So here's the story -
12/7 - did the pre-op wash with help from my cousin- much giggling about the stickiness. At hospital by 10:15 and all checked in. Helped into gown, got IV started, answered all the multiple questions again. About 12noon was taken down to the orthopedic surgical suite - interesting collection of orthopedic "masks" and other large equipment posted in niche out side of the suite - looked rather like fencing head gear. Told anesthesiologist to be careful positioning right arm as I have arthritis and/or bursitis there - he kindly agreed to position it carefully (result= very positive - no additional problems after surgery). A bit of banter (finally made the anesthesiologist smile) :th_heehee: (this is one of my personal life goals - leave smiles behind) and off I went to lala land ;)
Woke up about 5 hours later just getting moved into my room and my cousin arrived a few minutes later. First question from staff - "how would you rate your pain" .... ummmm I don't feel much of anything right at the moment". The leg wedge was in place and kept legs from moving for the first 24 hours. Thank goodness for catheter! There were times after it was taken out that I wanted it back! They had a large white board next to my bed where each shift RN and CNA was listed plus daily goals, any particular concerns, date, and my preferred "call name"
That was a big help as my roommate had different staff assigned to her but they were willing to do for me too when they were in the room. My cousin said the doctor told her that both my hips were fused which is why I could not stand upright prior to surgery and that the degeneration was really bad - proving once again that the bilateral procedure was really the way to go!
12/8 Sleep was in bits and spurts - cuz staff kept coming in to make sure all was well with me - understandable but annoying - pain management was excellent! My doctor had said it would be "what ever works for you" and he was right - morphine to start with sustained release. Then morphine with short acting release. Tried something else (don't recall the name but it was less strong than the morphine) but that didn't work too good.
Staff was worried as my BP was quite low and I was feeling dizzy and light headed though I did get up when PT came and got on my feet to go to commode. Had breakfast and lunch - they have a menu cafeteria - you just phone for room service, order what you want when you want it, and it is brought up to you within 20 minutes - and pretty good food too! Not as good as home cooking - but good none the less
There was a steady stream of RNs, CNAs, PTs, OTs, hospitalist (medical doctor who checks on hospitalized patients) - all of whom are fascinated with the elderly bilateral in 214.
12/9 Still concerned about low BP so I'm on for blood transfusion. 2 units - that gets started so PT and OT for the day is on hold until that runs through. Mostly snoozing and napping during the day plus leg exercises and breathing exercises. Some discussion with PT about when to go home they think maybe Saturday or Sunday. But when I said I have 7 stairs to climb to get into my house - "what? I didn't know that. That's not down here at all" ..... "Well I've told nearly everyone I've talked to in the past 6 months that that is my situation - don't know why it's not been recorded any where!" :DOH:Well then they put off discharge until Sunday. Once transfusion is finished then back to work ambulating. Still feeling tired, groggy, airheaded (or more so than is normal for me :hysterical: )
12/10 - feeling better - transfusion helped and BP is now back to normal! But let me tell you post op with bilateral THR is not easy! Thankfully there is NO bone on bone pain!! and post surgical pain was not too bad ..... but all the hip precautions apply to BOTH hips at the same time - so you never have one unoperated on hip to take up slack or bend and stretch any which way you want. Amazing how may folks had not heard the news and were startled by me saying "nope - don't have an un operated on hip"! And the muscle weakness and stiffness also is bilateral. It's quite amazing how much thinking you have to do about simple things like getting up from a chair - where to place hands to make sure you don't violate the 90 degree rule (or rather 70 degree rule in my case - not sure why but that's my doctor's orders). I keep reminding my self to not compare to my BS friends who are striding along after one hip replacement .... just compare me to me yesterday ;)
12/11 Feeling stronger - more ambulating out in hall way, to bathroom rather than bed side commode, ice packs frequently changed. Cousin brought laptop over but it and the hospital wifi did not get along - I'm not computer savvy enough to be able to figure out what the problem is.... guess going online will have to wait until I get home. PT and OT in to discuss discharge - now they want me to stay to Monday - me - no please I want to go home. So they agree but insist on sending me home by care car with 2 fellows to help get me up the stairs and into the house. My cousin (man I am so lucky to have her here!!!) has created a main floor bedroom for me - turned the front room from sitting room/TV room into bedroom. And rented a hospital bed and had it delivered and set up. Plus she and my housemate moved the big sofa and rearranged some other bits and pieces so there are easily reachable tables next to bed and reclining chair.
12/12 - So bed is being delivered today, cousin will call when that is done and then transport will be notified to come get me. Had a bed bath so got a bit clean and put on clothes for the trip home. Then .... hurry up and wait .... 4pm Transport arrives .... but no one told driver that there are 7 steps into the house and he needs another fellow to help. So he has to notify his department to have someone meet up at my house
This was without a doubt the low point of the entire experience. The "care car"/van was dirty, smelled of gasoline and rather cold. The driver was nice but the failure of communication was annoying. But mission was accomplished
and I got delivered home and hoisted up the front stairs and settled into my nice comfy hospital bed.
12/13 - whew! Got to sleep for 4-5 hours at a stretch - only waking up because of my needs not because someone else's schedule said "time to check patient;s vitals" or "time to check patient's BP". Lovely all over sponge bath plus shampoo!!!! Clean clothes, lovely breakfast, leg exercises, icing and elevation with brief nap, and now a bit of computer time - amazing how much junky/spam/drek there is in the old inbox after 5 days away.
Now time for position change and nap again
Thanks BS friends for all your support! And for all the excellent information and advise - made everything much more understandable and easy to keep track of what was going on.
United States
