chiro and pt

So far my hips (touch wood) have been ok since PT on Monday, which is a good sign that we didn't overdue it. Steady as we go!

The chiro has been focusing on my right shoulder and showing me how to loosen up the muscles, as it's pulling the rest out of alignment. Sitting at the computer all day doesn't help but I will try to be more conscientious about my stretching.

Yesterday was a rough day, a year since my Gran passed, and the weather was a bit crappy too so I definitely was feeling the fibro ache. Thankfully my friends helped me get through it and the weather is lovely today. Life is good when you have such wonderful friends and family.

PT - week 19

PT went pretty well yesterday. I did the bike for 20 minutes and then some stretches with the stool, turning in and out and then extending all the way back. Also did some clam shells w/ 3lb weights, bridges with the ball, and stim with 6lbs on the right and 3lbs on the left. Also did the turns with the pulley on each side. My pt stretched me out a bit as I've been a bit tight in the front on my right. I went home to ice but then got distracted - bad me!
Today feeling ok, so think we hit it just about right. Yay!

I love my lidocaine patches!

This weekend went fairly smoothly. Getting to the airport was pretty easy and I was fortunate that I did not have to wait long for the train or bus. (Btw - I never knew there was a HUGE Pathmark at 125th and Lex. It's enormous!) Thankfully the traffic was moving well too and I made it door to door in under an hour.
I walked in the terminal, seemed like a hassle to have to explain about needing a wheelchair since the gates were not too far from the security.

Saturday my mother and I went down to the Corcoran. We took the metro - interesting people on the metro these days - and it was only about a half hour journey. It was FREEZING out though. The walk to the gallery was a bit longer than I had anticipated. Thankfully I had put a lidocaine patch on my left hip as a preventive measure. I'm getting pretty clever at this point - took me long enough!

I brought my digital automatic camera with me and was having fun taking shots all around, even though we were as cold as icebergs on the north pole.
Thankfully we made it to the exhibit before the masses and did not have to queue up for too long (The line that existed when we left went around and around the whole building - madness!). The exhibit was quite large, about 150 photographs I believe. I was definitely getting worn out by the end of it and craving a seat. But it was so worth it. It reminded me of why I love photography so much, and how much I miss shooting black and white especially. I am now very determined to try to get a Mac with lots of memory and good printer and scanner for my 2 1/4 negs so I can truly get to work on my pictures. It's been way too long since I've focused on my art, and lord knows I have to start cataloging and doing something with it at. (If anyone wins the lottery and feels like donating to the cause, you know where to reach me :-)

Afterwards we stopped for lunch - my mother insisting on eating, and I was happy to sit as well. My right side did hold up fairly well though so no complaints there. I was a bit sore on the metro on the way back but thankfully we were able to get seats after a few stops and that definitely helped.

For the party that night I threw on a lidocaine patch on my right hip just to make sure I didn't have to suffer all night in case it flared up. After standing for a while I had to sit down and take the pressure off. But all in all it was ok.

Tonight I have PT for the first time since the 16th! I think it might have helped a bit to have a slight break though, since the hips were all irritated. We shall see how it goes tonight. I am planning on still going on the easier side as I don't want a repeat.

Weekend plans

This weekend is going to be a bit of a challenge, but I'm up for it. On one hand I know I'm meant to limit myself, but there has to be a limit to limiting ones self right?

I am off to DC for a close friend/practically family members' 80th surprise do. I am planning on taking the subway and the bus to the airport. I know this will be a little more strenuous but the timing is such that rush hour in a cab may be worse. Taking the shuttle so shouldn't be too much walking in the airport. Since I'm not eating much at the moment I can just go to the one area and wait. Usually I do my rounds at the shops and restaurants but that is at a different end, so will pass this time which will work out well for my hip methinks.

