A huge help

This little gizmo is a pocketed bag that attaches to crutches.  I bought two of them this time.

They have been a huge life saver!  Instead of putting my travel coffee mug in the waist band of my yoga pants, I can put it in one of my little pouches.  I keep my cell phone, chap stick, mini-wallet, etc., in the other one. I got these on Amazon and they have been worth every penny.  So much easier than trying to put everything I need in my pockets (if I have them) or in a shoulder bag!

Did it again!

About four months post surgery on the left hip I asked my surgeon about doing the right hip before the end of the year.  While I wasn't 100% healed on the left, I was getting along just fine and had about 85% of my strength back.  Sometimes I'd have an occasional "catch" when standing up or moving funny but from what I had read, this wasn't all that unusual.  Besides, I had met my insurance deductible and out of pocket maximum and wanted to squeeze it in before the end of the year since it's going to be even higher next year!

The surgeon was pretty agreeable and we scheduled for November 13th - almost exactly 6 months after the first hip.  I was excited and started making plans for work, home, family, etc.  I also started paying close attention to that first hip and how it was feeling every day and pushing myself to make sure I wasn't playing favorites.  

A few days before the surgery, I noticed I finally had my full stride back and wasn't holding back when walking.  For a long time I knew I was going slower than normal but just couldn't break past that.  And then I did.  For about 3 days.

I'm now a week post 2nd surgery and I am VERY happy to say that this one was a breeze in comparison to the first time.

For starters, I didn't spend 15 hours in the surgical center like I did the first time.  The other huge bonus was NOT PUKING MY GUTS OUT!  I was fanatical about pushing that subject with the anesthesiologist and reminded them over and over that I did NOT want to get sick this time.  Apparently they took me seriously.  I had a tiny bit of nausea the next morning and that was it.  I also refused to take any of their narcotics after that first day and only took Aleve for 2 days.  

According to what the surgeon told my husband, he pretty much did the same resurfacing and repairs to the labrum that he did the first time but I have to believe he either did a better job or there wasn't as much work to be done.  I don't have nearly the post surgical pain that I did with the first one.  Seriously, I was able to put weight on that leg almost right away (though I wasn't supposed to).  

It's like night and day.  On day 5 when I was able to take a shower after the first surgery, I was practically dragging myself in and out and needed a nap to recover.  This time, I was ready to dance a jig when I was done showering.  I have very little swelling and no nerve damage on the outside of my thigh like I still have on the left leg.  I was able to roll over on both sides within 4 days.  Last time I think it was more like 2 weeks if I remember correctly.  I probably should go back and read my own blog!

I did go back and read my own tips and reminders and had the house set up much better this time though there are still some obstacle course points just because of the floor plan of an old house.  I did not do a very good job prepping the husband and kids.  They were like deer in the headlights when I reminded them they needed to cook.  I did WAY too much those first few days this time though I can't say it's been a big negative impact.  I'm feeling pretty awesome and actually kinda forget sometimes that its as fragile as it is.  The other morning I got up and took two steps before I remembered I'm not supposed to be walking....