THR One down, one to go

[longtimechemist]

Yes, for me being off all pain medication was an amazing step after 2 years on opioids and paracetamol along with occasional ibuprofen.
Glad to hear you’re heading the same way @Redd

 

[VSlowLife]

I’m in lots of pain and on lots of painkillers. The sleeping pill last was, I think, effective but I was pretty disoriented when I woke in the night to use the bathroom and in pain, so might have been lying too long in one position.

I found it necessary to use my walker at night, rather than my cane, to be safe, waking up at night and making trips to the bathroom.

Week two I still needed pain medicine, but was able to use less than the week before.

You just made it past week one. Congratulations!

 

[Layla]

Hi @Redd
I hope you‘re having a good day and accomplishing all you planned.
Take it slow and easy with the exercises and walks. It’s the best way to avoid the dreaded ODIC (Over Did It Club)
Wishing you a relaxing, peaceful evening and overnight.

 

[Redd]

Hi @Layla ,

I’m definitely guilty of being a prime referral for the ODIC!

I set myself goals and am my own harshest taskmaster if I slack off. Did my walking and exercises again today (two walks, one of 1.5 miles, one 0.8 miles. Same as yesterday) with a view to wanting to do more next week. It did all go fine, but exhaustion hit me in the late afternoon and I ended up just dozing off on my bed and resting. Ice pack on this evening! I will try not to do my whole recovery in a day...

 

[Layla]

I will try not to do my whole recovery in a day...

 

[Redd]

I thought I’d like to share this. Apologies in advance for a long post!

Since I decided to embark on this journey, I started keeping a “hip diary”. Sort of a blog, but without anyone seeing it! I’m obviously now at the point of being able to compare having the first post surgery experience and the second.

I’m now 13 days post op. On day 14 last time I found myself in A&E with a haematoma flooding the place... tomorrow I am looking forward to staples being removed and first physio appointment (and hopefully no hospital dashes).

But for anyone else who might read this and be post first surgery, these are my reflections today:

Sunday 8th – 13 days post-op
It’s days like today that this diary comes into its own. I’m almost at the two weeks mark. I’ve just been reading the previous 13 day post-op. The night before had been, “possibly the worst one yet”. No sleep, impossible to find a restful position, pain hitting 5/6, lots of tears. My brief honeymoon period of not using a crutch was pretty much over and I was starting to need one more and more for my left leg, which kept giving way with its familiar, sickening, burst of pain. I’d reached the limits of my walking ability and, unbeknownst to me, I was about to have a terrifying night and would have to abandon the exercise bike again. It was a miserable, painful, exhausting and depressing weekend.

So where am I now?

I’m still a bit apprehensive about tomorrow. I realise there is no logical reason why, if I were to have another haematoma, it would be on the same day, but it still feels like a milestone to pass.

This time round, I’ve already abandoned (with Consultant’s blessing) the injections and I’m far better prepared for nights, thanks to my short term supply of sleeping pills. Mostly, they’re getting me through the nights. I’m generally being gifted at least five hours sleep. Once I do wake, it’s hard to get back to sleep. Discomfort and aching reasserts. But it’s a HUGE improvement on last time.

There are much bigger contrasts though. I went for a walk this morning, 1.5 miles. I’m not aiming for speed, but I am walking the routes faster. I’m working on using my crutches as balancing stabilisers and trying to allow my legs to take on more of the workload. I do ache. There’s no doubt about that. Both legs feel stiff and achey around the groin. My new incision pulls at times and, if I stumble at all, I really know about it and clutch my crutches gratefully.
But; and it’s a significant ‘but’, I can already feel that all that deep, fiery, corrosive, disintegrating, gnawing, nauseating pain has gone.

Gone.

Yes, I still hurt a lot. I still need pain relief. But THAT pain has gone. Its over.
All the osteoarthritis. Cut away.

Writing all this, makes me want to cry. But in a good way for a change!

