No more crutches. I'm walking all by myself. Granted, I'm slow. Stairs are still a challenge, and if I walk to far or too long, I get tired and sore.
I just got sick of the crutches. Getting them in and out of the car is ridiculous. Stairs are stupid. And my armpits are sore as hell.
It still requires some concentration to walk without limping. Not necessarily because it hurts, but because my brain isn't quite ready to let me put my full weight on it unless I focus. So the slow walking is not because that's all I can handle, but because I have to relearn how to walk without limping.
There are still times I forget that it doesn't hurt anymore. It's always a surprise to me "Oh, yeah, no more pain!"
Another awesome thing? Yesterday I stopped taking the blood thinners! Honestly, the biggest hassle wasn't the pills themselves, but getting my blood checked twice a week. I had to take off work three times just to go in to the Sugarhouse clinic, wait in the waiting room for ten minutes, just to get my finger pricked and be sent on my way. And now it's over!
There's more to celebrate about four weeks post-op than two, that's for sure!
Friday, June 29, 2012
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Swimmin'
Today I hooked up with my friend/coworker/bridesmaid Emily for some pool time! She has a summer pass to Steiner Aquatic Center. They've got a kick-ass Olympic outdoor pool.
It's the first time I've been swimming since the surgery. It felt FANTASTIC to get in the water! At first I just did some of my PT exercises at the side. But pretty soon I couldn't help but swim a few laps.
We spent a half hour in the pool total. I swam about 500 yds. This is only about a third of what I usually swim, but I had no desire to hurt anything. I did several laps of just pulling (arms) with a pool buoy, and a few laps of full swimming with kicking!
I can't say that it "hurt". The sensation was more of uncomfortableness. Like things were pulling that shouldn't have been pulling, or something wasn't in the right place. It wasn't an overwhelming feeling, so I assume that it's a normal part of getting things moving and working again.
After the swim, we both passed out in the sun for about 20 minutes.
It's so nice to be able to swim again!
It's the first time I've been swimming since the surgery. It felt FANTASTIC to get in the water! At first I just did some of my PT exercises at the side. But pretty soon I couldn't help but swim a few laps.
We spent a half hour in the pool total. I swam about 500 yds. This is only about a third of what I usually swim, but I had no desire to hurt anything. I did several laps of just pulling (arms) with a pool buoy, and a few laps of full swimming with kicking!
I can't say that it "hurt". The sensation was more of uncomfortableness. Like things were pulling that shouldn't have been pulling, or something wasn't in the right place. It wasn't an overwhelming feeling, so I assume that it's a normal part of getting things moving and working again.
After the swim, we both passed out in the sun for about 20 minutes.
It's so nice to be able to swim again!
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Bowling for Rhinos
Last night was our annual Bowling for Rhinos event. It's a bowl-a-thon raising money for rhino conservation. Last year, I was the event chairperson, but this year all I had to do was show up.
It's the first time since going back to work that I had to work all day, and then attend an event at night as well. By 9pm, I was wiped. I left early and passed out on the couch.
The one positive was that I'm starting to be able to ditch the crutches. The short trips back and forth between tables and to the bathroom were totally manageable without crutches.
It's the first time since going back to work that I had to work all day, and then attend an event at night as well. By 9pm, I was wiped. I left early and passed out on the couch.
The one positive was that I'm starting to be able to ditch the crutches. The short trips back and forth between tables and to the bathroom were totally manageable without crutches.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Down to one crutch!
To start my first full work week, I'm celebrating by leaving one of my crutches at home! The physical therapist said that I should transition as long as I am not limping at each stage. So over the weekend, I practiced on one crutch. And it worked out OK.
It's much much easier to get around on one crutch instead of two. I can carry things, like papers or my lunch, with the other hand. I'm also much faster, and going up stairs is easier as well.
Tomorrow is the three-week post-op date. I'm pretty sure that being down to one crutch just three week after surgery is a win.
It's much much easier to get around on one crutch instead of two. I can carry things, like papers or my lunch, with the other hand. I'm also much faster, and going up stairs is easier as well.
Tomorrow is the three-week post-op date. I'm pretty sure that being down to one crutch just three week after surgery is a win.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Sweet Vehicular Freedom!
Today is Monday, June 18. It's been a two weeks and four days since my surgery. And today, I drove myself to the clinic to get my INR checked!
Granted, I drove slowly and only needed to go as far as Sugarhouse. But I can drive again! No major pain or uncomfortableness, no dizziness, no issues.
SWEET MOTHER OF GOD I CAN DRIVE AGAIN!
Granted, I drove slowly and only needed to go as far as Sugarhouse. But I can drive again! No major pain or uncomfortableness, no dizziness, no issues.
SWEET MOTHER OF GOD I CAN DRIVE AGAIN!
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Two-Week Post-Op Appointment
Thursday was my 2 week post-op appointment. I wasn't really sure what to expect. X-rays? PT? Blood tests? I knew I'd be getting my bandage off, but that was about it.
The office was running about an hour late, and I ended up seeing Dr. Peter's PA instead of him. It didn't really matter to me either way (although the hour delay cut into my pre-dinner nap time.) I also didn't have a co-pay. Apparently any appointment you make 90 days after surgery is considered part of the treatment, and so is included in the entire package...or something.
The appointment its self was only about 15 minutes start to finish. The nurse took off my bandage and replaced it with strips of medical tape. I assume this was to stablize the incision but allow it open-air time to heal. A one-inch section at the top was (and still is) bleeding a little, but not all the time and not enough to be really worried about.
I was given a list of things to keep doing. Wear your compression stockings (that hasn't happened for about a week now), keep doing your physical therapy, don't go into any pools or hot tubs until the scar is healed over (when is that?)
