Sunday, July 28, 2013

Sunday, July 28, 2013 - Day 33

A low key kind of day today...got up and rushed right out to Starbucks before Kevin woke up to get our fix and came home to a sleepy baby. haha Cooked a nice breakfast and basically lounged around most of the day. In a little better mood today, I had Kevin massage my butt last night to help relax the muscles and nerve...he's a good guy, huh? haha I slept great, got up to use the bathroom and managed to fall back asleep for another couple of hours.

Today was my post-op for my LPAO which was interesting to read because I can actually see what I'm allowed to do and not do at this point. Erin had officially given me the OK to use 1 crutch and she even asked me to walk with none...too soon, too soon. But I won't chance it until we see the xray this time. It's a bone thing and not just a timing thing. But one crutch feels great, so I can only imagine the bone is doing really well. Trying to ingest yogurt, milk and vitamins! Also, the pain in my butt last time was the bone still trying to grow which eventually became a stress fracture so I don't want to do too much. I will start the new exercises and my stretching. Millis asked me last time if I was eating so I can only assume he's going to ask me that again.... :-)

Three days of work this week then road tripping to Boston, having an appointment...grabbing my bro and back to NY for a fun, busy weekend! Come along for the ride!


Saturday, July 27, 2013 - Day 32


Sorry I kinda slacked off yesterday but I was on the go all day! And excuse any typos on this as I'm blogging from my phone!

Yesterday was a basic day at work but after work Kev picked me up and we went to Stew Leonard's and then to an amazing German restaurant and chilled I'm the bieregarten, think I spelled that correctly. We got home around 930 and hit the hay about 1130! Pretty good nights sleep, slept on my op side (yay) but wide awake at 545!! Not cool. I laid there a while then got up just before 7, so depressing. 

Big news today, we packed up a little picnic with our hibachi and other goodies as went up to the state park a few towns away. It was a fun afternoon and serving different. Unfortunately, I'm kind of blah though mostly because of this stupid pain running up my leg into my butt. I was reading a bit this morning and seems as though it might be more sciatic issue rather than muscular. But it's not getting better, of anything worse. It's really getting me down. Nothing wants to be easy for me. Throw me a friggin bone just once!! So  frustrated with that and I'm getting really frustrated with the crutches. Can't do anything without breaking a sweat, they hit the walls, get caught on the floor or carpet, fall over if I rest them somewhere. It's just so annoying and making me want this to be over like 4 weeks ago. I know I'm close to the end but seriously, give me a damn break!! 

I have my postop on Thursday so hopefully my bone is healing well and I can go to one crutch and we can rule out possible stress fracture and get an answer as to the pain in my ass and what can help it. Looking forward to that. Also looking forward to returning the toilet and shower chair back to my parents attic and the wheelchair back to its owner. Those will be biggies. I'm officially done with both of them. Can I get a hallelujah, can I get an amen!?! Rolling up on 5 weeks so the end is so close I can almost feel it. Still another good 3 weeks at least assuming no problems!

Anyway, here's a pic of Kevin last night enjoying his boot. 


Also, here I am able to curl up on the couch!! See, PAO isn't thaaat bad, I just have no more recovery patience. 

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Thursday, July 25, 2013 - Day 30

I typed "day 39" by accident....sheesh I wish we were at day 39! Anyway, this will be a quick one because I don't have too much to report, but today is one VERY special day...big news brewing....

Happy 70th Birthday to my DADDY!

We're not allowed to sing, or make him wear hats...or do ANYTHING that may embarrass him, so that's all you get. It's a big one, thanks for being the best Dad and for dealing with all of your Girls' hip problems. :-)

Sorry we couldn't be there to celebrate, but thank goodness for cellphones.

A Lobsta' and Manhattan....

Hip wise, not much else to report. Still feeling about the same, butt pain hanging around...thigh numb. Kevin took my shower chair out of the shower so I guess that means I'm standing from now on. The numb thigh is weird...to the touch, the top layer is numb but at the same time it hurts, almost like a bruised feeling. It's quite odd. Just something I'm going to have to deal with for a while until the nerves come back somewhat.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Wednesday, July 24, 2013 - Day 29

First day of wearing jeans in 4+ weeks! Not too bad, they a tad sore on my incision area and they're hanging off my body. I wish I could weigh myself. My right leg definitely lost some size, the left pant leg fits pretty normal but the right one is just all baggy. All that strength I worked so hard to get! ALSO...did the 1-crutch thing a little bit today and it felt good. I try not to do it because I know it's still a little early, but like I say...when it's time, you just know. You know what pain is bad pain and what you definitely shouldn't do. Definitely the third time around I am WELL aware of my do's and don'ts. I feel good. The pain in my butt is still hanging around..another week and we figure out that one out.

We're feeling good all in all. Incision is still hard. I have my pillows that I keep my leg ON in the bed but mostly my leg is bent and leaning against those pillows and not on top of them anymore. The movement inward is getting better but not great...outward is really good. No Indian style yet...but we're about 70% there. :-) I won't be 100% until the screws come out anyway.

Not too many changes going on, this is when the posts get less and less and definitely not as interesting. Sorry...will have to fill the space with some garbage and pictures to keep my audience.

4 weeks post and feeling good. I can't complain. I can complain about being on crutches, but hip-wise...not too bad. People at work are still asking what happened and are in shock when I say hip surgery (mostly people that are new) and even more in shock when I say it's my third one. They thing something went wrong, or it wasn't done right the first time but most of them are too un-intelligent to listen to my explanation...so I just go with it.

Maybe by next week I'll be running.... (Mom, that's a joke!)

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Tuesday, July 23, 2013 - Day 28

4 weeks. 1 month. 28 days. However you say it, it brings us to the same spot. I'm dying inside just waiting for my bone to grow. Had a good day, I took it much slower today as I put myself into some pain for being so busy yesterday. My hip was quite sore today...not that it's a bad thing, just not used to that much movement. I just got so frustrated today, nothing is easy, everything is such a process. I can't even walk down the hall with a piece of paper in my hand. Let alone 80 trips back and forth across the lab. I'm excited to see Millis next week and see my xrays and how my bone is doing and that way I know if I can put more weight on. Sometimes my crutch gets stuck on the floor and it causes me to have to step harder on my right leg and I can't say that feels very good. Which says to me that the bone has a bit more healing to do before I can 1-crutch it. I'd be lying if I said I haven't tried it though...I lean a TON so I know I'm not great at that just yet.

I showered this morning without sitting on my shower chair, I mainly use it to put weight on while I turn around and what not. Socks and sneakers aren't an issue. I can put my leg out to the right side a decent amount, but can't flop it in towards my left leg all that great yet. Still having some pain up the back of my leg to my butt, walking makes it feel better. Still trying to master my 90 degree exercises. Sleeping isn't great yet...it's hard to get comfortable and the incision/screws aren't overly comfy. The area is full of scar tissue and it's hard so I'm trying to massage it a little to loosen things up. But it is much more sore this time than the others. I will post some pictures...also 4 week incision from my first PAO for comparison. I can sit on the floor and I can sit on my knees (like with my feet bent underneath me) and the muscles or tendons or something in my knee hurt so badly I can't sit like that. I don't remember that last time...will I ever get back to normal!! My leg still feels 8 feet long and that's annoying.


My scar. Also, the little red dot thing is where the drainage tube was. It's bubbled up a little and kind of sore also...doesn't look overly healed either. Not sure what's going on.


Fresh meat January 2011 before I got hacked up 18 times. 

Monday, July 22, 2013

Monday, July 22, 2013 -Day 27

This is what we call "getting on with your life". First day back to work - 1 day shy of 4 weeks post. I can't say it was all that terrible. Obviously the in and out of the car, in and out of doors are the worst part. This being my first day back and my coworkers last day being Friday it was an interesting morning. I spent most of the morning figuring crap out and getting the lab back to working conditions. I wish people would learn to relax and not get stressed out and in turn, flip a place inside out! So, it was a busy busy busy day but just small things. I am able to walk around with a cart and get things from point A to point B, but can't say it's overly easy or quick. But I was at work for 8 hours. I felt fine. I feel tired, but not exhausted. I hope to sleep very well tonight. My first day back to work for my first PAO kicked my butt, but I feel in much better shape going into it this time.

