I'll be 6 months post-op in about 12 days! I want to be as dilligent as possible to continue to update everyone on the progress as I promised. The farther this is behind me, the busier I get returning to a normal life, at least one that doesn't involve hip pain!
People ask me all the time if I am completely healed. I guess my answer is yes AND no. I am very thankful to have had a successful surgery and I feel great. I do feel I have my "life back" and that was the goal, to be mostly pain free. I took the kids to the zoo this week, did a good bit of gardening and the only aches and pains I had were the ones that are not hip related, but I do have at least 2 or 3 days out of each month with pretty severe hip pain. I assume this has something to do with either the arthritis in the joint that is irreversible. Typically these "flare-ups" last no more than 48 hours.
I also still have post-op tightness in the joint, but this has slowly faded. When I try to sit with my legs crossed on the floor I still feel it, but now it's just slightly uncomfortable, whereas three months ago it was impossible. These moments are reminders to me that my life has been affected by FAI and it's bittersweet to be thankful to return to normal activities but to also to think of how much it affected me, my family and our finances. All the office visits, pt, and sunny days I could've spent with the kids but sat depressed on the couch. I'm thankful it's over, but the scars are still there, literally and figuratively.
And then of course, there's the thing I try not to focus on or ever give into; the fear that it will return or the surgery will not prove successful, or I'll tear my labrum again. I would LOVE to cartwheel down a grassy hill with my four year old daughter but I can't now. So...short answer is yes I am better, but the truth is it will always stay with me. It's also a great motivator though, when I need to pull from somewhere deep for a little extra strength I know now that I've been tested and I came out ok...I know how to appreciate things we take for granted like walking without pain.
Most of all, I'm thankful and wishing and hoping your day has or will come very soon!!!
love,
Vanessa:)
Snowboarding at 4.5 Months!!
Yeah, you read that right!! I got the clearance to go boarding and it was great!!! Last year, there's no way I could've handled the pain. This year the only pain I experienced was when I caught my front edge and went toppling down the hill very fast...suffering a little whiplash and wounded pride but the hip was tough as nails:) Let me be clear...all day on the black diamond, moguls a couple of JUMPS and a few FALLS...but NO pain.
It was a great feeling. I have turned a corner, no more PT and back to life as usual. Sometimes I actually have to remind myself I CAN do things...like carrying the laundry up the stairs. Really wishing I could ride that excuse a bit longer!! But seriously I went so many years unable to do things that I have these moments where I think to myself, "wait a minute, I CAN do that"!
Happy Healing,
Vanessa
It was a great feeling. I have turned a corner, no more PT and back to life as usual. Sometimes I actually have to remind myself I CAN do things...like carrying the laundry up the stairs. Really wishing I could ride that excuse a bit longer!! But seriously I went so many years unable to do things that I have these moments where I think to myself, "wait a minute, I CAN do that"!
Happy Healing,
Vanessa
Full Circle
It's almost hard for me to remember now, how many nights over the last two years I have cried myself to sleep. What chronic pain does to the mind and the heart of a person. Today it's sunny and I can go anywhere, do anything I want to do. Going to wait a couple of months to run, but I'm happy about that one!
The kids are turning 2 and 4 this week. My hip pain presented with the first pregnancy, but became absolutely unbearable with the second. My husband would roll me over in bed, help me dress myself. There were days I literally crawled on the floor, or drug myself with my arms because I was unable to walk. Dark days.
Caring for a newborn baby and a highly active two year old while in disabling pain, not fun. So began a year of for doctors, three surgeons, PT, rationing anti-inflammatories and trying every alternative remedy I could dig up. I learned a lot about myself and more than I'd ever like to know about pain. I also learned about the power of faith, prayer, love and friends who show up at your doorstep with a hot meal when you can't care for your own family.
I put surgery off for a year. I still stand by my decision and think everyone who is not a professional athelete should give this time. The surgery doesn't have a very high success rate, it is a long hard recovery and if you have a family to care for, well you're not going to be able to. 6 to 8 weeks on crutches for a labral tear. But when I felt like there was no option left I made the decision and had the surgery 10 days later. Oh, and did I mention a few insurance companies still consider it to be experimental, so the unlucky (me) pay out of pocket.
