FiFi's Hip Replacement Journey... begins

[Kim22]

Hi @FiFi I am so glad that you are feeling more positive about your decision to go ahead with the surgery.I am afraid that our emotions are like a roller coaster ride in the pre op stage of this journey.You can rest assured that you have made the right decision to be rid of the pain and get your life back.The 14th April will soon be here.

 

[craftdee]

Ah Fi... you remember "those" phone calls from me pre op... you know, the HYSTERICAL ones no, not that kind of hysterical more All the what ifs.. it really is the worst part of the whole surgery. In the end you've just got to go "I've made a decision, with medical input, as to what I can do to at least try to improve the quality of my life, NOW, while I still enjoy other good health. My decision, My life. I'm prepared to live with that decision" Anyone that offers their opinion (usually uninformed, in my experience) only has to be told... if I want your opinion I'll ask for it (or words to that effect) You could say "well I don't think you made the right decision on such and such an occasion... but thought that as you're an adult you're entitled to make your own decisions so wouldn't dream of being so presumptive as to offer you advice THAT WASN'T ASKED FOR" you get the drift

I want the time to go quickly for you, really I do... BUT you know that means I'm wishing my birthday was here already... can't afford to rush it at my age On a positive ... you-know-who will be a year older than you when you have your op... even if it will have only been for a day

The only thing I want to caution, not just for you (I've told you this in person already) but for anyone reading this thread... is that it may NOT "rid you of all your pain", you may still have a sore knee or back or whatever and as you won't be (or probably won't be) taking Mobic or other NSAIDs you may feel those aches and pains more. I'm NOT being a killjoy, I just think that it can be disappointing if you expect this op to be a cure-all and then it's not. What you WILL be rid of is THAT pain, the bone on bone groin pain - the other pains are treatable, THAT pain just isn't... so the improvement will be huge. Just maybe not the end of all pain forever

Like I said I'm not underplaying the significance of the improvement, I just know I could have done with having more realistic expectations so I didn't feel "cheated", especially in the first weeks after reducing the strong pain meds; the first weeks after the op were GREAT for pain, (you're on NARCOTICS, why wouldn't it be ) it was the next couple that had me questioning the value of the op. I know that once I have these tendon issues of mine sorted I'll be capital G Glad that I did it, but I also am more realistic now as to the extent that the THR will help - and more accepting that helping solve the HIP issue is enough... plenty even

Anyway, gotta go... may even post on my own thread; though I go to the physio again on Friday, so I may wait 'til then. Not that there'll be much to report, it's still "more of the same", more or less

BTW, HUGE thunderstorm up here today... got pics of the hail, and it dropped 6 degrees C in ten minutes. Mum and Dad got some damage to the al fresco, but I don't think it's bad (Mum's contacted the insurance already, almost as greased as the lightning that came with the storm )

Hope all is well in the Bush
Donna xx

 

[FiFi]

I have been having a terrible time especially at night with the bursa I'm going to the pre op on 9 th march in regard to RTHR but both hips have been really bad I start sleeping on my rt side as I can only get about two hrs on this one then I used to be able to turn over and sleep the rest of the night on my left but now I'm up with pain from 1 am sides of my hips mainly I'm taking more Panadol osteo. Any suggestions please xx Fiona

 

[NuMe2014]

@FiFi, You sound like me about 18 months ago. The stage you are at is about the time I had to give up sleeping on either side and switch to sleeping on my back! The way I could make this " sort of comfortable" was by propping my head and back up with 2-3 pillows and then I propped the side of each leg with a pillow so my legs could be partially bent but "flopped" to the side! I know this sounds funny and extreme but that was the only way I could get some sleep in 3-4 hour stretches and with some strong pain meds. ( by this stage my Tylenol Arthritis medication was not enough ) until I had my first surgery.

