THR Here We Go Again!

[Layla]

Hi @Barbaraj
The blisters are most likely from the surgical tape irritating the skin around the site.
Just to be safe, I'd call the office of your OS and speak to the PA on call. To me the only consideration would be the open skin they could produce. I'm sure they'll offer you reassurance but it's always best to be safe.
I went through a rather large practice and called on a Sunday once and they got back to me pretty quickly.

 

[CricketHip]

Hi @Barbaraj could it possibly be the glue gummed up? I had that and also should see like a thin layer of wet looking like plastic in areas, very small.. but I could see it looking like blisters, especially after getting wet. I hope this is the case!!
Plus mine was covered again this time for the first week, but when uncovered, it was still a surprise to see the glumps of whatever.

 

[Ptarmigan]

Perhaps foolishly, but I do get comfort from knowing that I can take a photo with my phone of whatever it is I don’t like the look of, so I know my doctor/PA can see what I see while they reassure me!

Okay that reads funny, but I think everyone here knows what I mean!

 

[Hipster64]

Barbara j, I am so inspired by your posts, especially since I will be having the left THR on 9/9.. Right now I am on day 6 and I am trying very hard to keep a positive attitude but as the old 80s Michelob Beer commercials used to say, "Some days are better than others".

Look forward to read more posts about your journey!

 

[enoughpain]

Hi Barbara:
Three hours ahead of your time, so hope you are peacefully sleeping. Fingers crossed that you will get a positive response from your OS on the skin reaction.

 

[GrannyC]

I didn’t have anything like that. However, if I did, I would put a call in to the OS office this morning to ask about it. Although it probably isn’t anything to be concerned about, I definitely wouldn’t ignore it. No matter what anyone on the forum told me, I wouldn’t feel comfortable until I talked to the OS office. Don’t be concerned you might be bothering them as that is what they are there for. My OS office gave me a number I could call 24/7 after my surgery for any concerns and I will admit that I did call a couple times. Both times they were very helpful and put my concerns to rest. Keep us posted.

 

[Layla]

Good Morning, @Barbaraj
Wondering how the blisters look today?

 

[Barbaraj]

Okay, it's day five of recovery and after a perfectly miserable day yesterday (can you say MAJOR pity party?!!) I am feeling a bit better this morning. It was muggy and hot in our upstairs bedroom yesterday afternoon and into the evening and I simply didn't cope very well. I had choices, yes, I could have gone downstairs where it would be cooler on the lower level of our house, but I gave up and was simply wallowing--swollen, stiff and painful hip and thigh, neck ache from sleeping on my back (argh!) and constipation gave way to the opposite problem. My husband was such a sweetie pie, kept asking what he could do as I just snuffled and whined away. I am resolved today to be better behaved and just, frankly, suck it up with a bit more grace and courage. This first week is simply the pits, but I need to grit my teeth and get through it. Those little blisters don't actually hurt, @Layla, they are just around the edges of the glue strip so I'm inclined to think you're correct, it is just an allergic reaction and will go away at some point. So, unless/until they start bothering me (other than looking fiery red, a bit oozy and icky) I am resolved to STOP paying attention to them.

My husband got me a caramel macchiato at Starbucks this morning, and after slurping that down (a double shot so a good whack of caffeine) I brushed my teeth, put on more make-up than my pathetic lip gloss swipe and spindly eyeliner, brushed my hair, put on some tiny diamond earrings, spritzed on expensive perfume and decided I'm going to go downstairs and do a bit more walking today. I am not using that stupid walker anymore. I am walking (plodding) along slowly with my somewhat heavy and unresponsive left thigh, but I don't feel unbalanced or in danger of falling. Plus, lots of countertops, tables and other things to grab hold of if I were to feel a bit wobbly. I also decided not to take a second dose of Tramadol and substituted extra strength Tylenol for my early AM dose. Tramadol really wasn't doing a great job at controlling discomfort and really only useful as a sleep aide. And I never filled the oxy prescription. I have decided that putting up with a bit more ache and soreness is worth it, at least right now. I can always change my mind. I think being foggy brained is making me emotionally more vulnerable and weepy, and I hate that.

