New hip turns four weeks old.

The new hip is four weeks old today. I am sleeping better, and miraculously took an antihistamine which within 15 minutes stopped the itching. I am eternally thankful to Karen for suggesting the crazy itching might be an allergic reaction. I am gratefully no longer eyeing off the bbq cleaning wire brush as a source of relief.

The pain's still around and seems linked to whatever I did the day before. It's a thigh pain and a left bum cheek pain and my overactive imagination can visualise the new titanium hardware settling into my bones and my bone graft muttering WTF.

My operated leg feels a couple of cm's longer than my right one, but I remember this last time also being the case. It's like my muscles are whinging about having to recover. Today the hire company picked up my raised toilet seat, ugly grey cripple high lounge chair and shower chair. I'm getting by using one crutch but not quite ready for the walking stick.

I'm surprised by my weakness when I attempt to take a few steps without my crutch. My leg is quite sloppy. Baby steps, will get there eventually.

I'm getting by during the day on Panadol osteo and at night have two panadene forte. My daughter generally wakes up at 6.30 am and comes in for cuddles and cartoons. I wouldn't recommend anyone attempt a hip replacement without a tv in the bedroom. The distraction of watching the entire back catalogue of Sex and the city at times of pain or sleeplessness has been a godsend.

I can now sleep on my side and on my stomach for short periods. The joy of it.

So it's been four weeks. It honestly feels like its been much longer. I also thought that I'd be using this recovery time to write, draw, paint. But really I've not achieved anything much creative wise. Frida Kahlo managed to paint up a storm from her sick bed.

At the moment I'm simply not that inspired to do anything other than to walk properly again. The art will have to wait.