Hip Precautions Lifted!

Late Monday afternoon, at Mary Ann's first post-op appointment with Dr. McCutchen, her surgeon, he came into the examination room and asked if she'd had any pain since being discharged.  She hadn't, which was a positive sign, so he turned to the computer screen to his right, where the x-ray she'd had taken just a few minutes earlier was being displayed.  It took only a minute or so for him to declare that her new hip looked great!! 

She'd done such a good job observing the hip precautions that she did not need to do it any more.  She may cross her legs, lean forward beyond a 90 degree lap angle, even twist.  May she drive?  Yes.  May she swim?  Yes.  She now needs to continue rehab to eventually trade the walker for a cane, then put the cane away. 

Another appointment was scheduled for ten and a half months from now.  Mary Ann gave the doctor a hug, and we said goodbye for now to our wonderful and highly skilled surgeon, who's a very nice man, too.  He even smiled for the camera!!

Mary Ann and Dr. McCutchen

Physical Therapy
At our scheduled PT session earlier on Monday, once again, the therapist we expected was not available.  After about a ten minute wait, Cheryn came over and volunteered to work with Mary Ann.  Much of the focus was on muscles that help with hip alignment while walking.  Some of the exercises were difficult, but Mary Ann gave her all and did them to the best of her ability.  We won't be seeing Cheryn any more, because she is moving to South Florida, so she walked us out to the car.  There is something special about this young lady; she is super nice and very good at her profession.  I had to take a good-bye photo.  We like her a lot and will miss her.  Bye Cheryn!  Thanks for everything, and the best of luck to you!

     

Finally, a haircut
Anyone who gets a haircut every three weeks, as Mary Ann does, can probably relate to how she felt after going more than five weeks since her last one.  On Tuesday, she took care of that by going to see Nancy.  They were happy to see each other after her long absence, and Nancy did her usual good job.

It's amazing how great a good haircut can make you feel!!

Happy Lady!