So, new day and one day further along on this recovery journey.

 

[Layla]

You're allowed a pity party or two, especially during the first week. I don't do well with hot and humid either.
Trying to get comfortable after a major surgery feels like an exercise in futility. Add to that any outside irritants and it's a recipe for a bad mood / day.

I need to get to the blisters. The "oozy" bothers me because that's open skin. Please consider contacting the office of your OS to make sure they don't want you applying some type of antibiotic ointment just in case. Any skin break is an opportunity for the bad guys getting in.

I think you're doing really well in ditching the walker already, even if you're plodding around like sweet Helen Keller. Not filling the Oxy script is wonderful too. I know you'll make use of the prescription if you need to, so at this point I say, Kudos To You! A swipe of eyeliner, lipgloss, spritz of a a favorite scent and some bling are all steps in the right direction. It's shows strength and a determination to get on with it. You're doing great.
Please consider the call though. We want our peeps to be safe.
Happy Monday!
@Barbaraj

 

[Barbaraj]

Thanks, @Layla. I took a couple of shots of my gross looking incision and sent it in an email to my surgeon. We'll see what he says. I am not terribly worried about them but you are probably right that it doesn't hurt to be responsible and follow up.

 

[Layla]

I think you'll feel better getting the from your surgeon.
At least you'll know you've been proactive. I know I'll feel better....not that it matters.
Let us know what you hear, if you're willing. We all learn from these things.
Have a good one!
@Barbaraj

 

[ahipgma]

Hi Barbara
Just starting on my preop stuff for #2.
One of the reasons I chose my surgeon is his low if almost non existent infection rate. They follow up on every little thing that could cause infection so I agree with @Layla and also having seen the ravages of infection first hand as a bedside nurse x 40 years. Itll be good to get the OS input!
Funny about the pain meds.
I've given thousands over the years to many people but for me, oxy makes me weepy and constipated and tramadol helps me sleep too but does perk me up a little, probably the pain relief makes me perkier. Pain relief is so important especially that first week and sleep as a result of that pain relief!
I was expressing my angst to my husband about impending surgery and he said " you did great last time what are you worried about"Argh! Reading your post gives me continuity thinking ok Barbara is taking her turn . By the time shes feeling better it'll be my turn and folks will encourage me. So very true nothing like someone to listen that has been thru it! And the encouragement and celebration of every little victory helps so much! So keeping you in thought and prayer as you slog along-- the gym again today to try to get in a little better shape for my Fun Time ahead.

 

[Cecropia]

@Barbaraj Why am I not surprised you already ditched the walker.
Did you push it away or throw it across the room. I love reading your thread. I'm up to 8 weeks and I weeded and hoed my flower beds this morning, then put my knee pads on once again to try getting on the ground with my hand claw and proceeded to dig and weed a spot where I had a wheeping mulberry tree cut down 3 months ago and every weed in the country has taken up residence where the sun now hits my pachysandra ground cover. I made it to my knees and even sat back a little on my haunches to rest. Then I had a time getting up....but I used my hands to push my butt up in the air then stood up. I'm headed back out after resting to give it another go. You be careful, and soon you will be seeing lots of improvement. ♥️

 

[HipsterKat]

put on more make-up than my pathetic lip gloss swipe and spindly eyeliner, brushed my hair, put on some tiny diamond earrings, spritzed on expensive perfume and decided I'm going to go downstairs and do a bit more walking today.

Love this image!! It's the little things. For me it was "I'm going to put on ACTUAL pants and go get the mail!"


Hope they have gotten your pain meds sorted out.

 

[Ptarmigan]

When I read your post about yesterday, @Barbaraj , I hear myself saying “Better out than in!”

The surgical injury/trauma is something we volunteer for, something we believe will bring us tremendous benefit in the long term, and something our doctors perform with great good will. Still, you gave your doctor a body in semi-functional working order (I know, because I read your posts), and it was broken when he gave it back. There’s no way that’s not going to be upsetting. Your adult brain will try to will its way to rational acceptance, but the body’s distress signals are actually distressing - and that’s completely appropriate.

