
PT
25 minutes on ex bike
Brunch, chili, cornbread, cake
Monday
stretched
mac & cheese, cornbread, cake
Tuesday
"snow day" AKA work from home in my sweat pants
stretched, The Stick
chili, cake
Wednesday
PT
new exercises: single leg press
walking lunges
single leg squat off of step
mac & cheese
Thursday
stretched. and took the Stick to my leg and butt. that is it.
work comfort food potluck: chicken strips, steak fries, shrimp etoufe, nachos and cake
Friday
Had planned to do 30 minutes on the ex bike, but at 22:30, the fire alarm went off at work. So, I just went home.
work potluck leftovers
Saturday
PT
20 minutes on the elliptical
smashburger & hot chocolate from Caribou coffee
The Good: My PT has started to really challenge me. For awhile, I felt stagnant in my progress, but the past few weeks, she's been giving me new things to do, and I love that. This past week was the first week I felt a little bit of DOMS from the new work she gave me. And I loved and hated it at the same time. Also, my chiropractor emailed me just to check up on me, which I thought was so kind. I really lucked out with health care providers in Denver. I also got to meet up with lost Loopster hairgirl and her husband, who are both so much fun.
The Not-Really-Good-But-Not-Really-Bad-Either: With the cooler temps, I found myself in a comfort food overload. I made chili, gluten-free cornbread (scratch), gluten free chocolate cake (box) and macaroni and cheese; I drank lots of beer (for me); and then there was the comfort food potluck at work. Oye vey.
The Bad: with all the comfort food and lack of vegetables, I felt really icky most of the week and therefore slacked on my workouts and my energy just plummeted. Not a really fun way to feel for an entire week. Of course, that just made me want more comfort food.
The Ugly: My resting frowny face all last week. I seriously don't know what my deal was. Frowny faces aren't a good look for me.
Here's how the week unfolded:
Sunday
PT
25 minutes on ex bike
Brunch, chili, cornbread, cake
Monday
stretched
mac & cheese, cornbread, cake
Tuesday
"snow day" AKA work from home in my sweat pants
stretched, The Stick
chili, cake
Wednesday
PT
new exercises: single leg press
walking lunges
single leg squat off of step
mac & cheese
Thursday
stretched. and took the Stick to my leg and butt. that is it.
work comfort food potluck: chicken strips, steak fries, shrimp etoufe, nachos and cake
Friday
Had planned to do 30 minutes on the ex bike, but at 22:30, the fire alarm went off at work. So, I just went home.
work potluck leftovers
Saturday
PT
20 minutes on the elliptical
smashburger & hot chocolate from Caribou coffee
Monday, November 16, 2015
An unexciting week 9
I don't have a whole lot of anecdotes this week, so I'll skip it. Things are going well.
There is this, though:
Sunday
I didn't write it down right away, so I legit have no idea what I did.
I think I just took Jeff for extra long walks that day. And tried to remember to stretch.
Monday
PT, followed by stretching
5 miles on ex bike in 15 minutes. I don't believe this is the actual distance I went, but I've realized the bike compensates when you are on a harder level. Apparently, you get rewarded for that stuff.
Tuesday
I was really, really tired from work that day, so I said, "Eliz, go home and snuggle with the dog. And don't forget to stretch."
I snuggled with the dog. Forgot to stretch
Wednesday
PT - Snow was falling that morning, so I left extra early for my 8AM appointment and got there at 7:15. Luckily, there is a coffee shop across the street, so I enjoyed some coffee and watched the snow fall. My therapist was actually late, so I got on the bike while I was waiting for her and found this scene hilarious:
2.7 miles on ex bike ... maybe like 17 minutes? I forgot.
Things really got switched up this time around - I'm doing dynamic warmups! So here's the current list of exercises
Quad, hamstring and hip flexor stretches
Use The Stick on quads and IT band
Warmups:
High knee pull
Figure 4 stretch
Standing quad stretch
Frankenstein walk
Walking hamstring stretch
Airplanes (warrior 3)
Single leg bridge 2x12
Side lying lateral raise 2x12
Planks 2x30s - on the first one, I accidentally set the timer for 30 minutes. Oops.
Hamstring curl on ex ball 2x12
Lateral band walks 2x20
Single leg step up 2x15
Calf raises 2x15
Leg press 2x12
Leg curl 2x12
Squats 2x15
Single leg balance 2x45s
I also did 1.1 miles for Col Cupcake's Veteran's Day celebration, but didn't blog about it ... for various reasons. That I don't care to share. Military holidays are weird for me lately.
Thursday
Upper body weights
4 miles on ex bike (20 min)
Friday
PT
20 minutes on elliptical (1.5 miles)
Saturday
1.75 mile walk with Jeff (40 minutes)
There is this, though:
 |
| Shorty's gettin' low. Next up: Apple bottom jeans and boots with the furrrrrr. |
Sunday
I didn't write it down right away, so I legit have no idea what I did.
I think I just took Jeff for extra long walks that day. And tried to remember to stretch.
Monday
PT, followed by stretching
5 miles on ex bike in 15 minutes. I don't believe this is the actual distance I went, but I've realized the bike compensates when you are on a harder level. Apparently, you get rewarded for that stuff.
Tuesday
I was really, really tired from work that day, so I said, "Eliz, go home and snuggle with the dog. And don't forget to stretch."
I snuggled with the dog. Forgot to stretch
Wednesday
PT - Snow was falling that morning, so I left extra early for my 8AM appointment and got there at 7:15. Luckily, there is a coffee shop across the street, so I enjoyed some coffee and watched the snow fall. My therapist was actually late, so I got on the bike while I was waiting for her and found this scene hilarious:
 |
| coffee and biking. why not? |
Things really got switched up this time around - I'm doing dynamic warmups! So here's the current list of exercises
Quad, hamstring and hip flexor stretches
Use The Stick on quads and IT band
Warmups:
High knee pull
Figure 4 stretch
Standing quad stretch
Frankenstein walk
Walking hamstring stretch
Airplanes (warrior 3)
Single leg bridge 2x12
Side lying lateral raise 2x12
Planks 2x30s - on the first one, I accidentally set the timer for 30 minutes. Oops.
Hamstring curl on ex ball 2x12
Lateral band walks 2x20
Single leg step up 2x15
Calf raises 2x15
Leg press 2x12
Leg curl 2x12
Squats 2x15
Single leg balance 2x45s
I also did 1.1 miles for Col Cupcake's Veteran's Day celebration, but didn't blog about it ... for various reasons. That I don't care to share. Military holidays are weird for me lately.
Thursday
Upper body weights
4 miles on ex bike (20 min)
Friday
PT
20 minutes on elliptical (1.5 miles)
Saturday
1.75 mile walk with Jeff (40 minutes)
Monday, November 9, 2015
The Two-Month Mark: Week 8
My last baseball mention. For now. With the Royals' big win in the World Series, and all the subsequent celebrations in Kansas City, I had a huge case of homesickness during the week. The only thing I wanted most of the time was just go to back home and to stay home. It was overwhelming at times. It also took me nearly a week to decide on which championship t-shirt to buy. There are too many choices and I just want them all!
The Good: Things seem to be going well. I started using weights on my lower half - leg press (80 lbs) and leg curl (40 lbs). They are a far cry from what I was doing wayyy back last December, but I'll get it back. I'm just happy to be doing more than body weight squats right now. I've yet to test the hip again with swimming, but I have plans to do that next week, since I have Veteran's Day off and have extra time to hit the gym after physical therapy.
The Bad: It's hard to be in this point of recovery. Saturday, when I was at the gym, I was stopped by one of the trainers and invited to join their free circuit workout they host. I smiled and said, "No thanks," and of course, that was not enough. So then I had to yet again explain that I had hip surgery and wasn't able to do a whole lot of exercises. Of course, the guy was immediately understanding and even came up to me later to talk to me about it a little, but I hate having to bring it up to strangers.
The Ugly: Again, nothing!
The "In" Club: Once you have any type of injury, we always seem to have people coming out of the woodwork who had the same experience. I'm finding myself in the same situation with this surgery. It's an odd little club I've joined.
Sunday
PT
10 min on elliptical (0.75 miles)
25 minutes on ex bike (5.4 miles)
Oh and there's the part where the Royals clenched the World Series and I stayed up way too late, loving every social media post about it.
Monday
25 minutes on ex bike (4.5 miles)
stretching
Tuesday
stretching
Wednesday
PT appointment first thing in the morning
new exercises: leg press & leg curls (wa-hoo!)
5K on exercise bike in 14:20 - imagine running that!
Thursday
1 mile warm up on exercise bike (8:48)
Chest and shoulders weights
1 mile on elliptical (11:50)
stretching
Friday
skipped the gym so I could hang out with these people:
Saturday
PT
5 miles on ex bike in 17:45
0.75 miles on elliptical in 10
Sunday, November 1, 2015
World Series Week (Recovery, Week 7)
My life was totally scheduled around the World Series this week. Workouts, phone calls to Mom and Dad, grocery shopping .... it all revolved around when those games took place. It has been so fun, particularly since the Royals have been so exciting to watch. As I write this, game 5 is on ... and I have a mini bottle of Asti just waiting to be opening when the Royals get their last "W" for the year :)
Memories: Monday was Marathon Monday .... in Ireland. My momma got particularly nostalgic about it and even sent me an email, talking about wonderful memories. I responded, "Love you, too, Mom." There are very few days I would choose to live over and over again, but the day I did that 26.2 definitely is, under-dressed and all. I would love, love, love to be able to do that race every year. But it probably wouldn't mean as much then, would it?
The Good: Recovery is on track. There wasn't anything exciting this week, but no news is sometimes good news, right? Every now and then I catch myself doing things I haven't been "approved" to do - like when I got excited about something and started jumping or when I was crossing the street at a 4 way stop and started to job a little because I was keeping a car waiting. Each time I had to remind myself to not do that. I'm sure it wasn't bad, but it's also something I don't want to make a habit out of. Some people are aggressive with their recover (like Lolo Jones), but I'm not trying to qualify for the 2016 Olympics. So I'll be conservative.
The Bad: Things felt a little more sore than usual this past week - I assume that is because I chose nearly back to back days to try new things (elliptical Thursday, long walk Saturday, swimming Sunday), so I felt like I had to take a few extra days off. I need to remind myself that there is nothing wrong with a regular exercise bike. I have simply used it so sparingly in the past (why use that when there is spin class??) that I have a hard time using it regularly now. But that will change. I just have to be patient.
And not stupid.
The Ugly: Nothing! So thankful there has only been one ugly week so far.
The Confusing: The worst part of this entire process has been dealing with insurance and short term disability. I'm sure it's routine for insurance companies to require extra documentation and to make sure that there isn't someone else who has to pay for it, and I'm sure lots of short term disability companies use weird and confusing (and in my opinion, SHITTY) calculations to determine your benefit, but it just makes me want to scream, "WHY ARE YOU STRESSING ME OUT? DON'T YOU REALIZE I JUST HAD SURGERY?!?!?" It's maddening and confusing.
Sunday
I spent two full hours in the gym - nearly 1 hour being very thorough with PT exercises, about 20 minutes total in the pool (700 meters), then showering and finally stretching again. I could not believe I actually spent two hours there.
Monday
PT exercises
Tuesday
Had planned to get some elliptical time in - I wanted to space this out from my long Saturday walks and my Sunday lap swims, but my hip was really bothering me, so I forced myself to rest. It was really hard to not do it, but I made it. And then I chuckled to myself as a wrote this, because who has to use willpower to not workout? People recovering from hip surgery, apparently.
Wednesday
Physical Therapy day - my hip was still really bothering me, which just made me frustrated.
PT didn't seem to concerned - I'm sure this is typical at this phase, but damnit, I want to be perfect. We didn't add any new exercises this week.
