How long til I can walk normal without a cane after L4-L5 fusion?

I was diagnosed with a noncurable blood cancer several yrs ago. I smoked for over 20 yrs and recently quit.
Feb 10, 2025 I had a L4-L5 back fusion. I have been an entertainer my whole life. Before the fusion, although in pain, I was able to work at least a few days a week. One week after surgery i was able to even walk the beach with a walker and carefully pick up pretty things. Now at 6 months post surgery I am still on a cane and discouraged. I cant work at all now because of the cane. Dr says im healing well and showed me wear the new bone was growing around the hardware (cool). Im also seeing progress.
Orthopedics say I need a hip replacement now. I don't have a ball and the socket is almost nonexistent. He thinks the bone died but I'm not so sure thats true because i can still move my leg. Ive done splits since I was 8 yrs old. Which yes I do have pain there but not unbearable most of the time. Why cant I walk more than 15ft without a cane and i still look like i just started walking? Why cant i even work 1 day a week, without doing difficult tricks like splits? Or am I potentially still healing muscle and nerves just at a slower pace?
Keep in mind I'm definitely aware its inevitable that a hip replacement will still eventually be necessary but if im just healing slower I'd like to at least be back to caneless and more financially stable before another surgery is done.