Pilates

I just tried to do Pilates for the first time since my surgery. It didn't go so well. A lot of the exercises have to do with the core, which is good, but a lot of the video I have is twisting, and I'm not allowed to do it. I'm also not very good at things like straight leg raises, so that was really tough. I think I'm going to have to wait until October when I'm much less restricted to be able to tackle this again, which is tough because I was able to do the whole thing before my surgery.

Camping

So I went camping this weekend. Jayson and I went up Saturday evening and met some of his family up there for his sister's birthday. It proved to be quite a challenge, as it was more difficult getting in and out of a tent and sleeping on an air mattress than I'd originally thought it would be. Walking through the woods was okay, but I'm still not that good (or steady) on un-even surfaces and I was pretty sore all weekend.

I'm getting frustrated because I'm still limping, and everyone asks why I'm limping and says something to the effect of "why are you still limping, I thought surgery was supposed to fix that." Well, it didn't, and I talked to Pete about it again today and we decided I should call and make an appointment with my surgeon just to double check and see if it's normal to be this sore this far out. This coming Friday will be 14 weeks, but I have to remember that I was on crutches for almost the first 7 weeks, so while they were being cautious, it's possible they kept me on them for too long and it's now setting my progress back. Or, not setting it back, just the reason why I'm so far behind in recovery.

That is all for now.

Update!

Sorry to Karen, Grammy and Brosey, who apparently check this "all the time" -- I don't believe any of that!

I am back at work, very limited as I am really not allowed to do any of the things my job requires. As a result, I am doing some computer work.

Other than that, I work out every day. Even though I burn up to 1000 calories some days at the gym {the elliptical is my friend,) I haven't lost any weight, as I think I eat too much icecream. Is there really a thing as too much icecream??

I have been to Fenway twice since my surgery, and I'm taking a train in 35 mins to meet dad to go tonight. It's a tight squeeze and a bit painful, but worth it if they win {they didn't win either time, here we go boys!)

Finally, everyone I show my scar to steps back and cringes. Not a good sign, I'll never be a swim suit model I guess... BYE!

I'm at the gym doing the Stairmaster (on easy!) for the first time... baby steps -- literally! I think I'll stick to my eliptical though!

MUCH NEEDED UPDATE!

Ok! I have been yelled at (or scolded??) for not posting for a while... here is the news: I am walking! About two weeks ago, I saw my surgeon and he got rid of my crutches! It was pretty much the most exciting thing ever & walking is now quite an experience... There are a lot of people that just blatantly ask, "why are you limping?" so I get to explain the whole story. For the most part it is great, but it is incredibly frustrating to have been in such great shape before and now feel like I'm constantly walking like a weeble-wobble or a penguin.

I'm doing out-patient PT two or three times a week with Pete, who kicks my ass, and I go to the gym on the other days, much more diligently than I'd have expected myself to go. I started on June 1st and have been every single day since then, except I took of yesterday, which felt good but made me a little sore.

I'm able to drive, although it starts to get stiff after about 10 minutes of doing that.

I'm able to swim, although it's awkward because I'm not really strong enough to kick my legs while doing a breast stroke, so I do a lot of water walking or weird swimming strokes that aren't real and may or may not be therapeutic. I'm adding more and more different exercises at PT every day, which I carry over to the gym, so that's pretty cool because I don't feel like I'm doing the same thing over and over.

The scar is healing nicely, or as nicely as it can. It's a total of 10" long, with the newer part of the incision being about 6.5" long, cutting deep into the side of my thigh. Definitely visible with a bikini bottom...! When I asked about my scar and the butt cheek, my butt was really flat due to the doctors taking out scar tissue, and from serious atrophy from them cutting right through all the muscles. At my follow up appointment, he told me I'm "a perfect candidate for plastic surgery" as I'm young and active, etc. Just what every woman wants to hear... However, with a lot of hard work my butt cheek is coming back to semi-round-ness, as opposed to the concave-ness it had been.

I don't return to work until July 10th-ish. I probably could go back sooner if I didn't have a very physical job. However, I'm not supposed to bend past 90 degrees or twist or rotate my leg past my center line for SIX months, and I thought it was only THREE. With that said, I unfortunately have to wait as long as possible to go back. I know you may say "ya right" but it is REALLY boring at this point and I'd welcome going back to work!

I think I covered everything, although I'm sure I missed something. Thanks to everyone for everything, the support was amazing and I'll try to post again soon-ish!

:)

My last Coumadin pill!! Three days until I can eat unlimited broccoli & sushi & asparagus!!!

I'm enjoying the sunshine & my pearly white legs are getting much-needed vitamin D after a 6 week drought!

I know I owe a legitimate blog post but I wanted to quickly update that it's sweltering & I'm finally warm & since tonight is 6 weeks eve, I'm done with TEDs!

The ninja man at the Japanese steak house just told me I have a broken leg. Who am I to correct him?

I'm headed to a secret location for a birthday dinner, listening to my new Zune! Yay!

A birthday on crutches beats no birthday at all.

Ok, apparently it's "birthdaytime" as evident by the fact that Jayson is screaming (singing??) it at the top of his lungs... Wish me luck!

More errands

Jayson and I just ran some errands; I officially am a Wal*Mart shopper again, I think I'm sad about that. I have noticed that people and crutches are a funny combination. They either look at them and don't care and stand in your way regardless of an "excuse me," or jump about 15 feet out of the way like you have the plague. I don't understand it, probably never will.