Thursday
Back, Bis and Tris, followed by 5 minutes on the elliptical and 15 minutes on the exercise bike.
Friday
PT exercises
25 minutes on exercise bike
Saturday
complete rest day - although Jeff did get two long walks, as opposed to his normal one
Memories: Monday was Marathon Monday .... in Ireland. My momma got particularly nostalgic about it and even sent me an email, talking about wonderful memories. I responded, "Love you, too, Mom." There are very few days I would choose to live over and over again, but the day I did that 26.2 definitely is, under-dressed and all. I would love, love, love to be able to do that race every year. But it probably wouldn't mean as much then, would it?
The Good: Recovery is on track. There wasn't anything exciting this week, but no news is sometimes good news, right? Every now and then I catch myself doing things I haven't been "approved" to do - like when I got excited about something and started jumping or when I was crossing the street at a 4 way stop and started to job a little because I was keeping a car waiting. Each time I had to remind myself to not do that. I'm sure it wasn't bad, but it's also something I don't want to make a habit out of. Some people are aggressive with their recover (like Lolo Jones), but I'm not trying to qualify for the 2016 Olympics. So I'll be conservative.
The Bad: Things felt a little more sore than usual this past week - I assume that is because I chose nearly back to back days to try new things (elliptical Thursday, long walk Saturday, swimming Sunday), so I felt like I had to take a few extra days off. I need to remind myself that there is nothing wrong with a regular exercise bike. I have simply used it so sparingly in the past (why use that when there is spin class??) that I have a hard time using it regularly now. But that will change. I just have to be patient.
And not stupid.
The Ugly: Nothing! So thankful there has only been one ugly week so far.
The Confusing: The worst part of this entire process has been dealing with insurance and short term disability. I'm sure it's routine for insurance companies to require extra documentation and to make sure that there isn't someone else who has to pay for it, and I'm sure lots of short term disability companies use weird and confusing (and in my opinion, SHITTY) calculations to determine your benefit, but it just makes me want to scream, "WHY ARE YOU STRESSING ME OUT? DON'T YOU REALIZE I JUST HAD SURGERY?!?!?" It's maddening and confusing.
Sunday
I spent two full hours in the gym - nearly 1 hour being very thorough with PT exercises, about 20 minutes total in the pool (700 meters), then showering and finally stretching again. I could not believe I actually spent two hours there.
Monday
PT exercises
Tuesday
Had planned to get some elliptical time in - I wanted to space this out from my long Saturday walks and my Sunday lap swims, but my hip was really bothering me, so I forced myself to rest. It was really hard to not do it, but I made it. And then I chuckled to myself as a wrote this, because who has to use willpower to not workout? People recovering from hip surgery, apparently.
Wednesday
Physical Therapy day - my hip was still really bothering me, which just made me frustrated.
PT didn't seem to concerned - I'm sure this is typical at this phase, but damnit, I want to be perfect. We didn't add any new exercises this week.
Thursday
Back, Bis and Tris, followed by 5 minutes on the elliptical and 15 minutes on the exercise bike.
Friday
PT exercises
25 minutes on exercise bike
Saturday
complete rest day - although Jeff did get two long walks, as opposed to his normal one
Monday, October 26, 2015
Who cares about recovery when the Royals are being so awesome? (week 6)
BASEBALL! After the longest playoff drought in baseball, the Royals are back to back ALCS champions. As much as I love and miss Kansas City, if not living there means they go to the World Series every year, it's a sacrifice I'm willing to seriously consider. It just makes me so happy to see these guys succeed, because they still are seen as the underdog - no one even favors them against the Mets - and I always root for the underdog. Unless it's the Olympics.
The Good: Recovery is still going really well. I had my 6 week post op appointment with Dr. Genuario and he was really pleased with my range of motion - he said he was looking for an easy movement to 90* and I had 110*. I'm such an overachiever. He said it was normal to have pain and stiffness at the end range of motion, to have a hard time crossing my legs and to be sore and stiff after a long day of doing pretty much anything. I have the okay to start lap swimming (freestyle) and using the elliptical (start with 10 minutes and move up from there in 5 minute increments) and outdoor biking, although the potential for falls makes him a little nervous. He also suggested getting on a walking program, so I downloaded Hal's walk a 5k program.
I have to again say that, while there are a lot of things I am unhappy with in Colorado, and that my emotions leading up to and after surgery probably would have been a little better if I had been closer to my support network, I consider it a huge blessing that I found myself here and having this surgery with Dr. Genuario and Steadman Hawkins Clinic. They simply have a great plan of care that they clearly have refined over the years from the time that they developed this procedure (yes, SHC was the group that pioneered hip arthroscopy). I have full faith that, as long as I am a good and compliant patient, I will continue to have a smooth recovery and will be enjoying nearly a full year of running in 2016. I am just so excited and hopeful at the moment.
The Bad: Not necessarily bad, but I am noticing a lot more stiffness now that I am regularly back in the office, in my routine and not always getting up to move around every hour. I am trying to decide if I am ready to go back to a standing desk, what type of chair I should get (my cheap Wal-Mart stool is not going to cut it anymore) and if I need to buy new work shoes for the winter, as my go-to winter shoes all have baby heels.
Dr. Genuario reminded me of this when I saw him this week - although I feel pretty good most of the time, I am still healing. My scars reflect what is going on inside - right now they are red and stiff, so my hip is red and stiff. I can't be stupid. So, when I got invited to take a day trip to Breckenridge, as much as I wanted to say yes, I knew that 4 hours total in a car, plus whatever walking around we would do in Breckenridge, would just be plain stupid.
Don't be stupid.
The Ugly: The Blue Jay's loss Friday night. Hehe.
The WHAAAAT?: I was talking to one of my co-workers about surgery - he had his knee scoped years ago - and he mentioned to me that now, he can't even remember which knee he had done. He thinks it's his left, but he's not entirely sure. I cannot imagine a life in which I don't know my right hip gave me trouble. But, I also blog about it, so I'm not likely to forget.
Why my surgeon is awesome: my physical therapy and 6 week post-op appointments were back-to-back, so as I was finishing my final exercises, my therapist actually went over to the clinic side and checked me in so I could get in right away. She said that when she went over there, they couldn't find me by my first name, but as she was saying my name, Dr. Genuario walked by and said, "Walsh? Right hip?" So, the guy that operates on professional athletes can remember the name and the exact joint he fixed. I really like that about him.
Play by Day:
Sunday
40 minutes on ex bike at the gym, followed by PT exercises. 24 Hour Fitness is a ghost town at 3pm on a Sunday. It was awesome.
Monday
rest
Tuesday
Back, bis and tris and PT exercises - no cardio.
After the gym, was walking Jeff and felt a huge "pop" on my surgical leg and then it hurt. But I had to get back home so kept walking and the pain went away - likely some scar tissue breaking up, man was I worried for a few minutes!
Wednesday
6 week post op
Dr. Genuario: Brianna (my PT) tells me you're killing it.
Me: That's how I roll.
Things added to PT: lying leg raise, single leg bridge, lateral walks. Should be stretching every day, but doing pt exercises every other day.
Stretch quads/ hip flexor
Bird dog x15
single leg bridge 2x12
side lying abduction
plank 2x30s
hamstring curls on ex ball 2x15
slow step up & down on surgical leg 2x15
calf raises 2x15
standing adduction/abduction series with ex band 10 each direction
lateral walks with ex band 15 each direction
squats (deep as possible without pinching) 2x15
Thursday
10 minutes on elliptical - felt amazing! I could have sworn my hip was bionic.
20 minutes on exercise bike, followed by stretching of quad and hip flexor
Friday
Work potluck. Had chocolate cheesecake. and then my stomach got mad. One of these days, i'll actually stop trying to eat sugar.
Chest & shoulders and PT after work.
Saturday
1.4 mile walk with Jeff (in addition to our other walks. Had intended to do only 1.25, but I didn't bring Tjom and I figured the route I took was close to 1.25. Following the Hal Higdon walk a 5k program.
Saturday, October 17, 2015
The Calm after the Storm (Recovery, Week 5)
After the drama of last week, week 5 of recovery seemed like nothing at all. I was incredibly thankful for that, because multiple week 4's would have been really tough to get through without cracking like Gretchen Weiners again.
I realized I have been assuming I need to do my exercises every day, which I was told that specifically in the beginning, but now we are getting into more work and using tools I don't readily have available, like a balance mat. So, I need to remember to ask how often I should be doing my exercises. I'm perfectly happy to do them every day, but if they are more of a 3-4 times per week set, then I don't want to overdo it.
The Good: My physical therapist says I am continuing to improve at a good pace - she could definitely tell that I was a lot looser than the week before and she gave me more exercises to do. I am walking fairly normally (not much of a limp), although still walking a little more slowly than usual. I also worked up the courage to start taking the stairs one over the other! I started doing that with just going down at first and then one time I did it going up with out even thinking. I literally gasped when I realized I did it. So that's, exciting. There are so many stairs in my life!
I had two running friends visit! Who can complain about that? My friend MK came out Friday afternoon and left early Sunday morning. In her short time here, we checked out Cherry Cricket (famous for their burgers ... good but I wouldn't write home about it), got a few treats at VooDoo Doughnuts and ate them in City Park, drove part of the Peak to Peak scenic drive to check out the fall colors, had lunch in Boulder and dinner at Yaya's (I would write home about that!).
Another friend, Dave, was driving through Denver with one of his daughters, so we met up for root beer floats and some baseball talk. It was a short chat, but thoroughly enjoyed it.
The Bad: Nothing!
The Ugly: Really nothing!
The Random: A few posts ago, I mentioned that I felt like I was in a time warp. I still sort of feel like this. Or maybe it's more accurate to say I feel like I'm in an alternative universe. When I was still on crutches, strangers rushed to open doors for me. People saw me on an exercise bicycle, with my crutches nearby and gave me smiles of support. Now that I'm done with all my medical equipment, I'm pretty much "normal" by society's standards, but I don't feel normal. I have these two scars on my hip now, I still can't sit cross-legged or cross my right leg over my left. There's still a lot I can't do. And so when people look at me funny, I immediately get defensive in my head and want to shout "I just had surgery!" But I don't, because they are probably just looking at me the same way they look at every one else. I just interpret it differently.
In other news, Lolo Jones and I are surgery sisters now. She posted a video of her on an upright exercise bike 6 hours after hip surgery - she didn't say what kind of surgery, but I'd recognize that damn brace anywhere.
I have a feeling I'm going to be very jealous of her recovery, as it will surely be insanely quick, since being a runner is her job and all. Excuse, a hurdler. She's a hurdler, not a runner ;-).
The daily stuff
Friday
Took the afternoon off of work to pick up MK from the airport and showed her the parts of Denver I frequent.
Did PT exercises in evening, but forgot to do planks; 40 minute walk with Jeff
Saturday
Scenic drive along half of the Peak to Peak drive. I was pleasantly surprised with how well my hip did.
40 minute walk with Jeff and totally skipped PT.
Sunday
MK flew out early, did PT early, deep water walking for ~40 minutes (forward, backward, side to side) - got in almost 10,000 steps that day
Monday
Columbus Day - day off from work.
Rode bike for 30 minutes at the gym. PT after studying for GRE by the pool (life is so hard sometimes). I found this particular tip in the Princeton Review Guide rather entertaining:
Tuesday
I was curious as to how much time I actually spent walking Jeff - this had to be a significant amount of time, so I got out the old Timex. That day's total was 90 minutes. This is no wonder why my hip tends to get a little sore in the evenings - I'm really using that thing!
PT in evening. Root beer floats with Dave and his daughter.
Wednesday
PT appointment
exercises:
I realized I have been assuming I need to do my exercises every day, which I was told that specifically in the beginning, but now we are getting into more work and using tools I don't readily have available, like a balance mat. So, I need to remember to ask how often I should be doing my exercises. I'm perfectly happy to do them every day, but if they are more of a 3-4 times per week set, then I don't want to overdo it.
