Hip recovery, part 2

The first month was pretty rough. A lot of bed rest and little walking. Still taking anti-inflammatory meds and managing pain... I needed a ton of outside help!!I'm now 10 weeks post-op. It's nice to be out of the pajamas-all-day-no-mkaeup phase!

Month two was a bit better. I was able to get a round more on my own and gradually get around without too much additional help. I was using crutches at the beginning of the month and finally weening myself of crutches entirely by the end of the month. I was allowed to swim with my upper body (using a booey between my legs to prevent me from kicking) and I was reminded of how much I enjoy swimming. I felt like a fish in the water, my second home! I loved going to the pool for swims.  I really enjoy the rhythm of the strokes and the quietness under water and sound of my breath when I come up for air. It's kind of peaceful.

This was s beautiful sunrise I captured on the way home from one of my early morning swims. I think I've convinced myself to participate in a 3 mile open water swim race this summer at Deer Creek. It's about the only thing I can actively do right now and it sounds like a fun challenge. I've managed to kick out (well-- not literally kick out but swim) a mile in 30 minutes with just using my arms! The fun thing about the race is that each swimmer needs their own paddler on the side, so Brian get stop join me on the event! It'll be fun.

By 8 weeks I was off all anti-inflammatories!! Physical Therapy has been going well. I've been doing light yoga and some biking. I'm on target to start a run/walk program at 12 weeks. I'm excited for that. On the down side, I've had a decreased range of motion in my hip and I can't do as much as pre-surgery, but I've been working with a sports massage specialists to help bring back the mobility. I still have to manage good days and bad days. Sometimes my hip just decides not to keep up with me and I'll be in pain and out of commission for a couple days. I'm hoping that goes away. Brian must think I coordinate my hip pain with whenever it's "convenient" for me. Ha ha! No really, he's been pretty supportive and has taken on a lot of extra duties. I was just recently cleared to push a vacuum and I haven't had to do any grocery shopping since the surgery. Thanks hubby!!  

A month or two ago seems like a different Chelsea. I can't believe I had to endure all those days in bed! ugh. It was awful.  I'm glad I've gotten through the worst of it. But I am really looking forward to getting back to normal. I think I'm only 50% of the way there. And it will probably take the rest of the year to get me that other 50% back. It's a long slow recovery.