As far as my TEDs go, I hadn't gotten around to washing my extra pair when I showered today, so I did wash with both pairs at once, leaving me with none. I went shopping without them, as I have done a few times before, and I don't like that five weeks of wearing them all day every day has made me so accustomed to them that my legs feel weird without them! I am looking forward to not wearing thigh-high socks, but I have a feeling it's going to take a while to get used to it!

I also made a quiche earlier today. It was incredibly difficult but I made it out of spite for not really being able to cook much of anything. That's what we're having for dinner, so it's off to the microwave...

Five weeks!

Today is my five week anniversary. Nothing really big to report, except as someone pointed out, I'm doing really well and this is the point when I'll start cheating, which I have found myself doing already. So, that's something I need to start paying attention to immediately. I've had some great days of visitors, and there are more on their way right now, which is good because I do well when I'm kept busy.

Side note, these 70 degree days are something I could get used to, Coumadin and all :)

After a long day, I just want to take a great snoozer. However, the Bruins are in sudden death overtime!!! Let's go boys!!

Graduation #1

Nicky graduated me yesterday!! I think the proper term would be "discharged" but I'm going to go with "graduated" because now I don't have to have visiting PT until my follow-up doctor appointment in 12 days. I did call my aunt Michele who is a PT to see if she could come down once or twice in the next two weeks until my appt. just so I have someone watching over me who knows what they're doing. If she can't come, it's not a big deal because Nicky says, as she's been saying all along, I am doing really well and I'll heal really well based on my progress so far. She was watching me walk and said I could "totally just drop those crutches to the ground and keep going" which gives me hope for when I see Dr. Smith that he'll tell me the same thing. I'll settle for going down to one crutch, but just walking out of the office without my crutches would be pretty sweet.

Also, tomorrow is five weeks. A lot of people have said, "wow, the hardest part is behind you!" And they are right as far as physically hard goes. I think the next two months will be much more mentally challenging. I had a lot to focus on physically (pain, trying to learn my PT) and was still bored for the first month, but now that I'm more mobile and still restricted, I can feel myself going more and more stir-crazy everyday. Friends that were visiting last night said Jayson and I should go to a party at their apartment this weekend. I still can't just go to an apartment, especially at a party where people would be drinking and could accidentally knock into me. It's just stressful with my 27th birthday coming up that I'm still feeling very confined to the house. Ok, I think I'm done complaining.Enjoy the sunshine everyone!

History became legend, legend became myth... I'm starting the Lord of the Rings trilogy, let's see how far I can get into this 12 hour set!

Phone Post 19

I should have posted these yesterday when they were more fresh, but these are the fresh lilacs Jays brought over from his house!

One month down, two to go.

The weekend was nice, I was able to spent a little bit of time sitting outside enjoying sunshine without TEDs yesterday. Don't worry, an hour won't kill me. I had a surplus of visitors on Saturday, which really wiped me out but was a ton of fun to see everyone. We ran some errands yesterday and picked up my Coumadin RX, and I only have 14 days left!! That leads me to believe I only have 14 days of the TEDs too, hahaha. I see the doctor in 15 days (not that I'm counting...) and I'm sure he'll be the judge of that.

I also got my Claim Summary for my four day hospitalization. I've been getting little statements here and there, but this one was for just under $41,000! My shiny new hip is worth more than $40K, which is pretty exciting, hahaah sucker health insurance company!

Ok, I've got more tacos and rice and beans leftover and two different Hodgie's cups to tackle for a late breakfast, have a great day everyone!

28 Days Later

I think there's a movie called 28 Days Later, I feel like it might be about zombies. Clearly, I have no idea what I'm talking about. Ok, I'm buckling down and forcing a legitimate post. I've been feeling out of sorts lately, which everyone says is normal. You go from being so immobile to somewhat mobile but still incredibly limited and it's really messing with my mind.

A few things to report:

-Jayson took me on a FANTASTIC date to Chili's last Friday. It could have been McDonald's for all I cared, but it felt excellent to go out and do something normal even though I had my trusty crutches right next to me... We met a boy our age who had been on crutches for 2 weeks because he rolled his ankle. I took no pity and showed him up without even really trying.

-I spoke with the PA in my doctor's office because I had several questions. She gave me a few answers that I wanted, and told me a few things that pissed me off, namely that I still have to wear TEDs for another 2.5 weeks. I'm also allowed to advance my weight bearing as tolerated, up to 100%. However, I have to still use both crutches until my follow-up appointment May 26th. I subsequently asked Nicky if she could teach me how to walk 100% WB on both sides, *with crutches*, and she laughed at me, because "that's stupid, it doesn't make any sense!" If your PHYSICAL THERAPIST says it is stupid, I think it's okay for the patient to think so, too. But, a bright side is that I'm (limitedly --is that a word?) allowed to use Advil instead of anything else to help with muscle soreness, so that actually made me pretty happy.

-My physical therapist had been bringing this stationary bike peddler similar to this:

I really like doing it because it feels like normal exercise and I'm into anything that makes me feel somewhat back to normal. It just sits on the floor and you sit on the chair and peddle off into the sunset! Well, I found one on Ebay for $28 so I bought one! Nicky then thought it would be a good idea to check with my doctor's office since it was something I'd be doing more often, and the secretary told her I wasn't allowed to. She called and asked for the PA, but the secretary said no. She's very nice, but she's the secretary!!! I've been doing it for 5 minutes a day during my visiting PT appointments already, and speak of the devil, it just showed up! Well, we'll see how good I am at following directions...

