Friday, July 24, 2009

New life...New ideas!

Four and one half months since the surgery and it keeps getting better and better. I'm totally off the Celebrex and working out on a regular basis. I'm back to my presurgical hip exercises with weights while lying on the floor to regain full strength in my legs. I also plan on taking a two mile walk this weekend and hoping to go the distance pain-free! I am just amazed how much better I feel. I no longer wake up or go to bed with generalized pain as mentioned in previous blogs. Moreover, I find it harder and harder to understand why so many people wait so long to get a total joint replacement. Arthritis is a chronic disease, like diabetes, heart disease, asthma & depression to name a few. The more a person learns about their disease, the better their confidence becomes is taking control of their activities, pain manaagement and all around medical care. Gaining this knowledge and being able to talk to others with similiar issues would really be great. These thoughts gave birth to a new kind of book club starting in November at Greetings & Readings in Hunt Valley, called Better Health by the Book. Being an arthritis nurse and experiencing first hand how this disease hurts your joints and quality of life I really got excited about being able to help other people especially in my age range, let's say between 45-65. More to come about the book club and my continued reclaimed freedom!

Friday, July 10, 2009

Kickin it up a Notch...at 4months post-op.

Okay, many times I forget I even had a hip replacement so last Sunday I decided to do an hour and 30 minute really tough circuit exercise DVD--and am proud to say that I made it through all but 15 minutes of it and it felt GREAT! Two days later however I did take a Celebrex only because my hands were really bothering me but my hip felt great. Keep in mind that I am not doing any real ground pounding high impact jumping or jogging (that would be really stupid). But the workouts are really tough, with alot of sweataing and I am really testing the waters. I now wonder if there is any movement on that new ball and socket that's gonna get stuck. Does anyone out there with a hip replacment ever wonder the same thing? I got a full weekend planned, topping Sunday off with another round of golf and hope to keep building stamina. I've also decided to go on another Operation Walk Maryland medical mission to Quito, Equador this time and the team will be leaving November 12. Last year on our first mission to Lima, Peru I was in tons of pain because of my bad hip---but really look forward to this year with my new metal and plastic one! Its really cool to be planning and doing, again the things in life that I really love!

Friday, July 3, 2009

Off the Celebrex...Yikes!

Am I stupid or what that I've gone and gotten off the Celebrex...that wonderful little yellow pill that I've been on for over a year that takes all of my aches and pains away, has now gone away. Even though my regularly checked kidney and liver functions have been fine I know its in my best interest to discontinue the drug. Besides, my hip is now new and improved with metal and plastic parts so why do I need Celebrex? On really taxing days like last weekend when I hosted my niece's wedding shower for 30 guests, it sure came in handy. Its quite amazing how the hip replacement has relieved the hip pain, but the arthritis in my hands, knees and other hip are ever present especially without the Celebrex. Each morning immediately when I awake and right before I retire at night I notice generalized achiness since the drug been out of my system. Advil and Tylenol just don't have the same effect that Celebrex does. I've also noticed that when I do not exercise my pain is increased as well. Just another reminder that exercise is truly the majic oil that lubes the joint, muscles, bones and rest of the body.