I was shocked to hear I had developed stage 3 osteoarthritis. No wonder I hurt all the time! You can dig through the old posts to hear about the surgery and recovery process, but the short version is I'm almost 100% recovered. Actually I think my hip is better than it's ever been in my life.
It took about 3 months of PT to be strong enough to slowly return to cardio activities. By the 4th month I was back in spin class, dancing, and doing at least 30 min on eliptical machine. The first few weeks back I was weak and would have a lot of pain for about 48 hours afterwards, but my therapist said it was to be expected and we monitored the length of pain. Like she said, after about 4 or 5 times my hip got used to the activity and the pain was gone.
I used to cry in spin class, pilates or yoga because of the fear I would lose this part of my life forever. Now I cry in spin class, pilates and yoga when I feel the inner strength, and think of how grateful I am to be there now. It's given me such a new perspective and motivation. I am in a very good place, but it was absolute hell getting here. And still my advice regarding the surgery decision is to weigh your risk vs benefit. Don't simply think about the surgery, but what you will do afterwards. Be sure your surgeon has a game plan for your recovery in place and that you know what it is!! This procedure doesn't end when you wake up from the sedation.
Good luck to all of you. And for those who have been so kind and supportive it really has meant a lot to me!! I am so thankful we can share our stories together, the good and the bad.
love,
Vanessa:)
The kids are turning 2 and 4 this week. My hip pain presented with the first pregnancy, but became absolutely unbearable with the second. My husband would roll me over in bed, help me dress myself. There were days I literally crawled on the floor, or drug myself with my arms because I was unable to walk. Dark days.
Caring for a newborn baby and a highly active two year old while in disabling pain, not fun. So began a year of for doctors, three surgeons, PT, rationing anti-inflammatories and trying every alternative remedy I could dig up. I learned a lot about myself and more than I'd ever like to know about pain. I also learned about the power of faith, prayer, love and friends who show up at your doorstep with a hot meal when you can't care for your own family.
I put surgery off for a year. I still stand by my decision and think everyone who is not a professional athelete should give this time. The surgery doesn't have a very high success rate, it is a long hard recovery and if you have a family to care for, well you're not going to be able to. 6 to 8 weeks on crutches for a labral tear. But when I felt like there was no option left I made the decision and had the surgery 10 days later. Oh, and did I mention a few insurance companies still consider it to be experimental, so the unlucky (me) pay out of pocket.
I was shocked to hear I had developed stage 3 osteoarthritis. No wonder I hurt all the time! You can dig through the old posts to hear about the surgery and recovery process, but the short version is I'm almost 100% recovered. Actually I think my hip is better than it's ever been in my life.
It took about 3 months of PT to be strong enough to slowly return to cardio activities. By the 4th month I was back in spin class, dancing, and doing at least 30 min on eliptical machine. The first few weeks back I was weak and would have a lot of pain for about 48 hours afterwards, but my therapist said it was to be expected and we monitored the length of pain. Like she said, after about 4 or 5 times my hip got used to the activity and the pain was gone.
I used to cry in spin class, pilates or yoga because of the fear I would lose this part of my life forever. Now I cry in spin class, pilates and yoga when I feel the inner strength, and think of how grateful I am to be there now. It's given me such a new perspective and motivation. I am in a very good place, but it was absolute hell getting here. And still my advice regarding the surgery decision is to weigh your risk vs benefit. Don't simply think about the surgery, but what you will do afterwards. Be sure your surgeon has a game plan for your recovery in place and that you know what it is!! This procedure doesn't end when you wake up from the sedation.
Good luck to all of you. And for those who have been so kind and supportive it really has meant a lot to me!! I am so thankful we can share our stories together, the good and the bad.
love,
Vanessa:)
3 Months Post-op: Icing on the Cake
The walls at Dr. Byrd's office and physical therapy area are covered in pictures & jerseys of atheletes, olympic medalists, dancers and professional players who have been treated there. Today one stood out, I don't remember whose it was, but a signed photo of an athelete thanking Dr. Byrd for a miracle. Honestly that's how I feel. Six months ago I wouldn't have allowed myself to hope for such great results.
