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Never thought I would see the day...

Posted , 18 users are following.

rose0000
rose0000

For all hippies waiting and for those recovering this is a message for you. I had virtually all but given up hope of being healthy, fit and well again, and at my age it was really painful to think I would not live a normal life again, BUT I am nearly there if not ACTUALLY there! You could strike me down with a feather, but this operation really DOES work.

This weekend I had my skinny jeans on again (couldnt wear them too tight on the scar) hiking with my girls around the beautiful cornish coast, on the beach in the spring sunshine without a care in the world - hip was fantastic! No limping at all!!!! 

Heels on in the evening going out with my family for dinner, and no one would even know I have just recovered from a hip replacement! AMAZED can be the only word I would describe how we all felt sitting there! Brings tears to the eyes just thinking about it.

Is it all worth it? After months of highs and lows, you bet! Keep going everyone....wherever you are in the journey...at some point soon it will all be a distant memory and you WILL get your life back!!!

11 likes, 47 replies

47 Replies

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  • LDW
    LDW rose0000

    Posted

    Rose, that is fantastic.

    gives us all hope.

    i am having a despondent day. My back is really causing me a lot of pain, and I just don't know how much of this is normal after the hip op at 3 and half weeks (especially given pelvic tilt issue). I think that if the pain were more obviously in the hip, then I wouldn't worry so much. Today am back to hobbling around on two crutches trying my best not to weight bear on the operated leg and just lying down flat with my operated leg raised to help ease the back. I do have arthrosis of the facet joints in lower back, which is probably why I worry more.

    whilst I don't like the pain (obviously), I can grin and bear it as long as I know this will resolve itself in time. I am soooooo scared that this is it for me now, and that I am destined to life in a wheelchair. I am desperate to be able to play with my children again.

    this probably all sounds very dramatic, so sorry to anyone reading it. Guess I am having a bad worry day.

    • rose0000
      rose0000 LDW

      Posted

      No it doesn't sound dramatic at all, no one was more desperate at points of the recovery than me. I had days of crying thinking things would never ever be better. 

      I hate to say it, but I do think it is still such early days for you. When I look back at what I was doing at three weeks, it was virtually nothing. I could make it to the loo and around the house a few times a day, I rested for most of the day and felt terribly tired and exhausted, and my back used to hurt so much. Once I shed the crutches this improved no end. Your posture is awful with crutches and if you have problems with your back anyway this will only aggravate them.

      I also found sitting straight much better for the back than too much lying down, I used to sleep virtually sitting up some nights (and days!)

      A good physio will iron out your pelvic tilt, are you seeing one yet?

      I also found the 'one achievement a day no matter how small' policy worked for me no end, because it gave me hope I was getting there.

      You really will be posting back on here very soon how well you are doing, you are in the thick of it now, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. 

      I never thought it would end, I could not picture ever being the carefree person I was once again, but you will get there. I promise! 

      Book a physio would be my advice, worth every penny, they will give you confidence and support and help....and you will find it easier to become mobile. Keep going, you will get there! Big hugs x

    • jamie0456
      jamie0456 LDW

      Posted

      I feel your pain and am in a similar place.  If we only knew that in three, six, whatever number of weeks or months it would be over and all would work properly.

      I struggle along with you daily and just want you to know that you are not alone.

      Let all of us in the same position take some measure of comfort that we all struggle through the highs and lows.  The beauty of this forum is that by seeing the success of so many gives us reason for optimism.  That said there are some days that the optimistic rays can't penetrate.  So be it.

      Thanks to all of you for sharing.  Like so many of you have said, this forum has been a lifeline for me.

  • LDW
    LDW rose0000

    Posted

    Rose,

    thankyou so much for responding to quickly. Really very kind of you.

    i am sitting up again now, which is easier on the back for sure. I have seen a physio a couple of times at the hospital where I had the op done.

    she encouraged me off crutches and onto a cane. She a,so wanted me to use nothing around the house. Reform what you have said, I understand why that is. Im wondering whether I've just done too much. I have only done a few tentative steps in the House without and it doesn't feel quite right to do anymore.

    outside with a stick I have been doing 3 little walks of around 400-500 steps over the last couple of days. I wonder whether this has just been too much.

    im waiting for a call back from the physio. Hopefully she will say that this is indeed the case, and that I need to pull right back.

    really Rose THANKS for listening.

    L xxx

    • rose0000
      rose0000 LDW

      Posted

      I found that doing things at my own pace was right for me. I could not work on someone else's timetable with this, it just did not work at all for me. I took all the advice they gave me, and then converted it to what I felt was possible for me....if you think you have done too much then you probably have...walking without crutches is a huge step, literally, and it will take it out of you. If hurts too much, stop and try again the next day.

