3D Concentration Pieces from AP STUDIO ART SUMMER INSTITUTE, BELLEVUE

No more handicap parking.

I saw my doctor in October (15th, I think) and gave him the Department of Transportation request for a handicap parking hang tag. That afternoon I waited for over an hour at the DMV for my tag. This past Sunday my tag expired. It was fun while it lasted, being able to take those coveted close to the business parking spots. But I was ready to throw it away on April 1. In fact, I don't want to keep any souvenirs of my surgery, other than my beautiful scar.

This week I parked in my regular teacher parking spot, number 101. The walk to my building is a nice distance, with a bit of an uphill climb at the beginning. I was grateful for each and every pain-free, limp-free step I took. I had not walked this way since late September last year, six months ago. I didn't even use my cane!

In my classroom I can move around the crowded tables, avoiding the backpacks on the floor, and help students without thinking about my hip. This is a huge milestone.

Today I did a little deep cleaning of supplies, and was able to maneuver the clear plastic storage boxes of donated yarn back into the storeroom all by myself. The notion of lifting something of substance and weight (not too much weight) and staying on my feet at the same time is a hurdle I just sailed over!

weeks twelve and thirteen....getting around much better

Twelve Weeks Post Op...seems kind of silly to post an update, but here goes anyway. I am walking without a cane 99% of the time. Really, using it is more of a security blanket, or way or warning oncoming traffic that I'm in the slow lane. I still feel like an alien took up residence in my body, but we are coming to terms. Been back to work full time for three weeks. Usually am in my jammies by 5pm, utterly spent. The dishes and laundry just will have to wait. Being back with students is great medicine.

Thirteen Weeks Post Op....Lots more strength and agility. Able to alternate feet going up the steps (albeit with some herky-jerky lifting). Going down the steps is a piece of cake. Trying to do those exercises 4x daily to prevent
an irritated 'capsule' of the hip joint.  Also, working on lifting the right foot to the left knee (so as to put on a sock). Every night I get on the floor (on my back) and do some crunches, some leg scissors (without crossing the feet or ankles, just bring the legs together at the midline), some pelvic lifts, put the foot on opposite knee (or try to), some foot to hip slides and some in/out slides with the foot. Roll over and do a few modified push ups too.

Lasting longer through the day, though post-lunch fatigue typically sets in. I think I'm almost weaned from the Tramodol.

On Tuesday night Dave and the band, Rhythm of the Psalms (or Songs as they listed them) played at 8pm at The Thirsty Lion pub in Old Town PDX. Here is a shot:

Looking forward to warmer temps in California!

Recently.....

Oui Presse on Hawthorne

Compote, on SE 21st and Clinton

old friends

a serving of toast...homemade bread, with homemade jam and unsalted butter....at Oui Presse

Mary and Me at Kiva. NW 26th and Raleigh.

Spiked Green Tea (I think with champagne) at  Compote

between 10 and eleven weeks post op

I'm getting around the house and classroom without using the cane. I can unload the dryer and carry the warm clothes to the living room for folding. I can pivot and twist like I am used to doing. Little things like this help mark the progress.

Still don't feel the strength to go up steps with alternating feet. Tried it this week and regretted it. My hip complained about it the rest of the day.

Working on getting off the tramadol. Read up on symptoms of withdrawal online. Down to one per day, taken before bed, because insomnia is one of my symptoms. My symptoms aren't too severe, but still annoying. Last night I cut one tramadol in half with toenail clippers (ewww... I know, but sometimes ya gotta use what works) Half seemed to be ok, but I started feeling symptoms of withdrawal around 4pm, a tiredness and irritability. If I could jump in a swimming pool for a few laps, then soak in a hot tub I think that would help.