If you've kept up with my blog you know that the decision to have the surgery was a long and painful one. I had a lot of fear and uncertainty. I basically put it off until I was barely able to walk. Those months were very dark. I suffered chronic pain in my hip as well as depression. I felt hopeless.
The first few weeks post-op were up and down. And although it seemed I was getting better I still had the fear of not improving, the what-ifs and what would I do's?
Today I was RELEASED from physical therapy. I will go back for a follow-up with Dr. Byrd next week and have a follow-up with my PT at the end of the month to be sure I continue to improve, but as of now I officially have a pain free, healed up, works great & ready for cardio right hip!!
And it's a great feeling to walk around pain free. It's been close to 4 years since I've had NO pain in my hip at all. Yesterday I really pushed my limits to see what would happen. I attended 2 Zumba classes, worked out at the gym AND attended a mat pilates class and guess what? Nothing. No pain, no problems...a little stiffness, but that will improve with time. Any and all improvements from this point on are simply icing on the cake.
I will return to spin class tomorrow! This blows my mind. I won't be running, keeping in mind I have my left hip to be cautious of...but my right hip is healed. The floor never got swept out from under me. I have to say thank you thank you to those of you who have supported me, brought meals, watched the kids...prayed. I am so thankful to Dr. Byrd and his staff. I feel like the luckiest girl alive to have had such an expert surgeon. I have no doubt it has made a world of difference in the quality of care I have recieved.
I will let you know how spin class goes...but cheers to ZUMBA!!
Take Care,
Vanessa:)
If you've kept up with my blog you know that the decision to have the surgery was a long and painful one. I had a lot of fear and uncertainty. I basically put it off until I was barely able to walk. Those months were very dark. I suffered chronic pain in my hip as well as depression. I felt hopeless.
The first few weeks post-op were up and down. And although it seemed I was getting better I still had the fear of not improving, the what-ifs and what would I do's?
Today I was RELEASED from physical therapy. I will go back for a follow-up with Dr. Byrd next week and have a follow-up with my PT at the end of the month to be sure I continue to improve, but as of now I officially have a pain free, healed up, works great & ready for cardio right hip!!
And it's a great feeling to walk around pain free. It's been close to 4 years since I've had NO pain in my hip at all. Yesterday I really pushed my limits to see what would happen. I attended 2 Zumba classes, worked out at the gym AND attended a mat pilates class and guess what? Nothing. No pain, no problems...a little stiffness, but that will improve with time. Any and all improvements from this point on are simply icing on the cake.
I will return to spin class tomorrow! This blows my mind. I won't be running, keeping in mind I have my left hip to be cautious of...but my right hip is healed. The floor never got swept out from under me. I have to say thank you thank you to those of you who have supported me, brought meals, watched the kids...prayed. I am so thankful to Dr. Byrd and his staff. I feel like the luckiest girl alive to have had such an expert surgeon. I have no doubt it has made a world of difference in the quality of care I have recieved.
I will let you know how spin class goes...but cheers to ZUMBA!!
Take Care,
Vanessa:)
Post Op Week 12: Full Range of Motion
I did not know this until yesterday, but a normal range of motion for the hip is 45 degrees, external & internal. My ROM yesterday was 53 internal & 64 external. Most people have less internal rotation than external. I know many weeks ago I passed my pre-op ROM, but not sure what the numbers were. So, at this point we're basically trying to keep the stiffness away. That's my biggest problem.
Psoas stretching!!! I cannot stress this enough. Yesterday (I'm sick, sick, sick) I woke up with a lot of hip pain, where I haven't had any lately. It freaked me out, but what I'm learning is that cold, sickness & PMS bring on hip pain. My PT yesterday said it was common, when you're weak the body targets injury or weak spots. A lot of people complain of pain during these times.
After some good stretching I was better...after the sidelying psoas stretch I was pain free! If you don't know this one, ask your PT to try it!! It works everytime. Basically you lay on your (good) side and the PT holds your bad leg, wrapping it around them and pulling back. There are other psoas stretches you can do on your own.
Bottom line, what I'll preach to you now is doing your PT excercizes even a little each day and stretching the PSOAS will improve your condition. When I go a few days without the excercizes I hurt. When i forget to stretch I hurt. It doesn't have to be an hour in the gym, pick a few of your excercizes and spend 10 minutes if that's all you've got but keep it up. It's important.
