6 weeks post THR -- good news

[prairienut]

Hello Bonesmarties, Met with my OS today for 6-week followup on THR. No xray taken, no examination of incision. He said the 2-week x-ray was "perfect." My hip precautions are lifted, and I have no restrictions! Wow, music to my ears! To prove his point, he flexed my hip past 90 degrees and then made it internally rotate. Felt strange to be breaking the rules. I must say that just hearing him say these words suddenly made me feel more normal and more able somehow. The power of words.... No longer using cane except when very tired. Can do stairs up and down without cane or railing. Walking 1-2 miles a day. Will meet with the PT for a few more weeks to perfect my gait and learn some home exercises for increasing ROM in my hip.

When I returned home from my appointment, I immediately bent over and pulled weeds from my garden. I can finally say that I am better off now than before surgery. Look out, world. Here I come!

Gail
age: 58 RTHR: April 2, 2009, posterior/lateral approach

 

[Jamie]

Wonderful news, Gail!!! You must be so thrilled. So glad you decided to post such a wonderful report. Think of all the possibilities for you now!

 

[Texas]

Wow you went right thru this thing. I am so so happy for you. I bet it is like money off your back. Be safe though.......Best wishes to ya...........Kim

 

[Laurie]

go Gail, You will only feel better from here from someone who is a few months ahead of you. I can't believe I put up with the pain and disability for so long.

Now I am doing everything that I want at 56.

Laurie
rthr 8.26.08

 

[Judles]

Gail! Great news! Now didn't we tell you!!! My hubby and I just returned from the nursey! We bought so many flats we could hardly see out the rear window! Can't wait to start planting tomorrow!

 

[prairienut]

Thanks for all the good words.
Judles, of course you were right, as one of the main cheerleaders urging me to get past my fears and doubts about surgery. I must say it was no picnic those first few post-op weeks. As I told my husband then, "Having a new hip in the house is like having a new baby in the house -- night and day have no meaning." I would wake my poor hubby at 4 AM to talk me through my "tremor" episodes. His deep, soothing, familiar voice actually calmed my tremors better than a dose of Valium! But thankfully, those days are part of the misty past....
Gail

 

[Judles]

Gail....it only gets BETTER!!! So happy for you! Just take it easy! And what is it with us? Why do we have this compulsion to weed wherever we go!

 

[PRGal]

That's terrific, Gail--so happy for you!

I definitely remember when you first came to the forum--all your incisive questions, your thorough research, etc. I'm sure everything you've posted will be enormously helpful to pre-hippies & newbies alike. It's all about striking the right balance between being very well-informed and knowing the medical pros you've selected will take excellent care of you, and you hit it! And, of course, the real-life input & support from Bone Smarties!!

Happy gardening--isn't it grand to be able to do it again?!

 

[Scott]

That is fantastic news, Gail! Wow! Such a great report. All reports should be as good as yours! That's really cool how the doc moved your leg around to prove it. I can't wait to tie my shoes again.

 

[aussie]

Fantastic Gail, congrats.

 

[Karen54]

Wonderful news, Gail!! Congratulations!!

 

[Peta]

Great news Gayle - it's wonderful to hear you sounding so happy and positive. It WAS all worth it - wasn't it!!

Enjoy the gardening.............when you've finished can you come and do mine? The weeds are growing faster than the plants!! LOL

 

[leosmom]

Such wonderful news Gail! Yippeee Skippeee! And, wow 1-2 miles a day - that is awesome. You give me encouragement.....

 

[Judles]

0those aren't weeds, Peta....they're overgrown dirt! (I have NO idea what that even means!). How are you doing today/night?

 

[Peta]

I'm good Judles - thank you! Heading off to work shortly!

 

[Judles]

Its only 9PM here.......tucking in bed to RELAX before tomorrow's big PLANT! Tonite, Jay plays cards with his buddies! I am soooo happy that Zoe is feeling BETTER! She's on one side of me, while Toffee's on my other! I am just chilling! Hope you have a wonderful day!

 

[tahoe1009]

Wow... That gives me hope!! Thanks!! Mine is going to take a bit longer with my DVT, but hope none the less! Thanks!!

 

[Texas]

Tahoe how long does it take for that to go away.......

 

[Troweltalk]

Sounds like the plan worked out. I am very happy for you, Gail. Its a wonderful feeling when you get to the point in recovery that you can say "you are better off now than before the surgery". The best part, is you will just keep getting better! I was sitting in the airport yesterday waiting for my flight to arrive and it occured to me; I feel perfectly normal and pain free on both sides...

It was well worth all we went through to get to this point!

 

[Texas]

Mudpro my son saw your pic of you truck on here in the mud and got a big kick out of it, thanks for posting it..........He wants to do all that one day.........looks like fun......Kim