46 Weeks Post #HipReplacement

Today should of been my 1year post, had the 29th Nov 2018 surgery not been cancelled.

However it was and I ended up having it after Christmas instead. Which honestly was a blessing in disguise, as I ended up enjoying December more. I’d bought all presents so I had zero stress over this time. And honestly the time flew by too.

So this last week, what happened?? Well it was hellish recovering from that physio session, featured in last weeks post. A lot of rest was needed. 4 days of complete rest in fact. Actual NOT moving recovery it was that painful.

But once I had recovered, I managed a small country walk better than I had before, though on the left I’m convinced the glute is NOT activating at all. Still quad dominant over that side.

Slopes are still affecting the knees, both going up and down. I’m still stopping at least 4 to 5 times to readjust hips and knees. Stronger on the right side though, keeps showing up the left now.

But the fresh air is doing my mind good, not being stuck indoors and constantly focusing on negativity.

Really pleased with my walking boots, light weight but so supportive on my ankles. Ehlers Danlos Syndrome makes my ankles prone to rolling over, even walking on flat normal surfaces. As well as super grippy. I hate slippy leaves at this time of year.

Well it’s time for another physio session, I wonder what she will do with me this week, hoping she will be kind. Will post it soon…

Gerard Cosmetics this month

Once again I’ve been fortunate to receive some incredible #PR #GIFTED and for that I’m extremely grateful. I do this post because I want too, and not because it’s expected or required.

I got a different bundle this time, as we are fortunate to pick what we receive ourselves, which I’m stunned to see other brands don’t do, which I believe increases so much waste and contributes to fast make up.

So instead of hundreds of products that don’t suit skin tones, or personal preferences you can tailor it to meet your needs.

With that I decided I really needed a #GCSquad hoodie, to be warm as toast while winter starts, and it’s perfect for physio too. Worn for a few wintery walks and it’s so warm, so glad I picked this. buy here

Along with that I also purchased with my credits a T Shirt again great to represent the brand, and easy wear for physio. It’s cosy too. buy here

For something completely different, I went for a Melt Make up Balm, in Rose. It’s my favourite scent and I knew it wouldn’t kick off any of my allergies too. Arrived solid in tube, it needs warming to heat up the coconut oil and omg!! It’s changed my skin this past month I’ve been using it. Once warm it’s a real liquid, small amount goes a long long way. Smooth over make up, watch it literally melt away. Use a warm hot cloth, and all make up is removed without scrubbing, or multiple goes. Skin is left so soft, nourished and protected in chilly winds, that this is my game changer product. buy here

To top it all off, I just had to get some lip products, and I got a bundle which had a light up gloss, lip pencil in nude and hydra matte liquid lip. The formulas for these three are my favourites. Never thought I’d ditch my Kat Von D or Lime Crime, but I find the liquid lipsticks less drying and more wearable. Find all lip products here

Then my final purchase was the Brow Bar to go, to see if I could be swayed from #Wunder2 brows, and so far so good. But maybe the wunder pips it as it lasts 3 days. buy here

And better still, their #BlackFriday sales have started. Saving you a massive 51%

9 weeks post #steroidinjection

It’s been a journey for sure, not like the first injection I had at all. It took nearly a month to work and it’s only worked marginally as well. But here I am contemplating the one thumb, as it badly needs doing.

As I’m finding that yes the cmc joint of thumb is ok. But higher knuckle of thumb is agony. Along with mcp joints of first two fingers as well. These are swelling mainly at night. And when I use my walking stick, the hand hurts with me gripping on tight. Can’t not grip tightly once my hip gets tired, it’s a vicious cycle.

Seeking the GP advice next week (it takes roughly 2-3 weeks to get in to see them) see if there’s anything else besides the gloves, splints and Injections. Though I’m not hopeful.

Winter sucks!!

Murderous Secrets by Janice Frost #BlogBookTour

It’s been some time since I’ve done one of these. So as usual it’s #ADGIFTED but all opinions and thoughts are my own.

