10 Months: Ongoing Progress!

I am ten months post-op right hip surgery. Progress has slowed dramatically, but that is because I am getting ever closer to full normal ability.  It is really just continued gradual progress. I wrote on how well things were going last month, and this progress is still ongoing. Major accomplishments in the past month include having running gait checked, solo long distance travel, able to sit long enough and well enough to be making it to church regularly again for first time since prior to left hip surgery. Also, seeing both Iowa and Minnesota physical therapists and getting great reports from both--for the most part. My shoulder is flaring neck and back, which in turn are flaring left hip, which in turn can irritate right hip. But overall, hips are solid, I have confidence in their ability to handle normal, everyday activities. So much progress in just a few months. These photos are taken same location, roughly same view (little different angle), ~3 months apart, both on the way back from Minnesota for medical appointments. Both are beautiful in different ways. In some ways, the dramatic changes seen across seasons, seems to illustrate the dramatic change across time with rehab and recovery.

May 18, 2018 (10 months post-op)

February 21, 2018 (7-months post-op)

The recent travel was a huge milestone! Travel has been difficult for me ever since the constant pain started many years ago. Hip issues made it worse. I finally had a car a few years ago that made trips easier on me, but still had the hip issues. The accident last fall not only re-injured things, it also totaled my car. I finally got my car replaced! This is a huge answer to prayer! It fits me, is more comfortable to drive. This trip was 1000 miles total, thus not a minor undertaking. I did half first day, the other half split between couple of days. My right hip had major issues with driving pre-op, again after the accident. Now pretty much back to normal with driving! My right hip was not the problem. Left shoulder, left side of body was the problem. So, that was huge! I was kinesiology taped the entire trip, and using my makeshift Theraband brace parts of the trip as well.

I incorporated a walk into the travel. These are photos from my favorite trail for walking from when I lived in Ames. So fun to get to walk it again for the first time since before this last surgery, nearly a year ago.

Love the peaceful view and sound of water flowing!

I am walking well--both for exercise, and just getting around, daily tasks. My average daily step count is ~11,000, but the range is actually ~5000-23,000, depending on if a walking day versus swimming day, and what other activities throughout the day. Even with travel, I was getting more than 10,000 steps in. This was partially from taking walking breaks when stopping along the way with travel. But, also because I am back to parking farther away from entrances, taking the stairs, etc. It was exciting to finally get to have running gait checked...and be told it looks great! I was never a runner, no plans to become one with my iffy joints from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. But, it was another milestone in this recovery journey. It was also exciting as my young nieces have been praying for me since before my first hip surgery that someday I would be able to run. God has answered their prayers! I am able to run! It is just not in best interests to do so beyond the little jogs across a street, or down a steep hill as I have been doing again for a while.

Travel day from recent trip.

As far as shoulder....making very slow, inconsistent gains with swimming, ability. However, it depends on if the shoulder is taped or braced or not. If not, I simply do not use it--it is too uncomfortable, flares up too many other things to attempt. The reason for the recent trip was another opinion for the shoulder. I felt the recent consult went very well. No final answers, but some new ideas for next steps, something else to try, see from there. I felt very much listened to, that my complexities were taken seriously, but not used as an excuse. I felt the previous surgeon listened, but had no new ideas, nothing to offer any hope, left me feeling stuck, stranded, out of options. This surgeon gave me the hope of something else to try to calm things down. depending on how things go, surgery may/may not be an option later, but he wants to be very sure before attempting surgery with me and complexities of what is going on. This inspired confidence that regardless of what happens, he will support me, if he recommends surgery confidence going in, if he recommends against surgery, confidence, we will have thoroughly explored options. Grateful.

Post from 10 months post-op left hip.

There are still a lot of unknowns. I am still recovering from multiple issues, still learning to manage numerous chronic medical conditions. But, applying my theme for surgery recoveries to all of life right now. This is not a race to see how fast I can recover, but a journey to see how well I can recover. It is worth being patient.

"Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;" Romans 12:12 (KJV)

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