I had to remind them to take my blood to test my INR. I felt so rushed that I forgot to ask about further PT (keep doing it myself or do I see someone somewhere?) The whole thing was really bizarre. No x-rays, no range-of-motion stuff. I got her to write me a prescription for Tramadol since I was really eager to get off the oxy. And I got some antibiotics for my eventual tattoo (I've got a Groupon to use!) I also had to ask for a "doctor's note" for work, and I basically had to tell her what to put on it.
I don't have another appointment for a month, which is my six-week post-op. I still have to go in to a clinic to get my INR checked, as going back to work means that the home health people can't come see me anymore.
I can't say I'm 100% sure of what's going on, but I guess I'll figure it out.
The office was running about an hour late, and I ended up seeing Dr. Peter's PA instead of him. It didn't really matter to me either way (although the hour delay cut into my pre-dinner nap time.) I also didn't have a co-pay. Apparently any appointment you make 90 days after surgery is considered part of the treatment, and so is included in the entire package...or something.
The appointment its self was only about 15 minutes start to finish. The nurse took off my bandage and replaced it with strips of medical tape. I assume this was to stablize the incision but allow it open-air time to heal. A one-inch section at the top was (and still is) bleeding a little, but not all the time and not enough to be really worried about.
I was given a list of things to keep doing. Wear your compression stockings (that hasn't happened for about a week now), keep doing your physical therapy, don't go into any pools or hot tubs until the scar is healed over (when is that?)
I had to remind them to take my blood to test my INR. I felt so rushed that I forgot to ask about further PT (keep doing it myself or do I see someone somewhere?) The whole thing was really bizarre. No x-rays, no range-of-motion stuff. I got her to write me a prescription for Tramadol since I was really eager to get off the oxy. And I got some antibiotics for my eventual tattoo (I've got a Groupon to use!) I also had to ask for a "doctor's note" for work, and I basically had to tell her what to put on it.
I don't have another appointment for a month, which is my six-week post-op. I still have to go in to a clinic to get my INR checked, as going back to work means that the home health people can't come see me anymore.
I can't say I'm 100% sure of what's going on, but I guess I'll figure it out.
Friday, June 15, 2012
First Day Back at Work!
Friday, June 15th was my first day back at work. Two weeks after surgery. I was out of sick time and really didn't want to tap into my FMLA (especially since it's unpaid).
Getting up that morning was kind of rough, as I haven't had to be functional before 9am in two weeks. I had to get dressed, pack a lunch, eat breakfast....I know, I know. None of this is exactly rocket science. But it tired me out before I even left the house.
I got a ride with a coworker since I wasn't quite ready to drive yet. Spent most of the day working on computer projects. I felt really good all morning! Walking to lunch was a challenge, but I needed it after sitting all morning (a big no-no with the blood-clot prevention).
Then the afternoon rolled around. 1:30 - 3:00 has been my nap time for the last week and a half, and I felt it! Sitting at the computer without nodding off was tough. But I made it through the day.
Only two more days until the weekend!
Getting up that morning was kind of rough, as I haven't had to be functional before 9am in two weeks. I had to get dressed, pack a lunch, eat breakfast....I know, I know. None of this is exactly rocket science. But it tired me out before I even left the house.
I got a ride with a coworker since I wasn't quite ready to drive yet. Spent most of the day working on computer projects. I felt really good all morning! Walking to lunch was a challenge, but I needed it after sitting all morning (a big no-no with the blood-clot prevention).
Then the afternoon rolled around. 1:30 - 3:00 has been my nap time for the last week and a half, and I felt it! Sitting at the computer without nodding off was tough. But I made it through the day.
Only two more days until the weekend!
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Sightseeing (Days 11-14)
Days 11 and 12 post-surgery were uneventful. I did more sitting, and napping, and took a shower.
Days 13 and 14, however, were full of new milestones.
My aunt and uncle were in town. They had taken a road trip to Colorado and decided to make the 8 hour drive out to SLC to visit! It was good timing, as I was healed enough to leave the house, but still out of work.
Previously, I'd only ventured out of the house and into a vehicle once, on our Saturday Culver's trip. The plan was to visit the Temple on Wednesday, and then the Zoo on Thursday. I'd gotten much better on the crutches but still got tired easily, so it was all about wheelchairs.
The Temple is very accommodating on the wheelchair front. They had a room full of them and let me have one for free. The little missionary girls even offered to push me most of the time, giving my uncle and aunt a break. Almost everything on Temple Square is handicap accessible. The exception was the Lion House tour, as the house is a historical landmark and not suited to wheelchairs. I've been on the tour before so that wasn't a big deal. We listened to the organ recital at the Tabernacle. I took that opportunity to get out of the wheelchair and sit on the bench for a half hour. Either my ass is huge or that chair was super small, because that that chair was very uncomfortable. I'm glad I don't have to sit in one full-time!
We had lunch at Fiddler's Elbow, and then they dropped me off at my doctor's appointment. It was my two-week post-operative appointment. More on that in another post. Wednesday night we went out to dinner at Red Iguana. Normally I would have had a margarita, but I figured my liver is working overtime as it is what with all the drugs I'm taking. No need to completely explode it.
On Thursday we visited the zoo. Usually, you have to rent wheelchairs there, but Bob the security guy recognized me and just got one out of the back. I don't know how it works at the front gate, but I found it way easier to use the South entrance. We could have driven right up to the gate and gotten a wheelchair if needed. The wheelchairs at the front entrance are down the hill a ways, so I'm not sure if someone would have gotten one for us, or I would have had to walk down the hill a bit.
The zoo is hilly, and I felt bad for making my aunt and uncle push me. They didn't seem to mind, and my aunt kept telling me how cool it was that they had their own personal tour guide. I did realize that navigating the SAB in a wheelchair isn't as difficult as I thought it would be.