The Good: My physical therapist says I am continuing to improve at a good pace - she could definitely tell that I was a lot looser than the week before and she gave me more exercises to do. I am walking fairly normally (not much of a limp), although still walking a little more slowly than usual. I also worked up the courage to start taking the stairs one over the other! I started doing that with just going down at first and then one time I did it going up with out even thinking. I literally gasped when I realized I did it. So that's, exciting. There are so many stairs in my life!
I had two running friends visit! Who can complain about that? My friend MK came out Friday afternoon and left early Sunday morning. In her short time here, we checked out Cherry Cricket (famous for their burgers ... good but I wouldn't write home about it), got a few treats at VooDoo Doughnuts and ate them in City Park, drove part of the Peak to Peak scenic drive to check out the fall colors, had lunch in Boulder and dinner at Yaya's (I would write home about that!).
Another friend, Dave, was driving through Denver with one of his daughters, so we met up for root beer floats and some baseball talk. It was a short chat, but thoroughly enjoyed it.
The Bad: Nothing!
The Ugly: Really nothing!
The Random: A few posts ago, I mentioned that I felt like I was in a time warp. I still sort of feel like this. Or maybe it's more accurate to say I feel like I'm in an alternative universe. When I was still on crutches, strangers rushed to open doors for me. People saw me on an exercise bicycle, with my crutches nearby and gave me smiles of support. Now that I'm done with all my medical equipment, I'm pretty much "normal" by society's standards, but I don't feel normal. I have these two scars on my hip now, I still can't sit cross-legged or cross my right leg over my left. There's still a lot I can't do. And so when people look at me funny, I immediately get defensive in my head and want to shout "I just had surgery!" But I don't, because they are probably just looking at me the same way they look at every one else. I just interpret it differently.
In other news, Lolo Jones and I are surgery sisters now. She posted a video of her on an upright exercise bike 6 hours after hip surgery - she didn't say what kind of surgery, but I'd recognize that damn brace anywhere.
I have a feeling I'm going to be very jealous of her recovery, as it will surely be insanely quick, since being a runner is her job and all. Excuse, a hurdler. She's a hurdler, not a runner ;-).
The daily stuff
Friday
Took the afternoon off of work to pick up MK from the airport and showed her the parts of Denver I frequent.
Did PT exercises in evening, but forgot to do planks; 40 minute walk with Jeff
Saturday
Scenic drive along half of the Peak to Peak drive. I was pleasantly surprised with how well my hip did.
 |
| One of our many stops along the drive. I made the "photo op" excuse, but really it was to stretch the hip, ha! |
40 minute walk with Jeff and totally skipped PT.
Sunday
MK flew out early, did PT early, deep water walking for ~40 minutes (forward, backward, side to side) - got in almost 10,000 steps that day
Monday
Columbus Day - day off from work.
Rode bike for 30 minutes at the gym. PT after studying for GRE by the pool (life is so hard sometimes). I found this particular tip in the Princeton Review Guide rather entertaining:
 |
| DON'T END A RELATIONSHIP BEFORE TAKING THE GRE. Who cares if you know it's not right? |
Tuesday
I was curious as to how much time I actually spent walking Jeff - this had to be a significant amount of time, so I got out the old Timex. That day's total was 90 minutes. This is no wonder why my hip tends to get a little sore in the evenings - I'm really using that thing!
PT in evening. Root beer floats with Dave and his daughter.
Wednesday
PT appointment
exercises:
- planks 2x30s
- bird dogs 15
- bridges 2x15
- bridge ex ball roll in 2x12
- deeper squats (just so it doesn't pinch) 2x15
- leg repeats with band 4x15
- step up on surgical leg 2x15
- calf raises 2x15
- balance on surgical leg 3x30s
Thursday
I don't know what my deal was, I could not get enough complex carbohydrates that day. It was probably because I broke my fast with this zucchini lemon loaf one of my co-workers brought. Ya know, the "healthy" stuff that in no way, shape or form, is actually healthy. I made a mental note that is was time to break the sugar addiction again. I had lots of broccoli for lunch, so that's a start, right?
PT exercises in the afternoon, followed by 22 minutes on the bike at level 8. I finally got my heart rate up above 130 and was breathing heavy. Felt amazing.
PT exercises in the afternoon, followed by 22 minutes on the bike at level 8. I finally got my heart rate up above 130 and was breathing heavy. Felt amazing.
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Must be feeling pretty damn good
There are signs that I am feeling pretty damn good at the moment.
These include:
These include:
- Searching for the perfect 5K in April or May
- Loading my virtual shopping cart at runningwarehouse.com (I finally found red shoes for the Wonder Woman runs!)
- Loading my virtual shopping cart at theclymb.com
- Thinking about whether or not I can get under 5 hours in the marathon, since I'll have a decent hip and all
- Wondering when I can start lifting heavy again
Here's hoping my patience can stay steady. I'm only a month out. 1 down, 5 more to go. Let's do this.
I can, I will.
Friday, October 9, 2015
The Hip Chronicles: Recovery, Week 4
This is the week that is supposed to mark the end of the "honeymoon phase", as I began weaning off of crutches, resulting in more use of my hip and more aches as a result.
It wasn't until Wednesday that I really felt that they were right. The "honeymoon" is definitely over.
The Good:
Things continued to improve. I went down to one crutch when venturing outside and not using anything when wandering around the apartment and then eventually no crutches at all. I also finished up my time using the CPM, and was so happy to unplug that thing and set it aside for pick up by the DME company. I also started back at work in the office and it was nice to be around people again - and have dual monitors.
The Bad:
Jeff got sick. Like, really sick. Like, throwing up and having diarrhea every two hours. For three days. When I finally took him to the vet, he seemed to be improving, but going up and down the stairs (44 of them one way) was taking it's toll on me and my hip, such that I went back to using both crutches a few times when I took him out and using one crutch around the apartment. I needed help that only the vet could give me. I took him in Wednesday morning and they kept him all day to make sure their plan of care would help and relieve me of the need to take him out all the time. It was a kind offer and I appreciated it immensely. I mean, I had to pay for it, but that was just fine with me. When I picked him up that afternoon, he was doing much better and they felt confident he would make it through the night. He did. And a weight lifted off of my shoulders.
The Ugly:
I have to admit, I had a breakdown in the middle of the day on Wednesday, just before I went to physical therapy. The past few days with Jeff had taken it's toll on me and, on top of that, my Internet was down while I was trying to work from home. All of the sudden, things just felt so hard. The thought of taking stairs seemed nearly impossible, both physically and mentally. The thought of driving on the Interstate to go to physical therapy seemed awful. Hell, I couldn't even work from home! In that moment, I realized the importance of having a support network and having one that was readily available. Yes, I had family and even co-workers that said to call if I needed anything, but I would never feel comfortable calling anytime after 8 PM to ask them to help with my dog or to take me to physical therapy because I was scared to drive that far. I mean, when I had my MRI and could barely walk, I paced in front of my neighbor's door for a solid minute before asking them to walk Jeff, because I just couldn't do it myself.
The Stuff No One Talks About:
One thing I haven't mentioned related to surgery is health insurance coverage. Prior to surgery, I was told that the CPM rental may or may not be covered by my health insurance. I tried to get a solid answer on whether or not this would be covered, by calling both my health insurance and again talking to the manager of medical equipment at the surgeon's office - never did get a straight answer. And, of course, my two claims that have yet to come through are for the surgery itself and for the CPM. So, I spent Sunday morning (after Jeff seemed to be a little better), trying to do some research to figure out how I could get this covered. I think I have a few solutions - we will have to see what happens when the claims come through, so hopefully I can get that covered in some way - and hopefully the doctor's office will wait patiently on payment if I need to argue. I hope I don't. I also still have no had the claim for the actual surgery come through. This is very odd to me, and sort of makes me paranoid. Physical therapy claims have come through, no problem. What gives??
Day 22 (10/2/15)
Started walking Jeff twice a day, while neighbors took him on longer walks. Movement felt good - had to concentrate on striding over and through my hip, rather than around it like I had been.
First day back in the office. Had to take a 30 minute nap at lunchtime and my standing desk is now a sitting desk again (temporarily) but otherwise, not too bad.
Physical therapy exercises once a day. Vimovo twice a day, with regular Tylenol as needed.
Day 23 (10/3/15)
I went on my first grocery shopping adventure (with a whole food menu in mind!), and fared pretty well. The cashier was very kind and asked if I needed help taking the groceries to the car, but I said I would be fine (and I was). A gentleman in the parking lot offered to take my cart to a corral for me, since he was parked right next to one, so I agreed to that.
I'm not so stubbornly independent that I won't accept some help :)
That evening, I noticed I was a little more achy than usual, but I figured as much with my grocery store trip. I also learned my neighbors were heading back to their cabin in North Carolina for 3 weeks, so that meant Jeff walking was all up to me. I took that as a sign that it was okay to start walking longer, ha!
This was my last day using the CPM. It was glorious to officially unplug that thing and put it aside for pick up the following Monday or Tuesday.
Physical therapy exercises once a day.
Day 24 (10/4/15)
I also realized this day I had been forgetting one PT exercise - baby squats. I was actually really scared to do them when I had been asked to by my therapist .... so I must've blocked that one out. So, I ended up adding 15 baby squats to my list.
Vimovo twice a day, with regular Tylenol as needed.
BCAAs in the morning.
Day 25 (10/5/15)
After another night of taking Jeff out way too, much, I was exhausted. Worked from home in the morning and still took my lunchtime nap.
30 minutes on the upright exercise bike, resistance level 6 for middle 26 minutes. I will be honest, I slacked on the PT exercises that night - only did about half of them.
Vimovo twice a day, with regular Tylenol as needed.
BCAAs in the morning.
Day 26 (10/6/15)
Since I slacked on PT the day before, I made sure to get it done this night. I didn't do the exercise bike because my hip was sore from all the stairs.
Worked from home in the afternoon.
PT exercises that evening. Vimovo twice a day, with regular Tylenol as needed.
BCAAs in the morning.
Day 27 (10/7/15)
Day of Jeff's vet appointment and break down.
Physical therapy itself went well. I got a "you're taking your time getting off the crutches" comment when she first saw me, but then understood when I told her what was going on. She did a lot of massage on the surgical area, took The Stick to my quads and IT band and massaged my glutes as well. I am still amazed at how sore they are.
Exercises:
Glute bridge 2x12
Glute bridge + hamstring curl on ex ball 2x12 -- this was tiring!
Plank 2x30s -- ugh, I hate planks
Calf raises 2x15
Baby squats
Standing hip extension with exercise band x10
Standing hip abduction with exercise band x10
Standing hip adduction with exercise band x10
Standing hip flexion with exercise band x10
--do the last 4 balancing on surgical leg with no resistance.
I got permission to do deep water walking, and she suggested even walking backwards and side to side. So, that will be something else to add. The trick is finding energy for it!
I also realized I have the perfect shirt for days I see my PT:
20 minute ride on the exercise bike after I got some work done at the office. The bike says I went 7 miles in 20:15. I'm not sure I believe that, but I have been increasing my cadence, so I'll pretend it's correct, even though I know if real life I wouldn't have gone that far on my road bike.
That night, I fell asleep on the couch at 8, woke up at 9:15, took Jeff for a walk and was back in bed by 10. Slept until 7 the next morning.
Day 28 (10/8/15)
Today, I mustered up the courage to leave the crutch at home. I was pleasantly surprised with how well I did. It's also almost comical how slow I walk. Those that know I've had surgery are all "Hey! No more crutches!" Those that don't give me weird looks that range from polite stranger concern to confusion about why I'm moving so slowly for a younger person.
