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First shower after THR.

Posted , 9 users are following.

hippy28
hippy28

I'm now 9 weeks post op and had my first shower today. It was wonderful.

I was told that I could have one at 4 weeks after my wound had healed if I had a walk in shower. Mines over the bath and because I live in my own I've been scared of slipping. So I plucked up courage today.

I had my settee, toilet and bed raisers taken back yesterday. So now I'm beginning to get back to normal and it feels great.

I go back to work on Monday on a phased return.

I still use 1 stick for confidence and am still doing all my physio exercises and massaging my scar as I still haven't got the full mobility in the joint yet. I know it will come with time.

I'm gradually reducing my pain meds. Almost off the codeine, only 3 a day now. I was on 8.

My last milestone will be to get back on my horse at 12 weeks post op.

So to those of you still in the very early stages of THR it is hard but it gets better and its wonderful to be pain free and so worth it in the end.

6 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • barbara_72197
    barbara_72197 hippy28

    Posted

    Sounds like you are doing great!  Be careful and make a decision closer to 12 weeks about riding. Best of luck! 
  • kel40
    kel40 hippy28

    Posted

    Hi. be very careful getting back on board at 12wks. I was told anybody wanting to go back to riding like myself would need intense physio and maybe not be back on board for a year.

    Who was it that said you could after 12wks?

    • hippy28
      hippy28 kel40

      Posted

      It was my physio who I saw at my 6 weeks review who said after 12 weeks. She also rides. I intend practicing getting on and off a saddle horse used for tack cleaning first before trying it for real. Then I'll have somebody to hold my horse and someone else to be there for me. I always use a mounting block to get on, and have been advised by the physio to get off onto a mounting block as well. No jumping down.

      It all depends how I feel at the time. I know I'll feel like a beginner again.

  • renee01952
    renee01952 hippy28

    Posted

    hi hippy,

    oh, nothing feels as good as The  first shower ...

    you have come a long way, darling and doing it at your own speed - well done !!!

    Cane/Stick also is some kind of signal for people not to bump into you and so much more courteous when crossing the street eek

    big warm hug

    renee

  • kristen888
    kristen888 hippy28

    Posted

    Glad to hear of your progress!

    I would suggest if your 1st shower was delayed by 5 weeks due to precautions and concerns that you migHTC want to consider the same extension for getting back in the saddle. There is much greater movement and jostling in the saddle than sitting on a shower bench.

    Best of luck,

    Kristen

  • GoneFishing
    GoneFishing hippy28

    Posted

    Congrats on that first shower - bet you do feel like a new person.

    I was thinking I'd take my first shower at my gym since they have a walk in.  Guess we'll see when the time comes.  

    May I ask, how did you wash your hair during the past 9 weeks? 

    • hippy28
      hippy28 GoneFishing

      Posted

      I was able to get to my hairdressers after 2 weeks and she was happy to just wash it for me. Luckily my hair is quite dry and doesn't need washing too often.

      Another friend who is waiting for her THR has been practicing sitting at her sink and her daughter has done it backwards for her like at the hairdressers.

    • judith12644
      judith12644 GoneFishing

      Posted

      I washed my hair under our kitchen tap. It's a tall mixer tap, so it was very manageable.

  • jomary
    jomary hippy28

    Posted

    I don't ride but it sound a bit ambitious to me, however can you mount  from the side  with your non op leg in the stirrup -  to take your weight  as this would be the preferred step up foot on stairs.? Dismounting would be the other foot - would you really be ready for that?

    I did do some country walking at 7 weeks and the leg over the back of the horse movement was the only way to get over stiles! Might be a useful bit of info. for someone. As far as sitting postition I was playing my cello quite early on but not jogging about!. However the brick under bum feel becomes more obvious and still does at 9 months.

  • julie40975
    julie40975 hippy28

    Posted

    It's a great feeling that first shower I was lucky as I have a walk in one! I have been desperate for a soak in the bath tried a few weeks ago but after a successful dry run I couldn't get out it was so slippy! Haven't dare try it since!

    Julie

  • hippy28
    hippy28

    Posted

    Thanks for all your good wishes and comments about me getting back to riding at 12 weeks.

    I think that in reality it probably may be longer before I get on board as once I get back to work I won't be home very much. I work as a tour guide on coach holidays so am travelling around this country and on the continent.

    I know I'll get there eventually.

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