Time Flies....

Today is the last day of Spring Break and before you get mad that I actually get a spring break let's consider what I do day in and day out. I go to school to teach the kiddos of Moore, Ok math and somehow convince them that math is not that bad and even though they don't have the "math gene" they can handle it. Somedays I have to find my inner cheerleader and cheer the kids on. (I am always saying, you can do it, we can handle it, you know the basically GO MATH!!) Yes I do love math that much. It takes it toll emotionally, mentally, and physically. I give all day long. Now I am not saying that you too don't deserve a Spring Break but it is basically my time to get some rest and get recharged for the next 9 weeks which is the big one. That's right it is the time of year where we prepare our kiddos for the state test. We spend many days just building confidence. Anyway probably more than you wanted to know. So to fit the title my Spring Break has flown by, which leads directly to my next point. I came to the realization in the past few days that it is about 10 weeks, yes that is right 10 weeks until my left hip surgery. Now you are probably thinking that is quite a while. Not really my friends. I am not excited about the first like 3 weeks after surgery but after that I should start feeling ok and improving everyday. The date of that surgery is June 2nd. Mark your calendars and pray for me that day.

I continue to love my right hip and I can't even tell you how much better I feel. It is amazing to me that after diagnosing the problem and getting my hips replaced that I am going to be almost as good as new again. Now one of the most asked questions (ranking a close 2nd to will you buzz when you go through airport security? the answer is unfortunately yes) is "Will hip replacement cure your arthritis?" The answer is unfortunately no. You see Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease caused by a malfunctioning immune system and barring a new miracle treatment I will have the disease for the rest of my life. Although with new medications once I get my hip fixed I probably won't feel the effects of it much unless I have a major flare up. Ok enough of the downer stuff. On an up note. The past week I have become comfortable with sleeping on my side again. Now I haven't slept on my right side but yes I am sleeping on my left side. Lest you think that is not a major deal, I had to sleep on my back for 3 months. So yes it is a major deal, one day if you ever have a hip replacement which I hope you don't have to you too will understand. Have a great week and maybe this week I can get the feel good blog of the week award. I mean we laughed, we cried (or at least got serious for a few sentences) does that qualify us for the award?

Yes you read that right.

So if you have ever read the description of my blog it used to read "My name is Courtney and I am 29 years old" I am no longer 29. As of today March 13th I am 30. I Had to change the wording in my blog. 30 is treating me great so far. It all started with my mom and dad surprising me at school yesterday with Cupcakes. It was so funny. I was sitting in my friend's room where we always eat lunch and I was talking which I do quite frequently at lunch. I was facing the other direction and everyone was looking at someone behind me. I remember saying is it someone here for me because yes the kiddos do know where I eat lunch. I turned around to see who it was and it was my Mom and Dad standing there with cupcakes. It was such a fun surprise. They spent the night and we went to lunch today after parent teacher conferences. Then we went to the A t & t store to get new phones. If you want to know about my new phone comment and maybe I will blog about it. I am officially on spring break which is amazing. I am going to work on my National Board certification and get finished. Nothing really new in the hippy world. I still am looking forward to having the other one done. Then watch out world. Just thought you guys might be interested to know I have joined the 30 club. Have a great day.

So maybe I chose the wrong profession.....

No people I am not unhappy with my job. I actually as I have posted before love my job spreading the joy of mathematics to the kids of america or at least the kids of moore, ok. But judging by the bills I got from my hip replacement this week I may have chosen the wrong career if I ever dreamed of making more than like $2 an hour. (OK so maybe my salary averages out a little higher than that but you get the point). I am telling you if you are still looking for a career or would like a career change you might consider being an orthopedic specialist or an anesthesiologist. Now granted you either have to really enjoy replacing joints and all the fun that goes with that or enjoy putting people to sleep and keeping them alive during surgery(no pressure there) they make a ton of money. I was in total and complete shock when I saw how much they charged for hip replacement and almost had a heart attack. Then I would have needed a cariodologist and then more crazy medical bills and then a never ending cycle. At that point I was more than grateful for my job which has good insurance and pays my insurance. Let me tell you it makes facing the kiddos everyday during spring fever season a lot easier.

In other news, my hip continues to feel so great. I know this sounds funny but I look forward to having the other one done on June 2nd. I can't wait to walk without a limp and have 2 legs the same length again. I hope you have a great day and remember if you are looking for a high paying job think anesthesiologist.

Hip Precaution Transition Day

So I learned yesterday that more people follow my blog than I ever imagined. If you are a faithful reader thanks for reading. If you are new I hope you enjoy and welcome.

Hip Replacement News
Tomorrow is officially 3 months after surgery. You know what that means. It is the official day when I can throw my hip precautions out the window. Don't get me wrong I still have to be careful but supposedly according to the doctor 3 months is the magic healing time. I kind of feel like Digital TV transition. I am transitioning to a new phase in my life. Don't worry I am not going crazy but yes I might bend over a little farther or not stress as much when I accidently cross the midline. In other health news I went to see Dr. J yesterday and I had some fluid build up in my legs. She said perhaps caused by recently having surgery or from medication. Anyway she told me to stop taking celebrex and wait a week. Then if I needed some anti inflammatory to go back to naprosyn. I made her go through those instructions twice because yes for 10 years of my life I have taken an anti-inflammatory 2 times a day. I feel good today. She basically told me besides one bad hip the rest of my joints looked really good. Crazy huh?

