Six Week Surgery Follow-Up Tomorrow...
Since there are so many caring members of this group, I've decided to write an update instead of "sitting" on my anxiety and feelings. As many of you know, I live alone and now have been released from home health care, with the P.T. being the last to go. I feel more capable and stronger every day, but my PT did warn me not to become lax in my hip precautions etc... since I'm feeling better. I know I'm fine, but nervous since a "layer of protection" is now gone.
Driving - My PT was very good about teaching me how to get in and out of my Honda CR-V. At first she wanted to raise the seat and/or have me sit on a cushion, but it interfered with enough room under the steering wheel to depress the clutch. I had an issue moving my leg to the left and up to depress the clutch, but that's no longer an issue. Unofficially, she feels I'm ready but that call is up to my OS tomorrow.
Pain - I don't want to jinx this, but through the whole process I've experienced minimal pain. I never had to take narcotics after the I.V. was removed the next day, and only took Tylenol (3,000 mg daily) for two weeks after surgery. I "do" take 15 mg of Meloxicam daily, but the pain now is in the un-operative (is that a word?) hip and basically takes the edge off the pain. When I had an MRI the tech said afterwards that I must have a high tolerance for pain - yes, I know she shouldn't have. The ball is collapsing in each hip, and now I have "one down, one to go."
Doing It All Again - At my two week visit my OS said we would "discuss" the surgery on my right hip, and "thought" we could schedule it before the end of the year. We're going to discuss it tomorrow. Now, I know what to expect but I'm still not excited at the thought of being plunged into the "helpless" ocean again. My OS although somewhat younger seems to be very conservative. I have mixed feelings about this, but the bottom line is if I have to go through this I don't want to do anything to jeopardize my total recovery in any way. I have mixed feeling about going through the holiday season "compromised," but my desire to travel and "have my life back" override those feelings.
Swelling - Four weeks ago I had some pretty significant swelling in my ankle and knee area. My OS ordered thigh high compression stockings. I had to purchase a stocking "donner" and still it was crazy difficult to get the stocking on (and off) each day. I did a "test" without the stocking and now just have minimal swelling around my ankle. "My PT said to "relax" and it might swell for awhile and to elevate and ice when I can...
Luna - I have a "probably" three year old (guessed one year when I adopted her from a rescue) "probable" malti-poo (more poo with long legs than malti). Yesterday she didn't come right away when I called her when she was in my "jungle" of a backyard and probably ate something she shouldn't have. At 11:00 p.m. she vomited on my white duvet and I had to strip the bed, sheets, etc... She then vomited again on the floor that I was able to somewhat clean with my reacher and a washcloth. This morning she vomited bile in the kitchen since her stomach was empty. Thank goodness I had a frozen chicken breast and white rice and now she's FINE. Sorry if that was too much information!
Halfway Through - I know I can do this again - it's just not what I thought would happen in my life. Actually, I have a non life threatening issue since birth and somehow felt like I should have gotten a "pass card" for any more surgical dramas. However, life isn't like that and as long as I come through this hip journey OK I'm good...
Cheryl in Southern New Mexico