I regularly scan my Daily Digest email from the Hipwomen Yahoo group, and seeing a few questions breeze across the forum about women having some of the same pains I have had during recovery has reminded me I should probably post an update here, as I know some folks from that group visit this blog.
So I'm about 4.5 months post-op now. I'm walking on both legs, unassisted! There is still pain in my hipflexor area (center of the groin area) when I lift my leg up to a Captain Morgan position walking up stairs, or when I try to lift my leg to put pants on, and still cannot cross my right leg over my left by myself. I have to grab my thigh to help it get over with a manageable amount of pain. I have found through Physical Therapy that my hipflexors are still extremely weak. When sitting up and she tries to push my knee down while I try to hold it up, she can push it back down very easily ... and it's painful. One of those things I'm still hoping will fix itself in time.
I haven't walked with a cane in a few weeks now. The pain in my outer hip area that I used to have when putting full weight on it has completely subsided (thanks to my surgeon recommending me to take 800mg of ibuprofen 3x day!)!!! Now, I'm just a little wobbly still when I walk. It's interesting how you really do have to re-train yourself how to walk normally after you don't walk "normally" for 3 months or so. I find myself with tendancies to limp, as if my right leg is shorter than the left, and mentally have to tell myself to walk "tall" and try to NOT walk with a limp. I've found that doing this actually works other muscles in my leg that are still very weak (such as inner thigh, knee, and quads). I kinda thought "walking" on my leg would strengthen it, but I've found that I'm not seeing drastic improvements in a 1-2 week timeframe. I will be patient though - and reassess where I am in a month!! It's so easy to over-analyze daily progress ... it's dangerous!
The low back pain is still pretty bad. When I say "low back pain", I mean lowest lumbar pain. Mobic (anti-inflammatory) doesn't seem to be making a difference. I'm also working to make sure I have as good of posture as I can when walking and standing, but that doesn't seem to help either. I see Dr. Kregor on Monday and will mention this ... perhaps it's time to see someone about it and see if I have any further disk deterioration and if arthritis is setting in. I have lots of stiffening and soreness, which makes me wonder if it's arthritis.
As the holiday season approaches, I keep reminding myself that I am SOOOO thankful for so many things. My family and my husband - for standing by me through the surgery and recovery, and being patient with me. I'm thankful for being able to walk - considering there have been SOOO many times over the past few months where physical discouragement nearly tore me apart at the seams. I'm thankful for Connie Purdue, my physical therapist, who has been with me since day 1 (which was about 2 weeks after surgery) and encouraged me along the way - reminding me how far I've come and continuing to push my abilities. I'm thankful for Dr. Kregor for his passion in orthopaedic surgery (including the hip and osteotomies) and his skilled hand to perform such a tedius and precision-demanding procedure, and to do it so well (oh, and for being LOCAL!!). I'm thankful for all the friends and family who have provided meals, cards, phone calls, help around the house, and words of encouragement along the way ... it has made all the difference in the world.
While I may not physically feel 100%, I am thankful for being alive and being able to walk! Not everyone is this fortunate at this stage of PAO recovery.
Oh, and I'm also thankful for being able to do Christmas shopping online ... :-) My back can't tolerate standing in lines!! (lol)
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Someone should have warned me this would not be easy
I should have joined the Yahoo! Hipwomen forum several months ago!
Since my last update, I haven't had much to report. Work has been busy, and the RPAO recovery has been somewhat uneventful. After the injury or whatever happened at PT the day after I got cleared to ditch the crutches, recovery has stalled. I ended up going back to 1 crutch for a week or 2, and last week managed to go with the cane. I'm still on it, and pretty much can't walk pain-free without using it.
Today was my first visit back to PT since the pull/stretch/whatever happened in my hip. She kept my session short as she didn't want to overdo it. Based on how I was explaining the pain I was still having, when it happens, where it happens, etc. she was able to determine that it's probably an issue with my Gluteus Medius muscle (I have a feeling it was was of the muscles which had to be detached/re-attached during the surgery ... not sure though). I was somewhat relieved by her findings and how she explained exactly how it works ... in relation to exactly when/where I have pain. This muscle is basically what keeps your hip stabilized when you put full weight on it. And, unfortunately, that has been my problem. I can't put full weight on that leg while walking because it puts so much painful pressure on this muscle. It doesn't get more frustrating than this - given the "go" to start walking again, but can't!!!
She indicated it may take 4-6 weeks (from when I injured it at PT) for the muscle to heal itself, and she urged me to continue to use the cane and not to walk without it right now. The good part is (if you can call it "good"), is that she recommended I find a local sports facility that has an indoor pool and practice walking in the pool (since you are really only taking about 10% of your body weight in the water). The kids would go NUTS if I told them we were going to a pool, when it's in the 50's outside!! Well of course we would go to an "indoor" pool. :-)
So, I continue to stay on the crutch not knowing for how long. My biggest fear is wondering if I will ever feel somewhat normal again, or be able to walk around the neighborhood with the family successfully. We are considering making our first trip to Disney in Orlando for spring break next year, and I can't even imagine doing it. All the walking and standing ... makes my lower back and my hip hurt just thinking about it!!