Did my physical therapy workouts at the gym, rather than at home so I could use an exercise ball. Finished with a 15 minute ride on the exercise bike (4 miles? sure!) and then a long walk with Jeff.
Jeff says hi:
It wasn't until Wednesday that I really felt that they were right. The "honeymoon" is definitely over.
The Good:
Things continued to improve. I went down to one crutch when venturing outside and not using anything when wandering around the apartment and then eventually no crutches at all. I also finished up my time using the CPM, and was so happy to unplug that thing and set it aside for pick up by the DME company. I also started back at work in the office and it was nice to be around people again - and have dual monitors.
The Bad:
Jeff got sick. Like, really sick. Like, throwing up and having diarrhea every two hours. For three days. When I finally took him to the vet, he seemed to be improving, but going up and down the stairs (44 of them one way) was taking it's toll on me and my hip, such that I went back to using both crutches a few times when I took him out and using one crutch around the apartment. I needed help that only the vet could give me. I took him in Wednesday morning and they kept him all day to make sure their plan of care would help and relieve me of the need to take him out all the time. It was a kind offer and I appreciated it immensely. I mean, I had to pay for it, but that was just fine with me. When I picked him up that afternoon, he was doing much better and they felt confident he would make it through the night. He did. And a weight lifted off of my shoulders.
The Ugly:
I have to admit, I had a breakdown in the middle of the day on Wednesday, just before I went to physical therapy. The past few days with Jeff had taken it's toll on me and, on top of that, my Internet was down while I was trying to work from home. All of the sudden, things just felt so hard. The thought of taking stairs seemed nearly impossible, both physically and mentally. The thought of driving on the Interstate to go to physical therapy seemed awful. Hell, I couldn't even work from home! In that moment, I realized the importance of having a support network and having one that was readily available. Yes, I had family and even co-workers that said to call if I needed anything, but I would never feel comfortable calling anytime after 8 PM to ask them to help with my dog or to take me to physical therapy because I was scared to drive that far. I mean, when I had my MRI and could barely walk, I paced in front of my neighbor's door for a solid minute before asking them to walk Jeff, because I just couldn't do it myself.
The Stuff No One Talks About:
One thing I haven't mentioned related to surgery is health insurance coverage. Prior to surgery, I was told that the CPM rental may or may not be covered by my health insurance. I tried to get a solid answer on whether or not this would be covered, by calling both my health insurance and again talking to the manager of medical equipment at the surgeon's office - never did get a straight answer. And, of course, my two claims that have yet to come through are for the surgery itself and for the CPM. So, I spent Sunday morning (after Jeff seemed to be a little better), trying to do some research to figure out how I could get this covered. I think I have a few solutions - we will have to see what happens when the claims come through, so hopefully I can get that covered in some way - and hopefully the doctor's office will wait patiently on payment if I need to argue. I hope I don't. I also still have no had the claim for the actual surgery come through. This is very odd to me, and sort of makes me paranoid. Physical therapy claims have come through, no problem. What gives??
My daily surgery-related stuff:
Day 22 (10/2/15)
Started walking Jeff twice a day, while neighbors took him on longer walks. Movement felt good - had to concentrate on striding over and through my hip, rather than around it like I had been.
First day back in the office. Had to take a 30 minute nap at lunchtime and my standing desk is now a sitting desk again (temporarily) but otherwise, not too bad.
Physical therapy exercises once a day. Vimovo twice a day, with regular Tylenol as needed.
Day 23 (10/3/15)
I went on my first grocery shopping adventure (with a whole food menu in mind!), and fared pretty well. The cashier was very kind and asked if I needed help taking the groceries to the car, but I said I would be fine (and I was). A gentleman in the parking lot offered to take my cart to a corral for me, since he was parked right next to one, so I agreed to that.
I'm not so stubbornly independent that I won't accept some help :)
That evening, I noticed I was a little more achy than usual, but I figured as much with my grocery store trip. I also learned my neighbors were heading back to their cabin in North Carolina for 3 weeks, so that meant Jeff walking was all up to me. I took that as a sign that it was okay to start walking longer, ha!
This was my last day using the CPM. It was glorious to officially unplug that thing and put it aside for pick up the following Monday or Tuesday.
Physical therapy exercises once a day.
Day 24 (10/4/15)
I also realized this day I had been forgetting one PT exercise - baby squats. I was actually really scared to do them when I had been asked to by my therapist .... so I must've blocked that one out. So, I ended up adding 15 baby squats to my list.
Vimovo twice a day, with regular Tylenol as needed.
BCAAs in the morning.
Day 25 (10/5/15)
After another night of taking Jeff out way too, much, I was exhausted. Worked from home in the morning and still took my lunchtime nap.
30 minutes on the upright exercise bike, resistance level 6 for middle 26 minutes. I will be honest, I slacked on the PT exercises that night - only did about half of them.
Vimovo twice a day, with regular Tylenol as needed.
BCAAs in the morning.
Day 26 (10/6/15)
Since I slacked on PT the day before, I made sure to get it done this night. I didn't do the exercise bike because my hip was sore from all the stairs.
Worked from home in the afternoon.
PT exercises that evening. Vimovo twice a day, with regular Tylenol as needed.
BCAAs in the morning.
Day 27 (10/7/15)
Day of Jeff's vet appointment and break down.
Physical therapy itself went well. I got a "you're taking your time getting off the crutches" comment when she first saw me, but then understood when I told her what was going on. She did a lot of massage on the surgical area, took The Stick to my quads and IT band and massaged my glutes as well. I am still amazed at how sore they are.
Exercises:
Glute bridge 2x12
Glute bridge + hamstring curl on ex ball 2x12 -- this was tiring!
Plank 2x30s -- ugh, I hate planks
Calf raises 2x15
Baby squats
Standing hip extension with exercise band x10
Standing hip abduction with exercise band x10
Standing hip adduction with exercise band x10
Standing hip flexion with exercise band x10
--do the last 4 balancing on surgical leg with no resistance.
I got permission to do deep water walking, and she suggested even walking backwards and side to side. So, that will be something else to add. The trick is finding energy for it!
I also realized I have the perfect shirt for days I see my PT:
 |
| Truth. |
20 minute ride on the exercise bike after I got some work done at the office. The bike says I went 7 miles in 20:15. I'm not sure I believe that, but I have been increasing my cadence, so I'll pretend it's correct, even though I know if real life I wouldn't have gone that far on my road bike.
That night, I fell asleep on the couch at 8, woke up at 9:15, took Jeff for a walk and was back in bed by 10. Slept until 7 the next morning.
Day 28 (10/8/15)
Today, I mustered up the courage to leave the crutch at home. I was pleasantly surprised with how well I did. It's also almost comical how slow I walk. Those that know I've had surgery are all "Hey! No more crutches!" Those that don't give me weird looks that range from polite stranger concern to confusion about why I'm moving so slowly for a younger person.
Did my physical therapy workouts at the gym, rather than at home so I could use an exercise ball. Finished with a 15 minute ride on the exercise bike (4 miles? sure!) and then a long walk with Jeff.
Jeff says hi:
Friday, October 2, 2015
The Hip Chronicles: Recovery, Week 3
I sort of feel like I've been in a time warp, or some other alternative reality. Certainly, my daily routine had gotten to be quite different than what it was before surgery. I can see why, in one blogger's post about recovery, they said their life had become their hip. I am trying to make recovery my life, so that I take good care of not just the hip, but the rest of me, by eating healthier than I had been (seriously, I had ice cream nearly every day for two weeks) and by taking care of my mental and emotional state as well. It's all important, right?
Day 15 (9/25/15)
The second day back at work was okay - I lucked out in that a data request came through the day I started back to work, so this kept me busy. What I didn't realize is how tiring it would be to work 8 hours in a day, even from home.
As it was Momma's last night with me in Denver, I wanted to take her out as a thank you. We ended up going to a restaurant right down the street so we both could have a drink and not worry about the trip home. While we were eating, I looked up and saw some of our family sitting across the restaurant. It was serendipitous, and after we finished our meal, we joined them and chatted for quite awhile. We had planned on taking me to the gym so I could ride the bike, but I was tired by the end of out time in the restaurant so we just went home.
PT before bed and then a few hours in the CPM. I think I only got in 5 that day - it is impossible for me to sleep in it.
Drug List:
Vimovo, morning & evening
Regular Tylenol, as needed
Regular vitamins/supplements (multi-vitamin, magnesium, fish oil)
Zyrtec (for seasonal allergies)
Day 16 (9/26/15)
Momma left for the airport around 8 that morning, and I was surprised at how much I immediately missed her. I think Jeff also missed her.
For most of the day, I was in the CPM, except for when I ventured out around noon to let Jeffery do his business (the neighbors couldn't walk him for a few hours after that time). It was a slow, but successful outing! Then, I went to a family get together around 3; about 5 pm, I went from 100 all the way down to zero very quickly. Luckily, my ride was happy to leave and take me home. Great to see family, but I was exhausted. The rest of the night was in the CPM, watching NCIS and taking Jeff across the hall so the neighbors could walk him.
PT before bed.
Drug List: Same as day 15
Day 17 (9/27/15)
Literally spent all morning in the CPM. Family picked me up and took me, Jeff and all my crap to my cousin's house - I was going to stay with them until I was off of crutches to make life easier. If I wasn't a dog owner, probably would have been okay in my own apartment. But, this plan made Mom feel better so there's that.
PT before bed.
Drug list: Same as day 15
Day 18 (9/28/15)
The start of my first full week working again. Even though I'm working remotely, I was surprised at how tired I was at the end of the day. My Monday felt like a Friday after a long week of work.
On the upside, I managed to work while being in the CPM all day, so that was nice.
PT before bed - totally forgot about it until I was ready to collapse on the bed and pass out, then I sighed audibly and got the work done.
Drug list: Same as day 15
Day 19 (9/29/15)
If Monday felt long, Tuesday lasted an eon. I had to stop work 6 hours in, take a nap and then finish a few hours later. Tuesdays are also Chik-fil-a night at my cousins house, because kids eat free with the purchase of an adult meal. Cousins kid wanted me to go, so I went, bought dinner as a thank you and enjoyed a grilled market salad. Pretty tasty. Of course, I paired that with a Diet Dr Pepper, because why not? After we got home, I made zucchini bread and muffins, which even the kiddo loved so I will call that my first baking success at altitude - previous attempts at sweet bread were not so successful.
PT before bed, drug list was the same.
Day 20 (9/30/15)
Got in 4 hours of work before headed to physical therapy. I had hoped for two things at this appointment - no more brace (as I've been sleeping horribly in it) and being able to wean off of crutches. I got my wish on both! Wa-hoo! I continue to have good range of motion, surgical incisions look nearly healed and I can put some resistance on the exercise bike.
My new daily exercise routine looks like this:
Massage surgical area to break up scar tissue
Pull knee towards chest x15
Foam roller squeezes 10x10s
Belt push-outs 10x10s
Bent knee push in 10x10s
Bent knee push out 10x10s
Quadriped rocking x15
Bird dog x15
Bridge 2x12
Calf raise 2x15
Leg back (right AND left) x10
Leg back at 45* (right AND left) x10
The last two were a little scary, because that was the first time balancing on my surgical leg. Definitely was holding onto the table a little tighter.
When I got home, I tried to do some more work, got in about two hours and had to throw in the towel. I could not get my brain into work mode anymore after that. I am still baffled at how quickly I can tire, but was told that my energy will increase as I get out more and that going into the office for work will be good for me.
Day 21 (10/1/15)
Walked around the house without crutches. Had to think about striding through my right hip, rather than swinging the rest of my body around it, like I had been doing for almost 3 weeks. Didn't do too bad with it. When I went outside, I used a crutch, though.
Taking Jeff on his shorter walks during the day, and my neighbors take him on longer walks. I'm so lucky to have really nice neighbors. After his second walk, they asked if they could play with him longer. I had wanted to run to Target so that worked out just fine.
