Part of the Club

[hernanu]

Lori, you're doing great, you'll be home in no time. I know it's hard now, but this time will pass and you'll get to enjoy home.

[Lori Cee]

Thanks guys for all your positivity and kind wishes.  I know logically that I will walk again and I will get to go home, though sometimes it is nice to be reminded from people that have actually been through it and come out the other side.  There is more weight to the words.  Not all recoveries are speedy and I've gone and thrown a spanner in the works by doing two at once.  I know that I am doing really well all things considered and that if I did have a strong leg now and only one like this, I would have been allowed home already.  This really is the best place for me right now as the difficulties at home aren't quite able to be overcome - just yet.  I'm on the path and another week or two isn't the end of the world.  Once I get to the point of crutches, the next stage of recovery shouldn't be as much of a difference from one and I will see more of the benefits of going down the bilateral path (for me) and the reinforcement that the correct decision was made.

Kate, thanks for the holiday wishes :)  Food was atrocious here yesterday (seemingly worse than normal), though thankfully I didn't have to eat it as my husband brought me in some home made food with a real salad on the side.  I knew that I missed real food but I didn't figure out how much until I was actually sitting down to eat. 

[Lori Cee]

Progress Update

I'M ON CRUTCHES - YAY!!  :)  They feel a lot more natural than the rollater even though I get tired quicker.  (I'm back to having naps during the day - this isn't an issue - just wanted to note that it is necessary at the moment) I guess this means I'm working harder which is good because I don't have any pain to complain about so progress should hopefully escalate as I can work a bit harder and longer in my rehab sessions!

Things are starting to move the way they are supposed to and I am actually seeing some real progress towards getting home.  I have one leg that is almost there as far as stairs go and I expect that this will have a noticeable improvement over the coming days.  One side is a fair way off - but I just need one so I can get inside my house.  I am looking at going home in 8 days which gives me plenty of time to stick to the rehab schedule and be on my A game.  I probably could have gone home sooner if we still lived in our old house (ie no stairs to get to the front door) though I think that it is good that I will be that bit stronger and self sufficient before I go home.  I know it has been longer than most, but I have had to get at least one of these legs to be the good leg to stand on.  

I think that all of the pre-op balance and core work is noticeably paying off now. The weakness that I am still seeing is in my hip flexors and hip stabilisers though I have seen a remarkable difference in the stabilisers in the last couple of days.  The flexors are still getting there and improving a little slower.  Today I saw a big jump in them and I hope this is indicative of the days to come.  Basically this is the first day that I have been able to do the exercise where you bring your heel up the bed so your knee is up (kind of looks like a triangle) without mild assistance on the right side.  (The right was the troublesome side)  The left is also making progress with the repetitions getting easier.  This is the side we are working on being the leader for walking up stairs.  It isn't too far off now.

I look forward to posting further updates of big changes soon!

[phillwad]

Lori Cee
Sounds like positive "steps" in the right direction, I continue to be amazed by people that go through 2 at once.  Keep it up.

Phill

[halfdone]

Nice update LC.   :)  Keep up the good work.  Out of jail soon with time off for good behaviour?
Best
HD
(PS You should definitely try getting into the pool outside for hydro as soon as they let you - I think it could be another nice step in your liberation!)

[ScubaDuck]

Lori

Wow, I am impressed.  Getting both hips done at once is daring. 

It sounds like you will be up and at 'em in no time.  Keep up the good work.

Dan

[maxi]

great news lori  .....    your first liberation steps ...   :)

i had lots of naps early in my rehab, enjoy them ...   ;D

how is the hospital treating u  ??    whats the tucker like  ??   

enjoy your rehab mate ...

Paul

[Lori Cee]

how is the hospital treating u  ??    whats the tucker like  ?? 

The hospital has been pretty good.  On the whole the nurses and physios have been awesome.  There have been a couple of people that really shouldn't be in this field of work (there is always one or two), but on the whole the people are great.  The hospital sucks a bit in that they don't run the rehab program for public holidays though that's a management thing, nothing to do with the people here.  It's a shame really as rehab shouldn't stop while there are patients requiring it.  It comes down the the cost of staffing and unfortunately money is usually the bottom line.

The food...  hmmm..  its not great but it isn't completely inedible.   Scary thing is that  I have it on good authority that the Mater Private has some of the best hospital food when compared to a couple of the other hospitals around here so I hate to think what other people are having to eat.  I really miss fresh vegetables and salads and my husband has been smuggling some in :)

I had another really good set of rehab sessions today.  I am worn out again and there is no weird aches or pains just a little muscle worked feeling so life is pretty good.  I've continued working on stairs today.  I got up four of them and down again four times which is pretty huge.  It's a slow process and hard work but such a big achievement.  I am using both rails and putting a fair bit of weight through my arms but I still did it.  It will get easier the more I practice :)  Quads and glutes working well.  The hard work is on my hip flexors which are slowly being knocked into shape.

