THR THR Posterior - Slowly Healing

[Phoebie]

Gosh, I had forgotten about your journey home after surgery. Probably best you were heavily medicated. I don't know how you did it.

Yeah, I did a bit more research and the general thinking here is that routine antibiotics were not found to be that effective or necessary. The greater risk is a patient becoming antibiotic resistant, So that's that. I don't have a dental appointment until next year so I will call and chat nearer the time. My dentist is private - NHS dentists are a rare, endangered species here - so he may think differently.

I don't want to sound all Monty Python - Four Yorkshiremen* here but, you had a catheter? You were lucky! I was numb from the waist down and they let me pee the bed and sit in a pool of my own urine. No, honestly, they did and then proceeded to tell me the patient in the next room had done the same. I mean, they had pumped a litre of fluid into me during the operation and it was surely going to come out. I could feel nothing from the waist down. Of course, I was vulnerable and said nothing too sarcastic as they changed the bed, and me, and washed me down. I am going to mention it in my feedback.

*Hope you get the reference.

 

[Layla]

I was numb from the waist down and they let me pee the bed and sit in a pool of my own urine.

Same! This is relatively common, nonetheless embarrassing if you have your wits about you at that point, coming out of anesthesia. I experienced this shortly out of surgery. GA or spinal anesthesia can temporarily affect the function of our bladder, as in controlling it, or recognizing the urge to urinate.
Oh well...we lived through it to share our stories. Sssh friends...don't tell anyone,

 

[msart]

I know there is an article about depression after surgery. If someone could share with me please.

I got very down today, I wish I was better than I was. I am constantly having to remind myself-I am much better than I was and this recovery is SLOW. Maybe I am just having a bad, sad day. I’m sure tomorrow morning, I’ll wake up all rested & over this down feeling.

 

[msart]

@Phoebie -oh my goodness!! That sounds awful!! Yes I had a catheter from the time I got in ER until day 10. I remember them putting it in & it did not hurt. Everyone says they hurt. Possibly bc of morphine or just the fact that I’m laying there with my hip broken & I’m in complete shock!! I did get 2 separate nerve blocks on my leg, those really helped. And as for the trip-I have ZERO idea how I did it. And thankfully I don’t remember. My mom told me I ate chicken-which I haven’t eaten chicken in 18yrs. So that tells me-I wasn’t thinking straight AT ALL. (Side bar: I worked for Tyson foods for 15yrs as a broker-after I left I never wanted to see chicken again. Nothing bad-just had seen way too much chicken in my lifetime.)

I was glad to see your post. Actually made me laugh at being lucky to have a catheter. I had someone tell me they were glad to do housework. Crazy things we are now thankful for. This completely cheered me up as I was having a rough evening tonight.

 

[msart]

I know there is an article about depression after surgery. If someone could share with me please.

I got very down today, I wish I was better than I was. I am constantly having to remind myself-I am much better than I was and this recovery is SLOW. Maybe I am just having a bad, sad day. I’m sure tomorrow morning, I’ll wake up all rested & over this down feeling.

I just found article!!

 

[Phoebie]

I know there is an article about depression after surgery. If someone could share with me please.

I got very down today, I wish I was better than I was. I am constantly having to remind myself-I am much better than I was and this recovery is SLOW. Maybe I am just having a bad, sad day. I’m sure tomorrow morning, I’ll wake up all rested & over this down feeling.

I just found article!!

I think you also have to allow yourself to feel down and process what happened to you. It sounds horrific. I may have this wrong but understand you were far from home and broke your hip in an accident, went to ER, had two surgeries before that long journey home. All of that has to be processed and your life has been turned upside-down. Most of us here had elective surgery and had time to prepare mentally for what was looming before us. Admittedly, I think we all found the reality slightly different than we anticipated. That said, you had a traumatic event away from home. That affects you mentally as well as physically.

Be kind to yourself, you are allowed down days. Focus on something you are looking forward to over the holidays. If 'the black dog' starts to become a companion, don't put up with it. You probably could benefit from talking therapy with a professional to process all that happened to you. We don't always want to share our trauma with the people closest to us.

You are right that laughter helps! It is definitely my way of working through unpleasant situations and this forum is amazing as it is full of people that can relate.

My Great Aunt Claire (bless her gin-soaked socks) used to say "If you are angry at everything, you need to eat. If you feel everything is too much, you need to sleep". (Adapted slightly as she used colourful language). The sleep part is so true. No one ever solved a problem whilst sleep deprived at 3:00 a.m..

 

[myglasshalffull]

Most of us have had those down in the dump days.
Losing your independence is difficult even if it's not forever. And with Christmas season upon us that can add to your sadness sometimes.
We are here!

 

[msart]

@Phoebie @myglasshalffull -thank you both for your kind responses. Today is a brand new day!! I am going to go back to gym today and do maybe 10–15 min on the ARC machine, similar to a stair stepper, easier on the joints & approved by my surgeon. I am very excited-as I have been waiting for this day for a long time. I definitely will let you know how it goes.

