Week 13 (aka 3 months): Survival

Another week, another month. I am 13 weeks (yesterday), 3 months (today), post-op right hip and 15.5 months post op left hip.  Last week, I had my first surgeon appointment since the right hip surgery, though there has been lots of communication over the past few weeks via phone, and some email.  I also survived my first long distance travel where I was the one driving since surgery.  That was quite the ordeal.

The positive aspects first!  I successfully drove over 430 miles each way for surgeon follow-up appointment and a professional conference.  I had been in a massive flare, so had been mostly resting, doing gentle rehab, icing before the trip.  Local primary care physician had started prednisone burst/taper, and that calmed things and allowed me to get through the trip.  My body survived driving that entire distance, sitting/standing through hours/days of conference sessions, etc. and I am alive to tell about it!  I split the trip both ways--never did the entire distance in one day.

I had a PT appointment before the appointment with my surgeon. The PT appointment went well.  She said this is just a flare, was not too concerned  That being said, she said my right hip was pretty stiff and she could tell it was irritated even with the prednisone helping calm things.  She did soft tissue work on the hip and surrounding muscles, checked some of the exercises, made some recommendations for me to work on and to take back home to my local PT.  I had a meeting at the PT clinic after the appt.  Then straight from there to surgeon's office. Surgeon appointment also went well. He is not concerned about things, it is just a flare. So relieved. I had not let myself think it was more than a flare initially, but when week after week and things only progressively got worse, I started to get more concerned, then a little scared.  Especially since there was a triggering incident in addition to normal flare factors. But, the incident was not thought to be of concern, no concerns regarding the hip itself to this point.  He did give me an order for an injection in case things do not calm down, but said to wait a few weeks and give things more time first. If no progress even with that, then we can check with MRI later, but he does not think it will be needed and I certainly hope not. So, so relieved and reassured!

I went straight from surgeon appointment to the hotel for the conference just in time to get checked in.  There were no rooms available yet to check in, so ended up attending first afternoon of sessions in yoga pants and tennis shoes from PT/surgeon appointments.  Oh well, it was a more casual setting, plus far more comfortable for me!  I used my same tactics that worked well last year to get through the conference in as good of condition as possible--sat/stood in the back where I could change position often (or slip out) without distracting others, evenings after sessions I made use of the hotel gym--elliptical, rehab exercises, then the pool--walking, gentle exercises, hot tub.  I had my ice packs with me.  There was a fridge but no freezer, but fridge-cold ice packs still help.  This year, I also did lots of lying prone (tummy time) and icing during breaks between sessions each day of the conference as well.

My surgeon's office was able to get me in for another PT appointment the afternoon the conference ended.  I did have to leave the conference a bit early, but figured my body needed the PT help more than my brain needed the rest of the final session of the conference.  The PT did help!  That plus constant ice made the first part of the return trip not so bad. I still stopped often. I was also still just done with being in the car by the time I got to Ames that evening, just as it was starting to rain.

Travel. Sigh. My body just does not like travel and at present does not even like being in the car even briefly. I had ice, adjusted the seat just so, used the heat for the seat, lots of frequent stops, etc.  Still, really struggled at times and to point of tears multiple times. By Omaha on the way up, I had serious doubts as to whether this was even doable as already struggling and in tears by Council Bluffs.  I had music CDs with me, and have the more intense music for when stronger distraction is needed...and turn the volume up. I also find I gradually ease speed higher to get me to next stop and out of the car again faster. I always used to set cruise control right at the speed limit, and this trip was usually 5 mph above speed limit, plus bumping it up with passing, and keeping up with traffic in Omaha, Des Moines, Twin Cities, so however fast traffic was moving, which was faster yet.  I am talented(?) with scheduling/timing so hit Des Moines on the way up at evening rush hour, Twin Cities on the way up at morning rush hour, Twin Cities as I left at evening rush hour, but missed Omaha rush hour both ways and just caught edge of Lincoln rush hour returning, but was able to stay on east side of the city.

The return trip, at the halfway point, I had a weekend to just rest and recover and that helped.  Again, I made good use of hotel gym and pool to get elliptical, rehab exercises, pool walking and exercise done.  Also, lots of lying prone and ice. I also had the chance to hang out with someone I had not seen in years and catch up a bit! Long story but very grateful! (Random observation/question: why do hotel fridges not freeze ice packs solid, but do freeze food?!?  I had brought snacks since I was gone most of a week and my body had been highly reactive to a lot recently, so wanted "safe" back-up options.  Anyway, the fridge could not get ice packs frozen, but could freeze both baby carrots and peanut butter.)

I saw one of my specialists and my PT from when I lived in Iowa.  Both were helpful.  PT was very helpful--yes, the hip is incredibly stiff, somewhat irritated.  She got it moving some better again, checked some exercises, gave more suggestions for moving forward from here.

I have only been home a couple of days. I went to the gym once home the first evening for elliptical and pool--swam laps.  It felt amazing to move after being stuck in a car for hours again.  Then family time after that and movie night with my sisters. Late night, but good. Good to be back.  Good to be out of a car and out of a hotel.  And, by God's grace, I did it! I could tell people were praying for me! I survived my first long distance trip post-op, with a flared right hip that had to do the driving. It took restarting the prednisone at little higher dose and extending the taper, but I did it.  (Got the phone call from PCP's nurse as I was driving out of the Twin Cities ~5:15 pm, rush hour traffic.  Normally, would not answer a phone when driving,and certainly not rush hour Minneapolis, but knowing it was Friday, after hours, and there was no way to call back, so took the call.  Thus, we were discussing what to do with prednisone while I was navigating rush hour traffic. No missed turns, no mishaps, plus she helped support what to do over the weekend and until back home again.)   Prednisone taper is nearly done, now. So, it will be interesting to see how things go once fully off again. Just grateful it helped make the trip doable.

Yesterday was a recovery day--no appointments or anything planned.  Slept in, did PT exercises, went to the pool, etc.  Today was still a slower paced day, but back to PT.  He took it easy on me since still in recovery mode.  But, still did exercises, soft tissue work, then ice. Rehab seems to be going better again.  I am also advancing with ability with both elliptical and swimming, plus also working back up with pool walking.  Elliptical is approaching pre-op ability, but is not consistent yet.  Swimming has been at pre-op duration for several weeks, but not pace yet, as still protecting shoulders as well as hips.  However, right leg is kicking every lap of freestyle now as of this week.  Neither side is kicking with breaststroke yet and I was told to wait on that still. Walking for exercise is still on hold.  Walking for now is only as essential to get around. Which is pretty much the same as pre-op as well, only this time, not limping, not painful. So, definite progress.

 

Elliptical 2 days pre-op right hip (and 12.5 months post-op left hip) and 3 months post-op right hip (and 15.5 months post-op hip).

13 weeks/3 months post op left hip last year.

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