Baby steps to a happy place. That's the mantra I've been repeating for the past four weeks since my total hip joint replacement surgery.
Despite all of my due diligence to find the right surgeon, I was completely unprepared for the slow but steady recovery I've been living during the past month. I have even lamented to Mark that -- maybe -- I shouldn't have gone through with the surgery. His response had been an emphatic "of course you should have ~ you were in pain!"
Good point. As Dr. Wellman promised, the joint pain is gone. But the surgical swelling and discomfort (and precautions) linger, hence my frustration.
Feedback from friends has been unanimous and encouraging. "You're so much straighter!" they exclaim. And that's good news for my flatback syndrome. The new hip will help loosen my hip flexors, which is key to minimizing my tendency to lean forward.
The most important thing, though, is that the surgery was a success. Dr. Wellman told Mark that my hip joint had been so worn down, he likely added about 1/4 inch of length to my right leg during the procedure. And, perhaps in response to my pre-op concerns, Dr. Wellman ensured that the new joint's placement was at the correct angle, moving it every which way prior to closing the incision.
So, I remind myself to be patient and, yes, each day things are a little better. I went upstairs after one week and graduated from a walker to a cane after two. Now I'm walking without the cane at home and, as of last night, can finally toss aside my TED hose. Consequently, last night was the best night's sleep I've had since before the surgery!
Yes, I'm bored. I hate being restricted to "light" activity and being dependent on others for the most mundane tasks -- like retrieving a fallen object, driving or making dinner for my family. But I need to allow time for my body to heal. My friend, Liz, said it best: "Sure, it looks like you're not doing much, but you're really very busy -- on a cellular level."
3 years ago
