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!

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. 

Pre Op Positive

Yesterday I had my pre-op physical, where they (hopefully) deem me fit to withstand surgery.  We are now inside the one week mark. Yikes.

In an effort to distract myself and keep things positive, I have a full week of fun planned. Tomorrow, waxing. Because getting hair pulled out of your skin is an uplifting experience. Well, for the wax it is anyway. I'll hit the gym, meet my sister in law for coffee, rip out hair from well below the follicles in my eyebrows, then come home and do art with my kids.

Thursday's agenda: lunch with a friend, pick up kids, take one kid to therapy, then - it's party time! I planned a girls' night pre-op party because I thought it would be fun to socialize with 5-50 of my gal pals. Only about 15 may actually be there,  but I cast a wide net. Why not!

Two play dates scheduled for one son. At our house. with extra siblings. Because apparently I am a chaos junkie. 

I am taking it a step further, and I got a small index card size notebook, pink of course, that I decorated with blingy stuff. Old ice skat habits die hard. Or not at all.  I am asking everyone to write something positive in it for me. A favorite quote, a thought or words of wisdom or inane funny crap. It's all good. Just something to read later on. Perhaps under the influence of pain meds.

I also got a small bag that will hang on my crutches or walker. Blinged that too. Duh. If I am going to be unwieldy, I may as well have some pink, zebra and rhinestones along for the ride. 

So far all of the distraction and planning has been very effective. We'll see what happens next Tuesday. Like the quote says, "There are no atheists at 150 miles an hour". 

Hand and Footwork. A Pictorial.

Apparently this is the direction my feet go when I'm not looking.

Trainer Larry's torture machine.
I mean, crutches strengthening machine.

I had a choice of ellipticals. It was overwhelming.

Pulling my weight. Well, hopefully not MY weight. 

So Hip it Hurts

This doesn't work.

This helps, temporarily.

One minute I'm scowling and grunting as I do the exercises Larry instructs me to do. The next minute I'm limping. One day I'm on the elliptical, burning calories away (I hope), then next minute I cannot find a comfortable way to sit, stand or sleep.

I push myself harder on most everything I do. So it's no surprise to me that I do that at the gym. I've been focusing on the 'game day' (surgery) and trying to meet goals. Like losing weight (not happening). Like getting stronger (I'm getting more sore). But I know crutches are looming ahead, and I really have no idea how the pain level will be. I have heard recovery from this surgery is horrible. but it is short-lived. So I have that going for me.

This machine like it will chew me up for breakfast.
Fortunately the exercise was to pull away from it.