 

[craftdee]

Hi Fiona @FiFi @NuMe2014 has described my sleeping position EXACTLY. You have to shuffle a bit from one bum cheek to the other to "share the wear", but it does work... not a lot of room left in the bed though It has the advantage of giving you a head start on the "sleeping on your back thing" that you'll have to do post op! I even slept on my stomach a few times, with my worst leg hanging over the edge of the bed... it went to sleep even if I didn't It's all no fun, and you can see why sleep disturbance is one of the principal determiners in assessing the necessity of a THR

I was dosing up on Panadol Osteo but making sure I took a dose just before bed, unless I was still okay from the late afternoon dose, in which case I kept it next to the bed and took it when I woke up in the early hours... even if I woke up for a wee and not in pain. I found taking it regularly throughout the day is ESSENTIAL, not just if you're in pain, and it did help "build it up", but it really wasn't doing much by the end, unfortunately, timing is everything so time your doses. The Mobic wasn't doing much (if anything!) either by then, so no point in increasing THAT as it can do harm whereas the Panadol is safe. In fact I went off Mobic about a month prior, had a few really BAD days (excruciating for a week really) and I had myself convinced I couldn't go without it, but then it got only as bad as when I WAS taking it, and it's such a bad-for-you drug I was glad to be off it (don't get me wrong, if it had stayed THAT BAD much longer I would have been restarting it!)

I did get some diazepam immediately pre op for THOSE nerves, and wished I'd got them before as I definitely slept better for that week, despite being a nervous wreck... I don't know if it's the relaxant effect. I know you can't "do" baths, but that helped too - you could try heat packs before bed to try and relax. Relaxing music helps too, earphones in bed are "interesting" but it did give a distraction. The OA pain is very hard to treat but the muscle tension can really exacerbate the discomfort you're feeling as well. If warming it up doesn't work, try icing. I never iced until a couple of weeks before surgery, when I found this forum, and it definitely gives relief - usually! ... you just have to try heat and cold and see which one works best at any given time, in my experience.

I'm just at the stage now where I can sleep longer on my sides than I could pre surgery! Still, it's MUCH better because it's discomfort rather than pain that makes me move off my operated side, and I can lay on my non operated side without the operated hip giving me pain if that leg "falls" over the midline, as it does. So while it wasn't an immediate 100% improvement, it was a significant improvement immediately (much less pain, and TREATABLE pain at that) and now I can see it's heading to pretty good; I've lowered my sights a bit and I'm not expecting 100% so I'm truly "getting there" sleep wise, thank all the gods and little fishes you'll be there soon too. Really that's all we can offer - a hug and a "not long now" and the suggestions above, of course worth a try.

I'll talk to you later,

Donna

 

[FiFi]

Hi @craftdee i am getting a little more sleep but in little bits not like me at all I usually sleep though anything it's hard as I can't get away from the rattling snores from the other half ( who wakes up and says what's wrong ) haha I have lots running around in my head not only pain but stitching my quilt I'm finishing also in my sleep so I feel like I have been up half the night sewing as well haha I have nearly finished it this is my year for getting things finished I like starting new things but it's very hard to follow through oh we'll I'll try taking more Panadol osteo and see if I can fall asleep usually it's 6 am that's a good sleep time Fiona xx

 

[craftdee]

All you can do is try Fiona @FiFi I know what it's like sleeping next to a wind tunnel... and he has that same indignant "what??" attitude if my cries of frustration wake him up

Welcome to my world re the not sleeping thing, fun place isn't it?? Maybe you could get some valium or similar? Helped me stop the little mouse in the wheel in my head long enough to get some sleep, this is the tough time, pre op. Don't know what's keeping me up now just "me" I suppose. My tendinitis has actually woken me the last three nights, I'm at my wits end with it... not because it's agony, it's not, it's just so relentless and not responding to any of my efforts, frustrating or what?!l I had three good days, then I said so out loud and that was the end of THAT

No pressure on getting up here to see us after the surgery, but I've got to say I didn't have any trouble in the car; I was going to do quotes at about three weeks, two+ hours in the car at a time, bit achy but okay. At four weeks it was fine... you can borrow the wedge cushion I bought for the car, don't forget it when you get the other stuff in March, that makes a difference, and getting out to stretch is a good idea... at least the weather's with us... should still be okay by 8 weeks post op; you'll have been to Albany for your check up by then, it'll give you an idea of how you're placed.

