1 year ago today

It has been 1 year since I tore my labrum. All I did was stand up out of a chair and my world changed completely. It's amazing to think 2 days prior I was dancing/twerking on stage at The Buck Naked Band concert for my bday lol. They're a country cover band from Ohio and they're fabulous check them out 😜 

So as of today my right hip is feeling great and getting stronger everyday. My left hip feels pretty good. Hoping it stays on that path and is back to normal. I seriously cannot wait to run again and I can't wait to not be in any pain. 

So as a treat to me I got my hair did today!! I wanted to go blonde and my husband desperately wants me to be blonde but I decided against it. Maybe in the spring/summer when I'm tan. 

So as I sat in my chair the girl that does my hair made a Starbucks run. Since it's my bday tomorrow mine was free. I highly suggest the Chestnut latte. It's sooo good. 

It's not exactly how I envisioned it but I do love it. Wish the lighter parts were a bit brighter but it looks great and I think better in person. 

So now I'm pretty and moving forward with becoming normal 

It Gets Worse Before It Gets Better

So my friend Matt who had this surgery done about a year ago has told me twice now, "that it gets worse before it gets better". Man he wasn't kidding. You all know that my "good" hip has been giving me some problems, but now my right hip (operated) is kinda bothering me. Not anything I'm worried about it's just sore at times. There's nothing wrong with it, it's just healing still. My main complaint is that both of my legs are so fatigued lately. I'm exhausted. I fought to get through 15 min on the elliptical yesterday and I wasn't even pushing it. I was huffing and puffing and taking so many breaks at therapy today. I'm not used to tiring out. I don't like it. 

My PT performed the graston technique on my left hip today. They are these metal tools that the PT rubs all along your muscles to break up scar tissue and help with blood flow. 

It hurts while they do it depending on how tight your muscles are and sometimes they leave bruises so we shall see. I admit I feel better all ready after PT today. 

I guess I just have to suck it up and stay positive. I'm a fighter and I will come out of this on top 

6 Mo Follow Up

I went to the surgeon today for my follow up. I wish I can say that I went in and said "I'm all fixed thanks...no problems to report" but unfortunately I went in with a whole new set of problems....my left hip (un operated side). My surgical hip feels great so that is wonderful news. I am very happy I decided to have the surgery, but that doesn't mean I want to do it again!

I had xrays taken on both hips. After he examined me he showed me my xrays and said that he does see the same kind of anatomy on my other hip. There is an impingement on that side too, but that doesn't mean it needs fixed. The pain that I'm having on the left side changes hourly and daily. At times I feel like it's the same as the right hip but then again it's not. I have full range of motion still. My pain is usually on the outside or the front of my hip. Rarely is it in the groin. Even after examining me he said my IT band is very tight (Iliotibial Band- side of the hip) and everything in there is aggravated for sure. It could be that my left hip is just tired of carrying my right hip (it's been almost 1 year since my tear)  Right now he is going to treat it as bursitis/tendonitis (inflammation in a nutshell) and if it doesn't get better in 6 weeks I'll have an MRI done. He prescribed me with a different kind of NSAID to take (more potent than IBuprofin) called Meloxicam and wants me to take it for 2-3 weeks to see if that helps with the inflammation. He also put in an order for PT on the left hip. 

As I drove home from the appointment I started crying in the car. I had made the decision right then and there that I would not be going back to CrossFit. I know I sound like a hypocrite for not going back when I said I would because "CrossFit did not hurt my hip" but if I have an impingement on the other side and can avoid having surgery again, I'm going to do it. Maybe I'm not built to be doing that crazy stuff after all?? I mean I am pretty little. Maybe it's not meant to be. I just will be happy when I can start runnin again and I'll work in some lifting as I go. 

Stay Tuned....

Day 124

My left hip (non operated side) has been killing me for about 1 week. I had a mental breakdown the other day because I began to panick about having to go thru surgery again. If I have to have surgery on this hip I don't have anymore time off at work to take, nor do I have money to be off work for another 3 months. 

I haven't ran since last Wednesday at PT bc my hips were hurting me. We just did a re eval at PT and he decided I am banned from the gym and PT for 1 week. He is hoping that between work, additionally work in the gym/PT and now running, it may just be too much all at once for me and that I'm not quite ready for it all. 

I honestly believe that my "good hip" has had enough and is torn too. I haven't had the arthrogram on that side to verify but deep down I know that's what it is. I hope my therapist is right and that it's my hip flexors that are agitated and not actually damage to my hip. 