We say “better out than in” because a good blub releases endorphins (just like exercise) and lets the body have its say. It relaxes you. It helps you sleep. The emotional energy has to go somewhere, after all, and while you’re temporarily deprived of your usual outlets (a full calendar, daily exercise, making your lovely home lovelier), perhaps it’s a good time to create new ones. I’ve got a bunch of movies/mini-series planned, personally. My family thinks it’s funny how much I cry at movies, but it’s a good thing! I sleep better!

I love your “Chin up, I can cope! I’ve got my big girl panties firmly in place.” Love love love it! I also want to give the not-so-big-girl side of you a hug, and something comforting to eat, and put on your favorite movie while you ice, and remind you it’s completely reasonable if you really hate everything about being injured.

 

[linette333]

@Barbaraj I love reading your posts because you tell it exactly as it is and at the same time you are letting us know that it gets better! The voice of experience!
You are very wise to give up the Tramodol so soon. I was amazed at how quickly I became dependent on it and I have had a horrible time trying to taper it off.

 

[Elf1]

@Barbaraj you've amazed me though somehow not surprised that you've given the walker the old heave ho! I'm still keeping mine handy, doing a few laps with the cane here and there. Will keep the walker for outside the house though. Like the getting up and putting on some makeup (not that I wear any) and moving forward. Please keep us posted with what the doc says about the blisters.

 

[Calgal]

This first week is simply the pits

Yup. And quite probably the second week too. But you know that. I think it's a THR case of childbirth amnesia. So just revel in the attention and pretend you are Cleopatra with everyone doting on your every wish and command!!

Seriously, hang in there and (try to) keep your chin up just take it day by day. You know that one fine morning you will turn the corner and start feeling human again. Healing wishes to you.

 

[Barbaraj]

@Layla and anyone who is interested: my surgeon's office responded and said that, yes, in all probability these blisters were being caused by an allergic reaction to the glue. I've been advised to wash the area gently with soap and water, pat it dry, and then use a "non-adherent pad" over the area. Nothing else to do, except Benadryl if I want (and as it's not really bothering me other than looking gross) I probably won't bother. If it gets worse, or I start to run a fever, he said I should get back in touch. So, crisis averted, and thank you for pushing me to contact his office. Even if it's "no big deal", it does put any niggle of doubt to rest and, frankly, I think I will like having the incision covered up so I can't look at it. It is a bit stomach-churning to look at! I am sure my other incision looked equally revolting but by the time the bandage was taken off, it didn't look too scary.

I had a better day today. Although I'm still uncomfortable and sore, I've tried to be more positive and less grumpy today. I think getting up and pulling myself together a bit has really helped, I'm not all weepy and discouraged this evening the way I was yesterday. This first week is more difficult than I recall from last time, but I know I'll get through it. I toyed with the idea of saying "what the heck" and tossing back an oxy, but when I stopped and thought about it I realized if I could get through the last four days without it, I can get through the next four without it as well. I don't want to be stupid about pain medication but it is a balancing act for every one of us and we make choices about what we're willing to put up with. So, for now, just the Tramadol at night to help me get to sleep, and the extra strength Tylenol during the day, and ice packs. Facing the day with a calmer and more resolute mind meant I was able to pull out my Kindle and finish a mystery I'd downloaded. So, the day went fairly quickly as I buried my nose in a book. And my husband went to the store and got ingredients for a nice big green salad for dinner, and some ice cream bars for dessert. Truly a better day!

 

[Layla]

Good Evening
All positive news, I'm happy to hear it and hope it puts your mind at ease. It's wonderful you were able to concentrate on a book today, I'll bet it was an enjoyable distraction. It's a added bonus that you have an appetite and are looking forward to some healthy nutrition, topped off with an ice cream treat. I hope you have another fantastic night of sleep. Sweet dreams!
@Barbaraj