I also managed to do two sets of ten bridges (for the pilates people pelvic curls) which I am really happy with.  I'm obviously not as good at them as I was pre-op but I'm on my way.  I was just on the phone with a friend of mine filling her in on the updates and talking about how much harder I think it would have been if I wasn't doing a lot of this stuff pre-op with the concerted effort six weeks before to step it up.  (Not sure I shared the word I heard for it the other day - PREHAB - I think it's awesome! I did two physio sessions and two pilates sessions a week as well as a home program and seriously healthy eating).  She came up with a really good line that I'm going to quote "You don't go into a marathon without training" so why would you go into this marathon without training and preparation before?  I'd hate to think how many more weeks I'd be here if I hadn't done that work.  If I hadn't, I'd guess at least another two or three weeks and by that point, I think they'd have to check me out of here and straight into the nut house.  I will be soooo ready to go home by next Friday.  28 Days is enough for anyones sanity :D 

On a side note, I asked about when I was allowed back in the pool and the rehab doctor said that there isn't a problem with that when I am discharged (they don't have one here).  The only caution was to make sure I don't break the hip precautions which I already figured out :)

[hernanu]

Sounds like you're really getting there, LC. The bridges and stairs is a really good sign.

[Lori Cee]

Progress Update:  1 Month Today
(Warning - Long Post!)

I am finally at home.  I arrived on Friday morning after a stop at the mobility store to pick up a few bits and pieces that would make my life more comfortable at home.  It was so good to be here again and just sit on the front porch in the sunlight and fresh air.  Earlier in my stay I was worried about getting in and out of the car and getting up the front stairs to actually get in.  I'd had a practice run last Tuesday with the occupational therapist and neither was a problem.  I won't say it was necessarily the easiest thing I've ever done, but it wasn't the hardest either and I managed without any pain.  The changes are more subtle now as some tasks are getting easier and I'm not putting as much weight through the crutches to walk.  There are still changes happening, they are just a little more difficult to explain.  (ie there are no massive differences - like hey no hands - but there are differences all the same and are an indicator that I am on the right track)

I'm cutting back the codeine at the moment and the other meds I'm on are paracetamol, ibruprofen (anti-inflammatory - we aren't yet sure about what other joints still need it for arthritis) and clexane (blood thinner for two more weeks - doc cautious).  Most of the pain I experience isn't actually around the hips - it's knees, ankles and even arms and hands.  This is going to be mostly because of the way that things are getting used that maybe weren't being used properly before and the extra work from the crutches.  It's generally a dull ache rather than sharp and is not unlike part of the arthritis pain I used to experience sometimes (ie when it was mild).  I've been given a bit of a wean down schedule and I'm doing alright so far.  The main hit for pain relief is at night and this is probably why I'm sleeping ok.  That will be the last thing that gets cut back.

Our house is a lot bigger than the hospital room and there is a lot more walking around.  Even going to the bathroom is more exercise!  I've tried to add in some of the exercises to everything that I'm doing so that I am getting extra in throughout the day.  For example, if I need to get up for something I'll take a walk around the house before sitting down again or if I go to the bathroom I'll do some leg lifts or squats at the basin after I wash and dry my hands (as what I have is a solid cabinet that I can get a good grip on).  I try to do the high marching on the spot for ten or twenty before I sit down each time and little things like that.  About the only thing that I can't easily add in to daily activities are the stairs and I'm just heading out the front of the house to do those.  I am going to have my PT come in twice a week to start off with and we will see how I go in adding to my program as I progress further.  I'm hoping to be confident enough to go to the hydro pool in a couple of weeks as well.  I've been cleared by the rehab doctor for this but I'm not quite ready for public yet as the walk to the pool from the entrance is reasonably long compared with the distances that I have been walking in one go at the moment. (Not sure what thread I read it in, but I too have a fear of being pushed over and there are always millions of kids at this pool that you need to pass to get to the ramp to get in - I'm sure that as I get stronger this will pass and in the meantime I'll find creative ways to maximise the exercise)  My PT is gong to check out some other pools in the area to see if any of the others have a set up which will be a little easier/safer for me until I have a bit more confidence.

I've needed more sleep the two nights that I've been home.  I'm not sure if this is because of the increased activity or whether my body is just loving the fact that it is no longer being woken at six in the morning anymore and is taking advantage of it :)  Thankfully I am still only waking a two or three times in the night to get up move around and go to the bathroom.  I seem to wake when I need to change position which is still a huge effort.  I am able to sleep on my right side (pillows at back probably aren't required but I am more comfortable so use them), my back and slightly propped on the left side.  The left incision is larger than the right and is still more tender. It still seems to be healing well and it shouldn't be too far away before I can put equal amounts of pressure on each side.  I have always slept on my side and due to ongoing hip pain I have always run a pillow from my knees to ankles to maintain hip spacing, so this aspect of the restrictions really isn't an issue for me as I already prefer this.  It is still more difficult to roll than normal, however it is getting easier.  I seem to last longer on my back getting sometimes four or five hours before I need to get up and move around which is really good.  I'm in bed for about 12 hours a day, though I would guess and say maybe two hours of this is the moving around, getting comfortable, bathroom breaks and the like.  I still feel weary during the day in the late afternoon and need to rest for a while as well.  I'm expecting this to go on for a couple of weeks yet until the smaller day to day activities require a little less energy to perform.

