I have
learned a lot about myself during the last six months. During that time I was
in almost continual intense pain, eventually ending up with a complete knee
replacement followed six weeks later with a complete hip replacement. Wow! I am
now five weeks out from the last surgery and just got back from a walk in the park
with my dog, Taj. It’s just amazing that I can be pain free and mobile again!
So, where
do I begin? The first thing that comes to mind is dealing with pain. I have had
short periods of intense pain—childbirth comes to mind. Never have I had
eye-tearing pain that continues day and night for months! I have never been one
to complain or whine about pain. This time I did. What did I learn? Whine
LOUDER!
My
surgeon and primary doctor both underestimated my concerns about the amount of
pain I was in. They did not believe me, partly because they had never known me
to complain. Also, I don’t think I was persistent or persuasive enough in my
communications with them. I hadn’t come into my power yet, which is one of the
things that developed throughout this process.
More
about power: When I went into the therapy rehab unit after the knee surgery
they didn’t have my medication ordered. I spent the first 20 hours there
without any pain medication. I called my good friend who had been a nurse
before retiring and said, “I’m out of here.” She said, “No, you’re not! You
have to learn to get what you need, say what you need and come into your power
around this. Imagine what you want your recovery to look like and make it so”.
She was right.
When you
are in a rehab unit there is a constant flow of people coming in an out of your
room to help you, take vitals, offer various therapies, give medications, clean
your room, etc. I learned that I had to say what I wanted. If it wasn’t a good
time for me—I had to say that. If I had company, I had to say, “No, please come
back”. After a while I got better and better at this and came out stronger than
I have ever been.
After the
knee surgery my hip began to deteriorate quickly. I had to use my newfound
power to push the surgeon to do the appropriate tests necessary to meet
insurance mandates for doing surgery. The surgeon said to me, “I didn’t listen
to you about how bad your knee was so this time I am going to pay attention.
You know your body and I need to take your lead. I will order the tests and do
surgery six weeks after the knee, if needed.” I was shocked to hear this from a
surgeon! I was shocked and happy!
Another
thing I learned was what excellent, loving, amazing friends I have. Everyone
was exceptional and completely there for me in exactly the right ways I needed.
I knew I had good friends but until I was laid up I didn’t know how totally fantastic
they were. I had many visits during both surgeries and recoveries, calls,
cards, prayers and well-wishes galore and ended up knowing without a doubt I am
living in the right place and am truly blessed.
I am
grateful to be on the other side of these surgeries. I am still going to
physical therapy twice a week and a lot of my time and attention goes toward my
exercises and continued rehab. I am walking well and am practically pain free.
I wouldn’t want to go through it again. I did learn a lot about myself. I
learned to honor my needs and how to go about getting them met.
