THR YAHOO! I made it!

[Cynthia777]

@Nana757, I think I met you once?

 

[Nana757]

Hysterical!!!! Yup, that says it all!!! Oops...it's missing the TV tray with the ever filled cup of coffee.

 

[Josephine]

Josephine: haven't heard back from you regarding the questions you asked of me.

I'm so sorry - we've been having problems with the tagging system and I never got your tag.

1) my pain level, most of the time, hovers around a 2 or less.

Pretty good!

2) medication: 1 10/325 Percocet about 10 to 10:30 in the am and then another between 9 and 10 at night, just before bedtime. If I have breakthrough pain, I'll take another mid afternoon, but that is rare.

fine

3) icing: I ice when I feel the need. Since the pain and swelling hasn't been bad, I don't do it much. But when my knee starts aching, I apply it and leave it on until the bag gets to room temp. I usually only have to do it once and I'm good for quite a while...24 hours, usually.
4) elevating: I elevate my op side leg with one pillow, when I am in bed, always. I keep a thick pillow between my legs, at the crotch and knee, to keep me from breaking the restriction while sleeping. This has worked perfectly, for me.

Jolly good!

6) activity level: haven't been outside since coming home from rehab last Sunday. However, I have been able to cook, do light housework, shower, etc without a problem. In fact, I could do more, if my DH would let me.

Good!

7) exercises: this is where I've been a lazy bum! While I am sitting in my recliner, I will do leg lifts and butt crunches. I walk around the house and do the side steps at every opportunity. While brushing my teeth, I do semi squats for 2 minutes. My home PT starts Monday, so I'm sure I'll be adding to the list. I have 17 stairs to go down to get to our front door (garages in our community are the ground level with all living areas above them). I have no trouble navigating them...up or down. So, even when I'm just sitting, I'm not inactive.

Be lazier! Hips actually don't need much exercise to get better. They do a pretty good job of it all on their own if given half a chance. Trouble is, people don't give them a chance and end up with all sorts of aches and pains and sore spots. All they need is the best therapy which is walking and even then not to excess.

 

[Nana757]

OK! My husband must be right....I am part alien! The PT left a little while ago and said he has never seen anyone bounce back from a THR as quickly as I have. He said I either have a high pain threshold or quick recovery time or both. I'm going with my husband's assessment. I walked all around the house several times, for the PT, without limping, cane-free! Simply amazing! He did give me some exercises to do to strengthen my muscles and the next time he comes, we will work on specific walking exercises. He also told me that walking around with ankle weights will be fine, since they had me working with them at the rehab center. So far, I am only slightly uncomfortable, but did ice up as soon as he left. I so can't wait to see my OS on Monday just so I can give him a big hug and kiss. He has done a remarkable job. And, I really hate that it may sound like I'm bragging, but I truly feel like I'm living in a dream world right now...this has been way too easy and I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. But, at least for now, I am relishing in the thought that I am well on my way to getting my life and activity level back. I love you all, my BS friends, and wish nothing but the best in your recovery!

Thank you @Josephine for your comments.

 

[AndyH99]

@Nana757 That sounds absolutely fantastic, I really hope it continues in the same manner for you all the way through. Congrats on the progress so far and good luck for the next phases.


Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum

 

[Nana757]

Thanks so much @AndyH99. One thing I know for sure, had I not found this site and received all the loving encouragement and advice that you all provide, I would not be as far along as I am.

 

[Cynthia777]

Well I'll be a monkey's uncle! You are quite the alien indeed! I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU....COULDN'T HAPPEN TO A NICER SMARTIE! Keep it up girl!

 

[Josephine]

Oh it's so nice to hear a really upbeat and positive report!

But now the party pooper bit - I don't agree with the PT - waling around with weights on your ankles at 4weeks is just asking for trouble. Hips really don't need much exercise to get better. They do a pretty good job of it all on their own if given half a chance. Trouble is, people don't give them a chance and end up with all sorts of aches and pains and sore spots. All they need is the best therapy which is walking and even then not to excess.

 

[CricketHip]

hey there!! You aren't bragging.. you have every right to feel happy and exuberant and downright giddy in an alien-like way!! Just remember, and I will need to chant this daily after my own surgery. Slow and steady wins the race.. repeat after me... slow and steady wins the race...
thank you for your report on the pre op activities, or lack thereof.. and I laughed @Cynthia777 and her slug cartoon! Perfect! Still laughing..

