Recovery Day 18... I got my Aquacel dressing taken off and staples taken out yesterday. Incision area feels much better now. Was starting to feel kind of tight and itchy. No bruising! - I'm surprised because I usually bruise easily. Incision looks very clean, thin and healthy. I made an appointment next week to get things rolling with the other surgeon for my other hip. (Surgeon who just did my left hip recently announced he's resigning.
Oh well.)
It may take awhile because I need to get all the pre-op screening and insurance approval all over again, etc.. The
PA was patient and didn't rush me with all my questions, which I had written down. They'll never know exactly why my body reacted so badly with the nausea, vomiting, headache and dehydration but most likely it was a reaction to the entire cocktail of meds. I asked if I could skip all the opioids next time and just do Tylenol with the 2nd surgery and the PA said that was possible. I know I can take anti-nausea meds, too - but why not just prevent the nausea to begin with if possible? ( I have only been on Tylenol for pain since Day 4 now - or even nothing when I was feeling so sick to stomach - and that's working fine for me.)
My OT gave me some upper body exercises to do with a theraband. I told her I didn't really need that- upper body is pretty strong. But I actually enjoy the exercises! They isolate the muscles and get the circulation going. So I do those and the PT exercises in the morning along with any light housework, laundry or tedious paperwork that needs doing. My energy is best in the morning for that stuff.
I really noticed an improvement in my gait today. I am thrilled that even though I am still healing, the operated hip is mechanically performing so much healthier than the old rickety hip used to! No screechy pain when I lift it to take a step up on the stairs!
@DeepBreath - I think you wrote recently about how we know we're doing this to improve our mobility and lessen that pain, but still -when it ACTUALLY HAPPENS!?! -
I hope everyone is going onward and upward in their hipster journeys and overcoming any inevitable challenging bumps in the road as smoothly as possible..
!! Said you could violate the ninety degree rule that way and not allow the front of thigh to stretch out thoroughly. But as a former dancer, I'd always elevate an injury or inflammation. So it's a bit confusing. Anyway, that's why I am elevating when it feels right to do so (mostly during the day, not at night. I do sometimes sleep on the non-operated side with pillow between knees so I feel the operated side gets some elevation then.)
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