Eight Week Progress/ Beach Therapy

always time for clam chowder at Mo's in Taft, Oregon

People were ALL over the beach at Taft, with fires and cooking and playing

Soaking up the warmth at the spa pool at Liberty Inn, Lincoln City

Although today is Saturday, and I passed the 8-week post op this past Tuesday, I still think of myself
as in that eight-week window of progress. It truly is a milestone. I wish someone could've said to me "you will really see your progress at week eight, so hang in there'

Last Saturday we sang at a Valentine Dinner. I brought my cane, but used it only getting to and from the car. A fellow hip replacement patient was there. His surgery was three weeks after mine, and he was WORKING the dinner (manning the BBQ outside) and walking (with a limp/waddle) without the use of a cane. He asked me about trouble sleeping at night, did I have any? Not really, I replied, because I usually take a pain med. I recommended that he do the same to get some relief and sleep. He also mentioned that two days earlier he'd gone on auto pilot and had picked up an amplifier in one hand, and bass guitar in the other and headed out the door to music rehearsal. Yikes. The thought of doing that made me cringe.

I've been back at work, afternoons only, for two weeks. It's been fantastic. I arrive at lunch time, have a prep period, then teach either two (one hour) classes, or one (84 minute) class. On Tuesdays I don't have a prep period, so I'm teaching two classes back to back. Both are new fiber art classes, and after the initial day or two of learning names and getting the projects airborne they are easy to teach. My poor knitting students are patiently waiting in line for my help, but this works much better than having them constantly raising their hands and hoping I get to them.

This coming Tuesday I will go back to work full time. I have three classes to teach before lunch. My sub, Marianna, has being working with the students and getting them to slow down and produce beautiful work. It will remain to be seen how much stamina I have to work through the day.

I've been going down steps alternating feet, and using the cane to support the operated leg. I attempted going up some steps alternating feet, using the cane, and this action definitely needs more strength. My glutes need more strength.

I feel I have a nice, even stride when walking and using the cane. It feels so good to be able to walk normally again. I can't emphasize the relief I feel. It is amazing and fantastic.

I still use the extra toilet seat and the walker in the bathroom at home. In public I use the handicapped stall, or if none is available, I hover at an angle and take aim and hope nothing lands on the floor or on me. It can be tricky to strategize and support myself at the same time. Oh, the little things in life.

The Six Week Mark: January 29, 2013

Today marks six weeks since surgery. Six weeks is a milestone in healing. I really have noticed that
my strength and stamina and agility are improving. I have been driving since Saturday. I've been sleeping on both sides and tummy. Yesterday I saw my surgeon for the first time since I checked out of the hospital. He told me to really massage the scar tissue so it will flatten out. I got paper copies of the two x-rays of my hip! Weird to see the metal that is in my thigh bone and the new parts.

side view, lying on back

walking more and more

Lately I've been walking. Today (Thurs) I walked around Trader Joes after getting a massage from Jasper. Yesterday (Wed) I walked all through Costco.
The day before that (Tues) I walked down to The Place to Be with my friend Carol. Day before that  (Mon) I walked to The Place to Be for lunch, then got a leg and foot massage at The Barefoot Sage with my friend Karen, and to dinner at The Barley Mill.

Sunday was a day of rest. Saturday got a haircut, lunch at The Thirsty Lion, yarn shopping at Pearl Fiber and Happy Knits.

Working the cane!
My new danskos "Kenzie" came this week!
My butt hurts!

Leaps and Bounds

After my Wednesday posting I took some big leaps forward in feeling better. At the end of that last post I wrote a post script about walking down to The Place to Be coffee shop for lunch. Well, the next morning I woke up at 6am and finally felt like myself again! It was an amazing feeling. I knew my stamina wasn't going to stay the course, but it was a good start to feeling better.

On Friday my friend Debbie came to visit. We took a walk down to Parsons, Wallflowers, Canby Quilts and back home. It was a cold, foggy day, but it felt good to get out.

