THR Megsmum75's Recovery

[Megsmum75]

I did it - through to the final two! Just got to
work out the logistics now of getting there and through the day.
Had a lovely chat today with an 83 yr old who had a thr 2 days after me - he was totally amazing - using a frame - but was out for a coffee in the sunshine. He was so positive and looking forward to living life to the full again. I reckon he was fitter than me _ played rugby all his life!
So lots of ice and rest for a couple of days, although out for lunch tomorrow as it’s my daughters 16th. Then heading back for the final interviews on Monday night. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

 

[CricketHip]

Great news about the success with the initial interview! I hope you can get a reasonable solution to getting there and home again. Good for you for being able to interview with all that is involved without having brain fog!!

 

[Megsmum75]

I think the adrenaline kicks in when it has to and the brain fog goes. I have booked special
Assistance on the train - they will help carry bags so I can take 2 sticks, then a taxi to a hotel
directly opposite the school so no travelling the next day and I can just leave all my stuff at reception. My daughter will meet me and help out too. It’s amazing what you can do when you have to, plus I can rest the rest of the week and let the brain fog descend!! I am quite relaxed about the whole Interview as I know I can’t do any more, especially physically, so I hope folk note the effort that’s involved! I ache so much - ice ice ice!! But it’s also nice to think about something else!

 

[CricketHip]

You have a good attitude! For what it's worth, I'd hire you in a New York minute.
You sound confident and you've set up strategies to help you get through the next leg of the interviews. Remember a couple ice packs in your bags?
Thank goodness for adrenaline.

 

[Megsmum75]

All done - now collapsed on daughters bed getting strength to catch train back!! I really enjoyed the day - I found myself walking up and down stairs with relative ease (with a crutch) - not the one step at a time. Don’t get me wrong, my muscles are singing now but it was good to know I could do it and leg wasn’t going to collapse!! I am totally drained but happy I tried my best, whatever the outcome. I am back on 2 crutches now to get home and tomorrow is def an ice and Netflix day. I am so happy my actual hip doesn’t hurt - the pain is just muscles healing etc but the pain isn’t in the hip joint - yeah!!!

 

[Megsmum75]

Still waiting to hear - they did say it would be Thursday - but to be honest I am so shattered the day has passed in a blur. It has shown me that even though I am relatively fit and young there is no way I can go back to full time teaching and boarding duties yet - I have written to request a phased return after the Easter hols. They said they would see what they could do!! But if they start to be awkward I shall just extend my fit note for a bit - there is no way I am going to go backwards in my recovery as I don’t want to do this again!!!
Is bruising still a thing after 4 weeks? My shin and foot are so so tender and although the bruising has gone down significantly, it’s still there and so painful to touch. Scar is healing well although the stitches have formed hard bumps under the skin which I assume will go. I don’t see the consultant for another 4 weeks - you really are left to get on with it in the UK which is fine, but a little reassurance goes a long way, so glad for forums like this! Realised today I was walking around the flat with no sticks and was fine, but will use them outside. Going up stairs is painful without a crutch or bannister for support - I did manage to walk up and down them relatively normally yesterday with a stick but not today - muscles are really hurting! I can reach my toes - trying to rub cream into foot as still swollen and dry - looks hilarious and I do feel it in the hip so try not to bend over too much. I put lotion on a bit of tissue and wrapped it around a toothbrush handle to get it on my foot the other day - I looked hilarious!!
Hope everyone is looking forward to Easter - although it’s blowing a gale tonight and like the middle of winter!

 

[CricketHip]

Oh, I bet you are indeed feeling it! Bruising can linger and continue to show new colors for many weeks after the surgery. I remember thinking that I had none, then the colors started appearing and growing, then gravity moved them downward. Fascinating, actually. Bruising can feel tender, it's like little areas of inflammation. Hopefully you are still icing like it's your job? Many of us moved those ice packs around to whatever was hurting the most at the moment.
I had a dry brush for scrubbing my back and I did similar to what you did, wrapped a thin cloth around it and applied lotion and oh my gosh, did it ever feel good.
I hope you hear wonderful news soon and you are right to pursue a staged return to work..you have a good bit of healing to do yet!

 

[Megsmum75]

Didn’t get the job - I was disappointed but after thinking about it realise it wasn’t quite right. Feedback was good - I think I was too expensive as getting on a bit!!
5 weeks post op today - drove for the first time and felt fine. Struggling with aches - I am so grumpy by the end of the day as my leg just throbs and the incision is pulling, but quite a few stitches still in there that have not dissolved / come out!
I am worried about going back to work in a weeks time but have agreed a phased return - it’s hard because I am fine just pottering - and people see me about - but I can just stop when I want and not rush in the morning. I know there will be grumbles when I am not back full time and a lot of ‘can you just …’ so I am going to have to be tough and just say no! But the aches could be with me for a while and life doesn’t stop, so getting back will be good for me. I’ll still have a stick - just to make the point - and disappear into the flat (we live in school) when I am not teaching etc. I plan to work part time for 3 weeks, then full time teaching but no evening duties/early starts them back to normal after after half term. Normal for us is 7am- 10pm, with Saturday school and weekend duties so it’s pretty mad a lot of the week. Hence the search for a new job If it’s too soon, I have no hesitation in taking another week or so off, but would rather try first.

