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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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  • nancypirate
    nancypirate rose0000

    Posted

    This post came just when I needed it. It is wonderful. Thank you for your caring and insightful thoughts.
    • renee01952
      renee01952 nancypirate

      Posted

      hi Nancy,

      how are you doing?

      I hope you are enjoying life again..

      big warm hug

      Renee

    • rose0000
      rose0000 nancypirate

      Posted

      Thats okay Nancy - sometimes we are motivated by fear or deep worries, and those fears are often unfounded. I had hoped to offer support to others that felt the same. 

      I hope you are well and recovering x

  • jennifer86394
    jennifer86394 rose0000

    Posted

    Thank you for taking the time to post your thoughts Rose.  I am having my hip replacement in 2 weeks.  The amount of people saying to me   You'll be fine, look at you, your so fit, you'll be up and about before you know it Is incredible.  I think sometimes you can put pressure on yourself to live up to everyone's expectations of you.   After reading your post I have made up my mind to take it slowly and listen to the physio and doctors, and to you of course.  Get well soon and thank you once again.  X
    • renee01952
      renee01952 jennifer86394

      Posted

      Hi dear Jennifer, 

      Warm welcome to our wonderful hippies forum !!! Good thing you found us - we share our personal stories and experiences and come in all flavors, so to speak - post-op, pre-op, during op and ones that are still sitting on the fence - an international forum, so there will always be one awake when you post something ...

      From now on you won't feel alone, or stupid or whatever as we have been through it all and totally understand whatever you are and will be going through - There is much love and support here ...

      so, come here with any question or concern you have okay ---

      big warm hug

      renee

       

    • rose0000
      rose0000 jennifer86394

      Posted

      Thanks Jennifer - everyone said the same to me! 'Your only 40 you will be just fine! You will be running around in no time'. I don't think they realised they were quietly putting pressure on my recovery before it had even started. Then I found myself trying to live up to the expectations. Big mistake, as I felt I was never doing 'well enough'. It was incredibly isolating. I am glad you will have managed to avoid it by reading this, it does start even before the operation.

      This whole journey must be done with you at the helm, listening to your body carefully, and doing only what is comfortable. You will have a far better and more enjoyable recovery without a running commentary from others, and will be able to relax into the recovery without pressure.

      The natural first question that springs to mind after a comment like 'you will be just fine' is usually what if I am not? What if something goes wrong?

      It won't, but it is a worry anyway, it would be far better if people would acknowledge your very real concerns, and the gravity of your situation, rather than brushing it off with comments like that, it can sound flippant. I used to feel isolated with my fears of this operation (of which were numerous!) and this is why the forum was so very good....you can share them all...and people on here completely understand.

      This is YOUR journey and the forecasts of how quickly (or slowly) you will recover are far from helpful. I found a bit of brutal honesty did the trick, I used to say 'have you actually SEEN the you tube video?' suffice to say it quickly quietens even the most enthusiastic of cheerleaders! smile

      I am sure people trying to be kind and positive, supportive, but occasionally it would be nice for a proper acknowledgement that this is a massive deal, a huge operation - and for us it can be all consuming for a while.

       

      It is your journey, and your body and all decisions will come from you. Best to set the tone now as you are doing now, it will be far easier when you are post op, and you can decide what is right for you and when.

      Best of luck in two weeks, it really was the best thing I have ever done.

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