I'm doing some web surfing on muscles and trying to better understand various injuries and how long it takes to recover, and what I can do to help it heal. In the meantime, I have to try and remind myself how great it feels to have returned the loaner wheelchair and bed, and to at least be vertical. Things could be a lot worse. Of course, things could be better as well.
Hoping for healing and continued strength ...
-L
Since my last update, I haven't had much to report. Work has been busy, and the RPAO recovery has been somewhat uneventful. After the injury or whatever happened at PT the day after I got cleared to ditch the crutches, recovery has stalled. I ended up going back to 1 crutch for a week or 2, and last week managed to go with the cane. I'm still on it, and pretty much can't walk pain-free without using it.
Today was my first visit back to PT since the pull/stretch/whatever happened in my hip. She kept my session short as she didn't want to overdo it. Based on how I was explaining the pain I was still having, when it happens, where it happens, etc. she was able to determine that it's probably an issue with my Gluteus Medius muscle (I have a feeling it was was of the muscles which had to be detached/re-attached during the surgery ... not sure though). I was somewhat relieved by her findings and how she explained exactly how it works ... in relation to exactly when/where I have pain. This muscle is basically what keeps your hip stabilized when you put full weight on it. And, unfortunately, that has been my problem. I can't put full weight on that leg while walking because it puts so much painful pressure on this muscle. It doesn't get more frustrating than this - given the "go" to start walking again, but can't!!!
She indicated it may take 4-6 weeks (from when I injured it at PT) for the muscle to heal itself, and she urged me to continue to use the cane and not to walk without it right now. The good part is (if you can call it "good"), is that she recommended I find a local sports facility that has an indoor pool and practice walking in the pool (since you are really only taking about 10% of your body weight in the water). The kids would go NUTS if I told them we were going to a pool, when it's in the 50's outside!! Well of course we would go to an "indoor" pool. :-)
So, I continue to stay on the crutch not knowing for how long. My biggest fear is wondering if I will ever feel somewhat normal again, or be able to walk around the neighborhood with the family successfully. We are considering making our first trip to Disney in Orlando for spring break next year, and I can't even imagine doing it. All the walking and standing ... makes my lower back and my hip hurt just thinking about it!!
I'm doing some web surfing on muscles and trying to better understand various injuries and how long it takes to recover, and what I can do to help it heal. In the meantime, I have to try and remind myself how great it feels to have returned the loaner wheelchair and bed, and to at least be vertical. Things could be a lot worse. Of course, things could be better as well.
Hoping for healing and continued strength ...
-L
Friday, October 23, 2009
What a week!
It has been a roller-coaster of a week, so I'm just now getting around to providing an update!
My 12.5 week check-up went really well on Monday. Here's how it went. My husband and 5 year old son were there with me. First, a younger resident-type doc came in and asked how I was doing, showed me the xrays, etc. He seemed a bit nervous and didn't seem too "schooled" on PAO's, but that was ok because I knew the "real deal" would be talking to me later. :-) This younger doc asked "can I see you walk?". I said, "um, really? Are you sure?". Afterall, I have not even TRIED to walk since my surgery in July. I gave it a whirl ... and though wobbly, I walked around a little in the room! My son was thrilled!! This doc told me the outer edge of my hip (by one of the breaks) had some extra bone healing on the outside that we would have to keep an eye on. Not sure what that means, or what it "could" mean later on ... he didn't explain ...
So then we waited for Dr. Kregor to come in. As to the xrays, all of the load-bearing bones seem to be healing nicely, and there is a non-load bearing bone (inside the pelvic cavity, perhaps by the tailbone) that has not healed but he said I could start weening off my 1 crutch!!! I was ecstatic. I am to continue PT for another 7-8 weeks until I see him again, and was told as to the wobblyness and range of motion that it could take up to a year before I'm 100%. I am still having low back pain and hip flexor/groin pain when lifting my knee or crossing it over to put socks on, but I guess that will just go away with time. It was still good to hear it from Dr. Kregor that there's no huge concern, just takes time. Whew.
So, I had my son carry my 1 crutch out of the building ... and I walked (well, limped). I was holding back the tears (not of pain, of JOY) all the way to the car. What freedom! What elation! My hip area and upper thigh was really sore while I was walking, but it was ok! I realized that while I thought I was doing about 75% weight bearing with 1 crutch, that wasn't the case. I didn't remember what 100% was until I actually started to walk on it ... and then realized I have a long way to go on strengthening those muscles. On the way to the car, my son told me in regards to not using a crutch "Kathryn is going to be SOO surprised!".
When I got to work I was really wishing I had remembered to bring my cane in, but nonetheless decided to just "walk" in. I was turning heads left and right, and my team was very excited for me! They could see the smile on my face as it was beaming with happiness and joined in on the happiness with me. I limped for the rest of the day, but thought all in all this was ok and I would enjoy resting when I got to bed that night!
