THR Wanting to get my life back after hip replacement

[octopus]

I've not heard that dad has a blog (I'll have to ask), if there is one its more likely written by his wife, who is a talented writer. At the moment they are based in Tasmania as she works for a yacht broker there. They send out newsy emails every so often, which are filled with all kinds of news and travel tales.

 

[pjm]

I sent my email address over to you. It would be great to get on their email list. We have actually linked on the blog but not posted anything yet. How is your day going today? Its so hot here today so I don't plan on doing much of anything until late this evening when I will take a walk. I plan on making a batch of jelly with fruit so we will have something cool to eat. Probably cook on the bbq tonight. Tomorrow is suppose to be much cooler. Our winds are from the NNW already.

 

[octopus]

I've just had a visitor, so am back on the bed resting.

 

[pjm]

I tried to take a short nap and probably was there for 2hrs but did not sleep that long. Its so stinking hot here and the north wind which is blowing nicely is a hot wind.

 

[pjm]

20 days postop today, Not having near as much pain as a week ago which is wonderful! I'm only taking 1-2 tablets for pain a day and the hard stuff has never been used since I came home. I am getting some light pain around the incision which has a water proof bandage on. Plan on calling the home health nurse today to schedule them in to see if the bandage can come off. Going for my first outing today....going to the grocery store with friend. Hope I can make it through it. Not been up on my feet for more than 30 minutes so don't know what to expect. I may have to lean against a counter if needed. Will let everyone know how I do. Its such a big difference today than a week or two weeks ago. The pain at first is slowly fading away in memory.

 

[bottomshollow]

pjm, would you please put your surgery date in your signature, as well as what surgery you had (i.e., LTKR, RTHR) like the rest of us do? You can find the instructions here: How to create a signature. But please also remember that our membership is international and for clarity use the International Date system being Jan. 10, 2013 rather than 1/10/13 or 10/1/13. Thank you for your cooperation.

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[pjm]

Had my first outing today. We went out for lunch and then did some grocery shopping. I was so proud of myself for doing so good. But, tonight I don't feel so great. The muscles in the bad leg are really hurting so took a pain tablet which has relieved it somewhat. I can really feel it in the muscles when I get up and start walking. The district nurse took off my dressing today but still have steri strips on the incision. The incision really looks good. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day after getting rest tonight. After reading some of the other posts, I am so thankful that I have not had a slip or fall.

 

[Firebrand]

Hi pjm, sounds like maybe doing lunch rather than the shopping might have been enough? But well done you for getting out, as I haven't managed a trip yet that wasn't op-related.

 

[pjm]

Yea! 3 weeks postop today. After yesterday I thought last night and today would not be so good but I slept good last night and am feeling really good this morning. For all of you feeling down, hurting or no energy to do anything it does get better. I thank God that I am at the point I am at. Three weeks ago I thought I would never get past this but it is surprising how much better you feel each day and each week. Thanks to everyone on bonesmart who has helped me during these past three weeks! Now to set my next short term goal......

 

[BarbaraR]

pjm, great news! I'm glad you're doing so well.

 

[pjm]

Scheduled a hair appointment for today but nothing else. Just doing a little something for me has helped a lot. Did not want to over do it like yesterday. Muscles seem to be settling down a bit but still have some soreness. Rest of the day spent laying around, reading and watched a movie. Tomorrow will be a better day.

 

[Jaycey]

pjm, you sound like things are going very well! Easy does it - build up that activity level. So glad you are seeing progress!

 

[pjm]

Plan on taking it easy this weekend. Spent a restless night last night but did get some sleep and did not have to get up in the middle of the night.

 

[ByGosh]

Hi pjm, I'm just reading through your thread and you are making great progress! I can't wait until I can do some of the things you are doing. Today is day 10 post op for my bilateral total hip replacements, and I'm still sort of down and out. Tired, nauseous - probably from the Coumadion and the low blood counts after surgery. Still having pain, somedays quite alot, not comfortable sleeping, etc., etc. But, the surgery is over with and now I just have to be patient, keep my spirits up, and read posts like yours that take me through other people's recoveries, so I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Keep up the good work and keep on posting - it helps all of us. Thanks.

 

[pjm]

Hi Bygosh, I think one thing that helped me was staying on the pain meds on schedule for the first two weeks. This helped me be able to get sleep at various times. My doctor also gave me something to take at night which really helped. I am feeling good and have to watch it so I don't over do it. As in one of my previous messages, I did overdo it when I went shopping but I am watching things a bit more closer. You will be up and going before you know it.

 

[Poppet]

Welcome pjm... another Aussie.. I love it when we get get more from 'down under' joining the forum..

Do remember you have had major surgery and 'slow and steady' is the name of game for recovery from a THR..

Once again, welcome

 

[pjm]

Thanks Poppet, today has been a laying around day and then cooking something nice for tea. Its only been around 17 today with the rain so I have kinda hung out with the rain. Watched a little TV, took a nap and doing much of nothing. Tomorrow should be a better day.
All my steri strips have come off now and the scar looks as best as can be expected. I never had staples or stiches to come out, with a hiden stich and steri strips the scar looks clean. My leg does hurt some running down from the incision to about a foot below it. I'm hoping this will get better soon.

 

[Poppet]

You will get there, very important not to rush recovery.. Remember the mantra.. Rest, elevate, ice and keep ahead of pain breakthrough

 

[octopus]

Hi pjm, how was your day today? I'm amazed that I'm not yet two weeks, I thought I would be at this point at four weeks. I did have a sleep today, only to be woken by a 4.0 earthquake. Quite a shock to the system, we do have small ones but I've never felt one here before. The epicentre was not too far from where I'm staying. (On one of the islands just offshore).

 

[pjm]

Hi Octopus, went to church today for the first time in since surgery then stopped at the grocery store with hubbie for a few things. Spent the afternoon reading and taking a nap for two hours. Pain was worse today than in previous days. I have taken 3 pain tablets today and hope its just a one of day.
It must be pretty scary to be in an earthquake.....are you in an area where they happen very often?
After the rain yesterday, it was nice to have a partical sunny day today. I go back to PT on Tues so kinda waiting to see what they say. I am getting around on one crutch most of the time and can move in the kitchen without a crutch.
I'm wondering if its normal to have swelling on some days and not as much on others?