-My birthday is in a week and a half, and I was in no rush since I don't need my license as I can't drive and I can't drink, but I just tried to renew it and they wouldn't let me because someone in Tennessee has a similar name and birth date. I tried calling TN to yell at them, but no one answered. Let me explain this to you, jerks! I CAN'T JUST GO TO THE RVM BECAUSE YOU GUYS CAN'T DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN TWO PEOPLE! (That "jerks" was for them, not you.) Anyway, that's an added frustration.

-I'm going to Jayson's mom's house tonight for Chinese food and the Bruins. I know I should be more excited, but going places just frustrates me because I have to make sure I'll be comfortable {in this case we'll be bringing an entire chair & cushions} and I try not to drink anything for hours before because I don't have my raised toilet seat and there is *no way* I'm making Jayson pack that into the back of the Explorer! It is good to get out of the house, it's just frustrating and annoying to be 26 years old and think "I'm not sure I can go to XYZ because I don't have my raised toilet seat." I know this is only temporary, but since I just sit around my house all day and think about it, it bums me out.

-Lastly, my incision is looking good. I stopped wearing ABD pads and gauze a while ago and I don't have to put anything on it when I shower. Most of the steri strips have come off on their own, or I've unknowingly pulled them off in the middle of the night since the scar goes right across my butt and I know pulling my underwear up and down 15 times a day to pee can't help keep them stick. I still have a section at the top of the new incision where 4 or 5 strips have held on. My old scar from 26 years ago is maybe 3" long, then the section where the strips still are is about 2" long, then there is maybe a 4" scar that is a combination of old and new scars, which is healing nicely. Nicky said that the section up top where the strips are still tight is probably because there is less blood flow to the area so it is just taking longer to heal. I don't know if that makes any sense, but Karen asked about my scar, and I KNOW YOU GUYS WANNA KNOW TOO!

Ok, I think I'm done. Have a good weekend, everyone!

Phone Post 18

Sorry. Despite my boredom, I can't bring myself to focus and write a legit blog post. Maybe tomorrow? I do have a lot to report, so I'll try, I promise!

Snoozy

I'm tired, but I don't want anyone to worry, I'm doing well. Maybe I'll write about my date and my day today, tomorrow. For now, I rest -- goodnight!

Date Night!

Today I went with Dad to the bank. Actually, I sat in the car while he went to the bank. Then we went to Market Basket to get some ice cream, and next door to the liquor store for beer. Then, again, I came home and took an hour and a half nap. It is crazy how quickly I get drained from doing the smallest things.

However, in super big news, I am going on a date tonight! Assuming I can manage to rest for 3 hours, Jayson and I are going to Chili's for dinner! I've got nothing else really to report, but I didn't write anything official except for two texts yesterday, so there is my full report for today. Have a good day everyone! :)

**UPDATE** I'm wearing jeans!! I feel like a real person -- this is the most exciting day EVER!!

Phone Post 17

I had a fun night watching the Bruins (win) with Alex, but as I try to go to sleep, my legs are tired. This usually only happens after workin a long day. Weird.

Phone Post 16

I'm sitting here with Grammy, she's knitting, I'm crotcheting. She had her knee done 10 months ago. I had my hip done 3 weeks ago. Have a good Friday everyone!

She wasn't that mad...

So today, feeling a little ballsy, I decided to take a shower. The tricky part about this is I usually have my mom put the shower chair in the shower and she either covered up my bandage if needed, or put a bandage on since I'm not wearing one throughout the day now. Anyway, she was at work, and I didn't want to wait and have to figure out some independence quickly, so I just slid the shower chair/raised toilet seat across the bathroom (it kind of worked like a side ways walker hahaha) and went about the whole process by myself. Since I'm still at risk for falling and being unsteady and all of these dangerous things, I probably shouldn't have done this, but it worked out just fine. I was able to cover my incision up, twisting minimally and using the bathroom mirror. I also threw some things in the wash using the reacher-grabber and considered my morning a success. More surprisingly than anything, when my mom got home, I said to her, "um, I may have maybe taken a shower and did a load of laundry while you were at work." She wasn't that mad. She rolled her eyes and said, "you know, I was bragging at work about how you're not over-doing things..." Woops!

House full of people!

So this is going to be short, but a quick update to thank Karly & Jason and three of my grandparents for coming to visit! PT went really well today, and we're just going to cut down to two times per week, starting this week, and for two more weeks, because that's all my insurance will cover, which is annoying, but not worth fighting because I know how to do my exercises really well. Anyway, I had a great visit with everyone today, and had a fantastic 1.5+ hour nap, so I'm finally somewhat recovered!

Bummed.

So, today was exciting until about 15 minutes ago. Mom and I went out to the library to pick up some movies I had on reserve and then we went to Marshalls and I got some nice Merrill sandal kind of things because the shoes I wear every day now are lined with some kind of fur and that's not good because it's 90 degrees out. After those two little errands, I stayed in the car while she went to Shaws because I was wiped, and promptly came home and took a two hour nap. It was SUPER exciting to get out of the house and I was pretty pumped, but...

My doctor's office just called. I can't get a follow up appointment until May 26th and I'm not allowed to change any precautions until then. I'm also not allowed to start outpatient physical therapy until then, even though I was supposed to start May 4th. That means even though I'm doing realllly well, I'm not allowed to do anymore than 50% weight bearing until he changes that, FOUR weeks from now, and I'm not guaranteed to take three mini field trips out of the house to outpatient PT each week.