I went to pick up my 3 year old daughter from school. I walked in, and she immediately stood there and just looked at me for a minute. She got a big smile on her face and said "Mommy? Where's your cwutch?". I told her I didn't need it anymore, and she got real excited ... turned to her teacher and said "My Mommy can walk!". The late-afternoon teacher in the room didn't know what she was talking about, since she doesn't really know me, but I knew. My heart melted. Kathryn and I held hands all the way to the car (which is not something you can do while on crutches). I will never forget that moment.
At home Monday night, I REALLY enjoyed walking around the kitchen helping to get dinner ready. I was amazed at how much faster I could get things ready when I had 2 hands free versus 1! John enjoyed me helping as well, I think. :-) Again, it was nice to be a little more mobile. Going up and down stairs (using the rail, of course) was also surprisingly easy.
I wake up Tuesday morning and head over for PT. I had the cane in the car, knowing I would need it at work ... yet didn't carry it into PT. They were all surprised to see me walk in! It felt really good. I started my 10 minutes on the stationary bike as usual, then proceed to the table to do my leg lift exercises while lying down. I did 20 straight leg lifts from my back. Yeeeah. Then rolled onto my left side, to do the leg lifts with my right leg and was told to do 20. When I got to number 16, I heard 2 quick pops and immediately lowered my leg. Now, I've heard some occasional snap/crackle/pops in my right hip area before since surgery, but since they never hurt ... I figured it was normal. These 2 pops were NOT normal, and were VERY painful. I told my therapist what happened, generally where it was, and we moved on to other exercises to try and isolate what I "could" do versus what I "couldn't" do. We were able to do some other exercises, but I could NOT do anything standing (at least nothing putting weight on my right leg) without huge pain.
She put me in a closed-door room, and tried some negatively charged compound on these electrode pad things to try and calm the muscle down. She put 2 pads on me, one in the groin area and one further up the hip, and zapped me for about 10 minutes. These pads had some sort of anti-inflammatory medication inside it that was supposed to draw itself down into the muscle. Along with that, she wrapped my hip up with ice while that was going on. As the day went on, I found it didn't help the pain. And wouldn't you know, I didn't have a crutch in the car ... just the cane. I was in so much pain walking around even with the cane that I left work early and worked from home ... tail between my legs ... angry that I had done something and set myself back ... and worried that something was horribly wrong.
I emailed Dr. Kregor about this, and he didn't seem too concerned that it was a significant muscle tear, and to take it easy for a week or so and also cut back on PT for a bit. It's now Friday, and I think it's actually feeling better. I have swallowed my pride and have been constantly using the 1 crutch again, and while walking I will allow myself to put a little more weight on the right side. There is still muscle soreness that wraps around from the top of my thigh around to the back of my hip, but I'm being cognizant of the pain and being gradual on putting a little more weight on it. I will probably hold off on PT next week, just to make SURE everything is ok, before we hit it again with weights and strengthening. Once again, it was such a relief to get the email from Dr. Kregor ... as I know nothing about muscles and bones and what is serious and what isn't.
I have had a few friends remind me in the last few days that I have had major surgery and that it takes time to heal. I've never had to take THIS long to heal from ANYTHING (of course, the only other surgeries I've had were 2 c-sections), and my patience is truly being tested. It's hard to be patient with something like recovering from hip surgery when you have a full time job, 2 small children who are active, and when you have other obligations outside of work. It has really been hard to keep my head up and realize how far I've come (thanks, SuSu and Mom for the reminder). I have to keep praying that God will keep me strong (mentally as well as physically) and will give me the patience that I've run out of in order to keep a steady pace of beginning to walk again and not try to rush it. Heaven knows I don't want another setback ...
I'm hoping that perhaps later this weekend ... or early next week ... I'll muster up the courage to try to use the cane again. Just have to make sure I don't damage those muscles. At this point I think I can recognize "bad" muscle pain versus "good" muscle pain! The "good" muscle pain is pain that exudes itself as "I'm weak". "Bad" muscle pain seems to be the kind that is sharp and says "get off me!!!". :-)
Day by day ... gotta "stay the course" ... "slow and steady" ... (in the words of one of my favorite StarTrek captains, Cpt. Jean Luc Picard)
My 12.5 week check-up went really well on Monday. Here's how it went. My husband and 5 year old son were there with me. First, a younger resident-type doc came in and asked how I was doing, showed me the xrays, etc. He seemed a bit nervous and didn't seem too "schooled" on PAO's, but that was ok because I knew the "real deal" would be talking to me later. :-) This younger doc asked "can I see you walk?". I said, "um, really? Are you sure?". Afterall, I have not even TRIED to walk since my surgery in July. I gave it a whirl ... and though wobbly, I walked around a little in the room! My son was thrilled!! This doc told me the outer edge of my hip (by one of the breaks) had some extra bone healing on the outside that we would have to keep an eye on. Not sure what that means, or what it "could" mean later on ... he didn't explain ...
