THR Rainbow Hippy on the other side!

[LibraryLynn]

@souldancer your initial journey sounds a great deal like mine. I do not recall this but my husband and friend who were in my room when I was brought in said I kept repeating "it hurts, it hurts". Husband said they put something in my iv and I settled down, but I don't recall it al all. I had general anesthesia. Once completely awake, my pain was 1-2.
I fought my way through the first couple of weeks. I had a meltdown the night I came home from the hospital because I couldn't get my surgical leg into bed. It was pretty monumental, but with hubby's help, I got it sorted. I was on oxy, one sometimes two 5 mg every four hours. If I got behind, I turned into a toddler again. There were a lot of tears during my recovery. Emotionally I was not a star. Thank heavens for Bonesmart because everyone here kept me afloat.
I started with PT the day after I arrived home. I know hips don't need a lot to get better, but my PT helped me on many levels. Once I was able to go into the pool, it was even better. Plus, my PT person was a counselor as well as a PT person for me. She's a former student of mine, and we worked together in the past, so I was incredibly grateful for her. The only thing we did that caused me pain were her iron thumb massages to my sore spasming muscles.
I know not everyone is a believer, but I found great success with acupuncture and cupping. My acupuncturist is also a gem, and I have been seeing her once a week since week 6. She has been great help with my muscle issues.
I'm gearing up for hip 2 on Friday, so we will be hip buddies. It DOES get better. It does.

 

[souldancer]

8th day of Recovery.

Today was a good day. I did walker yoga with my husband. Modified
greatly but I loosened up enough to use the cane mostly with the walker immediately after I
got up from a seated position. Iced a lot to help with swelling around the knee. Am now
getting bruises around knee and top of knee and calf area too. But not on the thigh yet.

I am having a nurse coming tues at 10am to assess me and see what type of physical
therapy would be best. I am hopeful that I will not have much more to do than what I
have been already doing. I managed the 19 steps twice today with no pauses or rests.
Slooow and steady.

@LibraryLynn - I still feel that I have lots more pain than I expected from reading other threads.
But I realized I'm a whimp and upped the pain meds. I too hope to swim after my 2 week follow
up with OS if my incision is healed. I swam before and thank goodness because it really helped
strengthen me otherwise I think I would be worse off for sure.

 

[souldancer]

9th day of Recovery

Finally took off the TEDS compression stockings-hospital said to have on for 10 days. Lots of
bruising around the inside and back of the knee. Some bruising over knee and running into the
calf area in front and back. Bruising under ankle bones both inside and outside. That's why I
have been super sore, tight and aching around mid thigh to below knee! New pain since
yesterday with the first day of PT-sharp, shooting directly into the middle of butt, almost like
sciatic pain, hmmmm.....

Yesterday the home health nurse said she couldn't believe I was up and moving around, she
did her assessment and cleared me to have home physical therapy.

Physical Therapist was good and gave me more exercises to do. Along with letting me know that
I was on cane too soon go back to walker and learn to walk properly. Which means pushing the
walker not putting some much weight down. She will be back thursday to review the stretches
she gave me and also to walk on the sidewalk in front of my home. I have to admit I thought
I was walking enough inside of house, along with going up and down 19 steps at least once but
apparently not so. So did some walker yoga, walked around backyard and did the following:

So 4 Sets of 10 each or 40 total Lying Down:

Ankles Flex Up and Down, circles both directions
Pushing back of knee to the floor (quad stretches) hold and release 5-10 seconds
Butt Squeezes (clenching gluts) hold and release 5-10 seconds
Quadriceps Extension (pillow under knee) straighten leg hold and release 5-10 seconds *very difficult for me*
Bridge (pillow under both knees and lift butt up) hold and release 5-10 seconds
Knee to Chest (slide heel up on floor towards butt) **very, very difficult for me**
Leg Abduction (slide straight leg as far out to side as possible) keeping knee and toes pointing up

4 Sets of 10 each or 40 total Standing Up:

Calf Raises (standing up on balls of feet) hold and release 5-10 seconds
Chair Pose (in yoga, partially sitting down, bending at knees and sticking butt out) hold & release 5-10 seconds
Extend straight leg back (leg extensions) alternate legs, hold & release 5-10 seconds
Abduct straight leg to the side (move laterally) alternate legs, hold & release 5-10 seconds
March in Place **very difficult for me to lift operated right knee**
Hamstring Extension (heels towards the butt) alternate **very, very difficult for me**

So all in all only 4 stretches that I have lots of difficulty doing and will use as a barometer
of my progression.