Might try for nigh nighs now

Talk to you soon

 

[FiFi]

Hi I had the best sleep ever with the hot water bottle tied to my hip wow I couldn't believe the deep pain went to .i can't believe how tired you get from constant no sleep or not enough proper sleep @craftdee how have you managed for years with small amount s of sleep I feel like I'm a bear waking from hibernation very grumbly even the dogs arnt to keen on sitting on my lap very snarly mum haha I'm going to take my best friend to bed more often I feel like a person again xxx fiona

 

[Great Aunt Janet]

Hi FiFi,
I've just read your thread after posting mine about flying home (from Brisbane) after op - I only have the one bad hip to contend with, unlike you, but it seems like we will be on the same treadmill for a while - my surgery is scheduled for 7 April. A drive home would take more than a day, kills me at the best of times.

I am hoping to train up him-indoors (beautiful but not known for his pillow fluffing) as my nurse - how about you? A chemical dunny sounds a bit scary (can you fit a raised seat on it?), I reckon you will definitely need to practice.

I'm now going to get some crutches and a loo seat if I can on loan from our medical centre's home assist people, after reading the lovely people's advice on your thread above, it really sounds like pre-planning is the best idea.

I'm scared about the whole thing too - have been putting it off for years, but my sleep misery has been very similar to yours recently, and when I catch myself in a shop window, hobbling along, well, I'm too young to be an old lady yet! And yes, I have days when it hardly seems to bother me, and some people have been very surprised that I am going for surgery.

I loved the little rainbow kangaroo I got when I joined the forum for April Rainbows!

 

[FiFi]

hi @Great Aunt Janet i go for my pre op app on mon so i will ask then about hiring the things i need we are putting a room on to the shed we live in it will be my sewing room later but there isnt a lot of room to move in the shed so hopefully the room will be finished when i get my hip done my other half ( marty ) is very good he does understand to a degree good cook and loves shopping for food so im alright in that regard but i dont think he understands how long everthings going to take untill im 100 per cent how come your having surgery a plane ride away from home ? its not only the chem toilet thats going to be fun we have a shower thats a square of tin with a canvas bag on a pully we look out at the bush we are building a house soon i hope haha xxx

 

[Great Aunt Janet]

Hi FiFi - I found out that they no longer hire or loan things like crutches, but gave me a contact for ordering them ($59) so I have - and a sockputteronner (which I could have done with for years!) and a long grabber - as we don't have shops selling those kinds of things out here.

The nearest place that does THR is 8 hrs drive away (and is not a big place, and I wasn't sure about the surgeons ;) ), and the next option is Brisbane and that takes 14 hrs to drive to. Kills you even if you haven't had surgery. Hence the flight. I'm not sure which of the two of us is worse off - you with your redback storage facility and open air shower (where will you put a grab rail? ha!) or me with getting home difficulties. Neither good, but I reckon that's one of the prices of living in great spots - something I've always known about, but never really had to face properly before.

You will find it hard to keep yourself from doing too much I think - that's probably the thing you will need to prepare for the most, as I bet you have to work hard just to keep comfortable normally?

Stinking hot here for the last three weeks or so, means I won't have many plants left to worry about whilst I am recovering! One chore less! RIP the lettuces...

 

[FiFi]

Hi @Great Aunt Janet i don't have to get a sockputterona as I have one already called Marty he put them on for me already haha I can reach left foot but nowhere near rt foot when I go to Perth its one of the awkward things I have to pester my kids my eldest Craig is good at helping even though he has only the use of one arm the other got crushed in an accident in 06 .i am making up boxes of craft thinks in coloured boxes for after I can get other half to get me red box or blue box haha I was trying to think how I was going to carry box with 2 crutches haha . You sound like your further in the bush have you got any bush around you we live on an all bush block we feed the possums at night we can walk right up to the tree and they stay it's lovely when they have there babies oh well got to go I'm of to quilting in Mount Barker we have a little group on thurs I go for a lesson in Albany I stay for the whole day as its not worth going for a couple of hrs its only 50 kl away so I'm a lot luckyer than you I think I'm going to miss my we'd and thurs the most by for now Fiona xxx

 

[Great Aunt Janet]

Hi Fiona @FiFi - Marty sounds great! Not complaining about my Trev, but he has been the one nagging me to get something done about this for years, so I was damned if I was going to let him know I struggle with my socks and pants - so have contorted myself to get them on and off for a while. I can see from this site that I couldn't do that post-op so... gotta keep my romance alive!

Your craft boxes sound like a good idea, I will apply that to some other stuff I think! There is a busy craft group here in town, I will have to pass on your tip for others with mobility probs (I'm not so handy with a needle or creating things).