I'm really glad that things worked out the way they did. I needed some kind of activity, but didn't want to jump right into a full work day. This way I got out, challenged myself but still was able to work a nap into the mix to keep me going. And it was awesome to see my family and talk wedding stuff!
Days 13 and 14, however, were full of new milestones.
My aunt and uncle were in town. They had taken a road trip to Colorado and decided to make the 8 hour drive out to SLC to visit! It was good timing, as I was healed enough to leave the house, but still out of work.
Previously, I'd only ventured out of the house and into a vehicle once, on our Saturday Culver's trip. The plan was to visit the Temple on Wednesday, and then the Zoo on Thursday. I'd gotten much better on the crutches but still got tired easily, so it was all about wheelchairs.
The Temple is very accommodating on the wheelchair front. They had a room full of them and let me have one for free. The little missionary girls even offered to push me most of the time, giving my uncle and aunt a break. Almost everything on Temple Square is handicap accessible. The exception was the Lion House tour, as the house is a historical landmark and not suited to wheelchairs. I've been on the tour before so that wasn't a big deal. We listened to the organ recital at the Tabernacle. I took that opportunity to get out of the wheelchair and sit on the bench for a half hour. Either my ass is huge or that chair was super small, because that that chair was very uncomfortable. I'm glad I don't have to sit in one full-time!
We had lunch at Fiddler's Elbow, and then they dropped me off at my doctor's appointment. It was my two-week post-operative appointment. More on that in another post. Wednesday night we went out to dinner at Red Iguana. Normally I would have had a margarita, but I figured my liver is working overtime as it is what with all the drugs I'm taking. No need to completely explode it.
On Thursday we visited the zoo. Usually, you have to rent wheelchairs there, but Bob the security guy recognized me and just got one out of the back. I don't know how it works at the front gate, but I found it way easier to use the South entrance. We could have driven right up to the gate and gotten a wheelchair if needed. The wheelchairs at the front entrance are down the hill a ways, so I'm not sure if someone would have gotten one for us, or I would have had to walk down the hill a bit.
The zoo is hilly, and I felt bad for making my aunt and uncle push me. They didn't seem to mind, and my aunt kept telling me how cool it was that they had their own personal tour guide. I did realize that navigating the SAB in a wheelchair isn't as difficult as I thought it would be.
I'm really glad that things worked out the way they did. I needed some kind of activity, but didn't want to jump right into a full work day. This way I got out, challenged myself but still was able to work a nap into the mix to keep me going. And it was awesome to see my family and talk wedding stuff!
Monday, June 11, 2012
The Weekend - Days 8, 9, and 10
So remember how I was all "I'm going to the Scottish Festival!"
Yeah. That didn't so much happen.
It wasn't that my hip actually hurt. My pain level has hoovered around a 2 (on a scale of 1-10) for a while now.
I'm realizing now that pain is not really an inhibiting factor in my recovery and general getting-around-ness. The problem is stamina...endurance...energy.
Major surgery knocks you on your ass. Even a 30-year-old in relatively good physical condition. I've just now gotten to the point where at ten minute walk around the apartment complex doesn't make me dizzy. Taking a shower wipes me out for a good half hour afterwards.
I'm slowly getting my endurance back. On Saturday night, we went out to Culvers! It was the first time I'd left the house in a week! Yes, all these exclamation points are totally necessary!!
The Culvers trip was quite an ordeal. It involved getting in and out of the car, which is something I hadn't done since coming home from the hospital. Even sitting in the car and driving was different, with the bucket seat "hugging" my hips, and the bumps and jerks of riding on the highway. I also had to shimmy and out of the booth at the restaurant.
All of it went really well, though. It was nice to be out of the house, among people, in the fresh air. To do a normal Saturday night thing. And it was also nice for Paul to not have to make dinner for once.
The improvement is slow, but I can see it. Each day has some small improvement over the previous one. There are times when I get frustrated that I'm not "better" yet. I knew going into this that it would take weeks to heal, but halfway through the second week I want to be done! I want to be fixed! Ulg. Impatience will not help me get better.
Yeah. That didn't so much happen.
It wasn't that my hip actually hurt. My pain level has hoovered around a 2 (on a scale of 1-10) for a while now.
I'm realizing now that pain is not really an inhibiting factor in my recovery and general getting-around-ness. The problem is stamina...endurance...energy.
Major surgery knocks you on your ass. Even a 30-year-old in relatively good physical condition. I've just now gotten to the point where at ten minute walk around the apartment complex doesn't make me dizzy. Taking a shower wipes me out for a good half hour afterwards.
I'm slowly getting my endurance back. On Saturday night, we went out to Culvers! It was the first time I'd left the house in a week! Yes, all these exclamation points are totally necessary!!
The Culvers trip was quite an ordeal. It involved getting in and out of the car, which is something I hadn't done since coming home from the hospital. Even sitting in the car and driving was different, with the bucket seat "hugging" my hips, and the bumps and jerks of riding on the highway. I also had to shimmy and out of the booth at the restaurant.
All of it went really well, though. It was nice to be out of the house, among people, in the fresh air. To do a normal Saturday night thing. And it was also nice for Paul to not have to make dinner for once.
The improvement is slow, but I can see it. Each day has some small improvement over the previous one. There are times when I get frustrated that I'm not "better" yet. I knew going into this that it would take weeks to heal, but halfway through the second week I want to be done! I want to be fixed! Ulg. Impatience will not help me get better.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Physical Therapy
For the first two weeks (at least), my insurance covers six home visits of a physical therapist. Debbie came for the first time on Tuesday. This is what my "assignment" is for the next couple of days.
Walking with the crutches:
Up and down the hall every two hours, as much as is comfortable. For me, that's about four times before my hip starts to get tired. Not really painful, just my muscles telling me they're done for now.
