THR July 13 Rebirth

[Jaycey]

It's very unusual to be able to take anything away from the surgical site. Most every area considers this contaminated and it is handled very carefully to dispose of it properly. I would not have been interested in taking anything away but did donate my femoral head during RTHR to a bone bank for other patients needing bone grafts.

 

[EAW]

Wow, thanks for sharing those. That is great to see what the femur head is like and be able to keep it. I got a set of 5 photos of my surgery. They show the left hip being operated on. It's really cool to see how the surgery is performed. Watched a great you tube video of the surgery (afterwards not before)so I could work out which order the photos happened in. Here's one of the photos of the femoral head. It was in pretty bad shape.

Oh wow! Your hip was really messed up! Thanks for sharing.

 

[InkedMarie]

Cool pictures, EAW!

 

[1stSurgery]

Well thanks y'all for the new no lunch diet! Looking at these visual displays just cured me of that intermittent desire to eat!!
It is very fascinating but I think I picked the wrong time to check in. It's OK, should be fine by dinner....

I too made a point of not watching the videos before surgery and am adhering to it before surgery #2 as well. There's the spoiler factor.... And also my imagination is too active so I know if I see what goes on whilst I snooze I would probably not be as calm going into OR. I'm not a person so zen that anxiety is foreign to me but couldn't believe how calm I was going in for number one! It took weeks to get into that state though ...and of course pretending I was just going to a spa resort hotel helped a good deal as well!

I'll just bet both my heads were a wreck. Poor babies.

Hysterical story about the tonsils, @Mojo333 !!

 

[Mojo333]

Cool pictures, EAW!

Cool pictures..

Hope you are doing well today EAW!

 

[EAW]

Well, today is my 3 week anniversary! Today I will drive for the first time since post surgery. feel like a teenager who just got their driving permit. It’s just a short trip to my outpatient PT appointment but liberating nonetheless. Fingers . I’ll be taking my vitamins and eating healthy to try to mitigate the fatigue. Anyway, Happy Friday to everyone! I’m so thankful for all of you!

 

[EAW]

Oh, one tip I wanted to pass on... After surgery, I have been using my hubby’s shower instead of my lovely bathtub because I could not climb in and out. I think it’s going to be awhile before I can manage that so I went on the hunt for a safe step to use. I found one on Amazon and it works perfectly. I read the reviews and some complained about it sliding if you have tile instead of carpet. So, I put a nonstick bath mat under the step and one on top of it.

You just have to make sure you have mastered your balance and being able to lift your operated leg high enough to climb in and out. I always lead with my good leg getting in and getting out. And don’t try it without someone nearby until you are sure of your ability

Pics of the step are attached. It was only $19.99 through Amazon. Free delivery if you are a Prime member.

 

[Layla]

Happy Three Week Anniversary
We're thankful for you! Your contributions have been informative.

I felt like a teen before my first "head out on the highway" after THR.
I practiced in my neighborhood to make sure I was comfortable hitting the brake.
It sure feels liberating though after only 2-3 weeks off. Happy driving to you!


Thanks for the tip on the Bath Step. Interesting product, first time seeing it.

Anyone reading whose interested in one, please read below my Staff Legal Disclaimer on how to benefit BoneSmart through shopping with Amazon.

 

[Josephine]

Thank you for that tip, EAW. It will shortly be included in this thread Recovery Aids: A comprehensive list for hospital and home

 

[EAW]

Hi All,

I’ve been doing small outings since last week. I thought it would lift my spirits but I must say it makes me a little sad. At 3 weeks post-op, I am nowhere near recovered and going out in public hits this home big time. It seems so impossible that I will be able to walk pain-free and without aids. This is very hard. In some ways it is more difficult than the spontaneous retinal detachment I went through in 2013. That was scary and recovery was difficult but I didn’t feel so helpless. Anyway, thanks for listening.

 

[1stSurgery]

Awww @EAW you are still so early yet at week 3! I think you're doing great, still so early out! That hip is like a baby chick just out of the egg!!

Not that we should compare ourselves to others recovery (but we all do!) --If you see my page; at 3 weeks I still hadn't left the house yet... my walks were on the bedroom deck for ten mins max, and my operated knee was too stiff to bend anywhere near what the other knee could. I was still trying to master heel slides and trying to bend over ...but not able to go far --tying shoes was nowhere on the menu at week 3.

Go back to remembering the two largest bones in your body were smacked around, sawed, reamed, refitted and under serious construction. Femur, pelvis, whacked. 3 weeks is very early still.

Looking forward, that said, I started to see some real improvements at week 4. I've heard others say the same. for now, maybe have friends come to you to visit. I did that and it made the time go faster.

Next hip replacement, in about a month, I will probably have only 6-7 weeks to be ready to go for some pre-scheduled intense work activity. I'm counting on the right hip to comply.

 

[Mojo333]

Go back to remembering the two largest bones in your body were smacked around, sawed, reamed, refitted and under serious construction. Femur, pelvis, whacked. 3 weeks is very early still.

Agreed.
And one month out is prime time for the post op blues.
Take heart...you will get there and patience is the hardest recovery tool to grasp.
Hope today is a better day.

 

[Layla]

You're right, you are nowhere near recovered. It can take up to a full year, I've read numerous times even as long as two years. The first time I ventured outside was at three weeks, with my cane, to my first post op appointment. You may be surprised and find yourself walking unaided in another week. I felt like it happened that quickly.

Did you possibly over do it on one of your outings, suffering a minor setback? It can happen and cause you to feel like you're not progressing. It would also affect your mood. Boredom sets in too. You're feeling better mentally but your body isn't ready physically. You may also be suffering a little Post Op Blues. Thankfully it's only temporary but can sneak up on you out of nowhere. Usually leaves just as quickly.

