I'm three weeks post op, and the forward momentum of progress is still going strong. No pain, no cane, baby! I haven't taken Tylenol for about a week now, and the only meds I'm still on is the baby aspirin to prevent blood clots. The physical changes are much more subtle now, most likely barely noticeable by anyone other than me. Every day there seems to be a little less hitch in my giddy up...my leg length seems to be evening out, slowly but surely, which is helping my gait inch its way toward normal. Midday is when I feel my best, when the stiffness from being in bed all night melts away and before the fatigue of getting around all day sets in.
The rest of my movements are starting to feel more free and easy, not requiring as much thought. I don't have to back myself into bed anymore and can climb in pretty much the way I did before surgery. I'm getting in and out of the shower with greater ease and only using the shower chair to shave. Today was my last visit with the in-home PT, and she gave me the green light to start step ups with my left leg. Until today, I've been taking stairs one at a time, stepping up with the right leg every time.
I've been given a whole list of really basic exercises I can start doing and progressing as tolerated. Thank you, sweet baby Jesus, because when I got out of the shower this morning, I noticed a flatness where my left butt cheek used to be.
Granted, I'm sure there was plenty of atrophy on my left side before surgery, but seeing these side by side shots was alarming. Looks like I'm adding "grow left ass" to my to do list.
Sleep has been another significant area of improvement. My body aches less, I'm sleeping for longer stretches at a time, and I'm finding it easier to fall back asleep after I've woken up. I've even slept through the night a couple of times in the past week. I've tried lying on my right side with a pillow between my knees and feet for a few minutes, but I don't think I could sleep all night in that position.
I'm getting back to doing my every day things around the house, but in a slightly modified way. I've done some laundry, but since I can't carry a full laundry basket yet (especially not up and down stairs), I throw the sheets or towels down the stairs and carry them in manageable loads to the washing machine. I still get help with my clothes since it would be a little more challenging to pick up all the little bits as they rain down the stairs.
Much to the delight of my family, I've gotten back to cooking some dinners. I'm still building up stamina for time on my feet, so I'll all the chopping, slicing, and dicing, sit for a few, then get to cooking. It's serving me well right now since I'm not working or playing Camryn's personal chauffeur and have time to spread the dinner prep out.
I'm a little annoyed that I'm cooking and cleaning yet still not driving, but I will stay the course and continue to be patient. I was given the ok to ride in a car (shhhhh...what the PT doesn't know won't hurt her!), but she realllly wants me to wait til I'm four weeks out to start driving. I think I can, I think I can. I'm thankful Brynn has stepped up in the running errands for me department, and I have an incredible village that has helped me get Camryn to allllll the places a busy 14 year old girl without a license needs to be. For now, I'll just make the most of my off duty status.
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