3x10 reps of each, per day:
Flex the ankle up and relax
Tighten quad, pushing knee down. Hold 5 seconds, relax
With leg flat out, move heel out to side. This uses the muscles on the outside of the thigh. Relax, move foot back in to center.
This one is rough for me, as much of my actual "pain" is on the inside of my thigh. The physical therapist said that at first, I didn't even need to worry much about actually moving my foot, so long as I was concentrating on using the muscles that would, eventually, move my foot.
Lay on back, with foot flat on bed. Raise knee up, sliding foot on the bed. Slide foot back down.
Here are some pictures, in case you're curious
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00303
Debbie was very nice. She assured me that I was actually ahead of many of the patients she usually sees, simply because the rest of my body was in good shape. She corrected my walking slightly and gave me tips for getting up off the couch easier. She'll be back tomorrow, and I'm not really pumped about upping the difficulty!
Walking with the crutches:
Up and down the hall every two hours, as much as is comfortable. For me, that's about four times before my hip starts to get tired. Not really painful, just my muscles telling me they're done for now.
3x10 reps of each, per day:
Flex the ankle up and relax
Tighten quad, pushing knee down. Hold 5 seconds, relax
With leg flat out, move heel out to side. This uses the muscles on the outside of the thigh. Relax, move foot back in to center.
This one is rough for me, as much of my actual "pain" is on the inside of my thigh. The physical therapist said that at first, I didn't even need to worry much about actually moving my foot, so long as I was concentrating on using the muscles that would, eventually, move my foot.
Lay on back, with foot flat on bed. Raise knee up, sliding foot on the bed. Slide foot back down.
Here are some pictures, in case you're curious
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00303
Debbie was very nice. She assured me that I was actually ahead of many of the patients she usually sees, simply because the rest of my body was in good shape. She corrected my walking slightly and gave me tips for getting up off the couch easier. She'll be back tomorrow, and I'm not really pumped about upping the difficulty!
Post Surgery Day 7 - One Week!
It's been a week today since I went under the knife. It seems like much longer than a week, and also much shorter.
And the consensus one week out? This was totally worth it.
I'm still sore. Still using crutches to walk, and still having difficulty getting out of bed.
But even in recovery, I have a greater range of motion in my hip than I did before. And the better I feel, but more upbeat I am about my future and the things I'll be able to do when I'm fully recovered.
I had one of my "down" days today. I woke up sore and slept most of my day away. I'm starting to see this is as a normal cycle. A few days of win, and then a day where my body has to play catch-up for all the advances I've been making. I still did my physical therapy today, but that's about it.
The home health nurse came again today to take my blood levels. I've reached my goal number for the blood thinners, so my dosage has been adjusted again for the weekend.
My hope is that tomorrow will be a good day, after all the lounging I did today. Tomorrow is the Scottish Festival down at Thanksgiving Point. It's where we got my engagement ring last year, and we need to look for wedding rings. Also, its an event I can attend while sitting the entire time, which hopefully won't be too much for me to handle.
And the consensus one week out? This was totally worth it.
I'm still sore. Still using crutches to walk, and still having difficulty getting out of bed.
But even in recovery, I have a greater range of motion in my hip than I did before. And the better I feel, but more upbeat I am about my future and the things I'll be able to do when I'm fully recovered.
I had one of my "down" days today. I woke up sore and slept most of my day away. I'm starting to see this is as a normal cycle. A few days of win, and then a day where my body has to play catch-up for all the advances I've been making. I still did my physical therapy today, but that's about it.
The home health nurse came again today to take my blood levels. I've reached my goal number for the blood thinners, so my dosage has been adjusted again for the weekend.
My hope is that tomorrow will be a good day, after all the lounging I did today. Tomorrow is the Scottish Festival down at Thanksgiving Point. It's where we got my engagement ring last year, and we need to look for wedding rings. Also, its an event I can attend while sitting the entire time, which hopefully won't be too much for me to handle.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Wednesday - Post Surgery Day 6
Today was great!
Last night was the first evening I didn't go to bed at 9pm and pass out right away. I read in bed for a good two hours before feeling sleepy enough to drift off. This is an improvement.
Lindsay came over for lunch today. She brought me Cafe Rio and rented the new Footloose from Red Box. I was going to take a shower, but that got put on the back burner when I woke up on the couch only a half an hour before she was supposed to get here. That was not enough time to shower, but it was enough time to change clothes, including putting on a real bra (another milestone!)
I sat up the whole time, with no dizziness. We talked about work, discussed some "monkey business" that needed to be decided, and gossiped a bit. During the movie, I did my first round of physical therapy exercises. After the movie, I took three laps up and down the hallway on my crutches.
I also got a real shower today. I had taken one at the hospital, using a shower chair. I had also tried to take one on Monday, but had to just use shampoo and get out, due to dizziness. But today, when Paul got home, I took a real, long shower. I stood up the whole time, conditioned my hair, the whole bit. And then I dressed myself!
This, folks, is a banner day. And less than a week out from surgery, too.
Last night was the first evening I didn't go to bed at 9pm and pass out right away. I read in bed for a good two hours before feeling sleepy enough to drift off. This is an improvement.
Lindsay came over for lunch today. She brought me Cafe Rio and rented the new Footloose from Red Box. I was going to take a shower, but that got put on the back burner when I woke up on the couch only a half an hour before she was supposed to get here. That was not enough time to shower, but it was enough time to change clothes, including putting on a real bra (another milestone!)
I sat up the whole time, with no dizziness. We talked about work, discussed some "monkey business" that needed to be decided, and gossiped a bit. During the movie, I did my first round of physical therapy exercises. After the movie, I took three laps up and down the hallway on my crutches.
I also got a real shower today. I had taken one at the hospital, using a shower chair. I had also tried to take one on Monday, but had to just use shampoo and get out, due to dizziness. But today, when Paul got home, I took a real, long shower. I stood up the whole time, conditioned my hair, the whole bit. And then I dressed myself!