We aren't on a bush block - we live in a fibro on a biggish block in a small town though, near to Longreach - we get the roos and emus up and down the roads in town, and there are possums here but I don't spot them often. We have all mod cons (butcher, baker, IGA, pubs etc) and mostly don't feel the need for city stuff (till now!).

My surgeon has come back and said he thinks it will OK to fly when I have planned so that is reassuring - I will just have to do what he says to make sure I am ready.

cheers for now!
Jan

 

[FiFi]

Hi @Great Aunt Janet I looked on maps long reach is so far in the middle of no where I thought I was crazy going to Albany getting my hip done my kids and sister and parents are all in Perth 350 kl away but Albany is only 50 kl from us so after the pop at least I only have 1hr to get home it would take 4 to 5 hrs by car I think if you do big car rids you have to stop every hr for at least 15 min to walk around at that rate I'd never get home my sister @craftdee had her hip done last year it's a bit weird parents hips knees fine both ours are shot haha how long is the flight going to take ? I think the men surprise us now and again Marty has been telling me to get my hip done for ages to but I didn't think they lasted for long so I kept putting it of and you dont realise what things you don't do any more you just slowly change your habits without knowing your doing it xxxx

 

[craftdee]

Well @FiFi , what you need is a sister to make you a long handled bag to put things like craft boxes in when you're on two crutches I used my laundry trolley for a lot of that sort of stuff, just bung the stuff in the basket and push the trolley along with one crutch... or one foot . The over chair trolley/table I hired was great too... maybe you can get Marty to rig up something like that... then you can swivel it over your chair/table and/or out the other way to put "stuff" on; I mean, he hasn't got anything ELSE to do Oh, I suppose he could finish the bathroom.... mmm, indoor shower or over chair trolley table, decisions, decisions

I think a lot of us do the "hiding it from hubby" thing @Great Aunt Janet ... mine told me for YEARS to "go and get something done about it", I do wonder how much of that would have had "...so you'll stop whinging about it" added on the end if he'd been brave/foolish/nasty enough to say it You also like to think it's YOUR idea when you finally go for surgery too, not someone else's (some sort of "I told you so" echoing in my head ) To be honest if I hadn't had an MRI after a fall, in which the extensive nature of my AVN was discovered I would STILL be putting it off... but Fiona is quite right, you don't realize how compromised your life has become.

The "not doing too much" too soon in recovery thing is pretty important; I read on here that you will find out at your expense if you "overdid" it, and it was true... who knew? I did feel very able very early, so I "did" very early... the tendinitis I have now is a pain in the bum... quite literally, it may not have been from overdoing it, but the Physio described it as "probably" on one occasion and "more than likely" on another. So take it easy... which is easier for some peeps than others, I know

I had my hip done in October, in the Public system and I got loaned crutches, toilet raiser, shower chair, given a dressing stick and wedge cushion. It must depend on the hospital you go to, or perhaps they were worried that they'd never see them again once they'd gone out as far as Longreach!! Fiona, don't forget to ask what Albany Hospital supplies loan wise on Monday... it's not the end of the world if they don't loan anything, it's pretty cheap to hire (Albany's probably big enough to have a medical hire place & pharmacies hire out crutches - which are cheap to buy anyway) and I've still got a few bits - including a long handled bag to put your 'stuff' in (provided your 'stuff' isn't in too big a box! ) that my sister made :cool:

Anyways,

Gotta go... got an appointment with a TENS machine (bought one, worth a try for this glute thing... I'll keep you posted )

 

[Great Aunt Janet]

And I thought I was the only one trying to pretend nothing needed doing (but moaning about it all the same) @craftdee & @FiFi ! It is good to have finally come clean and acted - and I am enjoying the sisterly banter on here too! I've got 3 sisters in UK and we do all rib each other, although I get away with more of it than they do because I'm the oldest!

The trolley thing made me laugh - but it sounds like a good idea, I'm going to look out for something on wheels that I can use.

I have a good friend who is a craft whizz at making bags so I will put her to work to create something that will go with my new season outfits and hang off the crutches.

