happy healthy hippy
A blog following my Triple Pelvic Osteotomy in January 2016
I'm back to my Liverpool flat and have enjoyed a relaxing week with Andy. He's been cooking lots of delicious meals from Jamie Oliver's 'Everyday Super Food' book. My favourite so far has been the curried fish stew with white fish, prawns, and sweet tomatoes. Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day so he wheeled me down to the docks (it was a bumpy ride!) and we had a nosy in the TATE gallery.
My physiotherapist reviewed me before my hydro session on Wednesday. She assessed my movement (it's improving) and did some myofascial release on my adductors (inner thigh muscles) to relax them. This involves the therapist applying sustained pressure over tight/contracted muscle and "fascia" (in basic terms, connective tissue.) It's common for the adductors to compensate and get overworked when the glutes (bottom muscles) are weak. My adductors were already overactive pre-op so I'm not surprised they are a problem now. As my glutes get stronger and my movement patterns become more normal, my adductors should hopefully settle down. We worked on my walking technique too, encouraging a heel-toe pattern with my op leg, rather than plonking down my foot flat. My physio also saw I was overusing my Quadratus Lumborum (I know this sounds like a Harry Potter spell but its a trunk muscle) so I practiced taking some more weight over my op leg in standing and trying to achieve a level pelvis, rather than "hitching" up. I thought I had good body awareness but it's so tough learning to walk again! I think I'm probably being overcautious with how much weight I'm putting through my leg. I'm sure after I've had my next X-ray il feel more comfortable - 2 more weeks to wait though! I have started getting some mild nerve pain in the outside of my thigh - it's a very odd prickling/stinging sensation that I feel mostly at night in bed when lying down. It's funny how the pain "changes faces" so much - if it's not one thing, it's another! Thankfully the clunking and the sciatic nerve pain that were bothering me are settling. This week I was satisfied my wounds have completely closed so I started some scar massage using coconut oil - circular, vertical, and horizontal movements for a few minutes (see a video of these techniques on my Instagram) I know everyone raves about bio oil but after a quick Google search I've decided it's not worth the money as there's no scientific evidence that it actually works. Coconut oil is 100% natural, organic, & has incredible moisturising benefits for skin. There are also clinical studies that support the use of silicone dressings for scar management - the silicone hydrates the scar and will help to flatten, soften and fade them. The past couple of weeks, I have been using Mepiform Silicone Dressings, which you can get on Amazon or sometimes on prescription. They are pricy but so worth it, I've now seen first hand the great results as both a patient and physiotherapist. My scar looks fab already and the bumpy bits are flattening. Last but not least, if you need a boost of motivation for your recovery... read the short book 'The Journey - How to achieve against the odds' by Debra Searle. It's about a woman who rowed across the Atlantic solo, for 3 and a half months! Ridiculously brave! My friend in work sent me it as a gift and I picked it up out of boredom and couldn't put it down for 2 hours. I was blubbering all the way through! It's such an inspirational story. I also loved how she wrote about the power of visualisation and attitude in context! Positive thinking wins again. Thank you Becky! Andrea X (Below is a page from the book!)
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This week has been the toughest week out of hospital. Monday, I woke up groggy and couldn't shift a banging headache all day. I felt wiped out and just generally not very well! I dozed on and off and felt a bit sorry for myself (it's allowed once in a while!)
By Wednesday I had found some energy in time for my second hydrotherapy session. I was actually nervous after last weeks dizzy spell but as soon as I stepped in the water, I was so much more comfortable. My body felt at ease. I did some walking forwards/backwards/sidewards, hip movements lying on a plinth and in standing, and finished with some shallow squats. It felt like I completed a proper rehab session for the first time post op so I was full of adrenalin afterwards and chuffed that it had gone smoothly. The evening came and I was whacked - and very sore! Thursday, I was still whacked and sore! It took a full day of rest and another good nights sleep to recover... maybe overdid it a tad! I believe it's important to listen to your body after such a big operation so when I've felt like I need a day to do nothing, that's exactly what I've done. And not felt guilty about it. I've found those days are followed by a much better day where I've felt extra motivated. I've read on the Facebook group about hitting walls at particular weeks so I reckon it's normal to have a few slumps. I also think it's fine to let yourself have those down moments and open up to friends for a pick-me-up... as long as you start afresh the next morning with a positive attitude. On the whole, I've found it easy to be positive as it gives me energy, motivation and makes me feel happier. This week though, it's been more of a physical challenge battling fatigue. I think the whole ordeal has probably only just caught up with me. The first couple of weeks out of hospital felt like a different life, adapting to being at my parents home and being very reliant on my family. We were all in a little bubble together trying to get over the first hurdle. Now, reality has kicked in. I can do a lot more for myself which is great but it's obviously taking its toll on my body. I'm returning to my Liverpool flat next week so it'll be good to get into a routine and find some normality. I'm getting itchy feet to get back now! Although there's a few things I'll miss here... watching 'Girls' and secret-eating chocolate with Stef, mum struggling with my TED stockings every day, dad topping up my hot water bottle on demand, and most importantly unlimited cuddles with Max haha! Andrea X (Credit: Another great quote from my friend Emma below) I've passed the three week mark and things have been getting a bit easier.