A Sunny Day in mid-January

On Saturday Dave and I spent the entire day, from 9:30am till 7:30pm, out and about. It was a beautiful day in Portland! Full on sunshine and blue skies! (It stayed socked in with fog at home). I got my hair cut, we ate lunch at The Thirsty Lion (?), went to Pearl Fiber Art, Pro Guitar, Happy Knits, our friends' house building in progress up high on a hill in Happy Valley, and then dropped in on the Kays and had a nice catching up visit with them.

Proguitar, across from DickBlick, in the Pearl District

I slept on my stomach, side and back last night. In the early morning I ventured over to my operated side to sleep (with pillows between the legs) and ah....conked out! I think the internal organs are glad to settle into their old familiar resting places.

It's great to feel some progress happening.

In the meantime my classes at school are being ably managed by Marianna, my niece. Here is what our mailbox at school looks like!

wow....it's been four weeks already

Yesterday was the four week mark since surgery. Although it is nice to be home and feeling a bit better each day, it is also the slowest recovery I've experienced. I just want to feel better, stronger, more peppy and energized.

My little progress notes are written to my future self, to help me gauge some progress.


So, what are you doing well at this point, Diane?

I can use the bathroom, shower, make the bed, get dressed, do laundry, wash dishes, put away dishes (though this is hard), make a main dish for dinner (this is taxing), get in the car and travel with some discomfort, sit on regular benches and chairs, use handicapped toilets in public places. I've spent time outside the home at The Wild Hare, Studio 103, driving around Canby,  Happy Knits, The Barley Mill, Rolling Hills Songwriter's night.

What is difficult for you to do, at this point?

To stand for any length of time, to sit on a hard chair for any length of time, to engage in a conversation that requires long times of listening to the other person.

So, it is clear to me that doing any one thing for an extended period of time is hard.
Yes.
So, your stamina is there, but not 100%.
Yes.
And I feel an underlying shakiness, unsteadiness, lack of vigor, even when at rest.

Ok, well, let's check in again in a week's time! Remember to take your pain meds regularly, to rest, to do your exercises and to be kind to yourself!

Post Script

After writing the above entry I walked down to The Place to Be Cafe with Kenzie. We had lunch of roasted veggie panini, orzo & lentil soup, tomato & basil soup, kettle chips and wildberry Italian soda.
It was a great walk, no pain, no fatigue! The distance to and from was 7 blocks!

rough day

Thankyou to my dear friend MJ Steele, for posting this cartoon by Bobby Hutto to my facebook!!

Today was one of the rougher days I've had in awhile.  Why was that, you ask? Maybe I was trying to avoid taking a pain med and tough it out. I could not get warm and felt uncomfortable all day long. Never mind it was a freezing cold morning (literally...frost and ice covered everything and didn't melt till noon).

Last night was my first 'night out' with hubby. We went to the Wild Hare for some Friday night dinner and brew at the local hang. I had a delicious steak wrap with tots. Half went home for David. Getting in and out of the car is getting easier.

Today we ventured out in the afternoon to look at a few homes for sale in Canby. I fell in love with a blue farmhouse on Territorial. It had all the quirks and charm of our home, but on .61 acres looking out onto farmland. It has a septic tank and well. I was smitten at once when Dave noticed the two cords of clothesline strung up under the front porch. We could finally have a dog in a place like this one.

After a few drive-by look-sees we went to our local Thriftway for some veggies for making couscous dinner. I thanked Kendra, at customer service, for locating the fig preserves. She commiserated with my hip replacement as she had a partial knee replacement in August.  We ran into our old mail lady Eileen, and our friend Marci with her son Joe-Joe and daughter Mary. I love our local store for this reason. It's not big, like the Fred Meyer, and chances are good you will stop and have a conversation with someone you know.

Despite the above distractions I was very uncomfortable all day. Finally at 4:30pm I decided to take a Tramadol. It kicked in around 5:30pm. I made dinner and have felt more relaxed this evening, like I can unwind all my muscles and take a slow, deep breath. Whew!