Try marking your progress by weekends. It worked for me and took away that daily pressure.
Plus..it's usually easier to look back at the previous weekend and recall what you were doing, or unable to do.

A couple considerations - Are you icing? If not, start. Josephine recommends icing sessions last 40-60 mins several times a day. Great for pain and swelling.
Did you possibly stop your meds or OTC pain reliever too soon?
If so it can affect your mobility, then your mood because you're dissatisfied with your progress.

Fill your need to be away from home with car rides, a lunch, dinner or coffee date, visit with a friend at their home, sit on a park bench. Easy outings you can handle at locations where you don't have to walk far. It will help you feel like you're part of the world again to be out around people. Ease back into life slowly. You'll get there. Your leg was traumatized and severely injured and IT IS healing, just give it time.

I'd suggest you re-read these articles -
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/post-op-blues-is-a-reality-be-prepared-for-it.7591/
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/activity-progression-for-thrs.13187/

Stop by often, we'll be here to offer encouragement along the way.
I hope today feels brighter!

 

[EAW]

Thank you @1stSurgery for reminding me what my body has been through and for providing perspective. I hope your next surgery goes smoothly. I’ll be looking for your updates.

Agreed.
And one month out is prime time for the post op blues.
Take heart...you will get there and patience is the hardest recovery tool to grasp.
Hope today is a better day.

Patience for myself is not abundant. I’m working on that one. I’m taking @Layla s advice and scaling back my activities and expectations. I’m icing more and taking my painkillers more regularly. We will see if this helps. Even though I had OA and hip pain for years, I never talked much about it to friends. I didn’t walk with a limp until very recently and it was usually near the end of the day. So, many of my friends were caught off guard when I announced my surgery. I’ve even had a few ask if it was necessary. I’m mentioning this because it kinda demonstrates my level of dismissiveness regarding my hip. This doesn’t help me in recovery for sure.
I do agree I’ve reached the one month blues. It is very comforting to know I have people who are going through, or have been through this. My hubby thanks you all too . He is supportive and kind but he hasn’t been through this particular jungle.

 

[Mojo333]

Is a jungle...and your a super hero.
Fear not...all will get better.
Just have to heal.
Wishing you all the best.

 

[EAW]

Thank you, @Mojo333
Have a wonderful evening

 

[SurreyGirl]

This is all sounding very familiar. I am finding visits from my friends very helpful. Some friends I have politely turned down and asked to wait until brainwise I was better.

As I am in a recovery home I can choose to eat in my room or come down to dinner.
I thought long and hard about my friends. The ones who have read my blog on here were horrified and all wanted to rush and hold my hand.

These friends have one thing in common. I selected who should read the blog. These are all sensible people who have compassion, a great sense of humour, will respect other guests, and won’t outstay their welcome when the Energy slump occurs. Which it does on a daily basis.

Driving for me seems a dream right now but I know it will coneZ

I have really enjoyed my friends visits but take time to rest properly aftercdinner

 

[Layla]

Hi @EAW
You're the "soldier on" quietly type. I get it, I'm the same but sometimes we just need to cut ourselves some slack, take a break, be more attentive to our needs. I think you're realizing that. As much as we'd like to, we can't rush our recovery. Our body will heal at its own rate. Treat that leg with TLC. It's been through a lot and is slowly healing just as it should. Be it's best advocate, look at it as something you're caring for, aside from yourself if that doesn't sound too cuckoo, Lol.
You'll get there. Sometimes when the blues set in you feel like "Ugh..will THIS ever end?!!"
It will. A week or two can make a huge difference at this point.
Wishing you a peaceful week!

 

[Bionic]

EAW, we had our ops on the same day. I didn't think to ask of a 'before' pic but did get a pic of the X-ray taken afterwards with the ceramic hip joint in place. It's fascinating what they can do.

I have had a couple of trips out and seemed to be ok but it definitely tires you out. I'm not taking any meds now, other than the anti DVT ones.

Around the house I vary between one crutch and none, grabbing onto work surfaces etc, but when I am out I still have 2 crutches, mainly to make others aware. Up until now I have been told my only exercise should be walking. I have a physio appointment on Wednesday so let's see what they say after that.
Wishing you well on your road to recovery

 

[EAW]

@SurreyGirl you will be driving soon enough! I drove for the first time on my 3 week anniversary and it was very freeing! I did a short outing and then a longer one a few days later. You'll get there very soon

@Bionic It's awesome we have the same surgery date! I tried outpatient physical therapy after my 2nd week. On my first trip, the PT did only massages. I was sore the next day but the day after, my muscles loosened up. I thought, "Yay, this is the ticket." Then, on my 2nd visit, August 3, my PT had me try the clam on my back with straps, leg lifts on my back, and one other exercise I can't remember. PT wanted me to do these at 10 reps 3X per day. I have read all of the research @Josephine provided on PT so I was prepared. I questioned the PT about this and he said it helped hip replacement patients recover more quickly. I said my research showed it's not good until after the hip muscles have recovered from surgery trauma. PT's reasoning is because I am younger, walking only with a cane, driving (1st outing on my own) and had outpatient, I should be doing these exercises now.
The next day, I was very sore and I had only done these in his office just once. I cancelled my PT forever and have not done ANY of those exercises since August 3. My body has rewarded me for listening. I stopped having deep pain and my muscles are healing. I say this a lot but I am so fortunate to have found this forum. I would have followed that advice and ended up with horrible consequences. Anyway, you may be fine during but afterwards it is telling. I hope this helps