THR Merrimay's on the other side now THR

[myglasshalffull]

Sounds like you turned an unfortunate accident into a beautiful day!
Good for you!

 

[K8 Orlando]

I just catching up with your saga over the past week! freedom, perspective, tooth... I can relate to it all! Yes, even the tooth - I chipped a front tooth two days before surgery. It looks terrible, but I'm going to live with it for a while.
I have my first post-op evaluation yesterday and had a great talk with the doctor about perspective. He asked if I had any deep pain in the hip. I was delighted to say "None!" He looked at me skeptically: none? Really? No, no bone pain, only some muscle pain in the leg. He immediately realized something I hadn't considered. He said my pain prior to surgery, over more than 2 years, was so bad that anything less feels like "no pain". We laughed about that but I realize it's true. Yes, this hurts a little from time to time and it takes a minute to get comfortable when I go to bed. But it's nothing like it was pre-surgery. So, perspective is hugely significant.
You mentioned freedom too, when you were able to brave the stairs to your basement. Today I went for a walk outside by myself. I've been asking my husband to walk with me when I go out and I realized today that really wasn't something I need to do. So I went alone and walked a half mile; that's not far, I know, but it's further than I've been walking. I gained exercise, pride, and a sense of freedom.
Congrats on your red letter day!
Kate

 

[Yogini]

You are intrepid, for sure.

 

[Merrimay]

I just catching up with your saga over the past week! freedom, perspective, tooth... I can relate to it all! Yes, even the tooth - I chipped a front tooth two days before surgery. It looks terrible, but I'm going to live with it for a while.
I have my first post-op evaluation yesterday and had a great talk with the doctor about perspective. He asked if I had any deep pain in the hip. I was delighted to say "None!" He looked at me skeptically: none? Really? No, no bone pain, only some muscle pain in the leg. He immediately realized something I hadn't considered. He said my pain prior to surgery, over more than 2 years, was so bad that anything less feels like "no pain". We laughed about that but I realize it's true. Yes, this hurts a little from time to time and it takes a minute to get comfortable when I go to bed. But it's nothing like it was pre-surgery. So, perspective is hugely significant.
You mentioned freedom too, when you were able to brave the stairs to your basement. Today I went for a walk outside by myself. I've been asking my husband to walk with me when I go out and I realized today that really wasn't something I need to do. So I went alone and walked a half mile; that's not far, I know, but it's further than I've been walking. I gained exercise, pride, and a sense of freedom.
Congrats on your red letter day!
Kate

Kate, a half mile is extraordinary! I can't yet manage that without starting that lurching side-to-side hip gait that I'm working to overcome after 4 years of it. This morning I had to return to the walker just to keep my gait level. It's frustrating, but I know it will take awhile to retrain the muscles.

Keep up your journey into greater mobility, pride, and freedom! I'm cheering you on!

 

[Woodstockhip]

You go, @Merrimay. Bad luck about the tooth, but great that you are making such progress. I’m really happy for you.

 

[Merrimay]

The latest temptation to come from surgery : For almost 5 months I've been in such pain, it was an accomplishment just to take deep breaths through the pain. It never occurred to me to "shop." Well, for the last two days, I've haunted etsy. I tell myself I'm ordering Christmas gifts, but really I'm on a spree! For me, that's unusual. I practice frugality. Might this be a stage we go through in recovery? If so, I hope it's brief!

 

[Woodstockhip]

Maybe the online shopping is a factor of being bored and having cabin fever? Hey, you deserve to treat yourself once in a while. Enjoy!

 

[Layla]

I've haunted etsy. I tell myself I'm ordering Christmas gifts, but really I'm on a spree! For me, that's unusual. I practice frugality. Might this be a stage we go through in recovery? If so, I hope it's brief!

I've haunted Etsy
Tis the Season, even if its just for you and about you right now...you deserve it, you've been through a lot!
Enjoy!

 

[subie2021]

For me it was Amazon. And Stitch Fix. And Overstock.
Not making excuses but new shoes were in order. And after spending so long in Ummm...."Loungewear" my wardrobe needed a lift. And all those winter recuperation months indoors revealed that some things in the house definitely needed to be replaced/updated/refreshed.
What the heck, I'd been through a lot...PreHab Therapy, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, so Retail Therapy seemed like a logical next step

 

[Yogini]

Retail therapy is often very satisfying. I would rather snap up a marked down pair of piccalino boots or some flannel pjs, than eat chocolate. So pleased now that I dropped off painkillers and can have a glass of wine. Small rewards. Yippee!

