THR Marvellous Marvin's New Home

[Mad Rocker]

9:47 pm<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Day 9 POP<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
I had quite a nice day yesterday. I went down the stairs (getting easier and easier) made lunch and stayed down for the whole day, puttered around checking mail and desktop computer. Nothing too rambunctious but it must have been enough to throw me off kilter. I started to get nauseous at 9ish went to sleep at 10ish woke at 1:30 for pain/nausea meds, fell asleep until 4:30 woke fighting off nausea, took my pain meds at 5:00, finally asleep at 5:50 until 7:30. It's been along time since I slept so long even though I had to tolerated the nausea all morning. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
I have been dwelling on the pain management side of things these past few days. I have been trying to find out what other BS mbrs have done post surgery. I know that there is still pain and I am happy that it is reducing every day more and more. But I know if I do not take my meds on time it feels like an animal chewing on my knee and hip. I don't know what will be the story on Friday (OS/staple day) but I will wing it. I haven't had PT yet so I do not know how that will increase the discomfort/pain as I expect things will change as I become more active. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Today I was downstairs almost all day but I (hopefully) paced myself better. I am thinking that I need to gradually increase my activity but I haven’t got the rest/active balance figured out yet. It will be interesting to see how the first drive since surgery goes Friday. I also have to check on arranging Handicap Transit as on some app't days I do not have a driver. This is all new to me and abit of a challenge as I have always been the one to arrange how to get people to where they want to go and now I have to depend on others.
Today was our 40<SUP>th</SUP> wedding anniversary (hubby says no it's not it's only our 10<SUP>th</SUP>.) I managed to have my neighbour get a card for me. She is a peach. Surprised hubby as he figured I would forget but how many 29<SUP>th</SUP> of Februarys do I have left. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Both sons phoned to deliver best wishes, now that did surprise me as wedding anniversaries are really only for the married couple. My youngest just laughed----40 years is a long time.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Hopefully my hip will be around for a long time too. This is harder work than I thought it would be. Every day there is something more to know and understand about this hip I have bought. The swelling at the side of my hip is it part swelling and part Marvin? Will I ever be able to feel Marvin? I really am one to read instruction manuals and this is just like having a baby. You got it, now figure out how it works.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Take care Everyone<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
10:23 <o:p></o:p>

 

[Hagar]

Oh Carol, my friend, you do make me laugh!

If I push myself too far I too get a bit nauseous. And when I push myself I need to take my pain med, dilaudid. On an empty stomach the dilaudid can make me nauseous as well. The solution? The PA gave me a prescription for metoclopramide 10mg. One of these babies and my stomach settles right down and I can eat or take my dilaudid. As Jo keeps reminding us, don't push things so I try to walk that line trying to be a bit more active each day but not being stupid.

My daughter took me for a drive to run a couple errands yesterday. It was only the second time out of the house in 23 days and for someone who works outdoors, I was ready! I had to ask her to tie my shoes which was a hit on the fragile male ego but I survived. The kicker was she brought her 2 1/2 year old son with her and as soon as he saw me he screamed "POP POP!" as loud as he could and I was immediately reminded why I need to take good care of myself! Yesterday was the best day yet since surgery!

And happy anniversary my friend! I have 25 years and I guaranteed my wife in writing before she agreed to marry me that I would make it to our 50th. She also made me give up my Harley, quit jumping out of planes, and quit smoking recreational herbs. Best decision I ever made, though the negotiating part was heavy as we used to say!

Good night!

 

[Mad Rocker]

3:07 am
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p> </o:p>
Day 10 POP
<o:p> </o:p>
You have a wonderful reason for getting well, your grandson. You are very lucky.
<o:p> </o:p>
That is why no matter what kind of rocky beginning I had with this hip operation I am still holding on to the fact that I am so lucky to be living in an age when medical science can perform this operation and it's not history making. If this was 50 years ago ---heck 15 years ago---we would be talking a whole different story and outcome. My snag was nothing compared with the possibilities I have been given. I have my eye on a break dancing :egypt-dance:course being offered in the spring. Look out Michael Jackson! I'm already working on my moon walk. It looks really cool backing up with my walker(toe heel, toe heel). I'm thinking of adding strobe lights and smoke effects. Whadya think?
<o:p> </o:p>
You know Hagar I can remember the first time that my hubby mentioned grandkids. He was sitting and mesmerizing (looking into the air) and says I could see me with grandkids. I almost fell off Vanna except this was pre-op and my chances of getting back up involved a fire dept and a lift hoist. Now grandkids are not something my sons are in the market for but there is a certain little puppy :doggieshmooze: who resides with my son in Chicago who would fit into my plans like peanut butter and jam. My granddog spent the summer with us one year and what fun it was, although I fell and tore both rotator cuffs when I tripped on a dog toy. Oh the joys of being a grandparent.
<o:p> </o:p>
I am so excited . I slept from 11ish to 3ish and if it wasn't for having to get up and use the bathroom I think I could have swung even more sleep. It's getting close. This is just like when you have a baby and you are waiting for the night when Junior sleeps through the night. (I need to get a life!)
<o:p> </o:p>
Take care Everyone
<o:p> </o:p>
3:45 am