I put my socks and sneakers on myself this morning and even cut my toenails when I got home from work. I can do almost anything. My butt muscle seems to be better today...maybe all of the walking around helped loosen the muscle and stretch it...I just hate the waiting game

I had a big day, but I don't have too much to write about. I'm basically pain free. Heal bone, heal!!!!

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Sunday, July 21, 2013 - Day 26

Do you know how sick I feel because I just made lunches and have to start back at work tomorrow!?!?! Depressing much.

Big improvement on my exercises! I can do the side to side ones all by myself now. My muscular strength is improving A LOT day by day and even I can tell. I did my side to side movements and then Kevin came to help do the 90 degree ones which I'm not yet able to do myself, just need a SLIGHT amount of help and that's fine. But I may have overdid it because my butt muscle is hurting me. If that little pain would go away I would literally feel 100% and wonder why I need crutches. I was even able to get into Kevin's truck today by myself. Mind you, his truck is...hmm, probably almost up to my hip and he has no running boards! But I can get up in there and tuck myself in alone and that's awesome! Huge step in the strength department there. Also been getting in and out of bed alone without an issue.

I slept much better again last night and got up for good around 7:30...we lounged around, I got my Cheerios again and then sat outside in the beautiful weather...no AC!! It's so nice to have fresh air. We started talking about food as I was reading my magazine and were dying for lunch already at 10am. We went off to the store to get a couple things for dinner and took a scenic drive. I was in and out of the truck and walked around the store no problem. Came home and started cooking again. Stood for a good hour in the kitchen hopping around prepping this and making that and boiling this... it's difficult and my left leg just gets tired, but I did it. We ate the most AMAZING lunch...posted pics below. Chorico Beef Burgers over Lemon Kale topped with Pico de Gallo...and a side of Orzo Salad. We mixed like three separate recipes and made this amazing meal. SO good. We like to have bun-less burgers because you can get so creative with them. After lunch I sat at the breakfast bar and made lunches for the next couple days and Kevin cleaned up, then I read him a recipe for Blueberry Pound Cake and he made that. Now that's cooking and we're both relaxing.

I feel good, I really do. Besides the butt issue, my numb thigh...and my knee hurting every so often..things are looking OK. All of the issues, besides the thigh, happened last time so it's normal. Just wish it wasn't there. Tongue is 100% back to normal...god what an awful feeling!! Go in for hip surgery and come out with a numb tongue. That was terrible and so glad it's gone, but can't believe it lasted over 3 weeks! Scar looks AMAZE-balls...can't wait to show you on Tuesday for my 4-week update. :-)  Can't believe I still have another 4 weeks or so on these stupid things. HELL. But I'm getting through it. I've been contacted by a few girls lately asking about PAO's and that really takes my mind off of me and onto someone else in the same dreadful pain I was in only a few years ago. I have to be strong for them because they're scared. I get it...I was in the same boat. It was people like me (now) helping people like me (then). I've said it a million times, I just can't say enough about this surgery - maybe I should wait until I'm up and walking before I say that...

Another thing which I haven't touched on yet this recovery is my leg length. If you remember, my right leg ended up being a good 1/2" longer than the left which was putting some strain on my hip when I stood or walked or whatever and caused me to use a shoe insert in my left shoe to help even out my legs. I told Millis to not make my leg any longer, if anything please make it shorter! So, after a PAO the leg feels about 8 miles long and like it will never compare to the other. That's the stage I'm in now...and I'm not entirely sure why it does that. The joint is swollen maybe? idk. But my right leg feels few inches longer and I won't know the true size until I start walking on it with more weight.

Anyway, here's some food porn for you...Homemade Crab Cakes and the Burgers I mentioned. TO DIE for.



Saturday, July 20, 2013

Saturday, July 20, 2013 - Day 25

These days are getting busier and busier...helps keep my mind off me crippled body and more on the end being closer - of which it's not.

Today was filled with errands, it's nice to be able to do this stuff finally. I sat in the car for most of the trip but that's fine...I was able to go at least. I woke up around 7am which sucked because after ALL I did yesterday, I went to bed close to 11 and only slept until 7...that stinks. But I guess my body felt rested, so I got up and made myself some Cheerios and Blueberries....trying to up my Calcium intake to help the bone grow...also taking my daily vitamin and my aspirin. I haven't been mentioning those...but along with the pain meds I had filled at the hospital, I am also given 30 days of a low dose aspirin to help my body not get any blood clots. Only a few days left on those.

Anyway, we left around 10 and went to mall as I have been waiting to return some things and wanted to do it when my Mom was here...I thought I'd be in better shape than I was. I sat in the car while Kevin went in and lucky for him the two stores are right next door to each other so it was pretty painless for him. Next was Starbucks...and there's no drivethru so I sat in the car here as well. Next, went over to Michael's as I had to get some crafty things...I did two laps around the store before finding an associate to help me...only to find out they don't even carry what I want. Fail. But I got my exercise...after that it was off to S&S to do some grocery shopping and I went in and walked around with Kevin......having a coffee and then walking, my heart was pounding through my chest. And of course the trip was fine until the end when we try and check out and the stupid self-scan things don't work...we literally stood there for 15 minutes while they figure out how to work their technology. Guess who's going to get written a letter. :-)  Not to mention they did NOT care that someone was on crutches...idiots.

We finally came home and I started to prep some things for lunch and prep some things for dinner also. It's tiring...well maybe tiring isn't the word because I'm not tired but my good leg gets annoyed after a while..hip feels AMAZING but it's hard to stand on one leg for so long. Plus it's a lot of standing and moving and my heart starts to beat faster since it's not used to this much movement so I go sit down. It was a busy day and it's not even 2pm yet. We're in for the rest of the day...going to have some Manicotti that I made ahead and froze...so yay to not having to cook, or have much to clean up since it's in a foil pan.

Sleeping is still kinda 'eh'...I sleep for good portions of the night but just not in the positions I am used to (think pretzel). I can bend down and bend over and pick things up..get on the couch and get my leg up on it without an issue. I can use a normal toilet and hop around as long as I hold onto a counter to put my weight on that and not my leg. Everything is feeling pretty "normal"...the only real issue, if I want to call it that, is a muscle in my butt. When I stretch, the muscle cramps up and kind of hurts. Also, if I pull my leg too close to my chest, the hip hurts a little. But just sitting or standing, or walking I feel fine. I had the same butt issue for my first RPAO so it's normal. I'm definitely not ready for one crutch yet...I put more than 1/6th of my weight sometimes and it feels good, but too much more it's a little sore which means my bone still isn't healed much which is why I'm boosting my calcium.

My posts will get more generic for a while probably until my leg gets stronger and I cruise down to one crutch. Now is where things get stagnant and it's a waiting game for bone to grow...like watching water boil. Doing my exercises and strengthening my muscles so when I do start walking it won't be a shock.

Friday, July 19, 2013

Friday, July 19, 2013 - Day 24

So, seriously...a girl on the PAO Facebook page messaged me and we've been talking back and forth...I think she's a week ahead of me post-op and still on pain meds (besides the point)...so I told her I had 3 PAO's... she goes "did you have two on one side?".

Went into work today to say hi! Yup, sure did. I drove for the first time. Yup, that happened too. I fell asleep on the couch last night after date night (YAY) and slept for 2 hours! Kevin woke me up around 9:45 and I went to bed for real and of course had trouble falling asleep. I slept much better, not great, but better. I was so exhausted. I woke up around 7 when Kev and took a shower before he left for work. I got ready in stages. Showered, came downstairs and sat and had breakfast, then went and did my hair and makeup, then sat, then got dressed and out the door around 10:15.

I drove my car to work, I felt like I forgot how to for a second but I think it was more of me being cautious. I can't hold my leg up/still too easily so I am more careful around turns and what not, kind of without really paying attention. I drive much slower too...mostly because I can't slam on the brakes with my right leg. But that was fine, keep my crutches on the side of me along the door. Takes a while to get in and out but, really, I'm a pro now. Got into work and talked to the tons of people asking me how I'm doing and I look good, and I lost weight, and I look tired. Yeah, could have done without that last one. But I felt good. I was there for about just under 4 hours and didn't feel bad. I stood a lot which I don't mind since I sit a lot at home. I got home around 2 and my eyes felt SO tired they just want to close. I laid on the couch for a while then Kev went fishing and I stayed on the couch where I am now. My eyes feel quite tired, but not bad. I kind of wish I was able to nap so I could stay awake tonight for a while.

