Vintage- another life

I LOVE ALL THINGS PINK AND VINTAGE.

7 wk post-op scar

I'm part of the most elite club around. There is a very high initiation to enter this club & that is a badge of courage, a scar of untold stories. The club isn't for the faint at heart or the weak. Even though at times you feel like you can't do it even for one more minute, hour, day or year. And, some how you do it...

• Where does this strength come from?

Somewhere deep inside our souls we yearn to do more. ~Celebrate all that is "Hip".

We research to the point, beyond the word " Obsession". Knowledge is Power!

We find the strength & support from other "Hip Chicks", "Hip Sisters", "Hipsters" & "Hippies". Sisterhood is empowering! In sharing our stories much healing is possible.

• We are a "Lioness", a "Dandelion" dent de lion= the teeth of a lion. May the light and healing brillance empower & manifest its vision of healing into your journey.

• Appreciate the wonder & beauty of your body & the feminineness.

• Deliver me to my
• power
• passion
• brillance
• power to heal
• sacred essence

~words from the heart reach out to touch the hearts of others.

Freedom at last

I put on my favorite ButtUgly ( is the name of the clothing line of a local artist & good friend that uses reclaimed vintage material ). Check out my FB ButtUgly Fan Club of her wares. Grabbed the car keys and was off for the 1st time in 7 wks. I drove all by my lil self. I took my mom to one of our gold country thrift stores out here on the divide. Freedom fo sho... I even made a date to see one of my best friends next week.

When you live out here in the boon-boon-boonies you have to be very organized and pray that it doesn't rain or snow. Or at least have the wine, beer or whiskey in the house. JK. Otherwise, you are staying in. And, let me tell you, I've been in this house for WEEKS. No way, was I going out & slipping,slipping, slipping into the future.

It feels so good to start getting out in the community & feel like a real person, again.

RockStar nails/Pedicure here I come...Haircut, too! Eeek! I feel like a little girl going to Disneyland for the 1st time. I thought I would never get this mop and toe jam dealt with. Gross- I know. When you have hip restrictions for 12 weeks you have to beg someone to clean those jankie feet and by that time they are looking pretty bad.

This or That

This really sucks:

• Not being able to do for myself.
• Being in lock down because of the rain.
• Feeling alone.
• Having to ask for help.
• Gaining weight.
• Having to wait it seems like an eternity before I'm up & going.
• Having to deal with childhood memories & feelings.
• Having my leg 1/2 inch longer-which is more like 2" because I am so small.
• Not having enough $$$ to pay the bills.
• Having a bad attitude.
• Last year loosing a baby & my fallopian tube.
• This year loosing my femur head & acetabulum.

That it's worth it:

• Doing more then I could the 1st week
• Like getting in & out of bed by myself.
• Getting to surf the web for hours & not feel guilty.
• Knowing that I have friends that care about me
• And meeting new ones on line that are going through the same thing.
• Family that will do anything for me. Even when I drive them NUTS.
• I'll be able to join the gym & work this hip weight off.
• I will be able to do so much more then before.
• Working through the past.
• Dr. said that the leg discrepancy will even out in several months.
• Getting at least some $$$ from EDD.
• Grateful for all the wonderful things in my life.
• My poodle is my kid.
• Going Bionic- the osteoarthritis is gone. No rain pain.

At My Side- Bijoux

Mama's boy has been at her side from day one. I just need to teach him how to fetch things for me. Thank goodness for my poodle, he is always there when I need him, when no one else is.

Painfully Hip

Some days are just not my cup of tea...

I woke up with the worst pain in my right, non-op leg. Still having to compensate for my left leg & the hip precautions that I have. I tell you, it's not easy being HIP. So anyway, woke up in pain, needed some meds, walked to the kitchen to get some water and wouldn't you know it the water filter wasn't working. I needed WATER. I, of course, yelled & was pissed off because we had no water. Then later I noticed that the phone had a message & no one told me that my friend called. It just hit me like a ton of tears... I couldn't stop crying. I felt hopeless, angry, grief, sadness, and so utterly ALONE. I just let it all out.

Friends & family try to understand, but really they have no idea. It's tiring putting on a happy face for everyone around you. Know one really wants to really hear that you are in pain & when you are in as much pain everyday as us Hip Girls you just deal.

I think it was a delayed reaction to all this Hip stuff. I cried a little in the hospital & told myself not to waste my energy on the tears until I got home.

I stayed in my room all day cried, slept & finally drank some water.lol

Believe me when I say I don't want you to feel sorry for me. Keep it! I'm a strong cookie, but sometimes I just need to cry and not feel bad doing it. Hey! It's my Hip Party and I will cry if I want to.

Thank goodness for all of my EO's- essential oils, Dr.Hauschka Moor Lavender oil & hankies with rose water.

3 wk post op

So this is me, 3 wk post op using a walker. You can see how my left leg is sticking out.

At my 4 wk post op appt. Dr.Mar gave me a script for outpatient PT & he mentioned that they would show me how to use a cane. I felt really good & ready to move to the cane even with the unstable feeling of my left leg being 1/2 inch longer then my right. Dr. said it would take about 3 months before I even out because my pelvis was so twisted and the muscles need to adjust from 30 yrs of doing something different. Watch out! I'm going to have buns of steel, oh know, that is hip of steel.

I am really amazed how my body is healing... I feel better every day. I don't have pain from my hip, just the rest of my body adjusting & still compensating for my left hip.

I can't wait to see what this new bionic hip can do. But,first, my main goal is to do a simple leg lift. Can you believe that I've never been able to do one with my left leg? I've learned to adapt & compensate for so many years...old habits are hard to break. This is a new me with new guide lines that I want to excel with this new bionic self.

It took me just over 4 wks to to do most of my exercises comfortably. Day 1- 1wk was the most painful period. I couldn't even do most of my exercises. I had to do creative visualization... seeing in my minds eye what exercise I wanted my leg to do. My leg was so weak and painful that it wouldn't even move. Slowly, slowly... and now at 6wks I'm using 3lb weights. Every week I get a few more exercises added on. I've had PT since day one. The 4 days in the hospital I had PT 2x a day. When I came home I had PT come to my house 2x a wk & I have to do my exercises 3x a day.

My Dr. says walk as much as you can ,this will be really good for you. I've been stuck in this house because of the rain, wind and snow. I can only do so many laps around the kitchen, living room etc...lol

I've been very fortunate to have my Hip Sisters to confide in. Only they really know what this crazy journey is all about. Hugs & Kisses to my Sisters.

See you on HipChicks & the yahoo hipgroup.

baking

Wearing my homemade apron that I received for Christmas from Momma Pat (brady's mommie). Mom & I made banana bread...Yum! It's smelling really good.

This is a rather big deal for me, baking that is. Using a cane & finally able to stand long enough to make something in the kitchen.

Ina-Stein & her scar.

2wks post-op. Getting my staples removed... free at last. Some bruising & lots o swelling.
Been using Homeopathic Arnica Pellets, Arnica Gel & R.I.C.E- rest,ice,compress,elevate.
The removal of the staples didn't hurt. Most of my pain was from the swelling.
The weather has been cold,rainy & foggy & guess what? My hip doesn't hurt!

Cut

Had to change the hair before my surgery.