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THR Butterfly Flutters Over

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Oh the walker isn't going anywhere yet. But the confidence is almost there, and the ability is catching up quickly. My wife has given me plenty of lectures already. She keeping me in check
 
Butterfly... I read your latest post yesterday, late, and replied with a very lengthy one of my own which I promptly LOST to the cyber-netherland & was too frustrated to reconstruct it. I know there's a way to recapture it (via the "auto save" gizmo which is supposedly an icon at the top left; damned if I see it!) This time, I copied the first couple of lines of this post, "lost it" and tried to get it back -- NOT. Where's that gizmo? Anyway, I was thrilled to read how you hoisted your leg! So, from reading your later post, I see that you can make it into bed yourself... just need the "crane" for getting said leg onto said pillow. Not bad! I'm having trouble even getting into bed now, and it's not a high one. My "good/better" leg (right) goes up first, followed by worse leg. I've learned to lean back somewhat and use my upper arms to help swing up.

How long does "cement leg" last, by the way? Are the muscles in it like 'mush' since it's probably been favored, right?

Stay on that walker, lady -- this is not the time to take any risks. You've gone too far and made too much of an emotional and physical investment in this process. Just think: You've suffered a long time; even though you're straining at the bit, take it easy. You have lots of time to enjoy living again... what're a few more days or weeks in the scheme of things?
You know, I'm thinking of visiting the surgeon again -- just for reassurance. His nurse/assistant tells me he usually only sees the patient once prior to The Knife, but if I want to, I can make another appt. I think I need some additional reassurance and a few more questions answered, whaddya think? Stupid? I mean... he was very matter-of-fact about "arthritis/bone on bone/anterior/robot... no problematic stuff, apparently. And very approachable and nice, with a top ortho group... recommended by knee surgeon. Even with all I've learned here, of course I'm still terrified of all this carpentry on my bones. Of course, I felt the same way before my knee, which is supposedly harder. Forgive the ramble, dear Butterfly. One of those "downish" days.

I'm writing ths on my PC for the first time, thus the long-windedness due to ease of keyboarding. I've only used my iPad before this.

Last question: How's the bathroom situation, as far as getting up/sitting on toilet? Are you able to shower OK?
Glad you could sleep better in bed... Do people use recliners simply because they're easier to get into/out of at the beginning? I've got one waiting in the wings. I'm going to shut up now. Read my lips: USE WALKER until advised otherwise.
[Bonesmart.org] Butterfly Flutters Over

My two babies: Ira the Balinese on the left; Sheldon the Ragdoll on right; died almost 2 years ago.
 
shrinkette -- I'm in no danger of giving up the walker. I'm DOOMED to use it a while longer. I'm not strong enough to walk on my own on the newest leg yet anyway, even if I wanted to. It is still pretty sore.

I, too had trouble getting into bed before my surgery. That first leg was just SO painful, it was very hard getting up into bed.

The cement leg I'm not sure exactly what they mean. My leg was hard to swing up, and soe and all, but I'm not so sure what the cement leg means exactly. Maybe it's just that it is hard to swing up into bed etc. The muscles in the "bad" leg get weak, for sure, but I don't know about the "mush" part. If you're getting around now, you must be keeping SOME tone in there. The muscles in my quads got kind of weak, and I'm trying to build them back up now with my home PT lady. It's a process,I guess . . . .

My bathroom stuff words fine, except I still have a hard time getting in and out of the tub (shower) primarily because my bathroom is so small and I have to sit on the shower seat and swing that darn leg over. Again, it's a process. And my walker won't go thru the bathroom door frontways, and I have to take it in sideways and that's a hassle.

I know I'm getting anxious. Josephine talks about the post-op blues, and I think they are setting in on me. I've had a down day, all at sixes and sevens, and I haven't been able to get interested in anything on the net or on TV or even my book. Just feeling lonely and bored, I think. There are a million things around here that need doing, but I can't do them. I've a whole bunch of laundry piled up, for one thing, but I can't even get into my laundry room because of the way my grandsons left stuff piled in there, and I can't move it, so it is frustrating. I KNOW none of this makes any difference in the grand scheme of things, but I just feel kind of useless and helpless and my hand is bothering me a lot, too. I need to go see my chiropractor, but getting a ride means I have to ask Heather to take off work to take me. Oh well, post-op blues here we come. . . . Hopefully in another couple of weeks or so I'll be feeling much better.