Tomorrow I am planning on going into DC from where we are staying in Maryland to see the Ansel Adams exhibit at the Corcoran - good timing as it closes on Sunday. We're going to take the metro in so more walking than if we had a car, but I will try to limit it as much as possible. I think I did pretty well at the MET last week so hoping this goes well. My main thing is to remember not to walk very fast. I was in my past incarnation a very speedy walker, so it's hard to go slow, even though I know it's better for me. It takes a very conscious effort.

I haven't taken the anti-inflammatories in a couple of days as you're not really meant to mix it with alcohol and to be honest the last few days my friends have taken me out for distraction and with that inevitably comes the drink. Such is the life of a single city girl. :-) And anyway, I don't think the drugs were helping much either.

Sunday will be pretty motionless as my cousin is coming over to my aunt and uncles for lunch before we leave for the airport, and then the return flight. I am hoping because this flight is so short I won't flare up like I did on the flights to London.

Fingers crossed!

Genetic Doctor

I pretty much knew in advance what she was going to say, but with her positive spin on things she really knows how to make you feel better.

So do I have a genetic condition? Dr. Davis, whom I can't recommend highly enough, is very straight forward and direct. This is a quality I highly admire. I truly hate when people, especially doctors, jerk you around.

She said that whilst it can be confirmed or disproved that I have EDS, the likely hood is high, and that the only thing I can do is to moderate my life. Basically meaning no high wire stunts or climbing the Andes. I already realised this was not where my desires should be. The horseback riding is a hard pill to swallow even though I know it is v. v. bad for me. But such is life. She recommended that I don't do too much weight-bearing exercises and that aqua therapy would be the best thing to stick to. I had been hoping to get to the pool a couple weeks back but because of the hip irritation it hasn't happened yet. Hopefully soon.

I will try my best to preserve what I can for as long as I can, and that is all I can do.

so far...

the left is still pretty sore but the right (touch wood) seems to not be any worse for the trip to the museum yesterday. A good sign!

I did it...

Not sure yet if it was the best idea, but we did make it to the MET today. I am glad I went as there was a Lee Friedlander exhibit that I hadn't even known about which was good, and their new "Depth of Field" which was OK. I guess it is good for a general intro into photography. Reminded me of my intro to photo classes I took at university. But still, glad I saw it.

I did put on a lidocaine patch on my left hip before we left. I was OK walking around. After the photo exhibits we went to the cafeteria for lunch and then my dad wanted to go back and see the impressionists. Thankfully they had benches in a lot of the galleries so I was able to sit whilst my parents looked around.

My left hip is definitely acting up and quite sore but, touch wood, my right hip hasn't acted up. At least not yet...

Do I or don't I?

The last few days have been pretty rough. By rough I mean not only has my left hip become a complete wreck again, my right one is hurting alot. At first it was just in one area, but now it's moved to the front as well. I am not sure if it's because I am starting to overcompensate with my right for the left, or if it's in the joint. The stress of this is really getting to me in all sorts of ways. Not surprising really.

Friday I took the train out to the island and only had one bag. It wasn't too heavy but I definitely felt it in my hips. Saturday I went to Macy's with my mother for a little while. It's a smaller store than some and we didn't do much walking around in it as I knew exactly where I had to go. By the time I returned home I was a wreck. This was mostly my left at this point. I went to lie down on the couch and couldn't straighten my left leg for the life of me, the pain was intolerable. I iced it for about an hour just to numb the pain. As I had dinner plans that night I conceded and put a lidocaine patch on it. Thankfully that helped get me through dinner.

Sunday I was pretty achy with both hips and just took it easy. That didn't seem to be much help though as by nighttime I was in agony with both. I iced both for a while before I went to bed, and that seemed to help. I am just so frustrated with the lack of progress and the setbacks that it's really affecting me something horrible.

So the question is, do I or don't I go to the MET today. There is a photography exhibit that I've been wanting to see since it opened in September, around the time of my surgery. My parents and I have plans to go see it and they don't want to go if I am suffering, but to be honest I am so frustrated with my life being on hold I just want to do things again and enjoy myself.