This, folks, is a banner day. And less than a week out from surgery, too.
Tuesday - Post Surgery Day 5
I thought Tuesday would be rough, and it didn't start out too great. I got up at 2pm to pee, and ended up puking into the tub while sitting on the toilet. I'm not sure what the issue was; I hadn't taken another oxy at that point, so maybe that it had worn off? I was exhausted from getting myself out of bed? I don't know.
But Tuesday was...pretty awesome. I mean, all things considered. I got back to bed, went back to sleep, and woke up pretty damn settled. For some reason, Tuesday morning was the magic one for the dizziness. Getting from the bed to the couch was...fine. I felt well enough for Paul to go to work, and so managed pretty well by myself all day.
It helped that I actually pooped Tuesday morning (separate post), which put an end to the obsessive water-drinking, and hence, the constant peeing.
The physical therapist lady also came that afternoon, and I was able to get up and open the door for her!
I'm measuring accomplishments in odd ways. It works for me.
But Tuesday was...pretty awesome. I mean, all things considered. I got back to bed, went back to sleep, and woke up pretty damn settled. For some reason, Tuesday morning was the magic one for the dizziness. Getting from the bed to the couch was...fine. I felt well enough for Paul to go to work, and so managed pretty well by myself all day.
It helped that I actually pooped Tuesday morning (separate post), which put an end to the obsessive water-drinking, and hence, the constant peeing.
The physical therapist lady also came that afternoon, and I was able to get up and open the door for her!
I'm measuring accomplishments in odd ways. It works for me.
The First Day Home - Post Surgery Day 4
This post is about Monday - my first full day back at home. It should speak volumes that this post isn't happening until Wednesday!
It was....rough. I was in pain. Granted, the pain was less than I had been anticipating. It really only hurt when I moved...which was every time I had to get up and pee. And I was peeing a lot, drinking lots of fluids to get the 'ole bowels up and moving (see previous post).
They tell you not to sit on couches and recliners. Sorry, I'm a rebel. Breaking the rules, sitting on a couch all day long. But here's the thing....I couldn't sit up. I got dizzy, and dizziness lead to nauseousness, which lead to puking, which does not lend its self to getting the 'ole bowels moving, let alone a speedy recovery.
Thankfully, Paul saw that I was not doing well when he woke me up that morning and decided to stay home from work. I can't stay in bed unless Paul is home because our bed is low to the ground and way harder to get out of than the forbidden couch I'm sitting on right now. So I currently go to bed with him, and get up with him, to get transplanted to the couch for the rest of the day. That transition was less than smooth Monday morning.
The day was a blur of taking an oxy, passing out for an hour or two, and then waking up having to pee. A dizzy, epic journey to the toilet, with plenty of moaning and groaning on my part (I'm a huge baby when I my stomach is upset). Back to the couch, drink some water, sleep some more, repeat. The home-heath nurse came at some point (separate post), and even she thought I looked kinda pale, directing most of the complicated directions to Paul.
It was the worst day I've had since the Friday directly after surgery. It's normal, apparently, to have the hospital-to-home transition take a lot out of you. You're doing way more for yourself, in an environment that isn't necessarily conducive to someone who's medically compromised.
That was Monday. This is Wednesday night, and I feel much, much better! Truly, the difference a few days have made is miraculous. I guess if it starts out bad, it's that much better when it's better!
It was....rough. I was in pain. Granted, the pain was less than I had been anticipating. It really only hurt when I moved...which was every time I had to get up and pee. And I was peeing a lot, drinking lots of fluids to get the 'ole bowels up and moving (see previous post).
They tell you not to sit on couches and recliners. Sorry, I'm a rebel. Breaking the rules, sitting on a couch all day long. But here's the thing....I couldn't sit up. I got dizzy, and dizziness lead to nauseousness, which lead to puking, which does not lend its self to getting the 'ole bowels moving, let alone a speedy recovery.
Thankfully, Paul saw that I was not doing well when he woke me up that morning and decided to stay home from work. I can't stay in bed unless Paul is home because our bed is low to the ground and way harder to get out of than the forbidden couch I'm sitting on right now. So I currently go to bed with him, and get up with him, to get transplanted to the couch for the rest of the day. That transition was less than smooth Monday morning.
The day was a blur of taking an oxy, passing out for an hour or two, and then waking up having to pee. A dizzy, epic journey to the toilet, with plenty of moaning and groaning on my part (I'm a huge baby when I my stomach is upset). Back to the couch, drink some water, sleep some more, repeat. The home-heath nurse came at some point (separate post), and even she thought I looked kinda pale, directing most of the complicated directions to Paul.
It was the worst day I've had since the Friday directly after surgery. It's normal, apparently, to have the hospital-to-home transition take a lot out of you. You're doing way more for yourself, in an environment that isn't necessarily conducive to someone who's medically compromised.
That was Monday. This is Wednesday night, and I feel much, much better! Truly, the difference a few days have made is miraculous. I guess if it starts out bad, it's that much better when it's better!
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Only New Parents and Surgery Patients....
Get SO EXCITED about poop.
This post is about poop. Human poop. Stop reading if you don't want to know.
So here's the story.
Up until this morning (Tuesday, June 5th), I had not pooped since the morning of surgery. That's five full days of non-popping, people. At first, they told me that I would probably poop by the time I left the hospital. Sunday afternoon, and no bowel movement. I was kind of worried they'd hold me hostage until I could poop, but thankfully they let me go home. Things did get kinda serious, though, when I still didn't have to go on Monday morning. The nurse from the home health service seemed kind of concerned.
