Wellness

[BriggsiePeawiggle]

At our orientation (hip and knee -- and I had hips).....they told us it would be a long, hard recovery, but that it would be worth it. I knew she was telling the truth because I was going in for my second hip replacement this past May. My first was last December. I know that's really close together, but the pain I was experiencing was horrible, and I had to get it done. I still need a cane for my latest replacement. (The first is real strong.) However, I know that it will get stronger because it has gotten better little by little. I can walk up stairs like an adult again. I can bend....no longer need grabbers or sock assists or to ask my husband to tie or hook my shoes. I can do it all myself. I can stand in the shower without a shower stool finally. I no longer need the toilet seat risers or have to fear when I am out somewhere that the toilet will be too low. I can drive for as long as I want without pain. I am no longer on Rx pain meds and in fact am on NO pain meds almost all the time though occasionally I will still use heat or ice for relief. I still go to therapy 3x week and I like it. It's kind of like a "gimpy" version of going to the gym which I always liked. I have a second follow-up with my surgeon this coming Monday, and I'm going to ask if I can be cleared for swimming in a public pool. My gym has a really nice lap pool which I would love to do now.....just exercise in the pool, walk in the pool or swim laps for some aerobic exercise. I miss it so badly. 

I'm glad that you stuck with your PT. It's so worth it.