Approaching 6 Months Post-Op

In another week or so I will be 6 months post-op from my RPAO. I have been gaining some more strength and endurance. I have been able to do 25 minutes on the ellipitcal without stopping. As I look back and realize how much of an accomplishment that really is, I still know that I have a ways to go. I still have pain in my hip and my left hip has been bothering me more and more. I am still not aloowed to work "through the pain" because I have a stress fracture that is healing along with the surgical sites. I am discouraged because I have gained about 15 lbs since the surgery and am having difficulty dropping the pounds. I am hoping as I continue to eat healthy and am able to more cardio and weights I will be able to drop the weight. It is just not fun to have a hip problem and gain weight too. Boo :(

I have been blessed with the ability to meet other hippie girls in the Indy area. They truly are amazing women! They tell me how encouraging I am to talk with prior to their surgeries, but listening to them encourages me. Not only was I able to go through my recovery with Stephanie, but I now regularly speak with Jessica, Courtney, Shelly and Sabrina. There are also a couple ladies I speak with from out of town, Jennifer and Marcie. It has been a blessing to have things like facebook and hipwomen to be able to stay in contact with other hippies. It is amazing to be able to speak with others who understand what you are going through. It is always nice to have a shoulder to lean on. These other women have amazing strength and charisma that raise my spirits and give me a renewed strength; that we are not alone and will get through this! I thank God for being able to meet and speak with all of them. It has been a real blessing.

I have been seriously contemplating having my left hip done next summer. I do not want it to get nearly as bad or painful as my right one had before having it fixed. Also, while I am still covered on my parents insurance plan, which is a great plan, I want to take the opportunity while I still have it. I have looked at getting my own plan, but they would not cover the PAO for a significant period of time and the price is not afforadable. I am going to be in a Master's Program next fall, so I still am eligible under my parents plan, so I want to take advantage of the insurance plan while I can. I am trying to prepare myself because my left hip has been acting up and the symptoms are similar to my right when it began to bother me. I would just like to get them both done and overwith, heal and move on!

I am hoping for a great holiday this winter. I will be making a lot of visits to Methodist Hospital to visit my hippie girls recovering from their surgeries and I will be spending a lot of time with my family and friends enjoying good food and great company. I am very excited to be finishing up my fall semester and beginning my last semester of my undergraduate degree. This year has been very challenging with many struggles, but there has been many great moments as well as being blessed with many new friends!

Sometimes I Just Don't Understand

Well, lately has been a roller coaster of events, emotions and stress. I am coming to the end of my fall semester of my senior year, which is exciting, as well as applying for graduate school. On another note, it looks as if this will be my last semester with ROTC. I spoke with my commander and we are submitting my medical packet for determination of my status, but we already know what the answer is going to be...I am going to be disenrolled and return to my enlisted rank. My heart feels so broken because I get all the way through the program and fail to receive my gold bar. I feel like I my hard work is never good enough, as if the problem with the hip wasn't bad enough, my goals are falling apart as well. However, it does look like I may be bable to pursue a different commissioning avenue, but it will have to be another year or two to allow enough time to properly heal. I haven't really voiced anything to my friends yet, nor my peers. I am not sure how to say it, because I am afraid of breaking into tears. I couldn't help the tears while speaking with my commander, its been so disappointing and I feel as if I can not win. Fortunately, my commander has been supportive and has done anything in his power to help and work with me through this situation. I am truly grateful for that. It has at least made the transition easier, as well I will be able to leave on a positive note and with recommendations for commissioning at a later time.

These last few weeks have been so draining, but I have been able to find renewed strength in my hippie friends. I have been able to meet with some amazing young women (Jessica, Shelly, Courtney) who are gearing up for their hip surgeries in the next few weeks. It is a blessing to be able to speak with others who completely understand what you are going through. It is nice to be able to vent and even joke about the experiences that we have had. We can joke around that we are really part german shepherd and larbrador retreiver. lol It has been nice to have some new friends that don't think you are nuts or are faking it. Can't believe it, but some people just think you are faking it for attention, no joke! Its great to be able to lean on others and not take the journey alone.

I have been doing my best to lose the weight I gained after the surgery, but it has to be one of the biggest pains. I watch what I eat, drink plenty of water, but my exercise limitations make it difficults to drop the lb's. I have to be very careful not to work through pain, which makes my workout routines sporadic. When I get worn down, I hurt more and then can not exercise. It adds to the frustration because I would love to be able to work out some frustration, but I can't screw with the healing process.

On a good note, my pup, Chloe, is such a joy to have aorund. Her excitement and enthusiasm is contagious. She is always excited to see you and makes a great cuddle buddy :)