This week has been both enjoyable and challenging.
I’ve experienced significant fatigue, which has been happening most days, likely due to the combined effects of my previous amputation and the recent hip replacement. While everyone assures me I’m recovering well, I feel frustrated by what I perceive as my slow progress.
Today, at the Surry Hills Streets Festival with friends Andrea and Ross, I told a former colleague we ran into I feel like I’ve regressed about 18 months. All the progress I made walking without crutches after the amputation feels undone. Even simple outings, like walking with a friend a few hundred metres up the street on Thursday, have left me utterly exhausted.
The festival was lovely, but I could only walk about 100 metres before needing to rest. Despite pacing myself, I was drained by the end. My friends were incredibly understanding and helpful and amazing, but the personal frustration remains. I feel like I should be getting around like I was before the hip replacement.
One colleague we ran into at the festival praised my ‘get on with it’ attitude. While I appreciate the compliment, I need to be honest about my “down” moments, and there have been a couple this week. Despite enjoying this week’s experiences, I’m feeling disheartened by my perceived lack of mobility progress. I know I’m likely putting too much pressure on myself, but it’s hard to ignore.
Returning to work, two days in the office and one at home, was also taxing. Public transport is still too much, so I caught a couple of Ubers.
Furthermore this week, my prosthetist confirmed my physio’s observation: my legs were uneven in length since the hip replacement. This is apparently a common issue, especially for people with amputations. He took a few measurements, got me to walk up and down a few times, pulled out the necessary tools adjusted my prosthesis, and my gait has improved.
Adding to my efforts to improve my mobility, on Tuesday I will be test driving some mobility scooters. In fact, while walking along the street the other night, I stopped a stranger whose scooter caught my eye and asked him about its price, stability, and other details, which he kindly shared.
Looking ahead, my niece is visiting this week, which I’m excited about. We have plans for lunch, a harbour cruise, and a comedy show. However, I anticipate needing rest days between activities. I also have some work commitments to balance.
From what I have seen, far more abled people than you get around on scooters. I rather think I would like one myself….soon, but not yet. And of course you have a level boarding tram passing nearby.
When I had one recently, access to the tram was excellent. I went to work one day by using the scooter to and from the tram, and had no problems at all. Like you, I never thought I’d want or need one, but then I had the experience using my sister’s at Christmas time, and I realized the advantages.