Also, I got my claim summary from my health insurance with some bogus co-pays for blood tests they did for my pre-op appointment totaling about $60. There is also a $269 charge for them drawing my one unit of blood which my doctor required, and I ended up receiving in the hospital post-op, BECAUSE I HAD SURGERY! Wouldn't you think blood services would be covered for someone having surgery? Well it's not, and now I'm cranky. I can't even wait to get the bill for my surgery where they tell me I have to pay to have them store it and then give it back to me.

Phone Post 15

My first trip out of the house since I was discharged two weeks ago!!

Phone Post 14

I'm sitting outside, enjoying the sunshine, while Jays uses his new birthday present street hockey stick! Notice the ball in the air in the net -- I'm a great cell phone photographer! Hahahah Also, notice the Bruins playoff beard I convinced him to grow hahahaha

Manic Monday

So I finished my two prescription medications that I was discharged with two weeks ago. Yeah, it's been two weeks! So this morning marked the last time I'm going to have to take SIX PILLS at once for a while, hopefully! It's actually good, because I think I'll be able to go back to Advil for pain, which I wasn't allowed to do before. I'm going to try it because A) I'd like to stop taking Percocet & Tylenol completely and B) it's such a different kind of pain, I think the Advil might actually help now!

I have a busy day of PT and visitors and watching street hockey played in my driveway and being Laura-sat by my boyfriend on his birthday, so I hope everyone enjoys the cool sunshine :)

Phone Post 13

I'm walking up really sore this morning, probably from trying to rest yesterday! Nicky just might kick my ass today. Other news? HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAYSON!

Phone Post 12

My Shishter just left & I'm very sad! On a happier note, I'm finally recouping from yesterdays adventures!

Phone Post 11

Enjoying a fantastic brunch with Karen & Mom & Dad on the patio!

Cookout!

So we just finished having a great little family party kind of thing! Mom had insisted we keep it small & I'm appreciating that very much right now, I'm pretty tired! It was a great excuse to finally put on real clothes and do my hair and put on make up for the first time in two weeks (and a day if you want to get specific!) It was great to see everyone who could make it, it was MUCH appreciated! We did miss the family that couldn't make it but we'll have a "Laura's all better" bigger party in a month or two after I start training for my decathalon! hahahaha Ok, time to watch this Sox/Yanks marathon & REST!!

Numb...

Good morning everyone! To use the word Jayson's 80 year old grandmother uses (and then he teases me for using the same words as 80 year olds,) I'm feeling a little numb this morning -- and it's not in the sensation kind of way!

I've been at 164.0 pounds for a few days now, and I couldn't figure out why I hadn't lost any more weight because almost all of the swelling is gone. I decided to weigh myself without the crutches today... I know, I know. But in my defense, when I weighed myself when I came home, I was very unsteady and I needed to hold them in case I lost my balance. Then, every morning, I just did it the same way to have a consistent reading. Then, Wednesday when I woke up and weighed myself, Dad even pointed out, "you know you're weighing the crutches, too, right?" I knew, but I was keeping it consistent!

So this morning, when I thought, "you know, I can totally stand without these," I put them down. I now weigh 160! It's kind of funny, because that's where I normally am, and I should have figured this out DAYS ago, but I'll once again blame it on my half Percocet every 6 hours. Yeah, again, I know, I know, it's my fault. Hahaha. Anyway, I think the posts about my weight are now done! (Unless I gain another 20 pounds in 4 days, then I PROMISE I'll start them back up again hahaha!)

Here's to hoping everyone enjoys this sunshine today!!

Phone Post 10

Healthy fruit & yogurt snack -- mostly because I ate ice cream for dinner!

Outpatient!

So Nicky cleared me for outpatient PT, but they can't get me in for my initial evaluation until next next Monday, so I will be seeing her all next week. Again, she's really impressed with my strength and mobility. I was actually lifting my whole leg up, a straight leg extension I think, when getting in and out of bed. I showed her, thinking it was impressive, and she basically said, "yeah, don't do that." Hahahah. I guess it's not something I'm supposed to be doing yet, so I guess I'll stop it. I was cleared to roll onto my stomach without pillows between my knees and someone standing there, and I thought the pillows got in the way anyway, but that's really a big deal to me because it means I can do it by myself and independence is something I'm welcoming more by the hour! So that's my PT update.

I'm also really excited about the upcoming sunshine. I'm sure I've complained before, but the coumadin (blood thinner) makes me so cold all the time and I'm looking forward to the 70's and 80's! I went outside for about 7 minutes yesterday to stand in the backyard to say hello to the dog that lives next door. (I wasn't being weird, Karen and Jayson were actually over there playing with the dog, and I can't go over and play with a 2 year old golden retriever for obvious reasons that he'd jump up on me and knock me over and break my shiny new hip.) It was nice to get outside, but I had to come back inside because I was freezing! Also, it makes me miss Chase, Jayson's dog, a whole lot more. Oh well! I'm off to spend more quality time with My Shishter!!

Ow.

So I'm psyched my sister is here, but today was a really tough day. I know I only had surgery 13 days ago, but sometimes the day after PT I'm really sore, and sometimes I feel great. Today was a really sore day. Karen and Jayson helped me do my PT throughout the day -- my leg needs to be lifted up a little bit to do hip ab- and ad-duction due to the friction from the bed -- but I started crying through it. I'm feeling a little discouraged but I know I'll be feeling better in the morning. Ok, time to go hangout with my sister, who flew all the way up from DC to take care of me!

