Bilateral THR Twice as Nice - JennyLynne's recovery

[Mojo333]

Do ask for tips...I think my game plan was "best way I could" Doable, but slow so did have to get help when it was more urgent.
It does give us an upper body workoutDo you have a recliner at home?
It was easier for me to nap and within a few days, I could manage getting up from there much better than the bed.

 

[hbl]

Would just echo - please please get yourself/hire a recliner if you don't have one. Don't know if you have followed my thread (had a bilateral on feb 19th this year) and did/am doing a day by day/week recovery thread and you might find it useful.

 

[Layla]

Safe travels home Jenny.
Let us know how it went once you're settled in and comfortable.
I hope today is a good one for you. You'll be reunited with your little guy!
@JennyLynne

 

[JennyLynne]

Waiting on discharge papers and scripts!!! I’m fairly terrified of gettting into and out of car, and that flight of stairs at home... but it’s time to do it already!

I don’t have a recliner. I managed without for my knee, but knees need a lot less moving and more elevating so I staying in my bed mostly. Wonder if I should have looked into this for the hips? Where can you rent from?


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[Carriemay60]

Google "recliner lift chair rentals" and your area.

 

[SarahBee]

@JennyLynne look for DME (durable medical equipment) companies, or an alternative is a rent to own company, such as Aaron's, etc. Don't know what they have in your area.

 

[Layla]

If you see this before discharge....hunt down a plastic trash bag for the car seat. Works wonders for swiveling to face forward (dashboard) once seated.
As Sarah mentioned, call Medical Supply places. While you can do recovery without a recliner, they do make it easier and if it's within the budget...rent a lift recliner. I had one and found it invaluable.
@JennyLynne
Safe travels!

 

[JennyLynne]

I AM HOME!
@Layla the trash bag trick... genius! Thank you

Getting into and out of car wasn’t too bad

The stairs... whoa boy that was not fun. My husband had to really support me. But we did it!

My legs ache in a way I never knew possible- like deep achy crampy ouch. I’m sure it will settle down. After all, I’ve only been home about 15 min!


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[LAbabymama]

Welcome home @JennyLynne! Must be nice to be back with your family in your own space.

 

[Elf1]

Yippee, you're home!

 

[JennyLynne]

Slept for 2 hours as soon as I laid down and was woken up by my little guy getting home from school. All is good [emoji170]


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[JennyLynne]

Ouch... paying for that trip home. Every inch of my legs ache.

I remember a chart for taking meds... how to use Tylenol in between and such, for max benefit. Can someone post that for me?
Thanks!


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[Layla]

Hi Jenny,
That's a tough one not knowing what other meds you're taking. I think your best bet would be to call the office of your OS and ask to have your meds adjusted. We do have a Tylenol / Tramadol schedule Jo posts on occasion, but beyond that she may be the only one who can advise on meds...or possibly @Jamie. I'll tag @Josephine but with the time difference beteeen the U.K, where she resides, and US time, can't promise when she'll address this.

Please consider calling and speaking to whoever is "on call" at the office of your OS so you're able to get the pain relief you need and rest comfortably this evening and overnight. Ice too! Great for swelling and pain.
Wishing you comfort!
@JennyLynne

 

[Pumpkin]

@JennyLynne
Here is a copy of the Tramadol Tylenol chart (paracetamol).

 

[Carriemay60]

Welcome home!! I bet your main squeeze was thrilled to see you when he got home from school! We bought a pill reminder box at the dollar store and put stickers on for times of day. My box was designed for 7 days with am and pm so lots of room for the whole day. I also put big stickers with times on all my bottles and highlighted important info like AM or 6am & 6pm. It took a lot of pressure off my husband and son the first week and protected me if I felt confused. I truly hope you sleep well tonight. Set the alarm for painkiller and head to the potty everytime you wake to avoid a rush or incontinence an hour later

 

[JennyLynne]

@Pumpkln that’s the one- thanks!


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[JennyLynne]

Slept from 10pm to 1am and woke just before it was time for meds. Needed hubbys help- can’t get out of bed or into bed without it.

Break down into tears every time I need to get up. The pain, the helplessness... I just person. It’s certainly not helping matters [emoji17]


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[Chappyd]

This to shall pass. I'm very independent. I get very frustrated when I have to ask for help. My wife gets frustrated with me when I don't let her help or don't ask.
It's only day 4. I tried to sleep in bed last night. I made it to 1am. We left the ice machine downstairs so anyways I had to wake her up to help me get all my paraphernalia downstairs and get some ice for swelling. Thankfully she went back upstairs so at least she will be able to get some rest. But during the day today i got some glimpses of what lies ahead and it is good.

 

[Mojo333]

@JennyLynne
These first weeks ARE a struggle, and for me the first week in particular...it's hard to be down and dependant and unable to do things yourself. All temporary...so first and foremost, try not to feel badly that you need so much right now.
You will be so much better for getting this done and it WILL be worth it.
I was a nervous wreck for the first week, and if you get bored and want to read some serious worrying and whining, pop by my recovery thread. (Link in my signature) You can see how "normal" this stage is in recovery and hopefully also see how quickly things came around..though seemed interminably slow when you are there.
Just try to go with it for now and ask questions here..I was constantly needing reassurance that all would be well.
You can do this...Sending all the best mojo your way.

 

[JennyLynne]

@Mojo333 working my way through your thread again. Helps give perspective for sure!

Realizing I was woefully under-medicated last night. My own fault. Need to be better about that.

Forgot my son didn’t have school today. It’s pouring rain... so... way too much screen time for this guy!