I am scheduled... and ready to chicken out.

[szarak2000]

Hi everyone, you guys all helped me over the past few weeks and probably helped to make the decision, so Thank you.
I scheduled my surgery today, LTHR, October 21, after sailing season is over I have no clue if I am doing this at the right time (I'm 29), I hate to lose the piece of me - however painful it is now - and I am TERRIFIED of the being awake part! I don't want to hear anything or talk to anyone. I can stand looking at the OR (been there enough times), and I do want to check out the new pieces. But I want no other part of the cutting, sawing and hammering. Any encouragement, much appreciated.. I'm sure I will be here a lot during recovery. Any advice for my "last" 10 weeks with old hip and "first" 10 weeks with my new hip - thanks in advance. I will keep reading your threads...
Lidia
I think I'm purple from being scared now.

 

[Josephine]

I know, honey. It's SUCH a big thing, isn't it? But you won't BE awake during the op. You'll be in lala land with a nice little sedative to keep you out of it so you'll know nothing at all. And just to be sure, make sure you TELL the anaesthetist at the outset that you want to be knocked out and he will oblige - they always do. They prefer you to be out of it too as it is a big stress to be laying still for a couple of hours like that. They want to make it easy on you too. It's their job.

Other than that, you just need to keep focusing on your dream of being able to walk without pain again. Look past the op to your dream. It's the best way.

You know our prayers will be with you and one greater than us will as well.

 

[szarak2000]

Josephine,
can't thank you enough for all what you do.

The knocked out - do you mean a full anastesia, or still the spinal and then some goodies to go with that? I did tell my nurse today that my epidural did not work during child birth... we got thru it though She told me if it doesn't work, then we either try again, or go full anesthesia.

Lidia

 

[Josephine]

Not a full anaesthesia - just a shot of a nice strong sedative like Hypnoval. It makes you sleep deeply but not so deep you can't maintain your own airway or cough and swallow if the need arises. Also, if you do get a bit light, they will quickly spot it - your heart rate and blood pressure increase a bit - and give you a top up. Should you actually waken a bit - just a dreamy kind of awakening - the drug causes a short term amnesia so you wouldn't know about it anyway. I once had a conversation with the anaesthetist which I never knew about till he told me! But that doesn't happen very often.

And as for the epidural not working, generally they take their time in the anaesthetic room and make double sure it's working properly before they take you into the theatre. In my experience, the kind of spinal/epidurals given in these situations are a bit different to those in labour, I'm not sure why. But whilst I have occasionally seen an obstetric epidural not work, I have rarely seen an orthopaedic one not work.

 

[szarak2000]

Thank you again, Josephine. Very reassuring. I DO feel a little bit better.

 

[Josephine]

Good! Then try to have a reasonable night - and think that in about 9 weeks it'll all be over - bare the shouting, as they say!

 

[kopshannon]

My LHTR is scheduled for this Monday, 8/18 - 4 days away! I was worried about all the noises in the operating room too. My surgeon said I can bring in headphones with music, in fact he encouraged it. He said it helps with recovery pain.

Good luck!

 

[JudyS]

Szarak2000
It is normal to be scared. I had my right hip replaced in June and until very close to surgery I did not like the idea of my bone being sawed off either. It got close enough and I did not even care.
I wanted to see the OR and the parts they use too. So I did not accept the pre calming medication as in the past I remember nothing from that point. I was fully awake when I arrived in the OR. I was amazed at how many different sizes they have. Lots of parts!!!
Then I was given a spinal (epidural whatever) and the relaxing med and I was off. The next thing I remember was late at night in my room.

You have some time before surgery, I would suggest getting those hip and quad muscles as strong as you can. It helps them come back sooner when recovering.
You willlllll be fine.

Judy

 

[JudyS]

Kopshannon

Good Luck on monday. I will be thinking about and sending good surgery and recovery thoughts your way from socal
Judy

 

[bentonsmimi]

Make sure they will put you to sleep....Josephine, can you explain why I wasn't asleep or why I woke up? I definitely felt the hammering. I didn't feel it but I heard all the noises and my back was killing me. If I had to do it again, I don't know what kind of anesthesia I would choose but that doctor promised me that I would be asleep and most definitely I was not.

 

[szarak2000]

Guys, thank you. The headphones are a great idea! I love music. Also, the parts will be interesting, I am an engineer after all. But once they start cutting, I want no part of it. It's only 2nd day from the day I scheduled, but I am able to think lighter about it, start preparing, and even get a little excited about my overhaul. It helps to hear about this "sleep" - "not sleep" stuff... I also have a wonderful nurse.
Thank you again, Lidia

 

[ceci1957]

Lidia, I don't know where you are having surgery, but a lot of people in the forums have said they were "knocked out". After I got settled into pre-op, they injected Versed into the iv. When I got to the operating room, they first gave me a spinal, inserted the catheter and I don't remember anything after that. I wasn't left feeling sick to my stomach like when i have general anesthesia. Go forward with your surgery. It's a wonder to not be in arthritic pain anymore. All I have now are muscular aches when I've been on my feet too long, or walking too far.

