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!

Let's Do the Math

I have spent:

13 years in Hospitality Management = very little sleep (despite a building of beds above the office).
35 years as a figure skater (17 in competition, 11 as a coach) = very early mornings/little sleep
6 months pregnant with triplets = very uncomfortable sleep
7 weeks on pregnancy bed rest with those triplets = a hospital offers very little rest
6 years (coming soon) raising said triplets = sleep?? Ha ha ha ha ha!

Yes, this is a word problem. No you may not use a calculator.

Question: What was the name of the bus driver?

Yeah, me neither.

So the moral of the story is, tomorrow I will go in for surgery where my pelvis will be broken. My husband says, not broke, reassembled. Well, not really reassembled so much as repositioned. I will be given many medicinal cocktails of varying strengths and side effects. When I had my pre-op physical, the doctor explained that Vicodin and Norco (?) can often have a stimulating effect, and Percocet can make you a little spacy. "That one", I told him. "The spacy one is what I want please."

Why?

Because I am about to enjoy the first nap I can recall having in, well . . . forever. Aww, come on now. Don't be jealous. After a couple of days I have no doubt they will rouse me at all hours of the day and night to take vitals and prevent me from resting. The good news is, when I get home, I get to nap for about six weeks.  Or until I get cranky and start swatting messy toys off the floor with my 'crunches', as my daughter calls them. We'll see how the equation works out post-op.