I have also upped the painkillers due to more activity and keep my fingers crossed that it will
be tolerable for me.

By this afternoon I was exhausted and gladly took a nap. So now off for a shower and bed.

 

[Great Aunt Janet]

Hi @souldancer - yup, same with bruising in places on back of thigh as well as across front down into groin, and my ankle was really uncomfortable (wondered if they had hung me up during surgery!) for the first 10 days or so. Now (at day 16) ankle is much better, rainbow bruising is fading - still strongest in groin for some reason. Your exercise regime is inspiring me - have I been too kind to myself? Hamstring extension - ohh, sounds like it will hurt.
I can also report that sleeping is getting better so I hope that is the same for you too. Sounds like you are going really well and working hard!

 

[sunbunny]

@souldancer i am so impressed with your recovery. Sending you

 

[souldancer]

@Great Aunt Janet - Weird how the bruising took almost a full week before showing up. It is
gradually going way. I think the PT is a bit much. Yesterday I did all the PT along with going up
and down the stairs at least 4 times and I am feeling it today.

@sunbunny - Thanks for the wows, I'm needing it today as I am feeling very discouraged.
I woke up feeling the blues and teary eyed. I didn't want to get out of bed today.

 

[souldancer]

11th Day of Recovery:

Feeling the dreaded blues! Woke up discouraged and teary eyed. I am stiff, sore, achy and
wondering what the heck was I thinking! Managed to get myself out of bed but plan on just
sitting with my legs elevated and icing. I'm cutting the PT in half and leaving the stairs alone.

 

[wcgirl]

Chin up @souldancer, is this the 2-3wk post op blues? Here's a shout out to you down in the great state of Florida, the place where all those Snowbirds from New England needed to be most especially this winter! Enjoy the summer sunshine, heat & humidity, and afternoon wonderful thunderboomers, the ones that just bounce you right of of bed! Maybe a little music will perk you up, and none of that boo hoo sloppy stuff about lost dogs & broken down trucks, just some happy toe tapping, shoulder pumping, head nodding, 'want to get up and dance' kind of songs that you know you'll be groovin' to in so many months that you haven't been able to do in forever!
Sounds like a day off might be in the cards for you today! Hope it's joyful.
My scheduling is around my niece's wedding in July when I hope I can at least wiggle on the dance floor.
What are you looking forward to this summer? ??

 

[sunbunny]

@souldancer hope you are better now. Pt is due here any minute.....not looking forward to it at all. But I had a good morning. Kind of sinking now.

 

[craftdee]

Good thinking @souldancer cutting the PT in half... and if that's not enough cut it in half again - or cut it out altogether! Remember hips really don't need much PT to get better, walking is the best and not even too much of that! It is very easy to overdo it and hard to get back from the overdone place, so just be kind to yourself :cool:

The blues are pretty awful aren't they... and not helped (oddly) by everybody around you telling you how well you're doing for only x number of days out. Now of course you KNOW it' true, but you sometimes just ain't feelin' it, is all.. Hope today is a better day, it is a roller coaster this recovery ride.. you've had a dip now you're due a high. Here's a hug coz sometimes that's all you really need, and to hear that someone else knows.... really been-there-done-that KNOWS what you're going through

Donna

 

[copsham]

11 days post op - what you need is TLC (tender loving care). Just sleep, rest, read and wallow . It really, really does get better. I am living example! I was tearful here, tearful there, would never be the same again. Now, 13 weeks on, I am able to walk , to swimming, cook, go to shops etc etc.