**BIG NEWS**
A lot of people have said they tried to leave comments and it was difficult, but I think I changed settings so you can leave them now and they just show up as Anon -- so just remember to leave your name!

Phone Post 9

Enjoying my visit with My Shister! Unfortunately, I still need to do my PT, even if I have company! Feeling strong & sore today, excited for upcoming sunshine!

Accomplished!

Nicky came bright and early and once again, I shocked her and she's basically told me I'm doing way better than expected. It hasn't even been two weeks, and she's pretty sure soon I'll be able to do a stand-up stationary bike which is something I've been thinking about for a week, so that clearance would be awesome!

I was a bum all morning, but I just cleaned out my fish's tank. It's weird how doing the most simple and mundane task [that I haven't done in a *long* time] can make me feel accomplished. I talked to Nicky about how I have craft projects to do and thank you cards to write and movies to watch and none of it interests me. She made me feel a little better by saying a lot of her patients go through this initially. You're so overwhelmed and anxious, and then thrown off by all the meds, that books you really wanted to read post-op [or the other things I thought I'd do] just aren't appealing and you find yourself wanting to just sit in bed than do anything else. It doesn't help my current boredom, but it feels a lot better to know it's normal.

Well, it's time to do more exercises, but not before I have a snack. My aunt and uncle, Betty and Jeff, had an Edible Arrangement delivered this afternoon - with a Disney Princess theme!! - so I need to snack on that and some yogurt from some energy. ANYONE is welcome to stop over for a fruit snack, we have tons now!! {Picture to come...} Hope everyone is warm and dry...

Phone Post 8

Watching Zoolander with Dad.. PT went awesome today, I'm feeling really strong, but incredibly cooped up! Very excited for this (possibly short-lived) sunshine!

Phone Post 7

The oriental lillies that Grammy brought A WEEK AGO! have both finally opened! They're bringing a lot of sunshine into this rainy day!

"How are you doing?"

So here's a quick overview because people ask how I'm doing. I'm doing really well, mostly. My PT is completely surprised every time she sees me, and I'm feeling really strong. In fact, I think I'm ahead of schedule in my PT plan. I can get out of bed by myself all the time, and into bed about 90% of the time. I could do it 100% of the time, but I think I'd be a little more sore more often. If I was allowed to, I'd start walking.

That's where things get tricky. I'm really frustrated because I'm getting bored quickly. I can't walk, but I feel pretty strong and want to start trying -- I'm about a month early for that, though. Even though I have friends and family coming to visit, I'm feeling incredibly Cabin-Fever'ed {did I just make that up?} and I'm not allowed to start venturing out for a week or so, because most people that have Total Hip Replacements would still be in rehab at this point.

I've weened down my pain medications and even had to remember to take them over two hours late yesterday, which is a great sign, but once again I find myself thinking "If I'm not taking two Percocets every 4 hours, I'm fine!"

I'm not sure what my point is, hahaha. I guess I'm doing really well, I feel like I could start going back to the gym if I was allowed. But, mentally, I'm ready for these months to be over. Alright, I am going to shower and pretend any of that made sense!!

Phone Post 6

Had a great visit with Brian & stayed awake til 3pm- lastest I've taken a nap so far! Rolled over again, feeling really good & strong, not sore.. yet! ;) Go Bs!

Impressive!

So Nicky just left, and she was really impressed with how well I'm moving, which is awesome. I rolled onto my stomach for the first time, which is awkward because I need to have two pillows between my knees so my operated hip doesn't cross my center line {and dislocate!} Other than that, PT went really well and I'm glad it's over!

In other news, I lost another pound, and am currently wearing my own underwear!! I'm still up at least five pounds, but I officially lost 15 pounds of fluid and swelling in one week, so I am feeling a lot lighter and moving A LOT easier! I think I need some Hodgies...

Phone Post 5

The dizziness has subsided, and the pain is a lot more manageable. I have PT @ 8am, which is usually my prime-time for soreness.. we'll see how it goes!

Dizzyyy

So I had a really great morning, but I'm feeling really dizzy now, and off and on all morning. We're thinking it's the Percocet, now that I don't need it as much as before, my body is rejecting it. I'm hoping that is the case, we can cut down to a 1/2 pill dosage, which would be great because I hate taking it! Omi & Papere are on their way, so I'm going to visit with them and rest a bunch all day. I am totally feeling like a bum for laying in bed for so long, I'm not good at this!!

Phone Post 4

Strawberry Buckwheat Pancakes & Chicken Sausage! My RD friend takes such good care of me!

Phone Post 3

166.8! Lost 3 more pounds & got myself out of, and then back into, bed at 6am by myself. Pretty good start to the day!

Phone Post 2

I'm watching the Sox & Bruins with my parents. I'm feeling a lot better, my legs are much looser & I'm walking a little easier. Maybe I can do this after all ;)

Super Sore, Super Sized! (Pt. 2)

So I've been taking narcotics, which I believe make you have a decreased appetite anyway, but I just don't feel like eating. I'm having small portions of everything I eat, and I'm finding it is taking me forever to finish meals. For example, yesterday, a friend from work&school, Dre, brought me a Blizzard from Dairy Queen. I ate about 1/3 of it, and put it in the freezer. That's right, I didn't finish my whole icecream in one sitting! Last night while we watched the movie, I ate another 1/3 of it. Finally, this afternoon, I finished the last 1/3. I don't know how else to explain my complete lack of interest in food than with this example -- and I LOVE icecream!

