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:
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| 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:
Hi, Jeff. Not surprised that the surgery bill is taking a long time. Don't sweat it. Can't wait to see you. We'll be in Denver Tuesday evening and Wednesday probably.
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