Outa jail today. Yesterday was a really good day, with the PT lady telling me I'm good to go for outpatient treatment now, and then the doc lifted my driving restriction, and finally my visiting nurse person called to tell me I can stop taking Warfarin. All excellent news, and a full 2 weeks ahead of schedule. Further evidence (as if any was needed) that I ain't normal.
Dry cleaning, groceries, pick up Sadie and Luke (at friends' for a last hurrah before school starts), gas, last minute school-related shopping. Ah, the freedom of Parental Servitude. Ain't it grand?
Showing posts with label hip replacement. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hip replacement. Show all posts
Aug 23, 2011
Aug 22, 2011
Reconstruction Update
I graduated from a single crutch to a cane last week (Thursday was day 21 post op), and there's a good part of the day that I can move around fairly well with no help and just a bit of a weird limp.
I made a jail break last week too, and drove to the grocery store - got yelled at pretty good for that one. I'm gonna ask for the driving restriction to be lifted. With Nick back at school, there's nobody to help Irene until I can get back up on my hind legs.
Not much pain on the operative hip unless I push things too much. Still have to be conscientious about the joint restrictions for another 2 1/2 weeks. I tried sleeping on my left side, but putting the weight on the incision site is still really uncomfortable. It'll be a big relief when I can sleep in my normal position again
My main complaint now is that the right hip gets pretty sore. Huge probability that I'm headed for a replacement on that one two, but I'm trying to push it back by working the muscles to compensate for the narrowing joint space. The problem with that plan of course, is that there's not much the exercising can do to stop either the deterioration of the joint or the ossification around the joint capsule, but strengthening the musculature will help some.
I made a jail break last week too, and drove to the grocery store - got yelled at pretty good for that one. I'm gonna ask for the driving restriction to be lifted. With Nick back at school, there's nobody to help Irene until I can get back up on my hind legs.
Not much pain on the operative hip unless I push things too much. Still have to be conscientious about the joint restrictions for another 2 1/2 weeks. I tried sleeping on my left side, but putting the weight on the incision site is still really uncomfortable. It'll be a big relief when I can sleep in my normal position again
My main complaint now is that the right hip gets pretty sore. Huge probability that I'm headed for a replacement on that one two, but I'm trying to push it back by working the muscles to compensate for the narrowing joint space. The problem with that plan of course, is that there's not much the exercising can do to stop either the deterioration of the joint or the ossification around the joint capsule, but strengthening the musculature will help some.
Aug 3, 2011
Reconstruction - In All Its Gnarly Glory
I couldn't figure out how to get a ruler in the shot to show scale - the scar's about 7 1/2 inches.
The dressing came off Monday, and it can stay off as long as the wound stays closed and doesn't start to leak. Shower tomorrow (post-op day 7). Swabbing myself down every day with a sponge and baby wipes is a drag.
Aug 2, 2011
Reconstruction (update)
Pretty good day yesterday and a good night last night. Up at about 5 this AM.
I had the first of what will be several home visits from Lee (nurse) and Laurie (PT) yesterday. They both told me I'm doing a lot better than most of the people they see. This is one of those things that you can't possibly take any credit for, but find it hard to say anything other than thank you. Kinda like when somebody says you have beautiful kids: "Why thank you - I made them myself, you know; and I don't mind telling you how hard it is to get all that genetic sequencing just right..." Anyway, it's nice having a winning ticket on that little slice of Life's Grand Lottery. Pain levels have been very reasonable so far, and the pain is what they worry most about. If you can't knock down the pain, then you can't do the exercises, and it'll take longer to get back to a healthy state; and many times, you never get back to where you need to be. So they send you home with a basketful of meds, most of which are aimed at the pain.
My drug regimen for the next couple of months has me taking a daily cocktail of 5 medications (all of which are added to whatever I was on before the surgery of course). Luckily, I've always resisted the paradigm of Health Management by Prescription, so other than my One-A-Day vitamin supplement, I started with a more or less clean slate.
