So who is absolutely LOVING this crisp, sunny, cool Fall weather?! I hope everyone in my NJ area is, because it is GORGEOUS! I am so thankful to live in a place that gets to experience all 4 seasons and Fall is my FAVORITE.
In other news, I can not believe that 5 weeks have passed since my hip arthroscopic surgery! I am still on the road to recovery and it has definitely been a journey. I am still going to physical therapy with Dr. Jim O'Rourke at Focus Physical Therapy in Montclair, NJ.
Some updates:
1) This is my last week of tons of PT, starting next week I will be dropping down to 2x per week!
2) I tried a different elliptical machine (with arms and a wider stride), that simulates the motion of running way more than the one I've been using. I did it for 30 minutes this past Saturday and I was SUPER SORE Sunday and Monday. I'm still feeling the effects today. I think I need to apply my "less is more" mantra the next time I attempt this machine.
3) My incisions are all pink and healing. I hope in the next few weeks I can start using scar cream to reduce them.
4) Due to the antibiotic I was on for my infected incision, I developed TWO "lady" infections, which I have been on medicine for. Luckily, today is the last day for those, and boy am I thankful. I have been dealing with such bad side effects from all the medication and I can't wait to get my body back on track.
Until next time,
The School Psychologist Intern with Recovering Hips
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Four Weeks Post Op
Happy Tuesday Everyone!
It is rainy, cloudy, humid and dreary in North Jersey today and I am completely unmotivated to be doing anything! However, it has been 4 weeks (wow, I can't believe 4 weeks has passed) since my hip surgery, so I wanted to provide some updates on my recovery!
1) I have been on the elliptical a few more times and I no longer get super sore!
2) I went for my first "leisure" walk with my Golden Doodle Bentley Boyd and walked almost 4 miles! I was surprisingly not sore at all, but I definitely do not have my speed or full stride back yet.
3) I had a deep tissue massage this past weekend and BOY WAS I TIGHT! All of my glute, thigh, low back and hip muscles have never felt that tight before! The massage really helped and I decided to schedule one more on 10/1. Hopefully that keeps things moving.
4) I went back to my Pilates class last night!!!! I was nervous of how I would feel this morning, but I have awesome news: I AM NOT SORE AT ALL! However, during the class, my right hip joint kept popping and making clicking noises. I thought that this surgery was supposed to fix that? I developed some anxiety and began thinking that something may have went wrong in there... I have decided to try one more class on Wednesday. If it's not better, I'll email Dr. Coleman and Kira!
5) I am still progressing wonderfully in physical therapy and I will be starting some new strengthening exercises tonight (i.e. small lunges).
Until next time,
The Girl in Need of Starbucks!
It is rainy, cloudy, humid and dreary in North Jersey today and I am completely unmotivated to be doing anything! However, it has been 4 weeks (wow, I can't believe 4 weeks has passed) since my hip surgery, so I wanted to provide some updates on my recovery!
1) I have been on the elliptical a few more times and I no longer get super sore!
2) I went for my first "leisure" walk with my Golden Doodle Bentley Boyd and walked almost 4 miles! I was surprisingly not sore at all, but I definitely do not have my speed or full stride back yet.
3) I had a deep tissue massage this past weekend and BOY WAS I TIGHT! All of my glute, thigh, low back and hip muscles have never felt that tight before! The massage really helped and I decided to schedule one more on 10/1. Hopefully that keeps things moving.
4) I went back to my Pilates class last night!!!! I was nervous of how I would feel this morning, but I have awesome news: I AM NOT SORE AT ALL! However, during the class, my right hip joint kept popping and making clicking noises. I thought that this surgery was supposed to fix that? I developed some anxiety and began thinking that something may have went wrong in there... I have decided to try one more class on Wednesday. If it's not better, I'll email Dr. Coleman and Kira!
5) I am still progressing wonderfully in physical therapy and I will be starting some new strengthening exercises tonight (i.e. small lunges).
Until next time,
The Girl in Need of Starbucks!
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Three Weeks Post Op
Hi All!
