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!