lots of hugs x

 

[mydog]

@souldancer - I had major blues around 2-3 weeks...I was feeling better, but still couldn't do what I wanted to do and I felt very unsure and not confident at all. I have to tell you that I only had 3 pt sessions in my first two weeks and I am now at 8 weeks and really haven't done much at all except walk and do some light stretching. My surgeon wouldn't even clear me for pt until I went in for my post op a bit over 2 weeks ago. But I have to say, I feel my recovery has been extraordinary. And the recovery between weeks 6-8 was amazing. I walk without a cane (was after wk 3 or so inside and wk 5 outside), and there is only a slight limp when I am tired, or first get out of a chair after sitting for an hour or so. And I am walking almost as fast as I did prior to the hip issues. I can go up steps one foot over the other. Down steps I can, but stop as I get a bit insecure. I am going on my first "hike" in the woods with friends tomorrow and I will probably bring a cane just for support. Bottom line....listen to your body. And forget everyone going on and on about the physical therapy. Sorry, but I just don't believe it is really needed and may cause more problems if done too early and too much. MY OS is one of the most prominent in the US - and he "never" told me I would need PT. I have no idea why everyone is so obsessed with the idea of PT...yikes, even my mother called me up the other day to check on me...and "I'm I doing my PT exercises?" I am yessing them all. But won't they be surprised Mothers Day weekend to see me walking in without a limp! So, hang in there souldancer.....trust me that it is all uphill. And, the blues...yeah, you knew they were going to happen so roll with the punches sister. 1 month from now it will be a very different story for you. Keep the goal in mind and don't fret about the process.

xxoo

 

[souldancer]

@mydog - Thank you for your progress report, it made me feel better and confirmed that I
know my body best! I read all about the blues but still when it happens...normally I am very
upbeat, & see the wine glass or beer has half full . I actually havn't had any alcohol,
maybe that's my problem...lol

@copsham - Your right, TLC for ME! Always easier to cut someone else a break than yourself
and I am working on graciously accepting and receiving help.

@craftdee - Thank you for the virtual hugs! and right back at you, hugs are so
wonderful.

@sunbunny - good luck with your PT. I took a break sat & sun with only half and more walking
in my backyard. Enjoying the angel trumpets blooming, along with my late easter lilies.

@wcgirl - I think we will have a normal summer this year as you accurately described along with the
brilliant lightning show. Although I'm not looking forward to sweating my butt off, mosquitoes and fire
ants. I would love to be back dancing to anything. I have contemplated doing some walker dancing as
I have a good friend coming to visit on the 4th week of my recovery. Will have to see where I'm at that
point. A lot can happen in 2 more weeks....

 

[copsham]

When you said i am working on graciously accepting and receiving help, I thought that's the hard bit when you are used to being independent/self sufficient or what ever!!

you will progress and you will be surprised!
x

 

[souldancer]

@copham - Yes I am usually the caregiver and definitely prefer to do it myself before
asking or bothering someone else. I like progress and surprises too. It can be the
small steps and little details to be grateful for.

 

[souldancer]

18th Day of Recovery (almost 3 weeks out)

Had a good 2 week follow up with OS on April 27. They said I am on track and it is okay
and expected to have pain/soreness/bruising around knee and ankle. They removed my
waterproof bandage and said incision is healing well. Then put on ster -strips and said
to let fall off on their own or I can cut snips off as the edges come up. Actual incision
is approx 4 and 3/4 of an inch.

Also wrote a script for PT 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Needless to say, I'm not following
that request. I saw the home PT twice and had enough. I'm only doing PT before I
get out of bed every morning, but all of the exercises are easier and I have add some of
of my own and also do the standing exercises. Again only half or 20 ea or 2 sets of 10.
I have added modified yoga and some upper body free weights at 5 lbs.

