THR Two New Hips in Six Weeks

[EL11]

Everyone posting on how they squat to relieve themselves. Oh my!

Oy. A few weeks back, I was reading some advice on constipation that included the word "footstool ..."

It is 60 here, expected to start raining in a couple of hours. The handyman is coming to measure the family room for some patching that needs to be done post-conversion from oil to heat, and the cleaning ladies should be here momentarily.

Apropos of nothing, I asked @Layla to retitle my recovery thread sine I was moving on to my other hip, and just realized that it was 7 weeks, not 6, but the dates in the signature tell the story.

 

[EL11]

I had my OS post-op appointment. I forgot to bring my glasses so couldn't read the notes on my phone, but I remembered all my questions I think.

I'm entitled to pt at home through the end of this month. Could I do out-patient after that? Yes, and he circled a couple of places near me that he'd recommend and gave me a scrip.

Why am I in more pain this time? Is it the AVN? Not necessarily. Every healing is different. That condition will give you more pain before the fact, that's for sure. I did not press him on this but he did not indicate that there was more cutting involved, however I would imagine that every patient is different.

I'm down to 10mg oxy at night. Maybe one more prescription? Fine, and OK to take both Tylenol and Advil during the day. I said I was anticipating that the pain might dip down in a week or so and he thought was likely.

How much more does the replacement hip weigh compared to the original hip (@lovesstars ). Only a pound or so, mine anyway (titanium/ceramic/plastic).

Why am I a little heavier though I'm eating less? Probably fluid retention, which can last for a few weeks.

The most important thing was the x-rays, which he said looked excellent, everything all matched up and progressing along.

Over and out, icing again with ibuprofen coursing through my veins.

 

[lovesstars]

@EL11 so glad appt went well!
Now you and Albert can snuggle in for the afternoon.

Ahhhhhhhhhhh.

 

[EL11]

Indeed!

The pt was here this morning too, and said she was happy to see my progress since her last visit over a week ago. It was heartening but I felt like [word beginning with C that I consider mild but will be converted to "mess" if you use it here).

 

[Alitm]

@EL11 Great that your appointment went well and you had your questions answered. It reminded me, now that I am just a little bit more clear headed (I swear there is residual Tramacet still running around in my head....I'll have to google more about the complete withdrawal time), that I should start my question list for my six week check.

Do you know what caused your osteonecrosis? It seems in chatting with several people here, that the second hip ended up being the worst, and that was the hip that had the osteonecrosis. I'm puzzled as to why that hip wasn't dealt with first? It is entirely possible that I'm mixing up people and hips however!

I still can't believe the appliances arriving so early in your recovery, and your stair climbing feat with Albert at that time. No lasting effects from that I hope?

Albert is so adorable!! I just want to reach out and stroke him!!!

Hoping the Tylenol and ice has set you up for a comfortable afternoon

 

[Layla]

Hi @EL11
Hey, great visit with the OS. It's nice to get questions answered and the reassurance all looks well.
Great progress. Albert sure is a cutie.
Hope you have a nice night!

 

[EL11]

@EL11 Great that your appointment went well and you had your questions answered. It reminded me, now that I am just a little bit more clear headed (I swear there is residual Tramacet still running around in my head....I'll have to google more about the complete withdrawal time), that I should start my question list for my six week check.

Do you know what caused your osteonecrosis? It seems in chatting with several people here, that the second hip ended up being the worst, and that was the hip that had the osteonecrosis. I'm puzzled as to why that hip wasn't dealt with first? It is entirely possible that I'm mixing up people and hips however!

I still can't believe the appliances arriving so early in your recovery, and your stair climbing feat with Albert at that time. No lasting effects from that I hope?

Albert is so adorable!! I just want to reach out and stroke him!!!

Hoping the Tylenol and ice has set you up for a comfortable afternoon

I don't know what caused it. My OS had mentioned it only when I asked him why I had more pain on the side, Oh, there is not enough blood supply to the femoral head ...

I had actually scheduled the left hip to be done first, since it gave me more pain; went in and signed a consent form, then changed my mind and had to return to sign my consent form for the right to be done first. The reason was that, aside from my being told that my arthritis was worse on the right side, my right hip would "catch" sometimes. I'd be climbing stairs or getting into bed, and it would just lock up and not move out of a bent position. I'd wait for a minute, wiggle it around and gently try to unlock it and and then it would be okay, but it freaked me out, like it might break in half. It suddenly struck me that I could get stranded if that happened when trying to walk upstairs with the other side being in recovery.

No, aghh, I'm OK after the appliance delivery day and carrying the ball of fluff upstairs with no crutch, thanks for checking. The physical therapist could see I was not injured and found it all amusing, and he is more into just having patients walk or do household stuff than any exercises, so felt the extended standing was no big deal. Ice at least three times a day, he said. I do not have an ice machine but I ice half a dozen times a day at least.