So then we waited for Dr. Kregor to come in. As to the xrays, all of the load-bearing bones seem to be healing nicely, and there is a non-load bearing bone (inside the pelvic cavity, perhaps by the tailbone) that has not healed but he said I could start weening off my 1 crutch!!! I was ecstatic. I am to continue PT for another 7-8 weeks until I see him again, and was told as to the wobblyness and range of motion that it could take up to a year before I'm 100%. I am still having low back pain and hip flexor/groin pain when lifting my knee or crossing it over to put socks on, but I guess that will just go away with time. It was still good to hear it from Dr. Kregor that there's no huge concern, just takes time. Whew.
So, I had my son carry my 1 crutch out of the building ... and I walked (well, limped). I was holding back the tears (not of pain, of JOY) all the way to the car. What freedom! What elation! My hip area and upper thigh was really sore while I was walking, but it was ok! I realized that while I thought I was doing about 75% weight bearing with 1 crutch, that wasn't the case. I didn't remember what 100% was until I actually started to walk on it ... and then realized I have a long way to go on strengthening those muscles. On the way to the car, my son told me in regards to not using a crutch "Kathryn is going to be SOO surprised!".
When I got to work I was really wishing I had remembered to bring my cane in, but nonetheless decided to just "walk" in. I was turning heads left and right, and my team was very excited for me! They could see the smile on my face as it was beaming with happiness and joined in on the happiness with me. I limped for the rest of the day, but thought all in all this was ok and I would enjoy resting when I got to bed that night!
I went to pick up my 3 year old daughter from school. I walked in, and she immediately stood there and just looked at me for a minute. She got a big smile on her face and said "Mommy? Where's your cwutch?". I told her I didn't need it anymore, and she got real excited ... turned to her teacher and said "My Mommy can walk!". The late-afternoon teacher in the room didn't know what she was talking about, since she doesn't really know me, but I knew. My heart melted. Kathryn and I held hands all the way to the car (which is not something you can do while on crutches). I will never forget that moment.
At home Monday night, I REALLY enjoyed walking around the kitchen helping to get dinner ready. I was amazed at how much faster I could get things ready when I had 2 hands free versus 1! John enjoyed me helping as well, I think. :-) Again, it was nice to be a little more mobile. Going up and down stairs (using the rail, of course) was also surprisingly easy.
I wake up Tuesday morning and head over for PT. I had the cane in the car, knowing I would need it at work ... yet didn't carry it into PT. They were all surprised to see me walk in! It felt really good. I started my 10 minutes on the stationary bike as usual, then proceed to the table to do my leg lift exercises while lying down. I did 20 straight leg lifts from my back. Yeeeah. Then rolled onto my left side, to do the leg lifts with my right leg and was told to do 20. When I got to number 16, I heard 2 quick pops and immediately lowered my leg. Now, I've heard some occasional snap/crackle/pops in my right hip area before since surgery, but since they never hurt ... I figured it was normal. These 2 pops were NOT normal, and were VERY painful. I told my therapist what happened, generally where it was, and we moved on to other exercises to try and isolate what I "could" do versus what I "couldn't" do. We were able to do some other exercises, but I could NOT do anything standing (at least nothing putting weight on my right leg) without huge pain.
She put me in a closed-door room, and tried some negatively charged compound on these electrode pad things to try and calm the muscle down. She put 2 pads on me, one in the groin area and one further up the hip, and zapped me for about 10 minutes. These pads had some sort of anti-inflammatory medication inside it that was supposed to draw itself down into the muscle. Along with that, she wrapped my hip up with ice while that was going on. As the day went on, I found it didn't help the pain. And wouldn't you know, I didn't have a crutch in the car ... just the cane. I was in so much pain walking around even with the cane that I left work early and worked from home ... tail between my legs ... angry that I had done something and set myself back ... and worried that something was horribly wrong.
I emailed Dr. Kregor about this, and he didn't seem too concerned that it was a significant muscle tear, and to take it easy for a week or so and also cut back on PT for a bit. It's now Friday, and I think it's actually feeling better. I have swallowed my pride and have been constantly using the 1 crutch again, and while walking I will allow myself to put a little more weight on the right side. There is still muscle soreness that wraps around from the top of my thigh around to the back of my hip, but I'm being cognizant of the pain and being gradual on putting a little more weight on it. I will probably hold off on PT next week, just to make SURE everything is ok, before we hit it again with weights and strengthening. Once again, it was such a relief to get the email from Dr. Kregor ... as I know nothing about muscles and bones and what is serious and what isn't.