We got ourselves some milk of magnesia. That stuff is gross, guys. It's only slightly more bearable than Pepto. At least this stuff is mint-flavored....mint-flavored chalk-shake. Mmm. I took a shot Monday morning and waited for something to happen. Nothin'. Oh well. I was feeling pretty shitty overall on Monday, so not-pooping was probably a good thing. It meant less time sitting upright on the toilet, something I struggled with anyway.
This is not an uncommon occurrence with surgery. The combination of the surgery its self, the pain meds, and decreased mobility all contribute to lack of gastrointestinal movement. They start you on stool softeners in the hospital almost as soon as you can keep solid food down (or sometimes before). I had had one hit of morphine before deciding that wasn't for me, so it was all Oxycontin from there on out.
I wasn't physically uncomfortable from the not-pooping, but they keep threatening you with concerned eyebrows when you tell them you haven't pooped. "If it hasn't happened by day five, you might have to go back into the hospital." Yikes! Bowels, engage!
Luckily that didn't happen. I took another shot of mint-chalk-shake last night. And by about 8am this morning, I pooped. Seriously, I was never so excited. It was painful. And then, because of the milk of magnesia, I kept pooping. (That shit does not mess around, kids).
Paul got this text on his first break at work "Poop!"
Like I said...only new parents and surgery patients.
This post is about poop. Human poop. Stop reading if you don't want to know.
So here's the story.
Up until this morning (Tuesday, June 5th), I had not pooped since the morning of surgery. That's five full days of non-popping, people. At first, they told me that I would probably poop by the time I left the hospital. Sunday afternoon, and no bowel movement. I was kind of worried they'd hold me hostage until I could poop, but thankfully they let me go home. Things did get kinda serious, though, when I still didn't have to go on Monday morning. The nurse from the home health service seemed kind of concerned.
We got ourselves some milk of magnesia. That stuff is gross, guys. It's only slightly more bearable than Pepto. At least this stuff is mint-flavored....mint-flavored chalk-shake. Mmm. I took a shot Monday morning and waited for something to happen. Nothin'. Oh well. I was feeling pretty shitty overall on Monday, so not-pooping was probably a good thing. It meant less time sitting upright on the toilet, something I struggled with anyway.
This is not an uncommon occurrence with surgery. The combination of the surgery its self, the pain meds, and decreased mobility all contribute to lack of gastrointestinal movement. They start you on stool softeners in the hospital almost as soon as you can keep solid food down (or sometimes before). I had had one hit of morphine before deciding that wasn't for me, so it was all Oxycontin from there on out.
I wasn't physically uncomfortable from the not-pooping, but they keep threatening you with concerned eyebrows when you tell them you haven't pooped. "If it hasn't happened by day five, you might have to go back into the hospital." Yikes! Bowels, engage!
Luckily that didn't happen. I took another shot of mint-chalk-shake last night. And by about 8am this morning, I pooped. Seriously, I was never so excited. It was painful. And then, because of the milk of magnesia, I kept pooping. (That shit does not mess around, kids).
Paul got this text on his first break at work "Poop!"
Like I said...only new parents and surgery patients.
Home From the Hospital - Post Surgery Day 3
I came home from the hospital on Sunday afternoon. I woke up that morning feeling really good...all things considering. I wasn't nauseous, having eaten TWO WHOLE PANCAKES for breakfast. And bacon. Sitting up didn't make me pass out! I had graduated from the walker to the crutches the previous afternoon. I was on fire!
But they won't let you out of the hospital without a parade. First, the physical therapy lady came in one last time to make me recite (again), my dislocation-prevention-precautions. Next, the thrombosis lady, to explain the blood-thinning medication and scare me with all the signs of a blood clot. Who's next? Pharmacy lady! To fill all my prescriptions, but also to tell me that the only anti-inflammatory medication that won't interact with the warfarin (blood-thinner) isn't covered by my insurance and would I like to pay $150 for a one-month supply? No thanks!
The nurse was in and out all morning, and I had a delicious turkey sammich for lunch. Ate the whole thing, too! We just had to wait on the guy from Alpine Home Medical to bring me a set of crutches. Apparently, the hospital its self did not have any crutches, but had to order them (?). And he brought the wrong set the first time. (??)
So I finally got discharged around 2pm on Sunday. The car ride home was uneventful, but surprisingly bumpy. I managed to get up the stairs all by myself, and spent the rest of the evening planted on the couch. Success!
Let me tell you, though. Getting up off the couch is A LOT harder than getting up out of a hospital bed that practically dumps you out the end. My bathroom is NOT set up for a cripple, with handy bars all over the place to help hoist you onto and off the toilet. And our bed is low to the ground. So low, in fact, that I almost can't sit up straight without completely straightening my knee (in order to keep my hip from bending more than 90 degrees).
Being at home is harder than the hospital. More tiring, more painful. The TV isn't conveniently positioned for maximum viewing while lying flat on my back. There's no call button.
But there's also no one waking you up every two hours to take your blood pressure. No flicking on the lights to draw blood at five am. No random beeping from the machine RIGHT NEXT TO YOUR EAR in the middle of the night that ran out of battery.
Being home is good.
But they won't let you out of the hospital without a parade. First, the physical therapy lady came in one last time to make me recite (again), my dislocation-prevention-precautions. Next, the thrombosis lady, to explain the blood-thinning medication and scare me with all the signs of a blood clot. Who's next? Pharmacy lady! To fill all my prescriptions, but also to tell me that the only anti-inflammatory medication that won't interact with the warfarin (blood-thinner) isn't covered by my insurance and would I like to pay $150 for a one-month supply? No thanks!
The nurse was in and out all morning, and I had a delicious turkey sammich for lunch. Ate the whole thing, too! We just had to wait on the guy from Alpine Home Medical to bring me a set of crutches. Apparently, the hospital its self did not have any crutches, but had to order them (?). And he brought the wrong set the first time. (??)
