THR Bionic Jaycey checking in!

[zauberflöte]

Time for.... A tea party! I will make my signature brownies. I don't dare to presume to make the tea :lol:
Who else will bring dainty munchies?


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[MajorHeidi]

@Jaycey I am sorry to hear of your dear Jerry passing.
I'm glad the Rainbow Bridge was posted. It brought me to tears, as it always does.

I hope you are doing allright coping.... I know that's horribly hard, and at this time no less.
((Hugs))

 

[beachgal]

I'm bringing lots of sunshine and tiny shrimp finger sandwiches.


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[Peaches]

Hi, @Jaycey ... thank you for sharing your post-op experiences even though your heart is breaking. Your post-op report will be invaluable to those who have yet to have a THR and those who have to do it again. So thank you. I was just thinking about the post-op blues being compounded many times for you. Very very sorry.
I am so happy to hear that you have a "six weeks MINIMUM" retort that you could email to your work people. (What is up with this "two weeks back at work" fantasy? "Two weeks" was the not-so-magic number I've heard so many times. I think "going back to work" at "two weeks" should be defined. How much of it was actually working, and how hard, and how much running around? Or was "going back to work" actually just "showing your face" for a few hours, taking a nap behind a closed door, having someone take your calls and handle stuff for you, and then, being driven home early. Anyway, I'm really happy you got that email off to them.)

I hear your frustration about not getting around to get the phone, do things, and you mentioned dropping things. I don't think I've ever dropped things as much as I did in those first six weeks (and I'm pretty clumsy, under normal circumstances). You're so right that the resting, icing, elevating has to be done, and often, and it eats up time. But you've already got one week under your belt. And this frustrating part of the process really will expire soon. As you well know.

I applaud you for the slow and steady approach. I just hope your heartache eases or begins to. Please take care
Thank you again for keeping us up on your progress.

 

[Jaycey]

Time for.... A tea party!

Right - I'm not really a tea person but a nice, not skinny cappuccino with those brownies sounds great. I'll fire up the machine - orders anyone?

@beachgal , @MajorHeidi @Peaches - your words of encourage mean a great deal to me. This is indeed a very hard time. But I am determined to do this right and move on. Jerry would not want it any other way.

Sleep last night was horrid. I seem to have a window between 2AM and 4AM. I think it is more about having to stay in one position for so long. I am also starting to go mad with these TEDs. At about that hour my legs feel hot and itchy. Hate TEDs. I'm going to hang on and obey the orders until I see the nurse at my GP for dressing removal and wound check. Injections of blood thinner + TEDs seems total over kill!

For those of you who followed my pre-op thread you will remember I was concerned about getting in and out of a bath tub to use the over tub shower. I am pleased to report that I have managed to do this for the last 4 mornings. The technique is probably more for advanced hippies but if anyone wants a tutorial - let me know. With the right equipment and some slow and steady moves - new hippies can have a shower everyday!

Thanks for being there!

 

[Hoppy Nanny]

Moving on is hard @Jaycey after your loss of Jerry.....I still miss my two lovely doggies so much but now can smile and remember their funny little antics and how much joy they bought to my life......it does take time.
I think the TEDs were the worst part of the whole process Jaycey. I'm sure mine were too tight and hurt my knee....It does seem overkill with injections too....but, you feel you should see it through.
Do hope you get some more sleep in...can you nap during the day? I struggled with that at first & then really enjoyed the downtime during the day.
You've cracked the bath time routine...fabulous...nothing like a shower to make you feel good! I bet you're shattered afterwards too!

Mine's an Earl Grey Tea please....with an almond slice! Yum! Xx


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[Jaycey]

@Hoppy Nanny , I nap and just take a lying down break constantly during the day. I find my hip starts to complain after about 1 hour of light packing. Although it is very irritating I take it as a sign it's time to ice and elevate. I usually sleep for a bit in the afternoon but was never one for long afternoon naps.

Mine's an Earl Grey Tea please....with an almond slice!

Never tried that - sounds good!

 

[zauberflöte]

Jaycey, you are wonder woman! Light packing? Don't let Josephine know ;)

Sorry you are not sleeping well... This too shall pass. Congrats on outwitting your bathtub!!

I will have a mochaccino with All the chocolate you can fit in. See? c(_) I brought my own mug! May need the extra large... C(__) yep that's the one!

Today I will bake some coffee-spice cookies in honor of the turning of the season. Mmmmmm.......


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[sharonslp]

Straight black strong coffee for me please.

I was told to wear the TEDS during the day, and take them off at night, for two weeks. Did fine with them on the first hip. On the second, they annoyed me a lot, and I completely ditched them after the first week. So much inconsistency about using them...by my second surgery I was questioning a lot more of the "rules" mainly because I could see how much variation goes on here on BoneSmart. But "better safe than sorry" is always a good policy , so you are wise for hanging in....I applaud you, and commiserate.

Sharon

 

[gazelle7777]

Good Wednesday to everyone! I find that I feel worse as far as pain and stiffness between 5AM - 2PM... then in the afternoon for some reason I feel really great... no need for the crutch, pain minimal. Even go up and down the stairs like a real person one foot two foot! Perhaps it Is the nap I take and all the elevating and ice during that two hour window where I rest? Anyone else have a similar situation? Jaycee isn't a shower the best? I am going to ask my PA this coming Monday when I can take a REAL SOAKING TUB BATH. Oh my goodness.. I just love to soak my poor aching joints! Joan

 

[Jaycey]

Perhaps it is the nap I take and all the elevating and ice during that two hour window where I rest? Anyone else have a similar situation?

