Six Weeks Out

Tomorrow I'll be six weeks out from my hip surgery.  I feel stronger physically and mentally each day.  I never really considered how much my mind would be affected by this surgery.  The funny thing is that I thought I was completely present for the past six weeks.  But looking back, I can see how I truly wasn't.  It seems like there were brief spurts (maybe an hour or two) when I'd feel mentally awake, but then the pain or weariness of recovery would take my mind over again.  But as it was happening I had no idea.  Strange.  I've been off my prescription pain medication for about 2 1/2 weeks now and I am so glad to be done with that stage.  You'd think my mind came back at that point, but I think I'm just barely able to use my mind for larger chunks at a time.  And even now, I feel out of it at times.  Or maybe I'm just always like that, it's just that I'm trying to blame it on my surgery.  Who knows....

Physically, I'm feeling pretty good.  My new hip joint is so smooth.  I can't remember it feeling this smooth.  Even the day I came home from the hospital, I was so surprised by how smooth it was.  I know I'm using that word a lot, but that's exactly how it feels.  For years I've had bone spurs and inflammation--along with the pain of those things--and suddenly all that was gone.  It's like feeling your teeth after getting braces off.  Smooth.  I was extremely swollen, stiff and sore when I came home from the hospital, but all these things are going away.  It's amazing to me to consider how much I have improved in just six weeks.  I used a walker for the first 2 1/2-3 weeks and then it was just a cane.  Each day I feel like I get stronger and more stable on my hip.  I'm still really weak and I have almost no endurance, but I'll start physical therapy soon and hopefully that will help.  I'm so excited and encouraged by the results so far and I'm thrilled with the life I'll be getting back.  The kids and I talk about going on hikes, going to Hershey Park, swimming, ice skating, visiting NYC....all these things that I used to avoid, but now I'm so looking forward to them so much.  I'm anxious to start PT and get back in gear.

Here are some pictures my mom took during her first trip to help me (she came out twice and I am so grateful for her....I'm sure I would have survived without her the second time, but it was much more fun to recover with her here!).  We were having unseasonably warm weather for January (60 degrees!), and Sarah kept wanting to do a lemonade stand outside.  My mom let Sarah mix up the Crystal Light all by herself (she used hot water) and she, Grant, and our neighbor Alyssa made $11!  This all happened when I was sleeping and I woke up at 3:00 to my kids outside in January dressed in their pajamas selling warm Crystal Light.  It was even funny for my medicated brain!