Goodbye to 09' and Pain

Nothing to do but take pretty pictures on such a beautiful December day. I would love to be out riding in this, but I won't know if riding is on my list of 'can do' things until I see my doctor this Thursday. Physically, I feel like riding would be fine. I'm sure I will be sore afterwards, mostly because it has been nearly two months since I last rode.
On Christmas Day I went for a good hike. There are some logging roads not too far from our house where I sometimes ride or my husband and I hike. My daughter joined us to work up an appetite for Christmas dinner. The first half hour is a pretty good climb and I was proud of myself for not getting left too far behind:) I kept a steady pace and had absolutely no pain. The most impressive part was coming down. For several of the past years walking down hill has been very painful for my hip, at times near tears and stopping frequently. This day was like night to day, not a stitch of pain. I am so excited about this new pain free active life!
I have been the primary foot caregiver for my two horses for the last year. I trimmed both of them two days before my surgery, knowing that it might be a while before I could attempt to get back to them. I have been checking them this last week, debating whether I feel up to it or not. I'm nervous about getting it started and then not being able to finish, leaving them unbalanced. Working on their feet is a great workout for the glutes. If you doubt this, just try to find a farrier with a fat hiney. I think it has helped that I have the horses on a paddock that consists of all 1/4"minus rock this winter. It keeps their soles exfoliated beautifully and the thrush I battled all last year is gone.
I am hoping to get permission from the doctor to begin riding. It would be fitting to head out for a New Years Day ride on my new hip. If he suggests I wait, I'll wait. I know that it will be soon and that this next year will be full of many pain free rides. I'll be cleaning tack this week just in case:)

Back to Light Work

This last week has been busy. Along with physical therapy three times a week, I have been putting in some hours at work on an inventory project. We also had a couple of surgeries scheduled, so I was able to run a modified version of anesthesia to fit my restrictions. The anesthesia cases ran pretty similar to normal only I didn't perform the pre-surgery physical exam, blood draw, or place the i.v. catheter, somebody else did. I also delegated the task of knocking the horse down, as rarely they can have an adverse reaction to the sedation and things can get crazy, dangerous quickly. I'm not quite ready for that yet:). I was able to place the endotracheal tube and help place the horse on the surgery table after it was down. I stood for most of the first surgery like I usually do, but I was really sore the next day, so for Tuesdays surgery I sat off and on. I helped as usual to recover the horse, but only the first part, when the horse is still down and I am helping it breath with the demand valve, waiting for the horse to breath on its own, then waiting for the horse to begin to have the swallow reflex so that I can pull the e.t. tube. Once the tube is pulled and the horse is breathing well on it's own I step out of the room and we bar the doors and recover the horse with a head and tail rope. The rope recovery part can be strenuous, so I just watched this time. Both horses did very well. I was pleased with how I held up too. It will be another two weeks before I go back to the real horse handling duties of my job. I've been given an inventory project that will keep me busy in the mean time. Along with getting back all my household and barn duties, I am busy enough.

On The Road Again

I have started driving again! Last Wednesday was my first outing. I drove myself the 15 or so miles to where I'll continue with Physical Therapy. I wasn't so sure how this would go since my car sits so low and it has a manual transmission. My hip did get a little achey and uncomfortable, but I think most of that was due to the firmness of my car seat. I still have some swelling and the firm seat did nothing but create pressure on that. Getting in and out, and running the gas and brake pedal was not an issue.

Physical Therapy has become more demanding, but also more rewarding. I'm noticing daily improvements in both strength and flexibility. It was pretty pathetic though to be nearly breathless after only 6 minutes on the stationary bike. No where to go but up from here.

I have been able to start doing the daily horse chores. I still let hubby dump the full wheelbarrow, but he has been happy to let me fill it up. It feels good to start to get back in the routine of things again. I don't think the horses missed me much. They are as fat as ever.

I have gone back to work this week part time. It will be office type work for the next two weeks. I'll get to run a couple of anesthesia cases, but kinda from the side for safetys sake.

Moving around is nearly back to thoughtless. My hip is still a bit stiff after sitting for a long period. I think that is still muscle and soft tissue healing. I'd say most all my daily activities are pretty comfortable and easy at this point. I'll be happy to take the compression stockings off once and for always. Only two more weeks of those, yeah!

I'm getting a taste of what recovered is going to be like and I LIKE IT!

Week Three

As you can see I have added my saddle into the physical therapy routine. It feels GREAT! I've also come up with a plan to save my sanity while I'm grounded from riding. I'm going to refresh myself on clicker training for my horses. I could sure use the help improving my 'trainer' abilities, and maybe I'll have a funny horse trick or two to liven up my next endurance ridecamp swamp party. (Swamp party: gathering place of Gaited Endurance Team members, and assorted others)
I've made great strides this third week of recovery. I can now put on my own socks. I can now go up and down stairs like a normal person. I can also lay on my right side. It is funny how such little things I would normally take for granted seem like such grand accomplishments now.

