Fractured hip*

@faith123, I fell and fractured my hip in June. After surgery, my husband 3ho was under my full time care and I were put in a nursing home. He was in the Dementia unit and I was in the Rehab unit, but I could visit him as I was able. He did not get the same quality of care that i got in the rehab unit. I used a lot of my spare time repeating my exercises and walking the halls. Of course I started in a wheelchair, graduated from wheelchair to a cane and finally walking alone using the railings along the walls in the hallways for support and stopping to rest as needed. I worked hard so I could recover and take care of my husband again. I have no family except a daughter who never visited or called, so I came home alone to finalize my recovery.

Six days after I was home, my husband passed away and that set me back a lot. I still have no appetite and no desire to go anywhere or do anything. I know this is due to grieving and I am determined to get through this and enjoy the rest of my life. (I am almost 74, my husband was 82) My faith has played a big part in my recovery, also my sense of humor. After losing Fred, I lost a lot of self-confidence in walking without my cane. I still use it when I take the dogs out and certain other times when I do not feel confident or think I may be on my feet for a long time. My friends and church family have been very supportive and I still exercise every day. And I pray a lot! I still have pain in the groin area where a screw is holding me together while i heal. I no longer feel pain the other places in my leg and knee area where there are other screws and metal. I was told to swing my arms when walking and to try to get my gait back to my usual way of walking.

My suggestion would be to push yourself just a little more than you think you can do but not enough to injure you . Just enough to make you feel good that you achieved it and to encourage you to try harder. And I will pray that God will be with you to help you find peace and healing so that you can begin to try a little walking inside without canes or a walker. Try to find some sources for fun and enjoyment and to change your discouraging days into happy days. Find someone who would benefit from a call from you occasionally so you can add outside interests back into your life. I have people that i send cards to and some I call every week or so, to give me less time to think about myself. And I always feel so good that I have brought joy to someone else who needs it. My little reward to myself.

Good luck with your recovery!
Diann