Where Did the Week Go????

Time really does fly when you're having fun!

Early this week the weather was absolutely gorgeous.  It required being outside!   It was hard to believe that only a week before we had been snowed it.  65MD drug out my most favorite lawn chair, which he calls my 'throne' and put it in the most sunny spot in the back yard.  I took a book out to read, but mostly I laid there and enjoyed feeling the sun warm my face.

At some point during the weekend, I realized that I was walking in the yard almost normally without even thinking about it.  Walking on uneven surfaces was quite painful prior to surgery and virtually impossible immediately post-op.  Now?  I did it without realizing it.

On Tuesday, I had an appointment to get my teeth cleaned.  My dentist has had both hips replaced and has been an incredible support to me.  (Odd, I know.)  He noticed right away how much my gait had improved.  When he pointed it out, I felt like I was walking on air afterwards.

I was able to keep my two nieces two days this week.  They are three years old and 12 months old.  They are an absolute joy to be with.  They are also exhausting.  Soon enough, I'll be able to keep them without needing a nap afterwards.  Until then, I'll relish in the fact, that I can nap without excuse or guilt.

I am still doing therapy 3 days per week and something else the other three days.  My therapist said I would know when it was time to quit when it became too easy.  It isn't nearly as hard, but it is far from easy.  There are a couple of exercises that are still decidedly hard.  That's OK.  Small improvements are happening and they will add up eventually.

This morning I felt compelled to try some of the balance games on the Wii.  They require a lot of hip action.  I was quite pleased that I did well and was able to 'play' for nearly 30 minutes.   That is total time, from turning it on to turning it off, but it is still movement in the right direction.  My right hip was beginning to speak to me, so I stopped.  (I'm icing it right now. It bothers me some that my right hip is the one that usually stops me.  It was the one that was replaced first.  I don't think it should hurt at all.  I see the surgeon soon and I'm going to bring that up.)

I feel so good about my options for working out on my three non-therapy days, that I'm thinking of breaking out the belly dance DVD.  It is about 45 minutes.  My therapist told me to watch it with fresh eyes before actually trying it.  I'll at least do that, if not actually see just how far I can get.  Look out world!

When I learned I was going to have to have surgery earlier than anticipated, I visualized myself feeling and moving normally in the spring.  I know it is not yet spring, but I think the messages I was giving myself and the spring like weather early this week came together so that I could actually see what life will be like when I get to the end of this.  I'm excited to see what life will be like in March when spring actually arrives!