So I finally got discharged around 2pm on Sunday. The car ride home was uneventful, but surprisingly bumpy. I managed to get up the stairs all by myself, and spent the rest of the evening planted on the couch. Success!
Let me tell you, though. Getting up off the couch is A LOT harder than getting up out of a hospital bed that practically dumps you out the end. My bathroom is NOT set up for a cripple, with handy bars all over the place to help hoist you onto and off the toilet. And our bed is low to the ground. So low, in fact, that I almost can't sit up straight without completely straightening my knee (in order to keep my hip from bending more than 90 degrees).
Being at home is harder than the hospital. More tiring, more painful. The TV isn't conveniently positioned for maximum viewing while lying flat on my back. There's no call button.
But there's also no one waking you up every two hours to take your blood pressure. No flicking on the lights to draw blood at five am. No random beeping from the machine RIGHT NEXT TO YOUR EAR in the middle of the night that ran out of battery.
Being home is good.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Surgery Recovery - Day 1 and 2
"Day 1" is the first day post-surgery. After morphine did nothing for me, I started on the Oxycontin (very early) Friday morning. They started me off on one pill, so at first it wasn't so bad. The dizziness and the nausea wouldn't hit until I sat up, and I didn't have to sit up until my first physical therapy session.
Generally with hip replacement, they usually have you get up the afternoon of the day of the surgery. Since I recovered so late, I didn't have to get up until the next day. 9am on Friday morning I stood up for the first time.
And it hurt. I can't pretend it didn't. They had me use a walker and take about five steps to the window, then five steps back to bed. But the pain was all in my muscles. The joint its self didn't hurt at all! It really just felt like I'd been kicked really hard in the ass. Painful, but not nearly as horrible as I though it would be.
But the dizziness. Whether it was the combination of drugs, or the surgery, or the Oxycontin itself, something was making me horribly, awfully dizzy. And the dizziness made me nauseous. And the nausea made me vomit. I could only actually stomach fruit on that first day, and then I threw it all up at my 4pm physical therapy. I did actually manage to eat some dinner that night, which was grilled fish with a bunch of other stuff. I ate the fish, the roll, and the berry cobbler (it was delicious). All was well!
Until I took more Oxycontin at about 4am. I spent the next 10 hours of Day 2 dozing (or passing out, hard to tell), and I vomited all of my breakfast up before PT at 10am. They had given me three tablets this time instead of one or two, and it knocked me on my ass. I couldn't even sit up straight without all the blood draining from my face. The physical therapist didn't want me to try the stairs this morning because I was so out of it.
I was not going to let a little dizziness hold back the actual therapy. I did the stairs. Later this afternoon, I switched to crutches and did a lap around the nurses' station. I also stayed off the oxy until after my PT. I took one pill, and was able to eat about half of my dinner and keep it down. I even took a real shower!
I've been spending my evening on the Internet and watching trashy TV. Other than having to ask for help every time I need to pee, it's actually not that bad anymore. My hip pain is almost non-existant if I don't move, and only about a 3 or 4 when I get up and walk. The pain is different than it was before...the joint pain was deep inside my butt, and my hip popped and zinged pain up and down my leg all the time. I couldn't stand up straight.
Now the pain is all in my muscles. And like muscle pain, it gets less intense if I keep moving. Every time I get up to go to the bathroom, it hurts a little less. All the nurses are impressed with my mobility. Lets just hope I'm over this nausea thing so I can go home tomorrow!
Generally with hip replacement, they usually have you get up the afternoon of the day of the surgery. Since I recovered so late, I didn't have to get up until the next day. 9am on Friday morning I stood up for the first time.
And it hurt. I can't pretend it didn't. They had me use a walker and take about five steps to the window, then five steps back to bed. But the pain was all in my muscles. The joint its self didn't hurt at all! It really just felt like I'd been kicked really hard in the ass. Painful, but not nearly as horrible as I though it would be.
But the dizziness. Whether it was the combination of drugs, or the surgery, or the Oxycontin itself, something was making me horribly, awfully dizzy. And the dizziness made me nauseous. And the nausea made me vomit. I could only actually stomach fruit on that first day, and then I threw it all up at my 4pm physical therapy. I did actually manage to eat some dinner that night, which was grilled fish with a bunch of other stuff. I ate the fish, the roll, and the berry cobbler (it was delicious). All was well!
Until I took more Oxycontin at about 4am. I spent the next 10 hours of Day 2 dozing (or passing out, hard to tell), and I vomited all of my breakfast up before PT at 10am. They had given me three tablets this time instead of one or two, and it knocked me on my ass. I couldn't even sit up straight without all the blood draining from my face. The physical therapist didn't want me to try the stairs this morning because I was so out of it.
I was not going to let a little dizziness hold back the actual therapy. I did the stairs. Later this afternoon, I switched to crutches and did a lap around the nurses' station. I also stayed off the oxy until after my PT. I took one pill, and was able to eat about half of my dinner and keep it down. I even took a real shower!
I've been spending my evening on the Internet and watching trashy TV. Other than having to ask for help every time I need to pee, it's actually not that bad anymore. My hip pain is almost non-existant if I don't move, and only about a 3 or 4 when I get up and walk. The pain is different than it was before...the joint pain was deep inside my butt, and my hip popped and zinged pain up and down my leg all the time. I couldn't stand up straight.
Now the pain is all in my muscles. And like muscle pain, it gets less intense if I keep moving. Every time I get up to go to the bathroom, it hurts a little less. All the nurses are impressed with my mobility. Lets just hope I'm over this nausea thing so I can go home tomorrow!
Surgery
This post is about Thursday, and I'm writing it on Saturday. It's been a rough couple of days, but surprisingly the hip its self hasn't been too much of a problem.