Other news...someone else found my PAO blog and emailed me, so yay! Just hoping to spread the word and help others. We need these girls to get diagnosed properly...to stop getting scopes done because they don't work and for these STUPID doctors to get informed. One told this poor 19 year old girl (in the same shape I was in) she's too young and in too good shape to have a PAO. WHAT! This is primarily for younger people that are too young for a THR. This is sick. If you don't know, refer them to someone who does.

End. Rant.

Here I am driving!

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Thursday, July 18, 2013 - Day 23

Here we are again, another week almost gone. Nothing has really changed from yesterday so this should be a fairly short entry.

Just sitting here looking at clearance summer clothes online...how depressing. It seems EVERY summer I pull the short straw. If we're not running to a different state every weekend, I'm stuck inside recuperating from surgery. I get so excited for summer, and the weekend so I can throw on my shorts and tank tops and flip flops and go outside. Somehow I always manage to get screwed...2013 has not failed to follow trend. I won't be off of crutches until almost into September...and then it's almost Fall. UGH. GROSS. Hate. Fall. It's oh so sad. I want to enjoy my weekends without walking 20 feet and getting winded, or dropping everything, or asking for help, or sit in a chair and not have to move my position every 2 minutes. This is so annoying. I wanted to get it over with ASAP...but it doesn't make things any easier that's for sure. Plus, if I wanted to hit my deductible all this year I had to plan that the 5-6 month screw removal would be in nov/dec.

Into other news...sleeping has SUCKED the last...ehh, week? Since I stopped taking the Oxy and having it knock me out for 12 hours I just cannot sleep. I don't even care if I roll over in my sleep, I just want to stay asleep for longer than 1-2 hours at a time. Then before I know it, Kev's alarm is going off, he's out of the house and now I'm wide awake at 7:30am...I just want to sleeeeep. Another couple of weeks and it should be better...that and the fact once I start working I have a feeling I am going to get ExxxxxHauuusssttteddd rather quickly so if I'm not sleeping for longer spurts it'll be a shock.

Hip news...let's see. I used the big girl potty today. Yup. I was so hot and pretty lazy so I decided to use the toilet in our downstairs bathroom even though my commode is upstairs. It felt fine. My leg was not >90 degrees and it didn't hurt at all, I had no problem standing...so that's progress. Plus that means using the bathroom at work shouldn't be too difficult. The worst part is doors. Doors that close automatically. Do you know how difficult it is to fling the door open, grab your crutch quickly and stomp it in front of the door to stop it so you can walk in...only for it, most likely, to get stuck. God next week is going to stink for reelz.

Here's a weird finding...my hip area (near the incision) is SO dry. I'm sure mostly from the bandage ripping most of my skin off...but not only that, but my entire left side of my body is dry and pealing. From my shin to my shoulder. So weird. Not sure the reasoning behind that. So I lathered up in lotion today. Also, took a shower and shaved my legs...I stood for probably, hmm..90% of my shower? Just had to sit to shave and that was it. Mini triumphs. But I feel tired now. My eyes just want to close. Not sure why, I haven't done anything today.

I'm thinking of popping into work tomorrow. It's the first of our monthly BBQ's and also my coworkers last day...so I kind of want to see her and also check in to see the status of things and make sure when I come in on Monday there's no guessing what's going on. Need to make this a smooth transition. Which means I'm going to be driving myself as well. Kev and I are going out to dinner tonight so my guess is I'll drive home or something so I can just be sure it's not a problem.

This is turning into more of a diary than hip blog. Sorry. I'll focus more on my hip when something changes. Right now it's just there. Exercises are getting better. Kevin only holds my heal and I can lift it myself after that. If I try to lift by myself it doesn't budge at all, but just that tiny amount of help I can do it myself. I also did the standing exercises yesterday. Stood on one crutch and moved my leg forward 5x, to the side 5x and back 5x. I did these last time and then progressed to a stretchy band around my ankles to add resistance. But for now we just want a fluid motion. I don't have to move it far, I just have to move it smoothly. I can roll out of bed really quickly, pull my leg up myself, sit in the chair with my knees up and leg bent towards the outside without a problem. I have an issue going in towards my other leg though and I think the adductors contribute there.

Anyway, I think the pool has helped my incision. As gross as the water has looked this week - think oil film of sunblock - the chlorine has healed me up pretty nicely. I remember as a kid, after I got out of the pool all my cuts and scrapes were almost healed. Can't wait for Tuesday to post our 4 week, yup, ya heard, my 1 month pictures!

happy thursday everyone.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Wednesday, July 17, 2013 - Day 22

Hey y'all. Starting this off early today so I don't have to write it all at once after pool time. :-)

Kind of at a healing standstill. Sleeping has been less than great. Because I can't roll around normally I get a lot of interruptions throughout my night to roll over and get comfortable again...needless to say I need a Chiropractor after this recovery. I'm constantly stomach to back to side to stomach to back...to the bathroom and start over again. It's getting old...but I'm resisting reading ahead in my previous blogs to see when I was rolling around easier because I know it's probably not for another few weeks. Bummer. On another note, I am on track with my other healings. Mom already had me at yard sales at 3 weeks for my LPAO. hahah For my RPAO #1, I was making myself egg white omelets on english muffins....I guess I just have no ambition this time.

I can get in and out of bed by myself but Kevin does usually help get me in, so I accept. I either grab my thigh with my hands and give myself a boost or use my left foot to help my right leg in. My right leg is fairly strong enough that it only really needs a small boost. When lying in bed, I can bring both legs up, bend them, without any help. Last night I was able to stand for about half of my shower. Left leg is really doing well taking the weight. I am so happy with those results...I hope these hips last forever because I don't wanna deal AGAIN! We've had 7 hip surgeries in my (immediate) family...just between Mom and I...not to even take into account extended family! BUT, I hope Mom's outlast mine....she doesn't need another one!

Took a little break there and watched some tv! AND...I just cleaned the toilet. WOO! I think that's the third time in my life I've cleaned a toilet, but I did. Poor Kev has been SUCH a trooper through all these dumb surgeries..I know the last thing he wants to do is come home from work and deal with me and cleaning and cooking and making lunches while I sit on my butt...so it's only fair I do SOMETHING. I mean, I didn't get on my hands and knees and scrub the gross thing but I took the cleaner and brush to the bowl, aw yeah! :-)

So here's an ache that is annoying, my knee! My right knee has been killing me still. I know it happened for past surgeries too so I'm not concerned. I had nightmares of needing my knee checked out after I healed but it got better on its own so I know it's just a recovery thing. But it just aches and feels soooo good when it gets massaged. Still have a pain in my butt...it honestly does feel like a stress fracture..but lets hope it's not, huh! I've had it since the very beginning so could be a muscle or nerve thing too. Inner thigh is MUCH better. Still difficult for the leg to just "hang" with no weight but it's way better than it used to be. Bending over the sink to wash my face poses a problem because that angle and the strength needed to bend over does affect that spot, but not too terribly. Also, I can bend over and pick something up off the floor..like my crutch that fell earlier. :-)  I hold onto something like a counter or my crutch, stand on my left leg with the right one slightly bend and behind me and I can bend over just fine, no issue here.

Getting hungry and got mucho work to do. I'm actually looking forward to being back at work because it's SO much easier to do this stuff on a deal desktop and not on my lap.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Tuesday, July 16, 2013 - Day 21 (3 weeks)

Tuesday already! Yeah right, more like 3 weeks already! That's where we're at, 3 weeks ago I was back in my room recovering. I guess time has kind of gone quickly. It doesn't necessarily FEEL like it flew by, but at the same time it is. Mom was here two weeks ago! That's nuts.

