THR Not again?

[sunnyphoenix]

Hello everyone,

I just wanted to express gratitude to the universe and my surgeon, and to whomever developed the process for replacing hips that don't work anymore. I woke this morning, stood up from my recliner where I slept, grabbed my walker, and again realized that there was no pain. During the ten days since my thr there has been so little pain and I am so blessed. I keep thinking that had I been born and lived before replacement surgery there wouldn't have been many resources of treatment. I guess people simply had to tolerate the pain, even when it was so bad they were tempted to chew off their own legs. Okay, I exaggerate but for me the hip pain was a lot worse than knee pain, which explains my big smile as I was pushed into the operating room. "They're going to fix this problem!"

I hope you all are having a good day and can find at least one blessing in your life.

 

[sunnyphoenix]

Two and a half hours until time for PT and I'm dreading it already. The sessions aren't bad, especially since I learned to say, "No, that hurts" or "If I do this I know I'll have pain later from it." This doesn't mean I'm refusing to do 90% of the exercises, more like 5-10%, including those awful "heel slides." Generally I'm willing to try something, especially if it's a new routine, and so far I've left PT pain-free. I think what I hate is that they scheduled me three time a week and every day is a different time and with a different person, so I have to stay alert to my schedule. I also hate anything that can be called "exercise" because of the exercises I had to do as a child to recover from polio. Just the word makes me cringe! On the other hand, when I find something I enjoy doing, such as walking without pain, I don't consider it exercise. Sometimes I even like to go to our area gym (free onsite for those of us living in this "old people's community) and mess around with various machines, Again, not exercise because I get to choose the machine, the action, the length of time, the intensity, etc. Maybe I have a control issue?

On happy thing about this PT. I tried to cancel my appointment for Friday, May 12th because I'm seeing my surgeon's PA that day for staple removal and figured that was enough attention for the day. I found that I was never scheduled for the 12th, or the 10th, or next Monday the 15th. Apparently the scheduler let her finger slide from Monday the 8th down the screen to Wednesday the 17th so I get a one-week reprieve. My plan is to work really hard at home and make progress and maybe convince this love of my life that I don't need PT. I've mentioned before that the only reason I'm going is to please him because he's so convinced I need it. A small part of me thinks it might be helpful, especially building strength in my knee, but if I can make both him and me happy without being bossed around by "experts" who are my grandchildren's ages, life would be better.

It's been a good weekend. My grandson, granddaughter-in-law, and four-year-old great-granddaughter visited yesterday and my man cooked a complete spaghetti and meatball dinner for us. When we finished eating I insisted that everything be left where it was except for food that needed to be refrigerated. Call me crazy but there's nothing I like better than to get up early the day after a party and face a mess in the kitchen and clean it up by myself. I was raised that cleaning everything as soon as the meal ends is rude while your guests sit there watching. I prefer socializing with them while they're with me and I prefer to clean alone without help. That said, I got up at 6 AM and loaded the dishwasher and washed/dried/put away three quarters of the pots and pans. One section of the counter has a few things left (plastic - not dishwasher-proof) which I'll do shortly My legs said to sit down (plus my pot of coffee was brewed) so I listened.

Have a great day and look for a reason to smile!

 

[djklaugh]

@sunnyphoenix Control issue? Yup! This time YOU are in control - your body, your new knee and hip - so you get to set the limits. Yes PT will help with getting all parts back to correct functioning but that can be done in a gentle manner. You have hired the PT folks and you pay them (whether that is out of pocket or insurance you are the "employer" of these services!) So do not let anyone push new joints to the point of pain! And what ever you want to call the activities at the gym and elsewhere - who cares what that's called as long as you are having fun!

 

[MissFanny]

You’re amazing! I can’t believe you were up at 6 am doing all that!

I agree with listening to your body and being in control of your PT. One of my friends had a knee replacement and she had PT 3x/week for an hour and a half at a time. She told me she often left in tears and I thought, “No small wonder!” I did PT for a few weeks after round one and I asked my girl about that. She said the max they schedule is 2x/week for 40 minutes. I guess all of these places have their own philosophies on what is right!

I hope you find a good balance for you! You sound like you’re doing very well for so early in recovery.

 

[Layla]

including those awful "heel slides.

Wondering if you've tried the heel slides by placing a plastic bag underneath your heel, making it easier, but still providing the desired movement....something to consider if you haven't already.

I also hate anything that can be called "exercise" because of the exercises I had to do as a child to recover from polio. Just the word makes me cringe!

How about calling it therapy, or conditioning, or health / wellness movement instead of exercise.

I think what I hate is that they scheduled me three time a week and every day is a different time and with a different person, so I have to stay alert to my schedule.

Because you really don't need PT right now, consider cancelling all scheduled appointments, then re-schedule for a time and day of the week that works best for you. Even if it means you have to wait a few weeks to get on the schedule. Possibly in that time your partner will realize that you are progressing well without PT.

In reality, it is your body and your recovery and you know what's best for you. PT may not be for you, as it's not for many others. Especially if it's difficult for you to take direction from an authority figure younger than you, in their field of expertise. PT sounds like more of a stressor for you than anything.

Such a wonderful weekend you had! Sharing a meal and time with loved ones is the best medicine.
Glad you enjoyed. A great week to you!

 

[sunnyphoenix]

Update: I actually had a good PT session (find it strange to use "good" and "PT" in the same sentence). I worked with the same therapist as I did last Monday and he said, 'You told me your goal was to be able to walk unassisted, right? I think you're ready to get started." He had me walk forward and backward the length of the metal bar, holding onto it lightly with my right hand, then brought me a cane, and when I walked with it, he told me I was doing really well. I was then encouraged to use my cane around the house. Such good news! Do you know it's difficult to carry a cup of hot coffee when navigating with a walker? I now have a free hand. Yah me!

