Four, Three, Two... Legs That is

I have been meaning to post for the six weeks since my operation, but somehow, despite writing reams, I never quite felt right about pressing the Publish button. Perhaps the gory details of the operation weren't meant to be shared, or perhaps the first few weeks of mewing self-pity and wimpering woe-begone-ness were just too awful to inflict on any unfortunate passer by.

Now, at slightly over six weeks after my operation, I am feeling like a human being again; still a clunky and inelegant one, but so much better than before. The only pain I get now is from my "old" hip, the un-operated one that still needs replacement, but the new bionic one is absolutely amazing. I'm also getting oedema in my ankles and feet which is a right pain (literally as well as figuratively) and today I finally caved in and went and bought myself a pair of soft velcro trainers that have done wonders for me. Not elegant or chic, but very kind to my lower extremities.

Best of all, I climbed into my car for the first time in seven weeks last Friday and drove. I had to make sure I could do an emergency stop - I suppose that being able to move one's right leg rapidly on to the brake pedal is important - and then I was away. Being able to drive again coincided with some pleasant work trips that I have to make locally each morning, and the road takes me through tiny country lanes that have more potholes than tarmac and a profusion of wildlife all around... and the whole experience of being under my own steam and setting out each morning on such a lovely journey has been uplifting.

And the title...? Well, on leaving hospital, three days after the operation, I had two walking sticks and looked like a strange four-legged creature, as it took a while for me to learn to walk really upright again. I 'graduated' to one stick, but that was a bit of a disaster, as the old, arthritic hip meant I kept moving into all sorts of odd contortions and walking upright became a challenge. This week, as well as lots of other milestones, I have managed to walk about with no sticks at all, even though mostly indoors and not for great distances - oh, but it feels wonderful. On top of all that, I have managed to put aside some of the 'aids' that have filled the house for the past six weeks and it feel just fantastic. I feel "normal" again, whatever that is - I'm rejoining the human race. There's still a long way to go, but it's nice to feel that I've started the journey.