1/17/2014 After a Week Back at Work - Knackered.

Last evening was well spent, dining with a fine friend and seeing good theatre. I walked quite a lot, and pretty well. 
Today I paid the price for it. Mostly to do with fatigue/ lack of sleep... As the day wore on, I wore out. I somehow made it to 5:30 at work, and headed home with a *quick grocery stop... Knowing full well that the special party I had planned to attend was not in the cards. It took a while to muster the gumption to  get dinner made, but I broiled Cauliflower and a lamb blade chop. It was very tasty. 

Iced my joints and muscles, did ten minutes on the exer-bike and hobbled about a bit.
I was disappointed to miss the party, but I am glad I listened to my body,. Pushing the envelope is ok- but learning when to push and when to settle down and relax for once. Good choice!!

I did manage to make an appointment for the outpatient physical therapist, so I'm happy about that! 
But just. Beat!!! 
Fingers crossed for a better day tomorrow- I get to go for my first massage since before Thanksiving- hurrrrah! That should help considerably .

Ok- time to sleep! 

*Note - at least a "quick grocery stop" is possible now - as is a "quick shower", etc. Being able to move about in the world at more than an agonized snail's pace s really a beautiful thing. When I get in my car, I open the door, sit (Still using a plastic bag for easy sliding - fabric seat cushions and all) swing both legs in in one quick, smooth motion, and no pain. 
I smile at that every single time! 

1/15/2014 Six Weeks and One Day

Today's Facebook status: 

"Who knew? After a lot of walking yesterday (I admit I was pretty sore and knackered afterward!) - today - another new thing... Walking with my feet close together (Like regular healthy-hipped people) feels better, and I can walk much further and more comfortably!! Perhaps a combo of the extra walking/strengthening, and re-setting a habit even more - I have walked splay-footed for so so freaking long! 
Kinda loving how fast the process goes sometimes!!! 
Yippee, hippee!!!"

It really is amazing to me, the day after a day when I particularly feel as though I've over- done... and then I discover some newly regained ability or strength. I skipped the exer-bike last evening - rehearsal was PLENTY of exercise!! But I have plenty of time for it tonight, and look forward to it! 

I've been thinking the cane would be around for a month or two - but something in the way I move today (Thank you, Beatles :) ) feels - easier. Less pain! Maybe, just maybe - it will be much sooner than I think. There are a few special people in my life whom I cannot wait to walk straight up to and just hug the stuffings out of - ones who have not seen me since surgery. 
I wrote my surgeon's office asking about more outpatient physical therapy - and perhaps I do need it - but - I may-well not! 

If you are reading this and are planning to undergo a hip replacement, or two - or maybe trying to decide whether to do it - DO!!!! I hope you are eligible for the Anterior approach. It is a wonderful thing!!
Or if you are someone who cares for someone who is about to - I hope this helps and gives you hope!!
That is the purpose of the whole damn blog - but today is a good (If tired!) day - and I feel my like really kick-starting again. 

That "Magic SIx Weeks" my Physical Therapist referred to seems to have something going for it! So much less pain.
I noticed, too that I don't make those :OOOOOOOOOOOOHHH - Ouuuuuuuch!!!  OOOOWWWWW - groans any more... I mean - of course, because I don't hurt as I used to - and less and less every day - but worth celebrating, anyway! It alarmed people... and it meant that I HURT!! :)

Perhaps more later... But that'a s pretty good day, and i'm happy to have a night off. 
Theatre tomorrow night, another theatre's anniversary open house Friday, and then a massage Saturday! Three rehearsals next week - but tonight - just down time. 

1/14/2014 A Long, Busy Day - My First Rehearsal in Ten Months

I started the day a little slower, but still got to work earlier than I used to. 

A fairly stressful day - getting back in the swing of it still, and then we strted to test our new web posting system. Of course, it's a rush, and of course, the web software site crashed, after 2 solids hours of hard work, and with about ten minutes to go to complete the task... dumping every bit of work I'd done. 

I was not amused, but did pretty well blowing it off - It's not unimportant, it just does me nor anyone else any good to be upset about it. I made a good choice - not to be upset! I was a litle annoyed for a few minutes, but it wore off fast.  

Home for half an hour for a quick dinner, then off to the theatre. It's on a school campus, so it was tricky to find parking, also not being sure exactly where in the very lage building we'd be entering from made it hard to pick a spot... I took one of the disabled spots in the lot, but it was a farther walk than just parking on the street would have been, *sigh*. 

I was very, very glad to be so sweetly received by a bunch of the "kids" I've worked with there before - a lovely, lively bunch of sweet and hard-working actors. It feels WONDERFUL to be back wth "my people" :)

The band is going to be a delight to work with!  

