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Other hip replaced!

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Well it's Sunday and I spent a huge amount of time sleeping yesterday and expect to do the same today. I am guilt-free about it though, I think the big drugs are having a major effect, Gabapentin and Oxycontin, but they finish tomorrow and I'll just be on paracetamol after that which is fine. Hopefully my attention span, approximately that of a gnat, will improve and I can get down to some serious reading. The bruising has appeared at last and a lovely purplish colour is travelling down the back of my leg, it was the front last time. I like the colour though, it reminds me of Jenny Joseph's poem "When I am old.." which a friend very thoughtfully (?) had framed as a 50th birthday gift for me! If you haven't read it, it's a hoot and I will take some ideas from it!

The sun is shining, so more outside walking today. :yay:
 
Catherine, glad you are getting the rest you need. Very important at this stage.

It's a bit early to be trying to control you pain with just paracetamol. Be sure and contact your GP if you start to get breakthrough pain.
 
Will do. I thought it was a little odd, as last time I was discharged with Tramadol too. However the nursing staff and pharmacist discussed this and it was decided not to use it this time. I will make sure that I ask the GP for this if necessary, it worked last time. We'll see how paracetamol works initially. Sleepy again! I must have spent 18 hours a day so far in a semi-conscious state. Night!:sleep:
 
Oh too funny Catherine! I googled that poen as I hadn't heard of it before. I had to laugh as a few months back there was a photo in our local paper of "The Ladies of the Red Hat Society".

I didn't know what the event was until now...and they all wore very stately purple suits and white gloves! And nobody matched, it was all of their own choosing. What a hoot :th_heehee: ...

And don't fret about the sleeping. It is your body's natural way of healing. Go with the flow as they say, but I do agree with Jaycey about needing more adequate pain relief. Just to have on hand, just in case.
 
Glad you enjoyed the poem and it made you laugh. Friends (?) also bought me a purple walking top and purple socks. At first I thought they were fed up with seeing me out on the hills in black - I do wear black all the time - until I unwrapped a red knitted and furry pull-on hat!. I had the last laugh though, my waterproof jacket is red and matched perfectly! Hat is not in the best possible taste I hasten to add.

I love the idea of the ladies in the paper. Tempted to join? :th_heehee:
 
Well done Catherine!

Like you I've had both hips replaced - right THR Dec 11th 2010 (on my birthday!) & left THR on May 7th 2011 Both done within 5 months.
Feeling great with no pain in either hip, 6 week check up with surgeon tomorrow so fingers crossed everythings OK & he'll give go ahead to start driving again
Occasionally overdone it with being on feet too long but nothing I can't handle.
So glad I went ahead with 2nd op.

3 weeks after my 1st THR my daughter got swine flu really bad & came to stay with me for a week, totally bedridden. My GP nearly had kittens as I hadn't had the flu jab, he stayed at the surgery after it closed so hubby could drive me round & get it as soon as he got home from work - he was so worried about the infection risk after major surgery + I've got low immunity due to RA meds. Luckily I didn't get it even though daughter was throwing up constantly - said I must have the constitution of an ox!

I think having a positive attitude makes a lot of difference & also being sensible about what you can & can't do, & trying not to overdo things too soon after the op.
Am wanting to visit family in Canada soon but will take advice from surgeon about flights first - 8 hours on the plane + 2 hrs driving to airport + 1hr drive at other end makes for a long time sitting down! May have to put it off for a while.
 
Day 8

Finally off some of the drugs. Although I had Gabapentin for the last replacement, I am happy to have finished the final dose over 24 hours ago. I had a very weird experience this time, almost flu-like in terms of wobbliness and a sense of great depression. Not me at all. I am managing on one crutch around the house and feeling a lot calmer and focused today. Some not good stuff personally,so that might be part of it, but coping. I just wish this infernal weather would dry up! I hate being confined indoors because of the rain, I may just have to root out the waterproofs if this carries on.

New hip feels really good and can weight bear to about 70-80% to stand and cook, iron etc. Very strong (new!) right hip helps. I'm not so weary during the day now, but still retiring very early. Actually did some studying today, good to rediscover a focused brain. :yahoo:
 
Hallo, Catherine,

Great to hear you are doing so well with your second. I always admire how you younger people are so philosophical about having to be messed about in this way at such a comparatively young age. Let's hope all mends well so that you can resume what was an extremely active life.

You deserve your success. Many happy years of walking and other things are before you, I hope.

All the best, Alan
 
Good report!!! You're progressing!
 
2 week update

I am going to feel very guilty writing this as there are so many people who are experiencing pain and frustration during their recovery, however....

Last week, 2 days after the last Gabapentin, I came off the Oxycontin (both by the way as prescribed and finished). 36 hours later I experienced one of the withdrawl symptoms of coming off an opiate - dreadful runs! My hospital pharmacy does not issue the leaflets with prescriptions, so I had to Google what was happening to me - thought I had picked up some horrendous tummy bug. On Thursday I had my first really long walk on one crutch - made it there and back and iced and rested the rest of the day. I have only been prescribed paracetamol now and I have to admit that on Thursday night I thought I might need something stronger (I had Tramadol last time). But I slept reasonably well and on Friday ventured a little further and caught the bus to Dundee, where I met a friend for lunch and got my hair done - they let me put my feet up on a chair for the 2 hours it took to remove all the grey!
Very tired Friday night, but again a decent, if short sleep, and Saturday walked into town and met my best friend for coffee. I walked back again (at least a 1 mile round trip) and repeated the rest, ice cycle. On Sunday a friend picked me up, had more coffee, but importantly used my flowery stick for the first time on this hip - brilliant. Discovered later that without thinking I was using the stairs alternately.

