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Justine's all done

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Hi everyone

I am just past the 8-week stage and still feel very positive. I'm seeing improvements all the time.

Firstly, I've been doing a lot of walking - taking my girls to and from school every day. The return trip is just under a mile and today I walked it without my crutches. My muscles were really aching by the end and I'll use a crutch for the rest of the day, but I feel great for having done it!

I've also had some physiotherapy this week to build strength in my hip and to help with the shoulder issue I had recently (it's still not quite right and very weak). The exercises are difficult but I can feel that they work. I'll see the physio twice a week until she feels I am ready to go on alone.

Today I had an appointment at work to discuss my return. We've agreed on 10th October for a phased return (12 weeks post op). For so long, I've been dreading going back to work but suddenly I'm really looking forward to it.

I still have 3 weeks before going back to work and I plan to enjoy it! This hasn't exactly been a holiday but it's starting to feel a little more like it!

When I look back at some of my posts, they have often been negative, but that's not the way I want my story to look. I think that I've posted more when I've felt down and needed to sound off or when I've needed support that this wonderful forum so kindly gives without question. During the good times, I've kept quiet on my own thread and tried to support others. That's why it seems a bit unbalanced. Overall, however, I can honestly say that, although this experience has been truly challenging at times, it certainly hasn't been the horror-story I imagined 9 weeks ago. In fact, the pre-op pain and the feelings of fear I had then were far worse than the subsequent post-op pain. Now, I feel only stiffness and i haven't had a painkiller since my tramadol cold turkey, just because I truly haven't felt the need.

This is not an end to my thread (not yet), but I think the 8w eek mark is a good time for rounding things up a bit and taking stock.

Four weeks ago I thought I was going backwards and would never feel normal. Perhaps I'm not quite my 'normal' yet, but I know I will be sooner rather than later. If only I knew then what I know now....

I've said Thank you a lot on here, but again, Thank You xxxxxxxxxx
 
Justine,

Congrats on your 8 week mark !! We all have posts like that and feel like that. I reread my own also and you really realize that it takes time because in the beginning you don't think it's going to have the great outcome. Look at you walking that distance. That is great !!

I started back to work Tuesday full time again. I'm tired by day end, but if feels good to be back in the routine. From what you have said, you seem to be feeling the same thing and wanting that back again.

I'm not "fully" recovered by any means and still feel stiff and tight after sitting too long, but each week will be a better week for all of us.

Best of luck to you.
 
Justine....it's so rewarding to hear how well you're doing now. Your posts when you were feeling down or frustrated are the main reason BoneSmart exists. People need somewhere to go to vent or ask for information in that situation!!!

I think you handled your recovery very well and now you are going to begin to reap the rewards. I hope that you don't feel you must leave BoneSmart once you are back to your normal routine. We always welcome those members who have the time to stay around and help others. Your posts have been excellent and I believe you would be a great resource!
 
Justine - you should feel very proud of how far you have come and have overcome. The majority of us probably have more about the obstacles, frustrations and tears of our recovery in our threads compared to all of the successes of recovery. Either way we all support each other - through both the trying times and the successes!

It's people like you who post your concerns and challenges, that enable others who have recently gone through THR or will be, to learn through your experiences or to not feel so alone and say, "wow, the same thing happened to me and I thought I was the only one".

Please keep us updated as you continue to progress and all the best when you go back to work!

Liz
 
Justine, you are doing so well. I second your comments about the recovery, a lot of fears, tears, frustrations, etc. But that's what this forum is all about. People are always comforting and reassuring us. It's amazing how far you have come walking around. Congratulations. You will be one active Mama again! Keep posting, and let us know about your 12 week check up, more accomplishments, and work. I wish you all the best and many happy, pain free years with the new hip.
 
Well done Justine! Hope you stick with us for awhile.
 