Psoas stretching!!! I cannot stress this enough. Yesterday (I'm sick, sick, sick) I woke up with a lot of hip pain, where I haven't had any lately. It freaked me out, but what I'm learning is that cold, sickness & PMS bring on hip pain. My PT yesterday said it was common, when you're weak the body targets injury or weak spots. A lot of people complain of pain during these times.
After some good stretching I was better...after the sidelying psoas stretch I was pain free! If you don't know this one, ask your PT to try it!! It works everytime. Basically you lay on your (good) side and the PT holds your bad leg, wrapping it around them and pulling back. There are other psoas stretches you can do on your own.
Bottom line, what I'll preach to you now is doing your PT excercizes even a little each day and stretching the PSOAS will improve your condition. When I go a few days without the excercizes I hurt. When i forget to stretch I hurt. It doesn't have to be an hour in the gym, pick a few of your excercizes and spend 10 minutes if that's all you've got but keep it up. It's important.
Post-OP Week 11: Dancing in Heels!
This weekend I cleaned my house and hosted a dinner party with 5 families and something like 13 children...with NO pain...well hip related anyway. The next night I attended a cocktail party where I wore spiked high heel boots and danced until the very wee hours of the morning, with NO pain. None, not even the next day. It's been a very long time, so long in fact I can't even remember ever wearing heels without some hip pain afterwards. And thanks to the physical therapy I had no back pain either, and a really great time. Here's a pic of me (left), a great friend and the super cute and sweet Taylor Swift. Who sang a couple of songs on the karaoke machine, so funny!
Oh, and yes I still had on the heels...she's really tall!
9 Weeks Post-Op: Thankful.
One thing I've noticed keeping this blog is that I post less often my hip is doing well. Of course, that makes sense. But at the same time I really want to have this as a diary to look back on. Yesterday on our 6 hour drive home from Thanksgiving Holiday, I asked my husband if he could remember what I was like after surgery. It has faded from my memory.
What I remember is the year leading up to this decision was filled with tears, anxiety and depression. Most of all it was filled with chronic pain and a feeling of hopelessness. Since the surgery those days are very few and far between. My biggest challege now is the tightess and weakness of muscles, but suddenly I'm beginnig to think...is this behind me?
Yesterday, halfway through shaving my legs (with two small kids I'm not gonna lie, doesn't happen everyday), it hit me that it was easy. It was near impossible the first few weeks post-op, but all my life it's been a little painful. Yesterday it wasn't.
Standing on my feet for hours on end cooking wasn't either, or sitting for long periods of time, or walking around the block. My day no longer ends with the dull ache.
No more dull ache. Wow.
Now don't get me wrong if you're post op and not feeling like runninng a marathon; neither am I. Some things are still a challenge. My core is WEAK!! My glutes and hamstrings are very weak. I tire very easy. But all of these things will work themselves out over time I know. That's what physical therapy is for.
I'm better than post-op.
I can return to pilates in TWO WEEKS.
I'm planning a snowboard trip.
I'm thankful.
What I remember is the year leading up to this decision was filled with tears, anxiety and depression. Most of all it was filled with chronic pain and a feeling of hopelessness. Since the surgery those days are very few and far between. My biggest challege now is the tightess and weakness of muscles, but suddenly I'm beginnig to think...is this behind me?
Yesterday, halfway through shaving my legs (with two small kids I'm not gonna lie, doesn't happen everyday), it hit me that it was easy. It was near impossible the first few weeks post-op, but all my life it's been a little painful. Yesterday it wasn't.
Standing on my feet for hours on end cooking wasn't either, or sitting for long periods of time, or walking around the block. My day no longer ends with the dull ache.
No more dull ache. Wow.
Now don't get me wrong if you're post op and not feeling like runninng a marathon; neither am I. Some things are still a challenge. My core is WEAK!! My glutes and hamstrings are very weak. I tire very easy. But all of these things will work themselves out over time I know. That's what physical therapy is for.
I'm better than post-op.
I can return to pilates in TWO WEEKS.
I'm planning a snowboard trip.
I'm thankful.