I know. I’m only at the start of my recovery. I’m not getting carried away. There is a huge amount of healing to happen, a serious amount of work needed on my wretched, wasted muscles. I still have massive restrictions. It’s going to take months and months. The first leg is still swollen and, no other way to say it, gross and lumpy. The second leg is swollen, bruised and still stapled together. There’s still endless scope for setbacks and things to go wrong. I know that. I also know that, in these first weeks, I have to protect this new hip, clinging to its ridiculously shallow anchoring. I know all that. I’m anything but complacent. I know myself well enough to know that, even best case scenario, there are still going to be dark, frustrating, angry days. I’m also going to run out of sleeping pills soon.

But since I started tracking it last Sunday, I’ve walked nearly 18 miles. There’s that.

I’m getting stronger. I can do this.
I am doing it.

Thought I wanted to share

 

[Mojo333]

Hi @Redd
So glad to see your post and thank you for letting us share your journey.

There are definitely bumps on this recovery road (a few extra for you...hematoma being one)
I am glad you can "feel" that the bonecrunching arthritis is not part of the equation any longer...so the light is definitely going to be bright at the end.

. I went for a walk this morning, 1.5 miles.

I suppose it's good to know that you can, but this is too much too soon and is likely causing you more discomfort than it is helping.

Some very important healing is happening and your legs are injured and don't need all that energy sapped away from healing to perform.

I know. I’m only at the start of my recovery. I’m not getting carried away.

But...?

But since I started tracking it last Sunday, I’ve walked nearly 18 miles. There’s that.

This IS getting carried away, my dear friend.
You will not lose anything by giving this surgery trauma time to heal and self induced tendonitis can take months to resolve.
Please consider cutting back on the activity and I bet you'll see that less really will mean more.

Hope the rest of your day...and week, is peaceful and easy.

 

[Layla]

Writing all this, makes me want to cry.

Reading your words made me emotional...I haven’t forgotten those feelings and hope I never will. It keeps my heart soft, empathetic and compassionate toward others.
I’m betting there are many of us who have experienced your feelings. Along with the apprehension there is the appreciation for the second chance we’re given. For many, there is a moment in time when you really contemplate and soak it all in. I’ve mentally captured my moment in time, storing it in my memory bank to re-visit whenever I choose.

Since all is going well, please consider slowing down a tad. Obviously it’s a personal choice, but PT really isn’t necessary this early on. Walking IS the best form of exercise, but not to excess. I’d hate to see you stall your recovery so please ponder taking it a bit slower.

Thanks for sharing today.
Wishing you a wonderful Sunday and week to come.

 

[Redd]

Hi @Mojo333 and @Layla,

I’m reflecting on your wise and kind counsel about activity level. You’re probably right. I’m prone to being very goal focused and I hate feeling like I’m failing; I did feel like I was failing last time. There’s also other stuff going on in my life which isn’t great, so I suppose I’m trying to get in control of at least this. I will work on being kinder to my body and my self!

Along with the apprehension there is the appreciation for the second chance we’re given.

Yes. I’ve definitely had a moment of thinking I’ve been given a second chance. Released. It’s almost overwhelming.

Please consider cutting back on the activity and I bet you'll see that less really will mean more.

I will take this to heart. And you’ll be pleased to know that, this afternoon, I’ve only been building the Lego international space station with my son!

 

[Mojo333]

I know you want to be all right, do this right...so glad you know that I only want the best for you.
Doing Nothing can be hard.
I tend to learn all my lessons the Hard Way.

Time is the greatest healer.
Healing Mojo coming your way!

 

[Layla]

Hello @Redd,
A couple anniversaries to shout out....
Happy Four Month, Righty!
Happy One Month, Lefty!
I hope you’re enjoying progress. Please take good care to stay safe and well.
Hugs!

 

[Layla]

Happy Five Months to Righty and Happy Two Months to Lefty!
I hope you’re doing well and thriving during these crazy days of the pandemic.
We’d love to hear how both hips are doing if you have time to share.
Stay safe, well and enjoy the weekend!
@Redd

 

[Layla]

Hi @Redd
It’s that time of month again, Happy Anniversary! Six months, righty, and three for lefty.
Hopefully you’re enjoying steady progress.