MURDEROUS SECRETS (Merry & Neal #6) by Janice Frost

Looking for a totally gripping crime mystery which you won’t want to put down?
DISCOVER THE NEW CRIME THRILLER FROM BEST-SELLING AUTHOR JANICE FROST

TWO BRUTAL SLAYINGS AT A BARN DANCE

Detective Ava Merry goes to a forties-themed dance at Northfields Farm on Valentine’s Day.

A young couple, Nick and Samantha are found murdered.

Nick is found in a wartime ambulance with and Sam is found stabbed multiple times in the glamping tent they were staying in.

DS Ava Merry is confronted by a man fleeing the tent. Who is he and is he really innocent?

SECRETS THAT SOMEONE WILL KILL TO KEEP

Then another frenzied murder ups the stakes still further.

Can DS Ava Merry and DI Jim Neal expose the killer?

Great for fans of Angela Marsons, Rachel Abbott, Ruth Rendell, or Mark Billingham.

PRAISE FOR JANICE FROST
“A very good storyline with so much happening in the family to keep the reader engrossed.” Viv

“Really enjoyable read.” Nerys

“Good entertaining read, with heart in the mouth moments.” Carole

“A fast-paced mystery with plenty of suspects.” Barbara

“I just had to keep reading to see what was going to happen next.” Dawn

THE DETECTIVES
DS Ava Merry is a young policewoman, recently promoted to detective sergeant. She is fitness fanatic with a taste for dangerous relationships. DI Jim Neal is single dad who juggles his devotion to his job with caring for his son.

DS MERRY & DI NEAL SERIES
Book 1: DEAD SECRET
Book 2: DARK SECRET
Book 3: HER HUSBAND’S SECRET
Book 4: THEIR FATAL SECRETS
Book 5: DIRTY SECRETS
Book 6: MURDEROUS SECRETS

JANICE FROST

Janice was born and grew up in West Lothian, Scotland. After completing an English degree at St Andrew’s University, she moved to London where she lived for ten years doing an assortment of jobs. Her passions are reading, writing and walking in Scotland and the Lake District. She lives in Lincolnshire with her husband and two sons.

LINKS

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009761614110

Twitter: @Janice579021

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14005413.Janice_Frost

Amazon: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14005413.Janice_Frost

MY REVIEW

I have no experience with this author, or their writing style, which I like, as it means I get exposed to many great authors I would never have found otherwise.

A good murder story will always be my favourite, the guessing, the piecing clues together, the diversions and back stories set up to trick you.

It ends in a real page turner, one that you just have to race through to see what happens next.

I enjoyed the characters, which truly helps to be engaged with the story. You feel invested in their lives, you actually care which is rare for me.

I’ll be hunting more from this series, I don’t feel too behind by reading number 6 first. It’s a good book standing by itself. But I will enjoy going to the beginning to see how it all unfolds.

45 Weeks Post #HipReplacement

This week I swallowed my pride, and faced my fear, and finally after all this time, visited the dentist.

When I had my surgery, you inevitable have a throat tube, during the operation. And with having #EhlersDanlosSyndrome I have weak, crumbly teeth. See here for info

So after awaking from my operation, my tongue discovered 2 freshly broken, chipped teeth.

Thankfully they didn’t hurt, and didn’t present a problem until recently. The last few weeks, I’ve had tooth ache. But I’m afraid of the dentist…..

I thought it was firstly a check up, as they don’t know what to do until they have examined it. But at least I’ve made this first step. But NO it was a filling with no injections just a clean up and filling. He was supportive, he actually knew what Ehlers Danlos Syndrome was and how it affects me. I was super impressed.

Also this last week I’ve been faithfully doing the number 4 stretches, with success in ability. But it’s hurting the right legs knee and hip is still swelling up too. So it was time to see what my physiotherapist says about it.

