THR JoeKnows Recovery Thread - Round 2

[JoeKnows]

Oh, and one more very random observation - my sense of smell has improved drastically since my surgery. I've had a very weak sense of smell ever since sinus surgery about 2017, and it could just be a coincidence, but I can now smell candles and stuff that I wasn't able to before the surgery... I can't think of any explanation, but I'll count it as a tangential benefit (except for smelling my Boston Terrier, now I understand why my wife calls him stink dog).

 

[Klassy]

On the subject of weird but beneficial side effects of hip surgery: I was bothered by itchiness inside my ears for over a year leading up to my THR. After the surgery, all gone! Sadly, after a few months it has reappeared. I figured out by trial and error that side sleeping causes the ear which is lower to itch. And since I switch between sides, both ears are itchy again. So the choice seems to be between sleeping on my back or having itchy ears.

Could it be similar in your case, that sleeping on your back, or propped in a recliner, or indeed not sleeping at all, helps clear the nose?

 

[JoeKnows]

Hmm, I wonder if that is the case - it would make sense, my sinuses clear better when I'm on my back and it's not how I usually sleep. Good call!

 

[JoeKnows]

Update - I've been using the cane exclusively for a couple days, and doing fine with it. Totally off the narcotic pain meds during the day, just a tramadol at night. Definitely still uncomfortable, and getting a new twinge of groin pain when flexing my hip (like getting into bed), but my glute seems to be waking up more and more.

I also went into the office for a couple hours yesterday, mostly because I needed some sense of normalcy (and just like around the time of my last hip, of course we're in the midst of some potentially major changes that I need to be involved in). I was happy to confirm that my office chair is quite comfortable with and without an icepack, and my sit to stand desk is going to be very helpful. The trip out was great for my mental health, but I'm not going to be doing it every day.

Slowly sleeping better, though I woke myself up a few times by subconsciously trying to roll over... Can't wait to be able to do that again!

 

[Klassy]

That’s excellent progress so soon post-op. Good to test things out in the office and confirm that the set up works for you already. And that none of those major changes head in the wrong direction in your absence? But also good that you don’t need to do it every day just yet.

 

[Elf1]

You seem to be coming along quite well @JoeKnows. Doing trips to the office already, be careful, they'll think you're ready to be back full-time!

 

[CricketHip]

All in all, some great updates! I know what you mean about going in and seeing the office,etc. It both feels weird and normal at the same time.
You are getting to the timeframe of your recovery where it's easy to overdo, or slip up in some sort of way.
Be cautious and don't beat yourself up if it happens. The world won't end but you will lay low for a couple days, quite possibly with regrets!

 

[Lyla]

Wow look at you on a cane already! That’s awesome. I’m getting annoyed with the walker but will not rush it at least until week 2 . Kidding I’m taking it slow I was not in good shape before hand. It’s great to see people’s progress. A very diverse progress which is great to see.

 

[Layla]

Wow…a trip to the office. That was quite ambitious of you. Thankfully you did well and you’re not struggling with any repercussions from the outing.
Have a good weekend, Joe!
@JoeKnows

 

[JoeKnows]

Tough night last night - I'm not sure what exactly I did, but I woke myself up trying to roll over with a very sharp pain. It went away immediately, but now my hip flexors are being babies about it and I have a knot in my lower back... two steps forward, one step back. I'll be icing all day, and hoping I wake up better tomorrow.

 

[myglasshalffull]

That's a bummer for sure but you are still in very early recovery so just take it easy for a day or two.

 

[Lyla]

Tough night last night - I'm not sure what exactly I did, but I woke myself up trying to roll over with a very sharp pain. It went away immediately, but now my hip flexors are being babies about it and I have a knot in my lower back... two steps forward, one step back. I'll be icing all day, and hoping I wake up better tomorrow.

It might be you agitated a nerve. So easy to do right now. I have been back sleeping since this started 4 yrs ago. Still not comfortable. Not sure why but just before surgery I was able to roll over in my sleep. Something I could not do for years. I always woke up to roll over for about 5 yrs now. Thankfully since my surgery I stopped doing that. I can’t imagine how my hip would feel. The hypersensitivity will remain for a while yet. I never liked ice for injuries before this. Always used heat but since this surgery I find ice is the best pain killer!

 

[JoeKnows]

I went to a neighbor's kid's birthday party yesterday, but didn't hang out long. I wasn't even going to go, but my wife informed me there was plenty of seating and I could smell his bbq from my backyard, haha. So I walked about a block, ate lunch and said hi, then came back. Later, we went to another neighbor's house to let the kids swim - I only stayed for an hour or so, then came home to chill out with our clingy COVID puppy (a Boston Terrier who is spoiled from my wife working at home with him his entire life).

My wife and kids were over there late, and I can't really sleep when I'm expecting someone to come home, so I was up later than I typically would be. Slept through my middle of the night Tylenol, and woke up pretty sore and stiff. Decided to go with a Tramadol this morning to catch up, which is finally setting in. Nothing like espresso, pain killers, and SportsCenter in the morning!

My back was bothering me enough that I shoved 4 pillows between my knees and rolled onto my non-operative side for a little bit, which was nice. Didn't risk sleeping that way though.

