7 Weeks Post-Op

Today is 7 weeks post-op for me and I am feeling pretty good. I had physical therapy today and have finally been allowed to progress out of the pool to some land-based strength training exercises. It feels good to be able to bear weight on my leg, even if it is only 50 lbs. Even though I am progressing it is hard to feel discouraged when you realize you still have another 6 weeks on crutches and a couple months till you are walking like a normal person without assistance. I just want to be able to walk my new puppy. I want to be able to run around, shop, do chores, without the assistance of crutches. They definitely get old after awhile.

On a more positive note, my dad has an interview with Purdue University today and I am praying and hoping that he gets this job. I think it would have a lot of good opportunities and would be a better working environment. Just keep it in your prayers that this works out. This is never an easy process and for me this has been scary with the hip recovery and losing health insurance and by all means I am not for national health care proposed by President Obama. That is not the answer either. I am working with the hospital and payment plans to pay the bills as well as putting my therapy on a payment plan as well so that I can continue with my therapy and continue to progress.

Going through this surgery and recovery has motivated me to pursue a degree in the health field as well as pursue public health and health law. I am a supporter of a conservative patients rights organization that is for better health care, not national health care. Health advovcacy has become a passion and I have first-hand experience and would like to be able to affect the future of American health care. Through difficult situations, God has a way of teaching you and guiding you down different paths.

Weight-Training

So, this past week I had my 6 week post-op visit with Dr. Scheid. The appointment went fantastic and I even get to start bearing weight on my leg starting with 25 lbs and adding 25 each week. It is a good feeling to be taking the next step to walking and running again. I also got the go ahead to bike and swim as much as my heart desires which includes adding some resistance! I can also start to lift weights for my quads and hamstrings to build strength, as well as do ab workouts. I am excited to be able to increase my therapy regimen and I have missed being able to workout, so being able to swim and bike will be nice to release some stress and energy.

There was a small negative at the appointment in regards to the healing of the wound. A small section of my wound has not healed and while I should have called earlier about it, I didn't think about it because it didn't look infected and was slowly looking better. I have to do what is called a wet-to-dry dressing twice a day till I see him again in 2 weeks. I have to go for an additional check-up to check on the progress of the wound healing. It is only a small set back, but it already it starting to look a lot better.

I love having the new puppy around, even if she does wake me up way to early in the morning lol. I am looking forward to being able to take her on walks this fall and run with her outside. It is a definite motivation to continue and push my progress in therapy.

I will be back down to my apartment in less than a week and it feels good to be able to drive and get back to where I was prior to the surgery. I just hope that my dad is able to find a job soon, so I can continue therapy. I worry about my family and my mom has taken the recent job loss hard. I know that eventually everything will work out, but it is a stressful situation. My dad does have a lead working at Purdue University and I think it could open many doors and allow him to not only get his Ph.D., but possible teach more than he already does! I am keeping it in my prayers and I feel like this could be a much better job than his previous job at Toyota. I feel bad because the surgical costs are so expensive and physically I can not help out around my parents house as I would like, but things will get better, it just may take some time.

6 Weeks Post-Op

WOW! I can not believe today is 6 weeks post-op. I have been swimming and have increased my time in the pool and the therapy clinic. I feel a lot stronger, but I have to be careful as I try to ditch my crutches and use my operated leg. It does not feel to bad, but I am unsure if the bones have healed enough. I see my doc for a 6-week post-op this Wednesday and I will get to find out how well the bones are healing and whether or not I get to progress to more exercises, get to drive or hopefully ditch a crutch! That is wishful thinking and I am not trying to rush the process, but I am hoping I am healing well.

This has been very difficult and has just gotten even more difficult. My dad was just laid-off from his job at Toyota and the health insurance ends this month. I am unsure of how my therapy will continue after the next couple weeks. It is a terrifying situation to be in and I just pray for my family because this is not going to be easy. I am unsure of what this is going to bring. I just hope that I can afford the rest of the therapy needed to get back to work. The Army requires a big physical demand and I if I do not recover...I have no job and I can be released from my ROTC program as well as owe them the money from my tuition and stipends. It is a scary thought of what ifs...I am trying to stay busy and work on alternative options and sources for recovery while still helping out my family as much as I can. I know my family is worried, stressed and angry that this has happened. I just hope this is a short process and that we can get through this. I hate seeing my family hurting and would do anything to change that.