DO you really feel you need to go back to see the OS again? I kinda felt that way, too, before my first surgery, but then I KNEW my hips were shot and that nothing would help except replacement, and I KNEW he was a really good surgeon, and I really didn't have anything significant to ask him that would justify another visit, and I knew they would think I was silly wanting another appointment just for reassurance and there wasn't anything he could really tell me that he hadn't already told me, or that I just couldn't call and ask the crabby nurse. It also takes forever to get in and see him, so my surgery probably took place before any appointment would have, anyway. So I just marched on. And it worked out OK.

Sorry to be go glum today, but I'm just not feeling myself at all. Maybe after a good night's sleep (if I can get one) I'll be feeling better tomorrow. Think I'll take a sleeping pill tonight.

Peace and love to you.

Milli
 
Butterfly... Please don't apologize for being "glum"; that's exactly how I felt today & on other days. This whole thing is a process of sorts -- both the before & after. Thanks for all the info.

What you're describing about your inability to do certain tasks at home sounds like a loss-of-control issue, which certainly promotes all those feelings of sadness, dependence. Gosh - I have it NOW!! There's so much I can no longer do, so I know what it feels like. Big difference is that you're alone, so I can only just imagine. That must be hard. I guess it's different asking a DIL for help, although she sounds like an angel.

Losing control over this kind of stuff is SO maddening! Whereas once upon a time I would've just reorganized my kitchen pantry or done the laundry or cleaned the frig, no can do now. And, frankly, men just don't get it. They don't see what we see, & I'm not one of those crazy-clean, eat-off-my-floor freaks!!! Stuff could drip all over the glass shelves in the frig, & he'd never notice! The pantry is SUCH a mess, it's impossible to find things that are hidden behind other things. In MY mind it's elementary: cans go with cans; dry stuff in boxes cling together; seasonings & condiments share space; bottled things are cozy. He sticks things wherever they fit!! But he's so good to me that I have to consciously pick my battles & not overdo the criticism & requests. Gotta keep it in perspective. Fortunately, I have cleaning help, so at least the bathrooms get clean, the beds changed, floors vacuumed, kitchen cleaned, etc.

Do you do much cooking? I think you wrote somewhere that you enjoyed cooking. Yes? I used to cook, but haven't done much since the knee & now this. We either eat out or bring in. When we eat out, we almost always bring home enough for almost another meal. Or we get some frozen prepared entrees from an Italian supermarket. Hubby is kitchen-challenged, but he does make a decent salad, & I can still make a bunch of roasted veggies as a side. One of the things I still enjoy is eating, albeit not in the same quantities as the old days. And I do have a sweet tooth! Isn't chocolate one of the basic food groups ? What are you doing for food these days?

Well, enough rambling. I hope tomorrow's a better day for both of us. Milli, try to see each new accomplishment as a step closer to getting back to "you" -- the you that you did all this for. We know from reading here that there is no straight-up trajectory, but bumps & glitches & setbacks & just plain old bad days because we hurt too much or because we disappointed ourselves somehow. I think it's a matter of becoming philosophical where at all possible, for sanity's sake. Definitely not easy. So I'll say goodnight -- and I do hope tomorrow is better. Btw, did you like my cats?
 
Hi Milli, I used my walker for ten weeks post op. I figured better to be safe than sorry. I was extremely immobile for almost two years prior to surgery, so I wanted to be sure I didn't walk with a limp and that my gait was good.. You will get there, you have had two major surgeries in approx a month apart :)

Thought you might be interested in these articles..

The following is a link to an article which provides some approximate timeframes around the healing phases and processes (and relevant nutritional information) for you to read.

Healing Phases & Nutrition

This second link is to other nutritional articles which you may find interesting.

