6 Week OS Post-Op Check
Anyone else notice how quickly a bad day can completely turn around in the matter of just a little time? The challenges that walking on my hilly, sloped street created in muscles that weren't ready for that kind of work were gone within the day, and by Monday, I was back on track, feeling better and better. Though I know it to be a controversial topic here on the forum, I can only speak from my own experience in regards to PT. For example, I talked to my main PT the day after my rough day of pain (from the walk on our hilly street). She said, NO!!!! Flat ground only for now - the hills hit the muscles with a double whammy assault as you go up, then down. I was pushing myself, to which she said, DON'T DO THAT!
I initially approached the whole PT thing with great apprehension, ready to bolt from the building the moment anyone asked me to do the slightest thing that hurt; but it's been such a completely different (and wonderful!) experience than what I was so afraid it might be! I'm privileged to be working in a 6-week program designed for only knee and hip joint patients. All the therapists are skilled and knowledgable in what to do with each patient and his/her particular needs. I feel fabulous as soon as I begin my session, and completely refreshed and invigorated as soon as I'm done. They cheer each small accomplishment, give encouragement when it's been a rough couple of days, and are so full of helpful information and suggestions about managing the challenges of recovery. I will so greatly miss them when my 6 weeks are up!
Saw my OS for the last time yesterday! X-rays, exam and lots of talking. Everything is great. He couldn't believe how well I was walking. (I had the cane with me, but I don't need it - he watched me walked up and down the hall cane-free, and said I was doing fantastic, not even a limp!) We discussed dislocation precautions from this point on ("You're still healing, so be wise, listen to your body... And I'll see you in a year!") I'm now free to do what my body allows me to do - side sleeping on both sides, taking out that toilet seat riser, etc. We went over in detail the x-rays, and I just had to ask him, "What did you do to me in that OR? My leg was so stiff and swollen from hip to knee!!!!!" He simply laughed and said, "You probably don't want to know what we did!!!" As I marveled at the image of this implant impaled into my femur on the xray, I told him I'd re-watched a THR on YouTube and said, "This is a pretty barbaric surgery, isn't it?" He replied that it definitely is. I then asked him why he decided to go into this line of speciality and he smiled, simply pointed at me, and said, "Because you are getting your life back." Indeed I am. Following that appt, my youngest son and 2 of my grands took me out to a quick breakfast, and then headed towards home. He decided that it might be time for me to make an appearance at my office (it's a casual atmosphere, so kids aren't a problem), so I hesitantly agreed. I walked up the flight of stairs, turned the corner and shocked everyone!!! It was so fun! Again, walking with no cane and no limp, everyone was amazed that I'd just had the top of my femur cut off 6 weeks ago!!!
Stayed at work for a few hours, then walked to a few other offices on the campus to see friends I haven't seen in months - I couldn't believe I was doing it! (And I was walking pain-free!!!!!!
) My husband came to pick me up, and told me it was time for me to start driving! So behind the driver's wheel I got for the first time - I'm getting freedom back! HURRAY! It was amazing! Oh, I was exhausted by the time I got home, to be sure, but I haven't felt so normal and healthy and free of pain in a long, long time!!!! A day that reminded me that though there are sure to be some bumps in the road ahead, "normal" is getting more and more visible on the horizon!
@Chihuahuan - I saw that your OS agreed with your diagnosis!! Way to go, Jen! Hope the Lyrica continues to do the trick, and that you've been having some better days (and nights!). A cruise through the British Isles and visiting family? Sounds absolutely amazing!!! And you've got a good amount of time till then to take it easy, heal and work on walking!!!! (I take it you're from the UK? How did you end up in New Mexico? Wow - what a contrast in weather and climate!!!!!)
@Nana2-8 - Oh no!!!!!! Almost falling (or anything else that jolts our freshly-healing joints) is absolutely frightening!!!! I'm so glad you were able to rest, ice and Tylenol it back to health in a short amount of time! Yes, pretty soon we'll graduate from pre-K and head towards the "big kids'" class!
By the way, I'm still doing ice because it just feels great - and I'm still trying to get residual swelling down. No more pain meds - have been off for all prescription pain meds for a week, and doing great on ibuprofen alternating with tylenol. THAT feels GREAT!!!!!!
@BizzyLizzy - So glad your trip was wonderful, Liz, right down to the inclusion of a walk-in shower! (Maybe you've just gained yourself a new nickname - you do indeed have golden locks!
) I've recently started watching "The Great British Baking Show," which, as I'm guessing you already know, is filmed in various places throughout the UK, if I'm not mistaken. Oh, how my eyes drink in the luscious greenery, the darling sheep (that have been highlighted in the first few episodes I've seen), and oh, how those bakers bake!!!!!!!! I don't remember the location (which they announced at the start of the show), but it did make me wonder if Cornwall (or your own city!) looked like that!
P.S. If I were you, I'd forget trying to view an actual THR ever again! You've got so many other important things to do! What matters is that you've had it, and you're the thankful recipient of modern medicine's ability to take care of angry, agonizing hip joints! And that's what counts!
United States
! Your gym sounds really good. I wish I could do something like that. I actually have a gym membership (forgot to suspend it!) so I went along a couple of weeks ago and had a one-to-one session with one of the trainers. He said it would be safe for me to do some gentle sessions on the bike, cross-trainer and treadmill, so I did go back, but I didn't really feel "ready". Walking is probably going to be best for me for a while (and it is still a huge pleasure to realise how much better I am getting at it!), but I would be very happy to have a go with gym machines just for hip patients.
although I would really like to see what we went through "live"! Maybe I will try again this week... Looking forward to your next update.
Have to remind myself of that when I'm feeling down. 
You're doing SO well!