I actually did very little in the way of rehearsing - We had a breakout session to discuss community ( Cannery Row is very much about community), and then they did movement exercises onstage - I sat out. Then I met with the band for a bit - my friend Luther, lso the head of the theatre department, and w lovely man - will be on bass, and two young and extremely talented pups - Nathan, probably 19 or 20, on guitar, and Tylen, still in high school, on violin! All really great guys, and we're going to have a  fine time putting together old 30's standard tunes. 

We moved around the building a good bit, and it was a lot. after only two days of work, I can say it was too much. I'm not killed, but I am sore. I managed a few stretched of the Gluteus medius using the exercise band  - but not much more. 

I'll do more once I'm in bed - in a few minutes. 

Three rehearsals coming up next week  - It should be fine - it'll just be with the band and we should just be in the dressing room - not nearly as much walking around the building, and i should be better at it already by then. 

I do need to get in touch with my PT and my surgeon's office to see about outpatient PT. I could use a few more sessions. I have a massage this Saturday and plan to make an appointment with my chiropractor (at long last, sing the first surgery in August!!!)

 Right then - anything else? 

Glad I can just come home from work tomorrow - no rehearsal( I do have to stop at the Co-op for cat food and fresh produce, but a quiet night at home will be perfect. 

Off to bed. 

1/13/2014 Back at it - a Good, Long Day

I went back to work today - started the day wonderfully! Easily out of bed by 8, into the showeer and dressed, fed the cats, and got my things together - out by 9:10. It's been a very, very long time since I've ben able to move that quickly and easily. 

My Facebook status: Getting into the car to come to work felt like I was coming to a party. It feels really great to be back, and among this swell group of people. Getting back to doing my job also feels really good... Of coure there's the "you've been gone 6 weeks and things have changed somewhat- guess what your new password might be?" Kind of stuff, but all in good time... the sun is shining in my window and I”m happy!



It was a pretty good day - I wasn't able to get a lot of work done, yet, as we are possibly doing a big technical changeover to the web software I use tomorrow - but I got re-established and gathered a LOT of hugs and big grins at my ability to walk with just a cane - and then showed off a bit that I can get around without the cane! Great to see peopel I've worked with for a long time. 

It was a lot of walking and I did definitely over do it. It's not a huge building, but walking to get water/coffee, to the bathroom, downstairs to the cafeteria for lunch, all is considerable distance. I visited a few friends across the building, too... by quitting time, I was pretty well tired out, and got home exhausted and sore. Funny how just a simple day of a desk job can do that, but of course that will happen for a bit. I will keep it much more low-key tomorrow - fewer trips back and forth, and perhaps eat lunch at my desk. We'll see. With a rehearsal tomorrow night, even though it wil probably only be a read through,  it will be a long day. It has only been six weeks tomorrow since surgery! 

I am deeply grateful that I CAN deal with a bit of over-doing... 
I've had dinner, iced well, had a short nap and downloaded the last episode of Sherlock for season 3... I think I'll watch it now with a little sweet something to nibble on, and then relax and get to bed - before Midnight - perhaps even a touch earlier. 

1/12/2014 - the Final Sunday Before Going back to Work

My FB Status today: 

"It's my last day before returning to work - it's been a long - yet LIGHTENING FAST! - six weeks since Hip #2 had it's day in surgery - Normal is more Normal every day. (I like to think of it as the new Mindful Normal ).

Going to the store in a bit, to pick up a plain single cane (The old Quad has been helpful, but it's heavy and cumbersome now that I'm moving much faster now -kicking it is not so safe! ) and pick up something for my friend Mariam- I am so tickled to be going to visit HER (And even helping back even a wee bit - though I know it's not required, but it feels GREAT to!!!). Tonight spending a little time with knitting pals, and then catching some choice tv... a good way to spend a Normal Sunday!"

I went to lunch with friends David and Keith it was good to see them. Then, a friend offered me a collapsible cane she didn't need - much appreciated! Off to Rite Aid, got Mariam what she needed, and over to visit her! Nice to be able to go to her - she was here so much caring for me, especially for Surgery #1 - and now she lives 5 blocks away). 

Tried the new cane, and I think it may be a little TOO light, yet - but I'm keeping it for when I'm ready, which should be soon. 

I spent a bit of time teaching a friend's friend how to tat (Hand-made lace), and visiting with old and new knitting pals, then home again - a nice wee bit of walking throughout the day which made up for not taking a specific walk (I'll get on the exercise bike and do more PT before bed...) 

I plan to watch the Sherlock special at 10, and be in bed by midnight. I really want to be at work at a decent time and get into that habit so I'm not there until 6 any more - I am definitely MUCH better able to get redy for work so much faster now!! HURRAH!

It's not quite real that I return to work again tomorrow  - 

"New Mindful Normal" seems to sum it up. I plan to keep it that way - if I don't lern things and continue to grow from this life changing experience, shame on me! 