Jays & Teagan are coming over with subs before they head to the Bruin's game tonight, I'm aiming to eat half in one sitting... we'll see!

Phone Post 1

This was me enjoying the sunshine yesterday!

This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!

Super Sore, Super Sized!

So I've lost another pound, and just 10 more to go! That's a metric crap ton of fluid, huh??

I really had an awesome day yesterday, and when Nicky came to do my PT, I felt amazing and it felt really great to stretch things out even more. About 6pm though, I hit a wall and spent the evening fighting tears while my friends Ginny and Adam dined on pizza and watched the Pineapple Express with me. They, along with Jayson, did their best to cheer me up, and I appreciate their efforts, but nothing helped. I woke up even more sore this morning, and the two percocet Jayson gave me in the middle of the night did nothing for the pain. I know I had a stupid hip replacement a week ago, but I'm getting so frustrated that I do so well one day, and the next day I start crying from being so sore. I have no patience for this!

I was going to write about my lack of appetite, but I'm feeling a little sick from my meds so I'll write more later.

Yardwork

So I had a few visitors this morning- two cooks from work (Tim T & Tim M) and Tim T's daughter Becky, which was pretty fun to have more people from the outside world! I'm now blogging from our patio, where I'm 'supervising' / 'helping' (hahaha) while mom does some yardwork. I've got 5 callbacks to make & a PT appt. @ 2pm so I'll report more later. I hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine!

YAY!

I lost almost five pounds since yesterday!! I came home at 180.2 and a few days later I'm at 171.2! We've also been measuring the swelling in my legs which I think is down 4" total, but my thighs still each need their own zip code, hahaha. Ok, I have to go have a CIB Shake for breakfast, with *maybe* a little icecream mixed in ;)

It's been, one week since you looked at me...

I know this posts in Pacific time, andd I'm not sure why, but it has officially been one week since they were rolling me into get anestesia! I'm really sore this morning, but last night I felt super strong & mom keeps reminding me that "people usually go to rehab for two weeks, slow it down!" hahahah.

With that said, I have a busy day of many visitors, lots of PT, potentially hanging outside for a bit, and a shower (which I think we'll do every other day for right now since they are so exhausting.) Hope everyone has a FANTASTIC day!

Reacher Grabber Thing!

I just used what I have named My Reacher Grabber Thing to get dressed (mostly) by myself! It was a bit difficult to tuck my very sexy 2XL underwearz under my toes becuase mom insisted on buying fancy silky-ish ones that slid right through the rubber hahaha! I'm pretty much completely exhausted now, but I've got plenty of time to rest up before the Bruins/Habs game tonight!

Big doin's!

I know I had surgery not even a week ago, but I was already feeling cabin fever so I took a walk down the driveway to get the mail earlier today. It felt really awesome to be able to do that, so I'm feeling *realllly* good right now. I'm going down for my second nap (I'm also about 6 months old hahaha!) but I forgot to give a shotout to my Grammy & Grampy. Gram showed up the other day with flowers, which are in full bloom now & smell amazing, and told me she reads diligently every day and leaves the blog open so Grampy can read it too. They're 79 and 81, which is just awesome. I don't think Omi & Papere read this specifically, but I'm SURE my Holland cousins are keeping them updated! So, {even though it's 1:30p,} good night!! :)

Mornings are the hardest..

I just reread my post from last night, I was pretty much on cloud nine. This morning, I'm sore & frustrated. I feel like I'm making so much progress every hour, so I sit and rest and have all my muscles return to mush as soon as I try to relax them! Yesterday when my PT was here, I tried lifting my leg into the bed and I mostly did it by myself, which felt awesome! And then a little later, I lowered my leg to get out of bed by myself which {stupidly!} made me think I was done rehab! hahaha. Well, I still needed help last night and this morning, and I know I will need help for a few weeks, but I feel as though I'm continually stepping forward and back!

One thing that is somewhat exciting that I *cannot!!* believe I forgot to post is that I gained 20 pounds from Friday->Monday. This is actually not exciting. What *is* exciting is that as of Wednesday, I'd lost 4 pounds, and as of this morning, I'd lost another 1 pound. Yes, I gained 20 pounds. When I tell you my hip is swollen, it does not do my hip justice! We called into the doctor yesterday, he said this much swelling is normal and expected, especially where he used my scar from my first surgery. He irritated all the old scar tissue & as the week goes by, the swelling should come down. It is fine and I know it is normal, but it is sort of affecting my life as none of my own pants or underwear fit! {Yes, I had mom buy me a few temporary pairs of 2XL cheap underwear because I GAINED 20 POUNDS!! hahahah}

Lastly, something that should have been blogged about on Monday: I was at the hospital and received a phone call on my cell phone from a random Newburyport phone number. It was the YMCA telling me that when I'd entered a contest a month ago at our work health fair, I had won the free months membership at their gym/pool! I explained that this was *PERFECT* as I was currently laying in my hospital bed post-op a Total Hip Replacement, and after 3 months when I'm finally able to completely and fully submerge my incision into water {the scar needs to heal to prevent infection} I will be able to use their pool for water rehab, for free!! We were both so happy and she went on and on how this couldn't have gone to a better candidate! So, now I just have to wait 3 months, and I can go swimming every day in a temperature controlled pool!!