There’s been an improvement, so we proceeded to test it gently. And although it’s swelling up, she says it’s to be expected for 12-24months. So I feel a lot better about it.

• 5 mins stationary bike no resistance
• 
• 20kg leg press x 10 reps
• 
• Bosu ball walkovers (using parallel bars for stability) x 10 reps
• 
• Bosu ball side leg lunges (using parallel bars for stability) x 10 reps
• 
• Upside down Bosu ball Balance squats (using parallel bars for stability) x 10 reps
• 
• Walking lunges (using parallel bars for stability) x 10 reps
• 
• Duck walking with Red band (using parallel bars for stability) x 10 reps
• 

To say I walked out would be a lie, I practically crawled out, as that was brutal while it’s so swollen and sore. It’s now 4 days after this appointment and the pain is subsiding. I literally couldn’t move for days, it was far far too much!!

Top 5 Hippy Christmas Gifts

*Disclaimer I get a % off every sale as I’m an affiliate, this doesn’t cost you the customer anything.*

A slightly different post, but as it’s nearly the run up to Christmas, I thought about all the hippy related things I have myself, and what things to buy for hippies too.

So enjoy this cobbled together Christmas wish list of this ole hippie.

I love this first one, and I definitely felt it last year. As I was meant to get one before last Christmas, but it ended up being afterwards instead. Still the best present ever!!

<a href=”http://”>buy here

Something that’s my entire life line!! Is my walking stick, and I always have a fold up version, so I can choose when and how I use it.

<a href=”http://”>buy here

I used a normal pillow between my knees, but with hindsight, I think I would of been better off with this instead.

<a href=”http://
“>buy here

You will need to have some humour while recovering, and make lots of notes too. So these come in handy.

<a href=”http://
“>buy here

I fall in to the category of a Custom Made hip replacement, so with your bony pens, write down appointments, physio plans or medication taken in this.

<a href=”http://
“>buy here

Just a collection of what I’d buy myself, or other hippy friends. I always wear my own hippy tops to appointments and physio sessions. A stick is usually vital, so I suggest buying a pretty one. And I make endless notes and doodle. The pillow is a want of my own, I should of bought one.

And of course it’s not complete without my own Tragically Hip Top, that I personally wear. Comes in various colours, and in t-shirts too.

buy here

Look Fantastic November Box #Hygge

This months #lookfantasticbeautybox my last one as I’ve cancelled now, as it’s so close to Christmas, and I need time to use what I’ve collected over the months. This months theme was #hygge #cosy

#Espa smooth and firm body butter 30ml worth €)£8.33 enriched with Larch and Pumpkin seed extract for deep moisturizing skin, fragrances with rose, patchouliand mandarin oils.

#ThisWorks deep sleep pillow spray 10ml worth £8.00 a lavender, vetivert, chamomile to help calm the mind and soothe you to sleep.

#Nuxe build prodigieuse riche 10ml worth £4.50 a one step to achieve nourished, soft skin. Use on face, body, or hair it’s a cold weather saviour.

#SoEco konjac sponge worth £7.00
a beautiful soft already dampponge made of vegetable fibres, it’s 100% biodegradable sponge, use it to exfoliate and cleanse skin with each use.

#DrBotanicals help infused natural nutrition moisturiser 30ml worth £12.00 a beautiful green coloured hemp seed oil and cocoa butter moisturiser. Use daily to help the skin with it’s essential vitamins and minerals.

#Skimono beauty hand mask for intense nourishment worth £9.99
A mask designed for hard working hands, enriched with hyaluronic acid and shea butter to promote supple and smooth skin.

44 Weeks Post #HipReplacement

This week I hit a very important anniversary for the hips, it marks 10years, yep that’s right 10YEARS since my first big surgery on the hips. Note I say BIG surgery, as prior to this I had, had a bursa removal with IT Band lengthening.