Let's see, what can I say for my 3 week update? Well I just came in from the pool. :-) I'm a bit sore today which is probably mostly from all the moving around I did in the pool yesterday and the issues getting in and out which woke up some muscles. But it feels so good to walk around in the pool like normal! And fight with the white trash that lives in this complex. I'm on the edge of the pool since I can't keep my things in a chair since I can't really get back and forth, so I sit on the edge. I was in the pool and the trash people come in and have the WHOLE pool and decide to throw a football right around me. Ok, fine. No big deal. Now the start wrestling almost on top of me..two adults and two kids. Now the water is splashing up the side of the pool on my stuff! I couldn't take it and said (nicely) can you please splash somewhere else? The mother: "sorry we're move, but you know you're in a pool"...seriously? I had to bite my tongue. I said, yes but I also have crutches and can't go far. WHAT! Just because I'm in a pool doesn't mean I want to be splashed! They'll argue with ANYTHING you say. Since I'm a good person and Kevin was on the e-board a few years back clearly I'm a bad guy too. They are such trash it makes me sick. Then another batch of crap came out and immediately start badmouthing other people in the complex and drop f-bombs in front of all their small kids. I got out of there, I don't need that...esp after having the pool to MYSELF most of the afternoon. It was so nice.

So, my time at the pool, for the most part, was nice. I got my exercises in and my tan on. Now sitting in my recliner. 3 more business days and I'm back at work. DRAGGGG! I got my "back to work" doctor's note...I didn't know I can't life more than 5lbs! Holy moly. Glad I know that now. Anyway, it's a revised schedule as I see fit for the next two months. It won't be bad, I'll just get tired and uncomfortable mostly.

I guess it should talk about my hip. It feels good. I really can't complain. The hip is good, unless I reach to my right side and my weight is on that side it hurts. But the discomfort mostly lies with my muscles trying to get strong again. My exercises are going well...I'm strong when Kevin holds my leg to do the 90 degree bends but if he doesn't help I can't lift my leg off the chair even a centimeter. I am getting stronger, but that's a long, long road. My left is still very week from my surgery 2 years ago. Muscles just aren't connected back where they should be so I have lost a lot of strength. I just want to be off crutches, they are so annoying. But I have many, many more days until that can occur (somewhere around day 60). boooo

OH, forgot to mention yesterday I had a call from Dr. Chacko, she was my Anesthesiologist for my PAO (and both of the other ones)...love her. She calls and goes "just wanted to see how your tongue was doing"...lol I find that so funny. I'm like oh god, that's so weird...yeah it's getting better. She always thinks of me when she works with Millis and wanted to check in. So, yeah..my tongue isn't 100% yet, but we're around 95% better...the right side tip is weird feeling but the rest is almost better. Can you believe it, 3 weeks for nerve issues to come back to my tongue. She still thinks it was just how the breathing tube was positioned for so long...my tongue must have been between my teeth and the tube and it really affected the nerves in there. No biggie.

I didn't get a pool pic today...so I'll leave you with some new ones you haven't seen! OH..I need a 3-week incision pic too. KEVINNNNNnn.....







Monday, July 15, 2013

Monday, July 15, 2013 - Day 20

Last week home for recovery so I have to make the best of it. I haven't tried driving yet and I don't really care to but I need to...

So last night I of course went to bed on my stomach. I woke up around 2 or so and I was on my back with my leg kind of half hanging off one of my leg pillows! I hope I turned over properly but must have because I didn't wake up in pain or anything. So funny.

Got up early before Kevin left for work and started my day. Logged into my work computer to get some stuff done and luckily there wasn't much to do. Watched some tv, ate lunch and then...drum roll....out to the pool I went!! I was a little nervous to get in because it's hard obviously without using crutches but I managed. Not many people by the pool so they couldn't laugh at the baby deer learning to walk. I was reading my other blog and day 20 is when I was able to walk in the pool - water up to my chest and use a stationary bike, so off I went. I was IN the pool when I decided to email Millis and Erin and see if I was allowed to. I made sure to tell them incision was healed and sunblock was on it! Clearly rules don't apply to me...why bother asking permission at this point. I think you can really technically "do" a lot more than they say but not on a regular basis. I don't push anything further than what I should though...I'm good. Usually. Erin confirmed I could go in up to my chest. I also asked her to check my angles of my hips pre-surgery...which I'm not entirely sure what that means, but I know the lower, the worse. She said she wrote them down but miss-placed the post-it so she'll get them for me tomorrow but they were both negative. I asked what normal was and she said 20+. HA! Wow, yeah my hips suck. So the angle has something to do I think with where the ball sits within the socket or something. idk. I'll get more info on that and get back at ya.

Yeah, got in the pool, walked around...did some exercises and just kept the hip moving. It felt awesome and great to walk normally. I think water exercises help SO much. You're lightweight, you can move around and have low resistance. It's great. I'm going to get out there this week as much as possible. I was literally in the water for over 2 hours. It was interesting (to say the least) trying to get out but I lifted myself out and sat on the side, op leg hanging in water still, and got my good leg up under me and bent my op leg back and just stood up. Not pretty, but it worked. Now I'm sitting with my feet up and Kev's preparing dinner and I feel good!!! ZERO issue in my hip. My muscles still trying to wake up and figure out where they connect to...but yeah. YAY.

My bro told me to not be a hero and to take my cape off... but I'm not trying to set any records. I'm going slow, not forcing or rushing things. When you're ready to progress to the next "event" you just know. Same thing with dropping to one crutch...it just happened. I could try one day to walk with one crutch and it could be a nightmare and two days from now I just get up and grab one and start walking without paying attention. So....I think I'm on track. I know (from reading the PAO facebook page) that I am WAY tougher and WAY more of an Evil Kenevil than any of them. It's annoying reading their comments and stuff and I'm sitting here like, just do it. Anyway, I won't go on that rant.

Here's the picture from yesterday's baby shower I promised as well as a pool selfie. Enjoy.



Sunday, July 14, 2013

Sunday, July 14, 2013 - Day 19

I thought we'd change it up and give you a link back to my day 19 from the first surgery of my right hip here: Day 19 - 2011 RPAO and give a little comparison. Like I said, I read each one before doing the days post just to see where I stand. My RPAO #1 was such a quick recovery that it's good to see the comparison between now and then and even my LPAO at this point...I seem to be pretty much on track, which is acceptable I guess. I want to be a little further than on track but whatevs.

BIG DAY! haha my big day out today. First day in 20 days that I had to wear a bra and put on makeup. haha yuck. I got up early and jumped right in the shower...managed to somehow shave both of my legs and lotion them. Got in my bathrobe and chilled on the couch for a couple hours to rest and let my hair dry. Kevin got up around 11 and we just lounged then at 1130 I went back upstairs and did my makeup (while sitting in front of the sink on my shower stool) and kind of did my hair, nothing crazy. Then into my bedroom to find something decent to wear to a BABY SHOWER! I thought yoga pants, but I didn't want to look like a mess...I thought shorts, but those would NOT be comfy on my hip...I thought about a skirt until I remembered I don't have skirts...then I decided on a nice, light flowly dress. Thank god, because everyone had a dress on!! yay for me. So, it was a very long day and a lot of sitting in an upright chair which I'm not used to. I did get uncomfortable and had to get up and just walk around. But I made it the 45 minute drive, 4 hour shower and 45 minute drive home. I am stiff and sore and very tired...couldn't want to shed the jewelry and dress when I walked in the door. Oh and did I mention the idiot side of me didn't wrap the gift BEFORE surgery thinking I'd be doing much better post...well guess who was putting this shit together this AM? Kevin and I. Just some clothes and picture frames in a Coach diaper bag...so nothing crazy. But I apologized ahead of time for not taking any of the tags or clearance tags off...I almost didn't even end up getting a bag but we stopped for that. ;-)

I'm glad I went and didn't chicken out. I'm really trying to live up invites and everything and just enjoy things but sometimes it's difficult. But last weekend I thought about the shower today and I was thinking how on EARTH am I going to be able to go to that, I can't. But this week I have improved so much that it was a great surprise. I hope this coming week goes just as well. I want to take it easy my last week before heading back to work, but I also want to make sure I build up my stamina for sitting at my desk and walking the long hall to the bathroom. So we'll see.

Umm..so things are going ok overall. My incision area is sore, my thigh has pains every so often which is a mix of muscles and nerves coming back to life and is to be expected. I can pretty much sit anywhere, I've been chillin' on the couch lately with my feet up on the exercise ball or across to the other side of the sectional. I'm in and out of bed by myself, but it's nicer when Kevin helps me and I'm lazy. I haven't really gotten myself breakfast or anything...just soaking up the lazyness. It's getting annoying everyone like omg what happened, omg can I help you, here let me take this for you... I mean don't get me wrong, it's really nice...and I get pissed when people are assholes and don't help me, but I just hate the same questions all the time. But I would do the same because I know how it feels to be in pain AND on crutches. No. Fun.

