33 weeks post #hipreplacement

Well Thursday last week I was reminded that I’m not fixed. It was the first proper town trip out since my surgery, 225 days post op.

It was agony and I’m so broken, swollen and I’m frustrated. But we did all the paperwork, and managed to do some uni shopping too. It’s feeling pretty real right now. Visited the accommodation too.

Now I’m 33 weeks post op, and it’s been a week of family things, so physio has taken a back seat. We had some impromptu sunny weather so took advantage of that and visited Barmouth, for the beach, fish + chips and of course ice cream!!

Then celebration of reggae at the local town with free rumballs, well it would be rude not too. It was bank holiday weekend after all. After decades of avoiding bank holiday things, we did both Saturday (beach) and Sunday (reggae night) and I was exhausted.

So the new week, we haven’t done much, collected more uni stuff that was ordered and much needed food shopping.

I’m resting now until Friday when it’s the #BlackpoolSwitchOn

Groin still twinging and sore, so I’m avoiding a lot of movement, and using my stick more and more. Hope it settles down soon.

Week 32 post #hipreplacement

Well that was a week, that’s for sure!! I struggled, I moaned and I rested. And you know what, I do feel better for it. So it was worth the agony of resting.

So the week started with a renewed rigor of wanting to workout, and do some physio. But remembering to not over do it. However, it didn’t go exactly to plan as we decided to use this rare sunny day to have a nature walk instead.

Which honestly worked the glues on the right side immensely!! Still ZERO feeling on the left side. The uneven terrain helped to build up my leg stability, and pushed the ankles to work harder, as well as the knees too.

From this walk I did feel some groin pain in the right, my thigh on the right side. Left side the knee was angry. But maybe I need this more? As it challenges the lower body more. I had to use a stick in places too. And really remember to point my foot forwards on the left side, (it has a habit of going sideways when I’m tired)

Following this, obviously I couldn’t go hardcore the next day. So I opted for very gentle physio.

• Ball squeeze ankles 20reps
• Ball squeeze knees 20reps
• Ball between knees hip bridges 20reps
• Hip flexion (no weights) 20reps
• Hip abduction (no weights) 20reps
• Hip extension forwards (no weights) 20reps
• Hip extension backwards (no weights) 20reps
• Heel to butt 20reps
• Mini squat 20 reps

Nice and slow, with no added weights on the ankles, and using no resistance bands. I’m eager to move but not adding extra stress to the joint either.

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This resonates with me so much. As it’s not an easy fix.

Wednesday (when I’m posting this post) I did the same routine as Tuesday, and so far it’s going well, not too stressful and certainly not making things too painful either.

Thursday is the day off any physio, as it’s Chester Uni visit day, to finalise paperwork for my daughter’s course, and sneak a peek at the accommodation as well. It’s starting to feel very very real now.

Friday it is our daughters birthday so another rest day. And of course I will be eating cake too.

Day 221 post #HipReplacement

It’s been a horrid week, in physically, mentally and weather wise too.

I’ve wanted to give up at times, I’ve cried such self pitying tears too. And it’s got me nowhere. It’s been the hardest most testing weeks I’ve had, and really none of it is my hip! Well, that’s something I’ve not been able to say since 2005!!

So that’s my silver lining. After all week following Mondays too much physio injury. I’ve felt good hip wise, a bit too good at times so I was sorely tempted to do physio again. But I promised myself I wouldn’t until Tomorrow (following Monday).

When I had injured it, it felt like an intense thigh pain, while also feeling like I was sitting on a ball, when I sat down. I presume it’s muscle, and swelling. Once I rested it soon got better, especially when I added hot water bottles and ibuprofen 400mg X 3 a day.

It’s been all my hands all week, they have felt like lightening, throbbing an swollen and just absolutely agony. I have solidly worn the splints, the gloves and used as much gel as allowed, to get minimum relief. I can’t wait for steroid injections, let’s hope they will do them.

I’m even starting to debate the CMC joint surgery? Has anyone had it? Is this my life now, replacing all the joints and arthritis already at 43?? Will I be more bionic by 50?? At my wit’s end. I’m wondering if I’ll ever drive a car, or will I ever make jewellery again? Stupid joints I hate them.

