THR Proud of myself, it feels like a massive achievement!

[Layla]

I stopped by to say Hi and extend Anniversary wishes, but it seems you're really struggling currently. I hope you're able to take the advice above to be good to yourself. Think of the inflight safety spiel..."In the event of an emergency, put on your oxygen mask first." You need to take care of yourself, first, before you can effectively help others, try to allow yourself the TLC you deserve.
@Hipopapotamus

 

[Hipopapotamus]

I’m back to sticks today, even looking at getting an automatic car to make driving easier as it’s my left hip. Woke up feeling sick in the night not sure what that about. Anyway my husband took an hour off work to get them into college and hopefully he can help out like that next week too. I am resting in bed today, and rest of the week! Thanks for supporting me I have been emotionally on the edge the last few days. Xx

 

[Hipopapotamus]

I stopped by to say Hi and extend Anniversary wishes, but it seems you're really struggling currently. I hope you're able to take the advice above to be good to yourself. Think of the inflight safety spiel..."In the event of an emergency, put on your oxygen mask first." You need to take care of yourself, first, before you can effectively help others, try to allow yourself the TLC you deserve.
@Hipopapotamus

Had a rough few days/week hopefully will get easier now struggling emotionally tbh x

 

[Layla]

Aww, I am sorry you're feeling out of sorts. You have a lot going on in life as you're trying to heal. I am sure all will fall into place eventually and getting the rest you need should help your emotional state. Please know that we're here and we do care. Stop by whenever you need some encouragement.
Hugs to you.
@Hipopapotamus

 

[Newhip_Pol]

Hi @Hipopapotamus - Unfortunately emotional ups and downs are par for the course during this recovery and, despite what some people say, it's still early in the process for you. You are doing the right thing by getting as much rest as you can and hopefully distracting yourself by including things you can enjoy even if it's only rubbish TV. Take care.

 

[Sammy-Am]

Hi @Hipopapotamus

Just wanted to drop by and give you a quick hello! Not to be repetitive, but I think emotional ups and downs are a normal part of the ride for this journey. I’m 3 months out and I still have my daily highs and lows.

I think having highs and lows aren’t a bad thing. I think it’s just a matter of recognizing that we are allowed to feel the way we are feeling.

I saw something on IG yesterday. A woman was visiting her GP for her yearly visit and talked about how down she was feeling—she wasn’t feeling like herself and felt like she wasn’t even close to accomplishing what “goals” she set out for her life. And she made the reel telling “everyone” her GP’s response. I forget the exact sentiment, but most of us are handling everyday things that are far, far TOO MUCH for any one person to handle. And adding something like hip surgery into the mix, who wouldn’t feel depressed about adding another thing on?!

I think a lot of us feel especially guilty after an elective procedure. We chose a timeframe which we “thought we could handle” and feel guilt or shame when we miss exercises or feel like we’re not doing enough.

It sounds like you’re doing a great deal physically and if you haven’t done so already, maybe follow up with your GP or surgeon if you have any concerns about your activity. And please continue to use this space as a sounding board for any of your emotional needs.

Wishing you the best

 

[Hipopapotamus]

Thankyou for taking the time to write this @Sammy-Am it is much appreciated and wise. Things are slightly easier today. My eldest was struggling with college and missed a few days but he got back to it yesterday and my youngest is a bit up and down. They are both on big, new adventures and need tonnes of support but it’s getting easier, just had a big panic when he refused to go mon/Tues , lots of trauma baggage. I have a follow up with surgeon next Tuesday and I think I’ll ring my physio to ask about the weakness as I was discharged when things were going well.
Putting myself first, my family can start to look after themselves in a lot of ways. Looking forward to my online painting classes starting up again this eve and tmrw AM, the focus this term is Wellness so I think this will help! I do have to take dog for a very short walk just now but plan to go back to bed with ice straight after! Thanks again.

 

[Hipopapotamus]

Hi @Hipopapotamus - Unfortunately emotional ups and downs are par for the course during this recovery and, despite what some people say, it's still early in the process for you. You are doing the right thing by getting as much rest as you can and hopefully distracting yourself by including things you can enjoy even if it's only rubbish TV. Take care.

Thankyou , you too x

 

[Hipopapotamus]

Aww, I am sorry you're feeling out of sorts. You have a lot going on in life as you're trying to heal. I am sure all will fall into place eventually and getting the rest you need should help your emotional state. Please know that we're here and we do care. Stop by whenever you need some encouragement.
Hugs to you.
@Hipopapotamus

Thankyou @Layla this forum has helped me so much! I’ll get there things a bit better today. I think people (who haven’t had THR) don’t realise what huge surgery and recovery it is. I think they expect me to be skipping around feeling great. Anyway looking forward to more painting this evening and I am finally losing some weight as have cut out biscuits replaced with yoghurt and fruit. I feel this has given me some control over things, hopefully dropping a few stones over time will prevent any further weight related illnesses (I have a lot of guilt about my THR due to being 17 stone)

 

[Layla]

Congrats on the weight loss and good for you taking time out to do something that brings you joy.
Enjoy painting!
@Hipopapotamus

 

[Hippie Chick]

A friend shared she did painting with YouTubes and it’s a lot of fun. I have 2 pictures in my house that I painted. I love seeing others who have started painting too!

