THR LTHR anterior - Recovery diary & waffle

[Layla]

Or made you so drunk you didn't care.

Interesting and funny.

 

[Sparks22]

I wish I could have a G&T!! I haven't drunk anything for over a year all the meds I have been on have meant no alcohol. I think if I had a drink now I would be a danger will have to wait till a bit further on in the healing process so I don't damage myself!

 

[myglasshalffull]

My Mom swore by quinine (tonic water) for her leg spasms.
And she did like to enjoy a cocktail now & then!

 

[Sparks22]

Had to laugh at myself on the dog walk today - went a little further than normal due to bloody tractors so I could let Max have some off lead time (he would very much like to chase and kill all big machines!) And on the way back my new leg was twinging in all the achy post-op places and my right hip was burning in the joint - I should have taken both walking poles with me!! Wonder how long right hip will last....

 

[benne68]

Time to elevate and ice, @Sparks22! Hope you feel better tomorrow.

 

[Sparks22]

I'm surprisingly feeling OK today, a little stiff to begin with. I've spent the morning converting a king duvet cover in to a single (mistake in size when ordering!) And hopping up and down on a chair to put the last christmas decorations up in the kids rooms...very careful & steady hopping up & down!
I'm back at work on Monday....feeling very nervous. My back to work 'interview' was a 5 minute call with my head and went along the lines of "we won't put you back on timetable, just do your groups or something and let us know what you need" (I'd insert a laughing hysterically emoji here but they don't work for some reason!)
So basically I'm just going to wander round school causing mischief and mayhem for 2 weeks before the Christmas break heehee!

 

[Sparks22]

6 weeks ago I was in my lovely little hospital room wondering when I'd get feeling back in my legs! I have to say I was hoping to be a bit less in pain now than I am, but it's all about my body adjusting to a new way of moving and all that jazz. My pluses are I can walk up the stairs, I can walk the dog, I can drive, I can get myself 95% dressed, I can do all the household stuff I normaly do (apart from big bins) OK so I still have a lot of niggles and life isn't comfy yet, but the main pain has been delt with and what I have now WILL get easier.

 

[Phoebie]

Yeah, you will get better. Well done, you, for coming so far. Does six weeks ago seem a lifetime ago?

Totally agree with your post. Coming up to six weeks and thinking it was the magic number where I would be fit and well, like couch to 7km, or something. I think I put too much emphasis on milestone numbers. It's not a competition but a personal recovery.

 

[Sparks22]

@Phoebie 6 weeks feels like a lifetime ago! I'm the same and thought by week 6 all would be well - not couch to 7k as that would never happen, but did think I'd be walking the dog a lot further and not feel so wiped out after doing things!
Although, I did go slightly further on the walk this afternoon, I did the flat river walk & went as far as I would have on my old bad day, and it felt good, so maybe, just maybe, it is getting easier.
Wonder how I'll feel next Friday after being back at work for a week?!! (Minus 2 days as my daughter has a hospital appointment on Wednesday & I have my '6' week check up on Friday followed by physio)

 

[Sparks22]

First day back at work done. I am, emotionally & physically, knackered!
I'm quite an introvert in most settings so to walk through our breakfast club and have 40+ kids yelling "Miss Sparks!! You're back! Yay!!" Was very overwhelming, and then my Y 4 & 5 classes all ambushed me at the start of the day and even those kids that aren't in to emotional expression wanted hugs. I felt very loved and had to take 5 minutes to compose myself.
Physically it was horrible, standing for most of the day as all our chairs are too low for me (I'm in primary) and the teacher chairs we have are ancient.
I'm now sat in my car as my daughter has a drama class on a Monday that's half an hour drive and it's easier to stay parked up than go home and head back out again (my car only has a small range so wouldn't have enough charge anyway)
All I want to do is put my pj's on and go to sleep!!!
I'm not sure if I'll actually make it to the end of term or if I get my gp to sign me off again for the next week and a but - I'll see how I feel after tomorrow.

