hip hip hurray

I fought this tooth and nail for almost 10 years--but I had gotten to the point that I was having trouble walking down the street and when I started having trouble supporting a singing tone, I knew I had to do it--but I am a wimp and hated the idea of it for a long time

@inertia4 I wish the best for you! Neither of your procedures sounds like any fun!

@divalounger I get it. I have a small kidney stone now for over a year. It hasn't bothered me yet. But I see my doctor on Monday and he is going to push me to get it out. So In know what you mean about getting procedures done. I already had one done on my bladder. They removed some cancer, topical they called it. So I do not want to go back under anymore operations.

I was so happy to walk outside yesterday!! I think there will be all sorts of new things out there for me as this unfolds!

@divalounger I'm so happy for you. You will be better than new before you know it!

@DianneN Thank you!!

Me too!! So looking forward to doing some gardening again!

Thank you!!

I put it off for a long time--but yes, I know people in their early 50s getting replacements done--but they don't last forever--and getting them re-done can be difficult--so I am not sure what the answer is

Thank you!! It seems to be zipping along!

Thank you Laurel!

@divalounger you are welcome

I am walking again!! With a crutch still--but walking--I am thrilled!

Thank you! Plugging along and walking longer distances each day!

I just went for my 3 month checkup today and I am doing well! Thank you!

@Tampa_girl7 I just wrote an update--I am so very grateful to everyone for helping me through this

@divalounger that is good to hear.

Hi Marsha--I am Audrey Howitt and know you from other online platforms--Did you also have a hip replacement???? I suppose I should do an update on my progress, but I am doing very well. I walk without a cane at home--and when I go out just for a walk, I use one crutch for part of the walk--and I try to walk a fair chunk without it--it helps me keep my gait even--but we have no rain or ice to worry about--so I would imagine a walker is a much safer option for you. When I go to the store or out to do errands, I take a cane. I was off from teaching voice for just about a month--and starting singing myself 10 days after the surgery--I eased back into teaching and am now at my full load again--about 17 lessons a week-- This week, I feel almost normal again--for the first time. The awful pain is gone and I am even feeling a bit cheery again--Hang in there--it gets better quickly--I am so glad that I did this even though I was really afraid of the surgery--I am only concerned that I waited too long for my left knee which is feeling pretty tweaked still-- I with think of you as your rehab progresses and wish you the best!

@MarshaMusselman Wow--if you are at 97 degrees already, you are in great shape--go you!!! I am hoping the knee just needs a bit of cleaning out--as my thigh muscle get better, the it band is not as tight and so the insertion pint into the knee feels better--Does your pt have you dong heel slides?

@divalounger Okay, Audrey, yes I remember you by that name better. The/your knee won't be quite as easy as your hip was although you won't have to worry about sinking into chairs, but pt is more extensive depending on how bad your knee is before surgery. I'd pretty much lost my extension, where the knee is flat on a surface and I got that back pretty fast. The difficult part of me know is getting my flexibility so my calf can get closer to my lower thigh making sitting better. Currently I'm using a riser for the toilet because the tub is too close to it. I was at my sisters and did fine on her toilet without one but she had enough room for my legs. Recently the pt gal got my leg up to 97 degrees. 95 was the goal in the hospital but 120 is the ultimate goal. I think she's trying to get me there asap. I'm a bit lazy with the exercises at home or maybe I'd be there already? I am happy to find that all swelling on my knee is almost gone. The surgeon even told me that he wasn't sure whether that knee would ever go down in size as the inflammation made it larger than the other years back. He should be pleased when he sees me at my next appt. Also, good pun on your title here. I didn't catch it fully until I saw the notifs.

Is this your first knee replacement? I know that those are trickier and more complicated. My brother had his done in July and went skiing a couple of weeks ago for the first time in 10 years--he is an athletic sort and so he pushed his physio--but it still looks like his is harder than mine--

@PainsOnSlate I would think that working out at a gym would help--I get three PT visits and then I am on my own--Is that the difference between US health care and Canadian???

@divalounger My second replacement, the first took me 4 months, now that we belong to the Y, the machines are there to be used so I'm thinking it will be less than 4 this time...Last time I went to physio three times a week for 4 months..I liked the physio and will do it again but I imagine it will be less time and more movement..

I am up and walking--made it to the park the other day--about 4 blocks away--everyday I gain a little more ground!

@divalounger That's wonderful.

I am in the early stages of recovery, but already I think this will be a much better quality of life move--so thank you Judy!

@divalounger Did you know my mother had a hip replacement just six months before she turned 100? I seem to have bragged about it a lot. But she came through the operation well. It removed the pain and she lived another four quite fruitful years so it was well worth while.

Hey Tim! I am Audrey--poet, classical singer and voice teacher along with attorney and psychotherapist--Let's be hip buddies!!

@theBlock I have a feeling I will really enjoy your company here!

@divalounger Yay! Hi Audrey! You are definitely a Renaissance Woman. Yes, hip buddies!

I am better! Walking without a cane even--at least for the most part--and very little pain

Yay!! me too!!

I go to see the surgeon next week and hopefully will get the all clear to go back and start doing some yoga again. I started singing after about day 10--and supporting the singing is much easier--

It can be difficult to differentiate the two--especially with sciatica

Me too! I am relieved!