Justine


You really do sound in great form and good to hear you are looking forward to going back to work :skeptical: only kidding it does start to get boring watching TV.
Great to hear you are managing up and down to school and you are starting to see the improvements.
Don't you dare end your thread Justin we would certainly miss your company.

Billy
 
Hi All

I've been absent from the forum for a week or so - I'm spending time today trying to catch up on everyone's recoveries. I've been keeping myself busy, trying to prepeare for my return to work on Monday (:cry4:).

This week, I am 11 weeks out from surgery. The past couple of weeks have been fine, but today I woke up with really bad back-ache; so bad that I can't actually straighten myself up - I'm walking around hunched over and, when I walk, each step jarrs my back badly. People must think I'm making it up because I'm going back to work!

I haven't done anything that could have caused this - I've been busy, but taking plenty of rest between walks and no 'unusual' exercise.

I'm trying not to move too much and am sitting in an upright chair with a hot-water-bottle at the small of my back. Does anyone have any other advice please? This HAS to go before Monday.

Thanks for listening,
J x
 
Hi Justine, back problems seem to happen alot post THR. Things are settling and you might be walking at a different angle. Just about anything can trigger an episode.

Are you taking anything for the pain? Jo always recommends paracetamol and ibuprofen as a good combo if you can tolerate them. I take diclofenac for back issues and it has always helped. Heat - or if that doesn't help try ice on the area. Hot bath or shower. You just need to get the muscles loosened again and get moving without the stiffness.

You can always try your GP as well. Mine was very good about helping to ease the pain quickly so I could get on with life.

Hope you feel better soon! :friends:
 
Its typical isn't it Justine, Sods law that you are going back to work! Before this surgery I never used to get a bad back, and now I have one nearly all the time, don't understand it, but can only imagine that things will settle over time

I know you have your concerns about pain killers, but I would try the combo that Jaycey suggets so that you at least keep moving.

Hope it resolves soon J

Tanny x
 
Some stretches also might help. Do you have a stationary bicycle? That sometimes can help a backache also.
 
Thanks. I'll try your suggestions. I'm sure I'd be fine on a bike - when my back is curled in a 'c' position, it's fine, ie, sitting down, lying on my side, etc. But when I try to improve my posture to the neutral 's' position, that's when I have real pain. It makes me want to swear!!!! Weird, as I don't think my hip pain ever made me want to use then f-word :scratch:.
 
Hang in there, Justine....pretty soon you'll be able to use the GOOD f-word.....Fabulous!!! Cuz that's how you're going to feel.
 
I am having some back issues too. Are your muscles right over the front of your hip/pelvis tight? That's my problem. When I try and straighten up when walking my back is the first thing to give. It's all lower back for me. I've been stretching those front muscles and that has helped along with ice packs and sometimes a heating pad.
 
Yep - back issues for me too, just where you describe. I find long warm bath soaks, ibuprofen/paracetamol. Also, I've started doing longer walks every other day rather than every day. Also if you can get down on the floor lie down with your head on a book and put your knees up and feet flat on floor arms out in an upsidedown V. Doing this first and last thing and in the daytime too if you need to, for at least 5 minutes at a time really helps me.
 
Thanks again

Josephine - it's on my list but there's a long wait for an appointment. I'll have to make do with physio on Monday.

Cstreet - I don't feel that I have an issue at the front. I think I know what you mean, but that's not my problem. Still, I've been trying to stretch everything out anyway.

Viv - I've been taking paracetamol only (I had stomach issues with diclofenac (and other nsaids) pre-op, so I don't know if I can take over-the-counter brufen - I'm going to try ibuleve gel and see if that helps. Also, I'm lying on the floor a couple of times per day (both on my back and face down - it takes a few minutes for my back to 'settle' into position, but both positions seem to help). Also a hot bath this morning seemed to help.
 
Hey Justine.

Hope things are easing a bit for you. Do you still plan to return to work tomorrow . . .? Big milestone and a big step back to an enhanced version of normality. Best wishes. :wink1:
 
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