I'm not sure about the 6 week check with the OS - they do telehealth (Skyping?) here so depending on what is involved maybe I can get away with video/ pics/xrays and a remote consultation. I will start checking that out now so I can set it up if possible. I suppose it all depends on how I go anyway, like everything else.

Right, time for work - I work in a lovely heritage centre (scooping icecreams, selling tickets, yarning to tourists, cleaning, anything needed) and that is a really good motivation to get properly painfree again as it takes half an hour to unlock all the doors and put on the lights, up and down stairs! Great for fitness but you should see me hobbling about like some mad old inhabitant...

 

[FiFi]

hi @Great Aunt Janet the bag i made for donna ( not greatas i hadnt made one before) went over her head and one arm through as she said it was to awkward holding on to crutches and a bag so see if you can get your friend to make one it was for glasses and small bits you always have bits that you need . i am the oldest sister but not in my head i have a fairy garden to sit in very relaxing haha you sound like you have a fun job @craftdee i will ask on mon and let you know im trying to think of all the things to ask on mon brain not working nothing unusual at the moment my list is hire restrictions and driving what else do i need xxxfiona

 

[craftdee]

Hi @FiFi You've already asked the "basics" about how long in hospital, what approach etc... so the only thing you really need to know beforehand is what you're going to be sent home with and what precautions you're going to need to observe (and for how long) so you can organize to hire stuff if need be. So that's mainly the crutches (unless you have to use a walker first, though I can't see why... they never even offered it to me; it was always "you'll be up on two crutches within a few hours" toilet raiser, shower chair... I have the wedge cushion(s), dressing stick and long handled sponge - don't bother getting them, and you have grabbers already.

You might want to discuss anesthetic (I don't think you did yet, did you?) whether you'll have stitches or staples and what the time frame is for getting them out... also the post op Xrays (do you go to the hospital to get them or do you have to get them at a radiologist office - you usually need to present them (or have them available electronically) for your six week check, so sorting the time line out beforehand is better than after when you're not as readily mobile... your OS may have his own schedule for it all, so it's worth finding out. Ask about TED stockings... will you need them (I didn't, which was GREAT!) and if you do are they provided and for how long must you wear them (day and night? for how many weeks?). Also will you be having Warfarin injections in your stomach, if so for how long, just so you can get your head around it before "the big day" ... again I didn't have to have them, and again GREAT!!

I had to stop Mobic for a couple of weeks prior to surgery, which seems to be pretty standard protocol, so I'd be asking about that. It wasn't easy, but doable. Days 3 to 10 were the worst, and I could take Panadol Osteo... which didn't do much for the pain but at least took the edge off. Some Doctors/Hospitals are VERY particular about cutting your nails (I know, joke for you haha) and you need to be very careful in the week or so prior to surgery about cutting yourself in the garden (bush) I'd ask about that too and who to contact if you have any queries... hospital or OS office

Many of the "little questions" that you have can be answered once you have the op... you really do only have to think pre op about the things that affect getting the surgery done... for instance you might want to know how long you have to wait before your first shower, but it's not necessary to know beforehand - though you might want to get in a big supply of baby wipes for "top and tailing" so maybe THAT is worth asking on Monday after all You're not going to be flying to the moon after all, if you don't have something ahead of time, you can organize it while you're in hospital or even once you're home... you might be quite happy to send M on a mission after a week or so, just for a break! - too much of a good thing and all that

Talk soon

Donna

 

[FiFi]

thanks @craftdee that helped a lot some i had thought about i never thought about mobic or warfarin i know you didnt need them but hadnt thought to put question on my list i would prefer to ask all before than them come up with something i hadnt thought of i think x rays will be done at the hospital as thats where we go from here anyway but its another app to make for later i have 1 wall up for my room so i cant wait to see it done but its a bit hot yesterday and today to work during the day so its a late afternoon job so hopefully it will get done before 14 april we get nick next sun 15th then im coming up on the 22nd so we will have to plan lunch one day while im up thanks for the list talk to you soon Fiona xxxx

 

[FiFi]

Oh well I had my pre opp app today it went well but I didn't see a dr only nurse ,blood tests ,and physio I sorted out all the things I will need at home after chairs etc I got the wedge cushion today so I'm going to cover it .so some of my questions were answered but not all oh well a not bad day really I thought I would be there all day but I was home by 1pm So that's all for now Fiona xxx