Several Questions

[hurtingbuthopeful]

1) Incision -My surgery was 2/26, the staples were removed approx 2 weeks ago, and the steri strips have all fallen off. The scar is a bit puckered. Is this normal? Should I be massaging it? How about creams like vitamin E – is it beneficial or recommended? Also I still have some site pain there. Not terribly painful, but this achy pulling feeling is always there. When does that go away?
2) Work – I realize everyone heals at different rate, but how will I know it’s time to go back to work? I have a desk job and commute 45 minutes each way. My doctor is pretty flexible about when to return. I don’t want to compromise my progress by going back too soon. After all of my other surgeries I always rushed back to work and was sorry for it. Heck, I don’t even have those jobs anymore so it seems silly to do that again!
3) Walking – My OS told me lots of walking was the best thing for me. I started outpatient PT this week and the therapist told me walking was not the best thing to be doing now as it will just aggravate the hip. She claims a steady pace on the daily PT is the best course. I am confused…
4) Hot tub – Is it safe to go in a hot tub now?

Hopefully I have not asked too many silly questions. All in all I feel I am doing pretty well, and the progress is notable. I can drive now, and am starting to pitch in with some of the chores at home (always being mindful of the hip restrictions of course!) I'd like to milk it a little longer but everyone in my family has been so wonderful I don't have the heart In general Life is Good.

Thanks so much!
Carol

 

[doublehippie]

I had both my hips THR'd on 12/22/08. I was climing the stair wells at re-hab by my 5th day and I went back to work in just under 8 weeks. Listen to your therapists, push to do all that they ask, take your pain meds an hour before your therapy, and most of all set small goals for yourself and find happiness in any sucess you make toward those goals. Prayer, mass, and communion that was made available to me everyday I found very inspirational. Try it- it works.

 

[Josephine]

Don't worry about the scar. In 6-8 months it'll all look different anyway. I wouldn't bother with the creams either. One way or another the scar will find its own time and state to settle and in a year's time it will be just a faded, thin little line.

You still need pain meds. It's only 4 weeks, for pity's sake! You could need something for another 2-3 months at least even if it's only Tylenol or ibuprofen. Be kind to yourself!

As for work, if you can, take 3 months off. Your body has a lot of deep healing to do and a lot of recovery from the surgery and the anaesthetic. Don't judge it all by what your scar looks like.

Walking - lots of contradiction between surgeons and PTs! Always is. My best suggestion is that you do a bit of both. Walk some every day but don't try to be a hero. Follow the PT's regimen.

Hot tub at 4 weeks sounds fine so long as the wound is completely dry and healed. But - word of warning - don't overdo it. Too much heat can be as bad as too much of anything. It could result in swelling and pain. So not too long and not too hot.

Finally, don't run the guilt trip thing! Milk it for all you are worth and give that terrific family a chance to spoil their mom in return for the selfless years you have spoiled them. You'll never get this chance again!

And there is no such thing as a stupid question!

 

[hurtingbuthopeful]

aw thanks Jo for reminding me I deserve to be spoiled for a change. Sometimes you just forget . . . It's funny I can give that advice but have a hard time taking it
I was so happy to see you post. Glad your surgery went well and that you too are on the road to recovery. We all missed you terribly. You left such a void. Jamie picked up the slack very well in your absence tho.

Sooo happy you are BACK

 

[Laurie]

Hi there, Josephine gives great advice. I had my RH replaced 7 months ago. As I sit here at my work desk with mountains of work and lots of stresss related to government cutbacks, I remember weeks 4-8 as the best time at home recovering. Was feeling pretty good, went to PT, walked in the fall weather--had lots of TLC. I was going to go back to work at 6 wks. Dr. advised 2-3 months so I jumped at the 2 extra weeks. So glad I did--more would have been better if I could have justified it.

The only thing I would have said different from Josephine was that I did like to use a cocoa butter cream on my incision--especially when I could get hubby to massage it. The inciision takes a long time to fully heal. It is very faded now but even at 7 months when I press the bottom couple inches it still feels just a little sore. Kinda weird as all else is done healing I think.

Take good care of yourself.
Laurie

 

[Jamie]

Thanks for the compliment, Hopeful.

You will be doing your family a great service, as Jo said, by letting them care for you a little. The kids learn to give back and how to care for someone and hubbies feel like they are doing the gallant man-thing. You feel pampered and special. Everything is right with that picture, isn't it!

Years ago when I had my hysterectomy, I took an extra couple of weeks just because I could. I spent that time really contemplating my life....what was truly important to me (hint: it WASN'T work!) and establishing some goals for the rest of my life. It was wonderful. When I did go back to work, I had a whole new philosophy for living life well....which, again had zero to do with my job or how much money I made. Since I had always been a workaholic, this was a MAJOR life shift for me. It made me so much happier.

 

[mvo]

Hi Carol,
I had a hip replacement just over six months ago. I am very lucky as I have had a very easy recovery. Will try to answer your questions

1. My scar is “impressive” – wide, long and a lovely purple colour. So far, Vitamin E cream, Bio oil, and whatever moisturisers I have in the cupboard, seem to have made not a scrap of difference! I don’t mind at all, it is a very small price to pay to have my life back. It looked "puckered" and lumpy for quite a few weeks, I recall.
2. I went back to a desk job at six weeks with a 10 minute commute each day. Looking back, the timing was OK (and I had been working on my laptop from home a few hours each day from about 2 weeks out), but I should have started back part-time for a couple or three weeks as I did get very very tired.

