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THR Well here I am on the Other Side... :)

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@FionaW getting a decent stretch of sleep does so much good, not only in terms of energy recuperation, but also mentally. Let's hope this is the start of a return to normal.

All the best with the walks ... take it easy, listen to your body and you'll be fine. :)
 
Thank you @Cantabrigian . :) I haven't gone out for a walk yet. It is a beautiful morning here and I have had breakfast in the garden and been sitting in the sun since. I am excited that I made breakfast myself, chopping fruit, making toast and brewing coffee, standing up for 10-15 mins with no pain and just some healthy muscle aching! I can stand and take a few steps without any sticks, which is amazing! I realise I thought I was going to be totally incapacitated by this operation, but in fact already I am better in small ways than I was before: I haven't been able to stand up for as long as 10-15 mins for several months... So altogether, what with small achievements and sunshine, I am feeling very positive this morning!
 
Day 10:
A good day. Made breakfast and lunch - which involved standing up for about 45 mins, which is more than I've managed for months. Had my first trip out of the house since hospital, to my friend's house, where I had my first shower since my op, and very delicious it was too! And then (following the nurse's instructions) I took my dressing off to see a healthy scar healing. :) Today was also the first day I haven't gone back to bed mid-afternoon.

I'm getting stronger by the day. I can potter about at home without sticks, though I'm careful to stay where I have something to grab onto if I need to! And I'm down to just 3 tramadol today (5 yesterday, 8 on the prescription), not because I'm trying to cut down but because I forgot to take them, which must surely be a good sign. All in all, I am feeling very positive!
 
Excellent Fiona! Keep up and remember all the small accomplishments!

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A good update, Fiona :)
Indeed, forgetting the meds is often a sign that you don't need to take so many.
Standing to get meals, walks unaided, showers... all important milestones! :yay:
 
Hi Fiona,
Sorry, I have not posted on your thread but this makes me NEED to: You said
"However, since I got home, I have been spending 22-22.5 hours lying down, and 2-3 of those with my 'nose above toes', so maybe that helps? Ice helps too, as you all know.". Your toes need to be elevated - so it's TOES ABOVE NOSE. Otherwise you're doing exactly opposite with your leg down. Good luck on your recovery
 
Thanks @JustJeff , @Cantabrigian and @grandma chris ! :)
Well, when I went to bed tonight I discovered my ankle and foot were pretty swollen, for the first time, so I guess it overdid it a bit! :unsure: I'm now in bed - yes, with my feet elevated, grandma chris! - and tomorrow I will make certain I have a siesta, whether I feel I 'need' it or not!
 
I guess it's all in learning to pace ourselves :)


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Yup! It's tricky, isn't it? To be honest, I am SO excited not to be in crippling bone-on-bone pain any more, and to find myself getting better day by day rather than worse, that it's tempting to try too much. The swelling is still there this morning, tho it has gone down a lot... I will be more careful!
 
You are doing really well @FionaW . Just keep icing and elevating. The swelling is all part of recovery. And pacing yourself when you are so excited about your progress is very hard. Just a short space of time for a lifetime of pain free living! :happydance:
 
Thank you @Jaycey ! I'm still feeling pretty positive. :) My biggest frustration is the thought that I'm going to have to come back to bed for a lie-down on a gloriously sunny afternoon!
 
How about a lie-down outdoors? Find a shady spot though - looks like it's going to be a hot day today!
 
I'm working on that! I have a sturdy reclining chair, but elevating 'toes above nose' is trickier outside... I'm not sure I'd be able to get up/lie down without help, and I'm on my own today. For now, I'm being good, and I'm back in bed for a while with my feet up and an ice-pack tied to my ankle with a tea towel! :ice:
 
I've taken it very easy today and spent all day sitting or lying down with my feet up, apart from brief stretches/exercises/going to the loo or fetching things. My foot is now spectacularly bruised - as if the blood has washed up on me like a tide! It still doesn't hurt though, which is amazing because it looks like it should! It's funny how I have NO bruising on my thigh, but some below my knee and all this on my foot. I reckon the surgeon must've been shaking me about by the ankle! :xmark: :flabber:

I thought I'd post some pics...

Here it is when it first started swelling yesterday:
[Bonesmart.org] Well here I am on the Other Side... :)


Here's me trying to get an ice pack to stay on this afternoon, using my sock aid and a tubular bandage - it worked; I'm proud!:
[Bonesmart.org] Well here I am on the Other Side... :)


Here it is this evening:
[Bonesmart.org] Well here I am on the Other Side... :)
 
@FionaW I actually expected this to happen to me as well, but so far it hasn't. I could be mistaken but I think what you're experiencing is not an actual bruising of your foot as much as it is just the pooled blood/bruising from higher up following gravity to the lowest point. Although I had no visible bruising on my foot, it did swell a lot. Elevating it was the best thing to do for it. Hope it'll help you.


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I think you're probably right, @moms4tne . It's definitely better when elevated, and what brought it on seems to have been overdoing it and spending too much time vertical rather than horizontal!
 
It's not unusual to see bruising days after your op. You are doing the right thing - ice and elevate. Well done on getting inventive with your sock aid!

Can you please do us a favour and put your surgery date in your signature? Here is a link to show you how:
How to create a signature
 
I have done already @Jaycey - it's the first bit there. Can you not see it? Have I done something to make it visible to just me?!
 
I have just been for my first walk outside my house! I only made it about 100 yards, and back, but it's a start! seeNow I'm sitting back in the garden with a cup of tea and a sore bottom!! I have lived in this house for 9 months, and I realise I have never walked up my street before, because my hip made me so disabled. :yahoo:
 
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