I'm golfing again!

Last week I played two rounds of golf. On Monday I played in a tournament venue which really isn't as taxing on the body as individual stroke play, but over the weekend I completed my first 18-hole round since the surgery. It was a push but I did it and will continue to do it. I felt pretty sore all over the next day, but my hip was fine. I was glad I was sore all over and not just in my hip which would have told me I wasn't ready yet. The joy of the game and being out in nature for 4-5 hours was worth the pain. It's just amazing that if you keep up with being active and the exercises, I just get stronger each week. Most days I forget that I have a left total hip replacement because I'm living life again. And that is really awesome!

Checking in at 3 months post-op.

Well the nursing conference went well and my hotel was 6 blocks from the conference so I really got my walking in. Too bad it rained 5 of the 7 days I was in Tampa--they've sustained a 3 year drought until I got there. Traveling went well and the only difference is that I took advantage of the moving carpets in the airport this time which I do not usually do. I'm back to my beloved golfing, not quite a full round yet but will be this weekend. Week 10 post-op seemed to be a major breakthrough--I no longer was using a cane and my left let really feels stronger. My diligence in continueing my hip exercises as well as my tai chi has really paid off. I'm very excited that I am now doing my morning workouts for 20-30 minutes and currently teaching a tai chi session. Gary and I are going to walk this Sunday morning. The best part was walking on the beach this past weekend...without a cane! And I love passing people by in the hall as I walk around this hospital at almost my pre-bad hip speed!I feel 95% back to the old me...without that horrible hip pain. I just had my 3 month check-up and my surgeon is really pleased with me, signed me off and said he would see me in a year! He knows I will continue working hard with staying active, doing my exercies from PT and maintaining my normal active life. It feels great to be Karen again!

Back to work and lovin' it!

Well its Friday, May 15 @ 3pm and I'm about to wrap up my first week back to work since my surgery. On the average I would say I made it 2/3 of the way thru each day and feeling pretty good with only one set-back. This past Monday not only did I go back to work but I also returned to teaching my aquatic swim classes. Once I got into the 90 degree water it felt so good--I felt a little daring and since I was 8 weeks into recovery...so I started to let my guard down. I was sqatting, grapevining, jumping and running-- LIKE AN IDIOT! I woke up Tuesday morning and really was scared with the worse pain I have felt in weeks. I knew I overdid it when my non-operataive good hip was also hurting. So I have babied myself all week, not doing anything strenuous at all. Just maintaining range of motion with some tai chi, regular PT exercises, moderate stair climbing and short walks. Tomorrow I'm off to my annual nursing conference and can't wait to set off the airport security gate with my new high tech metal hip! My hotel is 5 blocks from the conference center so I'll be getting some good walks in and plan to pack my cane in my suitcase. I'll report again soon!
p.s. It's great being back at GSH seeing my friends and co-workers, and meeting lots of new faces too! Everyone has been so warm & welcoming.

The Operation

The Morning of Surgery

My New Hip: Exiting recuperation time...re-entering normal life!

Back from the beach...down there 2 1/2 weeks with only 4 days of sunshine but it was great! Spent alot of time walking, exercising and enjoying the new OC library. It is now 7 weeks since my hip replacement. Had my 6-week check up and I am now released from the imprisonment of those hip precautions! Feels so good to cross my legs, bend over, twist and not sleep with a pillow between my legs. I'm so much stronger now...exercising religiously has really paid off and made me stronger--just doing the prescribed exercises from the hospital takes about 40 minutes each day but it is so worth it. Weather permitting I am walking about a mile or more each day...not up to 2 miles yet! I even rode a surrey bike on the boardwalk last week for an hour...but that might have been a bit much because I had quite a bit of pain the rest of the day. My normal life is returning at a normal pace now. I am back doing exercise videos (the beginner wimpy ones but that's okay) and even walking 75% of the time without my cane! My t'ai chi training has really served my well in my recovery period...the leg strength and balance has been easier to regain because of it. I am attending a gala this evening for a short time and may even try to dance just a little. If it wasn't for my afternoon fatigue I would almost be back to my normal self. But I have been reassured by my wonderful medical staff that it takes about 6 months or more before you feel yourself again. Well I am on my way and am almost ready to return to work for at least half-days on May 11! Welcome back me!

New scenery...new hip...new attitude!

Today I am leaving to spend a couple weeks down our ocean condo. It has been 4 1/2 weeks since my hip replacement and I really need sunshine and a change of scenery. I can't complain much though...the arthritis pain in my groin is gone--I have some surgical pain and fatigue each afternoon probably because I'm pushing myself too hard. Still just taking tylenol to relieve my pain when needed. I walked 7 blocks this past Thursday--boy did it feel good to move my body! Still using a cane and have a slight limp but that's expected. Tired of TV, eating, reading books and staring at my 4 walls. The beach will do me good...walking the asphalt trail at Northside park and even the boardwalk...nice and flat down there. Doing my advanced leg/hip exercises and upper body weights every other day trying to stay somewhat in shape. Cannot wait to do a full workout...cannot wait to bend over, cross my left leg over my right, sleep on my side and twist...but I must be patient. I am on my way to a pain free life again and can't screw it up! No computer access down the beach so I'll be back in 2 weeks or so...even more excited!!