We got to the hospital at about 10:30am. I hadn't had anything to eat since the night before, and I was both cranky and punchy. So Paul and I were cracking ourselves up in the pre-surgery room, watching episode after episode of Ridiculousness. Watching people fall down is funny, no matter where you are.
I was in the pre-surgery room for about an hour and a half. Surgery was scheduled for 11:45am, but I didn't get rolling until after noon. A parade of people came by to see me, to take blood, sign paperwork, and every single one had to ask me if I knew my name and birthday. Every single one! Gah.
The anesthesiologist came in and told me I had two options for surgery. The first would be a spinal block and some sleeping medication. I would be in and out of consciousness, but that meant I wouldn't need a breathing tube. The other option was general anesthesia, where I'd be completely knocked out. The recovery time would most likely be longer, and I'd have that sore throat from the breathing tube. Tough decisions! On the one hand, if the the thought of a catheter creeped me out, the thought of a breathing tube REALLY freaked me out. On the other hand....does anyone really want to give the OK to WAKE UP during surgery? On purpose?
As nervous as I was about the waking-up-during-surgery part, I knew the recovery would be even worse. Post surgery pain, weakness, nausea, etc. I didn't really want to add general anesthesia ick and a sore throat to the mix. So I opted for the spinal block.
Spinal blocks? They're kind of wonderful. Chipper Surgery Nurse chatted with me the whole time about our wedding (having to explain about six times just who Paul was will spread the word quickly), and then the anesthesiologist was all "OK I'm done!" Immediately I had a warm sensation spread down my legs, and then I was numb from the waist down. Sweet! I had also gotten some "happy" drugs, meant to relax me, so really every thing was pretty sweet at that point.
I did wake up half-way through the surgery. The anesthesiologist told me she should be able to wake me up by shaking my shoulder. Instead, I woke up to them hammering my femur! Or, at least, that's what the noise and the shaking table led me to believe. I couldn't actually feel anything, and I was so groggy that I just didn't care. The biggest annoyance for me was an itchy nose. Something in the combination of drugs running through my system, complete with with oxygen mask, make my nose SO ITCHY! I couldn't keep the mask on, and was aware enough to keep pulling it off. The anesthesiologist finally gave me some Benadryl, and I feel back asleep.
The surgery was over in about 2.5 hours, which was the estimated time. I was in recover for an hour and a half, though, so I didn't get up to my hospital room until almost 5pm. Both Dr. Peters and "Jeremy" (he's a doctor too, but he kept introducing himself as Jeremy) told Paul that the surgery went really well, but that my hip was a mess. Both of them couldn't believe I was still walking, let alone going to work. That's always good to hear...I guess. At least I can rest easy in the knowledge that I made the right decision.
They knocked me out with morphine that first night, but it did nothing for the pain. Got me some Oxycontin and well...things got slightly better from there. The pain died down, but the nausea set in, and I didn't sleep all that well Thursday night. That's a story for my next blog!
We got to the hospital at about 10:30am. I hadn't had anything to eat since the night before, and I was both cranky and punchy. So Paul and I were cracking ourselves up in the pre-surgery room, watching episode after episode of Ridiculousness. Watching people fall down is funny, no matter where you are.
I was in the pre-surgery room for about an hour and a half. Surgery was scheduled for 11:45am, but I didn't get rolling until after noon. A parade of people came by to see me, to take blood, sign paperwork, and every single one had to ask me if I knew my name and birthday. Every single one! Gah.
The anesthesiologist came in and told me I had two options for surgery. The first would be a spinal block and some sleeping medication. I would be in and out of consciousness, but that meant I wouldn't need a breathing tube. The other option was general anesthesia, where I'd be completely knocked out. The recovery time would most likely be longer, and I'd have that sore throat from the breathing tube. Tough decisions! On the one hand, if the the thought of a catheter creeped me out, the thought of a breathing tube REALLY freaked me out. On the other hand....does anyone really want to give the OK to WAKE UP during surgery? On purpose?
As nervous as I was about the waking-up-during-surgery part, I knew the recovery would be even worse. Post surgery pain, weakness, nausea, etc. I didn't really want to add general anesthesia ick and a sore throat to the mix. So I opted for the spinal block.
Spinal blocks? They're kind of wonderful. Chipper Surgery Nurse chatted with me the whole time about our wedding (having to explain about six times just who Paul was will spread the word quickly), and then the anesthesiologist was all "OK I'm done!" Immediately I had a warm sensation spread down my legs, and then I was numb from the waist down. Sweet! I had also gotten some "happy" drugs, meant to relax me, so really every thing was pretty sweet at that point.
I did wake up half-way through the surgery. The anesthesiologist told me she should be able to wake me up by shaking my shoulder. Instead, I woke up to them hammering my femur! Or, at least, that's what the noise and the shaking table led me to believe. I couldn't actually feel anything, and I was so groggy that I just didn't care. The biggest annoyance for me was an itchy nose. Something in the combination of drugs running through my system, complete with with oxygen mask, make my nose SO ITCHY! I couldn't keep the mask on, and was aware enough to keep pulling it off. The anesthesiologist finally gave me some Benadryl, and I feel back asleep.
The surgery was over in about 2.5 hours, which was the estimated time. I was in recover for an hour and a half, though, so I didn't get up to my hospital room until almost 5pm. Both Dr. Peters and "Jeremy" (he's a doctor too, but he kept introducing himself as Jeremy) told Paul that the surgery went really well, but that my hip was a mess. Both of them couldn't believe I was still walking, let alone going to work. That's always good to hear...I guess. At least I can rest easy in the knowledge that I made the right decision.
They knocked me out with morphine that first night, but it did nothing for the pain. Got me some Oxycontin and well...things got slightly better from there. The pain died down, but the nausea set in, and I didn't sleep all that well Thursday night. That's a story for my next blog!
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