Calo

Well, things have changed a bit for me since I booked my trip to Tz for July this year. I'm just managing to squeeze in a hip replacement and get the recommended recovery in before heading to Tz. Here is my amended (from when I first posted it) itinerary:

July 7: arrive Arusha, overnight Arumeru
July 8 & 9: Arusha Nat'l Park, West Kilimanjaro region, overnight Hemingways Camp
July 10 & 11: Tarangire, overnight Boundary Hill
July 12 & 13: Ngorongoro, overnight Serena
July 14 & 15: Western Serengeti, overnight Mbalageti
July 16 & 17: Northern Serengeti, overnight Sayari
July 18: Central Serengeti, overnight Mbuzi Mawe
July 19: Karatu, overnight Farm House
July 20: Arusha, overnight Karama
July 21: outbound flight to Nairobi, overnight Fairview
July 22: Nairobi city tour, outbound flight home

The countdown is on. Hip replacement April 15, depart for Tz July 5.

KayeN

Hi Calo

I wish you good luck with your operation and a speedy recovery.

Kind regards

Kaye

sallysaab

Gosh you're cutting it fine arent you?
How will you go on the bumpy roads and will you be able to insurance?
I had my knee replaced last year and there's no way I would have attempted this trip.
Good luck to you, take care.

sandi

Knees seem to take longer for heeling and getting back on steady footing. Hips... much easier and faster recoop!

After my hip replacement, 6/yrs ago, I was walking around hospital room next day, climbing steps carefully within 5/days; less than a week later for easy walking on flat ground outdoors. And, back to work in 3/weeks. That was end-May and I did my next major int'l travel (Southeast Asia) in Oct, but had docs okay for travel by August.

Suggestion: purchase and take with, a folding cane (about $30... in amazing neon colors) for the uneven ground you'll come upon in many places.

For seats on plane (all segments), get an aisle seat that allows you to extend the leg operated on. Otherwise, happy travels.

Denbasking

Your new hip will most likely make your trip much more enjoyable!

My father has had FIVE hip replacements (don’t get nervous he started early & really uses them up as an active lifelong athlete). Although he is getting older – the recovery time is getting shorter. His first one was the most memorable and life changing one enabling him to enjoy being an “upright man” once again! All the best!

ann_nyc

One of my most vivid memories about my trip to Turkey was struggling up the climb to the chimera. A fellow traveller (about 25 years older than I) wondered what was taking me so long, and after reaching the top ran back down to check on me. She paused just a moment to say 'I wasn't sure how this new hip would do, but it's just fine', before bounding back up the hill, like a gazelle on the rocks...

I wish you the same excellent results!

raelond

I will be interested to hear how you enjoy Arusha National Park. Yourdogkyle loved it and I thought it was just ok. Maybe I was expecting too much, but I did love seeing the monkeys. Your itinerary looks great!

Dana_M

Have a great trip Calo.

I just realized your surgery is tomorrow. Best wishes for a quick recovery. While you're laid up recovering you'll have plenty of time to dream all about Tanzania!!

matnikstym

Good luck with your surgery calo and a hope you have a fast recovery!

Leely

Calo, yikes! Wishing you a speedy recovery and then a fantastic safari.

Calo

Thanks for all your good wishes, everyone! I hope to be back on the board in a week or two.

cybor

Speedy recovery and happy travels.

DH had a replacement at the age of 40. He was told he'd need all kinds of help gismos, etc - he didn't.
Like Sandi, he was up and about the next day. He refused the rec. morphine after the first night - didn't need nor want. It was the first time in ages that he didn't have that searing and constant hip pain.
Keep moving, do your stretches and you'll be fine.

sandi

Like Cybor's hubby, I too didn't need the morphine drip after the first day... but I would have been a real happy camper with it

Calo, you'll be just fine and feel better almost as soon as the surgery is completed. Speedy recovery.

Patty

Hope you have a speedy recovery and great trip!

atravelynn

Wishing you a fully and speedy recovery. If you had been planning on climbing Kili, the hip replacement could have caused some problems. But hopping in and out of the vehicle should not be overtaxing your new hip. Keep us posted on your progress.

Denbasking

Good morning Calo,

I’ve just noticed a post from you and remembered this thread. How do you like your new hip? Recovery process goes well?

Den

LyndaS

Calo, I know you and BreezyDreezy will have a GREAT trip, and I can't wait to not only hear about it, but see your scrapbook when you get back!!!!

Kavey

Best of luck for a speedy recovery and a wonderful trip!

Calo

Den, the new hip and recovery are going very well, thanks. I may not be able to do as long a hike with my Masai guide as I would have liked, but I'm going to visit his Mama in her boma so that'll make up for not getting out into the wild on foot.

Lynda, I've <i>just</i> nicely finished my scrapbook from the previous trip!! After seeing Jim's wonderful digital presentation of your last trip, I think I'll go that route this time.

Thanks, Kavey. I'll think of you as we're passing through London (well, Heathrow) on our way from Canada to Africa.

Denbasking

Habari Njema! Asante for the update. It is amazing how successful some of these procedures are and kind of nice to dwell on the good ones for a moment!

Take pleasure in your walk as I am sure it will be lovely even if a tad shorter than your usual trek.

My Father and Father-in-Law each enjoy all the extra attention (know that they will be pulled aside) they receive when going through airport security with their hips; has anyone mentioned this to you yet or have they changed the materials?

Nice travels to you and your group Calo!

Den