 

[benne68]

Wow, it must have felt amazing to receive all that love from your students, @Sparks22. I hope that helps offset some of the pain and fatigue from your very long day.

I'm sorry it was a rough day physically. After a full day of school, having to drive your daughter to an after-school program, and then sit in the car was a lot for 6 weeks post-op. Is there anyone who could take care of after-school activities so you can just go home and elevate?

You are still very early days in recovery and it will take time before you will feel up to so much activity.

 

[Sparks22]

s there anyone who could take care of after-school activities so you can just go home and elevate?

Unfortunately I am the only parent willing to take her :( it was hard enough getting her dad to take her while I couldn't drive (we don't live together but kids are at his half the week) It's OK though, sitting in the car makes me chill out for an hour or so! Plus I Potter round Sainsbury's for a half time wee :D

 

[Phoebie]

My goodness, what a contrast of highs and lows. So lovely to be missed and welcomed back.

On a practical note, can you take in some cushions to raise the height of the seat of the chair? Or ask the school to provide a suitable chair. You cannot stand all day simply because there is not suitable chair.

If it is all too much tomorrow, definitely take more time off. It is almost end of term and those few weeks more recovering could make all the difference.

 

[myglasshalffull]

Well your "kids" certainly love you & happy to see you back.
Hope you got some rest later in the day & if you can't manage take more time for yourself. I sympathize with all of the folks recovering that have jobs & small kids. I was very fortunate to be able to recover at my own pace even though I had a PT job I loved, there was no pressure to return to it. I did try after my one year recovery date that spring but I just couldn't keep up the pace & set myself back several weeks so now I just dog sit!
Happy Holidays to you!

 

[Layla]

Aww, the kids...so heartwarming, Sparks.
Wondering how you're doing at work after a couple more days? I hope better and if not hopefully you can have a bit more time off. Keep us posted.
@Sparks22

 

[Sparks22]

Evening all. Today marks 7 weeks post op and 3 days back at work (didn't work Wednesday or today due to medical apps) How am I feeling? Exhausted! The combination of going back to work, teaching, being social, the physical activity and then all the driving I've done, has wiped me out!
Saw my consultant & physio today. Physio was happy to discharge me, I told him about all the various aches and pains I have and after some (not) lovely manipulation and stretching of the leg he said its all muscles/tendons firing and working and healing. He is keeping me on rhe sheets till February, so if i do have any concerns or want to see him again I can. Consultant wasn't quite as happy, he sent me for another xray just to be safe. All looked good though and he's figuring it is just going to take me longer to get back on my feet because of history.
I'm happier in my mind that the implant is sound and all the pains I have are pretty much my recovery and the mechanics adjusting themselves after years of being wonky. In the words of my consultant "Listen to your hip, it's in charge. If it hurts stop, if your tired stop!" (Easier said than done Sir, but I'll try!) He's going to do a phone consultation in 8 weeks to see how I am doing.

 

[benne68]

I think you are doing really well for just 7 weeks post-op, @Sparks22! It's amazing to me that you are back to work already!

I'm not surprised you are exhausted with all that activity while your body still needs to much of its energy stores to heal.

In the words of my consultant "Listen to your hip, it's in charge. If it hurts stop, if your tired stop!"

Listen to your consultant! He know what he's talking about. There is no way to hurry along this recovery.

Try to give yourself the grace to rest when you need to. It does get easier with time.

 

[Sparks22]

I just broke a tooth!!! Just been on hold with 111 for half an hour (I don't have a dentist, long story) and have to go to Rotherham tomorrow - that's 50 miles away! I am so peeved off.

 

[msart]

@Sparks22 -I hope your tooth got repaired. I know you were exhausted after that long drive to dentist-how did your hip hold up getting out of the car? Mine would have yelled-ouch!! Sounds like you have a lot going on. Hope you can rest some-your body needs it. ‍

 

[benne68]

Hi @Sparks22

Just checking in to see how you are doing as you approach the two-month post-op mark? Hope your tooth was repaired.

Happy Christmas.