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| always time for clam chowder at Mo's in Taft, Oregon |
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| People were ALL over the beach at Taft, with fires and cooking and playing |
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| 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.
