THR Belweav's new hip
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BizzyLizzy
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@belweav - Several people have said the same thing to me about looking better and younger! I think it's the pain plus the pre-op anxiety which really takes its toll. I called into work today, just to have coffee with a colleague. I'm on one crutch now, outside and walking much faster. I saw two other people that I know well. They both said they were amazed at the difference in me, but the really telling thing was that they both said (not in so many words!) that I had been walking so badly pre-op that they hadn't really believed the surgery would work. I'm so glad they didn't share this with me before...
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belweav
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@BizzyLizzy that would certainly have discouraged me before the surgery. Today has been bouncing back from trying to cut back the pain meds too soon. My leg swelled up rather badly yesterday and combining that with the extra pain wore me out. So I just took it easy today. I continue to be thankful for all of the information on this site because I started to feel the blues creeping up on me so my husband and I talked it out and added it to reasons I needed to be careful with everything. And we were prepared for it because of this site.
My dog Cash is now sleeping with me. He sleeps on the opposite side of the surgery which helps.
We are staying with my youngest son and his family. It's nice to be with my grandsons during the day. AJ, the youngest boy will get the bed we bought for me to use here and today he got in the bed and said "grandma it's almost mine"
Made my day.
My dog Cash is now sleeping with me. He sleeps on the opposite side of the surgery which helps.
We are staying with my youngest son and his family. It's nice to be with my grandsons during the day. AJ, the youngest boy will get the bed we bought for me to use here and today he got in the bed and said "grandma it's almost mine"
Made my day.
Wrknitout
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Tweetybrd
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belweav
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@Tweetybrd , AJ is nine. And almost as tall as I am , 5 ft 2 inches. He is really big for his age and when I ordered the bed I didn't realize he needed a bed. This bed however is perfect for recovery from the surgery. But I was worried that I was saddling them with something my son's family couldn't use. My son asked what was my plans for the bed after my recovery. I told him I was hoping they could use it somehow. Talk about working out.
However it did get hosed down by their puppy who was in bed with me when my son came home.
@Wrknitout I believe it is the relief from that comes from being released from that corrosive hip pain. Because the freedom from that pain is amazing. I don't hate looking in the mirror any more. I look tired yes, but I don't look defeated any longer.
However it did get hosed down by their puppy who was in bed with me when my son came home.
@Wrknitout I believe it is the relief from that comes from being released from that corrosive hip pain. Because the freedom from that pain is amazing. I don't hate looking in the mirror any more. I look tired yes, but I don't look defeated any longer.
Cynthia777
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I have been up 3 times today. Wow the first time was incredibly painful. I haD this stray thought of " What have I done?" But I survived and any way I needed to use the toilet.
The second time it was "okay, hurts but I'll live through it."
I'm up for the third time. Now I'm thinking I can do this.
I'm prepared for tomorrow and a possible set back however the pain is manageable and I am sitting up in a chair with no real pain. And this pain is a hopeful pain, it will become no pain.
What an absolutely perfect description of what I experienced with the early post-op pain! I just love this post and it will be of great encouragement to those following you! You are such an inspiration with your positive attitude (this is 1/2 the battle during recovery) @belweav! I'm so happy you are on the road to recovery! Sending you a ton of hugs and of course many prayers.
PS...I'm so sorry I haven't responded until now. I am watching your thread, but I'm not getting many of my alerts.
Cynthia777
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Btw...I found (after the first week) when I began walking laps around my pool (increasing a lap every few days or so), resting every other day worked out really well. I've also noticed a few other members mentioning the same thing on their threads.
As far as PT goes, Josephine feels PT is not necessary, so I decided to trust her on this and forego it (I did have PT pre-op, which I think helped). I did have one home visit from a PT who was quite experienced and he also told me I didn't need PT, just walking (kind of shocked me since this is how he makes his living). My recoveries have been very easy, so I think I made the right decision. However, my ROM has always been good, so I didn't need to worry about that issue. I had begun thinking, at about four or five weeks, that I may have needed it for my gait because I was still limping, but now at 5 months (first THR) and 3 months (second THR) post-op, my limp has disappeared. I used my cane until my limp was completely gone. I had to concentrate on not limping at first, but now I don't. On the other hand, there are members here who swear by it, but I thought I'd just share my experience with you.
Excuse my ramblings, but this brain fog (even after this long) has a tendency to get me in the rambling mode!