Actually, one of the girls at the shower that was a coworker of my friend was talking to me when I was walking around and she was like "knee?" I was like nah, hip..she's like "oh man, sports injury?" (I appreciated that question because I still have my athletic stature I guess..haha), I was like nah, born with hip dysplasia. And she's like "get out, my cousin (I think she said cousin) was born with that, how do they fix it?" So who knows...I don't know how old she is but if she ever has issues this girl knows someone that has gone through it now and people won't get a misdiagnosis. YAY! I need business cards. ;-)

When someone posts pictures from today I'll be sure to add it here...one lady was impressed how I hid my crutches in the picture. She's like, wait, where did those go? I was like I'm a pro at this, believe me. :-)

Now I'm exhauuuusted and sore. Feel up, under my snuggie. But I did want to give props to my hubs who has been really great through this surgery. He figured things out this time around and it's like old hat. I ask him to get things or do things for me and he doesn't mind, but I try to do a lot myself. I hate asking for help because I'm always so independent and go-go-go...but he has been amazing. I also give myself props for getting a brain and preparing frozen meals ahead of time. They are making things SO easy...amazing tasting or not, dinner is on the table in 10-15 minutes every night and a quick clean up. Why wasn't I smarter before? Ya learn a lot throughout this shit. When I see Millis, I'm going to tell him how much I love this procedure, and him and his team...but I am NEVER doing this again. haha He was actually in my dream last night...weird. ok. I'm tired. night.

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Saturday, July 13, 2013 - Day 18

MAN...really not much to talk about today. Shortly after my post last night, we ate dinner and before going out for a walk all the rest of my steri-strips fell off. :-X  hhaa Whatever, I ripped them off but I was reading the hospital paperwork and it said at 2 weeks I can take them off, so I did. The friggin' thing is HEALED. Stitch is sticking out the top and bottom but other than that it's looking good. Has kind of a fold at the top, idk how else to explain it...but the original scar also had a fold type idea going on. I'll be posting that below.

SO, I didn't take ANY meds last night (happy dance), but it made me crazy today...and crazy in a bad way. I was only taking the meds mostly to help relax me and get some good sleep. My pain is mostly gone so I didn't need it for pain relief. I wanted to see if I could sleep without the aids and of course I did. I woke up a little more often but that's to be expected. I woke up to pee once and got myself out of bed...I've been getting myself in bed too and it's basically pretty easy. Anyway, I woke up is such a foul mood today for no reason. I was upset and feeling depressed and I had a headache. I had NO idea why. I've been recouping so well that there's no reason I would be feeling this way...and after a good day yesterday it just seemed odd. So I am really linking it to the fact this is the first full day I haven't had ANY medication in me. I hope that's all it'll do to me and tomorrow is back to normal, but I can only hope.

I moped around all day, slept on the couch a few times and was really just blah! Kevin went and did errands and grocery shopping without me because I was totally not feeling it. I took a Motrin (even though I didn't want to) and seemed to feel a little better.

Exercises are getting better. I was doing some revised exercises, like the 90 degree one, on my Pilates ball tonight and that seemed to feel pretty good. I had to go upstairs for every pee trip which is annoying but worth it. I'm going up and down the stairs without putting both crutches under one arm, I am just using them both normally to go both up and down. I walk pretty normal. I stepped on my leg with a little too much weight today that that caught me off guard. Another big step, put my sock on today by myself!

This post has taken far too long to write because I'm watching a movie...so I'm going to get to that now.

Here is the note I found in my lunch the other day and my incisions! Enjoy.




Friday, July 12, 2013

Friday, July 12, 2013- Day 17

What a poop-filled day! ok..I wish it was poop filled, but it technically wasn't.

Kevin has half days every Friday in the summer and he decided to take the whole day off and chill with me and maybe do something. He wanted to earlier in the week but I suggested waiting until I could actually enjoy the time home and not just have him sitting here all day. So, today was better for my physically and boy did we get a lot accomplished!

Started my day with a nice breakfast prepared for me, some fruit, toast and yucky cottage cheese and an iced coffee, chilled with Kathie Lee and Hoda and did work! My customer's have been keeping me hella busy that's for sure...which I can't complain about because it means less vaca days being used and more time to use those the rest of the year! Kevin is serving his HomeBrew at a party tomorrow with a friend so he wanted to go to his friends house and taste-test it. But first, we went to Starbucks and partook in buy one get one free sandwiches, yum, for lunch and some beverages. Then off to try the beer. I walked up and down his friends driveway and around the cars a few times to get my exercise in and then sat in the picnic table chair on a huge cushion...this was ok for about an hour then I felt a little cramped up and needed to peace. Next, we went into New Haven to a restaurant where Kev had to replace the keyboard of a computer for one of his customers...so I sat in the truck for maybe 20 minutes or so which wasn't too bad, then off to another restaurant to drop off the bottle HomeBrew for the competition. It was a lot of driving and some in and out but mostly it was out of the house and out of my recliner. After about 4 hours, I'm not home and feel fine. I don't have my leg up and I don't feel tired (yet).

I wanted to grab my headphones which were across the room...I attempted to tell to Kev but his hands were in the sink and I was like ugh, I'm just as capable to get up and get them so I did! I got up out of my recliner in record time I think. I just, idk, just got up and crutched over, got my headphones and back to my chair. This is exactly the point where I KNOW I have to take it slow because I want to start doing more and this and that but I know the second time around I'm probably more susceptible to stress fractures so I'm chillin', relax.

I wish I could lift my leg a little better though to get in and out of bed a little better myself. It's still a little difficult and I have to grab my thigh with my hands and lift it in. But we're doing my exercises and they're going well so I can only hope within the next week bed routine will get easier. As I've been saying, I keep re-reading my past blogs day-by-day and see where I was for the other surgeries. Pretty even with things now. My first one, like I said, was like a miracle surgery and felt like I was healed before I knew it whereas the second one I had sciatic issues and then two months later had the fracture issue.

Looking back, differences:

Last time: lower ab/belly pain, numbness
This time: no lower ab, belly numbness, tenderness.
Last time: no thigh numbness, either PAO
This time: Right thigh numbness that I BEGGED to not have. sigh
Last time: LPAO sciatic nerve pain
This time: NONE
Last time: sleeping problems, both PAOs
This time: sleeping 8-12 hours, everynight
Last time: getting stronger each time I do exercises
This time: same

A couple steri-strips fell (got pulled) off...scar is looking good but it looks kinda odd at the top like folded over and hard at the top where the stitch is I believe. I want these things off so I can take a picture.

I keep wanting to post some videos but for some reason they don't want to load...I'm going to try it again and if it doesn't work, will post elsewhere and affix a link. laters.



Thursday, July 11, 2013

Thursday, July 11, 2013 - day 16

I actually had to look at my phone today to see what day it was! I looked at the calendar but that didn't really help me out because I literally didn't know if yesterday was Tuesday or Wednesday.

I took a late shower last night around 8:30pm because I just felt like I needed it badly. It was fine, nothing to report. Back in my chair and hung out...I, of course, fell asleep 9:50pm again just because I didn't want to go to bed yet before 10!!! So, Kevin woke me up at like 11:30pm, I need to stop doing this. I meant not to do that but I did. Woke up around 8 this morning because I had to pee so badly. It was also pouring, thundering and lightning so I really just wanted to stay in bed and be cozy but it's hard to be cozy when ya gotta PEE! Plus, I haven't tried to get into bed by myself yet which I should probably practice.

Last night after my nightly walk (where a neighbor mentioned me being on crutches is like an annual thing...it wouldn't have been funny except we NEVER talk to this guy, so I appreciated the comment). Kev helped do my exercises - only the lift up to 80 degree one and the 10 degree in and 10 degree out one which I still cannot do myself and will take a while. But while sitting and my feet on the ground, I can lift my leg from the knee down completely out straight which is a huge improvement. Kevin also thinks my strength is so much better each time he does my exercises with me. I heard back from Jaime yesterday and she also assumes my issue is the Adductors and to just rest it until it gets better. Damn, nothing to really help it! No big deal, it's getting better.

Nothing to report today. Haven't done my walk around the building...been busy with work and just kinda lazy. But things are going well. I think one more week home from work will be full of improvement and hopefully help transition back to work for at least a few hours a day!