3. I found that walking a lot was my best therapy. At the three month point I felt great and was managing to do more (physically) in a day than I had done for years – and pain free.
4. I think I had a bath at about 4 weeks, but did need lots of help getting in and out!
Hope that helps and all the best for your continued good progress,
Monica

 

[hurtingbuthopeful]

Monica,
I thank you for your testimony. It is great to hear first hand accounts of these things. I truly don't care about the scar - I agree it is a small price to pay for getting your life back. Well that and my husband loves me no matter how many scars I have Having a supportive partner is absolutely wonderful... WELL
I really do love to walk, always have so it's really great to hear it was helpful to your recovery.

 

[kangaroo]

The inciision takes a long time to fully heal. It is very faded now but even at 7 months when I press the bottom couple inches it still feels just a little sore. Kinda weird as all else is done healing I think.

Take good care of yourself.
Laurie

I have a scar which is almost 20 years old.... and sometimes still it gets itchy or even tender...its healed over, but still at times i am aware of it. especially the drainage site, which I often rub...I don't get it, but Ive often wondered about it!
Rachel

 

[kangaroo]

Hi Carol,
I always worry about Mums who feel guilty about looking after themselves. Please allow yourself to be nurtured, for weeks or months to come. If we dont allow ourselves to be nurtured then how can we nurture those who depend on us. We need to nurture the nurturer...there are several reasons for this.
1. if we burn out who's going to take up the slack
2. if we burn out our children will suffer ...there self esteem etc will plumett, there ability to cope will be compromised
3. by asking them to help/support etc they are learning about compassion, about giving (rather than receiving) ....think of the life lessons that we are giving our children by allowing them to help us
4. its important to give kids an opportunity to do good....if we are on deck too soon then they are denied this valuable lesson.
5.we can get back on board, but what if its too soon and you end up with a pain relapse or whatever...
6. its good for husbands to understand what "running" a household is really like (going to work, doing 3 loads of washing -out, in and away, getting dinner, homework, vacuuming, cleaning, paper work, bills, shopping, incidental other stuff, ferrying kids etc. Sometimes there perception is somewhat skewed....and if everything is always tidy its because I sit and drink coffee with the girls all day!
7. My vows said "in sickness and in health".....well this is a time that we ask our spouse to call on his dignity and honour and be there at that time. For my husband, difficult though it is its actually his privelidge...
8. Hey enjoy the break, when does a mum ever get a break
9 Have a bath (heeding all the medical advice above), light some candles, play some soft music and take the time to contemplate your life and how wonderfully blessed you are to have a loving family...and allow them to be all of that for you at this time, and allow them to nurture you ....don't deny them this wonderful privelidge

Its easy to say all this when you are jumping at the bit to get on with it, but its not worth having a pain relapse, and once you start being on deck, the perception be it right or wrong is that your ARE well and truely on deck..and thats a hard one to change
I wish you well for your continuuing journey, and if I start being too hastey after my surgery just repost this will you with my name at the beginning!
with love
Rachel

 

[hurtingbuthopeful]

All true Rachel!!! Well said and well received! Sometimes we ALL need a reminder that we deserve to be nurtured
Thanks so much for your support!
Carol

 

[Jamie]

Rachel, BEAUTIFUL post!!! I agree with everything you said. So many times in the rush of today's world we can sometimes forget how important it is to slow down and really nurture those people who are in our life. And that nurturing includes allowing them to experience giving as well as receiving and an opportunity to develop self-esteem through helping others.

Your post should be printed and taped to lots of bathroom mirrors for every day viewing!!!

 

[prairienut]

Yes, Rachel, your post is suitable for framing. Your husband and children are lucky to have such a smart and compassionate woman guiding their way.
Gail

 

[Judles]

And you better remember to take your
Own wonderful advice, Rachel!

 

[Karen54]

Great post, Rachel! You have one very lucky family!

 

[Nana55]

Word about Hot Tubs. I have been using pool spa and developed a rash. My DO called it scabies, NOT and said if it wasn't that it was shingles NOT. It didn't itch, it had papules, macules, and putules ( Gee my spelling is awful this days) and it was on my stomach, and torso front and back.

I pondered on it and thought about what I was doing that was different and HELLO, I was in a heated pool 3 x week. To shorten the story, I had a psuedomonas related rash that comes from contaminated water, first noted by CDC in the late 70's and is being a larger problem, so now local health departments in Ky will be charged with inspection of these pools and hot tubs. Not sure who other states will use but the law is coming from the federal level. My the way, I diagnosed myself and then went the skin doc to confirm.

 

[Jamie]

Nana....you bring up a good point that should always be considered when using a hot tub or heated pool. Those critters just LOVE all that nice warm, wet places to stage their own party. Maintenance and sanitation are critical.

 

[aussie]

I don't know how I missed your 'nurturing yourself' post before Rachel, it's lovely.

Chris

 

[Josephine]

I've copied Rachel's post and made it a sticky

 

[aussie]

Thanks Jo,

Chris