Pre-surgery glitches

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prairienut

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I am finally emotionally ready for my RTHR on Thursday (thanks in part to this forum) but have a few small problems that I hope do not derail things. Firstly, I got a splinter in my heel from our wood floor. I pulled it out but I think a tiny piece may still in there. I'm inclined to just leave it there rather than dig it out and cause a bloody mess. It's possible there's no splinter remaining anyway. I figure it can be dealt with later if it becomes a problem. it is not red or inflamed at this point.

The other glitch is that I acquired a mild upper respiratory virus. It is very mild causing just a runny nose and a slightly sore throat. I can still breathe easily through my nose. I called the OS's office and the nurse said that as long as I don't have a fever or chest congestion I should show up Thursday morning and be evaluated at that time. I am getting a spinal with sedation so maybe this is not as big an issue as with general anesthesia. Is there anyone out there who caught a cold just before surgery? How was it handled?
Gail
 
0h Gail! You so don't want to have this THR....we get it!
Get a tweezer! Get a face mask if need be!
Lock yourself in a room for the next day and a half,,,,
Drink tea, load up on anti oxidents. & stop torturing yourself already!!!! :)
 
Gail, try not to let these minor things get to you. It just doesn't pay to worry about things that are out of your control - like how fast a cold will get better. Believe me, everyone involved in your surgery wants you to have it on schedule as much as you do and they will do everything possible to make that happen. I really feel like you're going to be just fine for surgery on Thursday. Have a glass of wine or a nice cup of tea and just relax. Soon you'll be on the recovery side!!
 
Hi, thanks for the suggestions. I do feel pretty relaxed right now -- actually more relaxed than I have been for most of the last 6 weeks. I plan on ignoring the possible splinter. The cold remains very mild. I am now thinking about what comfortable clothes to wear. It would seem that sweat pants and a roomy knit top would be the right thing. I even have elastic laces for my sneakers. I have some yummy dinners prepared and stashed in the freezer. Also, friends have offered to bring in food. One friend is going to be at the hospital on Thursday to keep my hubby company. Very nice of her as she has her own sciatica problems she is dealing with.

Think I'll brew up some nice hot tea....
Gail
 
Gail, sounds like you are all prepared. I would make sure all your pj's are washed and ready for you when you get home -you will be living in them for a little while :)
 
Gail,

Don't ignore the splinter, it's not a good time to risk any possible infections. Let your OS see the splinter if you don't get it out by Thursday.

It's allergy season, so lots of people are sniffling now. I have a secret to cure yourself of seasonal allergies. I accidentally got hooked on "Visine A", making it part of my morning routine, then I discovered that ever since I started using it, I no longer get allergies. 4-years now no allergies! I used to get allergies every year, that would start with the itchy eyes and throat, then turn into a full respiratory infection. I haven't gotten sick at all in over 4 years now. I know it's the "Visine A" antihstamines.

Hop
 
Hop! You are so funny!!! How did you "accidentally"
Get hooked on Visine A????
Gail! Quick!!! Send someone out tonite!! :)
 
I am blessed with not having seasonal allergies, so this is definitely a bug I have, but as I said, it is very mild at this point and I don't think it is going to get worse. Just a feeling. I am hitting the sack early tonight.

Soaking the splinter is a good idea. I got most of it out at the time it happened, but if there is a tiny piece still in there it will expand and soften and be easier to see/remove. So far, there's no sign of redness, and it seems less sore today.

A friend of mine just called to wish me well on Thursday. He is having a THR at the Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC in a couple of weeks. I think he is a little envious I am having mine done before him. He works in NYC and needs to walk up and down those looong subway stairways. This has been getting harder and harder for him. He will be very happy with a new hip.

We enjoyed the fine spring weather today. Can't wait to get back to gardening. I have some plants arriving this week so hubby will have to put them in the ground with me pointing out where they go.

Thanks to everyone who responded.
Gail
 
Hop, have you been to an eye doctor since making Visine-A a daily habit? A few years back, I used it all the time and the eye doctor said it was damaging my eye and that it should only be used occasionally. I can't remember what it was doing but he advised me NOT to use it on a daily basis. Maybe you can read the advisory that comes with the package. I don't mean to scare you but it's true, it can become addictive!

Good luck on Thursday Gail!
 
Well done Gail....you'll be dancing down the hallway before too long. I too am sporting a bit of a cold (very minor) but I also have a low grade fever...I'm paranoid its something thats going to hang around....Even though Ive had my teeth checked I can't help think its something there even though I don't have any symptoms to talk of. ....
Please get that splinter out!... numerous times my kids have had splinters that have gone green and disgusting....you don't want that to travel to your sparkling clean hip! A clean small wound is better than an infected one!....at the very least mention it to the doctor...if he doesn't think its an issue he'll ignore it....if he thinks it is ....well wouldn't you rather avoid a revision because of a splinter?
best wishes
Rachel
 
I very much doubt it'll be an issue. Point it out to the surgeon but otherwise I wouldn't worry about it.
 
G'morning, all! Cold seems to be resolving. Just a little congestion but not blocked up, no cough. Soaked my heel last night. No redness at splinter site this morning and almost no soreness. Doing some last minute laundry, especially PJs. Selected my fashion statement for going to the hospital -- a fun Sydney-inspired sweatshirt my Australian sister gave me years ago and navy sweat pants. Today, I will make one more batch of soup to freeze for the rehab period. I'm ready!
Gail
 
Good for you, Gail!!! You'll be "on the other side" before
You know it!! :)
 
Come to think of it.... I'm very hoarse this
Morning!.....lots of this upper respiratory
Infection going around! :( So hang in there!!!
 
G'morning, all! Cold seems to be resolving. Just a little congestion but not blocked up, no cough. Soaked my heel last night. No redness at splinter site this morning and almost no soreness. Doing some last minute laundry, especially PJs. Selected my fashion statement for going to the hospital -- a fun Sydney-inspired sweatshirt my Australian sister gave me years ago and navy sweat pants. Today, I will make one more batch of soup to freeze for the rehab period. I'm ready!
Gail

Gayle it's almost Thursday already in my corner of the world so I just want to wish you all the very best and let you know I will be thinking of you! Can't wait to hear from you afterwards! Stay positive! :)

P.S. That "Sydney" sweatshirt sounds interesting! :)

Peta
 
Gail,

You sound great! So, stay the course, relax and try not to think about anything negative...We all will be thinking of you!

All the best
Carol
 
My surgery time is 9AM tomorrow. I show up at admitting at 7AM. Still a little sniffly but not too bad. I will post on the hip recovery forum when I get back home probably Monday and let you all know how it went.

Thanks so much for all the support I received from this forum. I just made a donation to the site so it can continue to help others.
Gail
 
Best of good luck tomorrow! You'll be hiking again
Before you know it! :)
 
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