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The answer to how long this recovery will take!!!!!

Posted , 14 users are following.

rose0000
rose0000

I have been at my absolute wits end trying to hurry this recovery along, why is it taking so long simply to get to the loo, why is it taking so long to simply move my leg, why on earth can I not walk far without pain....and so the list went on and on and on....

In hindsight, at the grand age of five months post op I can see EXACTLY why I rushed my recovery, why I was so impatient to be better, why I was constantly measuring myself against everyone and anyone else.

I was terrified I would not get better, I was terrified quietly that I would never walk, never rid myself of the pain, limp or both.....deep inside I was scared I would be forever disabled.

Looking back this fear must be completely natural and happens to the best of us, but actually five months on I WISH I had been more gentle, more patient, less worried and spent my time resting, relaxing and taking my time with the process. It is the most natural thing in the world to want to be better of course, but please everyone have some confidence that you WILL get there, all time frames are different, all journeys vary slightly - be gentle with yourself, when you feel better make the most of the time off (no one gives a damn three months in trust me) Enjoy the time with your loved ones and family and be reassured you would know about it if something was wrong....so rest, relax, exercise, take care and be patient. It is all okay. You will get there, you really will....

15 likes, 53 replies

53 Replies

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  • lors23
    lors23 rose0000

    Posted

    Could not have said it better myself Rose l am 3 months in and l have done exactly what you have and felt it.

    I am not tecovered l am recovering and again as you said nobody gives a dam cause you look ok on the outside you are healed on the inside everyone thinks.

    Well said

    Laura x

    • rose0000
      rose0000 lors23

      Posted

      Sad but true for many of us! How are you doing lovely?
    • lors23
      lors23 rose0000

      Posted

      Yes not bad hun had a bad few days of crying again bot because of pain because l feel again like l am not improving but l am not getting worse l am just standing still. And then l got a major fear of why am l still taking pain meds as everyone thinks l should be fine now at 3 months. Of course it all just built up and the low came. But pleased to say today l feel much better and realise l was being silly. I am getting better. And since l came out of hospital l have been slowley taking less pain meds but l tried a day without them and l can't move. So l dio need them l forget l have had both done and my doctor said it cld take up to a full year for some people. I am only 3 months and can do ptetty much anything just not as much as l get tired. Will get there. But exactly what you said l can't rush my recovery. You summed it up on exactly how l felt. Hope you are ok to Rose.

      Love

      Laura

      Xx

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK lors23

      Posted

      Laura,

      So sorry you are having a rough time again - the roller coaster ride goes on and on.  

      Even at 18 / 28 weeks, I know that I am on the rollercoaster.  Today was a bad day, so tomorrow should be a good day.

      Graham - 🚀💃

    • rose0000
      rose0000 lors23

      Posted

      Yes two hip replacements is a big challenge, but you are definitely over the worst, and you are getting through it really well, although you are not quite a hundred per cent yet, you will be, all in good time hey? Aren't you sick of thinking that!! smile I wished there was a fast track many a time. 

      Where is the pain coming from Laura? Which hip is hurting? 

    • renee01952
      renee01952 lors23

      Posted

      hey laura, 

      I am right there with you and know how you feel - 

      If the pain medication helps you to move around without less pain, then just continue - you can try to wean off them of course - see how you feel with the least dosage - 

      There is no shame in it okay?  Other people really don't know - 

      My old new hip (R THR ) is giving me problems -  Trochanteric bursitis is slow healing and at times I am at my wits end - Arghhhh ...

      I can just see people rolling their eyes or raising their eyebrows when I come hobbling with my cane ... Isn't she done already ???? NOOOOO!!

      Big warm hug -

      all is well

      renee

    • patricia_63418
      patricia_63418 lors23

      Posted

      Hi Laura. So sorry to hear that you have been feeling low but this is totally understandable. Keep taking your pain medication.....there are no medals for being in pain. I take it that you had both hips done at the same time, you are a very brave lady. Exercises must be done very gently and if you have a day when you don'the feel like doing them then don't do them. It will all come right. Just take it easy.

      Love Patty in Cape Town. xxx

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK lors23

      Posted

      Laura,

      I even had to resort to Tramadol today, so maybe today wasn't as good as I thought it would be.cry  Perhaps tomorrow?

      I just wish there was a 'fast forward' button for this recovery.

      Graham - 🚀💃

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK renee01952

      Posted

      Renee 

      I am also getting the rolling eyes when I turn up at work with my walking stick - they will just never appreciate what we go through.  

      Today for the first time since week 2 I had to take a Tramadol for lower back pain just above the new hip joint.

      Big hugs

      Graham - 🚀💃

  • jennifer86394
    jennifer86394 rose0000

    Posted

    Thank you for such good advice.  My op is 4th June.  One day at a time .  Will do my best to listen to my body and hoping for a good recovery.  
    • rose0000
      rose0000 jennifer86394

      Posted

      Please do, it will be a much better experience because of it. Don't fear that it will not work, they know that it has before you leave the hospital from your xrays, but in my case I needed to trust that it was true, and feel confident it had worked.

      Good luck, it is the best thing I have ever done x

  • Lallydye1
    Lallydye1 rose0000

    Posted

    Oh well said Rose.  Such wise words.  Everyone has their own journey and it has its ups and downs.  We are all so determined to get better we push oursleves too hard.  In some ways a bit of pushing can be good for you emotionally as you feel you are making headway but you should always stop and take stock and have a few days of R and R.  Keeping positive is good.  I agree that friends sometimes forget what you have been through and dont truly understand, but thats OK. I dont think I would have understood before I had my op either.  

    I thought back to when my husband was in a motorbike accident about 10 years ago.  He smashed up his leg and it all had to be pinned back together and he had nasty soft tissue damage that took ages to heal.  He was not allowed to weight bear for 6 weeks and in retrospect he was much more compromised than me. He had to have skin grafts which didn't take properly and he had several bouts of cellulitis  requiring hospital admission and IV antibiotics. I remember feeling slightly impatient at times I am embarrased to say.  He is totally fine now but it was a very worrying time. He has been very good helping me with my recovery which I am very lucky for and quite humbled. I should really tell him this..

    Keep going with this positive attitude Rose.  I bought a bike and I am going to start back my commute to work.  I was a bit nervous getting on the bike for the first time.  I had been training on an excercise bike but getting on a proper bike was totally different. I feel like I am 8 years old again.  Maybe Ill get stabilisers biggrin

    Lots of hugs from a very sunny Scotland 

    Alison x

    • rose0000
      rose0000 Lallydye1

      Posted

      Your husband remembered how he felt and was able to be so supportive to you because of it, and unless you have been through this kind of thing, you have no idea. You should show him the message you posted me, I am sure he would love to know what a difference it has made to you. 

      Enjoy your bike rides Alison, hair and face in the sun, we have waited a long time for this! 

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