Nutritional advice for pre op and recovery
 
Hi, Ms. Butterfly ... first, my apologies for not being here lately and not seeing your tag/question to me till now. But second, can I just repeat how happy I am to see you on the other side yet again. You are done! Both hips done! All that pre-op worry--times TWO--is behind you. So how are you feeling?? THAT is my burning question. I do hope you are doing well and not experiencing too much pain, anxiety, post-op blues, and frustration.

I see that you are at that "Outpatient PT: to do ... or not to do" milestone. And is is vexing, for THR patients (knees are different--I do believe outpatient PT must be necessary for them?).
To answer your question, I did only one outpatient session--the "evaluation" session, where they put you through the paces and ask tons of questions in order to see what needs to be worked on in future sessions. I did this one after I had started back to work at the six-week mark, which was literally at the time I had my six-week checkup with my OS, which was the time that he writes outpatient PT prescriptions. In other words, you can't get an outpatient PT script from him prior to his six-week checkup. Anyway, I was still very very sore from being at work all day and getting to/from work via public transportation. I mean, really sore from all of that "activity." And I do believe it's true that "activity" is not just squats and clamshells and biking, but actually just being up and around and moving all day, such as a full-time workday's activity. So ... when I tacked on to that long workday a PT evaluation, I was in a lot of serious pain for two whole weeks. Not "I haven't exercised in a while, so that's why my muscles hurt" pain. I mean inflamed type of pain, everywhere. And I was really angry about it because I had told the PT over and over again my concerns about this. And she smiled and sweetly said she would be careful ... but in the end, she was not. So I threw in the towel on all other outpatient PT sessions. I checked with mY OS's office about it and asked if walking and taking stairs (not toddler style) to/from work would be good enough to serve as PT and was told yes. The PA said that walking and stairs was definitely enough PT for hip patients--but that my goals might take a little longer. I didn't ask for an elaboration. For all I know, to HIM, "goals" might mean bungee jumping at there months.

I do think if I were not going to work all day, I would have tried more outpatient PT sessions. But ... I have read too many times on BoneSmart about THR patients who have done fine without outpatient PT. They have done it on their own and seem fine. In fact, someone from England posted a wonderful link to a hospital's brochure about the six-week mark, which included exercises you can do at home. If you add these to the ones here on BoneSmart, plus make WALKING your main PT exercise, my humble opinion is that you'll be fine. I will try to find that brochure, as I think I downloaded it.

I did visit 2 or 3 PT outpatient places before my infamous one-time visit at the PT from Hell place, and they all seemed to have scary things to say ... which I found annoying, at that point. Some of them directly contradictory to what people have posted here. What I means is, just as OSs seem to have varying opinions, PTs are like that too. Maybe more so. I went nuts trying to figure out what the bottom line was about what to do, not do about the cane and my gait. So I do think the PT will advise you about more things than just strength and ROM. I think if you go see a PT, you need to be able to hear what they advise, but not necessarily swallow it as the gospel truth. Because for every thing they tell you, you will see something contradictory about the same topic on BoneSmart, from what someone else's PT has said.

You also have to keep in mind that some of us are sore for longer than others are; and have more soreness. And that's a factor, I think. Maybe that is tied in to what shape you were in before the surgery. I was in horrible shape, overweight and no exercise at all except walking and limping to/from work. So maybe that's something to consider.

Also, maybe just maybe PT would be better for someone whose surgery was more complicated. Mine was considered "routine" surgery; no collapsed femur or anything like that.

My PT who visited me the first few weeks after surgery was a doll and very helpful and not pushy. I feel she was indispensable to me. As were the PT exercises the hospital gave me to do for the first few weeks--the usual ones we've all received, while lying in bed, sitting, and standing. But that's all I did.

What did your surgeon say about it?

Here's the info someone posted on BoneSmart that I mentioned. It's from Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals and is a PDF titled "Information for Patients Six Weeks after Hip Replacement Surgery." Maybe if you Google it you will find it at the hospital's site; or you could search for it on BS's search section.