Last week I was so excited to feel free and be able to get around without worrying how many steps a place had or how many blocks I might have to walk, and now it feels like it's just been taken away again. I know eventually I will get back to that point, but I am having a bit of a hard time at the moment keeping the faith. So that's where I'm at currently. Not quite defeated but definitely forced back from the front lines by the enemy.

Thursday update

I started taking the anti-inflammatories on Tuesday am, and they seemed at first to help. As much as I hate them, I started to think perhaps they do have some benefits. By Wednesday though I was in a lot of pain again.

At PT last night I told them how much it hurt after my session on Monday, and they seemed perplexed. At the same time though they wanted me to do the pulley/rotations with the weights. This requires pulling a certain amount of weight with your arms as you are rotating your hips, and bending your knees. Even though I only did 2 sets of 20 with 10 lbs, I was suffering afterwards. That and the leg lifts with stim were the only weights I did. Manual manipulation and stretching for the rest of the session as well as stim when I was being iced on the very sore spot. They said it's definitely muscular, and that I have to really account for everything I do. Even just going on the subway is a lot. I'm a bit bummed as I was starting to feel human again, but after thinking about this, I believe this started when I went to London. That was really the first time since my surgery that I was doing normal, regular things without being over careful.

So my "homework" is to do icing, isometrics, stretching and to make sure I keep track of every little move I make so that I don't overdue it. It feels like a huge step back, but I guess it's the only thing to be done at the moment. A bit depressing to be honest as I was enjoying being "normal", but I will get back to that at some point hopefully sooner rather than later.

On a different note, I just made an appointment with my chiro. I was meant to go next week, but I woke up this am in such a state, all twisted especially with my neck/shoulder region that I figured I should definitely see if they can get me in. I don't think I've addressed it much, but I must say that the ART (active release therapy) and the myofascial release that they do at my chiro's has been a life saver. Every since I started going in the summer when my whole neck was locked up I have been doing much better. I truly believe it helped with my pre-surgery stress and my post-op recovery and I can't say enough positive things about my experience with it.

Information on ART: http://www.activerelease.com/what_patients.asp

Information on Myofascial release: http://www.myofascial-release.com/

My Chiro: http://www.ronsafkodc.com/about_us.html

update to yesterdays post

I went to PT and was quite relieved with the outcome. After explaining the issues with my hips he examined me and said that it is all muscular. This was the best news possible, as it means I did not damage anything and we can help control it. He wants me to take some anti-inflammatory meds for a bit and ice a lot and try to limit weight-bearing activities for the time. Yesterday we did mostly stretching and then stim, the kind w/ the leg raises, and then he put the stim on the irritated area when I was icing. I hurt a lot more initially afterwards but feel slightly better today. I also just took about 600mg of Ibuprofen (left my script meds at home) so will see how that goes.

We also discussed my left hip and agreed that even though the injection wore off there is nothing to do about it for the time being. We cannot even contemplate surgery until my right hip is 100%+ better and would be able to handle supporting me for any length of time by itself.

So, that's where it is for now. Hopefully we will get the inflammation down quickly and I will be back on the path to strengthening in no time.

17 weeks post op - and slightly freaking out

Well, it's been a rough weekend to say the least. Here I thought I was doing so well last week that I might have gone too far, too fast. I had been hoping to go to the pool this weekend and try out some exercises that my PT showed me, but alas, my hips had other ideas. I tried icing them but it did not do much. Yesterday my right hip was so bad that I actually used a lidocaine patch on it. I have not done that since before surgery, so you can see why it is so upsetting. I will go over all of this with my PT again, though last week he did say I couldn't damage anything that had been done surgically. Hopefully it is just that I over used it and pushed myself too far.
As for the left, whatever the injection did to help it seems to have stopped doing. I know I should contact Dr. Kelly and tell him, but at the same time I cannot imagine having surgery in the near future for this. My whole body cannot handle that again this soon, and I definitely feel my right hip would not be up to the pressure of supporting me for three months on crutches. So we have yet another catch 22.
To add to it, my lovely hands have been out of control pain-wise for the last week. Anytime they hurt for more than a day or so straight I start to worry.
The weather is not helping either for the moment.