Ok, time to watch some TV because I think I need a break from the internets for a while! :)

PT & Taxes

These are my two new inevtable things in life! It was a long (mostly great) day but it's late & I'm tired. Jays stayed over & slept in the living room with me so he could help me in and out of bed for late night bathroom runs. This was mostly important because it meant mom could sleep in her own bed, through the night, so that was huge. After a sweet breakfast, I crutched upstairs with intentions of getting some clothes, but we decided that shower is easier so I took my shower upsttairs where there is a hand-held shower head. It was huge to be able to do, and it felt incredible to be that semi-independant!

Of course I was exhausted but that happens pretty quickly, and it was worrth it. I did a bit more exercises, took my second nap of the day, and Hannah came over. What is really funny about Han coming is that she was one of the countless friends that came almost everyday when I had my last surgery!

My PT came again and was noticably impressed with my improvement in only 24 hours! I am amazed at how quickly l'm getting stronger, it is really making me so happy.

I have a few more things to rreport but it will have to wait til tomorrow as it is almost 10:30p and this girl needs her beauty sleep! Peace out!! :-)

I'm talkin' 'bout practice!

Another quick update for the day. Teagan {Jayson's sister} came over after school, which was really nice to have a quick visitor who tried to use my crutches, and proved I'm way better at them ;) She also was a BRAVE soul when my mom finally changed my dressing and Tea took the pictures of the incision for me! I had yet to see it and I was really relieved to find out that they used the roughly 8" scar that already goes along my butt instead of making a new scar! I won't post it here, but I know sometimes "chicks dig scars" as someone once told me -- PearlJam0@gmail.com -- I might consider letting you see it!

Also, semi-exciting for me, I have finally found that sitting in the pink chair is the best option. My orders are pretty strict. If I'm awake, I can lay down on my bed for one hour, then get up and walk around for 5 to 10 mins, then lay back down or sit in a chair, not sitting for more than an hour. None of the chairs are comfortable, I need to have my knees below my hip to prevent dislocation and they can't be really soft or I'll have trouble getting up. I know it seems so trivial, but finding a chair that I'm semi-comfortable in is reallly exciting for me!

I also just finished my first home PT appt. about an hour ago. My PT's name is Nicky and she's super nice and it turns out mom & I were doing almost all the exercises correctly. What's pretty neat is intially post-op, your operated leg is longer than the normal leg, so it is harder for me to do a lot of the excercises correctly simply because I can't put my leg flat down because it's too long! Kinda neat, kinda weird.

I guess this is long so I'm going to rest, eat some dinner, and then Jays & I are going to watch The Bricks, an end-of-the-season Bruins award show. I find excitement in the greatest things!

First Full Day Home!

It has been a really good day so far. I had a really great sleep and even though I woke up as stiff and sore as I have since the surgery, I think that's a good sign. My aunt, a physical therapist, said it's because I slept with all my muscles tensed, which is good in the end because even in my sleep, I am maintaining proper muscle formation.

The hip is still really sore after walking around and sitting up twice to have breakfast and lunch, but part of that is that we aren't on a strict medication schedule yet so I can easily miss a dose and take it a half hour later and not have noticed until the pain was really bad. It's something we'll work out soon enough though.

I have to say it's pretty funny how much energy the littlest things take. I woke up at 815ish. I went to the bathroom, ate some breakfast, did laying-in-bed exercises and then slept from 930a-1130a. Now I've had once piece of pizza and a 4oz yogurt for lunch, did standing-up exercises, and I'm already back in bed for a potential nap. I feel so silly, this isn't at all like me to sleep through the day and refuse an entire large pizza at once, but I know I'm supposed to be taking it easy! Hahaha, this might take my whole recovery to get used to!

Real PT (seeing as my mom doesn't have her license so she and I are only practicing) should be here at 4:30pm so I'll let you guys know how that goes!

Home Sweet Home!

So, I peed. It was pretty much the best pee of my life, and I still can't believe I did it! I took a shower and did the hallway one more time on crutches and they finally let me go, and Mom & Jays & I made it home with plenty of pillows and a lot of white knuckles trying to keep my hip straight through all the bumps and turns. It feels completely awesome to be at home, not in my own bed, but in a borrowed a twin-sized bed in the living room so I'm not detached from the rest of the house, which I really think will help so I'm not feeling alone & depressed, which was happening a little bit. I've had some delicious pizza, and delicious percocet {not really, it tastes pretty gross} and I'm sure there is no way I'll be awake for the 10:pm Sox start, but I cannot tell everyone how much it means that you're all still so concerned and everything. It's so great to know I have all this support, and I don't even know what else to say. Thanks again, and I'll write again after I meet with my VNA, PT and OT tomorrow!!

Shipping up to Port, woaah ooohh whoaaa

I have offically been discharged and I'm already in the car with mom and Jays headed for home! For anyone keeping track (and I'm sure you all are) I've peed... twice! It's really big doings and the PT and OT people said i was way ahead of schedule so I'm really happy right now. More to come later or tomorrow if I pass out at 7pm again hahha :)

Very quickly..

I took a shower. It was really difficult but really refreshing. I passed what OT and PT wanted from me (crutch up and down hallway and stairs and do basic personal healthcare things) so I will be all set to be discharged... just as soon as I can pee.......

I've got the Powah! To Showah!