I have to admit, since I am not responsible for Albert's cuteness, that he is an absolute Helen of Troy among cats in the irresistibility department. I adopted him log distance from Houston and we met on FaceTime chat. He was being fostered at the time and I saw him in a vet's office. He was very mischievous, trying to open all the cabinets, but clearly loved being petted. He was trucked cross-country by Rescue Road Trips with dozens of other pets going from the South to New England. He was very hyper at night when we were in a one-bedroom apartment, but since moving into this house, had calmed down considerably.

 

[Alitm]

@EL11 Interesting about the back and forth about your hips, trying to decide which one to do first.

I hope I've done the worst one first! It has been so helpful watching your journey, with your surgeries close together! I hope the extra two weeks (shy a day!) will give me an extra boost!

Hope you and your adorable furry boy have had a pleasant afternoon!

 

[lovesstars]

I don't know what caused it. My OS had mentioned it only when I asked him why I had more pain on the side, Oh, there is not enough blood supply to the femoral head ...

That is why it is called “Avascular Necrosis - AVN”. (No blood supply and then it dies)

 

[EL11]

I hope I've done the worst one first! It has been so helpful watching your journey, with your surgeries close together! I hope the extra two weeks (shy a day!) will give me an extra boost!

@Alitm Don’t fret about the order, it’ll be fine. I do think that extra two weeks will be key for you. I’m super happy I did them close together but as I’ve said, another week or so might have been all to the good. I’m going to make a note of your date and follow your progress!

Yes, kitty and I had a nice afternoon I’m winding down with my 2 nighttime Oxycodone and looking forward to moving upstairs in a couple of days.

I just looked at the outpatient rehab places the OS circled on his list when I told him where I lived, and one of them was at the hospital where I had the surgeries, St Vincent. I will definitely go there, and seek out the woman who gave me the lecture about making an apppintment with him.

@lovesstars I know, I had asked the male pt about it after you were discussing it here; I'm just describing the way the surgeon mentioned to me at the time. I don't know if he would have brought it up if I hadn't asked why my left hip hurt more when the right one was more severely arthritic. The main thing I remember from that appointment was that he said, "They've really both gotta go," I asked how quickly I could do them both, called the boyfriend from the waiting room and booked the dates ...

 

[lovesstars]

@EL11 I apologize. I am like a ridiculous know-it-all sometimes. I will try to keep my mouth shut.

 

[EL11]

@EL11 I apologize. I am like a ridiculous know-it-all sometimes. I will try to keep my mouth shut.

Bwahaha, oh @lovesstars that is so sweet.

 

[lovesstars]

@EL11

 

[1stSurgery]

I enjoy reading everyone's OS check up visit wrap-ups, they're usually so informative and you can see the different types of protocols with each dr. Sounds like a very good and productive visit @EL11. And moving upstairs will be one of those milestones.

I know how it is to be the human mother of an utterly irresistible kitty! We were so lucky to have gotten a dream rescue kitty that could not be better suited to both our personalities and lifestyles than she is. And she has brought so much love into the home, well beyond her 13 lbs worth!!

 

[lovesstars]

Guys!!! Why am I the only one who doesn’t get “high” from oxy???

 

[EL11]

Guys!!! Why am I the only one who doesn’t get “high” from oxy???

For real? I will say that for me it's kind of subtle, an elevation in attitude that tends to make me feel less impatient, more optimistic, see everything in a rosier light. It's the sort of feeling I've gotten from exercise, finishing work I'm proud of, gardening. Once recently I was terribly stressed out about something, and then when I took the opioid I saw it in a completely different light which was not unrealistic at all. At the time I though, gee. It's almost as if I have an Oycodone deficiency.

I know how it is to be the human mother of an utterly irresistible kitty! We were so lucky to have gotten a dream rescue kitty that could not be better suited to both our personalities and lifestyles than she is. And she has brought so much love into the home, well beyond her 13 lbs worth!!

She is precious. Name?

 

[lovesstars]

oxycodone deficiency!!!

 

[lovesstars]

Shoe discussion — I want short black cowboy boots ‘cause they are so cute.
But GAHHHH they are 1-½ inch heels.

 

[EL11]

Shoe discussion — I want short black cowboy boots ‘cause they are so cute.
But GAHHHH they are 1-½ inch heels.

Yeah, it remains to be seen. I used to wear true stiletto heels, which are terrible for your feet over time; I have an expensive pair of "kitten" heels I haven't worn in years, having then made the transition to flats because of worries about my hip instability. I haven't worn any shoes but my Nike tennies in many months. They're great shoes, lightweight, but enough is enough.

 

[SurreyGirl]

You will get there @Lovestars!