THR 9 months post-hip recovery!!!

[Layla]

Hi @Trudijane
I'm tagging @Ryesgma for you to make sure she doesn't miss your thoughtful post above.
I hope you have a peaceful evening!

Following is a article on tagging in case you haven't read it...you may find it helpful.
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads...er-how-to-answer-when-someone-tags-you.15223/

 

[Ryesgma]

Thank you Layla for tagging me in this , I really appreciate all your advice and help . I will be definitely asking for further testing from my os if I feel I need it I just got home from my visit to the os and they had me take and x-ray and give blood . Met with the drs pa he said my x-rays looked good and suggested I start taking 800 mg ibuprofen 3xs a day , rest and start using my cane for walking. We are still waiting on the last blood test results , but my esr was high so don't know what exactly that means

I'm just really getting frustrated that I still don't feel good , and I'm not sure if the PA really understood where my pain was coming from , I don't think they want to take the time to listen I just keep praying that this is not my new normal

 

[Trudijane]

Oh, I meant to attach a photo of my 2 new recliners (green) that came this morning. They seemed much smaller in the store than they do in this room, but they fit and they go all the way back (if I want). They are very comfortable so it's time for me to watch TV downstairs instead of upstairs.

I got 2 to kind of pull it together a big. But I underestimated the depth because of the built-in recliner and room that it needed behind!!!

 

[Mojo333]

I lived in my recliner...still love it..
The only thing better would be Two!
Your stained glass windows are lovely and I love your new friends!

 

[Trudijane]

Mojo,
Well, I can only use one at a time; and as comfy as they are; I still have to switch positions a little; staying on 1 place doesn't feel that good for some reason.
Thank for the complement on the stained glass; I have the covering every window in my house since I dabbled with that hobby 3 years ago and hope it pick it up again - someday.
Well, yesterday was a good day. So, what happened today? It is SO frustrating to have a good day followed by a worse day and I don't even know why. When i got up from sitting at Starbucks (about an hour), my right side felt wobbly and my back area really ached to the point I wanted to cry. Right now, i'm sitting here and have iced the area to lessen the aching; but I wish I knew what was happening where i can't see (my muscles, nerves, et.)

 

[Trudijane]

I feel so depressed today. I am so sorry to whine - I am - but it is the roller coaster ride that I seem to be one. Yesterday I had a good day. Today, not so good and by that - whether I sat or walked, I felt like something was really wrong. All i could do was finally come home and watch a movie in bed - not on my new chairs, but regressed to my bed. You all have already said it all - so I'll just reread and hope it cheers me up again or helpf me feel I'm not going crazy for thinking that there is still something wrong, wrong enough to make me feel that I will never fully heal. I'm in for the night...not much else I can do...and sometimes I feel so alone which started in the earlier days of recovery.

 

[Layla]

Hopefully you got some restorative rest last night and today feels brighter.
Happy Thursday to you @Trudijane
A flower for you

 

[Mojo333]

I'm sorry you are going through all these ups and downs.
I must say no one position was overly comfortable for overly long for me either.
It got better with the biggest help to recovery...Time!
No way to speed that up, I'm afraid.

Thank for the complement on the stained glass; I have the covering every window in my house since I dabbled with that hobby 3 years ago and hope it pick it up again - someday.

Oh my stars...you did those.
Beautiful!

Hope today is a better day hippy pal.

 

[Trudijane]

I should add that one of the reasons I got even more depressed than I already was - was because my PA left me a message sounding incredibly irritable and lecturing - that I've been told numerous times that it will take time and it has only been 4 weeks for me (it has been 8) and altho i don't express my concerns too much, I did express worry about my back pain of late since my herniated disc problem in the past. She made me feel like a big old pest - and at the most vulnerable time - I responded (who knows what I said)...she wrote back today apologizing saying maybe she had a bad day and it wasn't her intent to sound irritable, etc. etc. I'm glad she did that - but last night I was a total mess. I took more valium than I should have just to calm me down (I was shaking) and just felt pretty hopeless. I was going to just stay in bed today and ice but forced myself to get up and do a few things. So, now I can watch survival videos and ice myself under the covers. My PCP made an appointment for me to see some kind of physiotherapy Dr. to check out my back. I don't even know what he does....

 

[Layla]

Hi @Trudijane
I understand it may be difficult but please try to be patient. You're only 8 weeks into recovery from a major surgery. You have many months to go for a full recovery. You will have some ups and downs. We all do.

Rather than taking more Valium than you should, as you mentioned, is there someone you can talk to when you're feeling hopeless? Family, close friends, clergy, a counselor? Someone who's empathetic, compassionate and a good listener? Possibly someone who's been there for you in the past and can help you get through this rough spot. It's concerning to read you feel hopeless and are taking more than your prescribed dose of a sedative in an effort to calm yourself. We're here and we'll do all we can to encourage and support you, but possibly some ongoing counseling would be beneficial until you're feeling stronger, more hopeful and envisioning the bright future that's within your reach.