Dr. Smith came in after my last post and said we're going to try to remove the catheter again today (which the tech just did) and when the PTs or OTs come in, I can take a shower! I had read all along in different places that u can't shower for 10-14 days until the stitches or staples come out, but I have internal stitches and external butterfly sutures on the outside so he said he'd be really pleased if I got to shower today!!! That is seriously the best news everrr. I haven't been up for very long but think I'm going to maybe snooze until they come in.

PS- if I don't post, plz don't worry, I'm probably asleep. My poor grandmother was worried because I hadn't updated, but I 'slept' (as well as that can be done) for about 12 hours straight last night so there was NO new update coming from here! hahaah it means a lot that everyone is concerned and interested, I just don't want anyone to worry! TTYS! :)

This isn't the *most fun* I've had in a while...

Yesterday was pretty trying. They took out the catheter & despite 3 trips to the ladie's loo, I was unable to do what I had to do & now I have another catheter. It was a lot easier moving around, yesterday was definately better than the day before on that front. I did get sick again which is more discouraging than anything. You'd think that being up & moving and taking TWO little hallway/walker walks would help clear your body, but noooo. Hahaha. I pretty much just wen to sleep around 7p & am just waking up now. Of course the RNs & Techs wake me up all the time for meds & vitals but I've been able to fall back asleep pretty quickly which is excellent..

Oh yeah, anotherthing. Several people have asked about Room Service. It's kind of crappy here. Within the laast week, they've switched from Sodehxo to Aramark & through this transition they don't allow you to call & request things as needed. I've filled out my menu for the next day & they've screw up something on every tray so far. I know getting 2% instead of skim milk isn't a big deal, but missing my fruit&chz plate, which was supposed to my main entree at lunch was a hassell!

Finally, I have some annoying news. I thnk mostly due to the not-peeing thing & the meds making me throw up, or just neausaous, I will probaly bot be D/C'd until tomrrow, but it's only one day so I'm not letting myself get too worked up over it.

That's it for now I guess, thanks to everyone for everything!

Oh the places you will go!

I tried to be adventurous & the aide took me to the bathroom using the walker. Of course as soon as I sat down, I didn't need to pee anymore, yay!

She put me in the hip chair, which is nice & tall & quite thrown like actually! It didn't matter where I was sitting because I ended up getting sick anyway. So now I'm sitting up with nothing to do hahaah. I'll write more later probably!

Happy Easter..

So it has been a difficult morning. The cathater came out, and I haven't needed to get to the bathroom but I'm nervous to do so because I'm having a lot of pain just laying in the bed already. The Better Looking Dr Eric (as he calls himself) and two residents just came in to change the bandage & said it is looking great, and they changed my pain med reigime so I should be able to keep a more consistant rate of being relaxed, we'll see...

Day Two Finale

So I'm pretty exhausted, but I had a good day overall. I had PT twice, the 2nd time went a lot more smoothly, despite the fact that it hurt just as much.

My parents came & kept me updated about the Sox and Jays came too & played cards with me when I was able to stay awake.

I had another 'Standard' meal at lunch, and again at dinner, but M& got Jays & I some Chinese food (what, with my hospital being *in* Chinatown) so that was really nice.

Tomorrow they will [hopefully] take out my IV & catherter, which should make moving around a lot easier.

Thanks again for texts & calls, it has been wonderful to get this kind of support! :)

Physical Therapy

I just had my first PT & it went okay. I'm not gonna lie, it hurt a lot but I'm sitting up in the chair now. It took a while to get in this chair, and I already want to go back to sleep. Sorry for whining, it's kinda what I do!

Standard Breakfast!

So I was pretty excited when my nurse gave me the Room Service menu so *I* could finallyharrass a Room Service employee but they told me they are only serving 'standard breakfasts' to my floor! Bogus! Oh well, I don't even really have an appetite (shock!) so it isn't that big of a deal.

I slept pretty well considering they do rounds/ vitals so often but my pain meds are working well enough and I guess I'll start some PT today. Not looking forward to it, but I guess I don't have a choice hahaah.

More to come later!

Toast and Narcotics

What a great combination! I slept pretty much all day and keep falling asleep now, but nurses and aides keep coming in so it is kind of difficult to rest. Nothing else to report tonight, hopefully I will be sleeping soundly and I will write more tomorrow!

Finally in the room!

So my surgery was a couple hours, they said it went really well, and after I recovered in post-op for SEVEN hours because the person that was supposed to leave my room... never did! But I'm all situated and snoozy and really appreciate the 'good luck' texts and calls!

I'm going to go eat some first-food-of-the-day pears and drink a lot of water, this place makes me thirsty!

On the verge of sleep

As of right now I'm looking at about 4 hours of sleep but I'm so overwhelmed with all the calls and texts and emails -- it has been so amazing. When I'm able, I'll post about the outcome of the surgery, I go in at 6am and my surgery is scheduled for 8am, yayyy! I can't say it enough, thanks again!

First phone post!

So I now know I can post from my Voyager & I'l try to keep this updated so you guys can know what I'm doing ... EVERY SINGLE MOMENT OF EVERY DAY AAAHAHAHAHHA. But that's enough of me threatening you, I've got a Bruins game to catch!

Thank you to everyone for you well wishes & support!

Just an appetizer..

A lot of people wanted me to keep them updated on my surgery and rehab. This is the best way, so I don't have to tell 50 people the same story! As long as I can update from my phone, which I will try shortly, you will ALL be able to know what is going on with me! Can you even wait?!?!