 

[Butterfly77]

Hipopapotamus I really feel for you. I had my surgery in July 2022, at the time my partner lived 170 miles away and I have two teenage boys. One was doing A levels and the other 14 when I had surgery (now 15) and he suffers with terrible anxiety. It was extremely tough for the first 6 months after the surgery with the boys having to help with so many things, including cleaning, laundry and walking the dog. My recovery was and still is a long and painful process. I remember sitting on my own for hours and hours on end crying and in pain. Physically and emotionally spent. Surrounded by people who knew someone who had a hip replacement who after 6 weeks was walking 2 miles a day etc etc…..I felt like a complete failure and wondered what the heck is wrong with me. Fast forward to now, 14 months post surgery and it turns out I have a few issues that were bought on by the operation, namely bursitis and tendonitis. It took me until April to get to see the consultant and get an answer as to why my recovery was so slow. I’m able to cope much better around the house and with my work now but have a long was to go when it comes to walking, that is still a huge challenge for me. I’m having physio and just had an injection or the bursitis and things are a little better. I guess what I’m trying to say is this is sometimes a long recovery for some, and it can be overwhelming when you have others that depend on you. Don’t be hard on yourself and take each day as it comes. It’s ok to have a day where you feel really low. I had some days like that and then other days I felt much better. One day at a time, and you will get there. Very best wishes to you.

 

[Hipopapotamus]

Oh my goodness @Butterfly77 my boys are exact same age! I’m really sorry you had such a rough recovery. I really appreciate you sharing your story as it’s so true that everyone knows someone who had a great recovery. I’m doing relatively ok in the grand scheme of things - as usual I need to stop being so hard on myself! Xx

 

[Hipopapotamus]

Hi all just had follow up consultant who says I’ve been doing too much try to rest more and focus on strengthening. Driving not good a hip clickey and pain when driving. Reduce as much as possible (that was after driving Roy d for 40 mins trying to find a parking space close enough to walk). Feeling dreadful as got some sort of cold or exhaustion. Will try cut back but not sure how, puts loads pressure on my husband who is already under stress. Tired tired tired

 

[Hippie Chick]

Hang in there @Hipopapotamus ! Try to rest up like your consultant said. When I am racing around like mad, I often need someone to give me the order or permission to slow down. Rest please.

 

[Hipopapotamus]

Thankyou @Hippie Chick time for my family to learn how to get on with it

 

[SurreyGirl]

Poor you but at least you know where you stand now. Time for your family to step up and help you and your husband…

Maybe make a list of household tasks and decide which ones you can ruthlessly cut back on? I’m doing a bit of cooking now although I get my husband to help with anything oven related, we have a Bighams meal once a week and eat out once a week to take the pressure off us and give us something to look forward to.

The restaurants or pubs I go to are very understanding as I walk in with my crutches and cushion and swap the chairs around until I’m comfortable

I have binged watched “Picard” series one on Amazon and listen to a lot of radio whilst trying to walk around the garden on dodgy weather days. Occasionally I log into my work email and then dispair at the amount piling up..which I will have to tackle next month..

When my husband and I were looking at the suggested Timeline for recovery on here and “dusting” was mentioned for week 5 I burst out laughing and told him “not to get any ideas”! Apart from keeping the shower room and kitchen clean my Robot Hoover is my friend.

I agree with you that peoole do underestimate the mental as well as physical Effort it takes to do this…

All the best for your safe recovery and I truly hope things get easier for you soon x

 

[Hipopapotamus]

Thanks @SurreyGirl our TV blew up today I’m trying to switch to an automatic car so I can get my kids to their placements. When I said family I meant my kids really. They’ll just have to step up a gear. Really hard as both autistic and lots of anxiety. No chance of outside help as no family around locally and nearest has also just had a hip op! My mum came to stay for first four weeks which was brilliant but she’s in Cornwall and moving house this week so no help. Sis lives in NZ. It feels lonely. My boys are struggling with new college placements. Eldest not been in this week, sleeping most day and night I feel guilty that I’m not being get up and go enough for them. Youngest constantly on computer if not a college (he’s doing well at 14-16 college now) but gets really angry when tired and blames me for some of his friendship and identity problems. I feel wretched today. I just wish everyone would leave me alone to recover. Especially myself I wish my head would leave me alone to recover. So much guilt sorry I’m spiralling but having a very tough time. House is awful but will have to stay that way. Anyway I’ll keep going trying to make mealtimes as easy as possible. My youngest has Crohns still trying to get it under control so foods are tricky (take out or ready meals set him off = mum guilt) so i usually have to cook from scratch. Husband is great and will step in but work is stressful and long hours for him. Sorry for long story. Feeling pretty hopeless. Anyway taking advantage of whatever help I can, trying to get some outside help and buying pre chopped veg etc (arthritic hands also) and a lightweight stick hoover. Right must try get back to sleep.

 

[Hippie Chick]

Sometimes life is tough. Monday was yucky for me. Tuesday I vegged on Netflix which helped. I know that is not always the answer but it did help. I went to a conference several years ago for education. As more students identify as autistic, there are more services available to help. In the states, there can be arrangements for school transportation as well as peer buddies at college or university. Check with your sons’ colleges to see if there are programs available to them to help. Many times I do not think that this information is shared as it should be. It sounds as if you still have many things going on which are super stressful. I like your idea of using pre-chopped veggies. That sounds like a great time saver and healthy as well. I am sending good thoughts that tomorrow will be an easier day!

 

[Hipopapotamus]

Thanks for being upbeat. Hopefully things will get better it’s just been so hard so such a long time. I’ll try tap into your positivity x