THR AllNat's 2nd THR (Lefty's Turn)

[myglasshalffull]

Nothing like that first shower after surgery! Sounds like you are coming right along.

 

[Layla]

That's all for today.

That's enough for today! Mission accomplished.
Clean hair / body
Fresh bandage / incision looking good
Completed with ease...well at least more so than April's first shower.
Now you can rest comfortably. I found the first shower to be draining.
Happy nappy time...maybe? A great rest of the day to you!

 

[AllNat]

A quick update on Day 15. Yesterday I had my first of four outpatient physio appointments with Nancy, the wonderful physio I had for Righty. She was impressed that I had walked all the way to the Physio department with my walker instead of using a wheelchair, took baseline measurements of my ROM, was pleased with what I was able to achieve so far, and started me on five gentle exercises. She mentioned that the paperwork she had received from my OS listed not only a 90° restriction, but also a restriction on abduction for 3 weeks, which I find very interesting, considering that the exercises that I had received via the MyMobility app included not only two exercises that broke the 90° restriction, but also one that involved doing hip abduction while lying down! Fortunately I had not done any of them so far. Also, Nancy said that I could ignore the MyMobility exercises now that my physio program is underway. Huzzah!

Other bit of news is that my staples (42 of them!) were removed. A little bit more pinching during the procedure than I experienced with Righty, but they're now out. Photos of the incision and neighbouring bruising have been posted in the hippie scar thread.

 

[Legseleven]

Yay, all good progress. With the staples out you’ll be much more comfortable.
Real advice and experience are far better than an app. Yay to Nancy too.
Keep up the good recovery, and rest too.

 

[myglasshalffull]

Once those staples come out you feel so much better.

 

[Layla]

Sounds like, Nancy, is a charm! Glad you have a physical therapist that you like, Nat. I'll bet it was relief having all of the staples removed. I never experienced staples, so hard to imagine. I hope you're feeling okay yesterday and today after the activity of Friday. Those early outings can be a little exhausting.
Happy Sunday!
@AllNat

 

[AllNat]

Thanks, @Legseleven , @myglasshalffull , and @Layla . I was sore last night after all of the walking on Friday at the physio appointment and then yesterday at the urgent care clinic. Fortunately I did get a good night's sleep, although I'm rethinking the night-time position of the rental commode, because where we had been placing it—near the head of my bed—was forcing me to do a little crab walk when I would exit the bedroom if I needed to take a few steps. So I think I was doing a bit of hip abduction, which I now know is a temporary no-no; we'll figure out a new position for it tonight.

Right now my left foot and ankle seem to be a bit swollen, and part of me thinks I should get in bed and elevate my legs. But at the moment I'm sitting on our front porch on one of those beautiful, warm, late September Sunday afternoons that I love so much. I think I'll stay out a bit longer, until the sun gets a bit lower and the chill sets in, and then I'll head indoors to put my feet up.

 

[Layla]

But at the moment I'm sitting on our front porch on one of those beautiful, warm, late September Sunday afternoons that I love so much. I think I'll stay out a bit longer, until the sun gets a bit lower and the chill sets in, and then I'll head indoors to put my feet up

Sounds heavenly! I think staying out a bit longer to enjoy a beautiful September day is good for you. Soon enough we'll need to batten down the hatches. Might as well enjoy the fresh air while you can. Your elevation cushion can wait a little longer.

 

[AllNat]

Happy Friday, everybody. Since I'm wrapping up week 4 with my new left hip, I figured it was time for a bit of an update.

I had my second outpatient physiotherapy appointment this morning. I'm happy to report improvements in all of the metrics that the physiotherapist is tracking: angle of abduction; how close I can bring my knee to my chest when lying down (without breaking the 90° restriction; she estimates that I'm at 95°+ since there was no resistance when she raised my knee up); how quickly I can get up out of a chair, walk to a line a certain distance away, turn around, and sit back down; how quickly I go up and come back down a set of stairs; and how long I can stand on my left leg without touching the wall or the railing in front of me. She added four more exercises to the ones that I had been assigned 2 weeks ago and had me do them a bunch of times while I was there.

For the most part, the left hip is feeling a bit stronger these days, and I'm able to manoeuvre myself around the kitchen to make a hot coffee, which is perfect now that the weather has changed and iced coffee is not so enjoyable. This morning, though, I did have some soreness in my left knee and along the outside of my left thigh. I think I might have done myself a bit of a mischief while getting in and out of bed last night. But I think back to the chart that compares recovery expectations versus reality, and I know not to expect a straightforward progression. Yesterday I started tapering down my intake of extra strength Tylenol, taking it down from two tablets every 6 hours to two tablets every 8 hours. So far so good on that front.

I'm home now and am enjoying a coffee on our front porch, watching the birds at the bird feeder and getting ready to read some Stephen King (Skeleton Crew, which was my first ever Stephen King book many, many years ago). Tis the season!

 

[benne68]

think back to the chart that compares recovery expectations versus reality, and I know not to expect a straightforward progression.

YES! And, remember that every hip is different -- even two hips in the same person -- so try not to compare lefty's recovery timeline to righty's.

Listen to your body and your recovery will be a success.

 

[djklaugh]

@AllNat as Deb said "And, remember that every hip is different -- even two hips in the same person" ... even if one has both replaced at the same time!!! My righty was much more a problem child than lefty. Of course righty had been deteriorating longer and had much more complicated replacement issues.

