THR Sunbunny's Rainbow

[sunbunny]

Thank you @Jo Champagne. Used the potty chair instead of bedpan. Yea! Bedpan was a giant mess. Lol

 

[Jo Champagne]

Haha...I used bedpan first night! Very difficult! My first one, the nurses were very keen to check the amount I'd managed!

 

[Jaycey]

@sunbunny Welcome to the other side. Sometimes the biggest challenge just post op is getting that pain management cocktail just right. Don't be afraid to ask for anti nausea medication if you are having problems. You need the heavy duty meds to get mobile but if you are like me they really make you feel ! You should not be having 8/9 level pain so be sure and ask for meds.

I'll leave you with some reading to do when you are ready. Sounds like you already have the mantras down!
First are the BoneSmart mantras ....
- rest, elevate, ice and take your pain meds by the clock
- if it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physiotherapist - to do it to you
- if your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again
- if you won't die if it's not done, don't do it
- never stand when you can sit, never sit when you can lie down, never stay awake when you can go to sleep!
- be active as much as you need to be but not more than is necessary, meaning so much that you end up being in pain, exhausted or desperate to sit down or lay down!

Pain management and the pain chart
Healing: how long does it take?
Chart representation of THR recovery
Dislocation risk and 90 degree rule
Energy drain for THRs
Pain and swelling control: elevation is the key
Activity progression for THRs
Home physio (PT)
Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?

 

[sunbunny]

Rough couple of days. Today was the first day I tolerated any food. Walled about 13 steps altogether. Pt does not think I should go home but to a rehab. I don' t want to go that route. So I am really am going to have to increase my activity work.

 

[copsham]

Sunbunny take great care with "i am really going to have to increase my activity work" You cannot force yourself. Is it he pain meds you are reacting to, causing your rough days - just a thought. x

 

[sunbunny]

Could be I am on pills now. Off the injections which caused me to sleep. I sat in the hip chair for two hours today. If I don' t walk for 35 steps tomorrow, then they will discharge to a rehab. So that is my goal.

 

[Granny Di]

Let us now what happens tomorrow. Take care.

 

[PDA]

Take it slow and easy, you will and can do this!! Rehab is not the end of the world! It's kind of funny, I asked my husband if he preferred I go to rehab when I have my other hip done in June....at first he didn't answer, he finally answered No!!! But you want to go where the help is the best!! Thoughts and prayers coming your way!!!


Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum

 

[sunbunny]

Day 4 post op and I made it home. I have a waterproof bandage so was cleared to shower on a shower chair. Yeah a clean sunbunny. Lol. Seriously I am beyond wiped out. Legs and arms are noodles. Getting in and out of the car was difficult. I kept asking PT if they would show me how and they said the "transporter" would show me. Beam me up Scotty right. I wish. Took my husband,the t man ,and myself to get in the car. Car ride was ok except every turn, yikes! I am in the bed now. Seriously thinking of renting a hospital bed. Hard to push myself off the bed. I need my fellow hippees to assure me this too shall pass. Thank you @PDA . home therapy comes at 2 tomorrow. I think I will still be in pjs. Can someone put my dates under my name? LTKR 2006, RTKR 2007, and LTHR April 17, 2015. Thank you all for your support.

 

[Granny Di]

I had a rail put in my bed and it really helped getting in and out and turning. Do you have one? It is sort of like the rails you put on a toddlers bed to keep them from falling out only not as long. The first days are the worst but it gets better every day - baby steps! You can do it.

 

[sunbunny]

Thank you @Granny Di I was in tears last night. Have a horrible time being a burden to anyone. I know the first few days are going to be a mess. Perhaps today will be better. Hope you have a great day today.

 

[PDA]

Sunbunny, it really will get better!! I think I hated being so dependent on everyone, that was the hardest part! So when I was in bed, I rolled to my affected side, first few times my husband would help me sit up, not long I was doing it alone!! It takes time and patience but it does get better!! I didn't ice much but what I have read, elevate and ice... I'm so happy this is behind you!! Work hard and good luck!! I'll continue to pray for a speedy recovery!!


Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum

 

[sunbunny]

Thank you @PDA .
Thoughts and prayers appreciated, needed, and sent back. Joint replacement is a hard journey and it is easy to say nothing will ever get better. This is hard work Sunny day to you today.

 

[Granny Di]

Hi @sunbunny! Hope you have a good night tonight. I think we are in the same time zone. I slept very well at first but the last few nights have not been so good so I will take a pill tonight. I did a lot today and need a good sleep.
This recovery business is HARD and takes work. My shoulder is sore from pushing myself up and I am relatively strong. I honestly don't know how older people get through it. But it does get easier fairly quickly for major surgery and you will get better. Hang in and don't be afraid to let others take care of you. I am sure you have taken care of many in your life.

 

[Great Aunt Janet]

Hard to push myself off the bed. I need my fellow hippees to assure me this too shall pass.

- gosh @sunbunny, sorry you had a difficult trip home - if you get time, look at the videos in the library about moving (in bed, in and out of cars) - they helped me manoevre when I had the noodle legs too (good description).

At first I had to basically pick my new hip leg up (by the pants leg, and I also used the elbow hoop on one of my crutches round my foot, worked well) and put it into bed, but gradually it became easier and easier to use the leg muscles, till by the time I had to fly home (day 9) I could get my leg in and out. Before that my husband kept wanting to do it for me, but I didn't want to be stuck whenever he wasn't around so I persevered and it worked ok. I still feel sometimes as though I won't be able to lift my knee and get it into bed (mind playing tricks) but I can!
(not like this yet, I wish!)

Every day I get a little improvement in something or other, but the first week was probably the hardest as you are still getting over the anaesthetic etc. Hurts and aches come and go in different places and I think this is just par for the course after assault of surgery.

Get lots and lots of rest whenever you can, and let your husband have the warming feeling of being able to help.

 

[PDA]

Sunbunny, it's a very hard journey but my family keeps reminding of the light at the end of the tunnel....it's there I'm just not seeing it yet!! My surgeon called me today and put be on steroids to buy time until my left hip surgery in June!! I'm prayerful it will help!! You keep up the good work, everyday will be better!!
Hugs to you!!


Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum

 

[sunbunny]

@PDA thank you. I am holding out for that. Husband has been an angel. My heart goes out to others who don't have that support.

 

[sunbunny]

@Granny Di great advice. Rough day but let's see, pooh came, put makeup on, got dressed, had home nurse and PT. hmmmm have to take makeup off now....no makeup tomorrow. I agree with the arm and shoulders. Also knees and other places too. I agree with the sleep medicine. It would be heavenly to get more than two or three hours of zzzzzzzs. Hugs and good thoughts!

 

[PDA]

Granny Di, lack of sleep is absolutely miserable...so someone suggested sleepy time tea, I bought it but never made it, I'm not much of a tea drinker but you may try it!! Make up...meh, no thanks, hopefully I look fine without it, lol I pray for a quick recovery for you ladies and wish I was were you both are instead of having to wait till mid June but my time will be here before you know it!! Hugs to you both!! Try to get rest!


Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum

 

[sunbunny]

@PDA thank you for your sweet thoughts and prayers.