I had a triple pelvic osteotomy (pelvis broken in 3 places and realigned) and femoral osteotomy (which lengthened my leg 2 inches) as you can see below I was Wonky!!

So much has happened since then, it makes me realise how far I’ve come, I’ve had 3 lots of metal work removed since, I’ve had a arthoscope on opposite hip since (where they shaved the femoral head, and removed the labrum) I’ve had 4 steroid injections and 2 manipulations under anaesthetic. Another triple pelvic osteotomy, and a femoral derotation (twist the femur to opposite direction of tib/fib bone) osteotomy!! Then this hip replacement, all done on the other hip!

I got a dvt, from ankle to thigh, nearly died. But I’ve come through it, and though it took 3years completely to recover. I’ve learnt to walk again countless times, I’ve used a walker, crutches and walking sticks for 10years, it’s art of my life now.

And the point of all this, to to acknowledge it was hard, can be still hard. But I’ve come a long way and I’ve come out the other side. I would do it all again to rid myself of that awful life consuming pain.

I’m not pain free or walking aid free, but I’m so much better than I ever was. I was housebound at one point with no hope of it changing. Until these surgeries and constant (Done for the last 10years) physio. Never underestimate how good physio can be for yourself.

Getting out and about is my greatest achievement since, it’s been a long journey. But walking is my simplest pleasure and I never take it for granted.

Still have a stick but I’m incredibly grateful to it now, instead of embarrassed by it.

7 Weeks post #SteroidInjection

For the last 2.5 weeks I finally have had some relief from that most painful steroid injection I had back on 7th October.

Think it was more painful this time as the space between the joint is so small now due to the arthritis.

Took a long long time to kick in, almost 4 weeks, and it’s either wearing off already, or the huge dip in weather temperature is to blame. As it’s nagging, not hugely, but I am aware of it most of the day.

I was hoping for the 9months relief I had gotten the first time. Alas not meant to be, though it’s nagging, at least it’s not that white HOT bone pain that I had previously.

The right thumb is flaring up, but I’m still too scared to go and get it done. Though I’m starting to get tempted. I’m trying to leave it as long as possible though.

Back to almost bathing in ibuprofen gel, and wearing splints. Curse you #Arthritis #EhlersDanlosSyndrome

Week 43 post #HipReplacement

Now time is slowing down, so is progress, the whole squelchy hip feeling has put me backwards in terms of progression and recovery.

I’ve been able to do most things I want to do, except the leaning forwards, and shave my leg (This is too hard at the moment)

So it’s been a resting week, as I felt the hip really needed it after the last 2 weekends were full and chaotic, not giving the hip chance to properly recover.

My left one is aching more, could be because I’m relying on it more, or the colder weather I’m not sure yet.

It was also my physio appointment this week too, so after discussing the whole squelchy feeling and what triggers it, it was time to get down to business and work this leg out.

Or not as the case turned out to be!!

After describing the whole issue I’d been having, and following the therapists full leg examination, where we position the leg in various ways, and on touching the IT band area, it was super super sore!! And extremely tight. We conclude it’s an IT Band injury.

ITB Anatomy

The iliotibial band is a thick band of fibrous tissue that starts at the hip, goes down the outer thigh, crosses the side of the knee joint and connects to the shinbone. The band stabilizes the hip and knee joint. High-impact activities, especially running, place stress on it. Patients commonly experience ITB tightness after a hip replacement, which restricts joint mobility.

So the plan is to do these 5 times a day, with a hold of 5 seconds.

This stretch helps release tension in the glutes, which can lead to IT band issues. On an exercise mat, lie face up with your knees bent and feet flat. Raise left foot to the ceiling and hold the grasp just below the knee to hold it up. Then, pull the foot toward your chest, turning the shin to the side so it’s almost perpendicular to your body. Hold the stretch, then repeat on opposite leg. For a deeper stretch, keep non-stretching leg extended on the floor as you stretch.

Back in a weeks time to assess the outcome of the stretches and see if there’s any improvement.