January 17, 2012

Right now I feel a little bit of soreness near the incision, but they just turned on the ice unit, so I’m feeling relief already. When I say soreness, it’s very minor — maybe 2 out of 10.
The very nice nurse told me they usually remove the catheter at 6:am (it’s 7 now) but my blood pressure is low (88/50) so they are giving me fast IV push for 2 hours.

I would love to get out of this bed, but I am feeling pretty light headed. I was also "woozy" yesterday during my first walk, and I SO EMBARRASSINGLY got sick in front of everyone as we passed the main desk. Jeez! Thank goodness they got a bag for me in time. They gave more anti-nausea drugs and I don’t feel nauseated at all — just really sleepy.

I had no trouble sleeping last night… I did have to call the nurse once because the catheter tube got a kink it it when I did my exercises — I was trying to tough it out which was stupid because once she straightened it out I had instant relief! The private room is really nice and other than the checks of my vitals, it was quiet all night long

One thing that did catch me off guard is that they ask for a urine sample before you get prepped for surgery. Well, I though I was being a good patient by emptying my bladder while we were in the waiting room. So my recommendation is to wait until they call you back to the Pre-Sugery area.

While I was being prepped I only saw Dr. Gross for a few seconds. He stopped by to sign papers and say "hi." I did speak with Lee. She wrote a prescription for some anti-nausea meds to take home. I’m pretty sure i was their second patient of the day.

And the last thing I remember in the OR was getting the spinal block. It didn’t hurt at all. They laid me down and the next thing I knew I was waking up in the recovery room (I think it was about 11:30ish)

They brought me a nice looking lunch and then what looked like a yummy lasagna dinner, but I just don’t feel like eating. My stomach doesn’t hurt at all, it’s just that I’m not hungry. I’ve been munching on some crackers I brought from home.

My PT class is at 10:00, and my husband is driving back up from Charleston to join me. He did stay until about 6 pm yesterday and it was nice to have him around. I’m looking forward to meeting some more of Dr. Gross’ patients. I guess he did 5 resurfacings yesterday.

I had planned on catching up on some reading yesterday — I brought magazines, crosswords and my IPad, but I really just felt like dozing between games of Words with Friends.

I’ll post some more later this week.

I’M SO HAPPY to have the surgery behind me! I feel so blessed — not everyone has the knowledge or means to have a resurfacing.

 

January 18, 2012

So it’s been nearly 48 hours since surgeryand I have to say I feel great! I slept all the way home. Moving from the car into the house was a challenge because of the stairs and because I was stll loopy from the Oxycotin they gave me before I was discharged. I did get sick about 3 hours later, but after that, I felt GREAT! (he-he)

Then I slept like a baby (in my bed) and getting up in the middle of the night to use the restroom (once) was easier than I anticipated. My husband helped me and we just moved very slowly.

I woke up with NO PAIN. You were all so right – the absence of OA pain is so noticeable!

My operative hip is a bit swollen and bruised. I ate a nice breakfast (first real meal since the surgery), taken all my morning meds (whew! There’s a LOT of ’em) and now I’m feeling a little light headed but HAPPY!!

 

May 22, 2012

Dr. Gross is brilliant and his team has the entire process down to a science. I am at 4 months post-op now and completely pain-free! I am not a hard core athlete…I followed Dr. Gross’ instructions to the letter. He has tons of data to back up his orders, and it has all worked out beautifully for me. I get teary thinking about the new life this surgery opens up for people who have been suffering in silence for years.