Only time will tell I suppose 

Week 17

I went back to work on Aug 22nd. I work at Summa Health Systems which is a level 1 trauma center so it's always crazy busy. I work in xray. Most people think I just push a button but my job is more physical than you think. I push beds, I pull patients onto tables, I roll/lift patients to get my xray cassettes under them....it can be rough. So far my hip has been good. The first 2 days were hard but I think I just needed to get used to walking for 8 hours and walking on the terrible hard hospital floors. I have trouble pivoting to turn beds around corners and I have a hard time pulling heavier patients or pushing heavier patients in wheelchairs. All in all it's going much better than I anticipated. 

I went to PT today and got to run on the treadmill for the first time. My surgeon told me 4 weeks ago I could start running this week and I've been counting down the days. We went over to the treadmill and my therapist said we can try for 3-5 min but only up to 5, depending on how I feel. I ran for 5 min straight. I started tearing up as I was closing in on 5 min. I couldn't believe I did it and that I wasn't gasping for breath since I haven't ran in almost 1 year. I can try to run outside after a week of running in a controlled setting (on the tmill supervised). I'm so happy to be getting back into running. I've missed it 

Week 12

I went to the surgeon yesterday for my 12 week follow up & I actually saw Dr. Rosneck (about time). He isn't as thorough as his PA (I was with him maybe 10 min) but he knows what he's doing. My scar looks great and I know he fixed my hip so I honestly don't care lol. He said that I am ahead of schedule and am doing great. He said it's time to kick it up a notch with therapy (moving on to phase III...not sure what that entails but it means more than leg stretches so I'm game). I can start running in 6 weeks. That seems like so far away but I'm excited that I'm in the home stretch. I never thought I'd miss running so much. I hope I have some not so cold weather to run in. I am also cleared to go back to work. I go back next Friday. I am soooo not ready. I'm excited to see my co workers and get my full paycheck back 😜 but the hospital is so stressful and I don't want my summer vacation to end haha. Being paid to not go to work has been awesome. Reality had to come some time. I am nervous to go back to work because the hospital is huge. It's a lot of walking. I just gotta go slow and do the best I can. One step at a time. 

Dr. Rosneck said I need to work on my stretching more, to externally rotate my hip. 

I did this today at the gym. Doesn't look impressive but you have no idea how much effort this is taking. It's out way more than it has been. 

So since I'm allowed to advance to phase III, I got to do a lot of fun stuff at PT today. I did real leg presses on a real machine, not the reformer. I did them at 60lbs. I also did calf raises on the leg press machine. I did balance work and squats on a bosu ball. I had this giant smile on my face the whole time. This stuff is way harder than the basic table work/stretches I've been doing. I was actually sweating and my heart rate was up. Pathetic I know but I'm so excited! 

11 weeks Post Op

Although I'm doing amazing since surgery, the struggle is real right now. I'm at a point where I'm feeling good, I'm returning to work soon, and I'm starting to be able to do more physically (squats, arc trainer, lunges). Even with positive progress I'm starting to get depressed again. I am not necessarily gaining weight but I'm getting bigger around the middle. It's driving me insane bc I can't workout like I normally would. I can do a lot more than what I have been, but it's not enough to see the results I want. So my struggle is, my hip feels good, but I still can't do shit!!!  No running, no cardio more than 15 min, no leg day. I want my ass, legs, and stomach back. Clothes aren't fitting right. This sedentary time frame and lack of eating clean (it's summer let's be real...drinking and cookouts/parties) is catching up with me. I saw this yesterday and it made me feel better (for a minute) 

Just impatiently waiting to be normal 

2 mo post op

Today I'm 60 days out and I feel great. I'm so glad I had this surgery. I know I will be better off in the long run. 

Yesterday I started to add resistance to the bike/elliptical. I started doing squats (not past 90*) lunges, side steps with a band, & just in general making my normal exercises a little harder. 

I was at the gym 2 days ago and I got up to 7 mph on the elliptical. I don't think I went that fast before I had surgery. 

I made a goal for myself to run a 5K either in the end of Sept or Oct.y surgeon said we could talk running at 4 mo. I've been doing amazing throughout this recovery so I know I can do it. I may be a little ambitious saying this, but I want to do a 5K around the 30 min mark. Ok honestly I'll be upset if it takes me longer than 30 min. I understand it will probably be around the 30-35 min mark but I'm going to be positive. 

I'm so excited to be getting back to my old ways. 