Week Three Post Op

It has been three weeks ago yesterday that I had the total hip replacement surgery. I've come a long way since waking up from anesthesia, with a huge yellow foam wedge strapped between my legs, a drain coming from below my wound, oxygen tube around my face, 19 staples and a bandage on my right thigh, and IV in my left hand. All the discomforts one can imagine. As each encumbrance was removed I rejoiced. The last bit, the staples, came out last week, about 9 days ago. My strength and agility are coming back. I count my healing in daily small amounts, sometimes imperceptible amounts. But after two or three days of no perceptible progress I notice a leap forward in stamina, flexibility and strength. So it is vitally important to keep up the daily exercises, those 20 repetitions, four times a day each.

I've been paying attention to pain (or discomfort) levels also. I'm no longer taking the 12 hour oxycontin, but continue with a 24 hour celebrex, and tramadol as needed (1-2 tabs every 4-6 hours). I have gone as long as 15 hours without the extra dose of tramadol. The thing about tissue pain is that it is different from nerve pain. It's more of a general discomfort, a sense of holding my breath, of not being able to relax and move easily. Regulating my body temperature is also a factor in my overall sense of well being. Sometimes I'm too hot, sometimes I'm nearly shivering.

I'm able to shower, wash my hair and shave my 'good' (unoperated) leg in the shower. After a few days of shaving only one leg I had an idea for attaching a razor to a long stick. Lo and behold it works! The only hitch is getting some kind of bodywash on the leg first. Haven't figured that out yet, so am shaving the operated leg with running water. BUT... To feel fresh and clean, with warm, soapy water running over me is luxurious. I can even get myself completely dressed with the exception of putting a sock on my right foot! I have a sock device to help me put my sock on myself, but have been lazy about requesting someone fetch it for me from the studio/shed.

I've found that taking a nap in the afternoon really restores my sense of well being. Usually my bladder
is what wakes me up (definitely at night). But I get about an hour of solid sleep once I get settled on my back and the covers pulled up just right. Sleeping on my back is not my style. I've learned to do because I have to. The other day I put three pillows between my knees, gently pulled myself over to my left side and added pillows behind my back. The sense of almost normal brought me to tears. I am living in such an elemental, primal state of being!

On Monday I had David get the cane out of the studio. Using it the first time felt great, if a bit wobbly. My gait is improving the more I use the cane. Baby steps!!!

I'm able to wash dishes and do laundry! It just takes time and planning. Like my mother-in-law Kathy said, "everything is a calculation". So when I bend over I extend my right leg behind me to keep the angle of the hip in the safety zone. Plus it makes me feel more like a dancer.

I'm currently knitting my third project, a 'kerchief' out of Madelinetosh merino DK yarn, in the color called Byzantine, using size 8 circular needles. It's going pretty fast so I'm already day dreaming about the fourth project!

I'm continually grateful and thankful for my family surrounding me with their love, care, shopping and doing what I cannot. They are the best. I feel their love.

The Hipster Story

Using the walker 1 week post surgery

My hip story begins in February 2010. I noticed some painful twinging and grabbing in my right hip joint when taking a step forward. No warning, just a sudden painful jolt that would take my breath away and

cause me to stop in my tracks until I found a way to ease out of the 'impingement'. This could happen at really awkward times, such as the time Dave and I were getting ready to lead worship at our old church building in West Linn. I had to grab the grand piano and find my way off the platform without drawing attention to myself. After several months of this happening I went to the family doctor. An X-ray revealed

bone cysts around the acertabulum. Advice was to keep living, but call back if it worsened. Sixth months later I'd had enough and took the next step, to see my orthopedic doctor (who had already diagnosed arthritis in my thumb joints, and the issue with the sacroiliac joint). He saw my X-ray and announced that I had FAI, femoral acertabular impingement. He gave me a stretch to do and said to 'keep on living'. So I did. I continued to do NIA classes with good success (feeling better after each class) and doing the stretch from time to time. The stretch never helped the problem of the impinging bone cysts to go away.

