DAY 14 -- Two Weeks
I started posting 6.5 hours after my surgery. At that time, I did not have any idea how things would evolve, but I decided to share my experiences with you regardless. I did not plan to compose a daily diary, and a couple of times I decided to quit. Every time I was convinced otherwise by one of you fellow travelers expressing that s/he was enjoying my story and, especially, that my experiences had alleviated his/her particular voyage. I felt ungrateful and humbled and I continued. This is my way of paying it forward, as Jamie puts it. Soon other people will take over and the cycle continues -- the life goes on.
It so happened that the stars aligned perfectly for me (thus far) and my progress has been rather astonishing. I found the BoneSmart because I was desperately trying to obtain information about the THR. Before I was enlightened by the People of the Other Side, I truly believed that I would never again be able to do my work, take my dogs out to the woods, sit on a sofa, carry garden stuff for my wife, or hold my grandkids. As I have stated numerous times before, it was the photo of shugaplum that stopped me in my tracks, and the posts of those who came before me that gave me my life back. I chose not to undergo the surgery before I found you.
What have we accomplished in fourteen days? From the top: I’m walking without any aid (except my wife) rather briskly over two miles without pain or slightest exhaustion. (I’m using the walker in restroom, shopping and clinic visits.) I have not tried to march more, because I’m afraid that my new hip is going to explode in the fashion of Galaxy M82 and we all know how much the three-letter people dislike anything that goes bang. I’m able to take care of myself independently, the right-foot sock being the sole exception – I’m unable to put that on.
I’m able to take a shower, use the throne, climb/descend stairs, hoist a cat from the floor (following Josephine’s well-thought-out technique), sit on a chair and write hours on end silly stuff, surf the net, answer the door, get up from / go to the bed, and I can sleep on my operated hip. I’ve got my appetite back, the wound has healed, and I’m pretty sure I’d be able to drive my car and the space shuttle. I do not limp. I’d rate the pain level at 1. After the walk, I can feel the stiff muscles (Josephine counts that as some kind of accumulated pain), and, at times, some referred pain in the knee. I feel very energetic and ready to conquer the world. I think I’m very lucky.
I heard somebody asking, “What was your worst day?” If I had to pick one, it would be the second day after the surgery. I experienced a bit more discomfort, that’s all. The second week was remarkably better than week 1. At times, I forget that my hip was attacked by a bunch of medical professionals with saws, drills and God knows what. I need to pay more attention to what I’m doing. I’ve not found any short cut to recovery. However, I believe an Other Sider can, and ought to, take certain necessary steps to promote the recovery.
What have I learned? I have learned that the world is full of remarkable people ready to assist those in need of a little push or a kind word, or wanting exact scientific information on specific implant’s effect on wear and tear in various body parts on Tuesday afternoons, or on quest for plain common sense – plenty of that around. I’ve learned to trust everything Josephine or Jamie say – they absolutely know their stuff. I have learned that my wife really is the best thing that ever happened to me. I have learned to enjoy living again.
Much more important -- <B> very important </B >-- is that to be able to recover and get rid of the pain medication, an Other Sider ought to follow the advice of Josephine’s. She is simply saying that we must take our pain medications (prescribed amounts) regularly as long as we need to take them. A proper pain management promotes speedy and painless recovery. I did, in fact, increase my dose a tad to accomplish my goal of almost painless increased exercise routine. I’m hoping to decrease the pain medications soon, but my body will determine the time and amount.
Knocking on wood here – my recovery is progressing remarkably well. I wish the trend will continue and I’ll be back among normal people before long. An avid reader of this forum will make the observation that recovery from the THR varies greatly, and, unfortunately, sometimes fails. Please be patient, and let yourself heal at the pace it needs.
Josephine and Jamie, I salute you for your impressive work that support countless people in pain. I thank you, shugaplum, for your lifesaving photo and cheerful character. I thank all for your unconditional support. And, I thank all of you hippies that came before me and left the breadcrumbs for me to follow. Thank you BoneSmart for being there for me.