The week has been difficult and mood so low, not sure if pain or the weather has caused them. But I do now realise I work better mentally with routine, so I’m happy to be getting back into a routine tomorrow, and start off gently again with post op exercises and only 1 set too.

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Week 31 post #hipreplacement

What do they say? Don’t RUN before you can WALK. Yeah I should listen to that advice!!

After my set back last week, and boy was it a set back!! I’d really pulled my hip, and the thigh swelled up, and felt like a golf ball when I sat down again!! So eager to never cause that again. It’s all change for my physio.

I thought on Monday I would do well, simply doing week 2 version of exercise. (Not my best idea honestly)

• Hip flexion ankle weights 20 reps
• Hip abduction ankle weights 20 reps
• Hip extension backwards ankle weights 20 reps
• Hip extension forwards ankle weights 20 reps
• Mini squats 20 reps
• Ball squeeze between ankles 20 reps
• Ball squeeze between knees 20 reps
• Traditional clam raise green banded 20 reps
• Hip thrusts green banded 20 reps

I added in some free weights for the upper body.

• Bicep curl 20 reps
• Shoulder press 20 reps
• Bicep row 20 reps
• Tricep kickback 20 reps
• Chest press 20 reps
• Tricep overhead 20 reps

These were admittedly too much. I had to wear my splints as well. Hindsight I would say I wasn’t ready Arthritis wise to do these. Broke them down into 2 x 10 reps. My hands have caused a few tears and sobbing events this weekend.

And all was ok, until I needed to go out. And the front of the hip around the hip flexor is now in pain!! An I’m experiencing pain in the right hand side of my stomach, quite low too. So maybe it’s hip related, ie scar tissue, or I’ve pulled something?! Maybe the psoas??

So obviously Tuesday I’ve had to rest so much more, really limiting myself to straining it any further.

So here we are and it’s Wednesday and officially 31 weeks, and I’m nursing sore hip and groin pain. Frustrating but shows how it’s 1 step forward and 2 or 3 steps backwards.

No weight loss this week, but I have gone down in measurements so that’s proper encouraging to me. I take my measurements once a month, as I know this process is super slow compared to able bodied folks.

Day 214 post #hipreplacement weekly roundup

It’s already the weekend and what a week it’s been. It’s been hard I won’t lie, the physio is gruelling, and Wednesday was a much welcomed break from all exercise.

Wednesday saw us wave goodbye to the youngest daughter who was up Manchester for her early birthday celebrations!!

So there I was waving her off, knowing it’s practice for when she leaves for real next month! Eek, it’s coming round so fast it’s scary.

Me and hubby planning a fun filled few days, of eating out and lots of films too.

We ate at #egorestaurant with delicious hanging kebabs. On the Thursday.

Friday arrives and it’s official physiotherapy appointment, and I’m feeling a tad sore from the gruelling physio I’ve been doing at home. Pleased I’ve done Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday without too much fuss.

This appointment we did, not a lot as I’m still very sore, and after assessment, it’s decided that this week doing 2 sets, is clearly too much for me to do. So under advice I’m going back to 1 set only.

• Stationary bike level 2 x 3mins
• Ball squeeze hip bridges x 20reps
• Single leg hip bridges x 10reps
• Side leg raise (ankle weighted) x 10reps
• Prone lying Knee raise (ankle weighted) x 10reps
• Kettle bell squats x 15reps
• Walking lunge with dumbbells x 15reps
• Duck walking (green banded) x 15reps

So I’m a bit gutted that I’ve overdone it, but I can see that I have and that the old adage no pain no gain does NOT apply to us hippies. Super frustrating when you just want to be active and normal.

So this weekend is all about hot water bottle, ibuprofen gel, ibuprofen tablets and lots and lots of rest (if possible)

Week 30 Post #HipReplacement

After completing 6 while weeks of continuous physio, I feel like I’ve found a good balance between life, chores and physio.

I started his journey to really give my shiny new hip implant the best chance. And to try build up the opposite hip, to see if exercises can help with limitations and motion. So although I’d love to lose weight too, it’s not my primary goal.

