Re: Waiting
 

I see that the Awaiting thread has reached its maximum message load, and I got the last word. Given the give and take on this forum I know that there really is no such thing as the last word, so to continue the chat I've graciously reopened the conversation. You're welcome.

Thanks Evan, I know we are all interested in Jim's progress. Never good to see another Forum member suffering. Plus he puts on some pretty good sound clips he makes with his CF guitars....

Suffering... part of the healing process? It's all good, John. I had a bit of a setback on Saturday: seems I pulled (felt more like a "pop") a muscle while exercising. So, off the cane, back to the walker, and a reduced exercise schedule since then. I am guessing the PT guy will OK me for the cane again tomorrow, so I hope to get back on schedule.

While this current hip situation is occupying most of my time, I come to this forum for the music/guitars discussion. I don't wanna be one of those old guys who talks about his ailments.

On an unrelated subject, I suggested that Mark and I call our duo the Gimpy Hipsters. ;)

Time to go make some music.

Let us know how the caning goes. Any pictures?

For full disclosure, I have a couple canes... my favorite (well, the one I use the most) is wood. Great, now I have to go look to see if anyone makes a carbon fiber cane.

Yep, they do. Of course, they are more expensive than wood. :D

My kayak paddles are carbon fiber.

Awkward for a caning (good for paddling).

In the better of two worlds, I'd rather be caned with wood than carbon fiber.

My buddies and I have taken to calling that an "organ recital". :)

In the better of these two threads, there would be no caning. Not even a cane mutiny. Ice cream instead of sugar cane. Joan found a carbon fiber cane with flames. That’s hot.

You are twisted, my friend; I appreciate that quality.

Well at least you don't have to humidify it. Get well soon Captain.

My recuperation is moving along. I credit some of that to the carbon fiber cane Joan bought for me (besides the CF weave, it has flames). Yesterday was my last in-home PT session. I am driving again, and have been cleared to try riding a bicycle, if I can get a leg over it. No boating yet (falling risk), and getting back on the scoots will be a while.

I am walking with a cane, up to about 1/3 of a mile on each of my 3 times daily walks. Doing my exercises 3 times daily, as well. No more pain meds, other than the occasional ibuprofen. Yeah, it still hurts; but that is getting better, too.

My Honey has been a champ through all of this. To make my life easier, she brought one of my guitars into the living room and put it on a stand... "Now you can pick it up and play whenever you want." I am good with getting into my music room, but she said she likes having one guitar in the living room. Who am I to argue with that? Being able to play has also made a difference in heading back towards "normal." (That is a relative term.) ;)

Six weeks today. Seems like it has been a tough haul, but glad to see some significant improvement in the last two weeks. Last update on this... I don't want to be one of those guys who talks about his maladies.

Best wishes,
Jim

Oh no...you got maladies too ? :D

Jim,
Sounds like you're through the worst of it. Hang in there, you'll be back to normal in no time! It sure is nice to have a supportive wife when you're feeling down, especially one that supports guitars!

:up::up::up:

Jim;

Congratulations! It's pretty easy to go downhill, but going uphill can be a real trial. It sounds like you've almost reached normal, I look forward to when you are able to ship out and scoot.

Glad to hear the good news, Jim. I have been following your increasingly positive reports on your blog. We knew you'd get there, but this surgery is an ordeal to be endured for the long term good of better mobility, not something done recreationally. My shoulder is improving too, but nowhere near 100% -- until maybe fall.

Recreationally? As in: for the fun of it?? Hey, do you want to go to a concert this weekend... or would you rather get a hip replacement? :eek:

On a fun scale of 1 to 10, this has been a MINUS 20.

I appreciate your private "what to expect" notes, Earl. They were helpful. My PT guy said, "Three months to 'heal,' 6 months to a year before you feel normal again."

I fooled him - I haven't been "normal" in a lot of years. :D

The mobility is increasing daily. I'm doing all the exercises, but my main plan is to "walk myself back to mobility."

Sending good vibes your way for that shoulder to heal. Probably too far into it for "fast," but hope you see "full." Take care, my friend.

Seems you are doing very well for only being 6 weeks in. I'm 4 months in and still having issues with the knee, I'm being told it can take a year, here's hoping for a continued fast recovery. It can't go fast enough, that's for sure.