#dontcallitacomeback 

Gym Time

5 weeks exactly today and I went to the gym for the first time since surgery. Big day. Just 5 min on the bike and upper body stuff. Not a lot but you have to start somewhere 

Day 40 - almost 6 weeks post op

I had my 6 week follow up with the surgeon today. Well, I should say his PA since I still haven't seen the man that actually operated on me. Ugh. Lucky for him I really like her. 

She said I look great and am actually ahead of schedule. She said it was ok to advance to Phase 2 of PT. Basically that means I can start doing the elliptical, stair climber, things like half squats... More intense workouts. So what did I do?? Went straight to the gym!! 

I got on the elliptical for just 5 min. I couldn't go any faster than about 3.2 but I'm ok with going slow. Even just 5 min on that thing gave me a workout. 

I forgot to mention that I stopped using the shower stool when we went to Vegas (obviously) so I've been on my own for a little over 1 week. I still can't bring my leg up to shave or to wash my feet. I just prop up my leg on the tub to shave it and I just bend my knee to about 90* and reach as best I can to get to my foot. Sometimes I use a loofah if I'm not feeling so flexible. 

I'm so excited to slowly start to transition back to normal. 

Day 33 Week 5 PT Re eval

I went to PT today for my re eval. He measured my progress. I can flex my hip to 110* & abduct out at 30* which is at/past where I should be. Abducting is bringing your leg out to the side away from your body. We did more exercises like that today and I got to start doing bridges. He also added some resistance on the reformer. He said that I'm doing awesome and that if he didn't have to follow my surgeons protocol he would let me start doing some more intense things. Maybe next week (I don't have therapy for the rest of this week) 

He said that I'm ok to start going to the gym to do upper body and the bike. Some therapist and drs don't want you to do dumbbell work early on because your core isn't strong like it used I be so you start using other muscles to compensate. As long as I don't feel anything in my hip I'm good to go. 

I get so excited about these little things because that's just getting me 1 step closer to my normal life. 

Ouchie

This is a post that anyone who has had this surgery before can relate to. For those embarking upon it...keep this in the back of your minds. 

I'm almost at the 5 week out mark. Over the past 4 days I have not used crutches AT ALL and I have been driving. You don't realize how much more of your body you're using, even without the aide of 1 crutch. I figured if I am walking great with 1 crutch I must be good to go. NO. I am so tired and sore by the end of the day it's crazy. Nothing unbearable by any means but tired and spent none the less. 

The point of this post is a reminder that I am not 100% yet, even tho I have my moments when I forget I had hip surgery. I feel good and without thinking I go to take a side step or turn/twist and quickly I'm reminded I'm still healing. I accidentally externally rotated my leg TWICE today and that is honestly the worst pain I've ever felt in my life. Going downstairs without concentrating on going slow or with balance will send a jolt up your leg. Just be mindful of the steps you take. Go slow and use cation still....or you will pay for it later on. 

4 weeks post op

Today was a big day for me. We just got back from Vegas last night. My husband rented a scooter for me so I wouldn't have to walk everywhere but that backfired. There are just too many people walking the streets in Vegas it ended up giving me an anxiety attack trying to get around. So I walked with my 1 crutch for 3 days. I did really well. I pretty sure the one day we walked 8 miles if not more than that. I was never in agonizing pain but by the end of the day (which was usually around 3am) I was spent. While I was there my scab fell off. So here is what my scar looks like now. 

I was told by the surgeon not to go in the pool since my scar wasn't completely healed so I just went in to above my knee. When I laid out in the sun I covered my scars with bandaids. I was also told I should take 325mg of aspirin 2x/day over the course of the trip and to wear my compression socks on the plane since there is still a chance of getting a blood clot.

I had therapy today and my PT said they should put in orders for patients to go to Vegas after surgery for rehab purposes because I had better range of motion than I did before I left hahaha. We did my normal stretches and the bike. I got to go on a reformer today. 

It's a Pilates machine that's like a leg press. I did great on it with no problems. She even added some ankle weights when I did my hamstring curls. She also said I could start doing some pool therapy and she mentioned squats in the pool. I heard squats and my heart skipped a beat 😜 Can't wait to do some real exercises!!! In do time....

Today was the 1st day I drove. I was told at my follow up with the surgeon that around Week 3 I could start driving but I was too scared and not ready to try. I drove to therapy by myself and ended up driving all over town today. I didn't use my crutch at all today. I'm going to completely ween myself off of it.  It felt good to have some normalcy again.