Whatever you decide, just be sure to keep in mind that WHILE you are doing the PT exercises, you might not feel any pain. I know I didn't. And I was jumping on and off tables during the evaluation, doing all I could, thinking it was okay since I felt no pain during the moment. But after I left the place, before I even got to the bus stop, the pain kicked in big-time. So you need to not wait until it's painful before you tell the PT to stop. You need to keep it scaled down from the get-go, even if you are feeling no pain. At least that's my humble opinion.

Good luck!!! Let us know how you are doing with this, and all is. Take care.
 
inthebeginning ... no, no bungee jumping yet. I'm an under-achiever.
Also, too busy training for the NYC Marathon, which was last weekend.
I completed it, though my time was a little slow. :)
 
Peaches Thank you once again for your helpful and informative reply. I think I've decided to forego outpatient PT. I really can't afford it and think I can manage on my own.

SOrry I am not writing more, but I've had a bad flare-up of my long standing intermittent carpal tunnel syndrome and the doc says I must stay off the computer for a few days. I've bad pain and numbness in my hands so I need to rest them or else. Breaks my heart, because this forum is my main source of comfort and feeling connected. However, I must stay off a few days.

Love to you, and thanks again.

Milli
 
shrinkette Roofmaster Poppet Red Shoe knees and all other Bonesmart friends

Because of my carpal tunnel flareup I must stay off the computer a few days, per my doc, if I don't want it to become worse. SO, please don't think I'm snooty or ill or don't want to communicate -- I have to rest my hands from the computer. Mostly the flareup is from use of the walker, but I can't stop using that, they say, so the computer must go for a few days. I'll be back soon!

Peace and love to all,

Milli
 
Take care of yourself -- that's the most important. We'll see you back here when you're able. Btw, did you ever consider using a dictation app like Dragon? You just talk & it writes what you say. Just a thought. Take care & feel better.
 
Absolutely Butterfly, hands off the keyboard hon... :) catch up with you when you have rested :)

I use these exercises at work to help...

1. Extend and stretch both wrists and fingers acutely as if they are in a hand-stand position. Hold for a count of 5.
2. Straighten both wrists and relax fingers.
3. Make a tight fist with both hands.
4. Then bend both wrists down while keeping the fist. Hold for a count of 5.
5. Straighten both wrists and relax fingers, for a count of 5.
6. The exercise should be repeated 10 times.

Then let your arms hang loosely at the side and shake them for a few seconds.
 
shrinkette Poppet Thanks for your understanding. Couldn't resist a brief visit here.

I got my staples out of the second hip today and doc says I am doing great. I also get to LOSE THE WHITE STOCKINGS!!

Peace and love to you,

Milli
 
:kittykiss: Yay for staples and stockings!! Giant steps, my sweet. Glad you came back to report this news, but take care of those digits. We'll be here.
 
I secretly saved a pair of the stockings. Ya never know..... LOL


Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart®
 
Hi there Butterfly for some reason I don't seem to be getting all of my alerts, so sorry I missed this one... However, thanks for visiting my thread and I am pleased you like my articles :)

So, back to coconut oil..... Not sure if you have had the opportunity to read my earlier article on coconut oil?

To answer your question though..

Although coconut oil is predominately a saturated fat, it does not have a negative effect on cholesterol. Natural, nonhydrogenated coconut oil tends to increase HDL cholesterol and improve the cholesterol profile. HDL is the good cholesterol that helps protect against heart disease.

Total blood cholesterol, which includes both HDL (good) and LDL (bad) cholesterol, is a very inaccurate indicator of heart disease risk.

A much more accurate way to judge heart disease risk is to separate the two types of cholesterol. Therefore, the ratio of the bad to good cholesterol (LDL/HDL) is universally recognized as a far more accurate indicator of heart disease risk. Because of coconut oil's tendency to increase HDL, the cholesterol ratio improves and thus decreases risk of heart disease.

People who traditionally consume coconut oil as part of their ordinary diet have a very low incidence of heart disease and have normal blood cholesterol levels. This has been well supported by numerous population studies. The research shows that those people who consume coconut oil have remarkably good cardiovascular health.

However, there is nothing wrong with your olive oil, as it is central to the Mediterranean type of diet.. and that is an excellent also.. It is all about balance with food.

My hubby has head two heart attacks and two heart surgeries and we use coconut oil for lightly grilling our fish and olive oil for our salads..