Certainly the rest does help. I find the rest make me more groggy. Guess I am not used to sleeping during the day.

I am going to ask my PA this coming Monday when I can take a REAL SOAKING TUB BATH

You probably won't be able to do this until your incision is totally healed. This is to prevent infection. Shouldn't be too long!.

 

[beachgal]

I hated the TEDs, too, but I had psyched myself into thinking that it wouldn't be so bad and I actually didn't mind them too much until after week 2. Since I couldn't shave my legs, and you all are painfully aware of my trauma about this, wearing those blasted white stockings actually made me feel better not having to look at my growing hair and equally-white legs...but I ditched the one from the op leg after week 3. It was pure joy!

About the tub soaking/bath...good luck. I cannot even imagine trying to sit in my tub, let alone get out of it. Someone on this forum told me it would be six months before I could manage a real bath again so that's another one of those luxuries that I've kept out of my mind. I did sit on the side of the tub and shaved my legs last night and it was a bit easier and didn't take quite as long so I think my ROM is improving. No blood, either.

So while all you prissy little gals are sipping your tea and coffees, I guess I'll be sipping my Chardonnay...

 

[Jaycey]

I'll be sipping my Chardonnay...

Wait just a darn minute - count me in on that one!

My TEDs are not white this time - more hunters green. Still a pain! For anyone living alone - just forget it! Impossible to get these on without help. I remember a member just before my LTHR who tried using some type of device made specifically to get TEDs on by yourself. By her description she ended up writhing all over the place and eventually gave up.

 

[NoraJ]

I have some Bellini's in the fridge cooling. ..would that past muster?

I had my first bath on Monday night...I was afraid I wouldn't get out but actually it was fine! It felt great. But not as good as the first shower post op! That was wonderful!

RTHR May 27th 2014

 

[beachgal]

@NoraJ, did you wait this long for a tub bath per instructions or just until you felt confident? I'm dying for a tub bath but it's too soon for me. And I'd really love a bath while sipping a Bellini.


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[NoraJ]

@beachgal I think it was a bit of both! I think my instructions were a minimum of eight weeks to ensure the scar was fully healed. Then I just waited until I felt I was ready...as I'm on my own I needed to be sure I could get out without assistance! But it was much easier than I thought. It's my knees not my hips that wasn't as happy cooperating with me! I like my bubbles too....

RTHR May 27th 2014

 

[Peaches]

@Jaycey ... WOW, you hauled your legs over that tall tub?! I am really impressed. I could not do it till roughly 2 weeks after the surgery. That must make you feel so good to be able to take a shower. Plus, the added "water therapy" benefit. A shower or soak always helps me a bit when I'm feeling down or low.

Yeah, Teds PLUS injections does sound like overkill. I feel like I've read many times of people on Bonesmart ditching the Teds. I hope you can do so safely very soon. And I think someone should create a line of Teds with crazy patterns and colors: how about brown Teds, with a log-like design. Or Miss Piggy Pink?

I hope each day brings a little more solace and strength, in every possible way. I'm so sorry about those mid-night wide-awakes and remember them too well. May those start to fade soon.

@zauberflöte ... I think I'm going to bring a batch of Harvey Wallbangers to your tea-plus party.

 

[Jaycey]

I'm dying for a tub bath but it's too soon for me.

@beachgal the key is whether that incision is totally healed and do you have the upper body strength to assist you in getting out of the tub. After that nice relaxing bath you don't want to be flapping around struggling to get out.

WOW, you hauled your legs over that tall tub?! I am really impressed. I could not do it till roughly 2 weeks after the surgery.

@Peaches as I said, with the right tools this is easy. I have a 4 inch step placed beside the tub, a very secure (note - not a cheap, nasty Walmart version) grab bar strategically placed on the opposite side of the tub and a bath stool in the tub with legs raised to exactly match the height of the rim of the tub. If I stand on the step with the non-op leg nearest the tub, grab the bar and use my cane to support having weight on that op leg the manoeuvre is very easy. Each leg bent at the knee backwards so no violating the restrictions. I sit to shower for safety. You need to have grabber, towel, cane, etc all ready in case. Yes, this all takes time and energy. But each day it gets easier.

I think I'm going to bring a batch of Harvey Wallbangers to your tea-plus party.

Let's get this party started!

 

[Carriemay60]

@Jaycey I am very sorry to learn of Jerry's passing, loosing a pet is so heartbreaking I know. Especially hard mixed in with the emotional post-op rollercoaster :(

When my sleepless nights come along I put my light on and start reading. If I don't do that I get myself worked up and frustrated which seems to make it last longer. Mind you, I am in the guest room on the main floor but there are also little book lights available to avoid disturbing your spouse. I do hope you start to get the rest you need to help heal your body and your heart.

 

[Jaycey]

On the second, they annoyed me a lot, and I completely ditched them after the first week.

I have decided to ditch these things after today. Lots of reasons, but note this is my personal choice and not what my surgeon/hospitals recommends.

When my sleepless nights come along I put my light on and start reading.

I slept pretty good last night. The down side is sleep is not in the cards today. Go with the flow I guess.

A bit of a rant here - starting to get the "why can't you do more" "you're not sick so what's the problem", etc. I remember this with the last hip. I am not a person who stays in her dressing gown and slippers all day. Unfortunately this sometimes works against me. Some people can be so blooming ignorant!