Hip Replacement - Six Weeks on

Yesterday I had my 6-week check up with the surgeon who replaced my hip with a brand new titanium/ceramic one. He was extremely pleased with my progress and gave me a gold star and of course I had to give him one too. He took some time explaining why he had done it the way he did it and what the prognosis for continued recovery should be. He also took some time demonstrating with actual bones and replacements what I am trying to avoid with the various hip precautions I still have. I am still not allowed to bend the hip to less than 90 degrees and I am not allowed to cross my legs either casually when sitting or in exercises like in some pilates moves. He will review that when I see him at 6 months. He did demonstrate how I can now kneel down to garden and pick up children and the restrictions I have around that sort of activity.

However, I can now walk as much as I like. My step count has been good some days since I left hospital but I need to get out and do some gardening or actually go for walks to improve my count.

I did a sit-stand fitness assessment at 6 weeks and achieved 10 in 20 seconds which is just 1 second more than I am supposed to be so a little more improvement needed there.

I am now allowed to drive so will be able to get out to activities and even to the train and shopping. Luckily Ben came last Friday to help with some pruning around the garden and asked if I had turned over the car. As I said no he suggested I did it while he was there. Dead! He used his starter gizmo to start it and then took it for a run around the block and we left it idling for a while so I hope it starts when I get out there. Perhaps I should take it down to the car wash today and see how I go. No! Car is dead again! New battery needed.

I have not been taking any pain killers for some weeks now, not even a panadol so that is a step in the right direction. No pain!

Last Sunday I was thrilled to be given a lift to and from Hymnfest in at St Stephens in the city. I was even able to do all the sits and stands that are a normal part of any choir event. What an amazing sound it was. I got home exhausted and had not done many steps but had had a lot of breathing exercises and sit-stands. So it looks as though I can get back to my singing and even visiting Mum on Sundays.

So in all - onward and upward from here. Thanks to all those people who supported me and made recovery just that bit easier and even enjoyable. I hope and pray I do not need to report on my hip or other joints for some years to come.