I have had a recent joy that brings happiness in this stressful situation. Her name is Chloe! She is my new mini Aussie Shepherd. She brings laughter and love to the family. Please pray for my family...I am worried...

5 Weeks Post-Op

Today is 5 weeks from my RPAO. I can not believe how far I have come, but yet there is still so much yet to do! I am able to do more and more each day and I am slowly regaining muscle strength, but I still have a few more weeks of no weight-bearing, which makes it difficult to regain strength. There are many things I can do which include:

• Taking a shower/cleaning up by myself
• Being able to pick up my leg and get into/out of the car by myself
• Crutch fairly long distances lol :)
  
• Get dressed without help, which includes getting shoes on and off!
  
• Creatively carry things with my crutches ;)
• Take only a few painkillers a day
• Sleep with only waking up once during the night - Thank God!
• Mastered stairs on my cool crutches
• Regained some flexibility in my hip (I can move it laterally, pick up my knee like marching, almost kick my butt with my foot, etc...)

I am still swimming about once a week, which helps with range of motion and flexibility and this past week I started biking without resistance. I did a total of about 4 minutes without pain or any problems. The recovery is definitely a slow process, but I can see progress. The thing I can't wait to do most is get back to driving my car. I miss being able to take myself places and feel fully independent.

Also, this week brings a lot of happiness because I am getting a Mini Australian Shepherd, Chloe. She was born on 25 May 2009 and is only about 6 weeks old. She is black and white and will be the new addition to the household. I truly think she will help in my recovery as motivation to be able to play with her and something else to focus my attention on. I am very excited!

I have had a lot of doubts over the past few weeks, but I want to allow myself to recover before making any decisions in regards to my future in the Army. I just want to be at peace with whatever path it leads me. This has not been an easy journey and I have a long way to go, but I have also come along way in these past few weeks.

4 Weeks Post-Op

Time has been flying by and I am now 4 weeks post-op from my PAO. I just returned from a weekend in Wisconsin for the Fourth of July and I was pleasantly surprised to see how well I was able to get around. I was very tired after a day at the relatives, walking around, etc., but it was a great weekend to spend with the family. I am finally able to take a shower by myself with only help carrying towels into the bathroom. It is so nice to have that time to myself and not need someone else, my Mom, to help me bathe. I am becoming a pro at getting in and out of the car and am actually able to get my op-leg into the car without using my hands to help lift it. It is the small accomplishments that feel so good. I have also been able to downgrade the dosage and usage of the painkillers. I still need them, but only take them a few times a day. I am slowly weening myelf off the meds and hopefully in a few more weeks I will be cleared to drive! I do miss my wonderful SUV and my new apartment.

One of my MSG's called to check up on me and I didn't answer the call because I have lost so much respect for him. He has told me in the past that "life is not fair" even though he is in a position to affect change and basically told me that I was "weak" and to not cause "drama" after I have been dragged through the mud by my cadre, him included. Part of me is not looking forward to coming back to my ROTC program this fall because of everything I have been through, but part of me just wants to stick it to those who told me I couldn't make it. I am looking forward to our new commander in hopes that he will be more realistic in his advice and leadership style. At least I can look at him as a fresh start with a new commander.

This year is going to pose many challenges. I have a large coarse load, as well as my rehab from the surgery. It will take many months to regain my strength and endurance and I am greatly looking forward to my first run in many months. I will also have to be able to get back to a preformance level fit for an Army career. The requirements are more than just a weekend athlete, but I will do my best to be back better than before the surgery. I just pray that I will not have to a left PAO for awhile, but I try not to think about that and just focus on my current recovery. I still have almost 2 months before classes resume for the fall and I am hoping that it will allow me to regain some strength before my crazy schedule begins. I wish everyone going through this a great recovery! It is no easy path...