Last day of working from home, and I figured out that if I take about a 30 minute nap around lunchtime, I can make it through the afternoon with no problem. So, when I'm back in the office, I will probably take longer lunches so I can get some napping in. I'm lucky that my office is really flexible.
Ended up eating an entire pizza that night. Oops.
Still did PT before bed.
Only one picture this week: Jeff and his cousin snoozing while I worked.
Day 15 (9/25/15)
The second day back at work was okay - I lucked out in that a data request came through the day I started back to work, so this kept me busy. What I didn't realize is how tiring it would be to work 8 hours in a day, even from home.
As it was Momma's last night with me in Denver, I wanted to take her out as a thank you. We ended up going to a restaurant right down the street so we both could have a drink and not worry about the trip home. While we were eating, I looked up and saw some of our family sitting across the restaurant. It was serendipitous, and after we finished our meal, we joined them and chatted for quite awhile. We had planned on taking me to the gym so I could ride the bike, but I was tired by the end of out time in the restaurant so we just went home.
PT before bed and then a few hours in the CPM. I think I only got in 5 that day - it is impossible for me to sleep in it.
Drug List:
Vimovo, morning & evening
Regular Tylenol, as needed
Regular vitamins/supplements (multi-vitamin, magnesium, fish oil)
Zyrtec (for seasonal allergies)
Day 16 (9/26/15)
Momma left for the airport around 8 that morning, and I was surprised at how much I immediately missed her. I think Jeff also missed her.
For most of the day, I was in the CPM, except for when I ventured out around noon to let Jeffery do his business (the neighbors couldn't walk him for a few hours after that time). It was a slow, but successful outing! Then, I went to a family get together around 3; about 5 pm, I went from 100 all the way down to zero very quickly. Luckily, my ride was happy to leave and take me home. Great to see family, but I was exhausted. The rest of the night was in the CPM, watching NCIS and taking Jeff across the hall so the neighbors could walk him.
PT before bed.
Drug List: Same as day 15
Day 17 (9/27/15)
Literally spent all morning in the CPM. Family picked me up and took me, Jeff and all my crap to my cousin's house - I was going to stay with them until I was off of crutches to make life easier. If I wasn't a dog owner, probably would have been okay in my own apartment. But, this plan made Mom feel better so there's that.
PT before bed.
Drug list: Same as day 15
Day 18 (9/28/15)
The start of my first full week working again. Even though I'm working remotely, I was surprised at how tired I was at the end of the day. My Monday felt like a Friday after a long week of work.
On the upside, I managed to work while being in the CPM all day, so that was nice.
PT before bed - totally forgot about it until I was ready to collapse on the bed and pass out, then I sighed audibly and got the work done.
Drug list: Same as day 15
Day 19 (9/29/15)
If Monday felt long, Tuesday lasted an eon. I had to stop work 6 hours in, take a nap and then finish a few hours later. Tuesdays are also Chik-fil-a night at my cousins house, because kids eat free with the purchase of an adult meal. Cousins kid wanted me to go, so I went, bought dinner as a thank you and enjoyed a grilled market salad. Pretty tasty. Of course, I paired that with a Diet Dr Pepper, because why not? After we got home, I made zucchini bread and muffins, which even the kiddo loved so I will call that my first baking success at altitude - previous attempts at sweet bread were not so successful.
PT before bed, drug list was the same.
Day 20 (9/30/15)
Got in 4 hours of work before headed to physical therapy. I had hoped for two things at this appointment - no more brace (as I've been sleeping horribly in it) and being able to wean off of crutches. I got my wish on both! Wa-hoo! I continue to have good range of motion, surgical incisions look nearly healed and I can put some resistance on the exercise bike.
My new daily exercise routine looks like this:
Massage surgical area to break up scar tissue
Pull knee towards chest x15
Foam roller squeezes 10x10s
Belt push-outs 10x10s
Bent knee push in 10x10s
Bent knee push out 10x10s
Quadriped rocking x15
Bird dog x15
Bridge 2x12
Calf raise 2x15
Leg back (right AND left) x10
Leg back at 45* (right AND left) x10
The last two were a little scary, because that was the first time balancing on my surgical leg. Definitely was holding onto the table a little tighter.
When I got home, I tried to do some more work, got in about two hours and had to throw in the towel. I could not get my brain into work mode anymore after that. I am still baffled at how quickly I can tire, but was told that my energy will increase as I get out more and that going into the office for work will be good for me.
Day 21 (10/1/15)
Walked around the house without crutches. Had to think about striding through my right hip, rather than swinging the rest of my body around it, like I had been doing for almost 3 weeks. Didn't do too bad with it. When I went outside, I used a crutch, though.
Taking Jeff on his shorter walks during the day, and my neighbors take him on longer walks. I'm so lucky to have really nice neighbors. After his second walk, they asked if they could play with him longer. I had wanted to run to Target so that worked out just fine.
Last day of working from home, and I figured out that if I take about a 30 minute nap around lunchtime, I can make it through the afternoon with no problem. So, when I'm back in the office, I will probably take longer lunches so I can get some napping in. I'm lucky that my office is really flexible.
Ended up eating an entire pizza that night. Oops.
Still did PT before bed.
Only one picture this week: Jeff and his cousin snoozing while I worked.
Saturday, September 26, 2015
The Hip Chronicles: Recovery, Week 2
Time is flying and yet crawling at the same time. I feel like I'm in a weird time warp. It keeps passing but my reality is completely altered.
And no, it's not the drugs.
Day 8 (9/18/15)
My last dose of narcotics was at 12:30 am that day. I was a little concerned about how I would feel just quitting those pills right away, but I was just fine, which means I probably could have stopped them sooner. But, how do you know when you're told to keep ahead of the pain? I was so concerned that, the day before, I had emailed my office to ask what to do. They said Tylenol would be fine to take in addition to the remaining drugs on the list. So, that's easy. Either way, happy to be off narcotics.
As far as day to day, Mom and I developed a parttern:
Morning: PT, followed by 3 hours in CPM.
Lunch: FOOD!
Afternoon: 3-4 more hours in CPM, Mom naps & does her cross-stitch, I nap, read, watch trashy shows on Hulu. Finished the Hot Wives of Las Vegas and caught up on this season of America's Next Top Model. And I finally started watching the newest season of Orange is the New Black again, picking up where I left off awhile ago.
Evening: Dinner (with ice cream), then 2-3 episodes of NCIS with Momma, then PT and bed.
Of course, on this day, the routine got interrupted a little bit with a PT appointment in the afternoon.
The appointment started with massage of the surgical area, then mobility exercises while on my back. Then, flip over, massage of my butt (who knew that would get so tight?!?!?) followed by more mobility exercises. After that, left to do my isolation exercises, with two new ones - holding a ball between bent legs and squeezing and pushing out bent legs with a belt wrapped around them. The new at home routine looks like this now:
This was followed by 10 minutes on the exercise bike and 10-15 minutes in a cryo cuff, which is amazing. It ices and compresses at the same time. I didn't want it to end! I was also told that I can lay on my stomach for up to 2 hours each day and it's a really nice, passive way to stretch out the muscles in the front. So now I joke that I get "tummy time".
That day, flowers from one of my roommates in college arrived. It brightened my day!
One of my friends in Denver also stopped by to say hi and brought ice cream - cookies and cream. It was so good that I asked for a second bowl, ha! It was great to chat with her and catch up and so nice to have a visit from someone who isn't family. Mom joked that I should give her one of the many pictures I've colored during recovery, so I did, and signed it. Then I was told it was going on her refrigerator. What more can an invalid ask for??!?!
Drug list:
Vimovo 2X daily
Aspirin, 325 mg mornings
Regular vitamins and supplements
Regular strength Tylenol as needed (which has been rare)
Day 9 (9/19/15)
Our routine was once again interrupted as we had brunch at a cousin's house Saturday morning. When she opened the front door, she exclaimed, "I should have come to you!" But, really, I loved the excuse to get out of the house. We had a great time and ended up staying there for almost 3 hours, chatting and enjoying the company.
Since we didn't get home until 2, I went straight into the CPM until 6 that evening, then we had dinner and watched old episodes of Batman and Wonder Woman. I had secretly hoped that Mom had forgotten that I still needed two more hours, but she didn't. It's probably for the best. The 6 hours in the CPM wasn't too bad as I was entranced in the first 6 episodes of the most recent season of America's Next Top Model.
Drug list: Same as day 8
Day 10 (9/20/15)
I slept horribly the night before. The brace had just gotten extremely uncomfortable and it seemed like nothing I did helped make me more comfortable. As a result, got a late start to the day, and didn't do PT until after 10. Then, it was 6 hours straight in the CPM, as we were headed to another family member's house for dinner.
At this point, my parents started to worry that my mom had planned to go home too soon, as she was leaving 5 days before I was officially off crutches. It really annoyed me a little bit, because when I was booking flights, I specifically told her this and asked "are you sure?" multiple times. And I was told, yes, she had planned on starting back to work on 9/28 and if I knew I would have help, then that was fine.
Yeah. Right. So I just said, no these are the plans and we are sticking to them. I'll be fine. Also, I'm stubborn. So there.
I had read some article about how BCAAs had helped some patients retain muscle while recovering from surgery. Granted, this was knee surgery and the patients took it twice a week for two weeks before and then however many weeks after and I sure hadn't followed that protocol before surgery, but hey, figured it wasn't hurting anything to start taking them again. So ... added BCAAs to my water.
Drug list:
Same as Day 8, plus BCAAs
Day 11 (9/21/15)
Woke up in the morning and decided I would start work that Thursday (9/24 - day 15). I'd started to get bored and figured 2 weeks on short term disability ( and reduced pay) was enough.
PT in morning, about 1.5 hours in CPM and then Mom and I hit the road to run some errands. This included running my return to work form to the clinic, where a gentleman rushed to open the doors for me, even though there is a handicapped button for those doors. Then he held the elevator for me, asked what happened and I gave my usual short answer "I had a ligament repaired in my hip."
"Ouch."
"Hey, it feels better now that they fixed it."
Once I got to the office, someone in the waiting room jumped up to get the door just as I hit another handicapped button. He shrugged and smiled when I walked in and said, "It's the thought that counts, right?"
I smiled back, "Yes, it definitely is! Thank you!"
After the doc's office, I asked if we could stop by the gym so I could use the exercise bike. Mom dropped me by the front doors before she went to park, and as I was trying to open the doors (no handicapped button this time), the young man working the front desk rushed to my assistance. I then proceeded to have the exact same conversation as I did with elevator guy, and as I went to work out he said, "Be careful".
Men are so chivalrous when you are in a chunky brace and on crutches.
After the gym we did a little bit of grocery shopping, and then it was home to be back in that awful machine. I feel asleep in it and Mom took a nap when we were both rudely awoken with a knock on the door. I had no clue who would be knocking, and was so surprised to see a Oiselle package. It was a recovery surprise from my trail running buddy/friend and her husband: arm warmers, with the sweetest note attached. These will definitely help me fly when I can start running again in March!
In other news, the stitches had really started to itch, a good sign that the surgical entry sites are healing. Woot.
Day 12 (9/22/15)
Jeffery had a date with the vet, so only got in 1 hour with the CPM after PT.
No sickness, just needed his yearly heartworm test and distemper vaccination. Heartguard at this vet is up to $50 for 6 months. Yowza.
After returning home and having lunch, it was 3 hours in the CPM, a little reading (In the Arms of Mr. Darcy, one of many Pride and Prejudice spin-off books. None of them are as good as the original) and some watching of TV on the computer (Orange is the New Black).
Then I decided to make Momma dinner - one of my favorite recipes using zucchini cut in thick "noodles" and sauteing with garlic and other spices and shrimp. Then, you top it off with feta. Yummmm.
