Evening out

It was time to even things out with the hip joints.  After some fits-and-starts with scheduling, I eventually got back in to see Dr. Parvizi at Rothman again.  My biggest fear was that he was going to say, "Let's wait and see for 6 months."  That would have been totally contrary to my plans to leave employment with the CIty by the end of this year.  As my luck would have it though, he recommended a labrum repair to match lefty with ol' righty. 

Going in to the surgery was low-key terrifying this time.  Whereas in the first go-round, I had been so laid up for so long, I was happy for anything that promised to help, this time I was actually feeling pretty OK before the surgery and I wasn't keen on the discomfort an immobilization to come.  I had been traumatized by some of the more acute pain episodes--feeling like my bladder was going to burst along with my hip as I hobbled to the bathroom at Jefferson on the day of the surgery, followed by an opiate-induced constipation episode which I wouldn't wish on anyone, and ultimately just the pain of hobbling around and recovering. 

I could have just chilled a bit.  Recovery from the first surgery was honestly quite good.  Aside from the pain, I was riding my bike to work about ten days after surgery, and was able to resume fairly full activity about a month later.  This time, things were even speedier and required very little in the way of pain management.  

Within a few days I was walking with 'crutches optional' and then was able to tootle around on a brief bike ride to Harbor Freight on Wednesday--just 8 days after the operation.  I probably could have made it happen on Sunday, but I'm actually somewhat wiser than I was 9 years ago, and less eager to push my limits. 

Mc'Crutchin Bakery

Perhaps the best part about recovery this time is that I actually have been able to use some of my tremendous stockpile of sick leave.  The ability to check out fully, and just focus on recovery rather than worry about getting back to work has been huge for my mental health, and I think that the markedly better sleep made possible by that relaxation really sped my recovery.  Turns out that sleep is good for you!  Go figure. 

2 days post surgery, working away in the dungeon.

I'm hopefull that things continue to improve at this pace.  It would be so awesome to be OK'd for mountain biking following my 4 week check up next Wednesday.