 

[Newhip_Pol]

I'm in awe of what you have been able to do in these recent weeks. Do be kind to yourself going back to work in what sounds like a very intensive job. Taking your stick to remind people you are recuperating from major surgery is a great idea too.

 

[Megsmum75]

I'm in awe of what you have been able to do in these recent weeks. Do be kind to yourself going back to work in what sounds like a very intensive job. Taking your stick to remind people you are recuperating from major surgery is a great idea too.

Thankyou - I certainly didn’t intend to go on a 2 day job interview but sometimes opportunities come up and you have to grab them if you can. I try really hard to stay positive and keep moving - but I am not always so upbeat and have shed enough tears of frustration this last few weeks! I ache constantly - like now - the ache is just like it was before. I am desperately hoping that it’s just muscles still healing and eventually the pain will go. It’s such a catch 22 - I move in the day as I feel ok, start aching mid afternoon, sit down and ice but sitting down just isn’t comfortable, so get up and move which makes it ache more and then end up taking codeine to get some sleep! I feel like I should be able to do everything now but realise I can’t - that’s quite tough mentally. When I felt rubbish I didn’t want to try and that was fine!
On another note, has anyone joined a gym in the early stages to do very very gentle exercise but also work the upper body a bit? I am feeling very unfit and my 16yr old wants to have a release from exam stress and get fit, so I wondered about a joint gym membership as I can take her directly after school while I am back on a phased return. Let’s be honest. I am not going to be feeling much like walking after work in the evening for a while so I wondered if it would do us both good to try. I am not talking a big workout for me - a structured programme of gentle walking, eventually some inclines, some cycling etc. Or is 5 weeks way too early? I don’t want to do any damage!
Other daughter age 21 has just been diagnosed with a labral tear so is having key hole surgery in a month or so - that’s due to too much sport - so think I will save the raised toilet seat for her! It’s obviously a year of hips ..

 

[Megsmum75]

Nearly 6 weeks and I have felt really good this last day or two - I am driving comfortably for about 30mins or so - it’s not really the driving that is uncomfortable but the stiffness getting in and out of the car! I am carrying my crutch rather than using it on walks but not quite ready to go without yet. I have been sticking to mainly flat ground - tried a tiny slope today and could def feel that!
I have joined the gym but my program is very very gentle and it’s more to support my daughter and get me away from school. I stop if anything hurts but it’s quite nice to walk on a treadmill as I don’t have to look at the floor as less trip hazards I don’t really like the bike yet but I have a few upper body exercises that feel good and put no strain at all on my hip.
I am really worried about going back to work - I have started to do some paperwork ready for next term and honestly feel sick. I am not sure why, apart from it’s so time consuming and it’s hard to say no. I am going back on a phased return but it makes me feel guilty and I know a lot of staff won’t understand. Plus, I feel good physically but that’s because I do everything at my own pace. In a busy boarding school that isn’t an option. I have been in bed for an hour as shattered after a walk on the coast and working for a few hours - so expecting an increase in stiffness and pain at the start of term which is a bit depressing!
However - onwards and upwards. I hope everyone has had a lovely Easter weekend and the sun come out for the blank holiday tomorrow!

 

[myglasshalffull]

Sorry about the job. Especially after that interview process.
Take it easy on yourself, this can be a long recovery and even if you want it to be faster you can't make your body heal faster or feel better sooner than it wants to.
I had a few bouts of feeling down, I think it's quite normal, but you are driving so that gives you a lot of independence and helps with depression. Getting out and about can really help.
Keep the faith, you will get there.

 

[Megsmum75]

Oh my goodness. One day back at work and I am shattered and in pain - I feel like crying. No kids in today - only meetings - but I have so much to do and feel slightly sick. Have no idea what I am doing teaching wise as school still
sorting out a phased return, but it’s really stressful. And this weekend I have family round that I haven’t seen for ages - which is lovely - but I just want to curl up and hide. I knew it would be hard but I feel totally drained. It’s very different doing things at your own pace all day then suddenly racing at what used to be normal pace. It will get better I know. Just having a moan.

 

[Newhip_Pol]

Take care of yourself and hopefully you can get some rest as well as enjoy your weekend.