I’ve noticed a few things, firstly my bad back ache just isn’t getting better. Nor is my knee pain, well not strictly true, the knees are good sometimes and absolutely awful the next. But I’m not sure why?

My scar still stings!! I don’t honestly remember that from other scars. Again it comes and goes, not really sure what makes it appear.

Anyways enough of all that, it’s a new week and new challenges are needed. It all began here so now it’s time to build upon that, and push it a little bit more. Ie doing 2 sets of the routine and seeing how the body responds to that. I will add, I need a break between sets. As it still wears me out. So a coffee break between sets, helps the body recover itself.

• Clam Side Drop (green band) 20reps x 2
• Ball squeeze between ankles 20reps x 2
• Ball squeeze between knees 20reps x 2
• Ball squeeze between knee hip bridge 20reps x 2
• Prone lying Knee raise (ankle weight) 20reps x 2
• Prone lying heel to butt (ankle weight) 20reps x 2
• Supine lying front leg raise (ankle weight) 20reps x 2
• Side leg raise (ankle weight) 20reps x 2
• Supine lying hip abduction (ankle weight) 20reps x 2
• Duck walking (green band) 20reps x 2
• Walking lunge (ankle weight) 20reps x 2

Lets get our goals smashed this week!! My plan is to do at least Monday, Tuesday, Thursday. Using Wednesday as my rest day. And Friday is the hospital physiotherapy appointment. Let’s go…..

Look Fantastic Beauty Box #Heatwave August

I totally forgot to post my last few boxes, I was too busy using it and enjoying it all. And of course I’ve been busy with life and family. So I will show my newest box. The August Heatwave (hope we get one) box.

In this it’s a box perfect for the summer, though weirdly I’m not feeling the summer lately, perhaps it’s due to no summers holidays here as daughter is busy working too much, and weather went pants too.

Anyways I’m hoping this box brings back the sun, and those heady summer nights where you drink Pimm’s in the sunshine!!

#Luxie 737 tapered highlighter brush rrp £26.50

It feels super soft, the handle is molded for a better grip, so more gentle on my hands (Arthritis really effects me)

#bellapierre heatwave highlighting palette RRP £29.99

Shimmery gold’s, silver, champagne, rose gold and coppery. But all sutble and buildable for strobing or highlighting. There are 5 buttery highlighters perfect for those summery nights.

#jamesread 1 hour glow mask RRP £12.50

Looking forward to a sunkissed glow within 30 mins, but used as an overnight gradual tan. Suitable for all skin types.

#natura herb infused sheet mask RRP £4.95

Grab 15-20 to yourself with this gentle hydrating and nourishing sheet mask.

#doucce luscious lips stain in ‘Holiday Getaway’ RRP £11.95

A cute coral orangey lip tint that is highly pigmented. A base colour to last all day. I’ll be sure to be testing this out.

#rituals ‘the rituals of holi’ body cream RRP £6.90

Hydrating and luxious skin care with flamingo flower and pink grapefruit soothing cream.

Day 207 post #hipreplacement

Round up of the last week, and I’ve managed to do my hardest physio routine Mon, Tues, Weds, I had a break Thursday and did Friday. See here for the routine. This completes 6 weeks of doing 3 different routines twice. It’s a way to kick-start new and healthy habits and routines.

Thursday I used to hoover the front room, but I’m still finding this hard to do. Maybe it’s how you plant your feet into the floor to push and stabilize yourself.

So come Friday I was honestly dreading doing the set. But I remembered someone on the boards telling me I’d inspired them to do it, so I was soon up and doing it. And I’m glad I did. Your comments mean the world to me!! Thank you.

So now this weekend, it’s all relax and let my muscles recover. Zero weight loss which is sad. But not my main focus, but the skincare routine is down to a tee. And I’m managing at least 3litres of water per day. So I’m happy with that.

So my skin is feeling so much better, and my insides feel less bloated. So it’s a win for me even though the weight isn’t coming off.

My ehlers danlos syndrome is playing havoc this weekend, because it’s THAT time. So ankles, hands, elbows and shoulders are super loose, painful and feeling extra awful. But with rest it should feel better. But I’m starting to hate rest days, my brain complains.