I have had a few friends remind me in the last few days that I have had major surgery and that it takes time to heal. I've never had to take THIS long to heal from ANYTHING (of course, the only other surgeries I've had were 2 c-sections), and my patience is truly being tested. It's hard to be patient with something like recovering from hip surgery when you have a full time job, 2 small children who are active, and when you have other obligations outside of work. It has really been hard to keep my head up and realize how far I've come (thanks, SuSu and Mom for the reminder). I have to keep praying that God will keep me strong (mentally as well as physically) and will give me the patience that I've run out of in order to keep a steady pace of beginning to walk again and not try to rush it. Heaven knows I don't want another setback ...
I'm hoping that perhaps later this weekend ... or early next week ... I'll muster up the courage to try to use the cane again. Just have to make sure I don't damage those muscles. At this point I think I can recognize "bad" muscle pain versus "good" muscle pain! The "good" muscle pain is pain that exudes itself as "I'm weak". "Bad" muscle pain seems to be the kind that is sharp and says "get off me!!!". :-)
Day by day ... gotta "stay the course" ... "slow and steady" ... (in the words of one of my favorite StarTrek captains, Cpt. Jean Luc Picard)
Saturday, October 17, 2009
12 weeks and who's counting?
Me! Counting every single day I might be closer to walking and feeling normal again.
Monday, October 19th I see Dr. Kregor for my 12.5 week follow up. At this point I'm probably 75% weight bearing, via one crutch, and hoping Mondays xrays show the bone breaks have finally healed.
It has been amazing to walk with no hip pain or discomfort whatsoever. What was not expected was the continued hip flexor muscle pain I feel when lifting my leg to get it into the car, into bed, or when trying to cross my leg to put a sock on.
I also continue to be plagued with unbearable low back pain after standing for more than 5 minutes, changing positions in bed at night, and sitting up after I've been lying down. I started taking Mobic for a week, an anti-inflammatory friend of mine that I take whenever sciatic nerve pain pops up unexpectedly, but it doesn't seem to be doing any good. I am not having any sciatic nerve pain, just total lumbar pain from left to right and everything inbetween. The mobic I have is a year or two old ... Wonder if that has something to do with the lack of effectiveness. I've been worried ever since I found out I needed surgery if it would aggravate my lower back (have herniation and disk degeration in between the last vertebrae). Throughout most of this recovery and all the sitting and crutching lopsided ... I've had zero back issues. However, the past 4-5 weeks it has been awful. I'm hoping we can get to the bottom of this very soon ... I really need a good, solid nights sleep!!!
Physical therapy continues to progress, except of course those exercises that nearly kill my groin area where the hip flexor is. This past Thursday she took new measurements and tested my strength. Some leg muscles are stronger than others, but it was nice to see that my gluts seem to be the strongest! I was lying on my stomach and doing a straight leg lift upwards while she was trying to push my leg down. She was unsuccessful, and even said "wow! Buns of steel!"! I think I would definately be able to walk unassisted now; moreso than where I was a month ago.
Range of motion is definately an issue. My right knee aches to high heavens when I cross it over my left to put a sock on. I've also noticed I can't bend down as far as I used to (from a sitting position) without feeling some outer/back/side hip pains (like needle sticks). Finally, it seems that the more up and down I'm doing, like on Saturdays like today when I'm trying to take care of the kids, pick up the house, tend to the kids/break up arguments ... My entire right leg was cramping. Is this normal?? Is it just the cold damp weather??
With the cold weather moving into middle TN, so has illness. Almost the entire family has been coughing for a minimum of 2 weeks, my daughter has an ear infection, and we've also had some stomach bug things going on. No fun!
It has been nice driving these past 3 weeks. Mobility has been such a blessing and relief both on me as well as my husband I'm sure. I've also figured out a system whereby I can use my shower! I park the walker right by the shower, back into it, and swivel/pivot on my left foot to get to the middle of the shower stall. It has worked well, except my back is killing me when I sit down at my vanity to finish drying off.
Now if I can just get rid of this last crutch. I'm hoping and praying the bones have finished healing come Monday morning, but everyone heals at different paces and only the xrays will tell for sure.
Let's hope my next post is a more positive one!!
Lori
-- Post From My iPhone
Monday, October 19th I see Dr. Kregor for my 12.5 week follow up. At this point I'm probably 75% weight bearing, via one crutch, and hoping Mondays xrays show the bone breaks have finally healed.
It has been amazing to walk with no hip pain or discomfort whatsoever. What was not expected was the continued hip flexor muscle pain I feel when lifting my leg to get it into the car, into bed, or when trying to cross my leg to put a sock on.
I also continue to be plagued with unbearable low back pain after standing for more than 5 minutes, changing positions in bed at night, and sitting up after I've been lying down. I started taking Mobic for a week, an anti-inflammatory friend of mine that I take whenever sciatic nerve pain pops up unexpectedly, but it doesn't seem to be doing any good. I am not having any sciatic nerve pain, just total lumbar pain from left to right and everything inbetween. The mobic I have is a year or two old ... Wonder if that has something to do with the lack of effectiveness. I've been worried ever since I found out I needed surgery if it would aggravate my lower back (have herniation and disk degeration in between the last vertebrae). Throughout most of this recovery and all the sitting and crutching lopsided ... I've had zero back issues. However, the past 4-5 weeks it has been awful. I'm hoping we can get to the bottom of this very soon ... I really need a good, solid nights sleep!!!
