physical terrorists

i've always teased that i was looking forward to organized torture with the physical terrorists, well i have to say there not that bad. i have had great physical therapy. now i tease that i have a personal trainer. that is actually a more accurate description. they ask all the time weather i'm having pain so i feel like not only am i getting a good work out but i'm really being looked after. i used to go to the gym three times a week for 1 hour did upper and lower with some half hearted sit ups , i hate those things, lol. now i go three times a week 45 min to work out 1 limb. this is all on my way to becomming the bionic woman.

they really have me on track and eventhough they keep me working forward they dont let me overdo it. i came home yesterday in a full sweat oh yes, my lack of activity is catching up with me. i need to correct i was only on the bike for 6 min, not seven. but my tension was increased to 8. i actually had to stop. as they looked making sure i wasnt hurting i had to stop to catch my breath and take a drink. i continued and made it the last minute. ok now after i finished and was on my last exercise even after the bike my legs were only trembeling from muscle fatigue a little. i was pretty proud. after i got home getting up and down i was funny. i felt like the first day at the gym as i think ooooohhhhhhh as i get up and straighten out. boy have i had a work out. i feel great this morning, but my nemasis the bike still reels in my mind as i think about tomorrow. i sit there feeling like the little train that could. i think i can, i think i can ,i think i can.

beginning week 3 pt

ok. were starting week three.
physical therapy was wonderful. i did 7min on the bike only this time i had some tension. i found out that boy i'm out of shape. lol. the hip felt great but i was working up a sweat. then on to the teeter board and the doing the step with my right leg first. up to 30 reps on everything. then the incline board for some squats and the the mat work with my leg raises. the kids came with and talked the whole time of course. they asked if they could have weights on i told them they were just beginniners so no weight for them, but it was fun to make them count with me. i'm down to two ibuprofen and around 1 pain pill a day. 1/2 twice a day. but it is beautiful. they really kicked it up a notch but i was up to the task. maybe next week i'll be able to do a leg raise with the weight, its the only time i had to say i just cant do it. so that is my next challenge. he did say my leg raise without the weight looked alot better. it felt better too. i got a pat on the back that was nice, i was told i'm weeks ahead, that is great made me feel really good its always nice to know your work is noticed. i might be ahead but you know the important thing is to keep on track, so my goal is to take it easy and keep up with my workouts. keep yall updated.

week 2 physical therapy

well were at the end of the second week of physical therapy
i'm 18 days out from surgery
i'm still on a walker, but i'm feeling good
i can drive, i can start swimming next week
i'm down to 1 pain pill a day and 2 ibuprofen
pt was great this week today i did it with no pain meds
it was a little harder but it felt like a good work out when i left
i'm so glad i got my new hip. i can stand and fold laundry i can stand and do dishes i am not the best house keeper but its nice to be able to do things i havent for a while. my life is comming back. i got a slap on the wrist from the dr and told to slow down this week so i am. i'm stubborn but i want my hip to last so i'm being good. three months from now i'll have two new hips and be able to do more then i've done in years. i love it.

finally on the other side

ok. i'm so excited to be here.
let me recap.
surgery went very well os, was able to restore all the leg length discrepency so i'm even. the first few days were rough. but each day gets easier.

i started out on a walker and walked to the nurses station and back the day after surgery. the next day 100 ft and the third 200 feet and tried some stairs.
i went home after physical therapy on the 4th day.
when i came home i had a cook out waiting for me.
i enjoyed all the love and support.

well as i said i'm 11 days out. what i can do today i couldnt before surgery
1. i can rotate my right leg out to 25 degrees
2. i bath and dress myself and can generally get around pretty good. on a walker
3. i'm down to two pain pills a day and take them before i exercise.
4. from my hip to my toes my right leg is now straight. everything beautifully in line toes point to the ceiling.
5. when my post op measurements were done my range of motion on my right is now better then my left.
my incision is beautiful but in the itchy stage.
staples come out on the 7th.
oh and i went to the ricardo sanchez concert this week thanks to the kindness of my friends at church. it was fantastic. for anyone that dosent know who that is he is a fantastic christian singer. The concert was outstanding and a blessing to all that heard it.
so this is week 2 and i have to say. i'm so glad i did this.
i started this blog so i would be able to look back on the tough days and see why i'm putting myself thru this. i've got to tell you
outside of that first post op day. i havent questioned it. each day i see progress and i realize that i needed it more then i even thought.
the physical thearapist says that the outcome from surgery seems proportional to the pain before surgery. i have to agree. i was really bad enough off before surgery that this part only seems like a brief moment in time.
i'm getting back to enjoying life. i'm not afraid every time i have to stand up. i dont have any hip pain anymore. on the right. i ache, and get sore and sleeping can still be a challenge but no excruciating pain its beautiful.

ok it might be tomorrow

Anyone that reads my title might not understand. i got all the way to the waiting area for the OR two weeks ago and hit a stop sign. UTI. for anyone that dosent know what that is. its a great big joy kill. lol. believe me i wasnt laughing at the time.
i was calmer that day then i've been for months. finally the day was here i was about to begin a long recovery .
#1 recovery. that is where you start out in pain and you get better every day.
#2 no surgery. that is where you hurt every day and it only gets worse.
very short pro and con list.
ok. so if anyone can tell me this i'd love to hear it. i hear alot of people say they are scared. i've not been scared i've been excited frusterated with waiting and afraid it wouldnt happen but not scared of the surgery. it would figure that i'd still be here waiting.

the song somewhere over the rainbow is playing happily in my head right now. if i can get to the rainbow it will be an uphill battle to get to the top but once i've reached it i can get to the pot of gold on the other side.

so i'm praying that tomorrow is the day
and i hope i wont be checking in till next week.

the final 3

ok so were almost there. surgery scheduled for 730 monday. i'm so excited. i'd like to thank all my loved ones and friends who have shown me their support. in the past 15 years i've thought many times 'this is the time" then i've put it off a few more years. well i'm here and i'm so glad. not glad because i hurt. glad because i'm finally going to know a life without pain. my hips wont be reconstruction anymore. they will be new. maybell (my right hip) will be traded in for veronica. she has served me long past her time. i'm glad to retire her. cheers.

want to be a surgeon

i found this site to help the kids, but the whole family has played the games. try it out. http://www.edheads.org/