Back to normal life...HOW did you do it experienced hippies?

Hi Rose,

The week after my thr, my cousin and Uncle visited our family from the States. We hadn't seen them in almost 20 years. Lots of dinners and get togethers were arranged and whilst I was under no pressure to attend or host, I did and I think in hindsight, it really helped.

I remember the first dinner I attended in a local restaurant. Yes, I was on crutches and yes, everyone was very helpful and obliging but I felt normal! I didn't feel like a recluse like I had done during the day.

From that point, I made an effort to say yes to any visits from friends or indeed any offers of a quick meet at the local coffee shop. It was these snatches of normality that kept me going through my recovery at home during the day when my husband was at work and the girls at school and college.

Now, last evening and 7 weeks on, I went into 'town' to catch up with my work colleagues. I left the crutch at home, walked as normal as I could, drank cocktails and had dinner. It was great. I felt I was back!

I think that the early family visit forced me out of my shell and perhaps altered my attitude to how I should be feeling.

I hope that whatever you do to rejoin the human race, you enjoy. Take it steady, sit when you need to, drink soda water in a wine glass if you feel like you want to be part of it but can't quite face the alcohol. Hold on to your husband and embrace your new found freedom. Yes it may be scary, but everything that is worthwhile generally is! (Think your first date, childbirth, buying your first house - all terrifying, but all worth it!)

Good luck to you, Rose.

Dawn x 🍀🍀

Hi Rose,

You are an incredible person and I thank you this post for I too became the same way and still am to some extent.  I am a year out from a revision.  Total three hip replacements, one excellent results, the second hip was a nightmare that stopped life as I knew it, hence the revision.  I had to have two major surgeries on my hands to prepare for the THC's because arthritis made it impossible for me to bear down on crutches or the walker.  Basically for four and a half years I was isolated.  I still have to have my shoulder joints replaced, as they died, avascular necrosis, the same time as my hip joints did. Depression has been my unwelcome companion.

Isolation does have a strange effect upon us.  I feel safer in my bed and not socializing.  So what I did was JUMP OUT, back among the living by taking a super part time job, but the job was physical.  It has forced me to challenge myself, to get reaquainted with myself and develop muscle.

I have had days of soreness, of wondering if I pulled something, and I did slip down a ramp recently when it was wet and jerked both hips and my back.  I go to my surgeon next month to make sure that nothing hurt the THR's.  But so goes life. We always have our surgeons and doctors to turn to when in doubt.

I have always been the type of woman who liked to do what men generally do.  Build things, paint my own house, dig my own garden beds by hand, work with hauling rocks and landscaping, remodeling my house, climb up onto my roof without trouble...etc. So it has been a devastating journey for me to be without one hand or the other, one leg or the other and next my arms.  

Each day you step out will make the next day easier.  The fear will subside and you will train yourself to to be ever mindful of each step you take, but yet live to the fullest!  You have been trained what not to do, make sure your shoes have a good grip, and you will make mistakes, but you will catch yourself in time.  Listen to your body, go at your own pace.

 

JUMP OUT!!  You will always have us.

So glad you are on this brink!  Take care!

Dawn, USA

Rose beleive it or not now l have been through my 2 THR's now l heve been feeling cut off from the outside world for a while. It scares me to death thought of going back to my real life of working full time seeing all these people again. I have got to used to being at home with my husband l am actually dreading going back now. And as time is getting close the more scsred. I am thinking now a new job with less pressure and not as much traveling or hours. I dunno. I have a couple of month left yet to accept and decide. Its really weird as all l wanted at the begining all l wanted was my normal life back but now l have a fear of the outside world and am quite happy being at home and away from interaction with crowds of oeoole

So l have still to reach your point but l know exactly how you feel.

Good luck xxx

Hi Rose...  Thanks for brining this up.  Your discussion has let me know I am not alone in feeling the same way.  I will be 9 weeks post op tomorrow and the 'powers that be' have decided it's time for me to go back to work.  It scares me to death.  I don't feel ready to leave the comfort of the little cocoon I've nested in for the past 9 weeks.  Although I've come a long way, I still have a ways to go.    I had hoped to completely overcome the limp by the time I returned to work, but that is not to be.  This time tomorrow, I will be back out in the hustle and bustle.   Will have to push myself to do it.  Just know you are not alone and we will get through this.   Wishing you alll the best!  

Thanks ...  I think that would let people know I am not 100% just yet.  I also thought about starting out with shorter days and building up from there.  It's going to be another hurdle to cross but I'll do it!  

Last September two months before my op, I became a god mother for the first time in my life, well I promised my little munchkin that on her first birthday I would walk in and get on the floor and play with her, seemed such a big thing when you cant walk let alone bend etc., well February she was a year old, and i walked in with no crutches and got down and played with her, everyone was thrilled that i could do it as I didnt tell any one, I was totally thrilled, I had kept my promise, mind you later that evening well, I ached hard, but it was worth it to see every one's faces.

Suexx