 

[dianemarie]

Hi Carol,

Loving your sense of humor, we all need a good laugh, thanks for supplying it. Pain meds...keep up on them, your body will let you know when you don't need them, you try cutting back some days and will find out if you need to keep on the doing the same or cut back a little. I am 15 weeks out and still take 1 pain med at night. Good luck getting staples out, that will give you some relief, first time out in the car I just went very slow, you can use a garbage bag on the seat, it helps you to turn much easier, just don't slip off! Take care.

 

[Jaycey]

If you do the break dancing course we need a video Carol! It will motivate newbies here! :hysterical:

You are getting there with the sleep - yahooooo! Only a matter of days.

Love your updates Carol. Keep 'em coming!

 

[DallasSarah]

Hello Carol,

Glad you are doing so well! Love the moon dancing and yes you must post a video soon hehehehehe.

Naps are the best...enjoy!

xxooxx

 

[Pumpkin]

Hi Carol,
Sounds like healing is moving along, dancing already. I can see where you could make some great moves with that walker. Four hours during the first sleep. Hope you got four more hours later. BBC article about 1st and 2nd sleeps, if nothing else it may put you to sleep. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16964783

 

[Mad Rocker]

6:40 pm
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p> </o:p>
Day 11 POP
<o:p> </o:p>
Today was my appointment with the OS. I hate my OS. I have had issues with him since the get go and why I stayed with him is only one reason. My GP said he did a nice hip. I trusted my GP and I am hoping that my faith in my GP is well warranted.
<o:p> </o:p>
My OS is the type of specialist we read about, aloof, patronizing and condescending. From the beginning he was reluctant to do any surgery and I appreciate why (there was not a definitive indication where my problem was (pain in left hip, severe arthritis in right hip.) But once the situation changed and the pain generalized to the right hip only he still did not want to operate and even my GP hits his head that he did not pursue a second opinion on my behalf.
<o:p> </o:p>
The past is the past. I will put up with releasing me with no pain meds after surgery (he said today he did not hear that my meds were low in supply.) He did not recall me having any issues on the day of discharge (double dosing of meds.) He did not look at my incision and when I had questions he grabbed my notebook and answered in writing rather than talking to me. Bedside manner rotten; my dad would have grabbed him and said you are a doctor not a bad mannered little boy. I wish I had the nerve to tell my OS exactly what I feel but it is good energy being wasted on a bad place. I just hope that his hip is good.
<o:p> </o:p>
I will need to wait for the results of this THR to see if I am going to stay with him for the 2<SUP>nd</SUP> one which he indicated would be after the results of this surgery. That is a tough call. I think I will talk to my new GP if a second opinion should be in the works.
I slept from 10:30 to 1:30 am last night but I was restless the rest of the night. I think I had myself all worked up for the appointment. When I got to the hospital (where I was meeting the OS) I had one heck of a trek from one place to another before I finally found him to get the staples removed (tech did that job.) That went OK---pinching sensation for each staple but nothing more.
<o:p> </o:p>
First drive went well---it is much easier to get into the car now than before surgery. I had no issues in the car but I am lucky that I have a car with adjustable seats. Après appointment went well although I was exhausted---still am but tomorrow is a new day.
<o:p> </o:p>
I spoke to my PT on Wednesday and when she heard that I was walking with a bit of a limp because of knee pain she was critical about my attempts to exercise even though I have not seen her yet. Maybe I am a little hypersensitive to all the stuff that is going on.
<o:p> </o:p>
Its days like these that I wish I could go on a long holiday.
<o:p> </o:p>
7:13 pm
<o:p> </o:p>
Take care Everyone
<o:p> </o:p>
BTW
<o:p> </o:p>
Hipsters
<o:p> </o:p>
Have you had knee problems after the THR? Did it last?
<o:p> </o:p>

 

[DallasSarah]

Hello Carol,

Glad your staples were removed successfully! Sorry your OS is a little hoity-toity.

The horrid experiences you had in the hospital..I'm thinking you would better talking to the main administrator. I expect the OS doesn't know anything about this type of stuff and it's the nurses jobs to makes sure that he doesn't know. From an earlier stay in hospital I found it interesting the dr would write orders with prescriptions but it didn't guarantee the nurses would offer the pills, it was almost like I had to know exactly what my dr had ordered and request it.

