THR Life and freedom on the recovery side

[BarbaraR]

Mamarey, I hope you're doing well today. XO

 

[special lady]

@Mamarey

Sounds like your fairing well, it's always nice to read how well a recovery is doing, just remember not to over do. Kind of seems like it's a common mistake when people begin to feel better, they do too much and don't realize it until the pain is screaming at them a few hours later.

 

[Mamarey]

My left leg continues to gain strength each day. I still cannot lift without assistance. Getting in and out of bed is improving. Still hurts like crazy, but have greater range of motion. I can actually now bend my left leg to the side. I haven't been able to do that in six months.
I played around using my cane today. Not bad. I can even take a few steps without any aids. Limp when I walk without anything. How long is it on average to walk comfortably short distances unassisted? What other exercises are safe to do besides the ones given in the hospital. I do those routinely and without problem. I am hoping to make the complete switch from walker to cane next week since I am doing ok with the cane in very short increments. Too much on the cane and my groin begins to hurt.

 

[Liveringer]

Mamarey It seems like you are gaining ground everyday. Everyone is different but I ditched my walker at about 11 days or so, then went to a cane. I started playing with it a day 9 but was wobbley. My goal was to see my doctor 12 days post op only using my cane (as I felt the walker was a pain in the butt). Day 14 went to my first therapy and therapist told me to try walking around the house without the cane. Now I am almost 5 weeks post op and I only take the cane if I am outside on uneven ground. Keep up the good work you seem to be moving right along.

 

[BarbaraR]

Mamarey, you're doing great. I had anterior approach also, and went home with a cane. I stopped using it in the house after a few days, and only took it out when the roads were wet or icy for the first week or two. As Josephine says, you don't need to do a lot of exercise in the beginning-- you kind of have to learn to walk correctly because you were probably limping or favoring one side for a while. I'm glad you're doing so well.

 

[octopus]

I ditched my last crutch at about eight weeks, when I could walk slowly but comfortably and without limping. If you progress to the next aid, or from that to nothing and you are uncomfortable, go back to the previous one and try again in a few days. Don't rush it, you will know when you are comfortable with letting them go. I found it was a combination of trust in the implant, pain levels and confidence in myself that I was strong enough to move on.

 

[Mamarey]

BarbaraR, Liveringer, octopus,
Thank you for your input. I definitely have to re-learn how to walk and stand. I spent 6 months not putting any wait on my left leg, and since January, my left leg and foot were completely turned in. I have to watch that I keep my alignment straight. I am so thankful that my OS, was able to even out my leg length and correct my leg stance. It is probably taking my longer to progress, because as he said, my leg went through a lot of trauma in surgery.
Today, I can lift my left foot, still unable to lift leg without assistance. I cannot wait until I can begin exercising again. I miss it so much. BarbaraR, how long was it before you could return to yoga? It seems like that will be so beneficial to opening up the hip flexors and regaining muscle strength. I have not been able to practice yoga since last September. My OS, said prior to surgery, that I should be able to get on the treadmill, elliptical and back with my weight workouts after my three week appointment. I sure hope so. I know that it is a long, gradual process, but it will feel so good mentally and physically to be moving and strengthening my body again.
I continue to be filled with awe and gratitude at the amazing ability of the body to heal, and to think that back in the day, we all would have been permanent invalids in wheelchairs.
Our good health is truly a gift, and a gift to be preserved and nurtured.

 

[Liveringer]

to that Mamarey

 

[Mamarey]

My lawn guy saw me the day before my surgery, as he has to get some of my work done that I will not be able to do. He saw me last Monday, the day before my surgery. Today, he stopped by while I was reading on my deck, and he commented the change he saw...not in my body or gait, as I was sitting, but in my face. Amazing the pain we carry in our eyes and in our expression. It was an outward sign of my daily healing taking place.
I am over-flowing with gratitude

 

[BarbaraR]

Mamarey, I went to outpatient PT for about 4 weeks after my 2-week checkup. I started doing some hip stretches--gently--then. before i went back to a yoga class, I did a private session with an iyengar instructor, and I've only taken 3 classes. I find that it's still (after 3 months) difficult to go from downward dog to lunge, so that makes vinyasa a little tricky. I'm also erring on the side of being gentle to my body. So I'm back to my upper body and core routine, and doing some squats, lunges, etc. to keep my legs strong, and stretching, but I'm also mostly just walking as much as possible. And let me tell you, being able to walk freely feels like an absolute miracle.

 

[Liveringer]

he commented the change he saw...not in my body or gait, as I was sitting, but in my face. Amazing the pain we carry in our eyes and in our expression. It was an outward sign of my daily healing taking place. I am over-flowing with gratitude​

That is just so great, reading that brought a smile to my face thank you for sharing! Keep it up.

 

[zauberflöte]

and he commented the change he saw...not in my body or gait, as I was sitting, but in my face.

Yes! -- I wish I could see your face now A whole new woman!
You sound like you are doing very well, girl! One day and one little step forward at a time.
I hope to be able to express my gratitude half as well as you have here on this thread....

 

[Allycat]

the change he saw...not in my body or gait, as I was sitting, but in my face.

Absolutely! We think we are doing such a good job at hiding our pain from the world, don't we. When I popped into work for a visit about a month ago, everyone said "You look so different - your face..."

 

[Mamarey]

zauberflöte,
You are getting so close to your big day and all rested up from your wonderful vacation. Today, I hurt a lot more than yesterday so I stayed off my feet more and did a lot of reading. It helps when it is a glorious, warm summer day. It is baby steps for sure, yet when I think of where I was a week ago compared today...now that is progress!

 

[sandybeach]

Mamarey, you are doing the right thing for your hip, if it hurts rest it and ice it. You are in the very early stages of healing. I learnt between my two surgeries don't be in a hurry, your hip needs time to heal and by taking it slowly you will keep yourself from suffering a lot of pain. I am 5 weeks today since my last surgery and I am now feeling it's time to step it up with activity and my hip isn't complaining too much either.

 

[SeaSiren]

Happy 10-day post-op anniversary Mamarey! It sound's like you are on a positive track of recovery!
Love that your lawn-guy observed your 'healing' expression... it's good to reflect how far you've come in less than 2 weeks out -- have a great weekend!

 

[Mamarey]

Yesterday, at 10 days, I got dressed for the first time and went on an outing with my daughter. I even drove!
We went to the fruit & veg market and T.J. Max and Home Goods. I walked slower than slow with my cane, but it was another step forward. It felt so good to get out. I really have to concentrate and re-teach myself how to walk and to be observant that I am keeping my left foot and leg straight. Otherwise, by habit, it begins to turn in, because that is the way I had to walk for so many months. I was tired when I got home and a little sore, so I immediately iced and elevated and took it easy for the rest of the day. I even fell asleep watching my favorite team, the Tigers.

 

[zauberflöte]

Mamarey how lovely! And driving?? Whoa! So....how much money did you spend ? I'm glad you got rest for the remainder of the day-- that's healing time, isn't it? The next few weeks will fly by, and you'll be more and more back to normal each week!

 

[Mamarey]

Only spent $13.00 at Home Goods, $55.00 at T.J. Max for two pairs of sandals, and $100.00 at the market. Not bad...

 

[bottomshollow]

All that's missing here is the cane. Glad you had such a nice outing---it's good for the soul to do things that are "normal". And new sandals are always a boost to the spirit of the inner woman. And you finished up just the right way---elevating, icing, and resting.

Take care and keep us posted. We care.