We had a really good break, since our late trip out. The weather stated it was warmer, we picked a flatter area, and mission is on!!

Now there’s no various appointments, it’s been boring staying indoors. I needed some fresh air.

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The path is muddy, but more claggy sticky mud than slippy. The path winds down around the River Wye. Watching dippers bob up and down, dipping into the water, Heron taking off, looking like a Pterodactyl.

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The day is amazing with blue skies, a little wind, and some warmth in the sun. We took it all very slowly and with maximum tablets, and pole. I’ve noticed I scramble too, often using my hands and grabbing things to steady myself, rocks, fence posts, walls. No wonder I have upper body aches too.

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Warm pot noodle made dinner good fuel to keep us warm. Mentally this day out has been invaluable. Bodily I won’t be moving for a long time, but worth it.

For some reason I’ve been booked into a different Physio, it’s at the local GPs. Now I confess I don’t hold out much, as I’ve had experience with them before. But I will give this appointment my all, to try and improve leg length and psoas pain.

But isn’t it funny, nothing for 13 weeks and boom 2 appointments in a week?! And my 4th Hospital visit in 7 days, I’m feeling like I’m over them. But health and chasing pain away is a full-time job!!

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First off he measures my legs, ankle bone to hip bone. But he wants my leggings down, good job I had boy shorts on!! Surely you can feel the same through leggings??

The right leg is 87cm and left leg is 85cm. Yet outwardly the left leg is looking the longest. This is purely from the pelvis dropping lower on the right side.

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As you can see the left side is a lot lower than the right side.

I explained the surgeon does NOT want me to wear a shoe lift, but ignored me and has booked me in with a podiatrist. And then he’s given me some exercises to try out.

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Starting with 5 reps

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Not sure why I was given both of these, but with my hands and wrists I’ll be doing the forearm ones 5 reps

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These I find ok so I will do 10 reps

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Not sure I have a table for this.

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Hip pelvis tilts 10 reps

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These I do often anyways 10 reps

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In all my years of physio I’ve never tried these before 5 reps

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Not tried without support 5 reps

So if they want me to do them, I will definitely give it my best shot. I guess it can’t hurt to be measured for a shoe lift, but I won’t wear it full time until I speak to the surgeon again in 6mths time. At least this way it will cut down waiting times, and it will be ready to be worn as soon as surgeon says so.

Following our disaster walk, we’ve not been lately and I’ve missed it more than I thought possible!!

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The early morning, the mission and fresh air, is actually more enjoyable than you think. But the hips have needed the break, and that energy did need to go to hospital appointments instead.

The pain and discomfort for the week afterwards does seem worth it, when you are trapped at home. So while I admit I did need a break, I hope to go again soon. My mental health is much better when we go for a walk.

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Knowing we can’t travel unless endless tests, quarantine, and vaccines does mess with your psyche, so it’s nice to get boots on and feel free, deep breaths of countryside air, and watch the wildlife go about their day, and forget your troubles. And boy don’t we all have had mental health through all the last few years?

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Well it’s flying by, but I’ve felt like I’m not really getting anywhere fast, especially in the pain department, and the psoas.

But I’ve had some success with the psoas stretch and isometric exercise seen Here

To add to these I’ve done small additions.

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Clams are back X 5 reps

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Hip bridges X 5 reps

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Ball between knees Abductor squeezes X 5 reps

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Forward Step ups X 5 reps (each leading leg up and down)

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Elevated Single leg squat (with chair for stability) X 5 reps

Obviously I work both sides, it makes sense to keep things even, and mobile. Once up the Step I feel ok, it’s the initial lifting of the leg. So very small amount of Reps and only a few times a week for now.

Well not sure I regret it exactly, but we did a walk that showed me my limitations, and I have really suffered since!

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First off driving along we saw this view, how beautiful

But it’s cold, far far colder than I was prepared for, even though I wore tights. That was a mistake in itself as the seams on the toes rubbed me.

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Freezing but sunny at least.

Neither of us really remembered the path or route, so it threw up challenges we weren’t prepared for,so Mr Moon had to manually lift my leg in places, or I had to crawl in a fashion to get by.

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It took me so long to do the shortest amount that the sun was setting and twilight was fast approaching. I have never felt pain like it!! I think being so careful over mud made me tense up, and I over worked my hips. This will need some serious bed rest to help me recover along with lots of tramadol.

Though my ability was pushed passed, when I look at photos I still look back fondly as its glorious countryside, and stunning views.

This appointment came out the blue, but I’m so grateful I have one. To be able to discuss my worries with the surgeon, is a huge weight off my shoulders. Rather than wait until August this year.

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Up nice and early and of course wearing my Tee from Here as I always do, my tradition now. And if I’m really lucky I will manage to see my friend, who also has an appointment today.

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I needed this, thank you for making me smile X such a lovely friend xxx

And boy didn’t I need her there too!! She helped while away the hours waiting. Plus it felt so nice to have someone there, to weigh up options with, From someone that knows what psoas issues are like.

Not quite sure what I desire from the appointment, but perhaps an x-ray, and maybe a discussion on leg length, and now the inflammation of the iliopsoas muscle. Oh and ask what is that metal bit on the x-ray!!