Body listening, going slowly, following doctor's and BoneSmart's advice and suggestions will truely facilitate your successful haling journey.

 

[AllNat]

Body listening, going slowly, following doctor's and BoneSmart's advice and suggestions

Absolutely! Rare is the day that I don't think a thankful thought for having discovered BoneSmart—such a marvelous resource and very supportive community.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Here in Canada, Monday will be Thanksgiving. I certainly have a lot to be thankful for this year.

 

[Layla]

Rare is the day that I don't think a thankful thought for having discovered BoneSmart—such a marvelous resource and very supportive community.

Such a sweet sentiment! We appreciate your kind words in regard to BoneSmart and we're thankful for your participation here. It sounds like you're doing well overall and normal in experiencing the ups and downs of early recovery.
An early Happy Thanksgiving to you. I love your grateful heart!

 

[myglasshalffull]

Morning @AllNat !
Loved reading your update. You are coming right along.
It’s certainly a good time of year for a Stephen King book! And I didn’t realize Canada celebrated Thanksgiving in October, so Happy Thanksgiving!
I dog sat last three days and we logged a little under 12 miles during his stay. The tress here are just showing their fall beauty. I adore this time of year. Cooler temps and beautiful colors…it’s the trees time to truly “show off!”
Stay well!

 

[Layla]

Happy One Month Anniversary & Happy Thanksgiving Day!
I hope the weather is beautiful, you're surrounded by love and you enjoy this special day!
@AllNat

 

[AllNat]

Thanks, @Layla .

Today is the first time since the day after my surgery that I have not woken up at 6:00 a.m. to take two extra strength Tylenols and not had to visit the washroom in the night. That means that I got 7 hours and 55 minutes of uninterrupted time in bed, according to my Fitbit!! Now that my Tylenol use is down to "as needed" (my last dose having been 10 p.m. yesterday), I was wondering when I would know that I would need it, because I definitely do not want to get behind on pain since my terrible experience of doing so on the day of my surgery. This afternoon I went for a walk that was almost 20 minutes in duration, and got home with a pain in my left butt cheek. That was my body helpfully letting me know that some meds were needed. Aye, aye, Cap'n!

Now I am sitting on our front porch, enjoying an absolutely stunning October day here in Toronto (temp is 27°C but feels like 34°C). It is a bit of cognitive dissonance to feel what seems to be a July breeze while listening to and watching that breeze scatter fallen multicoloured leaves across the pavement.

I had full plans to sit outside and read my Stephen King book. But, lured by @djklaugh 's inspirational BTHR story, I fell down the BS rabbit hole. No matter; weather like this is far more akin to reading inspirational stories than terrifying ones.

 

[djklaugh]

@AllNat What a wonderful update! It is delightful to hear you were out and about today and had only some twinges ... an are now enjoying the nice weather and interesting reading. Years ago when visiting my folks in Maine was able to drive by Stephen King's home in Bangor -- fascinating place with some spooky decorative elements outside. Did you know that the movie Shawshank Redemption was based on a Stephen King novella? I am currently rereading a series of books that I find both intriguing and inspirational. The series was written by Eliot Pattison who in the 1950s and 60s was a cultural attache to China and spend a lot of time in Tibet. The series are mysteries set in Tibet but not resolved through any formal police investigation. They center around Tibetan culture, spiritual beliefs, and history.

 

[JusticeRider]

@AllNat , you are one week ahead of me and I have been enjoying reading your updates! It sounds like you’re doing very well indeed! Where are you right now with mobility aids? How’s your swelling now? It sounds like your weather is similar to ours at the moment…beautiful sunshine, mild temps, and some fall colors. I have been spending plenty of time out on my porch too

 

[AllNat]

Years ago when visiting my folks in Maine was able to drive by Stephen King's home in Bangor -- fascinating place with some spooky decorative elements outside.

Ooh!! So cool!! Thanks for the book recommendations. I've read The Shawshank Redemption and also enjoyed the film; I especially love the scene of Red walking through the farm field, looking for the rock that Andy had told him about—there's just something so glorious about the sunshine in that scene. I haven't heard of Eliot Pattison, but I looked into the Inspector Shan mysteries and am intrigued. I've added them to my ongoing list of interesting books to check out.

 

[AllNat]

@AllNat , you are one week ahead of me and I have been enjoying reading your updates! It sounds like you’re doing very well indeed! Where are you right now with mobility aids? How’s your swelling now?

Aw, thanks for reading my updates. I have always been a bit shy, so writing about myself is not easy; even keeping a journal just for myself is not something that ever interested me. But on this site I have seen the value of sharing one's journey. It was refreshing to read people's recovery journeys in detail, rather than just hearing from everybody about their aunt/friend/coworker who was skiing/running a half-marathon 2 weeks after their hip replacement.

In terms of mobility aids, I'm still using my walker. I am taking a few steps here and there in the kitchen and bathroom, but always in close proximity to the walker or something else I can grab onto with one hand if needed, such as the kitchen counter or handle of the refrigerator or stove. I'm definitely not strong enough yet to walk with a good heel–toe gait without solid support. I used my walker for maybe the first 2 months after my right THR, so I'm not rushing it.

As for swelling, I still have some around the incision, along with numbness. But no more swelling along the rest of the length of my leg, thankfully. I'll be honest, though, I haven't been icing much this time around because my pain levels have been very manageable.

I hope your horse is doing well!