Coumadin (to prevent blood clotting)
Indomethacin (anti-inflammatory)
Tramadol (non-narcotic pain killer)
Oxycodone (narcotic pain killer)
Colace (stool softener - constipation is always number one on the list of side effects for pain meds)
Anyway, I have a set of 10 exercises that I need to do 2 or 3 times a day that are aimed at simply getting the musculature back into place to support the new joint. God's design (particularly of the lower back and hips) became obsolete once we started walkin' around on our hind legs. When the joint deteriorates to the point where you have to replace original equipment with steel and plastic, you have to cut away most of the tendons and ligaments, and rely on the body's amazing adaptive capabilities to substitute muscle as the support structure. Obviously, they have to cut thru a good inch and a half of meat and then pry the muscles away from the bones to expose the parts of the joint that have to be removed and sculpted in order to accept the replacement parts. (Orthopods often refer to themselves as carpenters, btw) So the rehab is all about training the muscles to take over the functions of keepin the joint in place as the wound heals and the muscles re-attach to the bone.
I'm still working on some of the different angles of this thing, primarily looking for the If/Then/Else algorithms that drive this weird system of ours. Some of the costs outlined on the Explanation(s) Of Benefits we've gotten so far are a bit shocking, so more on all of that later.
I had the first of what will be several home visits from Lee (nurse) and Laurie (PT) yesterday. They both told me I'm doing a lot better than most of the people they see. This is one of those things that you can't possibly take any credit for, but find it hard to say anything other than thank you. Kinda like when somebody says you have beautiful kids: "Why thank you - I made them myself, you know; and I don't mind telling you how hard it is to get all that genetic sequencing just right..." Anyway, it's nice having a winning ticket on that little slice of Life's Grand Lottery. Pain levels have been very reasonable so far, and the pain is what they worry most about. If you can't knock down the pain, then you can't do the exercises, and it'll take longer to get back to a healthy state; and many times, you never get back to where you need to be. So they send you home with a basketful of meds, most of which are aimed at the pain.
My drug regimen for the next couple of months has me taking a daily cocktail of 5 medications (all of which are added to whatever I was on before the surgery of course). Luckily, I've always resisted the paradigm of Health Management by Prescription, so other than my One-A-Day vitamin supplement, I started with a more or less clean slate.
Coumadin (to prevent blood clotting)
Indomethacin (anti-inflammatory)
Tramadol (non-narcotic pain killer)
Oxycodone (narcotic pain killer)
Colace (stool softener - constipation is always number one on the list of side effects for pain meds)
Anyway, I have a set of 10 exercises that I need to do 2 or 3 times a day that are aimed at simply getting the musculature back into place to support the new joint. God's design (particularly of the lower back and hips) became obsolete once we started walkin' around on our hind legs. When the joint deteriorates to the point where you have to replace original equipment with steel and plastic, you have to cut away most of the tendons and ligaments, and rely on the body's amazing adaptive capabilities to substitute muscle as the support structure. Obviously, they have to cut thru a good inch and a half of meat and then pry the muscles away from the bones to expose the parts of the joint that have to be removed and sculpted in order to accept the replacement parts. (Orthopods often refer to themselves as carpenters, btw) So the rehab is all about training the muscles to take over the functions of keepin the joint in place as the wound heals and the muscles re-attach to the bone.
I'm still working on some of the different angles of this thing, primarily looking for the If/Then/Else algorithms that drive this weird system of ours. Some of the costs outlined on the Explanation(s) Of Benefits we've gotten so far are a bit shocking, so more on all of that later.
Aug 1, 2011
Reconstruction (update)
Day 4 Post-Op:
OK night. Still pretty stiff, and I've gotten some noticeable swelling going now in my left leg.
I came home with:
Coumadin (blood thinner)
Oxycodone (pain killer)
Tramdol (non-narcotic pain killer)
Colase (stool softener - to counteract constipation due to the pain killers)
Avoiding the oxycodone in favor of tramadol, just trying to stay as drug-free (and as uncomplicated) as possible.
Expecting first visits from Nursing and Physical Therapy this PM.
OK night. Still pretty stiff, and I've gotten some noticeable swelling going now in my left leg.
