THR Bionic Jaycey checking in!

[beachgal]

@Jaycey, I didn't mean to imply that your choir is full of sickies (although, on some level, that might be kinda fun!) but rather that getting out in public ANYWHERE is pretty scary now, and I agree, the doctor's office is a nightmare just waiting to happen. My PT took my bandages off at my home so it was into the fourth week before I got out in public. I was stir crazy by then but realized that I'd be even nuttier if I caught something so...

It won't be long before your burning up the roads again...patience, my friend...

 

[gazelle7777]

Good Morning Jaycey! Hoping this Wednesday is a good day for you my Hippy twin! Since I am dealing with this goose egg hematoma at my incision... I am a bit in the doldrums. I feel great --- no pain even with the hematoma.... just worrying about this thing going away....( will it just go away???)

I do not know if I should start PT this Monday with it(?) I do not want to go and pay for PT three times next week and not be able to really do much. I called my Dr's Assistant to ask her what I should do. Waiting for a call back. Just frustrating. I feel kind of like I am just on my own..... How is your healing going? As we head forward to the third week since surgery.... I am dreaming of that first Epsom salt bath down the road a ways.......... ahh..... that is my goal..... the thought of THAT bath keeps me happy! ((Hugs)) to you!
Joan

 

[Jaycey]

@gazelle7777 Gosh, I have no idea how to deal with a hematoma. I went back to your thread and tagged Jo in the post where you asked the question. If it were me I would not start PT until cleared by your doc. Not sure if all that would aggravate things but I would not want to risk it. So sorry you are having to deal with this!

My recovery seems so slooooooooooow! This morning I woke up exhausted. And I am tired of sitting around the house as well. I started my short walks outside today. Using only one cane and although I move slower than normal my gait seems pretty steady. I will build up the time everyday and see if I can get the ROM a bit smoother.

Have you had your stitches/staples out yet? The nurse at my GP check my wound yesterday and said I would shower or bathe as normal. I have been showering since day 2 so no big deal for me. Guess it would not be good to soak in a bath until the incision is totally healed though.

Hang in there! We'll get through all this!

 

[gazelle7777]

Have you had your stitches/staples out yet? The nurse at my GP check my wound yesterday and said I would shower or bathe as normal. I have been showering since day 2 so no big deal for me. Guess it would not be good to soak in a bath until the incision is totally healed though.

This last Monday I went to see the Dr's Assistant. She looked at my stitches and my hematoma. That is where I found out what I thought was "inflammation" was not that but a hematoma. To drain it is an option that has its bad points... possible contamination/infection from the needle... then again, leaving it there not doing anything as just a pool of old blood could also lead to infection as well..... So it is kind of like just a wait and see if my body is going to dissolve this thing or not. It can take a long time to be dissolved. There is like no right answer. So when she calls me back, I will see what her feelings are on doing PT next week.

I can shower no problem... just have to wait at LEAST 6 weeks or so before tub bath so the incision is totally healed before soaking.

 

[kcmocook]

Glad to hear you are doing well, Jacey. I am so sorry about your cat. They are so sweet and such important and loved members of our families.

 

[Poppet]

Just popping by to say 'hello' and send lots of hugs @Jaycey xx

 

[zauberflöte]

@Jaycey I sympathize with your feeling of slooooioww recovery. There may be a reason-- perhaps we forget! I was reading back in my journal to see if I could answer some question here, and I swear half the bad stuff didn't happen to me! Of course I was detoxing from GA, which messes with my cognitive function pretty thoroughly, and I was taking those nice loopy drugs for a few weeks, so maybe that is my excuse. Maybe our minds mercifully forget the grinding boredom part of recovery? I am glad you can walk outside! Don't worry about speed yet, go for form first!


My phone sent this using BoneSmart Forum, clever phone!

 

[Jaycey]

Don't worry about speed yet, go for form first!

Absolutely right - get the gait right and the stiffness will work itself out.

Yes I guess we forget the bad parts once life gets back to normal. It just seems time drags on and on. I keep looking at the calendar and I am still so early out - only 16 days! Seems like months!

 

[insexec]

Hang in there, @Jaycey !!
You know...it will get better and you are still early in the game yet.

 

[Peaches]

Sorry it's going so slowly, @Jaycey .... do you physically feel up to doing more? Is that part of the problem?
I remember because I just didn't feel strong enough to do lots of stuff, so the boredom was second banana to feeling drained and ache-y. Not pain. Do you feel that due to the boredom you could go back to work now? I'm not even remotely suggesting that you do, I'm just asking if you feel you could. I'm glad you got some outside walking, as i'm sure just being out in the fresh air must feel like progress. How's your back?

 

[Jaycey]

Do you physically feel up to doing more? Is that part of the problem?

In a word, yes. But the usual stiffness and restrictive moving is getting in the way. I do get the drained feeling sometimes. But that's easily controlled by just allowing for some down time when needed.