Sending good vibes your way for the knee issues, John. I had knee surgery when I was a youngster (in my 20s), and I recall getting that leg to go straight again was grueling and took several months.

I appreciate the "not fast enough" feeling. Look back at where you were a couple months ago, and you can appreciate the improvement... even though the day-to-day changes seem to come slow. The thing for me has been having an additional distance with each day's walk, so I can really detail the difference. If the issue is bending and straightening your knee, it can be hard to tell the difference in a couple degrees. The PT guy put what looked like a big protractor along my leg so I could see when I was gaining another degree or two. The work will be worth it - hope the improvement comes faster for you.

Everybody's recovery is different. It takes however long it takes. During my first few weeks, when I was struggling to get from the living room to the bathroom with a walker, it seemed that everyone wanted to tell me how "their friend (uncle, brother, mailman) had exactly the same hip surgery and they were up walking, dancing, and running within a week." I wanted to whack 'em with my cane!

Keep us posted.

Eh yeah...it was constant ! I had to bite my lip a lot, but I did learn not to do that to others getting the surgeries. My PT guy made it clear that I am not one of the lucky ones. LOL I have good range, but still have a lot of pain. Oh and, I tried riding the scooter a couple weeks ago, it felt great, then I paid for it for 2 days. Takes more time I guess. Enough of THAT !!! Back to CF guitar discussions please. :)

Yesterday was a good day.

I have been working on the recuperation: I am now walking two miles a day (mostly with the cane), riding a bicycle, and have been taking the scoot on short rides. Well, the first scooter ride was like my first time driving: I didn't tell anyone I was going to do it (and by that, I mean: the Blonde), I just rolled it out and went for a short ride. I can't tell you how good that felt... for my physical and mental well-being.

I tend towards a wandering spirit, and was feeling like my summer was slipping away. Joan wanted to stay home, in case I had any "hip issues." A follow-up visit to the surgeon's office on Thursday, where his nurse practitioner was impressed with my progress, was helpful for my side of the "travel negotiations."

I made some reservations, and we are making plans for some RVing north in a few weeks. And, taking the scoots along (a major sticking point in the negotiations)... with assurance from me that we'll just do some easy day-trips on the bikes.

And, yes, making music on a daily basis. Because that is good for the soul. This morning, Joan asked, "So, which Emerald are you going to take with us when we head out?" (Not: which guitar?) Glad she is onboard with some traveling. I would really miss her. :roll:

I have a ways to go with my recuperation, but I can see "normal" (that is a relative term, not often used to describe me) on the horizon.

Captain;

It sounds like you are well on your way to the activities you love. I suspect it's mostly about attitude and yours is strongly positive. Enjoy.

I've been following your progress via your blog, Jim. It is always wonderful when you get that sense of finally turning the corner on the dark days right after the surgery. Enjoy....but carefully. You don't know that you've overdone something until it is already too late. Then ouch! The voice of experience here. As Alice tells me, "Don't me such a guy".

The shoulder is getting noticeably better almost daily now, but still not 100% yet. PT continues officially through July then I'll likely be on my own for further exercises.

Glad to hear things are progressing....and love your comment about glad shes onboarding with traveling....lol...classic.

Cheers...

Todd in Chicago

Easy to be a big talker when I know she doesn't read this forum! :D

I wouldn't be where i am without her by my side... and i am not talking about my recuperation. :)

Earl and Kramster have seen us together, they can vouch... I say, "Yes, Ma'am," a lot. Respect, not fear. I knew she could do better when we first met, but I won her over with my charm... and the the rock 'n roll stuff. ;) Chicks dig the guitar player.

I also married up!! Good for us!

Cheers...

Todd in Chicago

Glad to hear you're doing well cap...hang in there.

2 things

https://wholetones.com
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=wholetones

and

Walgreens carries TENS Units from $40 - $80 bucks.
https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/pr...179-2000014877

Recording some music with the Spire Studio. My friend and music partner Mark (in Arizona) did the electric piano and organ, yours truly (in south Texas) on guitar (Emerald X7), bass, hand percussion, and vocals...



I can't say that playing has done anything for the hip recuperation, but it is sure good for the soul.

If you're listening close, a double track with the X7: one acoustically with a condenser mic, the other plugged in.