THR Craftdee's Made It Through

[Jaycey]

after surgery that I was not allowed to bend more than 70 degrees instead of the usual 90, but not really told why - only that it was standard for Posterior

I had posterior approach for my LTHR and never had the restriction. A pillow under your knees or propping the op leg relieves all that pressure on your lower back.

he told me to stop propping the leg to "make" the leg lie straight/flat which it hasn't done for years

If the leg has not done that in years, it's not going to correct itself in 4 weeks! Do you do any hamstring stretches (or did you pre-op)? Gently stretching your hamstring during the day - even when sitting - might help. Sounds like you might benefit from some physio as well.

 

[Poppet]

Hi Donna, it is interesting that your surgeon has placed a 'flat leg, no elevation' restriction on you - it is the first time I have heard this with an Australian OS. However, he must have his reason.. the weeks will pass quickly and sleeping will improve

Sleeping can be a big issue for most folk - have you read this article..

https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/bananas-and-other-foods-and-sleeping.20808/

Also, would you pop your surgery date into your signature block please. It is a big help for us.

The instructions to do this are in here How to create a signature

 

[craftdee]

I did my first day completely alone yesterday. It was fine... quite enjoyed it actually! I did some paperwork for our business (sent out invoices, the most important bit, lol) I stripped the bed, put on a load of washing (with my trusty reacher), hung it out - using the laundry trolley - my hubby cracked up and declared me officially old when I bought it! (had a rest) brought it in, folded it put it away and had a good sit down... it was like I'd run a Marathon, I was tired, not exhausted but felt a sense of achievement and certainly no pain. I find I don't need any painkillers in the day, I take Targin slow release at breakfast and I do still "ice up" after my exercises or if I do a lot of walking and that helps with the swelling; the bruising is just about all out now (the huge one on my calf has taken the longest and was the most painful, and was the one I wasn't expecting!) , but my leg is still bigger than it was - I can fit all my "normal" clothes, but that leg on my jeans feels tighter so the leg is obviously still swollen.
I'm doing my exercises, I'm including my non operated leg in some as that was getting a bit sore from the extra duty it's been performing I take Targin slow release and Oxycodene before bed, I'm sleeping okay considering I'm flat on my back and can't really move, lol, the hip's okay everything else is as stiff as a board! I've taken to using the sort of edge of the pillow between my knees to support my leg and that's enough to stop the horrible groin pain I was getting with my leg dead flat. I was pretty fit before my surgery (within the limitations a stuffed hip provide of course) so I'm doing some of the exercises that I used to do and that's helping too. I've taken @Jaycey 's advice and doing my hamstring stretches, that's helping my "good" leg a lot, and I'm doing plenty of abductor exercises and I'm sure that's helping. To be honest I think simply time passing is what's helping the most; I find I'm more "upright" and balanced every day so no one joint or area is suffering as badly as it was.
I'm on my own again today, I am still waiting till someone is home or close (my Mum and Dad live 3 minutes away but they are out and about a lot) before I have my shower as my husband worries that I'll fall and pictures me laying all day on the bathroom floor in agony!... I like my shower first thing in the morning (hubby gets up at 5.40, not THAT first thing) so I think I'll just start showering at my normal time in a day or so ringing him straight after to put his mind at rest. How lucky are we that we live in this era; not only is there the technology to repair our broken bodies but there is technology that can keep us feeling connected and safe - my iPhone has been such a godsend, and my laptop has kept me sane... I find Forums such as this are great as they're full of people who really do "know" about the procedures we've had, not just having read about it or being shown it!
I'm off to iron yesterday's washing... I hate ironing, maybe I can have a relapse
Donna

 

[MajorHeidi]

Congrats on your productive day alone @craftdee ; you did great!
And, goodness knows, I am so thankful to be alive in these times with the smartphone, laptop, Ipad, whatever.... and Bonesmart!

 

[craftdee]

Had another good day today, each day just gets better... sometimes in a big way sometimes just a little. I went for a good walk with my hubby yesterday, across the park to my Mum and Dad's, had a rest then walked back... it's about 300m each way so far enough. I actually found my hands to be the sorest part of me after, especially the right one as I'm using one crutch most of the time so that hand's getting a lot of wear and tear!
Had another walk today with similar results. My knee was a bit sore too, but my hip is hunky dory Not sore enough to need medication, so that's no daytime meds for nearly a week, excellent. I have replaced my night time Oxycodene with Tramadol too, I've found myself less "fuzzy" since then, but perhaps it's coincidental.
I am finding myself steadier and steadier on one crutch, much more upright and as I'm spreading my weight more evenly I'm having less discomfort in my non-operated leg. Which is good
I'm sleeping quite well, but do wake up stiff all over, legacy of that sleeping-on-my-back-without-moving thing, I reckon. The last of the dressing came off in the shower this morning, and the scar is much better than I was expecting - long but very neat, which is also good
I did quite a few of my "normal" duties today; I did some paperwork for our business and for a client, did a load of washing, swept the floor.... now the interesting thing is that sweeping the floor was EASY, I used the broom as a sort of crutch and just SWEPT, I got excited and swept the pool area too
I was supposed to go to lunch with my sister while she is still up from the bush - she lives 300 kms away and is returning home on Friday - but she got held up and didn't get here until 2.40 too late to go out so we had Subway... here was me all dressed up and nowhere to go, aawI did get up, showered and organized for it... so if nothing else it did show me it's doable it wasn't even that hard or scary, I've been putting off showering when no-ones home but now it's on the daily agenda
The "energy drain" has been better the last couple of days, thank goodness. Everything is looking good, let's hope it continues.