Today marks the 3 week anniversary since my double hip arthroscopic surgery at Hospital for Special Surgery with Dr. Struan Coleman, the most awesome hip surgeon around! ;)
Here are my updates:
1) I have been going to physical therapy 3 days a week at Focus Physical Therapy (Montclair, NJ) with the best PT around (Dr. James O'Rourke)! I HIGHLY recommend this facility and doctor to anyone who needs physical therapy work. They are the most kind, intelligent and supportive experts around.
2) I tried the elliptical machine for the first time on 9/7 for 35 minutes. I rotated between levels 6, 7, 8 on a 0% incline. The next day I was SUPER sore in my hip joint, so I took the day off to rest. I was back at it with Sunday morning Spin class for 45 minutes though and felt fine!
I attempted the elliptical again, yesterday, on 9/10. I rotated between levels 6, 7, 8 and between 0, 1, 2, 3% inclines. I stayed on for 35 minutes and was NOT sore this morning!
I have decided that I will do the elliptical on days that I do NOT have physical therapy. The days I do? The bike it is!
3) Dr. Jimbo told me that I could try Pilates class starting next week. I am going to see if he will let me go tomorrow!! Fingers crossed!
4) I am on my last day of antibiotics for my infected incision. The redness has gone away, the puss has cleared up and I hope that this dose of medication will keep me infection clear!
That's it for now folks!
Keeping 9/11 and everything about it in my thoughts and prayers today,
Ashley
Friday, September 7, 2012
Day 16: Infected Incision
Hi All,
I was planning on only updating you once per week, but I have some unfortunate recovery news.
As I was in physical therapy yesterday, Dr. Jim O' Rourke (Focus Physical Therapy, Montclair, NJ) noticed that only one of my sterile strips was still covering one left leg incision. He noticed that there was some discoloration on the strip and asked if he could remove it. Obviously, I agreed and this is what we saw:
Sorry for all of my readers with sensitive stomachs! However, this incision clearly appeared INFECTED. I guess I caught it early, since the surrounding skin was not swollen, red or hot. As you can see in this photograph, it appears that the incision is only infected on the surface, however, I wanted to be safe.
I emailed Dr. Coleman and his physician's assistant (Kira) a picture. Long story short? They thought it looked "funky" and diagnosed an infection. They prescribed me the antibiotic Cephalexin for 5 days. I take 4 pills a day at 500mg. Let's hope this doesn't get worse!
In lighter news, I'm still championing through my biking and physical therapy, but I am itching to get on the elliptical and back to Pilates class.
Happy Friday!
XX,
The Infected One
I was planning on only updating you once per week, but I have some unfortunate recovery news.
As I was in physical therapy yesterday, Dr. Jim O' Rourke (Focus Physical Therapy, Montclair, NJ) noticed that only one of my sterile strips was still covering one left leg incision. He noticed that there was some discoloration on the strip and asked if he could remove it. Obviously, I agreed and this is what we saw:
Sorry for all of my readers with sensitive stomachs! However, this incision clearly appeared INFECTED. I guess I caught it early, since the surrounding skin was not swollen, red or hot. As you can see in this photograph, it appears that the incision is only infected on the surface, however, I wanted to be safe.
I emailed Dr. Coleman and his physician's assistant (Kira) a picture. Long story short? They thought it looked "funky" and diagnosed an infection. They prescribed me the antibiotic Cephalexin for 5 days. I take 4 pills a day at 500mg. Let's hope this doesn't get worse!
In lighter news, I'm still championing through my biking and physical therapy, but I am itching to get on the elliptical and back to Pilates class.
Happy Friday!
XX,
The Infected One
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Two Weeks Post Op
Hi Everyone!
I'm sorry I did not get to update you all yesterday, being that it was my TWO WEEK POST OP anniversary. It was my first day back at my school psychology internship and it was a crazy and hectic day. Today the students have arrived, so I am even more exhausted.
Just to let you know:
My sterile strips have come off my incision sites and they are completely closed up! They still appear red, but at least they are healed. The scars are so small it's crazy!!! :) It amazes me how Dr. Coleman made two TINY incisions and was able to do all of the bone resurfacing and cartilage repair. I am still so thankful that everything went well that day.