Dr. says

I had my first post op Dr. appt. today. Doc said I could do pretty much whatever I felt up to doing. He changed my physical therapy to out patient, so now I can drive to p.t. I asked about picking up horse droppings and running a wheelbarrow around. He thought maybe waiting on that a couple more weeks would be better. I was hoping to relieve my husband of that chore. I usually hear nightly an exclamation of amazement about how much a horse can poo in one day. I really can't argue with that.
If I had a desk job I could probably get back to work any time now. For my job I'll have to wait. Handling horses and equipment in a veterinary situation will require me to be back to %100. I will spend some time back at work filling in at the desk, but I need to find something else to fill in the rest of my time. I do have a big box of photographs that need organizing:)
Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Inchpebbles

Inchpebbles, kinda like milestones, only much smaller.
Before my surgery I had a great curiousity about what my post op experience would be like. I wanted to know when I would feel capable of doing what (if that makes any sense). I realize everyones experience is going to be unique, but I was curious about what a normal progression post hip replacement might be.
So here again I will share my inchpebbles. Small, daily progressions, in my experience.
Saturday, 11 days post op I was feeling pretty good. So good, I decided to try my first outing. With my husband driving, we planned to do some errands. Getting into the truck went fairly well. With the grab handle to help hoist myself up and in, it was painless. Getting out was much easier. We made three stops where I got out and back in. I was ready to go home.
Sunday, after our Saturday outing, I was sore. That muscle in my thigh had really tightened up again. I was able to get thru my daily p.t. routine and I did my two walks down the driveway and back, completely unasisted now, but I took it easy.
Monday, 13 days post op. Wow, what a difference. It feels like a corner has been turned. That dang thigh muscle finally feels like it's loosening up. This gives me encouragement. I had several people who had been through this tell me that they had NO pain immediately post op. I think they had forgotten. I have had pain. Although I would describe it as more of a 'discomfort' level of pain, it is still pain. I have been able to keep my level of pain under control with 2 Aleve for the last 8 days. As long as I can sleep and get my physical therapy done I am satisfied with some occasional discomfort. Getting up and moving around usually relieves any soreness.
Walking has become more fluid. Less thought and consideration has to be given to every movement and step. I can rise from my chair and walk off with only a brief pre-flight check.
Tuesday, two weeks from surgery day. I am sleeping pretty comfortably, as well as one can with two dogs and a cat wedged all around. I increased my walking distance a few hundred feet down to our neighbors drive. The physical therapist added a couple exercises yesterday that I was ready for. She took the name of my surgeon she was so impressed with my progress:) My thigh is feeling so much better. I still cannot put on my own sock. I can come within a half inch, ugghh, so close. I fed my horses their hay this morning!
Tomorrow is my post op check up. I look forward to getting permission to reach my next 'milestones' one pebble at a time.

Day Eleven Post Op

Today is Saturday, eleven days after having my right hip replaced. My physical therapy exercises are becoming easier and I feel ready to add a third session to my day. The therapists didn't add any new exercises on Thursday when she was here. She only added some ankle weight to a few of the leg lifts. I am freely walking around the house with no aid. This morning I walked down the drive and back with just the walking stick. Navigating the stairs was not an issue. The most discomfort I have had has been a very sore and tight thigh, kinda between front and side, all the way to my knee. I'm planning to ask Dr. why that muscle has been so painful. It seems odd to me.
I cooked dinner last night. Seems like such a minor feat, but one step closer to normalcy.
My non-horsey husband has been caring for my two mares. Bella doesn't always make things easy for him. She likes to play 'catch me if you can scarey man'. Especially if it is raining:)
Returning to work (light duty) and my horse chores will be the next milestones. Both will be discussed and determined next week at my post-op check up.
Until then, just more walking, leg lifts and such, getting stronger every day.

Team Member "Bella"

Bella is my 6 year old, TWH, Mare. I bought her as a 3 year old in the fall of 06'. I let her just kinda grow up that first winter and then put lots of trail miles on her summer of 07'. In 08' I intended to ride several L.D.'s on her. She had other plans. I took her to Grizzly, she said something nasty to her mate and got a kick to the forearm. Mt. Adams ride was cancelled that year. I completed at Prineville, yeah! Bella decided to stick her foot through my fencing, pawing/teasing the neighbor dog, so we missed Klickitat. I completed at Bandit, yeah! And Oregon 100, yeah! And Foothills! After which Bella developed a foot abcess. End of Bella's 08' season.

This last year she has been ponied quite a bit and ridden by friends as I have been starting my new horse 'Glory'.

Bella has a real strong horsenality. I rarely have to wonder how she is feeling. She expresses herself well:) She is a blast to ride, with an easy, yet powerful running walk and a rack that can bring tears to my eyes.