You are correct this has all been traumatic. Everything. But I know I have come a very long way. I had a friend over for dinner last night & I had to ask her to leave bc I needed to lay down. I felt terrible, but I know she understood (she’s had a knee replacement) she’s a very dear friend. I hated to do that but I knew if I didn’t I would have an uncomfortable night. Thankfully, we had finished dinner & we’re just chatting. My body only allows me to do so much right now, I have learned to listen to it!!! And that is that. I just got down bc I wish I wasn’t here in this situation. Thankfully the moment passed.

 

[msart]

Eventful day today!! I made it to the gym. Did 10 minutes on ARC machine!!! I was very careful & cautious. I am sore but not too bad right now. I am, however very proud of myself!! This is a very good step in the right direction

 

[mendogal]

Returning to the gym after my knees were healed enough was an amazing upper!
Be careful not to overdo it, but congratulations and ENJOY!!!!

 

[msart]

@mendogal -thank you!! I am really going to try hard & not over do it. I have a plan in my head on next week-every other day-increase by 5 minutes next time with a day of rest in between. When I do start lifting weights again-I’m thinking week after next, going to go slow. I was working out 5 days a week pre broken hip. Right now, I just want to get myself feeling more confident & comfortable. It was a huge step for me just to go and see everyone. I don’t feel very bad this evening, I was sore this afternoon but I’ve been resting this evening and you know that helps so much!!!

 

[myglasshalffull]

You are approaching the gym & other activities in the right way.
Happy to hear you are feeling better overall, we all have those days when we are down in dumps & as quickly as they arrive they generally pass.
I had dear friends that I had over for dinner about a month after my surgery & told them before they came to arrive by 4 & by 7PM I'd need to lay down. They perfectly understood.
We need to put our recovery first. I like to be a "pleaser" but in recovery you need to be a little "selfish."
And good friends understand this.

 

[msart]

Today, the day after gym. Not so great, but worth it to start this process of getting back in routine. Feel some muscle spasms today. Have rested, elevating & icing. My incision is hurting today. I don’t know why that would be. Any thoughts on that? It’s freezing here, and my RA already not a fan, my body does better in warmer weather.

 

[Layla]

Hi msart,
Likely the area is hurting due to increased activity, since you mentioned the gym. At this point your muscles and soft tissues are still healing. You likely stressed the area, leaving it sore. The nerves in the area may still be sensitive. Also, there may be some inflammation due to exercising. Consider taking a break for a few days and allow your body to recover. Ice any / all areas of discomfort. It should help with pain and any inflammation. Usually discomfort or pain after a workout is a sign to scale back. It will improve as your body continues to heal and strengthen. I hope you have a nice Sunday!
@msart

 

[msart]

@Layla-i knew the answer -but for whatever reason it is nice to have some validate it. I rested all afternoon after gym (I did not do much at gym really), all day today & will tomorrow. This resting is really getting old-BUT I know it is what my body is needing. It’s still cold & rainy here, so I have a reasonable excuse to binge Netflix Christmas movies & snuggle with my dog, Lily. When I heal up-I don’t think I’ll watch tv for a long while. It is just taken longer to get back on my feet than I want it to. I’ll have to tackle the gym very slowly & listen to my body, carefully. My mind is beyond ready.

Hope you have a great rest of weekend

 

[myglasshalffull]

Chilly rainy day & a dog to cuddle...say no more! Best kind of day to relax!

 

[msart]

Went to the gym today, my 2nd time-did a few weight machines, nothing too strenuous, just trying to get back in the habit. I’m still slow-slow going, but getting there is 1/2 the battle. I did not have any leg pain tonight, which tells me I did NOT over do it. I’m assuming this is a good sign, normally if I have over done it-I will know it by evening. Do not plan on going back until Friday. Giving myself at least a day in between. Still takes some effort to get dressed, put tennis shoes on & get there. But I went. I feel like gravity for past 13 weeks has taken a huge toll on my body-as I have lost some serious muscle. Hopefully, my skin will remember where to go-ha!! I am by no means back where I was pre breaking my hip, but I am making progress. It will get better ‍.

 

[msart]

Hi all!! I did not do much of anything today-but somehow I have managed to be in ODIC again. I don’t really know how though, unless this is a delayed reaction to gym yesterday-baffling me tonight really. Really thought I reeled myself in today-slept in & slept really well last night, so idk. But here I am, being quite familiar with this feeling-elevating & icing. I had planned a 2 day break, so obviously much needed. This is going to be torture getting back in my routine, if this is the outcome.

Hope everyone had a good day today

 

[mendogal]

When I do an intense strength training at the gym I generally don't feel it until the next day.

Same thing with my hour long Tuesday noontime tai chi: I don't feel it in my quads til Wednesday mid morning.

And so it was with my ODIC visits post knee surgeries!

 

[Layla]

It's been three months to date since your revision...Happy Three Month Anniversary!
Thanks for sharing your journey here. I enjoy the friendly support you offer others, it's appreciated.
I hope this holiday season is all you want it to be! @msart