1/12/2013 Beginning to Crave the Company of People

It was a good day... Slept alright, listened to some favorite NPR Programs...

Around 1:00 my lovely friend Melita arrived for a visit - we talked and talked - Since Deborah has passed away, even though I have many good friends, I have craved a certain kind of Woman's conversation. Melita and I hit a lot of the same wavelengths, and it is wonderful to visit with her. 

We took a good walk - across U Street and 20 or so feet down and back - so almost two blocks. A lovely overcast day - we even received some badly needed rain today, though not nearly enough. 

I did get some more PT done this evening - I need to strengthen especially the right Gluteus Medeus muscle - that's the one that's holding me up. 

After Melita left, I did feel some loneliness. It'll be really nice to spend days among co-workers, and be in rehearsals creating with other people. I have social activities tomorrow evening, Thursday and Friday.

But I do feel the need for intimate long conversations. A few special people in my life are very good at them, and they have been occupied with many situations. 

This too is a part of my Normal. Many friends, lots of love in my life, but periods of loneliness. 

Welcome to the Human Race, I suppose. I know it could be much, much worse - and I do count my many blessings... but there it is. 

Now the challenge is Balance, Patience, and Mindfulness... 

I hope to get back to Yoga soon - perhaps find a physical therapy swimming pool - that's a challenge for time... My first massage post-op will be next Saturday. 

and remember NOT to get too stressed and wrapped up in activity that I lose the balance of looking after myself.  

Carrying on into the month and life... bills to pay, things to start dealing with again... a bit of work on the car as soon as taxes come back... I asked for Normal! 

And I welcome it. 

1/11/2013 Getting Out Into the World... Successes and Lessons Learned

Today's facebook status:
"I bade goodbye to my wonderful home care a physical therapist today. She is great at her job, but also compassionate and kind, but gently encouraging. I am deeply grateful for the progress she brought me through. Looks like I'lll be doing a bit more outpatient PT, and I'm very happy to get that bit more help to get me through to full mobility - but a special thanks to this one!"

I walked about two blocks with Shauna (Now I discover all this time, the correct spelling of her name!) and she gave me several new stretches and exercises and an exercise band to continue me on my way to improvement. 
I was really sad to say goodbye, but i hope to cross paths again. She asked me to let her know when I have shows coming up, and I will. A delightful person and skilled physical therapist, and I've been lucky to be under her care for both surgeries. 

I spent the afternoon relaxing, did a bit of music work, watched a bit of tv, and made a trip to the Natural Foods Co-op for groceries- it seems that one's supplements always run out at once. Pricey trio, but all good things. 
I used the motorized cart - it's OK to do that until I am comfortable to go in on foot, but Safeway was a bad idea yesterday. I should have used the cart, but didn't lesson learned... soon enough. 

I met my friend Amanda to see a concert by the Wailin' Jennies, a fantastic trio of women who sing and play wonderful music. We took my car because I have the placard, but of course, downtown's disabled parking spaces are few an far between - so, into the parking garage and a block and a half walk. 
Then a lovely dinner next door to the theatre, and standing in line for the ticket taker and again for the loo.... I was pretty tired - and then of course the diasbled toilet was out of order, thank goodness i can now at least deal with the low toilet and get up from it leaning on the cane. Not easy, but possible. 
We realized that our seats were 17 rows up in the balcony. Beautiful old Art Nouveau vintage theatre - no rails in the balcony. They have accessible seating,but we hadn't thought about it when buying discounted tickets.
Thank goodness I'm bold enough to ask for help- 
PLEASE - Always ask for help if you need it. Pride will only cost you in pain. 
I wouldn't take advantage of my condition- I never will - but it was truly legitimate. The idea of trying to make my way up was nearly tear-inducing after all the walking and standing I'd already done. The lovely helpful usher only needed to see my cane - I asked, "Do you think it would be possible for m to..." And he immediately said, "Yes! It would! Let me get the pson in charge of ticket changes..." And I asked, "Might my friends sit with me?" And he said yes! 
So he came back a bit later with three comfortable padded folding chairs and added them to the disabled seating area, with makes up the ninth row of the theatre! It was fortunate that they could help, and especially that it was great seats! The concert was stellar, the girls walked me back to the parking lot- it wasn't easy for me, but it was't terrible. Home I drove, up the stairs and in. Iced plenty, watched a bit more telly... 

I must remember that Normal is still a bit modified. Consider the venue, consider the walking distance, etc. 

I found out that my first rehearsal for "Cannery Row" is this Tuesday, and found a new Youtube video made by our guitarist for one of our songs- the game is afoot! 

Now to check the campus map and see where I can find the nearest disabled parking to the theatre.