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THR Seeing the Light!

You are doing just fine.
I was on my walker for several mo the especially when out and about.
Your hip will tell you when.
 
@lovesstars , I used the walker for some weeks--at least a month. I see that many on this forum are eager to move along to crutches or cane asap, but, (call me unambitious). I found the walker easy and reassuring to use around the house. It was handy in the kitchen because I could stand at the counter, reach up to cupboards, do this and that with both hands, with the walker as a wee supportive cage, there if I needed it.

I tried the crutches in the kitchen, but if I reached up or otherwise disengaged contact, they kept falling onto the floor. Then I needed my picker-upper-grabber to get the fallen crutch, then when that fell on the floor too, then I'd be grabbing the grabber with the long tongs--or whatever. So altogether I found the walker/Zimmer to be preferable.

I used the crutches outside once on a far-too-early social outing, but generally they didn't get used much.

My surgeon's handout stated the timeline after he did surgery on anyone was for that patient to be walking without aids after one month. I just dismissed that prescribed timeline, and followed my body. When I ridiculously discovered myself carrying the walker mid-air from room to room so as to not make noise in the wee hours (worthy of Monty Python skit), that was the end of any walking aids around home. After that I used Nordic walking poles outside-- first two poles, then one, then none. I much prefer the walking poles to the cane; you can stand upright, walk tall, it's more even.

I haven't used the cane/stick at all post-surgery; I used it in May/June when I visited England, which I did very carefully, mincing around with the cane; my travel insurance didn't cover "pre-existing conditions". I told my English friends that if I got into trouble, to load me on the first plane back to Vancouver :)

To digress for a moment, my friends in England were thunderstruck that I was waiting so long for my surgery--17 months for initial consultation with the surgeon, and another 5 months for the surgery itself. They looked at me like I was insane, when, for "a few thousand pounds" I could get it done much sooner in Harley street. We've got some waiting list and backlog problems here in BC to say the least. @Alitm and @wonkyhipoy , how long did you wait for your surgery?
 
Thank you, @An54, for weighing in. I was waiting for you this morning. So you went from walker to two walking sticks, right?
 
Agree with @An54 re the walker in the kitchen being so practical. (Had same tumbling cane and grabber issues there!) I also use the seat on mine when I've been standing or walking around kitchen too long or waiting for something to finish cooking. Then I use the seat sans cushion as a tray to carry dishes, cutlery, food, napkins etc into the dining room and back, so it's very multi functional. With cane you only have one hand which is hard traipsing with food plates drinks and everything for meals. I'm a big walker fan. Will go look up how long it was first surgery before moving to cane.
 
Yes, basically that was it. I did use the crutches a few times, and I can see that they would be a good intermediate step; it makes perfect sense. But I myself just spent so long with the walker that I healed up enough--skipped the crutches stage--and went straight to walking poles. Everyone is different. I'm not advocating my approach, just relating it.
 
@lovesstars It is so hard to figure out what to do when, and we all have to do it as per our own body's dictate and health issues. :)

I found out the hard way in week two how to moderate myself :headbang: . I was stiff and maybe a little sore from going out for lunch a couple of days ago, the day after. I iced and took it easy the next day and it all worked out. Emotionally is was so good to go out, but not over do it, another milestone mentally.

Yes this is a emotional game as much as a physical game I believe! Definitely go to the movies where they have the recliner type chairs as @Layla described. I went this summer to see The Book Club (such a laugh) with a girlfriend, when I was so much pain from the OA. We went to a theatre with the recliners seats, and I felt so much better for the time spent in those seats! It was also clean and plenty of room for folks to get by. The movie was so funny and easy viewing, it really lifted my spirits...and I think was an early plug for recliner purchase LOL!! I want to go and see A Star is Born this week, at the recliner seat theatre!

Count all those activities you are doing with and for your Mum as part of your daily "ambulation"! That way you can look back and see how you feel, and gauge if it was too much, or just right. I'm working on doing more in our home, of the things that I usually do, but no overdoing it. I count that all as part of my daily walking. I punctuate it all with icing and rest. I know that is so hard for you to do, caring for your Mum and yourself....but don't minimize all that you are doing for others, count it in your daily quota of exercise!

I can't recommend moving to two crutches from the walker enough. You can totally control how much weight, if at all, you put on the op leg. In the meantime you can stand up so much straighter than on the walker, and that alone feels SO good in every way. One does move around faster too...which is nice. Everything takes forever on the walker. It is true about the lengthening and strengthening as well. You will figure it out, and do it when you feel ready. I really wanted to share the encouragement :) about the two crutches. I use a leather back pack, instead of a hand bag, which is also easy with the crutches.

The progression that @wonkyhipoy describes makes so much sense, as one isn't making huge leaps from walker to cane etc, but he is breaking it down into manageable steps for our bodies to handle! Nice to have that road map. There is NO way I could have done that leap from walker to cane :yikes:! I was polite when my OS suggested it. I got the point, but had to do it (I'm still making that transition :snork: taking the longer route!) in a way that works for my body and healing time.
Wishing you a good weekend and sure hope you get to the movies :flwrysmile:
 
Found it @lovesstars Right about 2 weeks I went to cane. In house. Then between 3-4 weeks at @10 min walks on cane is when the right other hip started to give grief and eventually sent me back to Walker reluctantly and into surgeons office to set up next THR. I'm now questioning if something about doing those daily walks on a cane rather than the walker are what may have stressed the right side out further and possibly accelerated that swift decline? I think it makes sense, less shared weight bearing with one cane vs two handlebars. Hmmm. At 5 wks I was at track on cane trying to ignore pain on right and push through it. <-- Big dumb. Do not try this at home.
 