I hope you have a relaxing evening and peaceful weekend.

 

[Hoppy Nanny]

Hi there
On my first THR I had so many up & downs..my recovery was so slow & filled with different aches & pains... if I hadn’t been on BonesMart I would’ve gone mad.

I’m 11 weeks post op on my 2nd THR & there are still some days when nowhere is comfy at all...
not even bed! It is part of the process & it will end... honestly.

If you read around the others stories you will see that this recovery takes time... but it comes good in the end.. I’m not s patient person but Ive had to learn to be during these THR recoveries..

Thinking of you & hoping for a good day for you xxx


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Layla]

With any luck today feels fresh and new...bright and sunny too
Happy Friday I hope you have a lovely weekend!
@Trudijane

 

[Trudijane]

Hi @Trudijane
I understand it may be difficult but please try to be patient. You're only 8 weeks into recovery from a major surgery. You have many months to go for a full recovery. You will have some ups and downs. We all do.

Rather than taking more Valium than you should, as you mentioned, is there someone you can talk to when you're feeling hopeless? Family, close friends, clergy, a counselor? Someone who's empathetic, compassionate and a good listener? Possibly someone who's been there for you in the past and can help you get through this rough spot. It's concerning to read you feel hopeless and are taking more than your prescribed dose of a sedative in an effort to calm yourself. We're here and we'll do all we can to encourage and support you, but possibly some ongoing counseling would be beneficial until you're feeling stronger, more hopeful and envisioning the bright future that's within your reach.

I hope you have a relaxing evening and peaceful weekend.

The only person that I can think of who is all of the above is my PCP, who I've been with for 25+ years. He is not a psychologist, etc. but he is the most compassionate person I know. When I'm down, he encourages me to leave messages on his answering machine; right now he is out of town and these past 2 days I have felt destructive. One of my problems is being too alone. I don't want to start seeing a counselor again (my Dr is the best substitute for that) and I've had to be strong - for myself. It's best not to get into everything here on this forum. Most of the time I have a positive & hopeful attitude. When I don't, it's very hard. Today I feel a lot better, mentally.

 

[Layla]

Hi
It's refreshing to read you're feeling a lot better mentally today. I'm happy for you!
It's unsettling when you use words like "hopeless" and "destructive".
I'm sorry you sometimes feel that way and you're most certainly always welcome here. I hope you find comfort while visiting the forum. Since you mentioned loneliness, are there any outlets that appeal to you where you can be around people, even if you don't feel like interacting with them? Like a mall, coffee shop, library, church, park, beach, restaurant? Would you ever consider volunteering somewhere? A soup kitchen, senior housing, hospital, animal shelter? It's difficult to be self focused while distracted and helping others. It may be something worth researching when you're having a good day so you're better prepared for any future bouts of despair.
Wishing you a weekend of peace and happiness.
@Trudijane

 

[Trudijane]

I should add that I feel a lot better today - mentally.
Layla,
I normally begin my day by eating breakfast/coffee at the nearby Starbucks. It's a big part of my day as far as getting started. Today I had to force myself to get dressed and go. But you ask me about the other activities; taking into consideration the aching I still feel; I just don't feel like doing very much (I volunteered at the SF/SPCA for 8 years) and still feel like tourist at times in my beautiful city.

So, I do know what you mean; but I found that the whole hip replacement thing has left me feeling very isolated and not anxious to do the things I used to. All I can think of doing is taking a walk to gain some strength and resting in my yard/reading. It's hard to forget about self-focusing when your body is aching or tired.

I don't know..this hip recovery seems to have taken a lot out of me both physically & mentally.

 

[Layla]

Hi @Trudijane
You're so early into recovery that you may need to keep reminding yourself why you're achy and tired. It's normal. Also know others here are feeling the same way and that it's only temprorary. It my not lessen the pain but at least you know you're healing and it will get better. Then do all you can to make
yourself comfortable until it comes more naturally because you're further along on the journey to complete healing. Hope you sleep well tonight!

 

[Trudijane]

Layla,
you're so understanding. My problem is that sometimes i feel that it will NEVER get better; or it won't heal right. I really felt that at this time, it would be so much better (2+ months!) after a very very lonely & depressing time of having to stay in bed. I can walk now without a cane, sure that's progress, but it's definitely not close to healed.

Do you think I should go to Physical Therapy on Monday? It's my first appointment with the PT I went to before I had my hip replacement. Or, should I wait awhile. It's about a 1/2 drive.

 

[Layla]

1. 
   
   Hi @Trudijane
   I know you mentioned you looked at this, and it is only a rough guideline, but will you look at it again, really study it and see where you feel you fit in below and then we'll talk, maybe even draw, Josephine, the forum Nurse in to try and offer you some reassurance.
   
   
   Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) are assessed in hospital as a means of assessing your fitness to be discharged home. Your domestic circumstances will be taken into account as in if you are living alone, etc.
   