My stress level was really high that day - my apartment had left a renewal notice on my door the day I returned to Denver (essentially a day before surgery) and rent was increasing by at least 10.5% - and that was for a 15 month lease, renewing in December. So, this requires an evaluation of things, consideration of finding roommates, etc, which wasn't a priority immediately after surgery. So I asked for a 1 week extension since there are extenuating circumstances. I was told no. Apparently, the "It's about You" slogan for Griffis Residential is more like "It's about Money".
So, I de-stressed by beating Mom in Sorry!, just barely:
Day 13 (9/23/15)
There was no time made for PT or the CPM because, sutures out today! I made sure to wear running shorts, because, duh they needed to be able to get to the surgical site. It was a little more painful than what I thought it would be. I guess painful is the wrong word. I didn't expect it to hurt at all, but with the little tugs and pulls, it was a little like taking a band aid off - not completely pain free, but easily tolerable.
After those were removed, I was taken to get x-rays to make sure everything looked okay, since they did some sawing on my bones. One was taken standing up and the other lying down. On the lying down one, there was a wedge placed beside my bent leg (on the surgical side) and then the tech asked to to lay my leg down on the wedge. I hesitated at first and then moved my leg at a snail's pace, because I'd been told to not rotate my hip that way! I said, "I'm scared!" and the tech laughed and said, "I know, you've been told to not move it like that, but I promise it's okay!".
After that, my PA and a student in PA school came in and we chatted, talking about how I feel. The highlights:
And that was it. The only other question I had was regarding driving - I knew it was when you were off crutches, but my next PT appointment was day 21 - the last day of crutches, so it was right on the line. I was told if I felt comfortable, it should be okay, but to not rush anything. Turns out, I have a ride to PT anyway, so I won't be driving, but should be able to get myself to work when I need to, so that makes me happy.
After the doctors appointment, I had physical therapy, which lasted 1.5 hours. It was an hour with my PT (who I really like), doing some work to make sure no scar tissue is forming and then building on the strengthening exercises I was already doing. Since Momma was leaving Saturday, I asked about the passive motion items she was helping me with, and I was shown how to do two on my own and the rest she said to not worry about, as I will be moving away from those anyway. After my work with her, I did 15 minutes on the upright exercise bike and then 15 minutes in the cryo cuff.
My new list of exercises looks like this:
On back:
On belly:
On all fours:
Standing:
After PT, I essentially had 6 straight hours in the CPM. During that time, I confirmed my return to work the next day, got a few things arranged related to that and more reading/coloring/OITNB.
Day 14 (9/24/15)
First day back at work! Part of me was ready, the other part was annoyed I was back to soon. Spent the first few hours working from home and then Momma took me in for a few touchbase meetings. It was good to see my co-workers, catch up with them, and get back into the old routine. After the meetings, I rode the exercise bike for 17:30, and the mileage said 6 by the time I was done, but I'm sure it was really more like 3. Something was off!
After Momma picked me up, we had lunch and then I was back to work. I timed my return just right as some new projects had become available, so I was happy to have something with which to immediately get my brain going again. Some people like to be eased in, but I like being busy.
I had to do some work while in the CPM, and finally resigned that I may have to sleep in in the last week. I was at the point where I could get in and out of it without assistance, so that was good, but the thought of trying to sleep in it again still wasn't my favorite idea. I made it about 3 hours in it, barely sleeping, when I gave up, put my brace on and called it a night.
So, we'll have to figure that time management aspect out.
All in all, still a pretty darn good week. If this is a post-surgical honeymoon phase, then I'm ok with it.
And no, it's not the drugs.
Day 8 (9/18/15)
My last dose of narcotics was at 12:30 am that day. I was a little concerned about how I would feel just quitting those pills right away, but I was just fine, which means I probably could have stopped them sooner. But, how do you know when you're told to keep ahead of the pain? I was so concerned that, the day before, I had emailed my office to ask what to do. They said Tylenol would be fine to take in addition to the remaining drugs on the list. So, that's easy. Either way, happy to be off narcotics.
 |
| Britney is happy for me, too. |
As far as day to day, Mom and I developed a parttern:
Morning: PT, followed by 3 hours in CPM.
Lunch: FOOD!
Afternoon: 3-4 more hours in CPM, Mom naps & does her cross-stitch, I nap, read, watch trashy shows on Hulu. Finished the Hot Wives of Las Vegas and caught up on this season of America's Next Top Model. And I finally started watching the newest season of Orange is the New Black again, picking up where I left off awhile ago.
Evening: Dinner (with ice cream), then 2-3 episodes of NCIS with Momma, then PT and bed.
Of course, on this day, the routine got interrupted a little bit with a PT appointment in the afternoon.
The appointment started with massage of the surgical area, then mobility exercises while on my back. Then, flip over, massage of my butt (who knew that would get so tight?!?!?) followed by more mobility exercises. After that, left to do my isolation exercises, with two new ones - holding a ball between bent legs and squeezing and pushing out bent legs with a belt wrapped around them. The new at home routine looks like this now:
- Roll leg inward (15 times)
- Move leg outward to 45-degree angle (15 times)
- Move leg in circles, clockwise and counter-clockwise (15 times)
- Move leg to 90-degree angle at hip, with bent knee (15 times)
- Hamstring stretch while on stomach (3X30 sec)
- Bend leg at 90* while on stomach, rotate foot outwards (15 times)Glute, hamstring and quad squeezes, 10X10 sec each
- Squeeze travel foam roller (it's what I have at home) between bent legs, 10X10 sec each
- Push out bent legs with belt wrapped around them, 10X10 sec each
This was followed by 10 minutes on the exercise bike and 10-15 minutes in a cryo cuff, which is amazing. It ices and compresses at the same time. I didn't want it to end! I was also told that I can lay on my stomach for up to 2 hours each day and it's a really nice, passive way to stretch out the muscles in the front. So now I joke that I get "tummy time".
That day, flowers from one of my roommates in college arrived. It brightened my day!
One of my friends in Denver also stopped by to say hi and brought ice cream - cookies and cream. It was so good that I asked for a second bowl, ha! It was great to chat with her and catch up and so nice to have a visit from someone who isn't family. Mom joked that I should give her one of the many pictures I've colored during recovery, so I did, and signed it. Then I was told it was going on her refrigerator. What more can an invalid ask for??!?!
Drug list:
Vimovo 2X daily
Aspirin, 325 mg mornings
Regular vitamins and supplements
Regular strength Tylenol as needed (which has been rare)
Day 9 (9/19/15)
Our routine was once again interrupted as we had brunch at a cousin's house Saturday morning. When she opened the front door, she exclaimed, "I should have come to you!" But, really, I loved the excuse to get out of the house. We had a great time and ended up staying there for almost 3 hours, chatting and enjoying the company.
Since we didn't get home until 2, I went straight into the CPM until 6 that evening, then we had dinner and watched old episodes of Batman and Wonder Woman. I had secretly hoped that Mom had forgotten that I still needed two more hours, but she didn't. It's probably for the best. The 6 hours in the CPM wasn't too bad as I was entranced in the first 6 episodes of the most recent season of America's Next Top Model.
Drug list: Same as day 8
Day 10 (9/20/15)
I slept horribly the night before. The brace had just gotten extremely uncomfortable and it seemed like nothing I did helped make me more comfortable. As a result, got a late start to the day, and didn't do PT until after 10. Then, it was 6 hours straight in the CPM, as we were headed to another family member's house for dinner.
At this point, my parents started to worry that my mom had planned to go home too soon, as she was leaving 5 days before I was officially off crutches. It really annoyed me a little bit, because when I was booking flights, I specifically told her this and asked "are you sure?" multiple times. And I was told, yes, she had planned on starting back to work on 9/28 and if I knew I would have help, then that was fine.
Yeah. Right. So I just said, no these are the plans and we are sticking to them. I'll be fine. Also, I'm stubborn. So there.
I had read some article about how BCAAs had helped some patients retain muscle while recovering from surgery. Granted, this was knee surgery and the patients took it twice a week for two weeks before and then however many weeks after and I sure hadn't followed that protocol before surgery, but hey, figured it wasn't hurting anything to start taking them again. So ... added BCAAs to my water.
Drug list:
Same as Day 8, plus BCAAs
Day 11 (9/21/15)
Woke up in the morning and decided I would start work that Thursday (9/24 - day 15). I'd started to get bored and figured 2 weeks on short term disability ( and reduced pay) was enough.
PT in morning, about 1.5 hours in CPM and then Mom and I hit the road to run some errands. This included running my return to work form to the clinic, where a gentleman rushed to open the doors for me, even though there is a handicapped button for those doors. Then he held the elevator for me, asked what happened and I gave my usual short answer "I had a ligament repaired in my hip."
"Ouch."
"Hey, it feels better now that they fixed it."
Once I got to the office, someone in the waiting room jumped up to get the door just as I hit another handicapped button. He shrugged and smiled when I walked in and said, "It's the thought that counts, right?"
I smiled back, "Yes, it definitely is! Thank you!"
After the doc's office, I asked if we could stop by the gym so I could use the exercise bike. Mom dropped me by the front doors before she went to park, and as I was trying to open the doors (no handicapped button this time), the young man working the front desk rushed to my assistance. I then proceeded to have the exact same conversation as I did with elevator guy, and as I went to work out he said, "Be careful".
Men are so chivalrous when you are in a chunky brace and on crutches.
After the gym we did a little bit of grocery shopping, and then it was home to be back in that awful machine. I feel asleep in it and Mom took a nap when we were both rudely awoken with a knock on the door. I had no clue who would be knocking, and was so surprised to see a Oiselle package. It was a recovery surprise from my trail running buddy/friend and her husband: arm warmers, with the sweetest note attached. These will definitely help me fly when I can start running again in March!
In other news, the stitches had really started to itch, a good sign that the surgical entry sites are healing. Woot.
Day 12 (9/22/15)
Jeffery had a date with the vet, so only got in 1 hour with the CPM after PT.
No sickness, just needed his yearly heartworm test and distemper vaccination. Heartguard at this vet is up to $50 for 6 months. Yowza.
After returning home and having lunch, it was 3 hours in the CPM, a little reading (In the Arms of Mr. Darcy, one of many Pride and Prejudice spin-off books. None of them are as good as the original) and some watching of TV on the computer (Orange is the New Black).
Then I decided to make Momma dinner - one of my favorite recipes using zucchini cut in thick "noodles" and sauteing with garlic and other spices and shrimp. Then, you top it off with feta. Yummmm.
My stress level was really high that day - my apartment had left a renewal notice on my door the day I returned to Denver (essentially a day before surgery) and rent was increasing by at least 10.5% - and that was for a 15 month lease, renewing in December. So, this requires an evaluation of things, consideration of finding roommates, etc, which wasn't a priority immediately after surgery. So I asked for a 1 week extension since there are extenuating circumstances. I was told no. Apparently, the "It's about You" slogan for Griffis Residential is more like "It's about Money".
So, I de-stressed by beating Mom in Sorry!, just barely:
Day 13 (9/23/15)
There was no time made for PT or the CPM because, sutures out today! I made sure to wear running shorts, because, duh they needed to be able to get to the surgical site. It was a little more painful than what I thought it would be. I guess painful is the wrong word. I didn't expect it to hurt at all, but with the little tugs and pulls, it was a little like taking a band aid off - not completely pain free, but easily tolerable.
After those were removed, I was taken to get x-rays to make sure everything looked okay, since they did some sawing on my bones. One was taken standing up and the other lying down. On the lying down one, there was a wedge placed beside my bent leg (on the surgical side) and then the tech asked to to lay my leg down on the wedge. I hesitated at first and then moved my leg at a snail's pace, because I'd been told to not rotate my hip that way! I said, "I'm scared!" and the tech laughed and said, "I know, you've been told to not move it like that, but I promise it's okay!".
