I never expected to be skipping along or roller skating or even running from a potential bear attack after hip replacement surgery. I did hope however
- to be more mobile
- to be able to carry laundry from the hamper to the washing machine
- to get down on the floor to play with Elsa-the-Dog
- to stand long enough to peel six cucumbers for cucumber salad and not feel exhausted
- to walk without a limp or a gimp
- to wear pretty little shoes to accentuate my pretty little feet.
- And more.
Such is life however, that after a total right hip replacement done July 16th none of those wishes came true.
Oh, the right hip is pain-free! Let me tell you, it is a miracle of modern medicine. I consider it my “good leg” now! Kudos to my cute young surgeon who did an exemplary job.
I LOVE my right hip now. And I LOVE my cute young surgeon even though I wouldn’t recognize him on the street.
The problem though is my LEFT leg! The BigFoot leg. The one that had been causing problems since 2015.
Maybe in the process of preparing for the right hip replacement surgery, I forgot about BigFoot?
And now that the right hip is happy, my brain needed to send out reminders that all is not well on the other side.
At any rate, I am still gimpy.
The family doc said he is thrilled at my progress “considering your age and underlying factors.” Not flattering but probably true.
Why didn’t anyone warn me about the great bowl of perilous problems that arrive uninvited with the onslaught of age?
Ah well. “Such is life,” said my once aging Mom who transferred all her wisdom to me except her secrets for aging with a smile.
I will see my cute young surgeon for the last time this month. I met him once before surgery when we talked for about 20 minutes. Then I saw him through a haze as I was awakening from the operation. The extent of our conversation at that time was him saying, ‘You have a brand new hip.” He had a mask on so I am not sure it was really him.
“HOW DO YOU LIKE YOUR SURGEON?” MY FAMILY DOCTOR ONCE ASKED. “I DON’T KNOW”, I SAID. “HOW WOULD I KNOW IN JUST 20 MINUTES?”
The next and last visit (unless I get knee surgery on BigFoot) will be an opportunity for another 20 minute conversation. WilI I then recognize my cute young surgeon on the street? Doubtful.
But the goal now is to walk normally. Bill went out and bought me a full length mirror to lean on a door at the end of a long hall. I can see myself coming if not going and try to correct my gait.
“Practice makes perfect” but Bill says ,”You still walk like a duck!”
Such is life and the miracles of modern medicine.
Virginia Views 
I think aging is one thing after another and it sure isn’t for sissies, as they say!
The masking – I’m not great with remembering faces at the best of times, but I now have a new doctor and a dental assistant who I don’t have a clue what they look like because they have always been masked since I met them.
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Well, you may walk like a duck, but if you don’t start quacking like a duck, no one will mistake you for a duck!
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Awww! I’m sorry you aren’t running and skipping with abandon after the pain you went through. Enjoy that new hip, though!
I walked with a cane for 2.5 years after my second total knee replacement. I hated my gimpy walk and wish I’d called it a duck walk. A magical physical therapist felt the problem was a connection in my back. She guided my home exercises, and after months, I began walking normally. I’ve been grateful these eight years since then. How I hope you find a wonderful cure for Big Foot and will enjoy watching yourself walk toward the mirror Bill bought for you!
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Glad your hip surgery went well… I agree with Bill, keep practicing. 🙂
You are lucky you got 20 min. with your surgeon. My knee surgeon I met for a few minutes the day of the surgery, when he breezed in, introduced himself, asked me which knee and then wrote his initials on it and left! Like a rock star, he has staff to handle all the rest. 😉
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Dorann, you’ve made an entertaning story of your discomfort. Making lemonade!!!
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old age – wiser but wobblier .
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Hi Dora for all your problems you still have that wonderful sense of humour and I am pleased your hip operation was successful. I came across an advert only yesterday which said……you can think yourself young again., I didn’t bother to read it.. We just have to try and grow old gracefully my mother always told me. I find it difficult though.when discovering I can;t tackle things I once was able to . Oh well such is life !!
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Remember, you are making progress, and that’s what counts!! You’re doing great! That’s funny about your cute surgeon because Mike’s surgeon was a woman, and he thought she was hot LOL :).
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I had my left hip replaced. We should enter three-legged races. We would shine!
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So the lack of pain in your hip now means you can feel more pain in your foot. Yay?
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Such is life at our age indeed! Glad you have not pain in new hip; Sorry you are still gimpy – maybe the mirror will help. Sometimes this is as good as it gets and I am grateful it is not worse. At least your doctor was cute…they get younger and younger! Cheers!
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Well, you are making progress (at least on the right) so that’s good, right?
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Good things stand out as I make progress. I can put on my own shoes and socks now. There are days when I can move quickly too. Yup. Life is good, especially on the right side!
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you have a point there. Maybe I am still having the expectations of the young and should finally accept the mirror image and the slower pace! On the other hand, maybe I am just too stubborn.
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Yes! Makes me laugh the way you so quickly got it.
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What a pair of compensating legs!
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Progress is the name of the game now and it helps to have young cute medi-people to administer their magic . :}
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I am thinking and thinking but not getting any younger. It is still a frightening surprise however, to see myself in a mirror. Thankyou Rita.
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LOL I love your short word answers that are so “right on.”
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I do think adversity can be funny sometimes. And entertaining great writers like you is more than half the fun.
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So funny as you describe your rock star surgeon. They must all be alike. The only difference could be that my guy is very young and so greatly loved by all his minions.
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How fortunate you were to find a therapist who could help with the knee problem. I got a cortisone shot in the left knee about a week ago with no improvement so far. The right leg is now the good one. Such is life.
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I will try not to quack but the impulse is there.
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I am thinking of all the strangers I will meet when we are finally all unmasked.
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I hope you get relief soon. I had a shot in the eye, and nothing has changed. There is nothing to do but wait.
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