Day 18

At therapy today I got to get on a real stationary bike for almost 10min...might've been a little longer than 10 actually. I felt like I was on it forever when she came back to get me. She told me it would be 5min. Oh well I was happy. 

I'm walking on my own without a crutch but my leg tires out quick. I have no problem going to the bathroom or to he kitchen but I'm not ready for a full day without it. I did sweep all the hardwood floors today without any assistance. That went just fine. Any pain that I experience is in my lower quad from being used. I have yet to experience any pain in my hip since surgery. I had a little pinch feeling in my hip yesterday from sitting in a chair for dinner at my neighbors house. Sat in that same 90* bend for a little too long but once I switched positions and got moving it was fine. 

At therapy she even had me start to cross my leg over my other leg. That's a big deal!! I can put my right ankle over my left shin and internal/external rotate my leg. Great progress. 

Just got news we are 99% going to Vegas this weekend for a few days for a last min anniversary trip. We got married in Vegas 6 years ago. Our anniversary isn't until the 27th, so a tad early but anniversary trip none the less. Already looking at Rascal rentals. I wonder if I'll get a SUI???? Scootering under the influence?? 

Going to get a little personal here....along with an update on Day 15

First off, my Aunt and Uncle came for a visit today and brought me this little plant. So cute....wonder how long it will take for me to kill it?? 

I started transitioning from 25% weightbearing to 50% today and did fine with it. Really well actually. We are about to head off for dinner and I went to go to the bathroom before we left. I rested my crutches against the sink and without even thinking I walked over to the toilet. I had a mini panic attack because I realized I didn't support myself. I waited for the jolt of pain, or for the stumble and nothing happened. I freaked out!! I yelled for Andy. I turned around and walked out of the bathroom and into the living room without any assistance. I yelled "I'm walking!!!" I pretty much skipped the 1 crutch 75% phase and just started walking. I was so excited. I took 1 crutch with me to dinner tho. I'm trying not to be dumb about all of this. Go out too fast and falter. When we got home I walked into the house and went upstairs to make the bed. We have been sleeping downstairs in the spare room since my surgery and Andy moved our mattress back upstairs today since I am able to do stairs now. I advise anyone who is having this surgery done, to if possible live on one floor until you are able to bear weight on your leg. I was going to try to be a hard ass and go up/down the stairs right off that bat and I am so glad I didn't. It's a lot harder than it seems when you are relying on one leg and a walker/crutches that you're not used to using. So I continued to make the bed and by the time I got back to the stairs I could feel fatigue setting into my quad muscles. Still no pain in my hip at all but I did start to limp a little. Morle of the story...I am not healed. I couldn't go a whole day without any assistance just yet but the walking I did today proves I'm doing amazing.

 The reason I wanted to make this post (I know I'm post happy lately) is because I noticed a choice of word I have been using throughout this process...Tired. I remember one time in PT before the surgery my therapist asked if I had any pain in my leg while I was doing a certain exercise. I said "no pain it's just...well I don't know....tired" Today as I was walking down the steps I told Andy that my leg was done for the day and that I couldn't go anymore without assistance. He asked if it was because I was in pain and I responded "no. It's just tired". I'm using the word "tired" instead of using the word "weak". Weak is the more appropriate word to use but I guess I have refused to use it. I have always been a tough cookie. I played sports my whole life whether I was fit to play or not. I never sat out a game. (I played softball and volleyball) If I was injured, I just rubbed some dirt on it or taped up whatever was bothering me and kept on going. I don't give up. It's just not in my blood. I am not weak. Never have been, never will be. I might be an emotional mess hahah but I am not weak. I am just getting stronger everyday!!

Day 15 scar picture

That's all haha 

I'm Learning to walk again...

I believe I've waited long enough..... sorry, was trying to come up with a title and Foo Fighters popped in my head. They're amazing by the way if you aren't already a fan.

ANYWAYS

Today marks exactly 2 weeks post op and I got to start "walking" today. When I woke up it kind of felt like how you do on Christmas morning. I was so excited to see how it was going to go. I got up and took my first step....low and behold it didn't hurt at all. I walked to the bathroom and I thought "it's this easy?' At this point I am only allowed to put 25% weight down. I am doing fabulous today. I really thought it was going to be more of a struggle but it's been great. I did put a little more weight on my leg at one point on accident and it was a little painful. So it's not going to be a walk in the park but I am off to a great start.

