Greetings from Providence Hospital!

[imgetinold]

One for picking up things and the other for picking up the first one when I drop it.

That is hilarious!  I would set it somwhere, go to grab it, knock it to the floor, curse, then call my kids to come help.

I also think that the first day or two feels much better than days 3-5 because there is still some lingering anesthesia from the spinal they give us.

I think the key to the first week-to-ten-days is rest.  I did my walking every day, and otherwise just sat in the recliner.  That's it.  That is why a laptop was critical.  But, resting and icing early pays big dividends in how quickly the rest comes.

Keep us posted, and glad you're doing so well.

[hernanu]

Sounds good, ctb - I think most people had the adrenaline rush / anesthesia and just being taken care of by hospital staff. You'll get through that and round right into recuperation with the typical swelling / soreness / tightness part. Just do the Ice / rest / exercise bit and you'll come through fine.

Good that you had a good ride home, keep up the good work.

[Jbennett]

Someone doodled on you with the sharpie? ha! They had me write on my leg too. I guess they try every way they can to make sure they get the right leg. I thought I was the funny guy writing hi for the OR team to read.

[ctb]

Someone doodled on you with the sharpie? ha! They had me write on my leg too. I guess they try every way they can to make sure they get the right leg. I thought I was the funny guy writing hi for the OR team to read.

That's what it looks like and because it was a sharpie,  I still have the doodles a week later.  I'll take pictures and consider them souvenirs.   :D

Yesterday, day 7, was strange.  I felt a lot better in the morning than I have since surgery.  Almost no pain/pressure when walking or doing my exercises, so I upped the walking a bit.  Then later in the evening I was feeling it again.  Even sitting I had a lot of pressure/throbbing in my hip.  I was worried I had broken a rule, but couldn't remember doing anything I shouldn't have.  I iced throughout the day, but I still had a hard time getting comfortable last night.  I woke up feeling okay this morning. I'm almost afraid to push it today.  I'd like to have one night sleep where I'm not achy. 

Today is the day I'm supposed to take the bandages off and apply the topical.  Anyone delay that a day or so?  I'm not looking forward to it as the bandage still seems to be quite adhered to my leg. 

[imgetinold]

Sounds totally normal.  Since there's still a LOT of repair going on, the evenings are often more painful than the morning.  I was much more swollen toward the end of the day.

Also, if you don't want to "push it", then don't.  Take a day off and get the rest you want.  That's what your body is telling you, so do it.  No harm in that....no need to keep up with the Joneses.  I read a few of the posts here about going to work on day 9, and I can't believe it.  Just take it easy...your body will tell you when it wants to go further.  And, that feeling like, "Wow....today is so much better than since surgery.." is going to come with some frequency.  I'll bet your next "Wow" day will be day 10.

As for the bandage.......there's no way around it.  It won't be less adhered tomorrow.  Just do it quickly.  The silver under there makes it look horrible when you take it off.  All black and gucky (goocky?), and that will take weeks to get off.  I just covered the incision/scar with a large gauze pad and bandage tape for about a week or so, then was done.

I'm glad you've turned the corner.  It just gets better.

[ctb]

I did take a rest day on the one week anniversary of surgery (Wed), but my hip still bothered me that night.  Then yesterday,  I had to move around a lot more and yet, last night I was actually pretty pain free.  It was the first night since I've been home that I could get comfortable (still can't manage to turn on either side yet w/o pressure though).   This morning I feel like I really have turned a corner - so Andy, you were right,  that puts me at day 10.   I have been putting more weight on that leg and not feeling that pressure in my hip.  I also have much better balance without the crutches when I'm just standing still.   Swelling is completely gone, thanks to my polar ice machine.  That thing has been worth every dime. 

[Anniee]

Glad you are feeling better!  For me, the first 2 weeks (after all the good stuff wore off) were the worst.  I had more pain with my second hip than with the first one, but both got a lot better after 2 weeks, and I was able to get comfortable in bed, including laying on the operated side, which was my biggest problem post-surgery problem.  I totally agree with you about the ice machine, although my right leg stayed still stayed swollen for several weeks.  No swelling on the left side.  Go figure!

After my second hip, I forgot about taking the bandage of after 7 days, and left it on a few extra days.  It did not seem to do any harm, but it was just as sticky both times, and left the lovely black goo on my skin.  I did not put any bandage on after I took that silver bandage off, because my skin had closed up an none was needed.

It sounds to me like everything is proceeding very normally - just remember to be patient, don't overdo, and don't expect too much of yourself!

[ctb]

Annie, Andy - I had a hard time taking off the bandage.  I took off the small one first - the one covering the 1/2 inch incision above the main incision.  When I pulled it off, (TMI alert) the scab came off and the incision seemed to open up.  No bleeding, but it freaked me out a bit, so I put a butterfly bandage on it and contacted Nancy.  She said that should be fine, but after that I was gun shy about taking off the big one.  I ended up doing it a bit at a time. I took off the tape first then worked the ointment around the edges.  It took about a day, but it finally fell off. 

Day 13 (? I think, it's all starting to blur together):  Doing much better.  I'm managing on one crutch and probably could start using the cane, but I don't want to push it.  I'm sleeping much better as well.  I'm still sleeping on my back, but I'm having no aches/pains at night.  It was uncomfortable when I tried sitting on the couch yesterday, so I ended up using a pillow. 

This has actually been a nice vacation for me.  I can't tell you how many books I've read.  The best part is lying in bed listening to my husband getting the kids ready for school in the morning while I drink my tea.  I may have to have more joints replaced.  :)

[imgetinold]

I did most of my "convalescing" in a recliner, and found it uncomfortable to sit where my legs were anywhere close to 90 degrees for almost a month.  When I went to work (week 6), I couldn't do more than 30 minutes in my chair at a time.  The pillow was totally necessary for me for a while.  When I drove my wife's van (where the seat cushion did not adjust much), I brought along the pillow for a while.  After eight weeks, that was all history.

The best part is lying in bed listening to my husband getting the kids ready for school in the morning while I drink my tea.

Ha!  That is funny.