 

[Megsmum75]

8 weeks post op tomorrow and feeling a bit up and down. Mentally it’s great to be back at work although this week I am being stricter about my phased return and actually stopping. I am really frustrated by well meaning comments about me being back on a phased return - along the lines you look back to normal ie why are we covering your lessons! I tried aqua aerobics tonight and it was full of lovely people with or waiting for hip replacements and for the first time in ages I felt I was with people who understood (apart from you guys of course!). I am doing well, but I am bone tired and struggle to keep up with the manic days in school. Going up stairs is really painful still but I am at that awkward stage where I don’t need or want a stick most of the time, so end up hauling myself up with teeth gritted at work. But I limp after a long day so use a stick as I read here it’s better to walk properly with a stick than limp - plus it makes my knees ache if I limp!! But then people comment about me being back on a stick as if I am being melodramatic! Luckily I live in a flat all on one level. But I don’t feel poorly and feel so guilty if I stop. I almost wish I had a big cast on or something really obvious to let people know I am ok and trying hard - but it’s not a walk in the park and going back to work and being a mum is bloomin tiring! I def overdid it today - aqua aerobics was fab but boy I ache - codeine and paracetomol and ice and sitting up in bed as it’s too uncomfortable to lie down - bit like in week 4!
But my new hip feels good - it’s a bit strange - I have started to walk on a treadmill (very gently) as I don’t have to worry about tripping but I can feel my hip just working differently to the other side - it also gets much hotter than the normal
Hip side. Maybe I need some wd40!
I hope everyone is doing well.

 

[Layla]

Happy Two Month Anniversary, Megsmum!

I am sorry about your frustration at work. We do often hear stories such as yours. Work colleagues assume that because you've returned to the workplace that you're completely healed and should be taking on full responsibility. Hopefully you can have a heart to heart with some of these colleagues and explain that you're still limited in your ability to fully engage, but slowly you hope to be a better version of your former self with that shiny new hip.

Going up stairs is really painful still but I am at that awkward stage where I don’t need or want a stick most of the time, so end up hauling myself up with teeth gritted at work

It's difficult to think of you gritting your teeth in pain. Possibly you should use a cane when needed. There is no shame in that. You're only two months post op in a recovery that can take a full year. Maybe a fold up cane, which is smaller and easier to use during the times you need it, navigating stairs, or for the times you're feeling fatigued, or when you want to signal to others to keep their distance.

It sounds like you can use some restorative rest. I hope you have a peaceful, restful weekend!

 

[lanstan]

It took me a long time to go upstairs without holding on to something. If you think about it it takes all the muscles around the hip which are healing and or weaker. I think it was 4 months before I could do it and when I am tired I feel it. I am almost 9 months post op.

 

[Megsmum75]

Many thanks - yes - it’s easy to forget that it’s still early days. I have told work that I will be on phased return for another 4 weeks which takes me to half term, so with a week off for that I should be good to go for the final stretch! I am struggling a bit at the mo - lots of rest today and ice. It’s just muscles - thrilled to bits with hip itself. Saw the consultant on Thurs and he was pleased with everything and I got some cool photos of my new hip to show everyone Actually, seeing the top of the femur gone and the implant in has helped me stop being so hard on myself and I have shown my headteacher so they understand why I am not running around just yet!
Thanks for all the responses - it’s great to know folk are here!
Bank holiday tomorrow so a relaxing day before boarders come back at 6pm, but a short week with the Kings coronation and another bank holiday - result!!

 

[Layla]

Happy Three Month Anniversary!
I hope you're doing well and enjoying steady progress as you get ready to return to work soon.
All the best to you...stay in touch!
@Megsmum75

 

[Megsmum75]

Hello! I have been back at work since week 7 - I won’t lie, it’s been challenging at times as although as I was on a phased return, living in a busy boarding school means a phased return is virtually impossible. But work colleagues have been great, looking out for me and not giving me cover etc which has helped enormously. It’s now half term and I have never felt so tired, but I am so happy with the new hip and now trust it totally. My muscles ache at the end of the day or if I do too much, and sometimes I still resort to the odd codeine at night, but it’s been so much better than I thought. It really is the tiredness that has hit me - I sit down and I am asleep - my body just says enough is enough at times and I cannot control it - I can’t function! But I have put it down to me going back too early (I know it was but I felt I had little choice) and so delaying recovery a little. I might pop and see the doc (if I can even get an appointment!!) if the tiredness doesn’t lift and just check I am not anaemic or anything post op.
I am so thrilled that the acute pain has gone and I am back to running up stairs and walking/bending etc without thinking. I can do shoe laces up but socks are a bit of a struggle! Sleeping on the scar side is ok for 20mins or so but then really uncomfortable, but I no longer sleep on my back which is a relief. Getting in and out of the car is not exactly comfortable, but driving is fine. We have an estate car which is probably a bit low for comfort, but we are not in
a position to change it!
I hope others have such a positive journey too -
I am optimistic I won’t even be thinking about my new hip in 6 weeks or so.
When did your scars begin to fade? Mine is still pretty red and ugly - quite sore to touch too but just nerve pain I think - jeans/anything fitted hurts quite a bit. Just curious - no plans to wear a bikini just yet and quite proud of my battle scars anyway, but didn’t expect it to be so sensitive.
Wishing everyone all the best - this forum was a godsend for me and it’s great to know you are all still here - I often read the posts and can’t believe I went through it only 3 months ago!
Xx