On a random note, I'm unreasonably excited about new gel icepacks getting delivered today... My current ones are about 5 years old and have gotten "crunchy" and less flexible than they used to be, so I ordered these while on an internet shopping spree (recovery has been expensive - I've also ordered new jeans, an inflatable kayak, three pairs of shoes, two belts, and a few short sleeve collared shirts... It's too easy to buy stuff from my recliner!)

I'm starting to get stressed about work, but... Meh. Maybe I'll open my computer and stare at my unread emails this afternoon, haha.

 

[Layla]

Joe, you’re comical! I love your update especially the shopping part. With any luck, this day of rest finds you feeling better tomorrow. Excited for gel packs only WE can understand that. I hope you love them and they bring many hours of relief.
@JoeKnows

 

[djklaugh]

@JoeKnows I'm with Layla about the shopping ( been there, done that, got the receipts ...) And ummm for less than 2 weeks out from major surgery just maybe you Over Did It a bit yesterday with all the fun activities? That could be a big factor in feeling stiff and sore today. Sure hope those new gel packs arrive soon so you can ice and elevate that leg!

 

[myglasshalffull]

Great update JoeKnows and like you we are attending grandkids birthday parties and graduation both yesterday and again today.
I can't sit for long periods I just get too stiff but when we returned home last night we did our mile and half around block walk. It feels so good to walk.
For the first time last night I rolled onto my non operative side, felt great and strange, didn't stay that way too long.
Just found out from another hippie there's a gadget that helps put your socks on, I was all over that this AM and have been guilty of retail therapy since my injury/recovery.
Went to market this AM to grab items we are bringing to my son's house today and I walked very good in the store.
I'm really feeling so much better physically as well as mentally. I

 

[JoeKnows]

Got some relatively good sleep last night. Since I need to get my dressing changed (it got wet in the shower) and the surgeon's office is right next to my office, I decided to do a little bit of work today. Which, so far, consists of me making small talk with my staff and doing absolutely nothing productive, haha. With my great office chair, a standing desk, and extra icepacks here, I'm actually just about as comfortable as I would be at home.

Physically, my biggest complaint is just the swelling and tenderness around the incision. It causes me to sit with my weight shifted to my non-operative side, which in turn is causing some lower back pain (at least that's my impression). I'm also getting a bit of groin pain, but nothing like I had last time. I wish I could soak in a hot tub, but have a while yet before I can do that of course.

 

[JoeKnows]

Update - the incisions look good (according to the surgeon, to me they just look like incisions). He wants to keep the new dressings on for another week or so to make sure it's closed up, then there's a glue / mesh layer underneath that will wear off on it's own time. Happily, he just sent me for an x-ray today instead of having me come back on Thursday, and everything is where it's supposed to be.

He has no theories about why my sense of smell improved after the surgery. I think he thinks I'm just going crazy.

 

[Lyla]

I went to a neighbor's kid's birthday party yesterday, but didn't hang out long. I wasn't even going to go, but my wife informed me there was plenty of seating and I could smell his bbq from my backyard, haha. So I walked about a block, ate lunch and said hi, then came back. Later, we went to another neighbor's house to let the kids swim - I only stayed for an hour or so, then came home to chill out with our clingy COVID puppy (a Boston Terrier who is spoiled from my wife working at home with him his entire life).

My wife and kids were over there late, and I can't really sleep when I'm expecting someone to come home, so I was up later than I typically would be. Slept through my middle of the night Tylenol, and woke up pretty sore and stiff. Decided to go with a Tramadol this morning to catch up, which is finally setting in. Nothing like espresso, pain killers, and SportsCenter in the morning!

My back was bothering me enough that I shoved 4 pillows between my knees and rolled onto my non-operative side for a little bit, which was nice. Didn't risk sleeping that way though.

On a random note, I'm unreasonably excited about new gel icepacks getting delivered today... My current ones are about 5 years old and have gotten "crunchy" and less flexible than they used to be, so I ordered these while on an internet shopping spree (recovery has been expensive - I've also ordered new jeans, an inflatable kayak, three pairs of shoes, two belts, and a few short sleeve collared shirts... It's too easy to buy stuff from my recliner!)

I'm starting to get stressed about work, but... Meh. Maybe I'll open my computer and stare at my unread emails this afternoon, haha.

Yes it is expensive. I found myself ordering from Amazon everything. I even got new accessories for my instapot when I ordered my new gel pack.

 

[JoeKnows]

Feeling pretty good today. I skipped the tramadol last night, but still slept okay - I'm able to sleep relatively comfortably on my non-operative side with a few pillows, which is a relief to my back. I really wish I would lay on my operative side, but the incision is still tender to that much pressure.

I've been on the cane for a while, and while the muscles are definitely still unhappy about what the surgeon did to them, I feel like my strength and active range of motion have improved. I've caught myself walking short distances without the cane, but I'm not doing that intentionally since I still have quite the limp when I do. Certain chairs (including my driver's seat) are still uncomfortable because they cause pressure on the incision - when I drive, I sit on a towel and sort of roll the operative side of it so it's under my sit-bone instead of the soft tissue.

I've continued to come into the office for half-days this week. Nobody's rushing me back, there's just a lot to get done and I feel like it's actually better for me mentally. I'm sure there's a big difference between returning to work because someone is saying you have to, versus returning to work and still having the option of going home for a nap if I decide to! Between that and my intent to go to physical therapy in a few weeks, I know it's against the consensus here, but it seems to be working for me, haha.