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THR Some days are diamonds, some days are stone

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Josephine could you please change my thread title to "Some days are diamonds, some days are stone" current one is now a bit out of date :)

Thanks
 
bookworm_nz, let it be known that your thread title is now "Some days are diamonds, some days are stone"

Hugs from across the ditch xxx
 
The 6 week check went really well. Had a new set of xrays taken and my surgeon is very happy with them. He had told me prior to the op that I had long femur necks and he would have to allow for this when he put the replacement in. He showed me the xrays and explained that he had to put a spacer in to extend the neck and used a larger ball. The scew is into the bone he used to repair the cyst. He also explained that due to the lengthening I may be susceptible to trochanter bursitis. This probably means a lot more to Josephine. Anyway I will worry about that one if it happens. Next follow-up will be at 12 months but if I have any problems before then I just need to phone and make an earlier appointment.

Here is my gorgeous new hip (the bright blob on the left is the flash)
[Bonesmart.org] Some days are diamonds, some days are stone
 
Just brilliant!!!! Great report and you are sounding quite upbeat---I like that!
 
Wow! That xray is surreal.

Do you still have any precautions?
 
I wasn't told there was anything explicitly that I couldn't do. I guess the only restrictions are no crossing legs over centreline of body, sleeping with a pillow between legs when on unoperated side etc. Guess it is just going to be a common sense approach, if it hurts don't do it again for a while :)
 
bookworm_nz, I am a bookworm, too, and can identify with you about the sleeping issue, because I've always believed that the prescription for a happy marriage is one bed and two bathrooms. But when one of the partners is seriously ill, there is an even greater need for both to get as much sleep as possible. I had to adjust to my husband getting up and sleeping in a chair, or on the couch, when he had cancer, and couldn't get comfortable in any other way. I had to learn not to experience it as a sense of abandonment, which is probably what your husband was feeling at some level. Soon you'll be past this, and happily sleeping together again, but for now, you definitely need to work with your space so you can sleep.

I love the hospital bed because everything can be adjusted -- the head, the foot, infinite adjustabiity. Wish I had that at home. Without that, I couldn't have slept on my back the way I've done for the past couple of days. Wish I had an adjustible bed at home (just queen-sized!). Using pillows does help. Pack yourself in like a Faberge egg!
 
Hi BeckyR, I moved back in with hubby at 4 weeks post op. We were both recognised that we needed to sleep apart for a while, in fact part of the nighttime ritual was him yelling "G'night John Boy" (from the TV series the Waltons) before turning the light out.

I had a test run one Friday night at 3 weeks but wasn't ready, we have a very firm mattress and it was like trying to sleep on a rock. What a difference a week made, the mattress suddenly felt like an old friend even with all my pillows and as long as I kept my meds up I could sleep through the night. I am now 6 weeks and I can now sleep on my side, with a king size,overstuffed pillow between my legs and a flat one at the bottom of the bed to put my feet on and another at my back so I am we'll packed in but still able to turn onto my back.

I completely agree with you about the hospital beds, mine was so comfortable I wish I could have brought it home. A work colleague actually hired one when she had her hip done, but it was quite costly.

Hope your recovery goes smoothly :flwrysmile:
 
I thought I would drop by and see how you are doing. Are you sleeping better? I didn't read all your posts so I may be asking something that you already ansewed. Take care and know we are thinking of you. Tashia
 
Now 10 weeks post op and a new phase in my life as a bionic hippie starts tomorrow... I return to work!

What have I learned along the way, a lot and most of them gleaned from posts by all you wonderful co-hippies. I have laughed and at times cried at the trials and tribulations that we as a community have posted but always I have remained mindful of how lucky I am that my recovery, so far, has been uneventful.

So here are some of the things I have learned:
1) Embrace your meds, they are your best friend in the whole wide world. I don't care what any doctor or well-meaning friend tells me that at 10 weeks I should be weaning myself off my OTC pain relief. I know I still need it and will drop it in my own good time. Sage words from Josephine, well-heeded.

2) Rest and lots of it. I honestly thought that I wouldn't need as much rest as I have done and just how hard it would be to actually get any at the beginning. Being unable to get comfortable sleeping on my back was solved with a pillow under the knees. Insomnia, needing the toilet in the middle of the night all took its toll. Thankfully these sorted themselves out at about 4 weeks. A short walk with the dog needed 20 mins snooze on the sofa on our return, even now a shopping expedition to the mall and coffee with friends = wipe-out. Will be interested to see how I feel after a full day at work tomorrow :)

3) Physiotherapists and exercise. I embraced with enthusiasm the exercises that I was given by the physio and ended up in more pain than I started with. So I decided, with Josephine's mantra in the back of my mind that hips heal themselves given time, to do what I felt was best for me and what I felt comfortable with. I still do the clam and squats but have added some easy yoga and pilates poses to the mix. Walking, excellent for mind, body and soul. Incidental exercise, dancing around the lounge when a favourite song comes on the radio and 20-30 minutes on my stationery bike. Structured PT may be perfect for some people but when the time comes that I need my other hip replacing I will go with my own therapy thanks. My operated leg is still slightly shorter but I am confident that given time that will come right.

I consider myself blessed to have found this forum and all the excellent information on it. It has been a source that I have come back to for every niggle and twinge and I guess will continue to refer back to as I slowly progress through the healing process.

So now I am going to make the most of my final day as a lady of leisure, sit down with a cup of coffee and a good book, feet up of course!!
 
[Bonesmart.org] Some days are diamonds, some days are stone
Just a fantastic update bookworm_nz! Just expect to be wiped out by the end of your first day and just go home and rest, rest, rest! You'll probably need to take Sunday as a rest day the first few months back at work. But that will all work itself out over time---just pace yourself---you know how to do it!

Take care and keep us posted. We care.
 
Best of luck at work bookworm_nz . I'm thankful every day that the only work I have to return to is my babysitting with grandchildren. I'm only three weeks post op and right now I'm sleeping probably 12 hours a day! I know that will ease up, but working and sleeping don't mesh very well. I'm with you on the PT as well. Am trying to do more walking and a few exercises and am pretty sure the walking is doing more good than anything else -- that and taking the pain pills regularly.
 
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