Yep in hindsight, the only kind of sight, I'm starting to think for those of us with bad second hips, the walker -- but I mean specifically the better 4-wheeled braking version with seats, are the way to go for as long as it's working. Looking now, I see my move to cane looks like it was actually right before the start of my right hip decline. Could be a coincidence but it does stand to reason too. The Walker can absorb more of that weight burden and more equally side to side. equally. Which I suppose crutches could do as well, but I just didn't have them recommended or around so didn't try that option. I did use them once years ago after a motorcycle accident though, and recall it being pretty easy to get around.

Summed up - I'd think it might be wise to go to cane later rather than sooner, IF you have an ailing Unoperated hip in the mix.
 
I think mom is on her way back to Cali today, if I recall.
May be a bittersweet time. Hopefully you'll get more R&R in the upcoming days.
You may have endured some added stress or energy drain with the visit.
Wishing you a peaceful day and week :)
Hugs :friends:
@lovesstars
 
@Layla I am so impressed that you remembered! Yes, we took her to the airport early. Already the pressure of caring for another person while I am not 100 percent has faded.

Hoping for a peaceful day to you as well. :angel:
 
I want to weigh in here, @lovesstars, that the comment about everyone being individual is really the key when it comes to decision making like moving from a walker to a cane or to crutches or to walking poles or whatever. It would be so much easier if there was an absolute progression/timeline that we all had to follow so we weren't always questioning our decisions or looking back in hindsight when a decision we made didn't turn out as well as we like. This whole hip recovery journey is marked by so many small decisions daily and I think we all do the best job we can at the time these decisions are being made. Nobody wants to hinder recovery, we all know we're on a forward trajectory towards full recovery--it's just that it takes us all differing amounts of time and everybody is going to have bumps along the road. I guess I'd suggest trying things, unless they cause increased pain and discomfort, knowing that you can always back off if necessary. While I know you'll miss not having your mother around, I also suspect that it will free up time, both physically and emotionally, for you to pay more attention to your own body and what and when it will be "next steps" for you. As always, hang in there--you are going to get through this--we all are--hurray for hippy recovery!
 
Barbaraj said:
I want to weigh in here, @lovesstars, that the comment about everyone being individual is really the key when it comes to decision making like moving from a walker to a cane or to crutches or to walking poles or whatever. It would be so much easier if there was an absolute progression/timeline that we all had to follow so we weren't always questioning our decisions or looking back in hindsight when a decision we made didn't turn out as well as we like. This whole hip recovery journey is marked by so many small decisions daily and I think we all do the best job we can at the time these decisions are being made. Nobody wants to hinder recovery, we all know we're on a forward trajectory towards full recovery--it's just that it takes us all differing amounts of time and everybody is going to have bumps along the road. I guess I'd suggest trying things, unless they cause increased pain and discomfort, knowing that you can always back off if necessary. While I know you'll miss not having your mother around, I also suspect that it will free up time, both physically and emotionally, for you to pay more attention to your own body and what and when it will be "next steps" for you. As always, hang in there--you are going to get through this--we all are--hurray for hippy recovery!
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Thank you for your input. I am glad you are not in very much pain today.
 
Just want to add something here. I think it is also really important to “swallow one’s pride” and be willing to go back to an assisted device when needed. For example, I have not been using a device (for the most part) for the last couple of weeks, carrying a walking stick and occasionally using it for balance. But yesterday I tweaked something walking up the gravel hill to my back yard (about 15 steps). Could barely walk in the afternoon, but had a birthday date night plannned with my wife. So instead of moping around and feeling down about this set back (as I am want to do at times during this recovery), I put my big boy pants on, sucked it up, and grabbed my crutch for the evening. The end result, the wife and I had a wonderful time, and I felt little pain moving around. And today, while still achey, I feel much better.

So, the moral of this story, even if you have moved on from a device, there is no shame going back.

Cheers
 
You are going to do fine, just had an extra portion on your plate.
Sending good mojo your way.:console2:
 
It's powerful stuff, girl.
It just manifests a little slower than most despite...Did for me!:umm:
Just roll with it right now...
Tomorrow is going to be a Good Day!:tada:
 
Happy Monday! I hope it's a good one for you.
I noticed on 1stSurgery's thread you took a three hour nap yesterday and didn't even realize you were that tired. It's nice to read you got that rest. I'll bet the extra stress of having a house guest depleted energy you didn't even realize. The nap seems to verify that.

A Physical Therapist like the one EL11 has, that watches her walk and answers questions sounds ideal. But...do you think you can find one like that? One that wouldn't force exercise on you? We can tell you we think you're progressing normally, doing great etc, but I'm wondering if you're wishing you could get some reassurance from a medical professional? Can you look into that type of thereapy, just a few visits, or is that not an option?

I hope you had some restorative sleep last night and are feeling ready to tackle the week.
We'll be here to encourage and support in any way we can.
Hugs
@lovesstars
 
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