Tripping' Out

I've been getting out of the house! I had a trip to Costco where I drove one of those electric carts. My kids thought that was great, and enjoyed cheering me on from the cart they were in. It was interesting to see how people treated me, saying excuse me and moving out of my way politely. Only one person looked annoyed. People randomly leave their carts all about the aisles at Costco, and until I was in the electric cart, I've never seen anyone remorseful about it in the least. 

But aside from that issue, it was really great to be out! I have faithfully followed the doctor's and physical therapist's orders for limited activity and rest for six weeks. Was I bored? I got asked that question a lot. The answer? HELL NO! This has been the best nap I've had in six years, and likely the best rest I'll have for at least the next 15. To be fair, I was high for at least the first three and half weeks on pain meds. That truly made time fly. I have never tried drugs, but under these controlled circumstances, I must say I really enjoyed it. I have had no trouble weaning off, and never had any thought or worry that I would become addicted. I do understand that concern, I just knew it wouldn't be   an issue for me.  Now that I am more lucid, I'm still not bored. Well, only a little. But I have plenty to keep me busy, not the least of which is noticing the cleaning and organizing I am still not able to do. 

In my switch from walker to crutches, I took a small fall, fortunately into a cushy couch. The PT's comment was, "Slow down!", something I need to remember daily. As it turns out, my oblique muscle that was detached during surgery has a wonderful way of reminding me to do just that. Ow, ow, ow. 

Since that first outing to Costco I have been to the craft store twice, the supermarket once, and to a horse show my daughter wanted to watch. I can feel the difference in my body and my movements. I do have to actively focus on not going too fast, and using crutches requires more effort because they move independently and the walker doesn't. Nonetheless, freedom is at hand!

Off My Walker

Today I am a little over 5 weeks post op. I have been using a walker to get around, and it's been nice to have the safety of the bar across the front of it. It's not like it could catch me if I fell, but it's visually comforting. While I have alternately slept in a drug haze or sat stone faced binge watching Friends re-reuns for the past several weeks, I have healed and not considered what is next. I didn't want to over think anything and be disappointed. So I was using my walker, and that was it.

A few weeks ago I started using my cane to go up and down the stairs, but the walker was at either end for me. The crutches given to me at the hospital were unwieldy at best when I was released, so I hid them at home behind the coat tree in a corner and forgot about them.

Today, my PT suggested I try them. After hurting a muscle under my arm when I was far less stable and able, I was extremely wary of getting back on those sticks. But lo and behold, it was easy! She showed me how to navigate the stairs with them, and I didn't ned the walker waiting for me. This is new freedom people. Now I don't need anyone to help me, only supervise in case I do a skater thing and get clumsy off ice. If you aren't familiar with skating, there is a well used item that is very handy for crutches.

These are called soakers. 

Figure skaters put them on after drying their blades to keep them from rusting. 

At the suggestion of a skating friend, I put these on top of the crutches and, voila! Instant comfort. Another skating friend sent them to me and I haven't skated because of my hip. So it all worked out.

I have my 6 week X-ray next week. The doc will tell me if I can bear more weight on my leg and when I can start PT and maybe drive. I have successfully distracted myself (with a little narcotic assistance) from being bored. I have a project that I had intended to do that hasn't happened yet. But I am planning to get to it soon. Not telling yet, but I'll post and detail when I start it!

For now . . . I'm off my walker!

The Biggest and the Littlest

While I relearned to walk in hospital, my kids are busy playing soccer, riding horses and playing baseball. My son who started walking two years ago has been able to go up and down our stairs better and faster than I can. He has offered his technique wisdom several times.  "Good job Mom!"

For me though, this is about a six month to a year recovery. For him, it's for life. He is brave and he doesn't even know it. He has never known anything other than a world of therapy, orthopedic supports and adaptation He is my inspiration. My 16-year old stepson stepped up to coach this same child's baseball team when the coach couldn't do it. It's a huge commitment, and we are all proud of him.

Sometimes it's the littlest things that make the biggest difference.

Cane & Able

This is what came home with me from the hospital.

Walker, cane, crutches, bathroom chair, shower chair and ice machine.

I took a look at all this and wondered if it was all necessary. Yes, it IS. I still can't use the crutches, they are too unwieldy. I only use the cane on the stairs, and even that is wobbly with four prongs on the bottom.  The ice machine is AMAZING. It won't burn skin, so I can keep it on all the time. It's necessary too because the amount of swelling is indescribable. My hip and upper leg are unrecognizable. I have to keep reminding myself that this is MAJOR surgery. I had my pelvis broken in three places, and two major muscles detached and reattached. 

Learning to walk again is a strange feeling. But I must say that having been a figure skater for 35 years now has definitely prepped me for pain and mental toughness. 

Stairway to Heaven

I've been home . . . who knows how long now. I've been woefully deficient in keeping up this blog. But it was pretty difficult the first week or so. I was on a HUGE cocktail of meds, and I slept a lot. Thank goodness for that though because I was uncomfortable and in pain. Also, if I had been awake I would have been aching for a shower. Being asleep so much meant that I was blessedly unaware of the stench that built up. Now that the home PT has been coming around, and I have become mildly more mobile, I have been able to learn how to ascend the stairs in my home.

I have been sleeping downstairs, and my amazing and supportive husband has also been sleeping downstairs. He pulled out our camping cot (it's a nice one) and has been shacking up in the living room with me. So grateful! Anyway, navigating the stairs seemed so daunting, and I had a very hard time in hospital when one of the PTs wanted me to practice on a curb height step. I pulled a muscle under my arm and it hurt something fierce. Since then I've been wary of stairs, but desperately wanting to get to my room and shower. Finally, after a couple of visits and firing the first PT that came, I got a great PT and - I went up the stairs! No shower that time, but it was such a relief to know that I was able to go up.

My son has Cerebral Palsy, and for the past two years he has learned how to walk, sit up, and yes, climb our stairs. is therapists time him and he goes up on an average of 43 seconds, and down at about 53 seconds. Waaay faster than me. He offered to teach me what to do. Little bugger. Over the past few weeks with some practice, I've been able to get better at going up with a cane. I have trouble on the landing as there isn't anything to hold on to, so I need 'supervision'. And finally . . . I got up and . . . got to my shower!! It was heaven to sit under the hot water and wash my hair. I've now been able to shower more often (less apologies necessary to those around me) and feel oh so much better. Thank goodness my house of full of males, with the exception of my daughter. They hardly notice anyway. But I sure feel better. That stairway really does go to heaven.

Spinal Tap

I took a picture of this in hospital. I have no idea what this is. But . . . it goes to eleven.