Finally discovered after Registrar’s gaslighting me for years, that I have a broken off needle, in my right hip. Which also means it’s been there for 3yrs!! Got my answer at long last.

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I had a new x-ray, totally forgot to take a photo though 🤦🏻‍♀️. Though to be fair it looks exactly like the one previously

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We discussed a steroid injection for the psoas, it’s a 6 month wait, so I’m down on the waiting list. And the leg length is still a watch and wait for another 6 months too, so they will at least happen around the same time. Though it’s frustrating to wait, I am trying to trust the process, and give it my all.

Not really sure what I’m hoping for, but at least I hope I will have new xrays to see how far it’s advanced from last year’s x-rays.

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Unfortunately this appointment was a DISASTER!! First they lost my notes. 30 mins extra wait, No x-rays given. And when discussing the hand he again said he can’t offer any surgery for 5-10 years until my lax joints are no longer lax.

So I’ve come out feeling lost, frustrated and annoyed. The pain can be horrendous, I can no longer do any crafts I used too, and even writing is hard as the bones knock. I asked about a splint, but he said just buy more.

So I’m definitely going to find a second opinion, as I know different surgeons offer different styles of surgery. Unfortunately this one only does a trapeziectomy, and his feeling is my soft tissues will not hold the thumb in place. But perhaps another can offer to fuse the thumb, so it’s not relying on soft tissue? Worth an ask.

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Some do like a hip replacement, a protheses.

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Or there is a tightrope version.

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Let’s hope a second opinion won’t take too long to get.

I kinda messed up and didn’t cancel my subscription in time, so that meant I ended up with a January box. But I must say I ain’t mad…. It’s a brilliant box.

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Some amazing brands and products to try out. First up is the perfect #NailsInc Gel Rehab it’s a 10 in 1 nail strengthener, nail repair and hydration in 30mins. We got a deluxe size 10ml RRP £11

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Next up is the ever a favourite #DrBotanicals Coca Facial Cleansing Bar, perfect to give silky smooth clean skin, easy to pack and take on holiday and less waste too. RRP £9.90

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New for me #GlowOn5Th Lip Dew tinted lip balm, super pretty lip gloss balm, not sticky and gives a lovely cooling effect. RRP £12

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#MudMasky needs no introduction, a fabulous addition to any skincare routine, a weekly treat with Blue Clay to illuminate, and draw out impurities. RRP £40.50

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#Naobay Vitamin C Body lotion is what I’m really excited about, the brand I’ve used before and it was divine, but that was a cleanser. For firmness and improved elasticity, my body needs this!! RRP £10

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Overall I’m just so excited to use these, my body skin is dull and neglected after surgery, so anything that can help that is a win win.

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So I’m 22 Weeks Post Op, and I haven’t had a physical physio appointment since way way back at the beginning of October, so that makes it a whopping 13 weeks since I’ve been seen!!

Wouldn’t usually be a problem, except I’ve been having huge issues with pain and weakness, which in turn has hindered all healing and progress.

As time goes on I’m convinced it’s the illopsoas, causing a bursitis, I had thought it was more muscle based, but I tried the specific stretches for them with no luck at all. And reading up on it, it seems post hip replacement it can be caused by the acetabular cup. So it’s certainly something I want to ask my consultant the following week.

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After speaking to my Physiotherapist he confirmed he thinks the same, either from doing more, or perhaps the acetabular cup rubbing, or merely the new position the leg is in.

So we’ve found 2 stretches that are basic enough to not hurt too much, but isometric enough to target and hopefully build it up, if it’s a deconditioning issue.

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Can be done without bringing up opposite knee, but it does provide a deeper stretch if needed. So I’m starting small without the knee to chest. 15 second hold X 3 a day

And with this one slightly harder for me, is the chair one

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Raise the knee slightly but push down to create a resistance, this one is very hard and does hurt. So only 3 second hold and X 3 a day for now

Biggest change is the encouragement to take more painkillers and not as I feel pain, but before to try and fend it off. So that is certainly what I will try for now and let’s see what the Surgeon says next week.

Can you believe it, it’s time for a new box already. So first up is Look fantastic, my main rolling subscription.

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#LookFantasticBeautyBox January’s box, it feels like a wellness theme, with some incredible products, I can’t wait to try and some old favourites of mine.

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Top favourite is #SkinChemists Rose Quartz lip plump 8ml hands down one of my favourite lip products, up their with By Terry Rose lip.

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#ThisWorks Deep Sleep Pillow Spray 10ml, it doesn’t sadly help me sleep, but I do enjoy the scent and it is calming, I use sparingly as lavender increases my heart rate, I do love it still.

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#Ahava Deadsea Mineral Shampoo 40ml not used before, but can’t wait to try it out.

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I then had 2 mystery products, ie not put in the little book. #BubbleT Lavender tea body wash 100ml sounds heavenly, a luxury bath coming up I think. And #Polaar Eternal Snow moisturizer 20ml, I absolutely adore Polaar so I was super excited to have this addition.
For a January box I’m really loving it, just as you feel a little worse for health, and perhaps skin wise, this is a lovely boost. #lfbeautybox

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Next month we have a sneak peek it’s a #Pixi Glow Tonic 15ml I am really looking forward to that, to really compare it to my #Lacura version

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