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It's been eight weeks since my hip replacement. Over the last weeks, I've realized there is a fear of living without pain. A sense that life may be worst than it already is by having a joint replacement. That misconception scares people into dealing with their pain. It sure did for me.
Coming to terms with a hip replacement at 38 wasn't easy. The weeks leading up to the surgery were very emotional. Despite the intense pain and it affecting my everyday life, I contemplated letting it go. I thought about my Grandma, who had a hip replacement thirty years ago. How she never walked "normal" after that surgery. It scared me.
The fear of living without pain, and the consequences of what that might mean to my life was the basis for me weighing the pros and cons of continuing to live my life with avascular necrosis.
My life was already taking a backseat to my hip, so why couldn't I continue living that way? I would continue missing out on things I already was missing out on so why bother trying something new or better was what I thought.
Sometimes when you're in pain, you get so used to modifying your life around that pain that eventually it becomes your normal, and you can't imagine a life without it.
The first four weeks after surgery weren't easy. Walking with a crutch and not being able to walk independently was mentally tough, and I was beginning to wonder if I made mistake having a hip replacement.
Now eight weeks later, I can say I have zero regrets. I'm able to spend time with friends and do everything I love. There's no part of me that wishes I hadn't gone through with the surgery. My life is much better now. Of course, there are days I wobble more than walk because my leg muscles are still weak from surgery. But my quality of life is a trillion times better than before the surgery, and I'm back to doing what I love.
Before the surgery, my hip affected every aspect of my life.
My work because I couldn't stand too long to cook and photograph. Health coaching and blogging were tricky because I couldn't sit too long. I was always avoiding social situations where I had to sit or stand too long. I was embarrassed to tell friends so I just wouldn't go with them.
It affected my physical activity too. I couldn't workout the way I used to. I could swim, but would get horrible arthritic pain hours after. Although I walked several miles each week, I would get stiff and my back would hurt. I could cycle, but my hip would scream at me with every rotation. But mostly, it affected my mental health.
I was so used to being in pain that I gave up thinking it could be different. I never imagined I could have a better life, and I feared living a life without pain.
However, after finding the right doctor and taking a leap of faith, I realize now how silly that was and what a strong grip that fear of living without pain had on me.
Fear holds us back in more ways than we consciously recognize. It prevents us from doing the things that are in our heart. It stops us from living a happy, fulfilling life. The worst part is sometimes we don't realize how strong that fear is until we take that leap of faith.
If you or someone you know is suffering with hip or knee joint pain, I encourage you to find a medical professional near you who can provide solutions. Having a hip replacement gave me back my life, and perhaps it can do the same for you. Find out more at TimeToHitPlay!
In the past it was hard for me to go out with friends or do anything without hip/ back pain. Two years later I'm finally not having to take meloxicam every single day but I still need it when I travel. That makes me think twice on when to plan a family because I won't be able
To take it when I'm pregnant so I won't be able to travel chronic pain has affected every aspect
Of my life