Today, did my walk to the bus and back into Dundee (stick only), shopped, met a friend and did the journey in reverse. I am managing after all on paracetamol and I am quite happy as I don't want a repeat of the stomach problems.

The swelling this time has been confined to a large left hip 'love handle', although a friend suggested I might be harbouring an alien - and that any minute, as in the film, some weird creature would burst forth! However it has reduced considerably, so much so as to allow me back into my skinniest jeans! Last time my weight soared, I gained over a stone, this time I have gained very little, in fact at 9st 9lb, I'm the lightest I've been. It's probably a combination of a loss of appetite (another side effect at the beginning) and my stomach irritations. I am certainly healing (outwardly) very quickly and this is a very different experience to last time.

Although I am looking forward to driving again, I have enjoyed the challenge of getting to the bus and then the journey into the city. So same again tomorrow for a retirement presentation at school.

As I said, I feel a little guilty, but this is the stage I was at at about 4 weeks last time, don't know why! Long may it continue!
 
Catherine you certainly should not feel the least bit guilty about feeling good! Well done on all your trips and adventures. You are seeing the benefits of this surgery - freedom from pain.

So glad you can get on with life!
 
I agree, Catherine!!! We all enjoy hearing of a BoneSmartie's successes. You are doing really well and have every reason to be thrilled!! Keep up the great recovery.
 
Fantastic both of you! And that dear girls is the way it should be. It just validates what a mess I trully am.

However, don't apologize or feel guilty...:yahoo:You go girls! Well done, by both you and your surgeons.
 
3 week update

I have been really positive about this recovery so far, I am now walking without aids, can lift my operated side to get my knickers on (!), I am driving and the swelling is rapidly disappearing. Uneven scar lengths, but they are very fine looking scars.

On a not so positive note, last week I began to experience bleeding from the bowel which was a little bit scary. :what: Not one to procrastinate, I made an appointment with the GP who examined me (will the indignities of this year ever stop?!:blush:) and has referred me for blood tests and an endoscopy. She is concerned as I appear to be anaemic and have lost too much weight in a post-surgery situation. The appointment will take about 2-4 weeks, but I'm hoping it might just be a combination of a reaction to blood thinners and stress and nothing sinister. My sons are away during the school summer holidays, one with his dad in France and the other in London working. This is the first summer I have spent at home in many years and it takes a little getting used to, my husband and I recently separated and I haven't quite got used to my own company yet. In the next couple of weeks I hope to be fit enough to take the car and explore a little more of Scotland and get some walking done. By then it might just have stopped raining. It is torrential today!
 
Hallo, Catherine,

It's amazing how you come across on here so cheery and positive, in view of all the stuff you have had to put up with, not only the double hip replacement, but a relationship breakdown, and now another worrying medical condition. I hope and believe you have the courage to face some more, but you really don't deserve these troubles.

My wife was a huge factor in my facing my operation and recovery and I shudder to think how I might have been if I were without her.

Thanks, by the way, for your tip about music whilst swimming. Still debating that one. I don't really get on with encumbrances whilst swimming, goggles, yes, so that I can avoid collisions without getting eyes sore. I don't even care all that much for trunks, but needs must since others infinitely prefer my bottom in a covered state. Mountain streams and tarns are my favourites. In summer.

Lots of best wishes and support,

Alan
 
Catherine, sorry to hear you are having additional problems on top of your THR! Fingers crossed it is nothing big! Please do update us.
 
Hi Catherine,
So sorry to learn you are having extra problems on top of the second THR which is going so well. And that you have been subjected to more idignities as a result!

I'm hoping that the new health worries are down to stress, having two major ops in a short space of time, blood thinners (and perhaps constipation...?).

And I really empathise on being able to get your knickers on again.:wink1:

Keep strong and I hope all goes well for you. :thumb:

Suzie
 
4 week update

Lots of positives over the past week:

  • Over the weekend did 2 walks around our loch of two and a half miles without my stick or a walking pole. Slight limp towards the end, but overall really good and enjoyable
  • Swelling almost gone and bruising fading
  • Scar healing well
  • Got walking boots on and off and laces done up from a seated position on the back step
  • Took some lovely evening dresses to the tailor and got pinned into them for alteration
  • Raised toilet seats now in the garage for uplifting!
  • Had a scented bath with music and candles - very girly!
  • Elder son having a ball on his first internship with a London Law Firm
  • Younger (nearly 15) son travelled to France independently via 2 flights and took it all in his stride. Now having a ball with friends on the beach and surfing
  • Eating what I want when I want!
  • Planning a trip next week

Not so positive things:

  • A bit lonely at the weekends when everyone is busy with family stuff
  • Missing my boys
  • Not having anywhere to wear the altered dresses - yet!
  • Need some sun.
  • The weather!
  • Weight still a little low - despite eating what I want when I want!


My recovery is still progressing really well and this week I'm going to keep busy with dead heading in the garden and staining the garden shed. I've also put it off long enough, so I'm going to have to go into school and sort out the cupboards in my classroom! If things continue smoothly, I'm going to throw the tent and rucksack in the car and head north next week for a little light walking (with poles!).

I haven't posted in the past week on anyone else's areas, but I have been reading the wide range of successes and difficulties that people are experiencing, everyone is getting such excellent advice and support from all the 'smarties' out there. I am hoping to be a little more proactive in my own support for everyone, I have just found it a little difficult as my emotions are still all over the place!.:dev-godseesaw:

Stay healthy everyone. :flowerysmile:
 
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