   ADLs include:
   ~ Personal hygiene and grooming
   ~ Dressing and undressing
   ~ Functional transfers, e.g. Getting out of bed
   ~ Voluntarily controlling bladder and bowel elimination
   ~ Ambulation (Walking or using a wheelchair)
   ~ Housework
   ~ Meal Preparation
   ~ Care of pets
   ~ Meal preparation and cleanup
   
   Walking and other activity
   Walking is about the best exercise you can do but again, you need to moderate your time and distance.
   Always use your walker, crutches or canes as appropriate, only moving from one to the other as you gain confidence. Actually, hips really don't need all that much exercising and have a perfectly good way of sorting things out for themselves if given half a chance.
   
   Week 1
   A little walking around the house. Trips to the bathroom and kitchen are included!
   Being up on your feet several times a day as you need to but don't get obsessive about it.
   A 5 minute walk every couple of hours is plenty.
   
   Activity: for the first week nothing but rest, occasional trips to the kitchen to get a snack or a drink and to the bathroom for potty and showers!
   
   Week 2
   Start on a plan of walks around the house lasting longer than 5-10 minutes but don't a) get into too much pain and b) get too tired. Stop before you get to that point.
   
   Activity: do some tidying up, a little bit of meal prep and maybe some washing up so long as someone else dries and puts it away!
   
   
   Week 3
   Lengthen the walks to about 15-20 minutes once a day, maybe twice a day if it doesn't cause your hip to be painful.
   
   Activity: prepare yourself a meal or help prepare a family meal but not all of it. A little bit of laundry but not all of it.
   
   
   Weeks 4 and 5
   Increase walks around, to 30mins, longer if you feel up to it.
   
   Activity: now you can do some dusting and push a vacuum round the middle of the living room; do a little meal prep (for yourself not the family!), maybe fill and empty the washing machine
   
   Weeks 6 and 7
   Start taking car trips to the shops but keep them short and sweet at the start, no longer than 15-20 minutes
   Take at least one 5 minute rest while you are out.
   
   Activity: ironing, washing, meal prep but get someone else to clear up after, wash up but someone else clears the table, brings you the dirty dishes, dries and puts them away after, not you!!
   
   Weeks 8 and onward
   Bed making and changing sheets, cleaning bedrooms etc., can wait until about now by which time, all things being well, you should pretty much start getting back to normal.
   
   But if it takes a bit longer, don''t worry about it.
   
   And a reminder
   Hips actually don't need much exercise to get better. They do a pretty good job of it all on their own if given half a chance. Trouble is, people don't give them a chance and end up with all sorts of aches and pains and sore spots. All they need is the best therapy which is walking and even then not to excess.
   
   Returning to work
   It's becoming the norm for hip patients to be pressured back to work after 6 weeks or so. This can be done but it is even more important one needs to try and negotiate a "Phased return to work" because going straight back to full time work can be very hard on the new hip and cause tendinitis in various places.

 

[Trudijane]

Weeks 8 and onward
Bed making and changing sheets, cleaning bedrooms etc., can wait until about now by which time, all things being well, you should pretty much start getting back to normal.

But if it takes a bit longer, don''t worry about it.

So, I am at week 8 and 5 days. I have already been making my bed every day and general cleaning. If I have to get down to the floor to low, I ask someone to help. The way I can't make my bed is put a fitted sheet under the mattress; since it's too hard to hold up the mattress while doing that. It feels like a strain.

I do worry about that I'm not getting back to normal as I remember it. It's a beautiful day here, and normally I would be walking, but just succumbed to resting, icing my hip/back and watching survival videos! It is hard to remember what normal felt like - and I can't help worrying a bit.

I am supposed to schedule my 3-month post-op in mid-July. Plus, I begin a cat-sitting job on 6/21 which doesn't really require a lot except there are a few things that I asked the client to do to make it a little easier. . . ie. getting in/out of a car on a very steep hill (in SF) is hard when it doesn't hurt; so she'll probably let me use her garage.

 

[Layla]

It sounds like you're progressing as you should . You mentioned it was a beautiful day and normally you'd be out walking, but instead you rested, iced and watched videos. So is it pain and discomfort holding you back, is it fatigue, or both? Because at nine weeks out, people are still tired and hurt sometimes also.

Have you tried to go out walking for 5-10 minutes in one direction, then turning around and heading back?
If not, consider trying that to see how it goes and possibly begin building on it. How about you try that tomorrow and let us know how you do. Your three month post op would be around July 3rd. Why don't you schedule now and try to bump it up by a few days, let's say last couple days of June, if you can get in then? That way, in three weeks if you're still feeling as though you're dragging a bit, you can get some reassurance from your surgeon or his PA.

With any luck the cat sitting job will be good for you. It may ease your loneliness and boredom. Hopefully it's something you can look forward to over the next week and a half. You do live in a beautiful city, I hope you're able to get out and enjoy it for a time daily. You have us also. Stop by anytime you're feeling lonely and I'm sure you'll find someone to interact with.
Wishing you comfort and sending a hug. You will get through this.
@Trudijane