I went to therapy today. My PA told me that by Monday I could be walking without any crutch. She said that at about 75% weightbearing I should be using just 1 crutch. I have been using the walker since day 1 so I took my crutches to learn how to use them in therapy. Crutches are much easier to use when you're actually walking with them and not swinging from them. Therapy is going better than it did on Monday so more progress. I was telling my PT about what the PA said about my progress and I happened to ask her when I was allowed to start on a bike? I know some people that started on a bike the next day so I have been anxious to get on one. She looked thru her notes and said "well...we can start today if you want?' YAY!! We went over to the bike. The way it was positioned my legs didn't reach the pedals too well and when I started moving my legs, my hip was just not going where she wanted it to go. She decided to start me out on a different kind of bike. It's called a NuStep. You sit in it kind of like a recumbent bike but instead of peddling you just push your feet forward and backward....so maybe like a stair stepper but sitting instead of standing. I felt comfortable on it. I didn't have any pain and it felt good to move my leg around like that. She said "ok you're going to do this for 5 min and we will see how far around the track you get" (on the display that tells you the time and distance, it has a little picture of a track/loop like you would run on. It gives you a visual of how far you're going" I looked at her and she said "but this is not a race. I shouldn't have said 'how far you can get to you'" We laughed and I said "no you shouldn't have said it to me like that because I'm going to want to go faster" I got to 0.7miles in 5min and some change. I don't go to PT again until Monday but she said she thinks I'll be able to get on the original bike by then.

2 week (12 day) Post Op Follow Up

The news I got today is not what I was expecting but I am soooo happy.

I had my first post op follow up today. I walked past my surgeon's PA and she said "put your foot down" I thought she was just being sarcastic but when she came into the exam room she asked why I wasn't putting my foot down. I said "umm bc I'm not allowed to" She said I should be putting my foot down when I walk just not putting weight on it, instead of holding it up  while I walk with the walker. Andy and I just looked at each other like I COULD'VE BEEN DOING THIS THE WHOLE TIME?!?!?!" Oh well. Now when I put my foot down it feels weird. My toes are kinda tingly.

She took out my stitches. I have never had stitches before so I didn't know what to expect. The smaller incision didn't hurt at all but man did the bigger one burn and hurt like crazy!! I wasn't expecting that. She put new steri strips on so I didn't get to take a picture of the incisions. The strips can come off soon so I will post the pic then. They are small and there is a tiny bit of bruising.

She evaluated me and said that I am coming along great. I was told before surgery that I had a CAM impingement but once they got in there she said it ended up being a PINCER too...so it's a Mixed Impingement. So part of the femur and the acetabulum were worked on. She said I don't have to wear my ted hose anymore.. Yay they are hot and annoying. I know Andy is happy to not be on sock duty anymore.

She said that I can take the brace off tomorrow. I am extremely happy about that. This thing honestly hasn't been as bad as I thought it was going to be but it's so hot! My legs are always crossed or rotated out, bent up so I'm glad for the brace bc I know I would've moved my leg how I shouldn't have.

THEN..... she tells me that starting tomorrow I can start to put weight on my leg. Over the next 4 days I can add 25%, then 50%, then 75%, then 100% weight down. I can start to not rely on the walker or crutch. She suggested starting to use 1 crutch or a cane as I'm adding more weight. By Sun or Mon I will be able to walk without the help of anything! (as long as I can tolerate it) I can't believe it. I was expecting another 1-2 weeks. She said I can sleep on my side or however I want and that makes me so happy you have no idea. I am NOT a back sleeper and its been killing me. I toss and turn and switch positions all the time so to not be able to do this for 2 weeks has been hell.

I think that I have been kicking ass during rehab and this confirms it. I'm gonna do this!!! She did mention that running won't be in the picture until about 4 months post op. She did say soon enough that I will be able to use a bike or elliptical. I'm ok with that. I need some cardio in my life. I can start swimming next week if I want but I am not a swimmer. I am a float on a raft kinda girl.

She also said that maybe next week I could start driving if I want but I have to have good control of my leg and feel comfortable. I think I'm going to hold off on that tho. The thought of that kinda freaks me out.

The only issue I have about today is that I didn't talk to my surgeon or see him at all. I really like his PA Kristen she's wonderful but HE did my surgery. I want to talk to him!! I saw him when he evaluated me and I made the appointment for surgery. I did NOT see him before my surgery like I was told I would. He did talk to Andy when I was in recovery. I saw him for not even 5 min when I was awake in recovery. This bothers me. I guess as long as you know what you're doing and you fixed me fine whatever but that is bad bedside manner.