I don't feel like I could hack the commute to work. But given what I feel now, I imagine I will be working from home week 4 for a couple of hours per week and then building up. I would need to be very disciplined as my work in computer based and sitting for long periods is not good for anyone - let alone a new hippie.

My back is actually not bad. I guess I am so used to lower back pain it's just not something I am focused on. Now that the horrid hip pain is gone, a bit of lumbar pain seems minor. Since the medication I take for my post op pain is the same that I have taken for my back pain - I imagine it's helping.

I would just like to get more active - but all in good time, I know. Goal today is a walk to the post office (5 minutes one way) and a short stop at the grocery store.

 

[zauberflöte]

@Jaycey hope your outing was happy and successful, and included the purchase of some chocolate.... ;)


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[Jaycey]

Mission accomplished - but no chocolate purchased! I think walks may be the way to slow me down. I have been very tired since I got back - despite icing and elevating post walk.

 

[gazelle7777]

Happy Friday Jaycey! How far are you walking Hippy twin? I have not done much walking other than in the house, up and down the stairs several times a day, and to the mail box. What is the OK amount of walking at three weeks post surgery like we are? Sorry to hear about your back issues. I have some as well, as well as this shoulder pain issue, darn it anyway!!

Do you ever find yourself short tempered at this point in recovery? I am snapping more at my husband( of course he deserves it ) and I even raised my voice at my sweet dog- a golden- when she was lounged across the hallway and would not move when I asked her politely to MOVE. That is where the "scary crutch" comes into play and if I poke her with it gently she moves really fast! Of course the scary crutch also does belly rubs... so the dog is starting to not move even when the crutch is poking her now... expecting belly rubs... guess I have to come up with a new plan of action, LOL! Of course Lola( her name) is the head of the house and the world revolves around her Joan

 

[Jaycey]

Hello my hippy twin! Happy Friday indeed!

What is the OK amount of walking at three weeks post surgery like we are?

It's really up to you. Start with very short walks and build up. I usually go half as far as I think I can go as I don't want to get caught out and be too tired to get back. Only did just over .6 mile today and I was pretty tired when I got home. It's not just the walking - it's also getting out into the real world again. Watching your every step, traffic, mothers with strollers are really a nightmare.

It's funny you should bring up the temper. I remember throwing my crutch down many times post LTHR. Today I threw my cane and ended up laughing as it seems the impatience is rearing its ugly head already. I consider this part of the healing process. You want to move - quickly (or less awkwardly) but with a cane or crutch you just can't.

Poor sweet Lola! She must be such a love. Dogs really do stick by you in good or bad times. Just give her a cuddle. I am sure she understands things are just not exactly right at this time. Animals are such a great comfort when you are going through this. I sure miss my boys (Ben and Jerry)!

 

[zauberflöte]

@gazelle7777 @Jaycey oh my the temper tantrums I fought!! The crabbies just came with the territory, and sometimes I would just have to put myself in timeout!
My cats got used to the walker, a d I never used the cane indoors at home. On shopping trips I would poke it around blind corners at shoulder height and such to make sure I was safe!


My phone sent this using BoneSmart Forum, clever phone!

 

[dubld1]

@Jaycey, hi been catching up on your thread. Sounds like you're doing better. Sorry about your jerry, I know how that can bring a person down. We actually have a peekapoo who at 14 yrs. Went blind bout a week before my op. Its a struggle but he is healthy other than that. I too use the golfers reach so I can pick him up and help him outside to relieve himself. Good thing he's light.lol.sorry you're not sleeping well. I appreciate all you have told me and thank you whereas I actually have listened to you and the others and have curtailed my exercises at home. I still do my pt but totally listen to my body. I wish I could get rid of the ted's also but my wifr would kill me.lol. was told to wear them for 6 weeks. I pray your sleeping gets better. And continued healing. Sending healing energy your way.
Thank you for being such an inspiration.
God bless
Dan

 

[Jaycey]

Thanks for all your words of encouragement. I am feeling a bit down today. Woke up very stiff and sore on the op side. The only thing I can contribute it to is my walk yesterday (really not that far!) and I did a bit of walking around the house without my cane. Very discouraging! I was going to attempt another walk today but will take the advice I give others and rest and try again tomorrow.

@dubld1 are you taking any medication for thinning your blood. If you are moving around regularly during the day and taking medication you are probably doing more than enough to prevent any clots. Those TEDs are really a pain. I was told to wear them for 6 weeks as well but I confirmed with the nurse at my GP that I could ditch them.

Thank you for being such an inspiration.

Gosh, not sure today's post is very inspirational. But thanks!

 

[zauberflöte]

Jaycey, don't feel bad about the walking! When I was as far out as you are, I felt pleased to walk 4-5 houses down the perfectly level street!!
Maybe you could do some seated upper body work outside in any sunshine you may have.
We are having a perfect shirtsleeve fall day, I will send you some of it


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[dubld1]

@Jaycey, no blood thinners. They took me off them at 2 weeks. Guess that's why they want me to wear the teds for the 6 weeks.
Dan