I came home with:
Coumadin (blood thinner)
Oxycodone (pain killer)
Tramdol (non-narcotic pain killer)
Colase (stool softener - to counteract constipation due to the pain killers)
Avoiding the oxycodone in favor of tramadol, just trying to stay as drug-free (and as uncomplicated) as possible.
Expecting first visits from Nursing and Physical Therapy this PM.
Jul 31, 2011
Reconstruction (predate)
I remember nothing from the time they came to get me in the Pre-Op room and when they installed me in my regular bed. I was of course hoping to remember having said something witty and brave, but there's literally nothing there. I must be incredibly susceptible to the affects of the narcotics they're using these days.
The original plan was to get to the room and try to get up and around that afternoon. But that didn't work out, so they came in the next day. I don't mind telling you I was shocked at the level of pain the first time I got out of that bed. I don't think I managed my morphine very well.
The original plan was to get to the room and try to get up and around that afternoon. But that didn't work out, so they came in the next day. I don't mind telling you I was shocked at the level of pain the first time I got out of that bed. I don't think I managed my morphine very well.
Reconstruction (update)
Got here at about 8am Thur, 7-28; going home today (Sun 7-31) at about 11am. It's weird because I don't feel that much different in some respects. eg: It hurts a lot when I move in certain ways. I have to remember that Dr Browne has fixed the main dysfunctions, and so the main causes of pain in my hip are gone now, replaced by new causes of pain, but ones which will heal and improve, and cause less pain as time passes.
There's a subtle shift in mindset that actually flips me over from entropy and disintegration, to an outlook considerably more in keeping with my general expectations for improvement and advancement.
I think a lot of people see me as cynical, but I believe my outlook is pretty optimistic. I think you have to work pretty hard to maintain an appropriate level of skepticism, so I'm sure that gets misperceived as cynicism. What I'm talking about is pushing things forward, gently or aggressively, according to what the facts dictate is possible to achieve. For the first time in a good stretch of years, I have the feeling that on a personal level, I have a real shot at making things better. I'm enough of a Randian to understand that as I make myself better for myself, I have a better shot at making the rest of my little corner of the world better for everybody who shares it with me. That's how it's always worked before anyway, so here's hopin'.
There's a subtle shift in mindset that actually flips me over from entropy and disintegration, to an outlook considerably more in keeping with my general expectations for improvement and advancement.
I think a lot of people see me as cynical, but I believe my outlook is pretty optimistic. I think you have to work pretty hard to maintain an appropriate level of skepticism, so I'm sure that gets misperceived as cynicism. What I'm talking about is pushing things forward, gently or aggressively, according to what the facts dictate is possible to achieve. For the first time in a good stretch of years, I have the feeling that on a personal level, I have a real shot at making things better. I'm enough of a Randian to understand that as I make myself better for myself, I have a better shot at making the rest of my little corner of the world better for everybody who shares it with me. That's how it's always worked before anyway, so here's hopin'.
Reconstruction (update)
Prob'ly going home today. 2 pretty good nights in a row. Mostly headaches are the big problem, because (I think) when I sleep on my back, slightly elevated, I end up with some tension in my neck that gives me the headache. Dunno - could also be caffeine withdrawal - just guessing. Nobody else seems to know much either.
It always amazes me that the hospital is where you go to get better, but for whatever reason, you feel bad the whole time you're there.
It always amazes me that the hospital is where you go to get better, but for whatever reason, you feel bad the whole time you're there.
Jul 30, 2011
Reconstruction (update)
Day 2 Post-Op. Difficult night, mostly because everything's uncomfortable. There's no position - sitting or lying down - that works for any real length of time. I feel hung over. Kinda light headed and shaky and with a low-level headache, no appetite and mild nausea.
It makes some sense that discontinuing the morphine will make a big diference. They were concerned enough to send me down for xrays a couple of hours ago to make sure there's no obstructions, Waiting to hear.
But, last nite and this AM, I was able to negotiate 3 trips to the bathroom to pee. Much rejoicing.
It makes some sense that discontinuing the morphine will make a big diference. They were concerned enough to send me down for xrays a couple of hours ago to make sure there's no obstructions, Waiting to hear.
But, last nite and this AM, I was able to negotiate 3 trips to the bathroom to pee. Much rejoicing.
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