Yes a long holiday sounds really good about now! Hope you are resting tonight, you must be a little tired you had a super long day.

Have a lovely weekend!

xxooxx

PS wanted to add my comment about nurses was by no means meant all nurses, and we all make errors and mistakes, maybe the nurse team at your hospital are overworked and tired this is why there were errors. No excuses I still think they owe you a big apology for your experience!

 

[Mad Rocker]

12:26 am
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p> </o:p>
Day 12 POP
<o:p> </o:p>
Well I have only one thing to say, somebody give me a gun so I can shoot the animal that is gnawing on my hip and knee. :arghh:<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Yikes and I was having a couple of good nights there. One should never count all the eggs before the chickens are hatched, or something like that. :wacko:
<o:p> </o:p>
I figured that today was going to be a stretch for me so I iced extra, elevated more and generally took it easy hoping that it would make up for the extra long walking and the addition of the car ride. Echhhh! Not so.
<o:p> </o:p>
Well it's not like I have never been here before Sleepless in Canada. If I do not settle down shortly I will join Vanna and watch some telly or read some more.
<o:p> </o:p>
Surprising Vanna and I were inseparable a few weeks back but after the surgery I don't sit so well on her. I have a cushion to make the seat part higher but it's not the same. In a way it's disappointing because Vanna held me together many a night over the past 5+ years. I hate to think our relationship is at an end. But you know that it was never meant to be from the get-go. I am so much taller. But recliners have been a part of our culture for so many years that I am sure the original owner (my hubby) will reclaim Vanna as his own but not with the same appreciation that I had for Vanna. Heck he won't even call it by name. It will become a non entity much like I am.
<o:p> </o:p>
My hubby does not call me by name. His conversation is pointed at me. I.E if he wants something he looks my direction and I need a screwdriver from the garage. No name…no honey… no dear wifey. It's always been like that, I never thought anything of it until one day our new neighbour asked what my name was. He had forgotten but never heard my hubby call me any name so he finally had to break down and ask me. He was a little embarrassed but it made me think how do I get called at home when I am not in the same room?
<o:p> </o:p>
In most cases we call our spouses by a name Bob, Jim, Judy or Shirley or by a nickname, Honey, Dear; you get the picture. In our house I get called by Where are you? Then the I need a screwdriver…. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
I don't know when it started it has just always been this way. Sometimes I make it difficult (no kidding) and I don't respond to the directed conversation. It's fun to watch as he eventually has to use my name to get my attention. :hysterical:
<o:p> </o:p>
Funnier yet is I react to non verbal communication at the dining table. My sons pointed it out to me that my hubby does not ask pass the butter at the table, he points or gesturers in the general direction and I interpret what he wants. I must be a pretty good mind reader because I give him what he wants in most cases and the other times when I get it wrong I just come back with what do you think I am a mind reader. I never said we made any sense, I said we were weird.
<o:p> </o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
1:13 am---finally the animals are letting go of my leg.
<o:p> </o:p>
Take Care Everyone

 

[Jaycey]

Sorry you are hurting Carol. But I must admit after reading your account of you appointment I thought you might suffer from all that activity. Rest, ice and keep those meds caught up. Things will ease.

Frankly if it were me I would not return to that OS. He needs a major attitude adjustment. Not appropriate at all!

Your description of how names aren't used in your household made me smile. We have the same situation here. And when I ignor the "command" that is used instead of a name I get accused of not being sensitive to his needs. :DOH:Sometimes you can't win!

Answer to your knee question - yes my knees and the other hip acted up big time post op. You are carrying your weight differently now. Muscles that were not asked work are now called upon. Keep those meds going. This will ease.

Hope you are getting some rest!

PS - are you really released to drive so soon?

 

[Mad Rocker]

3:43 am

:hate-shocked:Ohmigood I'm sorry I used the wrong word when describing my first car ride. Although if wishes were tires Carol would have drove but no my hubby drove me to my appointment. I cannot be relied upon to use correct English, I am on drugs! I love that excuse. :th_heehee:

BTW I thought that the knee issue was due to reorganization. I'm a public servant i should be used to reorganization in the middle management depts. And it always causes alot of exteraneous (sp) pain. :wink1:

 

[Z15]

Carol,

If I had a surgoen like that I would not only go to a new one for the second hip, I would've gotten off the operating table and hopped off to a different operating room mid-surgery! Unless he is the only guy in the world who does a super specialized procedure that your situation HAS to have...move on. I did not go with the first OS that I met with as he seemed dismissive to me in our first 30 min mtg.

And here's the thing....both your surgeries might be pretty routine requiring no heavy conversations or big decisions...but what if they do. IS this the guy that you want to try to have a real heart to heart with?

