Walking Again

My walking ability feels comparable to where I was towards the end of my rehabilitation at Sacred Heart in Sydney, a couple of months after my lower right leg amputation. Not the initial stages, when I was barely mobile and frequently falling, but the later phase.

After my hip fracture and replacement on Tuesday I can walk again, but it requires significant concentration.

For the last two days I’ve walked (using crutches) with a physiotherapist, who was very pleased with my progress. We covered about a hundred metres at a time, and while I could have gone further, we felt we’d achieved the day’s objective. I also practiced stairs, initially with crutches, then without, using the handrails. I’m encouraged by this progress.

Everything I’ve read suggests early and intensive rehabilitation is crucial for recovery after a hip operation/replacement.

This is why I was frustrated by the slow pace of the bureaucracy here at the hospital.

Three days post-surgery, I was still struggling to get physio support. I spent several hours on Friday asking for a physiotherapist, and none arrived until 4 PM. Compounding this frustration was the fact that I hadn’t been assessed for rehabilitation at all, nor had I been visited by anyone from the rehabilitation team. When the physiotherapist finally arrived on Friday, the one I’d hoped would facilitate a transfer, he was surprised I wasn’t already in rehabilitation. He also remarked that I seemed incredibly motivated and in an excellent position to benefit from rehab.

However, the hospital hadn’t acted on this, which is incredibly frustrating, especially since I knew I could likely obtain a bed back at Sacred Heart where they know my case well, since I spent four months there. By then, it was too late to transfer for the weekend, so I’m stuck here in the orthopedic ward at RPA. It’s essentially a medical holding area, with everyone experiencing serious mobility issues.

My own symptoms, primarily mild pain, have largely subsided. Many of the other patients are much older and require significantly more care. I feel I’d benefit far more from being in rehabilitation, actively engaging in therapy. Hopefully, that will happen tomorrow.

One positive aspect of the past few days has been the visits from friends. We’ve enjoyed spending time outside, taking advantage of the lovely weather, and having normal conversations that don’t revolve around my health.

It’s a welcome respite from the constant noise in this room. The other patients, despite being in their 80s and 90s, keep their televisions blaring, even late at night and when they’re asleep. This has been a source of considerable frustration. Thankfully I have noise cancelling headphones. I’m hoping to transfer closer to home tomorrow, which would be a significant improvement.