THR Rick's Recovery Thread - Now A View from the Clouds (literally)!

[Jollyroger]

Re: 33 Hrs in the hospital and home

Even the nurse said "I've been on this floor for 6 years, and you are the 1st patient to go home the day after your surgery!"

Wow - that's great, Rick. Take it real easy for the next few days, though. I found around Day 6 was the worst - severe dose of the post-op blues. Thereafter it was onwards and upwards.

You know the matra - ice, elevation, rest etc. and don't overdo the physical stuff yet.

Best wishes for the next few days.

 

[Rick02809]

Re: 33 Hrs in the hospital and home

Feeling great, last night I went to bet ad 10:00PM and slept like a log. I took the adductor pillow home and used it in bed, it kept me from moving all that much. Taking the Vicodin as needed, mostly at bedtime so that I can rest. Woke up this morning, took a Celebrex and a Tylenol.Was able to walk to the sink and domy morning routine, shave etc.. I've been gettting up and walking the house every 45 minutes.

I'll say, the more that I move, the more relief that I feel. So far so good, surgical site dry, no draining. Aside from some pressure, I'm glad this is done.

 

[Jaycey]

Re: 33 Hrs in the hospital and home

No pain, no gain!

:hate-shocked: Nooooooo! Just remember - PT shouldn't make you hurt! I assume you will just get mild exercises to keep you moving (heel glides, etc). Anything more at this stage is not necessary.

Let us know how it goes Rick!

 

[Josephine]

Re: 33 Hrs in the hospital and home

The correct mantra is "no pain MORE gain"!

Please don't allow him/her to hurt you.
To the point of discomfort and no further!

 

[Rick02809]

Re: 33 Hrs in the hospital and home

The PT didn't show up today, as the orders from the Hosp were late to her office. She'll be here at the house tomorrow. I've been up and down today, walking the hallway, getting up and down the 2 steps to the garage. Little by little.

We'll see how PT is tomorrow.

 

[LisaP]

Re: 33 Hrs in the hospital and home

Please be careful Rich... pain meds mask a lot. Congrats on your successful surgery.

 

[Jen]

Re: 33 Hrs in the hospital and home

You sound great Rick but as everyone else said, take it slow and rest as needed for the first few days at least.

 

[Poppet]

Re: 33 Hrs in the hospital and home

Fantastic that you are feeling so well..

Slow and steady wins the race Rick, such early days for you.. Rest, elevate, ice, mild exercises are the order of the day.. You still have a great deal of healing to take place.

 

[Josephine]

Re: 33 Hrs in the hospital and home

I don't think he needs to worry about that, Lisa. That's a much overplayed card, in my opinion.

 

[Rick02809]

Re: 33 Hrs in the hospital and home

Hey all!

The PT showed up today (as she was parked in front of the house, one of my co-workers pulled up in a squad car and scared the hell out of her, he wanted to see how I was making out); evidently there was a miscommunication between the hosp and the VNA. So far so good. I met with her today, she asessed the condition, living conditions etc and had me do a strength test. While she was evaluating my progress using the walker she said, I think you can probably go to a cane 30% of the day and slowy work up to 100%. Well, Bill went to CVS at the top of the street and returned a few minutes later with a cane. While walking with the cane, I was told that my limp was less pronounced because I was relying on the walker too much.

We practiced stairs, getting in and out of the car and demonsrated the proper exercises. As it stands the OS set me up with a visiting PT at my home for 2 weeks. on monday, I go see my primary Dr for an eval. The OS wants me in his office on 2/14 for removal of the staples!!!

I had the dressing changed today and saw the surgical incision:hate-shocked:YIKES!!!
None the less, I'm not one to go flashing that part of my body around LOL!
The site is dry, no bleeding or draining, and I was told that the dressing can be removed on Monday, and I can shower again!

Today was a great day, I washed my hair in the kitchen sink and took care of myself in the bathroom with out assistance. Slowly and steadily I'm regaining my strength.

I have only one regret, waiting too long to have the surgery done. If you are thinking of having this surgery, I suggest that you strongly weighyour options, if surgery is required, don't wait. You are only here on this planet for a limited amount of time, fix yourself and get on with your life. If this happened to your dog, would you have him fixed? Most people would say yes:doggieshmooze:. Anyways, I'll keep you all informed on my progress.

