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!

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.

14 Week post op

It's been almost two weeks without a crutch in sight! Oh, how I don't miss them. I've been holding up pretty well for the most part. The right hip gets a bit tight at times, I believe it's the psoas, so we've been stretching it more at PT.

I had the injection on my left hip on Friday. I hate the procedure, it's not pleasant at all, but at least it's over. I had a difference in pain from the pre-injection to the post-injection, especially rotating my hip inwards. That was a 10+ before the injection, and went to about a 5 after. It was definitely sore for the following days but seems okay now.

I leave for London tomorrow night. I have taken the precaution of arranging assistance from the gate in Heathrow as the walk to immigration is quite long. I am meant to get a bulk seat as well which will be helpful in the sense no one will be able to smoosh my legs when they put their chair back. Normally I'm not a fan but in this case I'm willing to give it a try.

I've been trying to limit my plans for the trip, so just meeting up with some friends, seeing a Panto, going to the local for New Years and the biggest amount of walking will be at Hampton Court on New Years Day. I pray I can handle it, because being the Henry buff that I am, I have to see the new exhibit, as well as the Tudor Cookery special and holiday decorations they have set up. I must hit the gift shop there as well, they usually have lots of fun things for history geeks such as myself.

I am back next week and will let you now how I fared. Happy New Year and may you and those you love have a blessed 2008!

Funks gone!

There are very few things that can snap me out of the "funk" I've been in feeling as bad as I do, but my friend K did the trick! We've booked a trip to London (my 2nd favourite city in the world!*) for New Year's and my lovely friend P has opened up his home to us. I have the best friends! So it's a birthday and very early Hanukkah pressie for myself! YAY!!! It's also great motivation to plough through all the PT I will be doing.

*NY is the first - of course!!!

HENRY!!!
(yes for those of you who are not aware, I have a deep
fascination with Henry VIII - call it a morbid curiosity into his twisted mind.)

Various snaps of London

The Tower of London

And its' bridge, not to be confused with London bridge...