As far as PT goes, Josephine feels PT is not necessary, so I decided to trust her on this and forego it (I did have PT pre-op, which I think helped). I did have one home visit from a PT who was quite experienced and he also told me I didn't need PT, just walking (kind of shocked me since this is how he makes his living). My recoveries have been very easy, so I think I made the right decision. However, my ROM has always been good, so I didn't need to worry about that issue. I had begun thinking, at about four or five weeks, that I may have needed it for my gait because I was still limping, but now at 5 months (first THR) and 3 months (second THR) post-op, my limp has disappeared. I used my cane until my limp was completely gone. I had to concentrate on not limping at first, but now I don't. On the other hand, there are members here who swear by it, but I thought I'd just share my experience with you.
Excuse my ramblings, but this brain fog (even after this long) has a tendency to get me in the rambling mode!
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belweav
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@Cynthia777 thank you. I have struggled in the past with poor attitudes. With this I determined that I would be positive. Negativity doesn't help and it can drive the people you need to help you away. Plus overcoming fear makes you a stronger person.
Joy brings people to you. And in this I have had such a wonderful experience because I was joyful even though I was frightened.
In the preop area, my husband and I had nurses with humor. These ladies didn't let us be scared. The anesthesiologist asked me if I brought my lungs and heart with me. I literally stopped and thought about that for a second before answering that I normally don't leave home without them.
Then the nurses on the floor where the rooms are. What a pleasure they were. I had women who were amazing. A couple were shocked when they were helping me to the toilet and found out that my surgery was the day before. There was a lady who had her surgery three days before and would not get out of bed. All I could think was that I wanted to go home and I had to walk to have that happen.
Plus Bonesmart, all of the resources and people here took any fear away because I knew what to expect.
I think my biggest concern is getting my gait back. Before the surgery I looked like a duck when I walked which is one of the main reasons I used my cane.
I have home PT prescribed but the first visit was to ensure the accommodations at my son's house were good, which was fine and he reiterated hips need walking. So walking it will be.
Joy brings people to you. And in this I have had such a wonderful experience because I was joyful even though I was frightened.
In the preop area, my husband and I had nurses with humor. These ladies didn't let us be scared. The anesthesiologist asked me if I brought my lungs and heart with me. I literally stopped and thought about that for a second before answering that I normally don't leave home without them.
Then the nurses on the floor where the rooms are. What a pleasure they were. I had women who were amazing. A couple were shocked when they were helping me to the toilet and found out that my surgery was the day before. There was a lady who had her surgery three days before and would not get out of bed. All I could think was that I wanted to go home and I had to walk to have that happen.
Plus Bonesmart, all of the resources and people here took any fear away because I knew what to expect.
I think my biggest concern is getting my gait back. Before the surgery I looked like a duck when I walked which is one of the main reasons I used my cane.
I have home PT prescribed but the first visit was to ensure the accommodations at my son's house were good, which was fine and he reiterated hips need walking. So walking it will be.
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Cynthia777
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What a great testimony @belweav! Amazing how we can talk our minds into looking at things from a positive attitude. I found humor to be my ally. I had my nurses laughing every time they came into my room. One nurse in particular burst out laughing when I told my OS he had been quite arrogant the first time I met him (of course she didn't laugh until he left the room). He is known for being a great surgeon, but with the worst bedside manner ever (another doctor had even warned me about this). After I told him he had been arrogant during our first meeting, he stuttered, turned red in the face and was peaches and cream nice from then on! You keep up with your positive attitude and you'll look back and be surprised at how your recovery wasn't bad at all.
BizzyLizzy
member
@belweav - I couldn't agree more about the positive attitude. In the past, when things have gone wrong or been difficult I have had a tendency to become anxious and depressed and take a negative view. As you point out, this is difficult for those who try to help and it can mean you don't move forward. I made a conscious decision to treat this whole hip thing differently. I have embraced everything positive that has happened, tried not to worry and feel really blessed by the speed and ease of my recovery. I also think I have been extremely lucky in that I had an excellent surgeon and everything went well - can't say everything is down to a positive attitude!