 

[Hoppy Nanny]

You've had a good few days @craftdee.... Isn't it amazing how sweeping the floor can make us feel ' normal ' again!
I found wearing a leather glove on the crutch hand really helped with the soreness.
The stiffness on waking up does wear off.... In fact I've only just stopped sleeping on my back as I got so used to it ( had 12 weeks restrictions!). Had to have pillow under my knee though...
You are doing just great! Xxxx


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[craftdee]

Hi @Hoppy Nanny Thanks for the leather glove tip, definitely will give that a go. Nice to find someone else with the 12 weeks of restrictions.... it was starting to get me down thinking I was the only one in the world that had to go that long - especially when you see some of these Bonesmarties that didn't have restrictions at all!
I've caved a bit with the pillow under the knee business; I was getting no sleep without it so I do a few minutes at night and a few minutes in the morning without it, to stretch the muscle a bit and just use the edge of the pillow (which is enough) during the bulk of the night, it makes the world of difference.
You're so right about simple chores making us feel "normal" - though those who know me would probably argue that going for "normal" is probably a bridge too far for me
Have a great day,
Donna

 

[Hoppy Nanny]

You will find that as time goes on those restrictions cease to be onerous and become easier to follow because your body will just not let you do things you shouldn't!! It lets you know with pain if you overstep the mark....Also you start to fear them less.
I did not have the flat leg restriction...in fact never heard that one before @Cratfdee!!
I used one crutch for 6 months as I had limp & LLD.....but I walk great now! It's all a matter of time & patience! Also that ' normal' thing....not something I've ever been accused of being either!!
Hope you have another great day! Chrissie x


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[LaxMom]

@craftdee, great you are able to sweep and iron! Personally, I would tell the hubby you are restricted from doing all household chores! Lol. I love the leather glove idea. I have the same issue.


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[beachgal]

I was on 12-week restrictions. I just didn't know it!! I saw my OS at 6 weeks and he said to continue for another 6! That stinker. You'll find that you're the best judge of what you can do and not do. Just try new things slowly and don't over do. Over plan but don't overdo!


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[craftdee]

Geez @beachgal I would have felt ripped off if my OS had added 6 weeks to my restrictions; especially if I'd done 6 weeks and thought I was finished with them!
I used just one crutch all day yesterday, didn't even realize I had until I saw the other crutch tucked in next to the bed where I leave them at night, so I feel that's progress. The "lumpiness" under my scar is still, well, lumpy and quite tender, I certainly can't lay on it as some Hippies do... I don't know if it's still swelling or bruising... it's not discoloured like bruising but maybe it's internal... hope it's "normal". I had a haemotoma after my Gallbladder surgery in June, it does feel a lot like that, but more tender. If it is a haemotoma I'm not that worried - I was with the Gallbladder one as all I could think was "hernia".
The scar looks pretty good, I've posted a couple of pics in the "Zipper Gallery" so the world can see my bum
I've just learned something about chores... some you can do, some you can't! I vacuumed the pool this morning -easy peasy, just like sweeping - then I used the net to skim the leaves etc off the top, NOT easy peasy. It was too hard to manouvre the net with one hand, I still have to use the crutch to balance myself as you can't lean on the net like you do the vac pole.... well I suppose you COULD lean on it, but you'd be in the pool in seconds ....and I couldn't get a nice sweeping motion up to chase the leaves into the net as I was stumping around the pool in anything but a smooth motion. Net result was I ended up knackered, there were still leaves in the pool and I got the head-on-one-side-poor-you look from hubby who asked if I wanted him to finish the job for me, monumental favour apparently! For some reason that made me crankier than all the other stuff; so the lesson learned is sweep/vac=tick, skim for leaves=cross. I've decided there are better and more important things to expend my energy on, I'm going to do some crafting, oh and I'm going to help hubby do some more work to our work-in-progress pool area... now I am using the terms "help" and "work" loosely, I'm thinking that pointing out which piece of feature stone should go next on the wall would be "helpful", hubby will probably disagree, but supervising "works" for me
Another good day, all in all and tantrums excepted. I'm going to follow @beachgal 's advice and Overplan and not Overdo - really is a good little mantra that

 

[Poppet]

Slow and steady is also a good mantra..

