OP
OP
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United StatesRecovery Day 27 - I met with surgeon for Hip #2 and set a date - March 8th! I drove there (6 days earlier than I was told to be able to drive, but it was just fine - 30 minutes there and 30 minutes back.) It was odd being in the "real world" again. I hadn't been out since we drove to the hospital for nausea, dehydration, etc. on Day 6. Since then I've just been home or to the bus stop for daughter down the road.
Surgeon for #2 does anterior lateral approach same as hip #1. But he seems to favor a longer hospital stay, which makes me feel safer in terms of actually being ready to be discharged (as opposed to literally vomiting on the way to the car to go home and no nausea prescription with me which is what happened last time. Sorry for TMI.) I squawked a lot about not getting hard core pain meds next time around and OS was with me on that. He said I would need to discuss with anesthesiologist which sedative might work best for me with the spinal in terms of not making me sick again. Fortunately I can skip some of the pre-op appointments because it is so soon after last op.
Very happy with progress of hip! When I got staples out at 2 weeks they said the 90 degree and midline restrictions were over. I am still cautious. I use my trusty grabbers and always have a pillow between knees when on my side. I use my new cane - pale pink floral design - or 1 crutch sometimes, but really am mostly without assistance when walking now. I felt the 1 crutch especially was making me tend to lean on the unoperated side. I try to walk when unassisted with good posture and weight evenly as possible on both sides, keeping pelvis stable (or trying to!) and rolling through the feet heel to toe.
I felt more tired the last 2 days. Maybe because I'd been on my feet doing housework more and reorganizing the home. I bagged up a ton of old books, clothes and toys to donate. I love getting rid of things. Leaves more room for the new.
I let myself nap when I need to. I still don't sleep through the night. I get up, change the ice packs, reorganize the blankets and pillows, check Bonesmart if I'm particularly awake. But I am sleeping for longer amounts at a time so that's good. Still taking tylenol, but don't need it as often it seems.
I had a nice time today taking my daughter to gymnastics and then going to our local coffeshop for lunch. Amost felt normal. I did use my cane at the gymnastics place - tons of kids wee and big rushing around so felt I needed more stability/protection. Looked at the long staircase up to the observation room and opted for handicap seating downstairs to watch. Going upstairs isn't too bad, but going down is a bit trickier still. I was happy I didn't feel tired afterwards, so suggested going to lunch and daughter was thrilled. After lunch we looked in some of the shops nearby. I didn't use the cane and walking was fine. Well, as fine as can be at this point. It still feels like I have a strange blobby thing in my hip. Oh wait! I DO have a strange blobby thing in my hip!
Honestly, in spite of that sensation, my movement is so much better in that hip than it was pre-op. I can do straight leg raises with it now with ease and pre-op I couldn't lift it an inch! Going up a step with that leg is pain free and before it was a bit of agony each time.
I do the PT and OT exercises once a day. Home PT will end this coming week and I'll start outpatient PT the week after until Hip #2 Op I guess. PT therapist was a bit miffed when I told her I only did the PT once a day. Said I should be doing them 2 or 3 times a day! Whaaaa???
But she couldn't really complain because my progress has gone well so far.
I hope everyone pre and post op are having a wonderful weekend! I sometimes wonder how anxious I would be going through this surgery without the information, tidbits, support and comfort of reading about others going through this, each in their own way. Thank you Everyone!
Surgeon for #2 does anterior lateral approach same as hip #1. But he seems to favor a longer hospital stay, which makes me feel safer in terms of actually being ready to be discharged (as opposed to literally vomiting on the way to the car to go home and no nausea prescription with me which is what happened last time. Sorry for TMI.) I squawked a lot about not getting hard core pain meds next time around and OS was with me on that. He said I would need to discuss with anesthesiologist which sedative might work best for me with the spinal in terms of not making me sick again. Fortunately I can skip some of the pre-op appointments because it is so soon after last op.
Very happy with progress of hip! When I got staples out at 2 weeks they said the 90 degree and midline restrictions were over. I am still cautious. I use my trusty grabbers and always have a pillow between knees when on my side. I use my new cane - pale pink floral design - or 1 crutch sometimes, but really am mostly without assistance when walking now. I felt the 1 crutch especially was making me tend to lean on the unoperated side. I try to walk when unassisted with good posture and weight evenly as possible on both sides, keeping pelvis stable (or trying to!) and rolling through the feet heel to toe.
I felt more tired the last 2 days. Maybe because I'd been on my feet doing housework more and reorganizing the home. I bagged up a ton of old books, clothes and toys to donate. I love getting rid of things. Leaves more room for the new.
I let myself nap when I need to. I still don't sleep through the night. I get up, change the ice packs, reorganize the blankets and pillows, check Bonesmart if I'm particularly awake. But I am sleeping for longer amounts at a time so that's good. Still taking tylenol, but don't need it as often it seems.
I had a nice time today taking my daughter to gymnastics and then going to our local coffeshop for lunch. Amost felt normal. I did use my cane at the gymnastics place - tons of kids wee and big rushing around so felt I needed more stability/protection. Looked at the long staircase up to the observation room and opted for handicap seating downstairs to watch. Going upstairs isn't too bad, but going down is a bit trickier still. I was happy I didn't feel tired afterwards, so suggested going to lunch and daughter was thrilled. After lunch we looked in some of the shops nearby. I didn't use the cane and walking was fine. Well, as fine as can be at this point. It still feels like I have a strange blobby thing in my hip. Oh wait! I DO have a strange blobby thing in my hip!
Honestly, in spite of that sensation, my movement is so much better in that hip than it was pre-op. I can do straight leg raises with it now with ease and pre-op I couldn't lift it an inch! Going up a step with that leg is pain free and before it was a bit of agony each time.I do the PT and OT exercises once a day. Home PT will end this coming week and I'll start outpatient PT the week after until Hip #2 Op I guess. PT therapist was a bit miffed when I told her I only did the PT once a day. Said I should be doing them 2 or 3 times a day! Whaaaa???
But she couldn't really complain because my progress has gone well so far.I hope everyone pre and post op are having a wonderful weekend! I sometimes wonder how anxious I would be going through this surgery without the information, tidbits, support and comfort of reading about others going through this, each in their own way. Thank you Everyone!
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That looks like about 8 weeks out from your first? That's a good spacing between the two. Happy that things are going well for you and that you're sleeping longer. Sleep is so important for healing.
I am hoping my 2nd time around will be easier.
)
so if you could come on over I will feed you minestrone and ciabatta garlic bread and send you home with a container of it to boot. 
Typical. I'll stock up on some food my daughter is liking lately and after I bring it home, she'll declare she doesn't like THAT anymore.... 
Well I'd certainly love to make a dent in your minestrone supply! And with ciabatta garlic bread - delish! I haven't made any garlic bread in awhile. You are inspiring me.