As we were walking out a girl in the waiting room asked if I had a labral repair. She was there for a follow up. She is 7 months out and said she is doing great and just started really exercising again. My Dr did her surgery too so that's good.

GREAT DAY!!!!!!!!

Day 6

So I have been up and about since the day after my surgery. Ive done great and really haven't been too uncomfortable.

I literally slept for 23 hours Monday. I was only awake to eat or pee. I decided to stop takings Percocet. They aren't doing anything for my pain. They just made me sleepy or loopy. I'm not in a terrible amount of pain so it's ok I guess. I was hoping for some relief finally w good pills. Oh well I guess. 

Today was my 2nd PT session. She said that I am doing way better than most people. We even did a couple exercises she didn't plan on doing bc I was doing so well. Today was a great day for me too. I got up and got my own breakfast and lunch. It took me forever but I did it. I would just grab each item and take it over to the table and assemble it there. If you only buy 1 thing to prepare for this surgery you must buy a reacher/grabber thing. It's the best invention ever. It's great since you can't bend forward or reach for things. I even got dressed by myself today with the help of the grabber. 

Oh a little funny story... As Andy was helping me put my shoes on before PT, I noticed when he was tying them, he was tying my shoes together!!! I yelled "don't do that?!?!?" He looked up dying laughing and gave me a kiss. He has been amazing. I'm so lucky to have him. He keeps things funny, he's protective of me while I'm walking but he also let's me be independent. He let's me do things on my home at own. If I asked he would get whatever I needed in a heartbeat, but he knows I don't want to be completely dependent of him. 

I have an amazing support group around me. I've had people bring me food and/or visit almost everyday. I have a friend coming tomorrow. As annoyed as I am not being able to move around I have so many people reminding me that I can and will get thru this. According to my therapist I'm off to a great start 

Day 3

So I got to shower today and take the bandage off. The shower part went way easier than I thought. I do suggest using a shower chair so you can sit. I also had a safety bar installed so I had something to grab onto. Our new shower head detaches too that's a huge plus. 

We took my bandage off and I looked for 5 min for some type of bruise... Nothing. Pretty happy about that. In a lot of pain but of course to me it's tolerable. The Percocets just make me high as a kite but don't take the pain away. 

Yesterday After PT Andy and I went out to eat lunch. That went fine.

I do like the walker better than crutches. I feel so much more stable. I have also got great use out of my reacher/grabber tool. It's nice to help move pillows and blankets 

I hope I get to enjoy the sun today!

Day 2

I don't plan on blogging every single day but I'm pretty proud today.  I woke up at 430-5 bc I couldn't stand laying on my back anymore. It was killing me. I'm a side/toss around sleeper. Not cool. Well I needed to get up to pee, get some breakfast and take my Meds. Andy want awake yet and I didn't want to bother him. I got up and out of bed alone. Went to the bathroom had no issues. Went to the kitchen to get my ice pack and got into my chair in the living room...all by myself. Pretty pumped. Hurting a lot more today tho. I think my nerve block is starting to wear off. 

Then off to my first PT session. We just did a couple basic exercises I do on my own. I have to pump my heels, flex my quads, then gluteus, then hammies, then abs. Andy is going to have to pick up my leg and roll it gently in circles and rock my leg side to side. This all is just to get my hip moving so it doesn't stiffen up. As I'm typing this I'm laying on my stomach. Supposed to do this a lot throughout the day to stretch the front of my hip. Boy is it uncomfortable. 

Back track for a min....after PT Andy wanted to get food and asked if I was up for sitting down somewhere. And I was like yea sure....so we went to Papa Dons (yes people we went back there. Food is great and no scumbags in sight. 

I did fine at the restaurant. I just had to bring my plate to my face to eat bc I couldn't bend forward over the table

Most people I've heard/read about don't move around in public this soon. Although I'm in pain and the Percocets aren't doing shit I think I'm doing pretty well. I just doubled up on Percocets (it's on 10mg doubled) to see if that will help w my pain. 