After that, my PA and a student in PA school came in and we chatted, talking about how I feel. The highlights:
- I said I was surprised at how good I feel. I was told this is the honeymoon phase, as I'm only putting 50% weight on that hip. As I start to use it more, it will feel more sore.
- I got mildly teased for still wearing my jet packs, as most people only use those for a week. For the record, the post-surgical instructions say 14 days. I was trying to be a good patient.
- I asked to review what happened in surgery, so the surgeon came out, teased me for not remembering our conversation and then we went over the surgery with color photos (ooooooo).
- Apparently, I had both a pincer and cam lesion (extra bones), NOT simply a pincer lesion like I was originally told.
 |
| Double duty |
- When I saw the picture of my frayed labrum, I literally said, "Whoa" outloud. It was seriously frayed, my friends.
 |
| It sorta looked like this. |
And that was it. The only other question I had was regarding driving - I knew it was when you were off crutches, but my next PT appointment was day 21 - the last day of crutches, so it was right on the line. I was told if I felt comfortable, it should be okay, but to not rush anything. Turns out, I have a ride to PT anyway, so I won't be driving, but should be able to get myself to work when I need to, so that makes me happy.
After the doctors appointment, I had physical therapy, which lasted 1.5 hours. It was an hour with my PT (who I really like), doing some work to make sure no scar tissue is forming and then building on the strengthening exercises I was already doing. Since Momma was leaving Saturday, I asked about the passive motion items she was helping me with, and I was shown how to do two on my own and the rest she said to not worry about, as I will be moving away from those anyway. After my work with her, I did 15 minutes on the upright exercise bike and then 15 minutes in the cryo cuff.
My new list of exercises looks like this:
On back:
- Isolation squeezes: glutes, quads, hamstrings 10x10 sec each
- Squeezing foam roller between bent knees 10x10 sec
- Pushing out on belt wrapped around bent knees 10x10 sec
- Pull bent right leg towards chest 15x
On belly:
- Quad stretch 3x30 sec
- Push out with bent leg 10x5 sec
- Push in with bent leg 10x5 sec
On all fours:
- Quadriped rocking 15x
Standing:
- Calf raise 15x2
- Surgical leg back 10x
- Surgical leg back at 45* 10x
After PT, I essentially had 6 straight hours in the CPM. During that time, I confirmed my return to work the next day, got a few things arranged related to that and more reading/coloring/OITNB.
Day 14 (9/24/15)
First day back at work! Part of me was ready, the other part was annoyed I was back to soon. Spent the first few hours working from home and then Momma took me in for a few touchbase meetings. It was good to see my co-workers, catch up with them, and get back into the old routine. After the meetings, I rode the exercise bike for 17:30, and the mileage said 6 by the time I was done, but I'm sure it was really more like 3. Something was off!
After Momma picked me up, we had lunch and then I was back to work. I timed my return just right as some new projects had become available, so I was happy to have something with which to immediately get my brain going again. Some people like to be eased in, but I like being busy.
I had to do some work while in the CPM, and finally resigned that I may have to sleep in in the last week. I was at the point where I could get in and out of it without assistance, so that was good, but the thought of trying to sleep in it again still wasn't my favorite idea. I made it about 3 hours in it, barely sleeping, when I gave up, put my brace on and called it a night.
So, we'll have to figure that time management aspect out.
All in all, still a pretty darn good week. If this is a post-surgical honeymoon phase, then I'm ok with it.
Sunday, September 20, 2015
The Hip Chronicles: Recovery, Week 1
Preface:
When I first realized I would need surgery if I ever had a chance of pain-free running again, I scoured the Internet for any insider knowledge on surgery and recovery. I didn't just want the surgical exlanation; I wanted other's real experiences. The blogs and youtube videos that I found were so helpful that I feel the need to document my own personal experience, as it has been a little different from what I read (isn't it always??)
I also want to preface this with a few things: I did core and hip specific strengthening exercises very regularly from the time I scheduled surgery (mid-June) until a week before my surgery (September 10). I would have probably done them right up until surgery, but I was traveling and decided fun was more important at that point. I also had spent about 9 month doing hour long strength training sessions 4-5 times a week, and about 2 months after that doing HIIT training nearly every day.
With that, here is my experience in recovery:
Day 1 (9/11/15)
I opted for an overnight stay in observation at the surgical center, so spent the morning there. The nurses were wonderful (I honestly can't say enough good things about them). They took my vitals, helped me to the bathroom and gave me Norco every 4 hours. I slept ok, but did wake up every hour from midnight until about 5:30 when I gave up and turned on the television. I found MSNBC's rebroadcast of 9/11/2001 and took time to count my blessings and remember that day.
About 9:30, my nurse helped me get dressed and ready for the day. The surgical center ended up providing me crutches versus my clinic, but she said they were the same thing and they would work it out between them. When I was all ready, I was in a hip brace, TED hose, compression cuffs and had crutches. I was to sport that look continuously for 2 weeks.
My sister and mom came about 10, and after all the discharge work, we got me into my car and we headed for my first post-op and physical therapy appointment. The post-op appointment was short, one of the medical assistants just checked the surgical area - lots of swelling but only two incicisons about an inch long each and not a whole lot of bruising. Then she showed us how to change the dressing, which included a transparent and water-proof cover, which meant I could shower right away! <--- you have no idea how awesome that is
Physical therapy was short and very easy - just passive range of motion exercises that mom could help me with at home and a few isolation exercises for me to do on my own, to be done 1-2 times per day. The PT was really impressed with my mobility and range of motion, despite having an incredibly swollen leg and hip.
The exercises:
Roll leg inward (15 times)
Move leg outward to 45-degree angle (15 times)
Move leg in circles, clockwise and counter-clockwise (15 times)
Move leg to 90-degree angle at hip, with bent knee (15 times)
Hamstring stretch while on stomach (3X30 sec)
Bend leg at 90* while on stomach, rotate foot outwards (15 times)
Glute, hamstring and quad squeezes, 10X3 sec each
After we got home, someone showed up with a continuous passive motion machine (CPM). I was to use this 6-8 hours a day to help prevent the build-up of scar tissue. Most people sleep in this because it's the easiest way to get the time in. So, I decided to try that as well.
Family brought us lunch and it was nice to 1) eat a real meal and 2) have visitors. My co-workers also sent a lovely edible arrangement that was quite tastey!
Did round 2 of PT before bed, got strapped into the CPM.
Drug list:
Norco (every 4 hours)
Vimovo (morning and evening)
Aspirin, 325 mg, mornings
Extra instructions: no greasy or spicy food the first 24 hours post surgery, take temperature daily, change dressing every other day.
Day 2 (9/12/15)
I showered! My mom left me completely on my own after we had set the shower handle where we thought it would be most helpful and I was a little scared to get in and out of the bathtub, but I did it. That shower felt sooooo amazing. I also used a shower stool, as recommended by a fellow Loopster and I'm so glad I got it. It made it so much better and I was glad I didn't have to worry about balance.
Did PT in the morning and then relaxed for most of the day. We went to my aunt and uncle's that evening for pizza so my sister could see more family while she was in town. That pizza was also amazing. I guess it was Amazing Saturday. That venture was my first time going down stairs (there are 44 between my apartment door and the ground), which was a lot scarier than going up, but once I got into a rhythm, it wasn't bad at all.
Drug list:
Same, plus stool softener + laxative combo.
That night, after PT round 2, I once again slept in the CPM. Jeff was allowed on the bed with me, since he clearly didn't like that I was not "normal". In the middle of the night, he got sick and nearly threw up on the bed, so I was frantically trying to get him off it (which I did), and the in process, strained a tendon in my foot that was strapped into the CPM. It hurt so much that I had to wake my mom and sister at 2 AM, apologizing in tears because of the pain. So, we decided no more sleeping in it.
Day 3 (9/13/15)
PT in morning, followed by breakfast with fibrous foods, as Mom announced that I was going to poop that day. I didn't think it was that big of a deal, but wanted to get an informed opinion, so I called my pharmacist. That was probably a fun conversation for him. Those of you that know me know I have very little inhibitions when it comes to discussing poop, so it didn't bother me any, lol. He said that if I was taking stool softener for 4 days without any results then I should be concerned, but don't get over zealous with the stool softener because then before you know it, you have diarrhea and no one wants that.
We split up my 8 hours in the CPM through-out the day and I continued to eat as much fiber as possible at meals ( brussels sprouts, kale, plus a fiber supplement). I tried drinking coffee twice and got an upset stomach both times.
PT round 2 in evening.
Drug list:
Same as Day 2
Day 4 (9/14/15)
I POOPED!
That morning, I had researched natural laxatives, so tried to have both more bland meals that were also fiber-rich. Breakfast was yogurt with peach and flax seeds plus a fiber supplement drink and lunch was oatmeal with honey and almonds. I also had peppermint tea and started taking my magnesium supplement again, both of which I was surprised to learn were supposed to help with BMs.
More family came to visit that afternoon, bringing tons of food, like Norwegians tend to do. We had a great afternoon of chats and laughter. It was also an afternoon of not eating great. I actually had vanilla ice cream with potato chips. Tastes great, but felt like crap afterwards, so much so that I had to have alka seltzer before bed. Bleh.
Drug list: Same as Day 2.
Trying to get my hours in on the CPM during the day is difficult. I began to dread going in that thing. And I was only on day 4 of 21 with it!
Day 5 (9/15/15)
My sister departed for her home early in the morning. I was really glad she was here to help, because she was able to take control with a few things when Mom was still concerned with me. Mom and her cousin took my sister to the airport, as Mom isn't very comfortable with city driving. While they were gone, I made my own breakfast and was so tired that I slept the rest of the morning while in the CPM.
I'd been having mild headaches, and thought maybe it was because I had stopped taking my allergy medication, so I started taking that again, and it definitely helped.
Up to this point, I had only been drinking water or peppermint tea. To change things up a little, I added some Nuun to my water. While probably not necessary, I figured it wouldn't hurt and it was nice to have a different flavor for a change.
My compression cuffs, aka my jet packs had started to annoy me by this point. I have to have them on whenever I'm not in the CPM or showering, and when I walk, they always slide down. Then, they compress on my ankles and it's really uncomfortable. UGH.
But then I also am happy that it's these little annoying things that I'm complaining about and not surgical pain. So, that's a win.
Drug list: Same as Day 2, plus Zyrtec, magnesium
Day 6 (9/16/15)
Again, I was exhausted in the morning and had an upset stomach after breakfast. At that point, I decided that breakfast would simply have to be delayed to later in the morning for a few days.
Mom & I have gotten into a routine, where we do PT and then 3 hours in the CPM in the morning, followed by lunch (with lots of fibrous foods) and then another 3 hours in the CPM in the afternoon.
I felt a little more mobile today so played a little with Jeffery and "chased" him around the apartment, while on my crutches. Obviously, it wasn't much of a chase, but it was fun to play with him and I think it made him feel a little better - dogs can tell when their human is 100% and he definitely had been acting like he was worried. I also started feeding him on my own and he seemed to be eating more than when Momma was feeding him.
So far, the only pain I've been having is very low (1-2) and mostly feels like I have a tight IT band. My back occasionally hurts, mostly after sleeping in that giant brace, which has gotten slightly better now that I put a pillow under my legs and I sleep on my left side for part of the night. I still ice 30 minutes on/30 minutes off as often as possible - I was using so much ice that we had to buy some extra to let my ice maker catch up.
Because I'd been feeling so crappy in the morning, I wanted a bland dinner - just had chicken and rice. I love eating complex carbs at night again, ha!
Drug list: Same as Day 1, plus started taking all supplements again (multi-vitatmin, magnesium, fish oil and glucosamine.
Day 7 (9/17/15)
Woke up in the middle of the night with heartburn radiating to my chin, which I found incredibly ironic, given the meal I had for dinner.
