Yesterday marked the 4-month anniversary of my right hip replacement. My Physical Therapist had told me that I would probably see a big difference at 4 months, and I’m happy to say she was right!
In the last couple of weeks, I have experienced a big shift. I am stronger and my muscles have less pain after I use them for walking or standing, unless I over do it. I’m hardly using ibuprofen anymore. The scar is looking really good, so I’ve decided to change my daily massages with vitamin E oil to weekly. It feels like the internal scar tissue is also softening and healing, so my range of motion is better and there is less grinding around in there. My massage therapist says it feels much better to her too, and that is validating.
I was able to take a few 3/4-mile walks this week with no ill effects. It’s been 8 months since I’ve been able to do that. I can do side leg lifts, including the clam now, which I was unable to do at 3 months. Stairs are getting better all the time, but remain my biggest challenge. Tai Chi and Yoga are easier and less painful. I can do balance poses like Tree more easily and hold them for longer. Dancer is slowly coming back, but I can’t lean forward very far just yet. I’m stronger in my lunges and bent-knee poses, and the pain is less. I’m still loving my time in the pool the most and I suspect that will continue.
To celebrate my new level of healing, I went out and bought really good hiking poles at REI. I am hopeful that I’ll be able to do some hiking in the warmer months this year.
Leftie is still trying to decide what she thinks about all this. She is sore after too much walking or standing, but she is stable, maybe even a little better than last month. I am hoping she will hang on for me at least through the summer. I am so not ready to do this again.
I realize how much it’s taken out of me. My energy levels are still lower than my normal and I can only do so much in one day. I am getting better at accepting and surrendering to this reality and pacing myself accordingly. I believe this is the biggest part of my healing-honoring where I am and not pushing it. It’s good for me to learn this, though sometimes it is a hard teacher.
I sit and relax more than I ever have. I am better at asking for, and graciously receiving, help from others. And I am very grateful for all the kindness and support that surrounds me.
Today I moved out of my studio where I used to teach Yoga and Tai Chi. I haven’t done that since last spring and I still don’t feel ready to teach again. I also realized that the desire to have a studio and teach on any kind of schedule has left me. It feels like I am entering a new, more spontaneous stage. I can see doing these practices in the park behind our home when I am so inspired and inviting others to join in. But that feels like it may be a ways off yet. Teaching helped me both to deepen my own practice and to help others with theirs. I’m grateful for the time I was able to teach over the last 8 years. I’m enjoying my yoga room in our back bedroom and I do Tai Chi to wake my body up every morning.
Now we will see how my life unfolds from here. I’m enjoying more reading and writing time, and time to just be with Scott, family, friends, and myself. Perhaps, that is really what this whole Hip Adventure is all about…
I love how you’ve responded to this challenge. So many would be sitting in a corner saying, “Woe is me”, and being their own worst enemy. YOU decided to use your positivity and, to use the old saying, “Make lemonade out of lemons”. I admire you SO MUCH for this! Life’s “lemons” can force us to take a different path and that path can be OH so rewarding, as you are discovering.
I so agree with what you’ve said. It’s often the “lemon” times in which we grow and discover the depths of our strength and resilience. I’ve found that when I choose a positive attitude towards difficulties, I can see the rewarding new paths opening up before me. Thank you for your comment and compliment my dear friend.
Dear Rhonda,
Thank you for sharing your Four Month Anniversary and significant mile stones in your life changing recovery. You mentioned Dancer and I believe you are referring to a yoga pose–but it made me think of the times I watched your belly dance performances here in the Valley. I believe DANCE is a beautiful metaphor for getting through life’s changes and challenges. Although I am not a dancer (except in the privacy of my living room) I’ve been visualizing The Dance (various styles and traditions come to mind) to help me face a current problem/issue/challenge. I believe your knowledge of Dance, moving your body and muscles in a variety of ways, is one of many practices–your past knowledge and experience helping you move through your recovery. Blessings on your continuing progress. Love, Mary
Thank you for this beautiful reminder of my dancing days and that dancing is a metaphor for getting through experiences like hip replacements! I recall swing dancing and that my job was to let go and follow my partner’s lead. Often, being with my hip’s recovery is like that. But, I also remember the bliss of letting go and just flowing with his cues. Yes, Dancer is also a yoga pose where you stand on one leg while you hold onto the opposite foot and extend the leg behind you, then extend the arm on your standing side out in front of you. It is one of my favorite poses, but very challenging for me now. Slowly, it is coming back, just like me! I remember dancing with you after belly dance performances and that you were always willing to get up and shake it up with me.