Week 17, trying to get back to normal

my first day off crutches at the gym, i did some kettlebell swings and snatches with 12kg.  the swings were a bit uncomfy on the hips at first with clicking feelings but it went away.  2nd day at the gym i did wall balls with 10lb ball.  wow, my legs were so sore, i think i was walking worse after these workouts than after surgery!  i almost needed to pull out my commode chair again cuz i couldn't sit.  nothing hurt otherwise. lunges surprisingly don't bother me at all.  with squats i need to modify how deep i go cuz it doesn't feel stable and i feel myself shifting to my good side.

i started boxing again too and feel some discomfort when pivoting/rotating on the lead leg (my operated left leg). i feel fine the next day however so hopefully my leg just needs to get used to the movement.

practiced my golf swing with a wooden stick.  rotation/pivoting felt fine but i wasn't making any impact on the ground.  will be interesting to see where the ball goes when i get back out. this is def the longest stretch of time i've gone w/o playing golf.

from month 2 to month 4, i'd say i put on maybe 8lb of unwanted weight.  probably a combo of being mobile but not able to do real cardio.  plus i sought out maybe 20 different cupcake and pie shops and fried chicken joints for taste tests in that time.

for PT, i continue the figure-4 and hip flexor stretch over the table.  i think i might add ankle weight full leg raises (while lying down) to help strengthen the hip area.

after walking for a while, i feel like i start walking funny.  it's not really pain. maybe it's being cautious and a little tired.  or is my operated leg longer now? 

i tried acupuncture for my numb spot.  the dr ran electrical pulses thru a few of the needles, including one on the top of my foot.  the needle in my numb spot i didn't feel at all.  i don't notice any improvement after 1 try and will go again next week. 

i've started training again, boxing 2x/week plus a boxing class, and strength 2x/wk.  my former trainer has decided not to make me strong anymore but would rather make me chubby and meet for burgers and toasted marshmallow shakes instead. so i met a couple new trainers to see who could rebuild my lower body and bring PAOer back to my hips!  we're taking it slow as they're learning about limitations just as much as i am.

my screw removal is set for may as a day surgery at CHB, roughly 6 months post-op.

9 weeks already--when will I be normal?

i have been trying to find more things to do at the gym and have been attempting to hit the double end bag and heavy bag.  i'm not sure if this causes too much pivoting and twisting in the hip so i stop after a little bit. plus i'm standing a bit upright cuz i'm not sure if i should be bending at my hips yet.  i'd probably move around the bag more too but i probably shouldn't be doing the quick movements either. nor have i been cleared to get off crutches!  now that pull-ups are bothering my still-healing neck, i threw in bench press and rows to kill time. also rowing was bothering my hip a little so i went back to bike. i'm falling apart!  amazingly i haven't missed a single day of PT. they're so boring but i know they will help.

i finally got the courage to get on a scale.  i'm pretty much the same weight.  i heard stories of people gaining 15-30lbs while on crutches and was very fearful cuz i love to eat.  PA erin said that healing burns calories, but i don't think my healing can keep up with my eating.

i was able to clip a couple of toenails on my left foot quickly without causing too much discomfort. i'm still cautious about standing on my left leg alone while putting on pants or socks or washing my feet.

my numb spot remains quite large; the whole left front half of my thigh from knee to groin.  i massage it with a soapy buf-puf in the shower everyday, per PT jaime who says stimulating it can help the nerves wake up. my hip flexors are still very tight whenever i stand up. i wonder when i won't notice any residual from surgery--tightness, clicking, no restrictions on physical activity...

the whole foods near me is notorious for long lines. there are 35 registers, 10 or 11 queues and it's not unusual to see the line wrap all around to the entrance.  one trip i waited in line and the cashier said next time i could go straight to the the handicap register #35.  that really is handy, esp for the times when the checkout line is super long.  the handicap card works for airport security lines too.  i haven't really noticed much special treatment otherwise (after all here in NYC, cars honk at me in the crosswalk when i have a walk signal). one other time, we went to stephanie's on newbury in my wheelchair 1-wk post-op.  that restaurant is always super crowded (but mediocre food). when my guy asked how long the wait would be for 2, he was told 20-30min. then the maitre'd saw me and said, oh, we'll get you right in; just wait a minute.