Desiree's post-op recovery

I'd like to start this on a positive note: after 16 long years I'm finally scheduled for surgery to repair my left hip and I couldn't be more excited! When I was 18 I went into the US Air Force. I graduated with honors from basic and was ready to start my career until one day I woke up and could hardly get out of bed. I toughed it out, I went on for a week before I couldn't take the pain anymore. I went to a doctor and, long story short, I was discharged with "mechanical lower back pain" and sent home with disability.

Over the years, without an end (or even a diagnosis) in sight,  it was finally discovered that I have acetabular hip dysplasia. That was four years ago. Due to the way insurance has worked I've had to go through three different doctors before finally being able to get surgery that should allow me to function. The surgery is called a periacetabular osteotomy. They cut through the pelvis at the hip joint and rotate the socket to cover more of the head of the femur: Explanation of Procedure 
Because of how invasive the surgery is, recovery is going to be long and difficult. If everything goes according to plan I am facing at least three full months of physical therapy until I'm back to being able to function normally.  During this time I will only have my disability payments which will not be enough to cover both cost of living and any complications which are sure to come up during recovery.

I miss being able to ride horses, skiing in the winter, and hiking in the summer. Sometimes I feel like I can't even remember what it was like to be without pain. I'm asking for help. The money raised will be going to pay for travel and expenses from going to and from physical therapy as well as to help cover bills while I recover from surgery on July 11th.