      The one things I learnt rather too late in this process, was that the recovery takes SO much longer than you imagine, everything takes twice as long....and you can not rush it. It will take its own sweet time to tell you when you can do things, and no amount of fustration or pleading will change it... when I have my next replacement, I will understand the time frame is what it is, and I will have more patience and I will know for sure it will get better. It just all takes (an awful) lot of time.

      It sounds like you are doing great, despite feeling fed up, 500 steps outside is really good!! It is a lot! 

      As my physio said stopping beating yourself up, give yourself a break, you are doing so well...and I can only repeat the same to you, you sound just like me a short while back smile 

      Sit outside in the sunshine if it is sunny where you are, let the sun warm your face and listen to the young birds singing, soon you will be completely better...you will get there but now is the time to take care of yourself, nuture your body back to good health. Know you are definitely over the worst, from now on every thing comes together slowly and the kinder you are to yourself, the better experience it will be for you.

       

    • LDW
      LDW rose0000

      Posted

      As usual, wise and reassuring words.

      enjoy your day, and your happy place. And well done you for taking the time out to reassure the neophytes with your experience.

      hows the weather today?

      L x

  • Lallydye1
    Lallydye1 rose0000

    Posted

    Thats fantastic to hear.  I have been  hearing too much about lifetime restrictions lately that it is making me despondent that I will ever get back to my former fit and active self.  So pleased for you. I cant think about heels yet.  The whole reason I had to get my THR was that I had injured my hip after falling whilst in high heels (and I wanst even drunk!).  4 years later needing hip done. I have so many shoes though and I can't think I will never wear them again. :-( I am only 5' tall so I need all the help I can get.

    Thanks you for cheering me up and giving me hope.

    Lots of best wishes from Scotland.

    Alison xx

    • rose0000
      rose0000 Lallydye1

      Posted

      Alison, you will SO get there, I can't think of any restrictions that bother me now. I am always careful down the stairs, and I always slowly sit down in a chair, but beyond that I really haven't noticed anything else....you will definitely get back to being active and fit no question.

      I had my moments of feeling like it would never ever end. But it does, when your body is ready, it all comes together.

      I can't believe you needed a hip replacement after wearing heels! No wonder you can't bear the thought of them, I wouldn't either! When I say high heels I mean slightly bigger than kitten heels! Which are high for me given I have been wearing leggings and little boots for what feels like FOREVER! Never thought I would get rid of those leggings! I am not sure I could ever wear a pair again as long as I live after the last few months.

      You will get there lovely, just wait and see! So start planning now and use your time wisely would be my advice!

       

    • Lallydye1
      Lallydye1 rose0000

      Posted

      Thanks Rose xxxx can you put your own socks and shoes on?

      Alison x

    • rose0000
      rose0000 Lallydye1

      Posted

      I could now if I wanted to, but I am always so cautious! I have slip on boots and tend to use a sock aid. I am 'allowed' to do it, but thought I would give it a few more weeks. I have come this far!! I am not going back to the beginning for a sock. I can put on jeans, leggings etc without help, and in fact do everything that I did before the operation ( It is a long time since I could put on my own shoes and socks before the operation) I may give it a go later and let you know!!! smile
    • rose0000
      rose0000

      Posted

      Just put on sock!!

      Did so by kneeling down and putting it on that way rather than bending from the waist...

       

    • Lallydye1
      Lallydye1 rose0000

      Posted

      Hey well done you :-) yes I wondered about doing it that way or like Rocketman described by bending foot up behind.

      Alison xx

  • vicki00016
    vicki00016 rose0000

    Posted

    So happy for you Rose, when you think how you felt at the beginning! You have come a long way and worked hard to be where you are now. Lovely to think of you out walking and enjoying wearing heels again! X

    • rose0000
      rose0000 vicki00016

      Posted

      Thank you Vicki for your lovely message. How are you? 
    • vicki00016
      vicki00016 rose0000

      Posted

      I'm doing ok Thankyou. Just mopped the floors using one crutch and the mop! Clinic appointment tomorrow to see if I can start to fully weightbear. I've been busy doing all my Physio and my leg becoming is becoming stronger. Apparently I'm taller and can stand up straight now so can't wait to start walking. I'm going on holiday on Friday with a friend so looking forward to some sunshine. Just wish I could get rid of these pesky crutches after 13 weeks on them! X
    • rose0000
      rose0000 vicki00016

      Posted

      Good luck tomorrow, and if you don't have time to post have a BRILLIANT holiday!!! Oh my, the idea of warm sunhshine is a welcome one after a long winter smile Keep us posted about your adventures ~ hoping you will be able to finally get rid of your crutches too! 
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