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Happy Hippy 5 Month Anniversary

Posted , 15 users are following.

susan57233
susan57233

5 Months ago today I was anxiously waiting to be wheeled into the operating room for my hip replacement surgery. Not really knowing what to expect, would I ever stop being in pain, would I be able to move and walk like I used to, would I get back to doing all the things I'd had been missing out on for 5 long years, would there ever be a day when I didn't hurt. The answer is yes!!. No more pain, no more limp, no more shots and pills, no more having to make excuses for not attending special life events That miserable chapter of my life is over, those days of " I can't are now oh yes I can". This surgery was a life changing event for me as I finally, after so many years, return to the life I used to live. So to my brand new hip I want to say Happy 5 month anniversary. Life is good again. So many wonderful people I met here in my early recovery weeks know that this road we are all taking had it's up's and down's. I was not one of those who instantly within days got up and danced a jig or walked without a cane or walker. I also had those days of ranting, the challenge's of stiff sore thigh muscles that I thought would never get better, swelling, those sleep deprived nights, the thoughts of how come I'm not recovering fast enough and yes even Holy Mother Of God what did I just do to myself but I also had those oh yeah I can pedal my little bike thing, or wow I climbed the stairs without baby steps. You all know how it is. So to those who are in early stages and those months out still working hard to make that comeback you will get there. I couldn't have met nicer encouraging people except here on the forum.

8 likes, 22 replies

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  • kate030815
    kate030815 susan57233

    Posted

    Thank you for sharing. It is a real boost to hear your story. I am 2 weeks post op and things are going ok but can't wait to stop feeling sore and swollen.

    Take care

    Kate x

    • susan57233
      susan57233 kate030815

      Posted

      Believe me I remember those days well, It seemed to be endless, just have to be patient and take things one days at a time, slow but sure and it will get better.
  • christine86413
    christine86413 susan57233

    Posted

    Thank you for your encouraging post. I am 6 weeks post op and at the stage of why aren't I getting better faster. I had the original charnley hip replacement and was told I would be on crutches and unable to drive for 12 weeks. I am so much better than I was but now very impatient to discard the crutches, and when I read folks are walking without aids at two weeks post op,it makes me feel I am not pushing myself enough, though I can now go at quite a speed on the crutches. Looking forward to getting my life back after many years of agony like yourself, I kept being told it was my spine causing the pain, yet when they finally operated I had hardly any bone left. Thank you again for the hope you have given me today.
    • susan57233
      susan57233 christine86413

      Posted

      I thought the same way until I stopped comparing my recovery to others. I wondered if something was wrong with me and when I mentioned it to my Doctor he said to me "Who told you your not recovering fast enough"" ? Sheepishly I replied me and he said well that you go stop looking at others and just concentrate on Your personal road to wellness. When I stopped beating myself up and set small realistic goals for myself thing really started to happen.
  • renee01952
    renee01952 susan57233

    Posted

    Susan !!!!!   High Five girl ... wow, what a great, great post .... I have been following you and dear Lord ... so incredibly happy for you and all of us here on this forum ....

    big warm hug

    love

    renee

  • Guest
    Guest susan57233

    Posted

    Congratulations Susan smile

    Lovely post! Especially since I'm close to the second one now (10 days from today!) and this is really really REALLY nice to read heading there smile

    Looking forward to posting my own 5 month dance of joy in a little while! wink

  • lynne09047
    lynne09047 susan57233

    Posted

    Morning usan,

    well what a lovely post to read as I sit here with my morning coffe, 2 weeks out of surgery and yes experiencing all the things you describe, so happy for you that you have your life back, well done you, and lets hope we all have the same outcome.

    Love ,

    Lynne xx

  • mic71403
    mic71403 susan57233

    Posted

    Hey Susan,

    your hip and mine are about the same age -sounds like a good recovery and thanks for sharing your story. My new hip sends love too!

    still a way to go - we can't crouch yet and still get tired if I walk 5 miles say, but i gather it takes a full year to recover. 

    but, now, lets all do the hippy hippy shake!

    luv

    Mic

    x

    • Kristin53
      Kristin53 mic71403

      Posted

      Susan

      You will never know how hekpful your post is. I am pre-op, date booked for October 5th. All those questions I have been asking myself,  I am hoping to get the same answers.

      Thank you so much for posting this

      Kristin

    • susan57233
      susan57233 mic71403

      Posted

      Hi Mic, yep our new hips are just about the same age. Since I went back to work 8 to 10 hours a day on my feet nearly the entire time I thought I would feel like I got hit by a truck by the time I got home. So far it's been fine, crouching yeah I know I can do it but still not as well as before, that's something I have to work on. I don't really have to crouch very much though and my attention was more tackling stair climbing. Anyhow Happy Hippy Anniversary to your spankin new hip to. I think we did pretty good.  
    • Jodi-France
      Jodi-France mic71403

      Posted

      It does take a year to be fully recovered.

      I thought I was 100% recoverred at 4 months/5 months. I was so happy. Little did I know that at one year it was even BETTER. The only thing I am careful of is to not carry a lot of weight, a heavy shopping bag, on that side. The few times I have I felt it in the leg bone, where the prosthesis is jammed into the top of the leg bone. I think there is a 15lb weight limit that is the maximum you should carry on that side and that weight limit goes on all your life. I have a husband so I am okay with it, he carries anything heavy for me.

      I have done a ton of painting, painted a 2 bedroom rental unit we own, including the ceilings and the walls and ceiling were of different paint colors so a lot of edging, repainted the kitchen 2 coats, repainted the living room ceiling 2 coats, so that is a LOT of up and down a ladder, however it is not heavy work so I am able to do it just like I didn't have a fake hip. I never was a runner before my THR and I'm not a runner now. That is 15 months after my THR. I have never felt my hip was weak or couldn't support me, it's strong.

    • mic71403
      mic71403 Jodi-France

      Posted

      Hey jodi france

      Lovely message - I'm at 5.5 months post op and like you thinking I'm `100% recovered - and...excitinglearn from you  there is even more recovery left

      mic

      xx

      PS Any chance of a piccie of your painting to inspire us further?

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