So, not much to discuss today. Getting well wishes from family which is nice!! That's about it for today...

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Wednesday, July 10, 2013 - Day 15

Happy Hump Day. Almost halfway through the week to rest (not) for two days and sit here again for another 5 days. This weekend is going to be busy, unfortunately, so no time to chill with the hubs. He's going to a party to share homemade beer on Saturday and Sunday I have a babyshower, so relaxing, no.

Today seems good. I fell asleep in the chair last night, third night in a row and I wish I would stop doing that. I seem to die between 9-10 but I don't want to go to bed before 10...yet I end up falling asleep in my chair until 1130 anyway. fail. Anyway, Kev woke me up around 11:15pm and I went to bed..nothing worse than waking up and having to CRUTCH up two flights of stairs half asleep. I hate doing it when I'm in GOOD shape. Took my Contin and Valium and went to sleep on my stomach last night for a change, woke up around 230ish and went on my side (no pillow) by accident!!! OMG. oops. I was mid roll over and I guess just fell right asleep. Woke up and I think went on my back for the rest of the night. Kev left around 745am and I went on my side with the pillow between my legs and got up at 9!!! This sleeping thing is getting out of control. I'm afraid to stop taking the Contin because I don't think I'll sleep much at all.

Got up and came downstairs to grab myself a drink and then straight to my chair. I sat before I had any chance of over heating this time. Surprisingly, my leg feels SLIGHTLY better today..could this be the turn I've been waiting for? I did two laps around the building yesterday so will do my first today after I finish this. I'm afraid to move though, thinking that I may tweak something and ruin and improvement that's starting.

Just been doing some work and relaxing..about all I can do. Just truly freaking hope this is when I'm going to start to feel better. I know that inner thigh is going to take a while to relax but just cross my fingers we're on the home stretch this time!!! Day 15? I'll take it!

Not much else to report...tongue still numb, getting out of bed myself and downstairs...my lunch is prepared so I can just carry it to my chair. Lots of dinners made for us so not much prep when Kev gets home.....maybe attempt a shower later today but with the overheating issues I've been having I may want to postpone until Kev gets home. la de da....

UPDATE: just took a walk around the entire building, as opposed to out the front door in the back door. I went back to back and it felt great. My arms and hands get sore from the crutches...but the hip and leg feel increasingly better than yesterday. ::happy dance:: ::crossing fingers:: because I know, as well as anyone, that sciatic pain and stress fractures rear their ugly head around now during recovery. Taking it slow even though feeling better. I will reward myself with some lunch. YUM!

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Tuesday, July 9, 2013 - day 14

Ok...I'm for real loozing my patience here. Today makes two weeks since going under the knife. I expected myself to be much further along than I am and it's really draining the life out of me. I told myself all positive this time around but how can I be when there haven't been any improvements in the last week! That's beyond frustrating, especially the friggin' third time around. I expected myself to be up and around at this point no problem. The ONLY positive this far is that I am sleeping like a baby...and probably because my narcotics are strong as hell. But my, what I think is the adductor muscle, is causing me the absolute worst discomfort on the planet. I can't stand. If I could stand up, I could be doing SO much more and more things around the house instead of just being a bump on a lot.

I'm hating this. How can I be of any support to people looking to me to help them prepare for a PAO when I can't even get through my third one as it is. I'm such a let down sometimes. I just really am getting soooo frustrated with this recovery, worse than the others because I expected so much more and it's been twice as bad as the others. From the numb tongue (yup, still numb), to the killer painful inner thigh muscle, to even the steri-strips being stuck to me like glue this time, and the numb thigh of which Millis said he didn't go anywhere near. It's just so frustrating and depressing because I want this to be over....I'm even questioning sometimes why I went through with it this again. I'm hoping the next two weeks some miracles happen because I'm supposed to be going back to work then and also doing more fun things and there's no way I can in the shape I'm in. I even have a baby shower to go to this weekend which I thought wouldn't even be an issue 2 1/2 weeks post and by the looks of things I'm going to be a ball of discomfort.

Just having a down day....trying to look on the bright side, but I'm so over this....I think I was over it before it even started.

Before I get a phone call from ALL of my family members after this time since it's so depressing...I gotta end on a good note..

So, today I caught up on all my shows and did two laps around the building to help boost my stamina. I was up and walking around much more than this last time so I need to get that going and hopes to somehow get this muscle issue back into gear and not hating me so much. Other than that, I literally did nothing today. Just one of those days.


Monday, July 8, 2013

Monday, July 8, 2013 - Day 13

Monday again...Mom's back home and Kevin's off to work so it's just me. :-\

I got up shortly after Kevin because I had to pee so bad and I also wanted to shower before he left just to be on the safe side. I jumped in the shower and had Kevin load my toothbrush so I could brush WHILE I was in the shower...so much easier! I got out, lotioned up and got dressed (while I sat on my commode to get dressed. I stood up to take my hair towel off and I started getting hot and a little woozy. Kevin was already downstairs so I went into the bedroom and used my crutch to stomp on the floor while holding my barf bucket! He came running up and got a cold washcloth for me to help cool me down because I was sweating so badly. I'm so sick of feeling like this and I don't know why it comes on all of the sudden!! I cooled down and felt much better.

In the meantime, my Mom had dropped little goodies all over the condo before she left! She did this the first surgery and it was so much fun to find all the little things she left around. So I;m finding shower gels and jewelry, and makeup accessories, and face wash and candles...even Kevin got some shave gel! Mom's really are the best!!

Back to today, I haven't done much. Kevin made me a coffee and stuck it in the freezer and of course I forgot about it so it was quite literally an ICEd coffee two hours later, but it was good. The difficult thing was actually making it and carrying it with me back to my chair. After that I've basically just been doing work all day. It's like 10x harder doing work from home on a little laptop and my work desktop is like half the size font. ugh. So it takes me twice as long to do anything.

Not sure if I mentioned, every day before I post the new blog I read the same post-op day from my last two PAO's to see where I stand. My first one I was much further a long, I didn't have all these muscle and nerve issues, it's adding another week or two to my recovery. My muscle issues don't seem to be progressing at ALL and it's so frustrating. A week of the same pain issues and discomfort and I'm still here. It's so annoying!!!!!!!!!!! I did take a Contin and Valium last night before bed...after a 2 hours nap on the couch before bed, but I didn't have any issue sleeping until 730am...I did choose to stay on my back all night so to give my leg a rest and no rolling all over the place.

No new pictures, so here's a video from the hospital of the nurse trying to get me out of bed to pee for the first time! I don't think my videos want to load...



Sunday, July 7, 2013

Sunday, July 7, 2013 - Day 12

My post from day 12 2 years ago...kind of made me chuckle:

"Man....less than 2 weeks post-op and I am SO done with this. I guess the second one is kind of worse because you're so impatient at this point you just want it to be OVER! I can't just sit and wait now because it's not anything new! As much as I was looking forward to it...I'm ready for it to just be over, honestly."
I was having some sciatic nerve issues then and it wasn't fun, but I had to laugh because now here I am day 12, THIRD PAO and again, I am SO over this. God, it just gets me how I would have NEVER thought I'd be doing this again, gets me every time.

Anyway, enough of the depressing talk...woke up around 7:30 or 8 and had to pee so badly but refused to wake up Kevin so I just kind of laid there for a little but until he started rolling around and then I said I gotta pee so bad! Got me up to pee then went back into bed because I was feeling SO lazy!! We got up around 8:45 or 9ish for good!

I have to digress here a little, last night was an absolute nightmare. For some reason, my hip/leg were KILLING me yesterday/last night from my hip right down my knee everything was just throbbing uncontrollably. I don't know if I did too much...or turned the wrong way or what but it brought me to tears because just sitting here was very painful. Millis and Erin have mentioned a couple times to take Valium even though I swear against it...gosh I REEEEALLY didn't want to take that stuff so I tried a Contin first to maybe relax me...then right before I got into bed we decided a half (2.5mg) of Valium. I feel like the 5mg pill is lower dose than last time which is good. I went to bed on my stomach but only made it a couple hours, tried my side but was almost excruciating so over to my back from about midnight-thirty until I woke up. I didn't have weird dreams or have any out of body experiences so maybe try another Valium tonight, a full pill to see if that helps since my leg has actually felt pretty good today.