I had my second physical therapy appointment with Dr. Jim O'Rouke at Focus Physical Therapy in Montclair, NJ yesterday. I started doing heel slides, balancing acts, quad stretching and small bridges. He told me that at 4 weeks I can go back to Pilates class... FINALLY! Only 10 more days to wait ;) And that I can try the elliptical machine a few days after that!!! :) He is happy with my progress.
I am really sore this morning, since I did 40... yes FORTY minutes on the stationary bike after PT and burned a total of 400 calories!!! (My most yet!).
I must get back to interning now... I only have a few more weeks of being an intern before I need to find a full-time position. I can't believe graduation is in 3 months and I only have 6 more graduate class meetings left!
Respectfully Yours,
Ashley
OH!! Want to know what the best part of yesterday was? Coming home from a crazy and hectic first day to the most gorgeous bouquet of get-well flowers I have ever received.
I'm sorry I did not get to update you all yesterday, being that it was my TWO WEEK POST OP anniversary. It was my first day back at my school psychology internship and it was a crazy and hectic day. Today the students have arrived, so I am even more exhausted.
Just to let you know:
My sterile strips have come off my incision sites and they are completely closed up! They still appear red, but at least they are healed. The scars are so small it's crazy!!! :) It amazes me how Dr. Coleman made two TINY incisions and was able to do all of the bone resurfacing and cartilage repair. I am still so thankful that everything went well that day.
I had my second physical therapy appointment with Dr. Jim O'Rouke at Focus Physical Therapy in Montclair, NJ yesterday. I started doing heel slides, balancing acts, quad stretching and small bridges. He told me that at 4 weeks I can go back to Pilates class... FINALLY! Only 10 more days to wait ;) And that I can try the elliptical machine a few days after that!!! :) He is happy with my progress.
I am really sore this morning, since I did 40... yes FORTY minutes on the stationary bike after PT and burned a total of 400 calories!!! (My most yet!).
I must get back to interning now... I only have a few more weeks of being an intern before I need to find a full-time position. I can't believe graduation is in 3 months and I only have 6 more graduate class meetings left!
Respectfully Yours,
Ashley
OH!! Want to know what the best part of yesterday was? Coming home from a crazy and hectic first day to the most gorgeous bouquet of get-well flowers I have ever received.
They were from my very best friend Lauren Totoris, her Mama Vivv and Papa Jack. I could literally feel them hugging me through the flowers and I can't thank them enough! I am so lucky to have people in my life who genuinely care about me, as much as I do about them! By the way... this is Lauren...
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Recovery Day 11 and 12
Happy Labor Day Weekend Everyone!
I'm sorry that I did not post yesterday, it proved to be a very discouraging day in my "hip recovery" world and I just did not have the mental energy to write about it. However, today is going MUCH better! :)
After wining and dining myself on Friday night at Stamna with some great friends, falling asleep at the table and getting AWFUL stomach pains... I realized that I still need to be taking it easy and that alcohol just needs to stay away until I'm more recovered. It may sound ridiculous, but the few glasses of wine that I had really made my entire body swell, especially my hips/thighs. So listen up people, NO MORE ALCHY for a while!
I woke up on Saturday morning and enjoyed a delicious North Jersey diner breakfast with my friend James. We had great conversation about life goals, education and fitness. I had two eggs over easy with a side of melon AND allowed myself to eat ONE whole wheat pancake ;)
After, my stomach seemed to be in much better shape and my headache was wearing off, so I decided to go to LA Fitness and ride the spin bike. However, I only lasted 10 minutes due to feeling faint and my muscles shaking uncontrollably. I was really annoyed with myself, since I wanted to get a work out in and it took some time for me to self-talk myself back into a positive mood. However, one of my best friend's Jaci came to the rescue. It was her birthday and she invited me to have a birthday lunch with her on the patio at The Cheesecake Factory! I enjoyed a delicious vegetable salad, with a side of Tramadol (pain medication) and had wonderful conversation!
I spent the rest of my afternoon icing and got to bed early. However, I developed ANOTHER allergic reaction to my pain medication (the same type I had to the antiinflammatory drug) and had to take more Benedryl. Luckily, the Benedryl eliminated my symptoms and I was able to get a good night's sleep.
So, I'm learning that I really need to embrace the phrase "less is more" at the moment, but it is so HARD!