I also tried to embrace humour whenever possible. There were some lovely nurses at the hospital who were so cheerful about everything that it was very easy to go along with them. On the second day I was taken for an x-Ray just as a nurse came round with a cup of tea. When I got back to the ward it was visiting time and my husband had just arrived. The nurse very kindly made us both a cup of tea to make up for me missing out. I promptly knocked it over and it spilt all over me and the bed, which involved all manner of interventions from the staff! Later on the same day I did exactly the same thing with a glass of water. The nurse was such a lovely man, but the next time he came round with drinks he just said "I won't bother putting it into a cup for you - I'll just throw it at you!" He was called Billy. It has become a running joke at home - I'm very clumsy anyway, so Billy is mentioned every time I spill or drop something.
I also tried to embrace humour whenever possible. There were some lovely nurses at the hospital who were so cheerful about everything that it was very easy to go along with them. On the second day I was taken for an x-Ray just as a nurse came round with a cup of tea. When I got back to the ward it was visiting time and my husband had just arrived. The nurse very kindly made us both a cup of tea to make up for me missing out. I promptly knocked it over and it spilt all over me and the bed, which involved all manner of interventions from the staff! Later on the same day I did exactly the same thing with a glass of water. The nurse was such a lovely man, but the next time he came round with drinks he just said "I won't bother putting it into a cup for you - I'll just throw it at you!" He was called Billy. It has become a running joke at home - I'm very clumsy anyway, so Billy is mentioned every time I spill or drop something.
OUCH!
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So wonderful to hear how well you are doing @belweav
Can I ask what bed you got? I'm trying to figure out sleeping post surgery. We have a small sunroom/den off our living room that will be a perfect convalescent room, but I need to figure out sleeping as the sofa in there is too low and not very comfortable. Thanks!
Can I ask what bed you got? I'm trying to figure out sleeping post surgery. We have a small sunroom/den off our living room that will be a perfect convalescent room, but I need to figure out sleeping as the sofa in there is too low and not very comfortable. Thanks!
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belweav
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@OUCH! It is called Pragma everyday bed-in-a-box. It is on Walmarts website. I bought the twin size bed. The head and foot of the bed raise up like outdoor lounge chairs do. It came with a 6 inch memory foam mattress. The frame has wooden slats built into the frame. And it is very comfortable.
@BizzyLizzy your story is so funny and just what we all need to keep our chins up. I enjoyed my nurses so much.
@BizzyLizzy your story is so funny and just what we all need to keep our chins up. I enjoyed my nurses so much.
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belweav
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Well I haven't felt well the last couple of days. I'm having nausea from the pain meds. So the PT said make sure you eat just a bit before taking the meds. He also introduced one more exercise today and gave the okay to walk outside as long as I don't do too much. He also reiterated that walking was the most important thing to do for the implant. The exercises strengthen the muscles. And then I was sick from lunch and slept most of the day. Plus it is hot 106 today. Yuck.
Cynthia777
big-cheese
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What really helped me was eating three saltine crackers before any pain meds. The only time I got sick was the time I forgot to eat the saltines before the meds. Hope this helps.
PS...102 here...yuck is right!!!!
PS...102 here...yuck is right!!!!
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Cynthia777
big-cheese
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Just checking on you this morning and praying you have the nausea under control. Nothing worse than dealing with nausea and/or vimiting on top of the post-op pain! Hugs!
MommaCatt
junior member
Sorry to hear you are also having nausea issues. We finally figured out that part of my nausea was caused by the Pepcid they prescribed to go with the aspirin. I stopped taking it and finally feel like eating (day 9 post op). Gentle hugs and healing vibes.
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belweav
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@Cynthia777 I have been making sure to take zofran every 8 hours. But for some reason I have been extremely tired today and have slept most of the day. And I made a mistake and did not bring enough Cymbalta with me and I could feel myself slipping into depression. Thank goodness that I was due for refills and was able to refill it at Walgreens.
But on the good side, I am walking with no pain and my pain level has stayed under 4.
And my son and hubby got me out of a short trip to a QT which was nice.
But on the good side, I am walking with no pain and my pain level has stayed under 4.
And my son and hubby got me out of a short trip to a QT which was nice.
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belweav
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Well saw the home care PT today. We discussed my pain levels which don't go above a 3 on the 1 to 10 pain scale. So I'm scaling back my pain meds some to start coming off the meds completely. Did standing exercises today. Even though I'm just over a week from surgery, I'm ready to go home. However we have another week before I have the follow up appointment with the OS. So I guess I still need to rest and heal.
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