Agelessly Fit

Time is ticking in this recovery! Last Thursday I hit the 3 week point in my right hip replacement recovery. I have to say that this recovery has been a little easier than the left hip. My biggest concern this time was the swelling, especially directly under my scar. It also felt as though my leg was longer. I was kicking it in a half circle when I first began walking outside. As the overall swelling subsided the "kick" went away and my leg felt normal again! YAY!! I still have some swelling at the scar but this is subsiding as well. I had my staples removed on day 15. I was also approved to drive. I was now able to go to the gym. I focused on upper body strength using the machines and also free weights. I also did cardio on the elliptical. nothing to fast or crazy; just got my legs moving in a different way. Before being able to drive I was walking. I used my cane outside for security for about two weeks. I averaged about 2-3 miles one time a day. I also took a  friend's

Let's talk about differences....not just in my two hip replacements but in total hip replacement in general. Before I begin with some technical/medical differences I want to remind everyone - this is your journey!!! I belong to a  Facebook group "Hip Replacement group for Active people" and I often read posts of members disappointed that they are not "where another member is" in their recovery.  There are also posts asking where they should be at a certain point in recovery.  I find this group to be very helpful and as a matter of fact the posts I read prior to my first hip replacement in September 2020 alleviated some of my worry about the surgery.  At times I am very hard on myself, especially in reference to fitness. I tend to overdo. After my first replacement I found myself comparing to others and this took a toll on me emotionally and could have had a negative affect on my recovery. I took time to reflect on my experience as a Group Exercise Instructor and

 Hi all - catching up on my surgery and day two - hopefully "get to go home day"! Anyone that has had a hospital stay knows that sleep is a commodity! I tried to get in periods of sleep in between HR and BP checks, blood work, bathroom trips, and bladder scans. Oh what a night!! Hey - There is a song with this phrase as subtitle! December, 1963 = Frankie Valli!  Ok - back to the details!  The morning was busy with nurses checking everything - again. My BP was still very low. My HR as well; 39 as a matter of fact! This brought in the charge nurse for a manual check of HR and yes...39 it was! I was not "attached" to automatic BP/HR monitor. Well, that changed quickly. However, before they attached me we did a bathroom trip. I still had a feeling that I was not able to empty fully. I can't truly explain the "feeling" but it felt there was a narrowing. Due to the retention issues the night before scans were protocol. Scan completed and yes, retention again

Well, surgery day came so fast. As I wrote in the previous blog, work had me super busy! I left work early the day before my surgery date. I also got a sub for my cycle class. Although I missed teaching, especially knowing that I would not be teaching for up to 6 weeks, I knew it was the smartest thing to do. I needed to get some last minute things done and also rest. And rest I did!  I was scheduled to be the second surgery for Dr. Sherman. This meant arriving at the hospital at 6AM. I was very grateful that I was really tired Wednesday night and had fallen asleep before 9PM. My alarm went off at 4:30AM. even though I could not eat or drink I wanted a little time before leaving home. I got ready and chilled; getting my mindset positive for a great surgical outcome! My husband drove me to the hospital. Policies have changed sine my last surgery in 2020 and he was allowed to come in and wait with me. After getting checked in I was taken to the preop room. Marc had to wait in the waiting