the top 10 most annoying things about crutches

1. Chafed/bruised armpits (hot water in the shower even hurts)
2. Wet tile (makes for a yard sale)
3. They ruin the armpits of my sweaters (they get all "pill-y")
4. Trying to open doors (each different type of door presents it's own challenges, and those little rubber ends on the crutches get wedged/stuck under doors which is just embarassing)
5. Not being able to carry anything!! (cycling clothes with back pockets come in handy)
6. Going stir crazy (there's not much to do when it's zero degrees outside and you're on crutches--only Season 2 of Scrubs is keeping me from going insane)
7. Stairs (it's a slow process)
8. Showering (for starters, I have to scale the tub just to get in...)
9. Being helpless (and constantly having to ask for help)
10. Mornings--they go like this: wake up, crutch to the closet, pick out clothes and throw them over the shoulder or wrap around crutches, crutch back to the bed, sit down, put clothes on (have problems getting underwear over foot and getting socks on), crutch back to the closet to get belt, crutch to the bathroom...realize underwear are on inside out, repeat crutching/dressing scenario, crutch back to the bathroom, stand on one leg for 15 minutes while primping, crutch back to bed to sit and rest--finally ready to leave, struggle to open door, get rubber end of crutch wedged in door, stairs, ice, more doors, wet tile, and sore armpits from all of the crutching to get to my office.

Good times.

After typing up this list, I decided to do a web search on "I hate crutches"...I guess it shouldn't be any surprise that others (like Mark) have the same issues. Most websites start out like this: "I hate crutches...they're worse than the surgery/injury itself."

Tomorrow, I'll be halfway done with crutches...two weeks to go. I don't have any pain at all...which is actually kind of a problem, because it's pain that reminds you NOT to use your "bad" leg. I have my first post-op appointment on Thursday...I'm hoping they take the stitches out...they itch.

Thanks for reading my little venting session.

SS

surgery # 5

After years of problems with my right hip, I had an MRI last summer that showed a torn "labrum". The labrum of the hip is the fibrous cartilage (similar to the meniscus in the knee) that runs around the bony rim of the acetablum (the hip socket). The labrum deepens the socket adding stability to the hip joint as well as cushioning the joint itself.

So this morning I had arthroscopic hip surgery...the doctor performed a labrectomy, not to be confused with lobotomy. The goal was to go to into my hip with a few scopes and repair the labrum and check for any other associated issues. Before the surgery, I asked my doctor when I'd be able to ride my bike again...he said "you can ride it tomorrow if you feel up to it"...I was so relieved (and surprised) to hear that. He said I'd be able to walk without crutches when I left the hospital--another huge relief since crutches are such a pain in the ass.

I was in surgery for about 45 minutes probably, then recovery for twice as long. My doctor came to chat with me when I was in recovery, but I was still out of it...so he want to talk to my parents and Pete first. He informed them that he had repaired the tear, but that he had also found that my femur doesn't fit into my hip socket properly, so the bone is essentially rubbing my hip the wrong way (and that is probably how I got the tear)...he said I have signs of early arthritis. So he did a procedure to help re-shape my femur to try to keep it from rubbing my hip. Re-shaping the bone makes it weak (and susceptible to breaking), and it needs time to heal without any pressure. Which is why the doc then told my parents and Pete that I will need to be on crutches for 4 weeks, and the full recovery will take 3 months...they knew I was going to be disappointed (and none of them wanted to tell me!).


(picture is the labrum tear)

Needless to say, I'm disappointed--but I know it's for the best. Hopefully this prevents a total hip replacement later in life. But the "re-shaping the bone" procedure is new--it's only been around for about 1.5 yrs, so there is not good data yet regarding how long the effects will last. And the other scary part is that the doctor said it's possible that the same thing could happen to my other hip. Oh joy.

So I'm sulking a bit today. I hate crutches, I'm not a big fan of pain meds in general (although I'm not in much pain), and daytime TV sucks. But I look forward to trying out my improved hip soon. And the doctor said I can ride my bike on the trainer 5 days from now (but I hate the trainer too). Other than that, I feel pretty good and I'm looking forward to stuffing myself tomorrow!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Sarah

overworked and old(er)

Okay, I'm going to attempt to keep this post shorter than the last few mini-novels...so here's the bullet-point version of the past few weeks:

• An awesome weekend hanging out with friends (Margot, Aric, Karla, JT) at Margot's parent's house over-looking the St. Croix...then the Red Barn CX race in Taylors Falls (my first "B" cx race...see photo)
• 60-hr work week...no exercise...a little QT baby-sitting the the PC (my nephew, the Pork Chop)
• Bella party Friday night (good times)...up until 3 am, then worked all weekend
  
• 70-hr work week (my longest week in my 7 yrs at my job)...a few gnt's to help me sleep...nothing but work, eat, gnt, sleep
• Birthday last weekend--first "all-team women's weekly winter ride"...I was ride leader...I started to bonk...all work-no ride is taking it's toll; Pete made a kick-ass dinner, mmm chocolate cake, red wine, more red wine, friends came over, more red wine, more cowbell, suddenly too much wine
• Hangover Sunday morning...Pete made breakfast and "coffee"...headache only got worse, Pete raced, I slept, Pete got headache, this morning I discovered the coffee Pete bought over the weekend was decaf (by accident)...hence extra hangover yesterday.
  
• Came home to another new bike in the living room (Pete's)...stop the insanity.
  
• Up next? Another long work week and surgery next week. Exciting stuff.
  

SS