 

[Jaycey]

@craftdee , go easy on those chores my friend. You are right, there are better things to spend the energy on - like all that healing you are doing. Chores tend to bring on the energy drain faster. That results in the grumpy feeling. Supervise if you need to - but don't fall into the "I'll work through this" trap. Still early days!

 

[craftdee]

Hi @Jaycey ; "I'll work through this" really wasn't an option - I know when I'm done! I supervised beautifully, from the comfort of my chair (with wedge of course, lol) I did go too far a few days ago and felt quite distressed, I haven't gone close since, that was the first time I've felt weepy since the op; didn't like it, not going there again! My cranky today was more of a husband/wife thing... you know, hubby knows best and you're only a little woman (compounded by the fact that he's tall and I'm less than 5'2" and that in this case he was right!!) - he tries really hard, bless, but he's never had a single operation in his life so it's a foreign country for him. I think that like most men he likes to help on a practical level and is really good at it, but just doesn't 'get' some of the emotional baggage that goes with an event like this. Still what I would call a good day, and I'm grateful that there have been so few what I would call bad days.

 

[Jaycey]

but he's never had a single operation in his life so it's a foreign country for him

I so relate @craftdee . I love him to bits but my OH does not get it either. He keeps "assigning tasks" with clearly no thought regarding my restrictions, physical stamina or just basic practicality. This makes me even grouchier! Hello - I am walking with a cane and can't bend to pick up things off the floor for a reason. It doesn't just disappear because you forget about it!

 

[craftdee]

So true @Jaycey... if things disappeared just because we forgot about them I wouldn't have that pile of pesky ironing in the cupboard The bending, or lack thereof, is the biggest nuisance I reckon; you just don't realize how many times a day you bend over!

 

[beachgal]

I'm still very cautious about bending over (still on 90 degree restriction) but I try to do a little more every day. It's easier as the day progresses but first thing in the morning, well, it's not happening. Yet.

On my thread, I just posted about hubby and me having "the talk"...be getting your ducks in a row, your time's coming....

 

[craftdee]

G'day everyone
It's a lovely day here, I am celebrating the fact that I slept without the pillow propping my leg for the whole night last night I did have a fair bit of discomfort when I first went to bed, I decided I'd try and do deep breathing for ten minutes and if I was still uncomfortable at that point I'd get the pillow... and I went to sleep I woke at 4.30 (dog wanted out, open door, wait........ dog in, urge dog back into basket, wants mum's bed, use crutch to herd dog into basket) then decided to try the breathing thing again - went back to sleep Woke at 6 to sound of dog vomiting, NOT on the tiles (our bedroom is sunken, the door is on a tiled landing) but on the carpet... of course!! (dog out, wait.... dog in, etc) hubby did clean the carpet. Went back to bed, thought about the breathing thing, nah! Treated myself to The Pillow, snoozed until 8am....waking with the dog on the bed! He has been claiming since we got the bed a few weeks before my surgery that he can't make it up for his morning cuddle, requiring me to pick him up, mmmmm
We did some of the heavier chores today, changed the bed (I stripped it, hubby made it up) did 3 loads of washing (I put it on, hubby hung it out/brought it in, I folded and put it away) Hubby vacuumed and mopped, I did mirrors and polishing. The ironing can wait until tomorrow, did I mention I hate ironing?!
I've done two sets of exercises, with some added stretches, they're definitely getting easier - and I'm sure that the stretching is helping me to lay my leg flat at night.
Having a feet up time for an hour, then may go for a walk... it's a glorious spring day and this morning's clouds are long gone. We may take the dog for a drive out to a place called The Vines, he chases the kangaroos - a quite funny sight really; a slightly pudgy Jack Russel heading in the direction he just saw some super swift kangaroos going - we stand on a slight hill and watch him in his hopeless quest, until he returns looking very self satisfied that he's seen them pesky 'roos off
I'm feeling really good, the tiredness and that energy drain are definitely easing. My son Chris just came to visit and have lunch with us, he hasn't seen me since last week and he was amazed at the progress, especially with my walking, smoothness and speed. It's really good to talk to someone who hasn't seen you for a while, as they can see how far you've come more clearly than you can because you improve in tiny little increments every day.
Got a big day in the office tomorrow, it's time to do our quarterly tax returns - I do ours and another two businesses. Shouldn't be too bad as the quarter ended 30 September and I had done most of the figures up to date before my op on 3 October. I'm allocating two hours am and pm, if it's not done in that time it'll just have to be a day late, I'm not exhausting myself for the Tax Man
Enjoy your day wherever you are, :cool:

 

[Hoppy Nanny]

Great report @craftdee...loving your doggy story...very funny!! Tax returns & ironing....sounds like a good day tomorrow ..not!
Have a good day x


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[LaxMom]

Hi @craftdee. Sounds like you had a fabulous day. So glad for you. The dog sounds adorable.


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