Physical therapy continues to progress, except of course those exercises that nearly kill my groin area where the hip flexor is. This past Thursday she took new measurements and tested my strength. Some leg muscles are stronger than others, but it was nice to see that my gluts seem to be the strongest! I was lying on my stomach and doing a straight leg lift upwards while she was trying to push my leg down. She was unsuccessful, and even said "wow! Buns of steel!"! I think I would definately be able to walk unassisted now; moreso than where I was a month ago.
Range of motion is definately an issue. My right knee aches to high heavens when I cross it over my left to put a sock on. I've also noticed I can't bend down as far as I used to (from a sitting position) without feeling some outer/back/side hip pains (like needle sticks). Finally, it seems that the more up and down I'm doing, like on Saturdays like today when I'm trying to take care of the kids, pick up the house, tend to the kids/break up arguments ... My entire right leg was cramping. Is this normal?? Is it just the cold damp weather??
With the cold weather moving into middle TN, so has illness. Almost the entire family has been coughing for a minimum of 2 weeks, my daughter has an ear infection, and we've also had some stomach bug things going on. No fun!
It has been nice driving these past 3 weeks. Mobility has been such a blessing and relief both on me as well as my husband I'm sure. I've also figured out a system whereby I can use my shower! I park the walker right by the shower, back into it, and swivel/pivot on my left foot to get to the middle of the shower stall. It has worked well, except my back is killing me when I sit down at my vanity to finish drying off.
Now if I can just get rid of this last crutch. I'm hoping and praying the bones have finished healing come Monday morning, but everyone heals at different paces and only the xrays will tell for sure.
Let's hope my next post is a more positive one!!
Lori
-- Post From My iPhone
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Wow ... over 10 weeks since surgery!
My blogging pace is slowing down! I've been back to work for 2 full weeks now, so I have had NO time for updates! I have 2 major initiatives going on at work, so that on top of just being exhausted and keeping up with the family has kept all my attention lately.
Just a few quick updates. I'm still progressing well with PT (2x week) and am using anywhere from 2-5lb weights on my ankles during most exercises. I am able to do more straight leg lifts each time (even though I'm only up to doing 2 sets of 5 lying down, and can do 2 sets of 10 lying on my side). I'm also progressively putting a little more weight on my right leg as I'm crutching and have NO signs of the same pain I felt prior to surgery!
Now that I have nearly weened my self off pain meds (which was no small feat for me), I'm really feeling the twinges, pangs, muscle soreness, etc. that are going on since they are no longer masked by medication. Most of the time these things are mildly discomforting (such as the twingy pains on the outside of my right thigh as the nerves are healing, the continued mild-to-moderate hip flexor pain in the groin area). After PT though, the muscle soreness and cramping in my leg is most uncomfortable. Of course none of this compares to the blinding pain in my lower back that I have after lying in ANY position for any amount of time, or when standing too long, or sitting in too soft a chair/sofa for any length of time. I wish I knew why ... Either way, I'm not sleeping well and waking up every 1-1.5 hours unless I take a small dose of meds, then I can at least get 2-3 hours of sleep before waking up ... and even then can usually manage to fall back to sleep after that.
I've also started having pain in my right knee. I mentioned this to my PT lady and she thinks if we work on my quads a little more, this may help my knee get used to having weight on it again. With all these various pains/cramps/discomforts ... I'm still thanking my Heavenly Father that my "good" hip is NOT giving me any trouble right now!! I sure hope it stays that way -I honestly could not go through this again.
I haven't been back to church on Sunday morning in probably a month. It was just too hard to orchestrate (and hard on me mentally) to have the family pushing me around in a wheelchair. I went back yesterday, only on crutches, so that was nice. My back (and for the first time, the back of my hip) was telling me perhaps it was too much right now.
Well, I see Dr. Kregor on October 19th and will be roughly 75% weight bearing by then. Sure hope there is light at the end of the tunnel ... I want nothing more than to ditch the wheelchair, walker, hospital bed and crutches!!!! I'm worried about the bones healing though. Only xrays will show, but as of the past several days I've had some stabbing pains right where (what feels like) the screws are. I hope my tossing and turning in bed has not wiggled a screw loose!
Until next time,
Lori
I've also started having pain in my right knee. I mentioned this to my PT lady and she thinks if we work on my quads a little more, this may help my knee get used to having weight on it again. With all these various pains/cramps/discomforts ... I'm still thanking my Heavenly Father that my "good" hip is NOT giving me any trouble right now!! I sure hope it stays that way -I honestly could not go through this again.
I haven't been back to church on Sunday morning in probably a month. It was just too hard to orchestrate (and hard on me mentally) to have the family pushing me around in a wheelchair. I went back yesterday, only on crutches, so that was nice. My back (and for the first time, the back of my hip) was telling me perhaps it was too much right now.
