Two Weeks Post Hip Replacement - Pleasantly Surprised

Yesterday was exactly two weeks since my surgery. Although its only been a short period of time it seems longer than two weeks. Just a week ago I was struggling just to lift my left foot off the floor and I couldn't March in place. Now I can walk without a cane, walker or crutches. My left leg still doesn't bend very well and I am working each day on my range of motion, which is improving every day. The swelling in that leg has gone away almost completely, although I continue to apply ice several times a day.

Return to Work

Yesterday, was the first day I went back to work and spent quite a bit of time walking. I am an attorney and I did engage with my office yesterday.  My office staff did very well without me as I avoided any contact for the last two weeks, but once they knew, I was taking phone calls it seemed like a call every 5 minutes. I should have waited a couple more days to turn on the spicket, and it shows that they really don't need me as much as they think. I have trained them well to work independently. They are my best asset - which yields endless dividends. 

Back to the Lectern

I am an adjunct professor at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, CA and yesterday evening was my first class of the Fall semester. It went very well, although it requires me to stand and walk for about 4 hours, I did so with a cane and I would say once I started the lecture I completely forgot about my physical limitations, ditched the cane and did more than I imagined possible. I do have the next two days clear so I will limit my time on my feet through the next weekend and then next week its full bore... ugh.

Physical Therapy

I am done with my four physical therapy (PT) sessions. I would say they were helpful and necessary. My therapist gave me very good suggestions for improving my movement and strength. The therapist was able to authorize more PT however, as I looked at my calendar, it seems impossible to wedge those in over the next month. My work has piled up as I have taken time off. I will keep doing the exercises which I believe have improved my condition. So I would say to anyone, do the PT after hip replacement.  

Mental Therapy

I am still motivated by the notion of hiking and biking again. I continue to work on getting to the Camino de Santiago - that's my incentive (See my about page). I often think that I won't be able to complete the distance, but I look past that, as I will not be set back by limiting thoughts and nothing but positive vibrations cast into the universe. I'm not doing it because it's easy.
I embrace the challenge because it's difficult and that makes me better in many ways. I will do it. Stay with me.

Buen Camino !