Yesterday, Andy took me out for lunch and then we spent the rest of the day puppy sitting at his Mum's house for her 10 week old bichon frise. I've definitely had my fair share of puppy therapy recently! It was the first time in 3 weeks that I forgot about my op and felt normal - whilst we were just relaxing together on the couch, watching TV and eating pizza (cheat night!) I also climbed the stairs a few times with no problems (I've not had to worry about this at home as we are in a bungalow!) To celebrate my new lease of life, I thought I'd write a positive summary post: Things I've accomplished: 1. I can get in/out of bed easy enough now (one of my short term goals completed!) and on/off a chair/couch without hands! 2. I can walk short distances with my crutches. My hip flexors are still weak so I'm tending to kinda hitch my operated leg rather than swing it forward but I'm working on it! Mums videoing me each week (see my happyhealthy_hippy Instagram!) and it's improving. Walking is when I get most my discomfort - it feels very tight and sore in my inner thigh and into my groin. I'm sure it's because my muscle bulk has disappeared. 3. I can roll yay! It's awkward and slow but I can do it! 4. I can lie on my non-op side for 20-30 minutes 5. I can lie on my front for hours comfortably! 6. I survived my first hydrotherapy session last Wednesday. It was so much tougher than I expected and I felt sick and dizzy afterwards :/ But I worked hard and I'm looking forward to working hard again next week My new short term goals: 1. In crook lying (lying on back with knees bent) I want to be able to keep this position without having to use my hands to stop my knee falling out. I have no control over it, it just flops to the bed if I don't stop it haha! 2. I want to be able to do the steps independently outside my house - they are deep and my hip isn't strong enough yet so I'm still needing some help! I need to keep working on my active hip flexion (bend!) 3. I'm desperate to sleep on my side so I'm gonna keep practicing! Things that I think are helping 1. Massage - I'm gently massaging my adductors (inner thigh) and hamstrings (back of thigh) with body butter every day for about 10 minutes as they are getting very tight, probably as I'm increasing my walking distance. I'm also using my hot water bottle on my inner thigh when it's particularly sore. 2. Prune juice - my new friend Gemma (who had her operation a week earlier than me) suggested this and it certainly works better than the meds to help digestion. 3. Changing position - to help prevent stiffness, I've been alternating throughout the day between sitting, lying propped up, lying flat, lying on my front, lying on my side, and little walks here and there. Andrea X Last week flew by - everything takes up so much more time than usual, just getting up, washed, and dressed is a task and a half and then the morning is nearly over! The best thing to do is not let the lack of independence frustrate you, embrace a slower pace of life, and be grateful that this disability is temporary!
My days seem to revolve around meds, food, and exercises. I've had visitors most afternoons and I'm loving using FaceTime too. Max our cockapoo puppy keeps me entertained in between so it's not possible for me to be bored - I can't get enough of him! Stef took me to Nandos for lunch last Wednesday which was great and it felt like a big deal as it was my first leisure trip out! I would definitely recommend hiring a wheelchair so you're not housebound for the first few weeks! It's good to have a little plan for each day (even if it's just "rest day" or "shave legs") to give some sort of structure to the week. Someone suggested on the Facebook group to have "pyjama days" and "doing days" which I think is a great idea! So far I've been alternating between lazy and extra lazy... with just a couple of doing days haha! I've been getting dressed whatever my intentions (just in comfies most of the time) as it makes me feel more well in myself. Today's aim was to have my first shower (!) with the help of a bath board and mum, followed by a much needed foot soak. I then spent longer than necessary moisturising my full body. It's lovely to take the time doing things you normally would have to rush (silver linings!) I'm feeling happy that things are manageable. It's certainly not an easy ride and it's not a surgery you'd jump into lightly. The pains are varied every day, every hour even! At any given moment, it can be one or more of buttock, back, pelvis, groin, thigh, knee, shin, and foot! I'm getting used to the randomness. The clunking and the nerve pain that shoots down my leg are the only things that are unsettling me. My consultant has told me not to worry though so I'm just crossing my fingers and toes and hoping they'll ease soon. I've mastered lying on my front now which is surprisingly comfy (it's become the position of choice during my Netflix binges!) However, I can't roll yet so to get there I kind-of belly flop from standing whilst Stef cradles my operated leg then swivel! As I'm sure you can imagine, it's quite comical so we end up in fits of giggles every time mid transfer. Another mini achievement is ditching the ridiculous amount of pillows at bed time. I've downgraded to just one under my knees and one under my heels. I'm finally sleeping flat and it doesn't pull on my hip anymore. I've added 'sleeping on my side' to my list of short term goals! Last week, I cried twice - fortunately both occasions were tears of happiness. The first time was when I opened a hamper full of gifts put together by 11 of my best friends. It was so thoughtful. Big life events like this definitely make you appreciate those closest to you. It makes me feel stronger when I'm surrounded by people who believe I can get through this and who spoil me with lots of love and support. The second time was Friday when I saw my incisions for the first time when the nurse checked my wounds. She cleaned them up and I was so impressed at how neat and healthy they looked. Mr McBryde has done a very tidy finish! I'm also confident that my obsession with staying hydrated has helped with the healing. For what I've been through, I was expecting something more gruesome! I have 2 wounds - 1 is 12cm in the groin and the 2nd is 7.5cm on the side of my buttock (Yes, I've actually measured them haha!) The scars were never something I thought or worried about pre op - but now they are there in all their glory, I'm actually quite proud of them! Andrea X |
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