Back to today...we had reservations for a German restaurant about an hour away but the hour ride there, hour eating and hour drive home I thought it might be a little too much for my leg today. Sooo, we just went to a place around here for lunch..which was fine with everyone.

This morning had a GREAT visit with our friends! My friend Jen texted me yesterday asking if they could stop over today to see me and bring some goodies and we said of course. They got here around 10:30 and also my other friend Agnes was with them which was a really nice surprise because I didn't know she was coming either. We chatted for about an hour and they brought some food and beautiful flowers! It was the first time I had visitors and it was SOOO nice to feel normal and talk to them besides over texts. :-)  yay!!! Thanks guys, you made my day for reelz!

Welp, Mom and Dad left and now Kevin is stuck with me to make lunch, make dinners...tend to my requests...hopefully not for TOO much longer, but tomorrow is going to be a rude awakening when no one is here to help me make breakfast... :-\ Maybe it will help my recovery go quicker but I just have to keep telling myself NOT to overdo it and just relax! I have two more weeks out of work so I'm going to rest and enjoy them.

In other news, thanks to hipster Jackie and my new (and most fitting) Essie: Hip-Anema nail polish, Kevin cleaned me up and gave me some puuurdy toes! He washed and rubbed my feet with hot water and then lotioned them and it felt sooooo good, then he painted my toenails! Love love love him!! :-)




Saturday, July 6, 2013

Saturday, July 6, 2013 - Day 11

Not even at two weeks yet - bummer!

Woke up today a bit groggy...slept pretty good again, can't complain about that too bad. But the Oxy Contin is what puts me to sleep and also makes me quite blah and tired sometimes. Can't wait to be off that one for sure. Took 600mg ibuprofen and had NO affect, take 20mg OxyContin and I'm out cold for 12 hours, unreal the strength of those babies!

The big adventure today was the trip to BJs with the family to stock up on bulk grocery items. Of course, I got to shop in the motorized cart and got stared at and annoyed by stupid people not moving out of my way!


It's a family affair...


I also showered this morning which helps a lot in feeling refreshed and what not. The drive to the store was fine, took Kevin's truck which doesn't have running boards but we have a step stool anyway but didn't need to use it. Just balance on the door and two crutches under my arm and use my good leg to get up in the truck backward and someone has to carry my bad leg with me as I slide in. Not too bad. Then when I get out, I just slide out...nbd!

Don't have much else to report. I ended up taking Codone and Contin before bed last night because I was a bit more sore than normal...also Kevin tickled me by accident and I tensed up and my leg cramped and it hurt SO badly. Not bad today, my incision is a little sore probably from all the in and out of the truck and twisting and moving. Also, the quad muscle and inner muscle still being pains...literally. Just taking it slow...trying to. Not much else I can do!! Almost at two weeks, maybe be on the up swing after Tuesday! I better be a little more on my feet because breakfast and lunch aren't going to be handed to me on a silver platter after Mom leaves. :-(

Hoping for one of these days to actually feel a LITTLE more pain free...

Just got an email from Millis asking how I was and any position (sleeping) is ok, just be careful. I'm pretty sure I got the position situation under control!! ;-)

Friday, July 5, 2013

Friday, June 5, 2013 - Day 10

Don't have too much to report! I slept almost another 12 hours again, woo! Stomach to side as usual, but my back was pretty sore because I don't roll around as much as I would without a hip issue. So got up and came to my recliner where I've been ever since, logged into my work computer and have been doing work all day. Appetite isn't too huge, I'm hungry often but not dying for a huge meal! Started my day off with a yogurt, then a small kielbasa leftover and potato salad and then a few hours later a slice of homemade pizza. Not too nuts.

Dad came today, so they'll be here until Sunday and then Mom leaves and so does all of our help. Guess it's back to reality for us, wahh!

I had a great PT back during my first PAO but between that and the second she ended up taking a new job and working one day a month at Children's, on Saturday...so I wouldn't see her anymore. No other PT would meet with patients because they cut part of the budget so it was frustrating when she left the hospital. I emailed Erin to pick her brain about this inner thigh issue and asking if Jaime was still associated with CHB, and she said Jaime is very, very occasional but does still work with them so she copied Jaime on the email and I tried to be as specific as possible with my thigh and what helps or doesn't help so I am looking forward to getting some kind of answer!

But not too much else going on, I don't have any pictures for today so I'll upload some videos from recovery and how messed up I was.

Yeah, my tongue was numb. :-)

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Thursday, July 4, 2013 - Day 9

Happy 4th of July!





This day seemed to fly by.

I woke up around 8:30am and went straight into the shower...where my wonderful husband shaved me disgustingly hairy legs and helped remove my bandage...
I kept the bandage on for (almost) 10 days and then the steristrips are supposed to just fall off on their own. They are pretty stuck on me so I won't go pulling them off any time soon like I have in the past.

So around 10am I got a visit from fellow hipster, Jackie! I had met her (really her boyfriend at the time) on the Facebook PAO page and then through him and his questions started talking with Jackie as she was only a couple months behind my second PAO. Hers was also performed at Children's by Dr. Kim. It was so cool to meet another fellow in this..and have it be NOT in a hospital! We had a great chat and she brought me awesome goodies along with a pillow pet which I never even thought would be a good idea but it works so well under my knee, you were right!!

After she left we had breakfast? Brunch...it was after 11:00am!! After that, we hung around and before we knew it, it was 4pm already!! Where did the day go? We played some cards, ate some delish food and relaxed and sat down to eat dinner at 8pm. I kind of hate the day to end because getting in to bed you never know what the night will bring. Last night as I was just drifting off to sleep (second night on my stomach I might add) I twitched and swear to god I thought I broke my hip! It was such a big twitch it hurt SO friggin' bad. I slept aright, but woke up with a slight headache. I also cut a contin in half which I learned was a bad idea because it's in a slow release coating and by cutting it in half leaves one side open and dissolves into my system all at once. Oh well! I was really sore today and I hate that. It's not even my hip! I had pain in my inner thigh and my butt, all muscular. Why won't that stupid pain just go away. Make my hip hurt, no problem...that's the broken part...but leave my muscle alone. Also, the crease where my leg bends has been sore today too, very much so!

I'm ready to go bed and hope tomorrow is twice as better than today.

 Icing my hip with my zebra pillow pet.
 Mom...being....Mom.

Footnote: poop after eating beets is red. don't be scurred.







Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Wednesday, July 3, 2013 - Day 8!

A LOT to report today...Mom wants to use my computer and check her email but I gotta get today's events noted first!

To begin with, last night we are dinner on the patio (thanks Mom and Kev!)...and we sat around the table playing cards and all the sudden I felt my insides moving around and VOILA, made a bathroom trip ALL by myself. No meds necessary. Not sure if it was the prunes, the hot tea, the beets, the colace or the walking up and downstairs 18 millions times to use the commode but boy things got moving!! YAY! I am back on track. Went again today after my iced coffee too so we're back in business, no more potty talk!

Had another long night sleep. I wanted to try stomach sleeping last night, so I fell asleep that way. It was a little sore but not bad. Took a contin (20mg) and a codone (10mg) before bed just to ease my body. I did really well! 10pm-12am on my stomach, then did my side for another few hours, back to my stomach and ended on my side...woke up at 8:45! I can't believe how much I'm sleeping and during all that my hip is healing, healing, healing!

I woke up a little groggy but got some food in me and seemed to be OK. I logged into my work computer and took some stress off my boss (you're welcome)! Then around noon, Mom wanted to go grocery shopping to get a few things for the big 4th of July festivities so I decided I would go too. Threw a shirt and a hat on and off we went. Walked into the store and luckily they had a motorized cart right inside the door, I hopped on and off we went. The store was crawling with old people today for some reason, they probably wondered why such a lovely young girl was in a cart! At least I had crutches with me. I was doing so well until I decided to back up...not that the backup sensor isn't embarrassing enough, but I knocked over a whole display of dog toys!!! oops. I got over to Mom and said uhh, I knocked that over can you get someone...so she found a poor kid and he took the blame while he cleaned it up...it was kinda funny! Can't take me anywhere. I was getting a little sore sitting all crooked in that thing but we paid and went out to the truck. We emptied the bags but we forgot Strawberries and it didn't sense for us BOTH to go back into the store just for me to drop the cart off and crutch back to the car...so Mom had to take the cart back in and she said NO pictures...so guess what I did? I couldn't stop laughing, I think I popped a stitch...


