Yesterday, I saw the physical therapist and the intake nurse. The PT said my range of motion was better than expected. We tried the stairs, no go because my right side is not ready to be my "good" leg. She timed me from a sitting position going across the room and back, which was novel,and I did well
I got my exercises, dialing back to the basic ones again. She said the initial stabbing pain when they first got me up and walking after my surgery, might have been the nerve block wearing off.
The nurse came right afterwards. I told him I seemed to be requiring more Oxycodone than last time but knew it helped me to get enough sleep. He said yes, and for the PT. As soon as they call and say they're coming, he said, take two. I looked at my bottle later and saw there were 30, which at the rate I'm going will mean they'll be used up in <a week. Last night, though, I slept through the night without needing another dose. I'll see how it goes and for sure call the OS if I need more. This nurse also recommended that the nurse who comes tomorrow, check my dressing and take it off if appropriate; he said the incision would do well exposed to air and that the cold packs would reach it better.
I meditate, and yesterday I had this revelation when doing so, that tied into something we were talking about in another thread—about committing to participating in life by taking the step to have surgery. I suddenly realized, in a visceral way without thinking about it per se, how much of my "bandwidth" had been taken up by having this inflammation in my hips all the time. I don't mean to sound all Pollyanna because there are ups and downs of course, but at that moment I was not in any significant pain, and felt this incredible sense of freedom—"It's gone."
Thanks again everyone for the feedback and for sharing your own stories. It's nice to be able to help one's comrades in joint replacement. It is a very specific type of experience that only those who've gone through it can fully understand, and appreciate hearing about in detail that might be TMI for loved ones, much as they care. I was looking for a forum like this for literally the whole three months between scheduling and the procedure ... Thanks
@Layla @Mojo333 @lovesstars @An54 @ladylorn and the other posters in my thread for the ongoing good vibes.
OK one last thing about me me me ... I'm trying to take advantage of the fact that I'm not as hungry as usual, to eat more carefully rather than compulsively snacking. I'm on the borderline of being overweight, although if I come out of this an inch taller I get to add another 3-4 pounds, right?! Yes!!