Memorial Day is Sun and if I can keep this up I definitely won't miss the cookout and sitting in the sun 

Day 1

Well the surgery went great. Got up to the Cleveland clinic at 6am for 730 surgery. I don't rember much going into the OR and the next thing I know I'm in the recovery room and it's almost time to go home. I woke up and the brace was already on me. They anchored the labrum down and shaved the head of my femur to fix the FAI. I surprisingly didn't feel nauseated at all after surgery, just a little groggy. Took awhile for me to finally see clearly and that bothered me more Than anything. My throat is a little sore from the tube and from being so dry, so I'm talking like I'm losing my voice. Ate some Lorna dunes and drank all the water I could get my hands on haha. The nurse helped me to the bathroom and helped me change. I was in a lot of pain (still am) but I felt way better than I thought I was going to feel

We finally get home and start walking towards the house on my crutches. Andy (my husband) went ahead of me to open the door and told me to stay put. Of course I didn't listen. Next thing I know I lost balance and without thinking put my operated leg down to steady myself. I had a nerve block and had zero feeling or control in my leg, I screamed and down on the concrete I went. Andy came running. The fall didn't hurt but scared the shit out of me. Now my hip hurts noticeably worse so then I began to panic that I screwed something up. Andy and the neighbors' friend came

Running to help me up and they carried  me into the house. I did great with a walker at the hospital so for now I'm switching to my walker (complete with tennis balls on the bottom) Andy thinks I am more than likely fine. He said my crutches went flying and that I landed perfectly on my left side with my bad leg straight out. He doesn't think I twisted it. I hope he's right.  From then on I slept pretty much the rest of the day. 

I ate some subway and took my pills. I had pb&j for dinner. I was expecting to be sick and I am glad I didn't have to start with broth or jello. The medicine isn't touching my pain tho. Pills are basically tic tacs to me. I have a high pain tolerance so I guess if the Percocet doesn't help oh well. They gave me Valium too. I'm gonna take that before bed and see how that goes 

Had 4 visitors today; mom, gma, and my neighbors. My mommy brought me flowers and the other brought food haha. 

PT starts tomorrow. This should be interesting 

The Day Before

Tomorrow is my surgery and if I thought I was freaking out before, NOW I'm freaking out!! I mean surgery is scary and now I'm stressed out bc the surgeons office just called to tell me my PCP hasn't sent them my pre admission testing papers. Like I want to worry about all of that?!?! 

As I scrolled thru Pinterest (as I always do) I found this, and I think it's time for a new tattoo!! I want to get this on my hip (like hip bone area)   It means, "it's not over and there's something more to come". The arrow adds the factor of "pointing you in the right direction....to keep going" I think it's fabulous !!! 

Next time you hear from me, I will be post op!! 

My sanctuary, the gym

Surgey is on Thursday. Tomorrow is looking like a day of cleaning the house and getting everything ready. I'm at the gym right now for what I think is going to be the last time for awhile. Even tho I haven't been able to workout how I normally do, being at the gym has helped my spirits. I feel like I belong here. I love working out. Sounds crazy but I like how I feel when I'm done, I like the feeling of getting stronger everyday, and I of course like the results. 

I already have seen changes in my body that I am not happy with. My stomach is bloated and flabby looking. I had been making huge progress in that area before my injury. All down the drain. I've lost muscle. My legs were so strong and now they're back to jiggly. My cellulite was almost invisible when my legs were at their best and now it's back with a vengeance.  

Not going to lie I'm worried about sitting around for 3 months and eating. I don't wanna go backwards. I know it's time to concentrate on resting and getting better but let's face it, I'm worried about getting fat. 

I'm already missing exercise. Can't wait to get back at it!!! 

1 week til go time

It is 1 week until my surgery. Yesterday was rough for me. Starting to freak out for sure but then I found this, and it is helping. 

Let's go back to the beginnig

   I jumped the gun and posted out of order, so let me start from the beginning. My name is Sheena, I'm 28 years old and I am about to have arthroscopic hip surgery on May 22.

Around 2010 I started to gain weight. I am 5'2" and wound up weighing 140lbs. Now I know that doesn't sound too bad but it really is overweight for my height. I decided to start running to help lose weight. I had always hated and been terrible at running. I would run maybe a .25 mile and stop to walk. It was embarrassing but I kept at it. I ran a 5K in almost 38min. Not good but I wanted to get better. I had caught the running bug. I found myself getting faster and it became easier to run without stopping to walk. Last year I won 1st place in my age group (4th overall female) on a very hilly course in the August heat with a time of 25:50. Amazing what hard work will do and I love running. I ran my 1st Half Marathon last year and had signed up to do another half in April, but my hip stopped that from happening.

