5 weeks today!!!! I’m so close to weight bearing I can taste it!
As the weeks go on, I’m becoming more mobile and able to push a little more during my physical therapy exercises. Sleeping has been tough since coming off the pain meds and muscle relaxers around 2.5 weeks post-op, but I did make some progress in that department this week.
Monday
Officially 4 weeks post-op!
After a full week of visitors the previous week, a day of full rest was very much welcomed. The weather in Northeast Ohio was beautiful — sunny and in the 60s. My mom forced me outside for some fresh air, and it sure was lovely. I sat in one of our lawn chairs while she helped organize my garage and I soaked up some vitamin D.
After about an hour my hip started to get sore, so it was back inside to my cozy recliner. At this point in recovery, I’m able to sit in a harder chair for about an hour before I start getting sore.
Tuesday
Another day to just relax. I worked on my computer, took a shower, and watched a webinar about using Procreate (something I’m learning for a hiking project I’m working on).
It wasn’t quite as sunny, but it was still warm. I ventured out to my front porch to sit in the rocking chair and even got to chat with my sweet neighbor for a while. Sometimes I don’t realize how much I need social interaction to make my day better.
Wednesday
A day of visitors with some of my favorite people! What else can I say — it made me so happy to spend time with close friends, including one I hadn’t seen in a while which made it extra special.
My son also stayed home with me that day. He had been complaining of thigh pain for a few days and it was getting progressively worse. My first fear as a dysplastic mom is always that I’ve passed on the hip dysplasia gene to my kids.
We’ve already ruled it out for my oldest daughter (her hips are fully formed at this point), but not yet for my 11-year-old son.
Thankfully, X-rays confirmed that his hips do not look dysplastic. No other major issues showed up either. The doctor believes he had a big growth spurt and his tendons didn’t have time to catch up, which caused a lot of tightness and inflammation. Rest and anti-inflammatories should do the trick.
But yay — no hip dysplasia!
Thursday & Friday
Two slower days.
I tried to push myself to get up more and do a longer lap to the bathroom. I also took a trip to the mailbox and back. My driveway isn’t very long, so it wasn’t a huge journey, but it was something!
Friday night our power went out from 3–11 pm. Since about 2.5 weeks post-op I’ve only taken Tylenol and Advil for pain and used the ice machine in the evening to reduce soreness.
Well… when the power went out, I couldn’t ice and I got really sore. I finally caved and took an oxy around 6:00 pm.
Wow, those things really do work to take away pain. I also slept amazingly for the first time in a couple of weeks.
Saturday and Sunday
More slow days.
Weekends are hard with my kids home. I can’t really focus on work or reading because, as it goes with kids, there are a lot of interruptions. That makes it hard to focus.
I definitely scrolled too much, played a lot of Sims, and by Sunday afternoon I was feeling pretty bored and honestly a little tired of this whole experience.
On the plus side I slept amazing Saturday to Sunday without any sleep aids, like melatonin, or narcotics/muscle relaxers.
Wins this Week
I showered on my own every day this week, and my mobility is improving.
I also did two short arm workouts, which felt great — although my hip was definitely more achy the next morning. My at-home physical therapy has also been leaving me sore, so I’ve had to adjust my expectations and only do my exercises once a day or every other day, instead of twice daily.
I read more this week. Not every day like I was hoping to, but more than the week before.
I also felt more balanced with yummy treats. Not perfect, but definitely progress.
Goals For This Week
- Finish Uncluttered Faith by Joshua Becker. I’m really enjoying this book, but nonfiction definitely takes more brain power for me to work through!
- Start my new series: From Fractured to Fit
- Quiet time every day. I cannot endure this journey without going to God first. To think otherwise would be unwise.
That wraps it up for this week!
Something new to my site that I added this week is a PAO Surgery FAQ page. If you’re curious about this surgery or gearing up to have this procedure done, but sure to check it out!