Well, I see Dr. Kregor on October 19th and will be roughly 75% weight bearing by then. Sure hope there is light at the end of the tunnel ... I want nothing more than to ditch the wheelchair, walker, hospital bed and crutches!!!! I'm worried about the bones healing though. Only xrays will show, but as of the past several days I've had some stabbing pains right where (what feels like) the screws are. I hope my tossing and turning in bed has not wiggled a screw loose!
Until next time,
Lori
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
8 1/2 week Follow-Up results
Greetings everyone.
Yesterday I had my check-up with Dr. Kregor. The breaks in the hip bone are healing well, with the exception of one of the major breaks which "still has some healing to be done". He re-checked the swelling in my right leg (and I'm happy to report that the unbelievable swelling in my foot/ankle that I've been fighting with for the last month is 99% gone!), and he noticed I still have swelling around my calf. I went this morning back to Vanderbilt to have another dopplar ultrasound done on my right lower extremity to look for blood clots, and everything was free and clear.
I am allowed to progress from toe-touch weight bearing to 20%, and very gradually increase from there over the next 4 weeks until I see him again. I'm to continue PT 2x week as well, and can drive in 3 weeks.
I have to admit I was not in a good mood yesterday as I went into the office, as I was hoping (prematurely) to be permitted to do 50% PLUS weight bearing and perhaps only use 1 crutch or a cane. I knew deep down that the xrays would be the determining factor of how much weight I would be to bear, so knowing the bones still need to heal ... I have to suck it up and be patient while that happens. The last thing I want is for the healing to not happen the way it should, and possibly have problems later. I definitely don't want to go through that again!! :-)
So I will go back to PT starting this Thursday. I'm also going into the office pretty much every day, granted a little late on PT days, and was given the ok to return to a full work schedule. It's really good to be able to see the team on a daily basis now, and with all the work on my plate it's also been easier than I thought to cut way back on my pain meds (which I'm trying to ween off of). Once I'm down to only taking pain meds before bed, this will help clear me to drive. Pain wise I'm doing really well, just have muscle soreness in the hip flexors from time to time.
I've enjoyed watching the emails fly on the "hipwomen" Yahoo! group I'm now a member of. Lots of women who are just about to go through a PAO, and others who are recovering like I am. I've seen folks asking questions about the same things I'm going through, and I've also seen questions fly by about problems or issues that I (thankfully) am NOT experiencing. I wish I would have found this group earlier on - I think I may have been more emotionally prepared for the recovery ahead than I was.
So when I'm crutching around, I'm letting my foot touch the ground and letting my leg "go through the motions" of walking. I honestly can't tell what percentage of weight I'm putting on it yet, probably 5% or less, but I'm letting it go through the motions and will work with my physical therapist to ensure I'm using more weight, but just not too much to impede the healing of my hip bone. While at home, I will probably still use the wheelchair if I need both hands to do things in the kitchen like clean up. You can't do much of anything when you're on crutches.
John continues to chaperone both kids to school, me to work, and me to all my appointments. I can't wait to be able to drive again so I can help ease some of the load, and can actually feel like there is something I can do on my own ... without help.
Well, that's the latest.
Yesterday I had my check-up with Dr. Kregor. The breaks in the hip bone are healing well, with the exception of one of the major breaks which "still has some healing to be done". He re-checked the swelling in my right leg (and I'm happy to report that the unbelievable swelling in my foot/ankle that I've been fighting with for the last month is 99% gone!), and he noticed I still have swelling around my calf. I went this morning back to Vanderbilt to have another dopplar ultrasound done on my right lower extremity to look for blood clots, and everything was free and clear.
I am allowed to progress from toe-touch weight bearing to 20%, and very gradually increase from there over the next 4 weeks until I see him again. I'm to continue PT 2x week as well, and can drive in 3 weeks.
I have to admit I was not in a good mood yesterday as I went into the office, as I was hoping (prematurely) to be permitted to do 50% PLUS weight bearing and perhaps only use 1 crutch or a cane. I knew deep down that the xrays would be the determining factor of how much weight I would be to bear, so knowing the bones still need to heal ... I have to suck it up and be patient while that happens. The last thing I want is for the healing to not happen the way it should, and possibly have problems later. I definitely don't want to go through that again!! :-)
So I will go back to PT starting this Thursday. I'm also going into the office pretty much every day, granted a little late on PT days, and was given the ok to return to a full work schedule. It's really good to be able to see the team on a daily basis now, and with all the work on my plate it's also been easier than I thought to cut way back on my pain meds (which I'm trying to ween off of). Once I'm down to only taking pain meds before bed, this will help clear me to drive. Pain wise I'm doing really well, just have muscle soreness in the hip flexors from time to time.
