May 19, 2008
Frustration put into perspective
I have been pretty frustrated with my recovery almost the entire time since my surgeries, particularly after the 2nd one. But when I stop to think about it, I am still way ahead of expectations for just about everyone but myself… A couple days ago marked 5 months since my 1st operation in December. My 2nd operation was less than 3 1/2 months ago. And I have officially been off crutches following surgery 2 for just 6 1/2 weeks. So that I cannot do everything yet is understandable.
The physical therapists have had me doing some very tough exercises, which I love.  Some of the worst (I say “best”) include such things as squating down to where the hips are almost as low as the knees and then lift up one leg and try to go lower on the one leg that is supporting all the weight. As personal trainers give me a funny look while they pass by I ask “Can YOU do this?” To which the answer is often “No.” Ha! My range-of-motion is coming back slowly. My strength is fine, in general. But I lack strength, balance and stability when I am at a point of major flexion. Basically, I still have work to do that the physical therapists are working almost as hard as me on. I had to quit therapy a little early on Thursday, however. Not because of anything in my hips but rather because of sharp pain in my lower back. Bad form…
<> I participated in “bike to work day” last Thursday. It was about 15 minutes (drive usually takes about 7) in in the morning.  Near record heat. But since it was just after 5am, it wasn’t too hot. But when I left physical therapy at about 3:30pm, it was really hot and with the increased traffic it took me about 25 minutes to bike home in the hot sun. My hips were fine with that ride. The question is, can I do the 100-mile bike race in July that I am tentatively planning to do for charity with some of my coworkers…
<>I do feel some pain (I call it “discomfort”) in my left hip. I am quite sure that this is primarily due to all the lost cartillage that cannot really be regenerated. I think I’m stuck with this feeling, although it certainly is not any worse than it was 6 months ago; not even close, actually.