What a difference a YEAR makes.

[Guest guest]

This weekend I celebrated the 1 year anniversary of my hip

resurfacing surgery. While I did treat myself to a great dinner

and a movie (Ladykillers...a lot of fun), I also reflected on what

my life was like prior to surgery compared to how it is now.

Like so many people here, I was in such pain by time my surgery date

rolled around I was ready to jump on a gurney and say " Please do

this! " I am so happy I had the surgery done and would NOT

HESITATE to tell others to do it and get your life back.

I was a slow healer and followed the Doctor's orders. 6 weeks

with crutches or walker and then another 6 weeks of 1 crutch.

After that I did 7 weeks of physical therapy. Then I walked and

resumed normal life. I do exercises to strengthen my hip every

other day....or at least 3X a week.

I wish I could say that I am 100%. But I'm not. After years of

inactivty my hip muscles complain when I " overdo " it. For example,

this weekend I gardened 2 days in a row. I did a lot of kneeling,

bending and stooping over. Today my hips and rear are sore. Who

knows if they'd be sore normally? It's a moot point I guess. But

it feels pretty normal. Heck, I'm several years older then when I

last could do this....so maybe it's advancing (cough cough) age?

Anyway, I'm pretty happy. I have a life again and I am so

thrilled. When I look back at myself pre-surgery I can honestly say

that the pain and limited activity caused depression (really common

with cronic pain). To those of you who can relate to this please

know that it all gets SO MUCH better. I can now do anything I want

with no restrictions. More importanly, I FEEL LIKE doing things

again. At 5 months I even went horsebackriding and fell off with

no problem!

Wishing you all good health.

Lois

C+ 3/27/03 Dr. Mont

[Guest guest]

Hi Lois

Congratulations on your anniversary.

You had your op one month before my first one, and were such an

inspiration to me through some difficult few months post op - with

your wise postings about patience!!

I wish you many, many more anniversaries.

Best wishes

ine

RHS April 03, LHS March 04

> This weekend I celebrated the 1 year anniversary of my hip

> resurfacing surgery. While I did treat myself to a great dinner

> and a movie (Ladykillers...a lot of fun), I also reflected on what

> my life was like prior to surgery compared to how it is now.

>

> Like so many people here, I was in such pain by time my surgery

date

> rolled around I was ready to jump on a gurney and say " Please do

> this! " I am so happy I had the surgery done and would NOT

> HESITATE to tell others to do it and get your life back.

>

> I was a slow healer and followed the Doctor's orders. 6 weeks

> with crutches or walker and then another 6 weeks of 1 crutch.

> After that I did 7 weeks of physical therapy. Then I walked and

> resumed normal life. I do exercises to strengthen my hip every

> other day....or at least 3X a week.

>

> I wish I could say that I am 100%. But I'm not. After years of

> inactivty my hip muscles complain when I " overdo " it. For

example,

> this weekend I gardened 2 days in a row. I did a lot of kneeling,

> bending and stooping over. Today my hips and rear are sore. Who

> knows if they'd be sore normally? It's a moot point I guess. But

> it feels pretty normal. Heck, I'm several years older then when I

> last could do this....so maybe it's advancing (cough cough) age?

>

> Anyway, I'm pretty happy. I have a life again and I am so

> thrilled. When I look back at myself pre-surgery I can honestly

say

> that the pain and limited activity caused depression (really common

> with cronic pain). To those of you who can relate to this please

> know that it all gets SO MUCH better. I can now do anything I

want

> with no restrictions. More importanly, I FEEL LIKE doing things

> again. At 5 months I even went horsebackriding and fell off with

> no problem!

>

> Wishing you all good health.

>

> Lois

> C+ 3/27/03 Dr. Mont