This morning I woke up and told myself that I would have a much better day, NO MATTER WHAT. I went to 8:15 spin class, told the instructor my situation and had the RIDE OF MY LIFE. Well, the best cardio workout I've had in almost two weeks anyway. I lasted 35 minutes, sprinted on a level 8, reached a level 14 and burned 300 calories! I finished with some light arm work, pushups and topped it off with very few crunches. I even downed some Motrin, since I knew I'd be sore.
The best part of my morning was attending church! I went to my congregation of the New Apostolic Church in Wayne, NJ and had a LOVELY spiritual hour with minister Jeff Harmon! He held a thrilling and uplifting service about not worrying and fearing your life away. He spoke about striving to be more like Jesus Christ, letting go and allowing God to be in control of our lives. It was wonderful!
I'm on the couch icing now, since I feel swollen from spin... IN A GOOD WAY THOUGH ;) I'm getting excited for the afternoon BBQ at my friends Kevin and Emilee Orlofski's. They just bought their first home a few months ago and invited a bunch of people over to celebrate the last weekend of summer! I made my Grandmother's famous chocolate chip cookies and I'm excited to eat some great grilled food before going back to internship on Tuesday!
Learning that less really might be more,
Ashley
I'm sorry that I did not post yesterday, it proved to be a very discouraging day in my "hip recovery" world and I just did not have the mental energy to write about it. However, today is going MUCH better! :)
After wining and dining myself on Friday night at Stamna with some great friends, falling asleep at the table and getting AWFUL stomach pains... I realized that I still need to be taking it easy and that alcohol just needs to stay away until I'm more recovered. It may sound ridiculous, but the few glasses of wine that I had really made my entire body swell, especially my hips/thighs. So listen up people, NO MORE ALCHY for a while!
I woke up on Saturday morning and enjoyed a delicious North Jersey diner breakfast with my friend James. We had great conversation about life goals, education and fitness. I had two eggs over easy with a side of melon AND allowed myself to eat ONE whole wheat pancake ;)
After, my stomach seemed to be in much better shape and my headache was wearing off, so I decided to go to LA Fitness and ride the spin bike. However, I only lasted 10 minutes due to feeling faint and my muscles shaking uncontrollably. I was really annoyed with myself, since I wanted to get a work out in and it took some time for me to self-talk myself back into a positive mood. However, one of my best friend's Jaci came to the rescue. It was her birthday and she invited me to have a birthday lunch with her on the patio at The Cheesecake Factory! I enjoyed a delicious vegetable salad, with a side of Tramadol (pain medication) and had wonderful conversation!
I spent the rest of my afternoon icing and got to bed early. However, I developed ANOTHER allergic reaction to my pain medication (the same type I had to the antiinflammatory drug) and had to take more Benedryl. Luckily, the Benedryl eliminated my symptoms and I was able to get a good night's sleep.
So, I'm learning that I really need to embrace the phrase "less is more" at the moment, but it is so HARD!
This morning I woke up and told myself that I would have a much better day, NO MATTER WHAT. I went to 8:15 spin class, told the instructor my situation and had the RIDE OF MY LIFE. Well, the best cardio workout I've had in almost two weeks anyway. I lasted 35 minutes, sprinted on a level 8, reached a level 14 and burned 300 calories! I finished with some light arm work, pushups and topped it off with very few crunches. I even downed some Motrin, since I knew I'd be sore.
The best part of my morning was attending church! I went to my congregation of the New Apostolic Church in Wayne, NJ and had a LOVELY spiritual hour with minister Jeff Harmon! He held a thrilling and uplifting service about not worrying and fearing your life away. He spoke about striving to be more like Jesus Christ, letting go and allowing God to be in control of our lives. It was wonderful!
I'm on the couch icing now, since I feel swollen from spin... IN A GOOD WAY THOUGH ;) I'm getting excited for the afternoon BBQ at my friends Kevin and Emilee Orlofski's. They just bought their first home a few months ago and invited a bunch of people over to celebrate the last weekend of summer! I made my Grandmother's famous chocolate chip cookies and I'm excited to eat some great grilled food before going back to internship on Tuesday!
Learning that less really might be more,
Ashley
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