 

[subie2021]

How about eating chocolate in your flannel pjs then washing it down with a glass of wine?
Go for the gusto!

 

[beachgal]

I love the way y’all think! I have four new outdoor chair cushions on their way now that our Gulf Coast temps are in the 40s each morning. Just wait five minutes and we’ll be back into the 80s. No shoes for me yet but soon. I am doing some Christmas shopping for gifts but I’m sure once we take stock of updates that are needed at the new house, I’ll be ordering new kitchen faucets and light fixtures. More about that tomorrow.

 

[Shadowstar1951!]

Morning everyone, it's a much better start to the day than yesterday where I live in the UK. So much rain!!
What is it with chipped teeth?
I've chipped one of my front teeth ( chewing my thumb nail...naughty..) and will be ringing the dentist this morning.
I hope everyone has a good day and a lovely weekend...

 

[Merrimay]

Yikes. Good luck with the tooth!

 

[Merrimay]

Well, well, well. THR has certainly forced me to come to terms with elements of my personality that helped me succeed professionally (the usual Type A, oldest daughter of daughters who lived for her father's approval stuff) but are not serving my recovery well.

Bottom line: I wanted to cross the recovery finish line first. Remember the Scottish Olympic runner in Chariots of Fire? My father was a Hebridean who ran for his life...literally. Won a track scholarship at the University of Virginia and never stopped sprinting! Anyway, that scene in the film when someone trips the Scottish runner in an Olympic race. The Scot goes down. Comes to his senses. Jumps up and ... wins the gold medal. My father was like that. Co.ong in second was not an option. I didn't fall from the tree.

And then this. For 4 months prior to surgery, I was at level 9-10 pain, unable to drive, barely able to walk. I made up my mind that the minute I got my chance (the surgery), I'd get up and win the gold!

These past few days (week 5) have made me realize the beauty and strength possessed by those who don't give up and are humble and brave enough to not demand the gold.

Every one of the setbacks I've had these past weeks I brought on myself through my impatience and insistence that my body do more and do it faster than it was ready to do.

Recovery from THR is not about speed or who crosses the line first and wins the applause. For me, it's been about pacing and slow mastery punctuated with frustration and setbacks. It's been about the freedom to to do my best, whatever that is. To stop pushing and go with the flow.

I share this because I've read of other's seemingly rapid victories and felt angry with myself for making progess one day only to experience two days of setbacks.

If you identify with this at all, be kind to yourself. Theres nothing wrong with striving or running to win. But with THR, there's something to be said for walking off that track and finding your own path. xxoo

 

[Layla]

These past few days (week 5) have made me realize the beauty and strength possessed by those who don't give up and are humble and brave enough to not demand the gold.

There is SO much that I loved about your post, but especially this.
You've got this! I am not fond of that overused saying, but it applies.
Happy weekend to you!

 

[Layla]

Happy One Month Anniversary!

 

[myglasshalffull]

Merrimay,
Many of us are forced into the patience game whether we like it or not!
And most of us that are impatient join ODIC Club more than once during recovery.
Finding now (9 months post op, could've had a baby), I can marathon a project (s).
You will get there, you will cross the finish line and when you do you will remember the days you thought it wouldn't get better.
Happy One Month Anniversary, I wish you a beautiful weekend.

 

[Merrimay]

Oh, and an idea for those of you who worry because you can't reach down to pet your dog. My Mary is arthritic and unable to jump on the bed or recliner with me. I can't lift her yet (35 pounds), so I've been forced to "pet" her with my grabber. At first, she wasn't keen. But with reassurance, she caught on. I massaged behind her ears, down her back and over her shoulders. I realized last night that she was truly into the grabber-scritches! What a good girl my pup is. Passing the tip on for what it's worth.

 

[Kazza22]

Oh, the saga continues! You're not going to believe the latest. Bit into a Subway sandwich and broke my front tooth in half!
I'd read all the warnings about dental procedures potentially causing infection in the new joint. Long and short is that my OS has sent an RX for me to take an antibiotic one hour before I go in for the crown fitting, which I hope will be within a week. But do you believe it? One thing after another...I am really tired of all this drama!

Hope your crown fitting goes well and no complications for your hip! Do you know how long you should give post op for dental work not to be an issue?