I am looking forward to getting back in the saddle and racking down the trail (Pain Free) on my girl 'Bella'.

Day Seven

Yesterday was day seven and the first day I woke up and didn't feel substantially better. I'm not sure if I've just reached a different phase, where the improvements won't be as obvious, or if it was just a bad day. Part of it was a headache that I just couldn't shake.
The physical therapist was here on Tuesday and was impressed with my level of strength and flexibility, considering surgery was only one week ago. I am now free to walk with one crutch, with her blessing. I have been walking some with out any assistance, but it feels too limpy, so until I am stronger, I will use a crutch or the walking stick my Mom brought me today. As much as I want to walk on my own, I think it is more important to keep the stride full and natural. It won't be much longer.
I had more exercises added to my physical therapy. It now takes about an hour twice a day. Eventually they would like me to do them three times a day. Today I was nauseated before finishing my a.m. routine, so I'll stick to twice a day for now.
Mr. Big, my rat terrier, is always right there encouraging me. Mostly, he soaks up the attention he gets during my many little breaks between sets.
Fendi is also a constant. My daughters little yorkie-pom always has a sympathetic lick at the ready.
Chili, the calico, has been eager to go out for my walks with the rest of the team. She also likes to add her weight to my leg lifts when the mood strikes her.
Bella and Glory brighten up and look alive as I take my walks down the drive. They are begining to figure out that I bring nothing but scratches and pats. Hopefully they will keep checking me out anyway.

The P.T. Team

First Week

Well it hasn't been quite a week, but it seems like a lot has happened and I don't want to lose track.
Before I had the surgery, I was very curious about what to expect immediately after. I searched the web for personal accounts, hopefully positive and encouraging, to give me strength and comfort. I found a few and I am here adding my own to hopefully help anyone else facing a total hip replacement.
The evening of surgery I was helped into a sitting position at the edge of my bed and allowed to dangle my feet. I was really hoping to get up and walk, but my leg was still very numb from the epideral, so I don't think there would have been much point. The worst part about the first night was the desire to sleep on my side and the inability to do so. The nurses tried to prop me over a bit, but it just didn't do it. Oh, and the interuptions, just to make sure I was still breathing.
The morning after surgery my P.T. was a few simple, yet difficult, leg movements and up out of bed with a walker, out into the hall and back. My leg still felt very numb to the knee. The afternoon P.T. was more leg movements, and a longer walk down the hall with a walker. I was brought back to a chair to sit for a half hour or so, and before long felt a little ill. Not sure what happened, but I nearly passed out, blood pressure took a dive. Once they got me back in bed, I instantly felt fine. This was a bit discouraging.
Day two after surgery went very well. Morning walk was uneventful and by afternoon I was on crutches going up and down stairs. The crutches were a much better fit for me. They allowed me to walk with more normal movement and yet still have support. I was now able to get in and out of bed on my own, take myself to the bathroom, and conquered the stairs. Let me go Home.
Friday morning I'm ready to go. I have all my exercises done before the therapist arrives, except for the walking. The therapist goes through my exercise plan and adds a couple more to take home. The nurse brings me my clothes and I can completely dress myself except for socks and shoes. Getting in and out of the car is fairly uneventful and making it up the stairs to the house went pretty smooth. All the critters are happy to see me and there is a bit of wrangling to get me in the house amongst the excitement.
Saturday I can get around pretty good with the crutches and even get my own slippers on (a pull on bootie type). I'm already getting a bit stir crazy, so I head down to the barn. Dr. says I can fully weight bear, so with the crutches for support, I feel like I'm really just walking. The horses look great, smell great, and feel great. Hubby followed me back up to the house to make sure I was o.k., but I am thrilled with this amount of freedom, and fresh air already.
I had a home P.T. assesment today and had a rave review. She said I looked nearly ready to go to one crutch.
I am wearing a circle in the flooring and pacing at the sliding glass window has begun. I can totally relate to stall vices. As long as the weather doesn't get too bad, I should be able to get out for some walks though.

Amazing

Surgery on Tuesday went very well. The surgeon's comment was "That was the most enjoyable surgery I've done in a year!". His surgery time was about 45 minutes. I woke up and the first words out of my mouth was "Wow! That was amazing". It truly is amazing that something so major can be done so quickly and successfully.
I'm home and ready to start the hard part now. Building back my strength and flexibility will be a full time job for awhile.
Along with the amazingly short procedure time, the other amazing thing about this whole deal is that my surgeon performed a minimally invasive technique which has no precautions post op. All of my movements are completely up to my level of comfort. Have I said AMAZING!
Thanks to all for your thoughts and prayers.

Anticipation

It is the Sunday before my surgery to replace my arthritic right hip joint. Tuesday is the big day. It is hard to think about anything else, but I must, lest I go crazy:)