cornishhedge Sorry you could't find my thread -- I get lost on here, too. This is my official recovery thread for the second hip, so you can always come here. Or you can search for Butterfly in the search box.
I am so sorry to hear your mother has been ill. I know that puts more stress on you, and more struggling up the stairs. I hope she gets to feeling better, soon.
The surgery is not so bad -- after all, you are asleep during it and do not know a thing until you wake up in recovery. I had a spinal both times and it was fine -- no pain from the getting of the spinal, and they give you stuff in your IV to really zonk you out so you don't know a thing. I liked my anesthesiologist again this time -- a different guy than before, but he was very nice. Came in and talked to me in pre-op and made sure I was comfortable with everything going on and answered questions. I felt quite safe with him managing my anesthesia.
I had to wait a while in pre-op this time because they had to give me some fancy IV antibiotics because my pre-op swab for MRSA came up positive. Doc said not to worry, they just give you antibiotics.
Anyway I was over before I knew it and I woke up and they took me to my room. The only thing weird in post op was that I woke up VERY cold and shivering. They reassured me that this happens a lot and was nothing to worry about, and they got me some warmed-up blankets. Great pain control all around, and the nurses and techs were very concerned and attentive. They kept my pain down to almost zero. PT came around and we walked a bit and then on Thursday we did it again and I got to come home. I had to stay an extra day this time because my blood counts were so low and so was my blood pressure.
So here I am at home. I slept most of today with my legs elevated to counteract any swelling. I have good pain control here at home, too. The one thing that bugs is that the dressing itches like mad, and causes the whole area around it to itch. This happened last time, too, and it stops when you take off the dressing. I take off the dressing next Monday.
I have some surgical pain, but manage it with the meds they sent home with me. I slept past one time I was supposed to take a pain med, so it hurt when I woke up, but I took a pill and it was fine.
I really can't stress enough that the surgery/hospital stay/recovery is nowhere NEAR what I had imagined before the surgery. I thought it would be awful and unbearable, but it was quite manageable and no awful pain, and once I was actually in pre-op, the fear subsided. The pain I had before the surgeries was a hundred zillion times worse than anything involved with the surgeries themselves, and the bone on bone pain is GONE! You will be thoroughly delighted with the loss of that pain, and they'll give you pain meds to manage the post-surgical pain.
If the Queen of Chickenhearts (me) can get through this, you can, too, and you will be SO goad you did it for yourself!
Please stay in touch.
Peace and love to you.
Milli
United States
