6 days Post Hip Replacement Surgery - Progress

6 days doesn't seem like a long time but when your in the moment it seems like my destination will never arrive. in the last week, I have had several physical therapy sessions, met with my home care nurse, spoken to liaison folks at the hospital, and spoken to my orthopedic doctor's office. I am getting a little cabin fever from being inside in one spot 24/7 since last Wednesday and basically I have been sequestered to the couch where I have each day, all day, sitting and sleeping.

I have had some improvement today. I have sat is the same spot for almost a week now and I'm feeling like I need to venture out. I have been getting up and walking around the room usually every hour at least. That helps work my legs and improve those muscles around my left hip that just don't work so well. 

My spot for the last week
This morning, I looked at my walker and couldn't stomach clunking around with that. So I grabbed two canes that were near my spot and began walking by alternating canes almost like hiking poles, which I think are next. I could just hear my physical therapist saying, "oh, that's not safe." I don't care... I feel safe and I feel like I am improving and I have no time for limiting thoughts or comments.

I was pleasantly surprised at how well l was doing. Just five days ago I couldn't even lift my left leg to take a step forward. I have worked on that and now with my two cane method, I am taking good steps and bearing some weight. I also think I will be going upstairs today and take a real shower (yeah!). I can do stairs... I couldn't leave the hospital until I had a lesson on stairs. I did three stairs up and three stairs down in the hospital and it hurt. I will report back on that. 

I still have not taken my pain killer opioids. I don't feel that I need them and I am cutting back on the other lower grade pain relievers. My left leg still doesn't work so well but its getting better. I don't really have any paid except lifting my left leg, but that as indicated above is getting much better. Tomorrow I see my home care nurse again and she is supposed to take off my incision dressing/bandage. Also, I have further physical therapy tomorrow and hope to do more excercises and get these muscles going. Come on... I have 500 miles to walk. That will happen.   
 

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