I've enjoyed watching the emails fly on the "hipwomen" Yahoo! group I'm now a member of. Lots of women who are just about to go through a PAO, and others who are recovering like I am. I've seen folks asking questions about the same things I'm going through, and I've also seen questions fly by about problems or issues that I (thankfully) am NOT experiencing. I wish I would have found this group earlier on - I think I may have been more emotionally prepared for the recovery ahead than I was.
So when I'm crutching around, I'm letting my foot touch the ground and letting my leg "go through the motions" of walking. I honestly can't tell what percentage of weight I'm putting on it yet, probably 5% or less, but I'm letting it go through the motions and will work with my physical therapist to ensure I'm using more weight, but just not too much to impede the healing of my hip bone. While at home, I will probably still use the wheelchair if I need both hands to do things in the kitchen like clean up. You can't do much of anything when you're on crutches.
John continues to chaperone both kids to school, me to work, and me to all my appointments. I can't wait to be able to drive again so I can help ease some of the load, and can actually feel like there is something I can do on my own ... without help.
Well, that's the latest.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
A week from tomorrow - see Dr. Kregor again
One week from tomorrow I have my checkup with Dr. Kregor, whom I haven't really seen since my 2 week checkup. I have been going to PT twice a week, with orders for "making headway" towards a straight leg lift from the back, and a leg lift from the side. The good news is - I can actually do 2 sets of 5 leg lifts from the SIDE, however can barely get air under my heel when lying on my back. If my therapist gives me a little assistance, I can lift my leg farther. As mentioned in a previous post, I am anxious as all get out to begin weight bearing and weaning myself away from the wheelchair and start doing some actual walking with 2 legs.
My most successful exercises are when standing. Doing the "captain morgan" knee lift is going really well (can lift it to 90 degrees with very little discomfort), side/front/rear leg lifts are also pretty good and mobile. Lying on my side, the clam exercises are getting easier and they've even added a thera-band to apply resistance. Each time I go to therapy, I also spend now 8 minutes on a stationary bike (with no resistance) and can pedal in circles with no pain. Last Friday was the first time they increased the timer from 5 to 8 minutes and my legs were a little bit tired, but not too bad.
During the day pain is not bad at all, other than my hands, fingers, etc. who have been compensating for my leg/hip these past 7 weeks. My only complaint is my hip flexor - on the center/inside area of my groin when I do exercises lying down or sitting down. The rest of my muscles (quads, glutts, hamstrings) are still very weak, but improving a little week by week.
I have now joined a Yahoo group for "hipwomen". I for once feel not quite so alone in this journey, but have to admit I'm jealous of many women whose surgeons allow weight bearing right after surgery!! I trust Dr. Kregor though and his direction, but am really hoping for some relief from my lack of independence and isolation next time I see him. My kids really miss me going upstairs to tuck them in, they miss me going to the playground with them, pushing them on the swings, taking them to school ... and I miss most of all not sleeping in my own bed with my husband and having quiet un-interrupted nighttime conversations!!! He has truly been my rock and my stability since the surgery. I don't know how he has kept his sanity as well as he has, but I would be amiss to not mention that he is an absolute miracle and blessing in my life. I don't know WHAT I would do without him. I love you, John.
For those women who have already replied to my posts (either on the forum or on my blog), thank you soooooo much. I want to open up lines of communications in both directions, so I hope my experiences can help someone else who is beginning this journey!
My most successful exercises are when standing. Doing the "captain morgan" knee lift is going really well (can lift it to 90 degrees with very little discomfort), side/front/rear leg lifts are also pretty good and mobile. Lying on my side, the clam exercises are getting easier and they've even added a thera-band to apply resistance. Each time I go to therapy, I also spend now 8 minutes on a stationary bike (with no resistance) and can pedal in circles with no pain. Last Friday was the first time they increased the timer from 5 to 8 minutes and my legs were a little bit tired, but not too bad.
During the day pain is not bad at all, other than my hands, fingers, etc. who have been compensating for my leg/hip these past 7 weeks. My only complaint is my hip flexor - on the center/inside area of my groin when I do exercises lying down or sitting down. The rest of my muscles (quads, glutts, hamstrings) are still very weak, but improving a little week by week.
I have now joined a Yahoo group for "hipwomen". I for once feel not quite so alone in this journey, but have to admit I'm jealous of many women whose surgeons allow weight bearing right after surgery!! I trust Dr. Kregor though and his direction, but am really hoping for some relief from my lack of independence and isolation next time I see him. My kids really miss me going upstairs to tuck them in, they miss me going to the playground with them, pushing them on the swings, taking them to school ... and I miss most of all not sleeping in my own bed with my husband and having quiet un-interrupted nighttime conversations!!! He has truly been my rock and my stability since the surgery. I don't know how he has kept his sanity as well as he has, but I would be amiss to not mention that he is an absolute miracle and blessing in my life. I don't know WHAT I would do without him. I love you, John.
For those women who have already replied to my posts (either on the forum or on my blog), thank you soooooo much. I want to open up lines of communications in both directions, so I hope my experiences can help someone else who is beginning this journey!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