So this is where I am as of today. I drove 4 blocks to the library and returned books.
Then I drove approx 2 miles to friend's house to visit and pick up my organic-vegan food.
We visited for approx 1 1/2 hrs and then I drove home. Yipee!! This was my first time
driving an automatic with my operated leg. I don't think that I would drive during rush
hour and not for longer than 20 minutes. But now I'm not so home bound.
.
The first 2 weeks I didn't want to see or talk to anyone until I got the pain under control.
This week I actually wanted to see my friends and get out.

I can walk up and down stairs with and without cane. However, it is good leg going up
and bad leg coming down. I cannot step up or down one foot over the other. Not strong
enough yet. But not bad for 3 weeks out.

My walker is only used in the middle of the night for the bathroom. I can walk slowly inside
house without cane and I try to use normal steps with my right leg. Although if I have been
sitting too long, I need the cane until my leg loosens up. I walk outside and slowly around
my backyard.

Sleeping has not been an issue. I was able to lie on non operated leg towards the end of
second week and this week I can lie on stomach and for a short time on my operated leg.

Still have lots of numbness on upper lateral thigh, I had direct anterior approach. OS said
due to the nerve being moved around and stretched. Feels weird so still have log leg &
especially towards the end of the day when I get tired. I still ice, not as much and keep
my legs elevated when I sit down.

I can take a shower by myself and no longer need the seat. I can shave my legs.
Since the first week I have been doing light dish washing and making the bed. This
week I have added laundry sorting and folding and putting away.

My pain is usually a 2 or 3, I have stopped using percocet and only use the tramadol
2 pills every 6 hours. Hoping next week I can drop to 1 every 6 hours.

So I have a handle on the pain which I can accept and my attitude is better.

 

[Great Aunt Janet]

Gosh, you are doing so well - some things you can do, I can't (at 3 1/2 weeks out) and others are easier for me. Pain wise, I am only taking paracetamol twice a day, spread out, and I am not sure if I really need those. Can't get at legs to shave (restrictions!) but yes, I also can sleep on my stomach a bit, non-op side and back. Getting decent rest. Same on trips out too - I did town tour yesterday, and had a hair cut - niiiice! So good to hear it is all progressing so well for you @souldancer - keep on truckin!

 

[wcgirl]

@souldancer thank you for the update. My surgery was Apr 27 and it's nice to see how well you have progressed. I had LTHR Lateral w no restrictions and wondered when I could drive a standard car. It's nice to peak in on everyone. It just gives me courage!

 

[souldancer]

4 weeks out from surgery:

I drove my car yesterday and also worked for 1 hour. Last week, was my first attempt at driving and
it was doable but I'm glad I waited one more week as I was more confident of driving an automatic with
my operated right leg.

I also did a 45 minute lymphatic drainage session, my first work since my surgery and it felt good.
So I think I will try to do a few more this upcoming week.

I'm working on my gait and can walk without cane, fairly evenly (no lurching). I tend to need the cane right after
I get up from sitting down until leg loosens. The stairs are much easier, and I am trying to go up and
down smoothly. I can definitely feel the right thigh/glut and knee start to work as one unit.

My incision is healing really well and I think I will have minimal scarring. I'm going to wait few more days before
swimming as an extra precaution. Have a scab that needs more time to heal.

Still numbness in my thigh although I think I am getting more sensation back, still feels weird to me.
I still have pain in my knee and cannot put full weight on it when I am down on my hands and knees.
Will start to add in modified yoga next week along with the PT that I am doing.

Still have a tendency to get tired by late afternoon, and have taken a few naps. Feeling more positive
these days & resisting the urge to do more.

 

[Granny Di]

Hi @souldancer - I also have the sore knee and leg numbness or sort of pins and needles feelings but in my lower leg. What do your medical people think causes this? My physio thinks it is the saphenous nerve and has me doing an exercise to "mobilize" the nerve. It hurts and feels spongy to go down on my knee. I am in week 8.
So glad to hear that you are feeling more positive. Keep it up!