Did only 1 hour in the CPM after PT with Mom. Then, we went into my office so I could use the upright exercise bike at the gym and get lobster BLTs from the food truck that was scheduled to be there that day. I was soooo looking forward to those BLTs, but the truck never showed up. I was beyond frustrated and let it carry over far too long. But, thankfully, Momma took it in stride.
Using the exercise bike felt odd at first, but after I got in a rhythm, it felt great. Only did 15 minutes, but I enjoyed it. Also visited my co-workers, since the office is right across from the gym. It was good to see them.
After lunch, I was back in the CPM for 3 hours, then dinner, 10 minutes of the Chiefs/Broncos game and then 3 epidodes of NCIS while in the CPM. Yay.
Pooping was completely normal/regular by this point. Wa-hoo!
Drug list: Same as Day 6.
Other notes:
I definitely believe that the hip and core strengthening I did really has helped minimize the pain and uncomfortableness post-surgery as well as helping maintain my mobility. I also highly recommend stocking up on reusable ice pack (big ones), because it's so hard to keep up with ice. Plus, zip lock bags tend to leak and get lots of condensation on them. A shower chair is a worthwhile investment, and the one thing I wish I had gotten was a reclining pillow for when I'm in the CPM. I sometimes have a hard time getting my pillows in a position where I'm 100% comfortable in that machine. Maybe the recliner pillow wouldn't help, but in my mind, it does a lot!
Also, although the clinic/surgical center only required someone to stay for 24 hours after surgery, I can't express how much I appreciate that my mom took three weeks off to be with me. It's made it possible to get out sooner, and especially with taking care of my dog. I would have spent a lot of money hiring a dog walker during this time if she was not here.
When I first realized I would need surgery if I ever had a chance of pain-free running again, I scoured the Internet for any insider knowledge on surgery and recovery. I didn't just want the surgical exlanation; I wanted other's real experiences. The blogs and youtube videos that I found were so helpful that I feel the need to document my own personal experience, as it has been a little different from what I read (isn't it always??)
I also want to preface this with a few things: I did core and hip specific strengthening exercises very regularly from the time I scheduled surgery (mid-June) until a week before my surgery (September 10). I would have probably done them right up until surgery, but I was traveling and decided fun was more important at that point. I also had spent about 9 month doing hour long strength training sessions 4-5 times a week, and about 2 months after that doing HIIT training nearly every day.
With that, here is my experience in recovery:
Day 1 (9/11/15)
I opted for an overnight stay in observation at the surgical center, so spent the morning there. The nurses were wonderful (I honestly can't say enough good things about them). They took my vitals, helped me to the bathroom and gave me Norco every 4 hours. I slept ok, but did wake up every hour from midnight until about 5:30 when I gave up and turned on the television. I found MSNBC's rebroadcast of 9/11/2001 and took time to count my blessings and remember that day.
About 9:30, my nurse helped me get dressed and ready for the day. The surgical center ended up providing me crutches versus my clinic, but she said they were the same thing and they would work it out between them. When I was all ready, I was in a hip brace, TED hose, compression cuffs and had crutches. I was to sport that look continuously for 2 weeks.
My sister and mom came about 10, and after all the discharge work, we got me into my car and we headed for my first post-op and physical therapy appointment. The post-op appointment was short, one of the medical assistants just checked the surgical area - lots of swelling but only two incicisons about an inch long each and not a whole lot of bruising. Then she showed us how to change the dressing, which included a transparent and water-proof cover, which meant I could shower right away! <--- you have no idea how awesome that is
Physical therapy was short and very easy - just passive range of motion exercises that mom could help me with at home and a few isolation exercises for me to do on my own, to be done 1-2 times per day. The PT was really impressed with my mobility and range of motion, despite having an incredibly swollen leg and hip.
The exercises:
Roll leg inward (15 times)
Move leg outward to 45-degree angle (15 times)
Move leg in circles, clockwise and counter-clockwise (15 times)
Move leg to 90-degree angle at hip, with bent knee (15 times)
Hamstring stretch while on stomach (3X30 sec)
Bend leg at 90* while on stomach, rotate foot outwards (15 times)
Glute, hamstring and quad squeezes, 10X3 sec each
After we got home, someone showed up with a continuous passive motion machine (CPM). I was to use this 6-8 hours a day to help prevent the build-up of scar tissue. Most people sleep in this because it's the easiest way to get the time in. So, I decided to try that as well.
Family brought us lunch and it was nice to 1) eat a real meal and 2) have visitors. My co-workers also sent a lovely edible arrangement that was quite tastey!
 |
| Jeff insisted on being on the loveseat with me when I came home Friday. |
Drug list:
Norco (every 4 hours)
Vimovo (morning and evening)
Aspirin, 325 mg, mornings
Extra instructions: no greasy or spicy food the first 24 hours post surgery, take temperature daily, change dressing every other day.
Day 2 (9/12/15)
I showered! My mom left me completely on my own after we had set the shower handle where we thought it would be most helpful and I was a little scared to get in and out of the bathtub, but I did it. That shower felt sooooo amazing. I also used a shower stool, as recommended by a fellow Loopster and I'm so glad I got it. It made it so much better and I was glad I didn't have to worry about balance.
Did PT in the morning and then relaxed for most of the day. We went to my aunt and uncle's that evening for pizza so my sister could see more family while she was in town. That pizza was also amazing. I guess it was Amazing Saturday. That venture was my first time going down stairs (there are 44 between my apartment door and the ground), which was a lot scarier than going up, but once I got into a rhythm, it wasn't bad at all.
 |
| Ready to head for pizza! |
Drug list:
Same, plus stool softener + laxative combo.
That night, after PT round 2, I once again slept in the CPM. Jeff was allowed on the bed with me, since he clearly didn't like that I was not "normal". In the middle of the night, he got sick and nearly threw up on the bed, so I was frantically trying to get him off it (which I did), and the in process, strained a tendon in my foot that was strapped into the CPM. It hurt so much that I had to wake my mom and sister at 2 AM, apologizing in tears because of the pain. So, we decided no more sleeping in it.
Day 3 (9/13/15)
PT in morning, followed by breakfast with fibrous foods, as Mom announced that I was going to poop that day. I didn't think it was that big of a deal, but wanted to get an informed opinion, so I called my pharmacist. That was probably a fun conversation for him. Those of you that know me know I have very little inhibitions when it comes to discussing poop, so it didn't bother me any, lol. He said that if I was taking stool softener for 4 days without any results then I should be concerned, but don't get over zealous with the stool softener because then before you know it, you have diarrhea and no one wants that.
We split up my 8 hours in the CPM through-out the day and I continued to eat as much fiber as possible at meals ( brussels sprouts, kale, plus a fiber supplement). I tried drinking coffee twice and got an upset stomach both times.
PT round 2 in evening.
Drug list:
Same as Day 2
Day 4 (9/14/15)
I POOPED!
That morning, I had researched natural laxatives, so tried to have both more bland meals that were also fiber-rich. Breakfast was yogurt with peach and flax seeds plus a fiber supplement drink and lunch was oatmeal with honey and almonds. I also had peppermint tea and started taking my magnesium supplement again, both of which I was surprised to learn were supposed to help with BMs.
More family came to visit that afternoon, bringing tons of food, like Norwegians tend to do. We had a great afternoon of chats and laughter. It was also an afternoon of not eating great. I actually had vanilla ice cream with potato chips. Tastes great, but felt like crap afterwards, so much so that I had to have alka seltzer before bed. Bleh.
 |
| Add caption |
Drug list: Same as Day 2.
Trying to get my hours in on the CPM during the day is difficult. I began to dread going in that thing. And I was only on day 4 of 21 with it!
Day 5 (9/15/15)
My sister departed for her home early in the morning. I was really glad she was here to help, because she was able to take control with a few things when Mom was still concerned with me. Mom and her cousin took my sister to the airport, as Mom isn't very comfortable with city driving. While they were gone, I made my own breakfast and was so tired that I slept the rest of the morning while in the CPM.
I'd been having mild headaches, and thought maybe it was because I had stopped taking my allergy medication, so I started taking that again, and it definitely helped.
Up to this point, I had only been drinking water or peppermint tea. To change things up a little, I added some Nuun to my water. While probably not necessary, I figured it wouldn't hurt and it was nice to have a different flavor for a change.
My compression cuffs, aka my jet packs had started to annoy me by this point. I have to have them on whenever I'm not in the CPM or showering, and when I walk, they always slide down. Then, they compress on my ankles and it's really uncomfortable. UGH.
But then I also am happy that it's these little annoying things that I'm complaining about and not surgical pain. So, that's a win.
Drug list: Same as Day 2, plus Zyrtec, magnesium
Day 6 (9/16/15)
Again, I was exhausted in the morning and had an upset stomach after breakfast. At that point, I decided that breakfast would simply have to be delayed to later in the morning for a few days.
Mom & I have gotten into a routine, where we do PT and then 3 hours in the CPM in the morning, followed by lunch (with lots of fibrous foods) and then another 3 hours in the CPM in the afternoon.
I felt a little more mobile today so played a little with Jeffery and "chased" him around the apartment, while on my crutches. Obviously, it wasn't much of a chase, but it was fun to play with him and I think it made him feel a little better - dogs can tell when their human is 100% and he definitely had been acting like he was worried. I also started feeding him on my own and he seemed to be eating more than when Momma was feeding him.
So far, the only pain I've been having is very low (1-2) and mostly feels like I have a tight IT band. My back occasionally hurts, mostly after sleeping in that giant brace, which has gotten slightly better now that I put a pillow under my legs and I sleep on my left side for part of the night. I still ice 30 minutes on/30 minutes off as often as possible - I was using so much ice that we had to buy some extra to let my ice maker catch up.
Because I'd been feeling so crappy in the morning, I wanted a bland dinner - just had chicken and rice. I love eating complex carbs at night again, ha!
Drug list: Same as Day 1, plus started taking all supplements again (multi-vitatmin, magnesium, fish oil and glucosamine.
Day 7 (9/17/15)
Woke up in the middle of the night with heartburn radiating to my chin, which I found incredibly ironic, given the meal I had for dinner.
Did only 1 hour in the CPM after PT with Mom. Then, we went into my office so I could use the upright exercise bike at the gym and get lobster BLTs from the food truck that was scheduled to be there that day. I was soooo looking forward to those BLTs, but the truck never showed up. I was beyond frustrated and let it carry over far too long. But, thankfully, Momma took it in stride.
Using the exercise bike felt odd at first, but after I got in a rhythm, it felt great. Only did 15 minutes, but I enjoyed it. Also visited my co-workers, since the office is right across from the gym. It was good to see them.
After lunch, I was back in the CPM for 3 hours, then dinner, 10 minutes of the Chiefs/Broncos game and then 3 epidodes of NCIS while in the CPM. Yay.
 |
| Jeff found the only open spot while I was on the couch. |
Pooping was completely normal/regular by this point. Wa-hoo!
Drug list: Same as Day 6.
Other notes:
I definitely believe that the hip and core strengthening I did really has helped minimize the pain and uncomfortableness post-surgery as well as helping maintain my mobility. I also highly recommend stocking up on reusable ice pack (big ones), because it's so hard to keep up with ice. Plus, zip lock bags tend to leak and get lots of condensation on them. A shower chair is a worthwhile investment, and the one thing I wish I had gotten was a reclining pillow for when I'm in the CPM. I sometimes have a hard time getting my pillows in a position where I'm 100% comfortable in that machine. Maybe the recliner pillow wouldn't help, but in my mind, it does a lot!
Also, although the clinic/surgical center only required someone to stay for 24 hours after surgery, I can't express how much I appreciate that my mom took three weeks off to be with me. It's made it possible to get out sooner, and especially with taking care of my dog. I would have spent a lot of money hiring a dog walker during this time if she was not here.
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