But as always, check with Doctor if you have any concerns :)

Cheers, Poppet.

Disclaimer: The information on dietary factors, foods, and beverages contained in this post does not cover all possible uses, actions, precautions, side effects, and interactions. It is not intended as medical advice for individual problems. Liability for individual actions or omissions based upon the contents of this article is expressly disclaimed. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of all medical conditions including the taking of supplements.
 
Hi, Butterfly ... so sorry about your carpal tunnel and don't worry about not replying. You need to save your fingers and hands. I do hope you are better. I have had that myself from time to time, though have been blessed with a long period of it being dormant. I bought those wrist things at the drugstore and wore them at night and they helped. As for the PT ... I feel (knock on wood ... make that titanium and plastic) my op hip has done just fine without formal PT beyond those few home visits and the basic exercises most of us seem to have had. I did as much walking (brief but frequent) and did stairs when I could and I really think that's all I needed. Unfortunately or fortunately, for better or worse, I am now having to see a PT -- though not for the hip at all, but for back problems not related to the hip, in a first step toward trying to avoid back surgery. That's another story in and of itself and will try to post a bit about that on my thread. But mainly I just wanted to say hi and ask how you are and let you know that in the end I truly do not think it was a bad choice to not do outpatient PT for my hip. I had a nice little milestone as a matter of fact, just yesterday, I was approaching a large, grand set of stairs to a big library. There was a rail, but way off to the side, and I have gone up those library steps without the rail for years and years prior to my bad hip. Well, going up stairs without a rail has seemed like flying without a net. I really didn't feel mentally or physically like I could handle it. But yesterday I just knew I could. It just felt second nature. And I did it almost like I'd done it years ago. Not running up the stairs. But walking up them pretty darn freely and easily. Just some old-lady tightness in my thighs. But honestly, it felt like a big milestone. Hard to explain. But you will know just what I mean. I do hope you are getting around better and feeling better. When you are able to, let us know how you are. Take care.
 
Peaches How exciting to go up all those stairs normally. I wouldn't try that myself, certainly not yet. I still have trouble with just little bits of steps, like 3. One I can usually manage, or two, if they are not too steep. But I'm not allowed to lose the walker yet, and have zero idea how to get up stairs with a walker. Not sure it can be done.

I do know how those milestones feel. I actually WALKED in the grocery store a few days ago, leaning on the cart a bit for support and balance (and with my DIL with me, of course), but I was upright and walking. WOW! I felt like I had climbed the Matterhorn or something.

Anyway, I am doing well. Hand still bothers me a lot. I, too, have had past bouts of this (computer work) and my chiropractor has been very good at working it out. He says it will get better after I am off the walker and I think he is right. Every time I put weight on the arms and wrists using the walker it irritates it. If it is not one thing it is another ....

I sometimes struggle with back trouble, too. I've had it since a car wreck in 1963. Working over computers for a hundred years hasn't helped with that, either. Chiropractor has been able to help me deal with that, too. I'll have a bad flare up every couple years, and then it mostly recedes, thank God.

I have decided to forego post-op physical therapy. My home PT (whom I came to like, BTW) says she doesn't really feel like I need it if I just keep up with my little exercises and walking. The weather here has been absolutely wretched the last few days, very unseasonably cold with high winds and even some snow this morning, so I have been going on my treadmill, very slowly and for not too long. It seems to be working. I really cannot afford the out patient PT anyway. If it were necessary to my recovery, I would find a way, but since it doesn't seem to be, I won't be doing it.

Please stay in touch with how you are doing. I can't wait till the day I am allowed to drive again and I can get out and do errands for myself!

Love,

Milli
 
Roofmaster How are you getting on with being back to work? Haven't heard from you in a long time. I am doing well, and I hope you are too. I am 4 weeks post op my second hip, and 8 weeks past my first one. I'm down to needing to take only one or two hydrocodone a day, which is good. I take one if I need it during the day, and then one at bedtime so I can get a decent night's sleep. I'm still not sleeping all the way through the night, though, and still taking it fairly easy.

How are you doing?

Love,

Milli
 
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