 

[Jen]

Re: 33 Hrs in the hospital and home

Rick, you are really glowing through your words. I can tell that you are very happy with how things turned out. It also sounds like you've had a lot of progress in only a couple of days. Here's to a continued smooth recovery!

 

[NH_Lou]

Re: 33 Hrs in the hospital and home

Rick, it is great to hear how well you are doing after the surgery and at home! Please keep the progress updates coming! Remember to rest and ice, ice, ice!!! And elevate too!

 

[Jamie]

Re: 33 Hrs in the hospital and home

Boy, Rick....you are moving right along with recovery. I'm so happy for you!!!

 

[DallasSarah]

Re: 33 Hrs in the hospital and home

Rick you are moving at a warp speed!

I was thinking tonight I was still in hospital and you've been home washed your hair in the sink and had a home therapy session!!

Love your support system plus your friends-coworkers that was funny with the squad car!!

You are right, it doesn't make sense to wait and suffer and put this surgery off.

Have a good night and continue to be good to yourself!

xxooxx

 

[Jaycey]

Re: 33 Hrs in the hospital and home

Your friend must have scared the poor PT person something silly! Glad you are doing well Rick!

 

[Rick02809]

Re: 33 Hrs in the hospital and home

Had a long night last night. I didnt take any vicodin for bed, I wasn't in pain, so now we are just on Tylenol and Celebrex. I was up all night tossing and turning, couldn't sleep. I think it was the 2 1/2 hr nap that I took late in the afternoon. I was in a miserable mood this morning because I didn't want to be groggy.

Nevertheless after 2 total hours of sleep I was up at 8, got myself ready for the day. My brother and sister in law stopped in for a visit with their newborn and brought me a "New" cane... It has a bicycle horn and a mirror on it LOL.

After they left, I figured that I would take a cat nap on the recliner, so I put on some boring TV (US Presidential Election coverage garbage) and dozed off. I figure that I was asleep for about 15 minutes when the fire dept came came screaming down the street with air-horns and sirens collecting for the annual food drive.

Since then I've been up and down. I actually was able to walk outside todaydown the driveway and to the end of the cul-de-sac and back. It isn't a log walk I live at the end of the road, but is the longest distance that I've walked since Wednesday.

I am thinking I am up for visiting a few friends tonight. We have a group of 7 who regilously gets together every Sunday at 5:30.

Hopefully tonight I'll be so tired that I sleep soundly.

Thats all for now!

 

[djklaugh]

Re: 33 Hrs in the hospital and home

That is quite some cane your brother and sister-in-law brought you :th_heehee:

Sorry to hear you're having sleep problems and I sure hope that tonight will be better for you. It's terrific to hear that you are generally doing so well and walking easily. Enjoy your visit with the friends -

 

[Rick02809]

Re: 33 Hrs in the hospital and home

Last night was another eye-open stare at the ceiling night. I was falling asleep in the living room watching the 11:00 news, headed to bed. 45 minutes later, I was up fully awake. Finally fell asleep around 2AM and was up at 8:00.

Nothing is more frustrating than just waiting for something that wont happen.

 

[PolarIce]

Re: 33 Hrs in the hospital and home

Your sleepless nights, remind me of when I was in recovery from my hip osteotomy. I remember some of the very long nights I had, and I didnt even have tv to keep me entertained.

I wonder if some of that inability to fall asleep has to do with you not being active during the day? you would think after such major surgery your system would need to rest and heal. I know tylenol with codeine also has caffeine in it as well, so maybe some of the repeat meds during the day just have that non-sleeping side effect at night? who knows.

Great to hear you're advancing my friend.

BTW....I'm all about flashing my scars :wink1:

 

[DallasSarah]

Re: 33 Hrs in the hospital and home

Oooooooo Rick,

Look at that BIG puppy dog.....beautiful!

Don't feel bad on the sleeping schedule, I would do the same thing be dozing ready to sleep around that time, but then either couldn't fall asleep or my frustration was getting up every couple of hours. The naps in the day probably make a difference too.

Hope it gets better soon!

xxooxx