Im nearly 8 weeks post op (second hip) and doing well. I had my check up with my consultant last Friday and everything seemed ok and best of all he gave me the go ahead to drive again as long as I practiced first to make sure all ok. So I started driving again at the weekend which is great, walked the dog, saw a couple of friends yesterday and today I went out in my car to the shops.
Although I walk around the house most of the time without a crutch I still take one when I go out. When I popped in to my local Co-op to buy a couple of things I took the crutch with me and used it as I walked round the shop. I paid for everything and went back to the car and a young woman called after me "excuse me is this yours?" she was holding the crutch that I had left in the shop. I felt so embarrassed and she looked at me as if I obviously didnt need the crutch! Oh dear 😳. The trouble is I just totally forgot it.
Despite all this I think I will still take the crutch when I go out at least when I walk the dog, maybe not to the shops though! lol!
Congrats..I have done similar and quit using it altogether now I am 14 weeks out and have been having thigh and knee pain so have gone back to it if walking a distance, good luck.
Congratulations! You have progressed to the point in your recovery that you were able to ake it outside the supermarket without the crutch, It became almost superflouous! No reason to feel embarrassed that you had left it behind. The problem we all have in this day and age, is that everyone is in such a rush. If you had the opportunity, you could haave told her that you were post op, and still nervous about going wnaywhere without the crutch for support.
I am still very much pre op but at this stage in recovery, and particularly at the pre Christmas time of year, people are absolutely manic, The crutch is an obvious signal to others around you that you are still having mobility problems, and they shoud take care.
I do find that young people are too hasty to pass judgment, and do not always think beyond the end of their nose! Why did she supppose that you had the crutch in the first instance? A little intelligence and thought would have been far more productive. However, you may have misinterpreted the manner in which she was looking at you. You may, for example, have been walking very well without it, better than you think! No matter, what no one has the right to pass judgement on anyone else, unless they are in full possession of the facts.
So, mark this one down to her naiivete, insensitivty and lack of thought. Having said that, she did bring it to you, though!
I had to use my one crutch last night as went to a carol/tree lighting event which involved standing for over an hour. I am 13 weeks post op...I felt a fraud but really needed it! I have left my crutch too......and a friend said you don't need it..it is the just in case thing most of the time but I do limp without it..
Thanks deborah, think thats very sensible advice. I definitely need it still when Im out just depends how long Im standing for, what the grounds like etc. Sounds like you are are doing well too. Long may it continue!
Thanks for your lovely post susie and I do agree with you people seem to be in such a hurry nowadays, in shops, on the street, even on the roads. Wasnt it Graham who said he was going to take two crutches out with him for defense not stability! And that the worst offenders were women. I think we all lead such busy livess but you would think they would show respect who isnt fully able bodied.
I might have misread the young womans meaning but never mind it wont stop me taking the crutch out with me, better safe than sorry at the moment!
Hi Alice, you shouldnt feel a fraud at all. I would def need the support of the crutch if I was standing that long as I said to susie, bett safe than sorry.
I went to a see Sam Smith in London about 12 weeks after my first op. I left the crutch in the car stupidly thinking I could manage and I couldnt!
Luckily I had my darling husband to hang on to but I learnt my lesson as I ached all over the next day.
Thats why I take it with me whenever Im out even if I forget it sometimes!
Standing is a lot tougher than walking my therapist said. If you feel the need use it, don't want to get in habit of limping. It can just be you need more time, I am 14 weeks and still think on some days I need it.
you are doing so good ... I kinow that my walk is still unbalanced and I take my cane with me and in some bigger stores I even take my 4 wheeled buddy with me - shopping carts are fine but to reach in and get groceries out is still quite a reach -
Oh, and the bagging of the groceries - 34 years living in Los Angeles have spoiled me - not only were my groceries bagged, I was always asked if I need help out to the car ...
Anyway ... I live in a small town now and nobody seems to be in a rush - except tourists -
big warm hug and just wave the cane ...
I wish mine was just a bit more flashy looking ....
bit stiff this morning but think thats to do with getting in and out of the car. You are absolutely right to use as much support as you need, it will get better in time. My consultant said it can take up to a year to be completely healed and I can believe it.
in the uk we can have help to bag up the groceries but not the service that you get in the States. we also have smaller higher trolleys that are easier to push round and get your shopping out.
funny you should mention about a more flashy looking cane I was thinking about getting a cane but they all looked a bit plain so perhaps we could start up a business - customised canes! 😀