 

[*gmac*]

I remember being wheeled into the operating room, scooted from the gurney to the table and picked my head up and thanked everyone in advance ".. in case I forgot later..." that is the last conversation I remember till about 3 or 4 hours later. Better living through chemistry. Can I get an Amen?
-Gary

 

[szarak2000]

Another question... once I get thru the staying awake part... I am not too worried about hospital stay and first few days, I hope drugs will help. Been there enough times with bed bath and all that nice stuff. I think this won't be as bad! But: with just 1 hip done -

 

[szarak2000]

sorry, it cut me off.. so with 1 hip done: how soon can I drive, how soon can I swim, how soon can I work from home (on computer, half day, in comfy chair - I hope week 3?), how soon can I go on a short walk down the street with my crutches, how about sitting on the floor to play with my baby - I imagine that one will be tough? thanks for any answers...

 

[kopshannon]

GMAC - thanks for the suggestion to thank everyone in advance! I am a firm believer in expressing gratitude for help and little kindnesses. Plus, it will start everything out on a good note.

Three more days for me. I can't take any pain medication this week, so it's been a pretty abysmal week and I've had some emotional moments trying not to let the pain take over. It's such a surprise to be actually looking forward to major surgery!

This forum has been such a treasure trove of information and support.

 

[JudyS]

Szarak2000

Some of your questions may depend on what type of approach/incision your surgeon uses and his instructions.

I had the right hip done using the posterior approach , it has the most precautions after.

I pretty much stayed home and in the house for the first 2 weeks. I had my 2 week apt and my doc told me to wait until 3 weeks to go swimming. I waited one more so I could get to the pool without a cane. At that point I was walking (with a cane) about 1/2 mile to the pool and back and swimming laps.
I just did not need to use my cane to get from the bench to the edge of the pool. Between 3 and 4 weeks I transitioned from crutches to cane, but still used crutches if going out in a crowd .
Getting on the floor with your baby would probably take the longest time. I actually am going to visit my family and 2 year old nephew next week . I did not go earlier as I wanted to get down on the floor and play with him.

Find out what approach your doc is doing. Even then some docs keep the precautions longer than others. Mine uses the whole 3 months (that will be in 2 weeks and I assume he will lift them then)

As far as a chair, I have sat in my very comfy recliner /rocker the whole time. Actually all the other soft furniture is too low. Now I could sit in the others, but I don't want to give up my exclusive rights to my chair and my youngest daughter loves it more than I do!!!

Judy in socal

I forgot about driving. My home pt wanted me to drive sooner than I felt I was ready, so I waited. Part of my motivation was not looking forward to becomming the mom taxi service. I also have a 19 year old daughter and it gave us time together as she was my taxi. ON the medical side at my 6 week apt my doc was very surprised that I was not driving yet. I started at the 6 week mark, but it was my right hip. I am sure it would be much sooner with the left. If you look back through the older threads, I am sure you will find one about driving.

How old is your baby??

 

[ceci1957]

A baby! How sweet. You must have someone great to watch the baby while you are in hospital and recuperating. Yes, getting down on the floor will be tough. I haven't done that yet and I'm 8 weeks post-op on my right hip.

I didn't have crutches, so I can't answer that.

I was able to sit in an executive office chair with arms, in a high seating position, with an ice pack at week 1 1/2. I couldn't do it for long. By three weeks, I was working from home on the computer about 2 hours per day.

I started driving at 4 weeks. Doc's orders. I was really sore the first few days, but it got better each time I drove. Now I don't feel a thing and I have driven 80 miles round trip three days this week.

I also went back to my office job 1/2 days at week 4. Big mistake. I was exhausted; but I pressed on and went back to work full-time at week 5. I have started medical leave again and won't go back for a full 6 weeks. Today is Friday and even at 8 weeks, I'm still pretty beat by the end of the week. But come to think of it, I was that way before. Aren't we all?

I had the anterior approach, about 6 inches long. The main thing with a hip replacement is to not bend your hip more than 90 degrees. I've tried not to violate that, but I've come pretty close this week. It seems the better I feel, the more I want to move in all kinds of ways. But I'm having the other hip done Monday, so I'll start all over with precautions.

I hope all goes well and you're playing on the floor with your baby as soon as possible.

 

[Josephine]

Oh, Ceci - in case I don't get the chance - all the best for Monday. You know we'll all be rooting for you.

 

[szarak2000]

Sewell and Ceci - thanks for all your kind words. Baby is 17 months I have a wonderful nanny, who will stay with ther while at the hospital. My hubby will be with me, and hospital is about 2 hrs away for us. Nanny will also come work full time when I'm recovering - so I won't be alone at home to take care of my daughter. I figured I won't be able to fully take care of her.
I have a higher rocking chair, and my car sits up really high too - so I will guess between 4-6 weeks. My pre op appt is not until 29th of September, so I am writing a long list of questions for the doc as I go by.
Anyone have any input on the Cleveland Clinic Foundation? That's where I am going.

Ceci - thoughts and prayers with you on Monday! Lidia