Other News
Nothing really exciting just going to school with the kiddos. I love them and this semester we are getting ready for our big end of course exam. My goal is for a 100% pass rate. Last year my pass rate was 80% and I want more. I am currently finishing my national board certification. Like 67% of those who attempt I am taking a second year. I didn't certify by 15 points. Oh well it is a growing process and next year I will actually be in good shape to walk across the stage in the certification ceremony. Spring break and my 30th birthday are coming soon.

I hope you are having a great week. Welcome if you are new and thanks for reading if you are a faithful. Feel free to comment. (Hint:Comments make blog writers happy and more motivated to update.)

High Five Friday!

Ok so not a lot is going on with my hip. I don't think I can honestly describe to anyone who has not had hip trouble how much better it feels and I feel in general. It was totally worth the 3 days in the hospital, one being the sickest day of my life, 6 weeks of recovery, using a walker and wondering if I was ever going to walk again, and the scar down my right side, not being able to sleep on my side without a pillow between my legs, adapting to life without bending down for 3 months. If you have hip trouble and are contemplating hip replacement. Go for it. It is going to be real real real rough for several weeks but it is totally worth it and I can't wait until June 2nd until I get to have the other one done. Life is going to be so good.

Ok on other notes, I told my kiddos in 6th hour a story about how one of the teachers I observed in college always had High Five Friday. So last Friday we were High Fiving all over the place, Only after we learned lots and lots of math. Today we were in class and were talking about something and one of the kiddos said "I am looking forward to high five Friday." It amazes me sometimes how excited High schoolers get about little things. I love my kiddos. So sad for me that I am going to be at a conference this friday and have to miss out.

I hope things are going well in your world. Hip replacement world is great. Next week I get to go see Dr. James who kicked off this whole adventure and tell her she was so right to convince me to have this done. I am so active any more I just don't have a lot of time to update.

Mini Vaca is over!

Well everyone after being out of school for 3 days I am afraid my mini vacation is quickly coming to an end. I was just on the Moore schools website and it stated that we WILL have school tomorrow. I could get used to this only working 2 days a week thing. You see this week we worked on Monday then took 3 days off then we are working tomorrow then it is weekend. Works for me. So my hip continues to feel better and get stronger everyday. I really didn't believe PA Rob when he told me that the day I got my staples out but it is so so true that I see improvements everyday. This weather has kind of put a damper on the walking program but I will get back on the trail tomorrow.
Tomorrow is 10 weeks since I had surgery. I am about to reach the magic 3 month mark on my hip precautions. So even though I am still using my hip precautions, after being stuck in my house for several days I decided to venture out last night. It was all going great until I tried to reenter my driveway. My car has front wheel drive which is wonderful until you try to get into your snow/sleet/ice packed driveway. So I get here and get almost in my driveway and my tires are spinning spinning spinning. So I back out like 20 times and try again but nothing so then I panic and called my dad. He told me to go around the block and as I turned the corner to speed up and then enter my driveway and be ready to hit my breaks immediately when I get to the top of hill. It was one of those you want me to do what moments but I trusted in the dad's ice driving wisdom and went with the plan.On the way around the block I drove down suburbia lane and it had 2 ruts to drive in. Well I had to pass a car who decided it was his turn and not mine and I had to get scoot out of the ruts. I got stuck there too. My tires spinning. Not a fun experience. After making it around the block the plan worked and it wasn't until after the fact that I realized he was asking me to pick up speed on an icy road. I decided not to leave again until my driveway was sufficiently melted. I know not a hip replacement story but it was pretty funny especially if you were there.
I can walk a lot father than before so we are slowly working up to that magic mile. Have a great day and be careful it is still a little slick out.

You want me to do what...

So today I got to go see Dr. Tkach for my 6 week follow up which happened to be scheduled 8 after surgery but whatever. My appointment was at 11:30 so we get to the office at 11:00 thinking we can get the x-ray out of the way and get on with the appointment. Not so my friends. I think they scheduled 15 people at 11:30. Oh well. We finally got to see Dr. Tkach at 1:00. He showed me the x-ray of my new hip. It looks amazing. I love the guy. He then told me several things. 1) you can get rid of the cane whenever you want. He said my left hip is really bad and I could keep the cane as long as I wanted but I am free to get rid of it. 2) Continue to use your hip precautions for 1 more month. You know sleep with a pillow between your legs although he did tell me I could sleep on either side as long as I had the pillow between my legs. 3) keep up the physical therapy. He demoed the physical therapy and he is really good at those leg lifts. 4) I want you to walk a mile a day. WHAT!!!! He generously said I could work up to walking that far but to keep my new hip health I need to start on the walking trail. 5) I can sit in my recliner again. YES!!!!. 6) Random fact about Dr. Tkach is that he hunts bears in may. OK and he didn't have a good hunting adventure after he operated on me. He said it wasn't a good deer season for him. I told him as long as it was a good hip replacement season I was good. That's about the run down of the appointment. Then we went to schedule hip replacement 2. June 2nd at Bone and joint hospital. How fun. A new hospital. It will be great. Have a great day and I will keep you updated on that walking thing.