THR Hipmom is healing

[Josephine]

Well then, if you are managing well without, that's okay. We're just worry-worts, you know that! :th_heehee:

 

[hipmom]

I appreciate the concern! Afterall, i am just winging this whole thing! I really didn't receive much information in my discharge from the hospital. They didn't have my leg elevated and i think they only gave me ice once or twice. I haven't seen the surgeon since the morning after surgery (a little drugged up then!) and then he left for vacation. He is 2 1/2 hours away so i just went to my local general practioner yesterday for my 2 week check up. I will see the surgeon at 6 weeks (1st week of october). So anyway, when you are flying solo, you have no idea what the norms are or even what questions to ask. i'm just kind of doing my own thing.

So if i seem like i might be doing something that is not necessarily advisable, i appreciate your input - everyone :DOH:

On the plus side - i escaped my house today with my mother and walked around the rite aid!! I was thrilled to get away from this house. Funny how the most mundane things are so exciting now :yes 4:

 

[lisanewmc]

Mundane things being exciting.......so true! Makes you appreciate the little things when you can't do stuff.......there's so much more for you to look foward to.

 

[Juliep]

Hi Donna,

You sound to be doing really well. The walks you are able to take and not being on much pain meds is amazing. I know it gets old having others do for you, but you will get there and will be able to do for yourself.

When you had asked about restrictions, I didn't have many and when my staples were removed I was free to do as I pleased. I was driving after that time and was told I could sleep on sides, stomach or back. Wishful thinking though. Sleep is my issue now. But remember the restrictions being lifted for some of us is because of the Anterior Approach. You too will get there and have those restrictions all removed and you know, sometimes you just do the things not realizing and nothing happens.

You've got a great attitude and a great family helping you out. How nice that is. :biggrin:

Keep it up. xoxo

 

[hipmom]

My mother tells me every day all of the improvements she sees. Yesterday i went grocery shopping with her. I need the walker and can't use the shopping cart. She had to use the restroom and i was anxious to finish shopping as it was almost time to pick up my daughter. So while she was gone, i would shove the cart so it would roll a out 3 feet and then i would jst catch up to it with my walker! Not very traditional, but it was definitely working for me! I collected 5 things from the list by the time she found me down one of the isles!:th_heehee:

Ended up at the doc's office the other day as i was afraid i developed an infection. I hadn't had any drainage from the incision the whole time i have been home - then suddenly i had bright yellow stuff coming out from a few spots along the middle of the scar. He determined that it was serrous (sp?) fluid and not an infection. My incision is glued shut - no staples or anything. The gp thinks i have a few pockets of this fluid under the skin and that as the glue is flaking off, the fluid is finding a way out. He put sterri strips along the incision to reinforce it. No fever or redness, etc. Only leaked that one day, so i hope everything is ok.

Finally found out that daughter's wrist has slight fracture and they gave her a brace to wear for another 2 1/2 weeks. When my mom and i were about to pick her up from school for the ortho appt, car wouldn't start! Battery dead. Hubby had to leave work and save the day. Between running me to the doc and my daughter to the doc, he is missing a lot of work! It has been crazy around here!

 

[Jamie]

Boy, Donna....that old saying about "when it rains, it pours" certainly applies to you right now. But it sounds like you are coping very well and that your hip is improving nicely. Good for you!

 

[Josephine]

Serous fluid from a healing place is normal. When a wound is made it first bleeds and then the blood clots and other proteins gather together and harden which is what we generally refer to as a scab. Over time the scab dries out and contracts, squeezing out the blood fluid called serum or serous fluid. Perfectly normal. Little boys see it all the time on their scraped knees!

scratch: do little boys scrape their knees any more?)

 

[The Cappuccino Kid]

scratch: do little boys scrape their knees any more?)

Yes. It's just more expensive because they put a hole in their trousers at the same time!

 

[The Cappuccino Kid]

Donna, glad to read that your recovery continues!

I know what you mean about your husband being run ragged. While we are doing the recovery it is our partners who pick up the slack with the school runs, cooking, shopping etc.

 

[Jamie]

Little boys see it all the time on their scraped knees!

scratch: do little boys scrape their knees any more?)

