Right now, for me, rehab is job #1. I have to keep reminding myself of this because I am feeling pretty good and have a lot of things on my to-do list. I am two weeks post-op as I am writing this, but you will be reading it closer to three weeks post-op. A few updates on my rehab.
I had my post-op appointment with my surgeon, Dr. James Miller, on Monday, October 20. Everyone in the office was amazed at how well I was doing. I have no problem getting up and down or getting in and out of the car. I am walking comfortably with my walking stick. Before the surgery Dr. Miller kept brushing aside my questions about rehab with “you’ll be fine.” When I saw him on Monday, I told him that he is a brilliant surgeon and that he was absolutely right.
There were two great things about the post-op appointment. I got the dressings off my incisions, which are both healing great. This means the little PICO pump is gone. Yay! It was a pain to keep track of that little thing and make sure the drain line didn’t get tangled. The second great thing is that I don’t have to wear the compression stockings anymore. They were the last thing standing in the way of my dressing independently. There was no way I could get the stockings on and off by myself. Tom was a super great helper, but I hated having to wait for him to help so I could do things.
Now that the compression stockings are gone, I can shower and dress independently. This is such a blessing. Getting socks on my left foot is a stretch, but I can do it. I bought a pair of Skechers slip-in shoes before my surgery and I have been thankful for them. They are very comfortable and I can get my shoes on by myself.
I am still doing my exercises three times a day and trying to walk three times a day as well. The goal, according to the doctor, is 25 minutes of walking twice a day. I’m not sure what that translates into in terms of mileage or number of steps. I am currently walking about 20 minutes three times a day, which is about 3/4 of a mile. Before my hip problems got really bad, I could walk a mile in 18 minutes. My preliminary goal, which I expect to reach this week, is to walk a mile in that 25 minutes. Then I can work back up to my 10,000 steps a day. Yesterday I had 6,000.
I am still spending a lot of time sitting in the recliner with my feet up. I am trying very hard not to be impatient with my body. It takes a while, and lots of hard work, to build up stamina. Rehab is job #1. Rehab is job #1. Repeat as needed. My to-do list will get done eventually.
Not a lot going on here. Not much new to write about. I am healing and healing takes time, repetition, and lots of rehab.
I am so glad you are progressing and i am sure you will be hiking circles around me soon. Sitting means more knitting or weaving time!
Looking forward to hiking with you with less pain next year!
Rev. Karen, what a trooper you are…you could really write a nice book on your great experiences with your hip replacement. You look great, even from the beginning after such a difficult surgery! You’re proof that one must “give their all” to rise above these “inconveniences” we sometimes must endure! Your attitude to persevere through such a difficult surgery is a lesson for us all. I can’t tell you how happy I am for how well you’ve done – the length you can walk and lots of exercise tells us all to not be dis-heartened and remain dedicated to our rehab — the prize awaits us!
Thanks for your encouraging words. You are the one who is always working on rehab and getting stronger. I’m sure you get discouraged sometimes, but you always present such a positive face to the world.