Tired

As the week has gone on, I'm fatigued.  I was especially tired yesterday after work, but was able to sneak in an icing session and a little nap all before 6pm.  I decided to head to the gym to do my exercises because it helps me focus and I feel more like an athlete when I go.  It forces me to put on some workout clothes and at least pretend I'm doing something.

I snagged the cycling room at a time when class wasn't in session.  I cycled for 10 minutes without resistance, did my exercises, and then did an additional 10 minutes on the bike.  It took me close to 50 minutes to do all of this, which seems like longer than it should.

I apologize for this pathetic excuse of a selfie.  I am drastically behind in this department!

I am definitely noticing progress, but was glad I had another therapy session today to check in and get some more exercises.  Andy is now having me try the standing stability exercises on both legs.  When my operative leg is grounded, it is beyond obvious how little muscle I have there.  My legs were shaking like crazy during my session today and I was beyond embarrassed!

I am supposed to progress my bridge work to one leg, sit on the stability ball and lift my leg, do mini squats, and continue my side/front/back leg lifts off of one leg.  I was relieved to hear that Andy was okay with me just doing the exercises once a day instead of twice like I had been doing.  He was very encouraging and assures me that I am doing well.  I warned him of my cheating tendencies because I have discovered that I am really good at looking like I'm doing what I'm supposed to do, but probably am not always doing it completely correctly.

My pain is primarily in my back.  It had been just on the right (operative) side, but now is almost the entire back.  I am hoping it is just culture shock to be back at work and such instead of anything to be worried about.

First Few Days of Recovery

I am not going to lie.  This is one of the hardest things I've had to do in my life.  While I am not in any significant pain, and even weaned myself off of the pain medication within 24 hours, it is difficult.  I find myself frustrated and emotional at times.  I think I'd pick to go through child labor or run another marathon instead of recovering from hip arthroscopy.  I tell myself that I should feel fortunate that this is what I have to experience.  There are many other people experiencing things that are way worse.  I realize I have a long road ahead of me and that scares me.  I wonder if I've made the right decision.  Will I be better off when everything is said and done?  I hope so.  Until then, I am taking one day at a time.

My days consist of lying on the couch, on the blow-up mattress, lying in the bed, and more recently sitting in a hard chair.  I consider myself a pretty coordinated and athletic girl, but it is taxing thinking through how to maneuver my body and my crutches and such.  I am very careful with my leg, but it seems you can not be too careful.

During the first day or so, I was awake for a few hours and then would sleep an hour or so.  I iced nearly all day and forced myself to pump my ankle, do my heel slides, and on occasion my pendulum swings.  Sleeping at night is the worst.  My back gets tired, I have to interrupt Tony to help me move or get up to go to the bathroom, I get hot, I get cold, etc.  I dread going to bed each night.

Thankfully, each day has gotten a little easier.  The stiffness is a little less, the tricky moves aren't so tricky, and I'm beginning to return to my old self.

Here are a few highlights:

Monday/Tuesday: Talking and texting with more people than I have the entire last year, knowing I'll be off of work for a little while, eating my Frosty

Wednesday: Seeing my kiddos, spending time with my Dad and husband, receiving even more texts and check-ins

Thursday: Easier movement; changed the dressing---wow, that thing weighed a ton!  Delicious food from Mom

Friday: Even easier to get around, less pain, SHOWER, warm weather which allowed us to take the kids to the park and my first outing, a visitor with a delicious quiche, spending time with my sister

Saturday: Less pain, able to sit in chair for awhile, less time icing, quality visit with a dear friend, who brought cookies, reading The Fault in Our Stars (which has been on my to do list for 2 years), sleeping in my son's bed while he (and sister) is away with my loving family



Sunday: Productive morning getting lesson plans done, less pain, SHOWER, outing with hubby, dinner out

Tomorrow I go for my first follow-up appointment.  I have MANY questions for Dr. Ho including how to change his conservative recovery plan to a more aggressive one and the ramifications of only addressing the impingement and psoas release but not repairing the labral tear.

Stay posted as I chronicle my progress..."I am not afraid. I was born to do this."