Oh well, as my heroine says,
Tomorrow is another day.

Desiderata

I just came across this old favourite of mine and wanted to post it. I think it's lovely.

Desiderata
by Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

I did it!!!

Yesterday I walked all the way home from my office to my flat! That was the first time since my surgery. It was 1.75 miles!!! I did stop about mid-way to say hello to a friend (and see if I could get a haircut) but other than that, no breaks!
My hips definitely were hurting when I got home, so I iced for about 25 minutes and that seemed to help. I was a still a bit achy at night, but nothing out of control. This morning my muscles are a bit sore, but good sore, not agony-in-pain. Sore like I finally had some sort of workout! The hips are a little tender, but that's to be expected. Don't know if it was the best day to try it, but it was so lovely out last night I just had to have a walk. Suffice to mention I was slightly exuberant last night!
I had PT on Monday, which was the first time in almost two weeks as I'd been away. This past weekend I overexerted myself a bit and was pretty sore. I actually used the lidocaine patches on both hips on Monday. The left was really killing me the most, but I figured if one was good, two was better! It helped me get through the day though. I took them off at PT and felt the difference almost immediately. My PT decided that we would go light on certain exercises and cut out some others. He checked my ROM and said that I'd just irritated the hips, nothing serious. I kind of figured but it was a relief to hear it from a professional.
I should be allowed to start doing some pool exercises now as well, and will try to remember to get a list of things tonight so I can go this weekend and get started. YAY! I never thought I'd be so excited to exercise, but there you have it. Over a year of not being able to and I'm quite looking forward to it.

almost 16 week post - op

How I survived my trip to London.
Firstly, I was a very clever girl and contacted the special assistance desk with the airline. That was the smartest thing I did. Other than the joy of jumping queues and having people drive you around the huge airports, I definitely saved myself a lot of pain.
Secondly, I was a very daft girl. I insisted on going to the airport my "usual" way. That is by taking the E train to Jamaica, then to the Airtrain. My work is only a couple of blocks from the E, and then I thought there was not too much walking between the two, oh how memories fade with age.
By the time I reached the airline, I was hurting. Thankfully the nice lady at the end of the queue saw my crutch and had them open a desk for me and get a wheel chair. Then it was straight through security. And did I mention the bulk head seats? Yes, being a gimp does have it's advantages.
Once I was dropped off at the gate, I went straight to the loo to put on my lidocaine patches. Can I say again how much I bloody love these things? They are one of the most important inventions ever, at least to me. I know some people say they don't work for them but I am blessed that they do most of the time for me.
Unfortunately the flight was delayed so my combination of wine and magic pill took effect too soon and I missed that small window of opportunity to pass out. Well, I could've passed out at the gate, but really did want to get on the plane so forced myself to stay awake. After we finally boarded, I had a hard time getting comfortable. I don't know if it's because I had a mild fibro flare up earlier that week or if the pressure on the planes is getting worse for me, but it was not the most enjoyable flight, especially with barely any sleep.
Thankfully when we arrived I had a nice old English man to push me through immigration and get my case, and he even took me up to my friends car in the car park. I definitely could not have done all of that walking after that flight.
So, the trip was brilliant. To sum up, my hips fared fairly well. I didn't do too much walking but definitely more than I have since my surgery (except for my day at Hampton Court - I pretty much saved myself for that day - and was sore the day after, but not as bad as I'd have thought). I wasn't sure how much the injection had helped at first, but it definitely made a difference whilst I was there. Unfortunately I had the worst time sleeping and the weather in London this time is the worst for me, so that kept the flare up going.
The return trip was much the same as the going, and again, so glad I had the assistance. It truly made a huge difference in a positive way.
I was able to get some sleep the last two nights since I've been back, and that definitely helps. Today for some reason though both hips are not happy campers. Not quite sure as I've not done much walking, but I am off to self medicate with my friend so that should help with the pain and getting to sleep later.