However, after 12 months had gone by, in late Sept 2012, I noticed a decline in my ability to walk.

It felt like something had changed in the hip joint, like there was less cushion in the joint. I went back to see the ortho doc. He did a new X-ray and I saw that the interior of the acertabulum was full of bone cysts. It looked like a chrysanthemum flower! He said that my underlying problem was that I have hip displasia, or shallow sockets. AH!!! This made sense. My younger sister and third daughter were diagnosed at birth with this, and were treated for it as infants. My mom doesn't remember if I was checked at birth. She knows that nothing was said to her about it. At any rate, I didn't walk until I was 17 months old (I was an excellent crawler). Perhaps this delay in walking was a benefit to me in the long run.

Slipped in some mud on Oct 17th, but didn't fall down.

The photo above is a sort of marker. I was walking to the crosswalk from the teacher parking lot to the street corner in the dark early morning (7am) and didn't see the muddy sludge in the corner of the asphalt parking lot. Both feet went sliding and I caught my fall with my right hand. Or I was 'helped' by unseen arms. I have no idea how I did not fall completely into the mud. Anyway by Nov 17 I wasn't able to walk the distance from my parking spot to my classroom and was now parking in the school nurse's spot next to my building. That is how fast I declined.

Using a cane prior to surgery

Back to early Oct 2012. I saw the doc, and he said 'keep living'. We discussed the possibility of a hip

replacement as the eventual next step. He also mentioned a cortisone shot that might bring some temporary relief. I asked for one and had it two days later, in the hospital. It provided an amazing sense of relief for about 4 days. I had no pain in the hip joint, but the problem of blockage in the joint was there. I felt like I had to climb over a hurdle with each step. As the pain came back, bit by bit, I realized the clock was ticking. Things were getting worse. I could barely walk, even with a cane. I lurched like a drunken sailor, with my right leg stiffly swinging in an arc out to my side. I was on pain meds every four hours. I went back to the doctor's office in early November and said "I'm done, let's do the surgery". Within the hour I had my surgery date (Dec 18th) and was booked for a 'Joint Class' at the hospital.

Here I am, on the morning of Dec 18th, ready to go into surgery.

Thumbs up 1 hour prior to surgery on 12.18.12

 Surgery lasted about 2 hours. The doc said that the sciatic nerve was 'right there' when he got
into the skin, in an unusual spot. It kind of freaked him out, like it was a close call not to accidently
sever it. So he had to dance around the nerve while doing surgery. The other issue was that I bled every where I was cut. So my blood was saved and 'spun' and the 400cc of platelets were given back to me in my IV the next day. Yikes. So glad for that. My blood pressure was low going into surgery (103 over something) and after surgery was even lower, at one point 77/41. I think that is the reason I felt so crummy. I just couldn't get the strength and energy to move. My appetite was poor too. I would order way too much food and then barely take a bite out of it.

A few hours after surgery...still have oxygen tube.

OH YUMMM...breakfast the next day

I awoke in a recovery room (which I barely remember) and then was moved to my regular room

on the med/surg floor of the hospital. I had a huge wedge of foam between my legs strapped around to keep my legs in proper alignment. I had a drain in my wound, an IV in my right hand, and oxygen around my face. Sitting/lying on the chux pads was uncomfortable. Everything was uncomfortable. I had to use the bed pan about 4 times before I was able to use the toilet. Ugh. That was ok the first time and  a trial the second time. Trying to 'let go' when all instincts are telling you 'no, you are wetting yourself'! I asked the nurses to turn on the water in the sink and let me try this by myself. Eventually success. Just getting the bedpan underneath me required the nurse and CNA to tilt me to my left side and then lower me back down onto the plastic shallow bowl. Who designs these things anyway? Anyway, after the first PT visit on Day One post surgery I was able to buzz the CNA for help getting out of bed and to the bathroom.