 

[sunnyphoenix]

Quick question out of curiosity: occasionally I feel a little pinprick sensation at the incision site. It usually goes away on its own after a second or two, while other times it continues until I change position. Could this be the staples pulling? It's not very painful but enough to be noticeable and of course I'm curious. Otherwise, I continue being pain-free and haven't needed Tylenol for the past three days, nor Percocet for a week. I am SO grateful. I think my body is saying, "Thank-you for taking care of me so the pain could go away." Again, great gratitude that hip replacement surgery exists!

 

[MissFanny]

Yes, I got those feelings when I had staples. I felt like they began to get tight. Also, I noticed that if I bent a little at the waist.

 

[Gloucestergal65]

I did too, even after the staples were removed. I think some of it might be the nerves regenerating.

 

[Mojo333]

@sunnyphoenix
Just catching up on the forum and pleased to see you are doing so well.
I also think along with the incision tightness, that those little pinpricks are likely nerves.
I had some strange zips and zaps come seemingly out of nowhere...
Quite intense at times, but fleeting...thankfully.
All normal!

Hope your Wednesday is easy peasy.
Keep chilling

 

[sunnyphoenix]

Well, one of the things I dreaded most, perhaps even more than the surgery itself, was having my staples removed. It hurt a lot last year when coming out of my knee and I fluctuated between wanting to ask for general anesthesia and rationalizing that the whole process would last fewer than ten minutes and could be survived. My appointment was at 8:15 this morning, we arrived at 7:45, and I was seen by the P.A. at 8:00. He took off the bandage in one fell swoop, causing some tickling, then after saying everything looked great, he called his M.A, into the room to remove the staples. She had it done in fewer than five minutes and it wasn't anywhere near as bad as I had remembered from my knee. I think it helped that she talked the whole time, taking my mind off the teeny pricks. Steri-strips and I'm good to go with no more worries, just a focus on walking with my cane and learning to live my best life.

I know, I know, worry is useless, but it gives me a chance to laugh at myself later, just as I'm doing now!

 

[MissFanny]

Glad to read it wasn’t as bad as with the knee! My first time, it didn’t hurt a bit. Just little twinges. This time, I had a sensitive area that hurt but it was over quickly.

Cheers to living your best life!

 

[Gloucestergal65]

@sunnyphoenix With you on living our best lives.

 

[myglasshalffull]

I usually don't have issues with having stitches or staples removed, I'd say it's more like a pin prick sensation and most likely depends on what body part has had the surgery.
I thought a couple of them being removed hurt a little more than the others but we also we chatting entire time so that certainly helps, and it feels so much better once they are out.

 

[KittensMom]

I had your typical sutures not staples and also get those pin prick pains from time to time, so my bet is on the nerves

On the subject of them being removed / removal of the original dressing in general, I was totally expecting pain and gore I had a very bad burn on my leg when I was a kid, and the daily change of the dressing still haunts me to this day. I was really relieved that this one was so uneventful!

 

[Layla]

Happy One Month Anniversary!
I hope your recovery is going well.
Enjoy the holiday weekend and let us know how you're doing as time allows.
@sunnyphoenix

 

[MissFanny]

Happy one month, @sunnyphoenix! I hope you are still enjoying a rockstar recovery.

 

[sunnyphoenix]

Good morning all,

I've been lax about coming to this site and writing, maybe because things are going so well. One week after surgery I spent three hours (except for two 10-minute sit-downs) in a furniture store, using my wonderful upright walker. The following week I walked through our grocery store using my cane and the next week I did Home Depot. This past Saturday we made it to Costco and again I maneuvered just fine with my cane. Around the house I've been practicing a bit of walking without the cane but find it psychologically challenging, as though my mind wants that little bit of support.

Last week I had no PT after cancelling my Monday and Wednesday sessions. When asked the reason I said, "I can't lie. I just don't feel like coming." Then on Friday they needed to reschedule to later in the day at a time I wasn't available so my next appointment will be tomorrow for re-evaluation, and I'm resigning thereafter. The exercises are starting to be repetitive and boring, nothing I can't do at home. I realized I was experiencing too much stress about going to PT and believing it wasn't needed. As of this coming Friday I've been approved to go into the pool so will do that often, completing water exercises as I did after my knee surgery.

All in all this hip replacement has been a piece of cake. The only med I took during the past three weeks was the twice-daily 81 mg aspirin and it was a struggle to remember it because I don't have any other meds for anything. Percocet wasn't needed past the first week and during the past three I've taken one dose of two Tylenol. I simply can't believe the lack of pain, swelling, discomfort, and other challenges, but am truly grateful that I've been blessed with an easy time.

Something I find fun and interesting is looking for the steri-strips that have been slowly falling off. It's similar to an Easter egg hunt.

That's my update. Life is good and I can honestly say (as I could have done from day one) that I have no regrets about this surgery. It took me a full ten months before I could say that about my knee because it was painful and challenging and because I blamed my knee surgery for making my hip pain begin after it had been totally absent since 2009. Poor knee - it wasn't his fault but still . . . .

I hope everyone is enjoying this long weekend and remembering the reason for it.

 

[Jaycey]

@sunnyphoenix Sounds like you are one of the lucky few who breeze through this recovery. I am sure you will continue to see improvement and get more and more confident walking unaided. For now, carry an aid with you and use it if needed. Still very early days in a process that can take 12 months or longer.

 

[Layla]

Happy Two Month Anniversary!
I hope you're still doing well and enjoying the Summer.
Take good care!
@sunnyphoenix