After shopping we treated ourselves to Starbucks!

We then got home and when I thought I was going to be exhausted, I wasn't too bad! We hate some lunch and back to the couch I went to get back to work and I worked most of the night until dinner and even after. I'm pretty much caught up from a week so that's good.

Big, exciting, news...Miss Jacqueline, a fellow Hipster that is almost 2 years post will be visiting tomorrow morning as she passes through New Haven! It's exciting! She recuperated just a few months behind my second PAO and her, then, boyfriend at the time was very helpful in getting to know about the surgery and do's and don'ts and whatever else. Now she is recovered, not needing her other hip done and driving through the area on her way home for the holiday and we finally get to meet! So, tomorrow morning I get to meet another girlie. It's amazing how this PAO stuff you really make such a bond with people you have never met that you feel like friends already. I honestly don't know what other kind of procedure (besides having a disease) brings so many - young - people together! So I'm looking forward to that!

That's about it...my thigh is still numb which sucks big time because Millis promised he didn't even go near my nerve, :-(  I just hope I don't have lingering issues after this is healed the second time. The third time around I get to push the envelope a bit more and REALLY know what I can and can't do which is good in the long run. Things started out rough, but I'd say this is the fastest overall. Day 8 and almost completely off meds and sleeping like a baby? What can't I do? Bring it!! I don't know about faith and this and that...but I'm glad I was given this because I feel like I can overcome it with an ALMOST perfect mood and mindset. One PAO is is bad enough, the second one...not too great but the third one, I mean...you literally want to crawl into a hole and die. My mind is really trying to stay positive and focus on the end and not dwell. I get frustrated and have to quickly change my mood that it'll be over soon. I was talking to Mom earlier too about how I've been doing better and I just said that I know (now) that no matter how bad something is today, chances are it's going to be half as better tomorrow...and even better the next day! Which is true. I was brushing my teeth last night and the inner thigh muscle thing hit me SO badly that fell into tears but today it's quite a bit better so I can't complain.

Just trying to take it ONE day at a time and know that it's getting better and better each day. So today was a big day and eventful and tomorrow should be even better! Here's a picture of my bandage before I remove it tomorrow..
Looking forward to better and better days with a smile on my face! And couldn't get through these last 8 days without my family and friends because the beginning was pretty difficult! And especially Mom and Kevo for putting up with my demands and playing "house" for me!

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Tuesday, July 2, 2013 - Day 7

One week...seriously, it's only been a week? But at the same time, where has the week gone? A lot has happened, there have been a lot of improvements also!

Woke up about normal time, 8:45ish and inched myself out of bed. Luckily, Kevin forgot to take my commode downstairs so I was able to pee right away. I also ended up having to wake Kevin up at 3am because I had to pee. I HATE having to do that, but he tells me I have to, so I do. I slept great, again! I'm not sure if it's the Contin and Codone or if it's because I'm comfy and tired, but I keep taking the meds at night and it seems to be working so why change it now!

To my next order of business, it's 4:00pm and I haven't taken any meds since 3am. Took 1 oxycondone and 1 tylenol then at took one oxycontin at about 10pm last night so as of now everything is out of my system. I don't feel too awfully bad. I hate taking medicine so I really try to bump myself off the stuff as quickly as possible. The hip feels fine, the main issue is my butt pain and my inner thigh/muscular pain which I'm not sure what it is yet. My tongue feels like it's getting a LITTLE better...oh and the whole bathroom issue!!!! Maybe now that the meds are lowering it'll start happening.

I've made about four trips upstairs today, can't say I'm hating it....but I certainly don't enjoy it! I've been going upstairs on both crutches (under each arm) as opposed to both under one and using the railing and Mom is yelling at me. But I said if I have to go upstairs to pee then I get to choose how I get there. Coming down I still use the railing for help as I'm a little more unsteady. After I come downstairs, Mom makes me walk to the back door then back to my chair. I'm surprised I haven't needed a nap all week from all this movement. Another sign I'm getting stronger. I did exercises once today but need to do them once more. Will wait for Kevin to come home.

So last night before dinner, Kev made me try another suppository...ugh. Didn't really do much so the food just doesn't seem to be moving down to the general area for some reason! It's getting quite frustrating.

Anyway, so Mom has been here since we came back from the hospital and it's been GREAT! I've been less active this time around so it's good she's been here. I just have no ambition to do anything and I really can't anyway because my muscle has been bothering me. She's been doing above and beyond her job duties that's for sure and Kevin and I REALLY appreciate it. Besides the grocery shopping and cooking, she's cleaning up and doing laundry, ironing Kevin's laundry and telling him to unpack his suitcase (HAHA)...she's emptying the garbages and taking care of me obviously! Then in her down time, we're catching up on ABC's newest show, Mistresses, which she wanted to watch but never started so we watched from the beginning and now we're addicted. I don't want her to leave over the weekend because I'm going to be SO lazy. It has been a HUGE help to both of us and Kevin can come home and relax...along with grilling and helping out wherever he can. 

Not too much else...yes things are getting better but it's going slowly!! You think I'd learn this time around to be patient. Nope, don't have a patient bone in my body. I just hope this one heals as well and with no problems like the other two. I don't want any lingering nerve or muscle pain..crossing my fingers big time!!!

Monday, July 1, 2013

Monday, July 1, 2013 - Day 6

I'm almost a week since surgery! Doesn't feel like it's been a week already, but I'm not sure if I feel like it's been forever or not forever.

My night was very good again. I went to bed just after 9pm and woke up maybe once or twice, Kevin got up to turn the fan on at one point and asked if I needed to go to the bathroom but I didn't - surprisingly. His alarm went off for work, I decided to take my next dose of meds so by the time I got up they have kicked in, and then I slept on my side for the next hour or so. My thigh is a little sore for some off reason, the ripping sensation is a little better, but the other thing is my inner thigh muscle (here we go again) is causing me a really uncomfortable pain. If I don't put some weight on my leg the pain is very very sore and I'm not too sure why.

So Kevin went off to work and Mom was here to take care of me. She brought me a muffin and juice to bed to soak up my meds so when I got up I wasn't sick. So after I felt full, I got up and went straight into the shower, YAY! I was afraid I'd get overheated again..but I needed to shower anyway. I grabbed some clothes and headed to the bathroom. Here we go again, strip down, I get real close to the shower and put my left crutch in the shower and put my left leg in then I bend my right knee backward and put that into the shower as well then I sit on my shower chair. I have a shower head that can be hand held and a loofa on a stick which is the only way to go! I shaved my armpits which were looking like Wolverine! I took a quick shower and out!! And you know how, things that can go bad, do go bad to me? I got my period again...2 weeks early. What are the friggin' chances? Seriously. What did I ever do? Hate this. I popped out of the shower and was feeling very tired so I sat in the recliner and had Mom bring my clothes to me so I can rest for a while. After I sat for a while, I came downstairs and sat on the couch under my snuggie and here I am. It's just after noon and I'm exhausted. That was a busy morning.

I have to do the first round of exercises since I didn't do it twice yesterday, not good!

Improvements: I can sit at the table longer. I sleep like a CHAMP and don't get too sore at night. I can shower somewhat with no issues. I can get dressed without help - except for socks. When I sit in the chair, I can pull my op-let up and lean it to the side with no problem. I remember that took a long long time the first time around.

Can't: I still can't stand for very long at all. I can't bend over. I don't have much of an appetite or ambition to do very much at all.

I hope by the end of the week things start looking up. I'm looking at my last blogs to compare where I was. First RPAO today is the day I got discharged (during a huge snow storm) and my LPAO we left the hotel we were staying at and drove to Cape Cod for a wedding! Not sure how I did that. I am in no shape to sit through a wedding that's for sure. Although, my sleeping is much improved.

Gonna have some lunch and relax...eating some prunes...and hope a bathroom trip is in my future!

Update: I just got a call from Christine from anesthesia - which I think is the girl that has done my epidural for each surgery. She was asking about my tongue and where the issue is.  I told her there is now a red sore on my tongue on the right side and going towards the tip. I said it hasn't quite gotten better so she will call at the end of the week and see if it has improved at all.