I then found CrossFit and that changed everything. I fell in love with lifting, Never in my life did I think I would enjoy Olympic Lifting, but I did and I became obsessed. I kept getting better and stronger. I began to go 5 days a week if I wasn't too sore. I was in the best shape of my life. I had muscles. My running improved. I finally was getting a flatter, better stomach. I have always had a pooch that I just cannot get rid of. I had never wore a bikini in my entire adult life until 2 years ago. I wasn't 100% satisfied with my body, I wasn't quite where I wanted, but I was happy with myself and proud of the work I had put in. I liked what I saw in the mirror. I started to wear clothes that I have NEVER attempted to wear. I was on top of the world..... until the day before my 28th birthday. I stood up out of a chair to go to lunch and my hip popped. It hurt but it didn't hinder me from walking. Everything on my body pops and cracks so I didn't think much of it....but as the day progressed the achy pain didn't go away. I went to CrossFit for 3 more days just working through the pain. It didn't hurt doing the exercises but it was so painful afterwards. At one point at home I was squatting down on the ground working on a blanket project and when I tried to stand up I felt the most excruciating pain trying to stand up. It was almost impossible to move my leg and that's when I knew I had to go to the doctor.

I went to a sports medicine Dr at my hospital and they treated me as having an Illiopsoas strain. I was told to stop working out entirely and to go to physical therapy 2x/week for 1 month. I went and did everything I was told to do but I was still in pain, if not more pain. I work in Radiology and am very cool with our radiologists so one of them said he would give me a cortisone injection to see if it would help with my pain. It may have taken the edge off slightly but that lasted maybe 1 week tops.

After 1 month of unsuccessful PT I stopped going and had an MRI Arthrogram done. They inject dye into your hip joint and then you have the MRI. I was told that I had a labral tear. I was in extreme pain after this test. The dye just sits in your joint and is inflamed because it's not supposed to be in there. I was limping for 4 days straight. I was even sent home from work because I was visibly in so much pain.

My sports med Dr suggested I go see a surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic. Both he and the surgeon said that I could not have the surgery and basically deal with my pain. I could try more PT and cut back on my active lifestyle but in reality I would be just prolonging having a hip replacement 30 years down the line. As much I was don't want to have surgery, I don't want to cut back on my fitness routine. I love working out. Not only do I need to workout to keep up my body (I have to work at what I have. I am not lucky enough to just eat what I want) I need to workout because it's something I love doing...it's my hobby...my sanity. I am so young. I can't deal with this pain forever. I am an xray tech and I have a very physically demanding job. That doesn't help any either. May I also add that there are maybe 5 drs in all of Ohio that do arthroscopic hip surgeries. That says a lot about this surgery. It's still kinda new to medicine to fix these tears. There are so many things going on in the hip area. Some injuries, like tears, are often confused as other injuries. The surgeon at Cleveland Clinic also told me that I have FAI- Femoroacetabular Impingement. This means that the head of my femur isn't smooth and it is rubbing in my hip joint which tore my labrum. There are 2 kinds of impingements. A CAM (which he said is what I have) is when there is a bump/or more bone on the head of the femur so it's not fitting in the socket properly. There is also a PINCER where there is a little overgrowth of bone on the acetabulum itself (the socket). You can also end up with a Mixed Impingement which is a combo of both. He also said that 25% of his patients have  FAI bilaterally. This is something you are born with so it is not going to heal on its own and if untreated it will continue to tear my labrum more. It can then break down the cartilage in the rest of your hip leading to a replacement. With all of this info I felt I had no choice but to have the surgery.

I began reading blogs from people who have had the same procedure done and it has been so helpful to have an idea of what to expect and it's nice to have people who are going thru the same things you are. That is why I decided to document my journey thru surgery and recovery. I hope what I have to say helps someone else like it has for me.

WHAT AM I GOING TO DO????

   It is 8 days until my FAI/ Labral repair surgery and I am freaking out!!! Last night on my way to my car leaving work, I felt a very sharp pain in my left groin....which is supposed to be my good hip. It kinda gave out on me too. I sat in the car and cried. What if my left hip is messed up now too? I can't get both hips fixed at the same time. I won't have time to take off work to get the other hip fixed later. I don't want to go thru a 2nd surgery. I got home hoping it was nothing, but walking in the house and downstairs was very painful. I lost it and starting crying hysterically in the bathroom. Andy came in and found me crying. I just clung to him. "what am I going to do babe?" I just want all of this to be over with. I woke up today and something is definitely going on in there. I will not be going to the gym today like I thought I would be. I'm am lost.