 

[Nana757]

Ohhh, @Josephine, you are certainly not the party pooper and I totally understand what you are saying. While the PT said it was Ok, that doesn't mean I will do it..Tehehe. I know PT's, in general, tend to be over enthusiastic with their programs. I do know my limits and that keeps me in check, at least most of the time.
Now....as you all can see, it is a little after 3 in the morning and I am wide awake. Woke up for a trip to the potty and now can't seem to fall back asleep. I guess I'm a little more worried about this blood clotting thing and the low INR results I've been experiencing lately, than I thought I was. Because every pain I get in my lower leg I think is a blot clot forming, even though I sleep with my leg elevated, always. @Josephine...please let me know if you think I'm overreacting.
I think all my bragging has come back to bite me.....OHHH...there's that shoe! Kerplunk!!!! I guess I'm human after all....WHEWW!
@CricketHip: thanks for the words of wisdom and yes....@cynthia777's depiction of me is spot on! I laugh every time I see it. She is quite the humorist!
OK...let's see if I can get back to sleep without resorting to medical assistance.

 

[Legin]

Hope you don't mind me stepping into the ladies lair, I have watched with true admiration your recovery passage and you sound so much akin to me. Before I healed in the blink of an eye, I could have a nasty cut, make a butterfly stitch out of gaffa tape and three days later need nothing on it.
You worry about a clot is akin to well something has to go wrong in this process. Whilst I applaud this site for its absolutely out of this world level of support it also gives us so much more info of what can go wrong, I even felt at one point I should stop posting my troubles as I worried it may put people off. But I am one of the unlucky few and it is few. Think how many people were in hospital at same time as you having replacements, multiply it by 50 weeks then multiply that by how many places do replacements around the world and most of those procedures follow a normal and uneventful recovery. So to have major problems really is majorly high odds. I'm.sure you will be fine its great you are being checked and will be. Rest and elevate I'm sure one or two have mentioned this before. Take care lass and I'm not surprised that such a major supporter of others such as you has many buddies supporting you.

Legin THR Sep 14

 

[Nana757]

Thank you so much for your admiration and words of wisdom @Legin. I really do appreciate it. Maybe now I can relax and get back to sleep. Good night my friend.

 

[Legin]

Sleep well lass

Legin THR Sep 14

 

[Nana757]

Thank you...I shall try!

 

[Josephine]

Because every pain I get in my lower leg I think is a blot clot forming, even though I sleep with my leg elevated, always. Josephine...please let me know if you think I'm overreacting.

Well, maybe just a little but the key to thrombosis prevention is moderate activity to stimulate the circulation. Clots occur in slow flowing/stagnant blood so short, gentle walks around the house every hour or so are advised and in between, about 1 minute each of foot rotations and ankle pumps as and when you feel like it. I used to do them when I was watching a film, just for something to do! Still do on occasions as I spend an awful lot of time on the old compute every day and it also helps keep the swollen ankles down a bit. Calf and thigh muscle clenches are good for stimulating the circulation too but don't go mad with them!

 

[CricketHip]

Good morning @Nana757 ! I hope you were able to settle down and sleep, maybe still sleeping right now!
Of course you are worried,, isn't it just the way? You are doing so well and so it's human nature to worry that it's going too smoothly. sigh
The Dr has adjusted your meds and even while you were sleeping the levels are going back up..
You thanked me for the words of wisdom,, be sure to repeat them back to me next month! It's one thing to read all of the great advice on here and then to repeat it, but am sure I will be a gibbering idiot when it's my turn!
a very nice cool front came through last night and hopefully it has arrived where you live and you can enjoy a bit of outdoor time today. If you see a cricket, say hi for me..

 

[Cynthia777]

@Nana757
Are you able to call your surgeon and explain the pains and if you should be concerned. I know you pretty well and you don't like to be a nuisance, but this is something important and I doubt your surgeon will be annoyed by your call. When is your next blood test? I'm praying all is well Nana!

 

[Nana757]

I was finally able to fall back asleep about 5:30 this morning, but was promptly awakened by the grounds crew mowing and edging at 8:00. So, I guess I will do some make-up sleep this afternoon. My worries did finally subside, after receiving words of encouragement from by BS friends (@Legin, @CricketHip and @Josephine). And I thank you all. Josephine: I am constantly moving my ankles, feet and legs throughout the day, whether sitting or walking. So, I do think I'm being a smidgen over concerned. And, crickethip, I hear you loud and clear and will definitely heed your advice. Slow and steady it is. The good news is, I don't feel as sore this morning as I expected...so that's a good thing. But I did take 1/2 Percocet, just to keep it at bey. Planning on venturing out to store today, with hubby to pick up a few essentials that only I can shop for. I can be as descriptive as possible when putting items on a list for him, but it's just so much easier if I just go with him. Ya know what I mean, ladies? I'll report back later and let you all know how it went.

 

[Nana757]

@Cynthia777
All is better this morning, my friend. I think I was just overreacting.

 

[Legin]

So glad you slept well. The mind is amazing as I am finding out but it also runs off to scarey places and often during sleepless nights. Glad we were able to be of assurance. Oh BTW guess who does most of shopperin and cooking in our house......... Tut.

Legin THR Sep 14