Not at all, Jo....I was the Supremo of Scrapes, Cuts and Sprains when growing up. Tree climbing, fort building, bike riding (tricks like standing on the seat type thing), and more. My poor mother. No little frilly dresses for me.....I had flannel lined dungarees with patches on the knees!

 

[hipmom]

Josephine, i am glad to hear that the leaking fluid is normal and no big deal. I haven't seen any more of it coming out. Of course, i went into panic mode when i first saw it!

Cap, how is your family coping? It is a lot of extra work having us around, isn't it? I have been doing some of the cooking with help from my daughter. I can't set the table as i can't carry anything my mom does the cleanup.

I went out today to 2 stores - just to get out and look at things other than my house. I thought i would be fine just going around with my walker, but i ended up having to sit down awhile at the patio furniture display. You don't think it is a big deal to just wander around with a walker, but it is like a whole body workout! Everything takes so much effort.

I had this fantasy today that i could just take my leg off and prop it against a wall and pop on a normal leg - just for an hour or two. Sometimes i just feel like i could use a little bit of a break from all of this. The recovery seems to be going well, but the whole process is very tiring :rolleyespink: wouldn't it be nice to take a tiny break from it every now and then? Maybe i will run in my dreams like dogs do :doggieshmooze:

 

[Jamie]

Maybe i will run in my dreams like dogs do :doggieshmooze:

:hysterical: I like that idea!!!!

 

[hipmom]

I got to go out to lunch with my girlfriends today! We meet once a week during the school year and i had to miss the first two lunch get togethers. It was so nice to be able to do something from my "normal" life! We usually sit and chat for a couple of hours. I was a little uncomfortable sitting all that time, but i was having so much fun that it outweighed it.

 

[Jamie]

Good for you!! It's always so wonderful to be able to get out with people and have some fun.

 

[The Cappuccino Kid]

Cap, how is your family coping? It is a lot of extra work having us around, isn't it? I have been doing some of the cooking with help from my daughter. I can't set the table as i can't carry anything my mom does the cleanup.

We do OK but I think it proves that you don't know what a person does until they're not doing it. It's getting better though - we have our shopping delivered and I can get the dinner on before anyone gets in.

I had this fantasy today that i could just take my leg off and prop it against a wall and pop on a normal leg - just for an hour or two. Sometimes i just feel like i could use a little bit of a break from all of this. The recovery seems to be going well, but the whole process is very tiring :rolleyespink: wouldn't it be nice to take a tiny break from it every now and then?

This! It would be great just to have a night off wouldn't it?

 

[hipmom]

Cheers, cappy! I'm with you! Just a little bit of a break

 

[hipmom]

I have switched over to crutches (2 days ago). I can get around much faster and maneuver in tighter spaces. But it comes at a price. My pinkies are numb and i have sore spots on my sides where the tops of the crutches press into my chest wall - like a rug burn feeling. I just bought "crutch pillows" to try to aleviate the rubbing. Any advice from other crutch users? On the plus side i was able to walk farther on the river path last night than i would have if i was on my walker.

 

[Renate]

Hi Donna, you have to be careful how you use the crutches. I assume they are underarm ones? When you line them up, there should be at least 2 finger width under the armhole, never let them touch your underarm. When you stand and rest, your arms/hands take the weight. Good luck.

 

[Jaycey]

Donna, can you get elbow crutches? They are easier to use and you won't have the stress on your chest that you are feeling. Otherwise Renate is right - be sure they are adjusted correctly. PT usually helps to fit them right.

I used crutches only during recovery. You are right - once the get the hang of it you can certainly get around much faster!

 

[hipmom]

Thank you, renate and jaycey. I do have several fingers width between my armpits and the crutch. I have big problems with the heels of my hands from the walker and the crutches. I am "weight of leg" for 6 weeks and it is taking a toll on my hands! I have callouses on my palms and one palm has a spot where the skin has cracked and i need to keep a bandaid on it I feel as though i am walking on my hands all the time.

Another couple of weeks and i'll go back to see the surgeon and hopefully get approved to put weight on my leg and switch to a cane. That should help one hand at least!

Funny, through this whole thing, my hip has felt fine - all the trouble is in my hands or my knee. I took my last pain pill yesterday morning. Haven't even missed it. I was only taking them because the clock said it was time, i have felt pretty good the whole time. I am thankful for that.