No rest for the weary...Day One: learning to walk using hip precautions

GO MAMA!!!

Melinda, a PT I know from treating my hip three years ago,  came to me each time it was possible for her. I call her my Jillian Michaels because she is tough and doesn't let anything incorrect slide. She also builds confidence and keeps the goals high. I also had the PT pictured above, and another whose name was Peg Gauthier! The hip precautions are to not let the leg cross the midline of the body (no crossed ankles or legs, or even bringing the legs together), not to bend the hip joint beyond 90 degrees in any dirction (never squatting). I can only sleep on my back (for now...later side sleep with pillow support between the legs is possible I hope). I slide my right leg out in front of me before standing up. This prevents a bend in the hip beyond 90 degrees. I grab the walker with my right hand and boost myself up with my left hand (from the arm of the chair or the side of the bed). Dave  raised our bedframe up onto bricks to aid me getting in and out of bed. I use a dense foam toilet seat (about 8-10" high) and scoot the walker up against the tank, then pivot my body around. This way I have arm supports. Again, the leg extends before standing up.

staying connected on the internet....good therapy

Friends and colleagues brought us meals during the surgery week! We were overflowing with delicious barley/beef soup, veggie chili, potato cheese soup, butternut squash soup, lentil soup, macaroni and cheese, veggie quiche, salads, breads, rolls and a pie! WOW!!! THANKYOU!!!!

I came home on Friday Dec 21st, in the afternoon. A bad wreck on 99e forced us to take a detour home, but we were so grateful that we knew about it before heading out. And so grateful that David was not involved, as he was heading up to the hospital just a few minutes after the accident happened. He saw the stalled traffic and turned around, finding another route.

Dave bought a recliner on his way to pick me up from the hospital! It has sturdy wooden arms and a comfy, yet supportive seat and lumbar support. The fabric is a wide-wale purple corduroy. It is great!!!! Merry Christmas to us!!!

The house was all decorated for Christmas, Christmas music was playing and Kenzie was baking cookies in the kitchen when I got home. What a welcome!!! I really missed my family and home during the three days in the hospital. I was ready to be home, surrounded by loved ones.

Everyone came over Christmas morning for aebleskiver, eggs, potatoes, bacon, juice. We opened presents after breakfast. Later in the afternoon Dave and Kenzie put together a fabulous turkey dinner with mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, homemade cranberries, stuffing and gravy. The 9.5 lb turkey roasted to perfection (falling in moist chunks off the bone) in the Le Creuset Dutch Oven.

Christmas Day...Miss LAILA!!

Getting outside on 12.30.12

My first venture out of the house is pictured above. I walked up and down the sidewalk in front of the house in the welcome sunshine. The next venture was on Dec 31st, to the ortho office to have the staples removed, all 19 of them! It did hurt a bit but I kept breathing deeply and joined in the banter and laughter with Dave and the nurse, in an attempt to stay distracted. We drove the backroads home through the countryside, the rolling hills and woods, the beautiful estate like homes, to Wilsonville. A drive-thru Taco Bell stop (we forgot there was a Taco del Mar close by!) for lunch added to the sense of normalcy. I'd also been able to take three showers by now!!! I haven't shaved my legs for four weeks and wish the prickly sensation would subside. Washing my hair and scrubbing my back are wonderful. Dave stands by for anything I might need (like picking up the dropped soap, or moving the shampoo within reach).

Dave is the best caregiver and nurse. He knows how to chill out and just be present with me, as well as anticipate thirst, hunger, discomfort. He plays a soothing variety of music for me all day long, even during a nap. I am so grateful for his help, and that he was able to take time off work between Christmas and New Years Day to stay home. His company closes during that week, at no cost to the employees. His first day back at work is today, but I'm not alone. Kenzie and David are here to help me.

Joselyn Cowl, knitted the first week

Henslowe Shawl, knitted the second week