In a pinch, you do what you have to do...but if you have options I would consider giving them a try...

and re this "somebody give me a gun so I can shoot the animal that is gnawing on my hip and knee. :arghh:"

Do not shoot your lower extremity...this type of pain can move very quickly and you will never get a clean shot....you need to use nets...
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

Z

 

[Jaycey]

Whew! Glad you're not driving yet. Can't imagine the nightmare you would have it anything happened. Insurance would find every excuse in the world to reject any claim.

 

[Pumpkin]

Hi Carol,
I am with John, if you can look into another opinion. Your current OS is a surgeon cause he can't work with people who are awake.
I had to give up my recliner, a manual one, my arms were hurting pushing it back. Now my husband is using it.
Hope you are getting some .

 

[Hagar]

Hi Carol. Please do yourself a favor and never ever go back to that OS. When I compare him to mine, I see exact polar opposites. Not being familiar with the Canadian medical system, can you make a choice when it comes to specialists? I have to believe if your OS practiced down here he would be a very hungry OS.

I love Chris' line "your OS is a surgeon because he can't work with people who are awake". And I sure hope your husband appreciates the woman he married because if he were married to my wife, well, I'll just leave it at that! After 26 years together I still call her my "beautiful bride".

As for my daughter I mentioned up thread, she is not my daughter by blood. My wife and I sort of adopted her as a young adult because she was such a sweet young lady with some challenges. We paid for her college degree as a way to pay forward and now that she has a little boy we get to be called "grandparents". She wants us to teach him how we treat each other. She wants us to be the role models as ours is the only stable marriage in his world. And we get to play with a little boy all the time. When I am hurting he can make me forget the pain in a second! When he was over here the other night I taught him how to sound like a dinosaur. His mom is going crazy with his roaring! She is NOT happy with me! BTW, his dad is not in the picture.

Keep writing as things develop, Carol. We love to read them and I suspect writing them is good therapy for you! And maybe when you are able it might be time to get your own Vanna, one built just for you. You sure earned it!

 

[Mad Rocker]

11:17 pm
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p> </o:p>
End of Day 12 POP
<o:p> </o:p>
Today is almost over. I had an I'm feeling better so I will over do it kind of day. Hopefully I paced myself enough, though. I kept it down to take a nap, do something, nap, do something else, nap, then have lunch, nap. Then in between there was the pre-nap naps (wouldn't want to get exhausted.) So hopefully I'll be OK.
<o:p> </o:p>
Really I am just pooped and I guess that is why I'm napping all the time. I know that will remedy itself but from a spending any quality time with the hubby it's just not very sociable.
<o:p> </o:p>
We managed to get the bedding stripped and washed today. (I can't remember the last time the bedding was changed at the two week mark.) I was raised that the world would come to an end as we know it if the sheets were not changed every week.
<o:p> </o:p>
I took off the dressing covering the butterfly strips on my incision. There is very little bruising so far, still swelling. I've been feeling myself up to check where the discomfort/pain is on my hip. Between the icing and elevation, things are looking pretty good. If I can con my hubby to take a photo I will see if I can figure out how to post a picture of the incision. It's only about 6 inches long and even now it's just a fine line with the staple marks showing, so far so good.

I am getting a bit of a change regarding my percocet; I have been getting 5 hours out of a dosage during the day. Not purposely I just don't need it every 4 hours. It's hard to figure out how to keep ahead of the pain when the pain is changing in its intensity and I suppose that is going to change again when my PT starts up Monday.
<o:p> </o:p>
I imagine I will be having pain med issues sooner or later concerning the number of narcotics I am on (morphine SR and percocet.) I have been off Tylenol for about 6 months due to a high ALT liver reading-171 and ibuprofen and I do not get along very well -stomach issues. I will see how things progress. I can't be the only one who cannot take Tylenol for pain.
<o:p> </o:p>
Getting ready for a nap <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Take care Everyone
<o:p> </o:p>
12:20 am
<o:p></o:p>

 

[Poppet]

Hi Carol,

Just popping by to welcome you to the other side, albeit a bit late - 12 days post op - where does the time go!

Nano naps are fantastic little treasures, take them where you can honey xoxoxoxo

 

[Jaycey]

Hi Carol - napping is good. You are catching up on much needed rest.

You may want to maintain the doses on your meds when you start PT. When you increase activity muscles may start to complain. Don't worry, you will gradually ease off just as you are doing now. You just don't want ot associate PT with pain!

 

[haldox]

Pre nap naps :th_heehee: I like that!!

When you do start PT take your meds 1/2 hour before and also important is to be vocal with the therapist. Dont do anything if the pain is great, of course you might experience some discomfort but dont push anything to the point of pain.