I am in love with real food.  My husband cooked my favourite risotto the day I came home (chorizo, mushroom and baby spinach), real salads, grainy bread and cereals and even toasted hot cross buns (they were frozen for my return home since I missed out on easter - and frankly missed out on hot toasted bakery/bread items in hospital).  There are real green beans in the fridge (not icky overcooked frozen ones) and other fresh vegetables that I'm looking forward to in the next couple of days.  My tummy is so much happier :)  

My mood overall has been good.  Every now and then I get the tearies for little things that seem so hard and then I get over it.  I think part of that is to do with exhaustion as it usually happens in the night when I'm getting ready for bed and it seems like so much effort to even get ready to go to sleep.  All in all I'm doing well.  There is still a fair way to go on the road to being awesome and most of the time I really feel that I am walking in the right direction.  

Many thanks to all the hippies that have helped keep my mind on track!  Just reading others posts has helped keep me positive and given me a boost when I have needed it.  

I look forward to updating you with more progress soon!

Lori

[halfdone]

Great update LC.  Congratulations on your release from captivity.  I know you are on a long road but you really seem to be rolling now.  Enjoy those home comforts and best wishes for continued good progress.  :)  Glad the OT and PT are giving you plenty of support.

[katekosar]

Risotto with chorizo, mushrooms, and baby spinach?  Now THERE'S a reason to want to get home!  I have a gourmand hubby too.  Mmm.  Tho I must say the hospital food at Euclid General was borderline fantastic.  The seasonings and sauces on the meats were well done, the soups were extremely flavorful, and the chicken marsala was outstanding.  I owe a note of gratitude to the chef.  :)

Glad to see you getting on!  Keep us updated, and JOY for HOME!

kate

[FlbrkMike]

Congratulations. Lori, on the BIG step of going home.  Food is definitely a big motivator (maybe that explains generally terrible hospital food?).

Keep up the good work...it only gets better.

Mike

[Lori Cee]

Tho I must say the hospital food at Euclid General was borderline fantastic. 

Kate:  I thought I would never see a comment like this about hospital food.  Are you in some parallel universe? ;)

Mike:  Thanks! I'm still working hard on the PT and am looking forward to the seeing the mid-term and longer term results that the rest of you guys are seeing. There is comfort knowing that there have been those that have gone before and made through all of this better than ever :)

[hernanu]

Great post, Lori and happy to see you home. Keep it up, you'll see a  lot of improvement.

[pasinvabch]

Thank you for the update, I'm amazed at the way you are improving.
You rock girl!!
Piedad

[phillwad]

Lori

I aslo stayed at Euclid, like Kate, and thought the food was good, but when my wife brought in a milk skake it was much better  ;D

Keep up all the good work - Phill

[Lori Cee]

Six Weeks (and three days) Post-Op Surgical Review
I had my post-op review with my surgeon today and he is happy with my xrays, incision scars and my progress.  I have had the hip restrictions lifted and my Physios are now in charge of when I should be doing things - to make sure I don't under or over do it and that I get the most out of these shiny new parts!  

It might take me a couple of days to get used to the fact that I'm allowed to sit on lower seats and have my hip joints at less than 90 degrees after six weeks of being careful not to.  I am still wary of hurting something so I'm glad to have my physios in my corner to help me get over the fears and be reasonable about the activities that will be just fine for me to do.  

Things are moving along steadily.  I'm still on two crutches though I think I'm close to losing the left one as I can take a few steps without dipping on the right.  The left hip stabilisors are still weaker though they are also improving slowly.  My hip flexion and abduction are also improving weekly (we are measuring these weekly in my physio sessions.)  It's nice to see them increasing steadily even though the true measure of success is functionality.

I'm walking faster on the crutches and my posture and gait are again improving.  There are little things that people notice when they haven't seen me in a few days.  In addition to my home PT program, I see a Physio for therapy twice a week and have been checking in with the lead Physio weekly (just to check in, say hello, what's happening and 'look at me' :) It's getting harder for me now to see the differences as they happen though I know that I am still improving steadily.  The feedback from both Physios really does help me keep going with it and staying positive about my progress.

[Anniee]

Lori,

You are my hero!  Sounds like you're doing really great!

I went back to work today.  I think I should have hobbled in to our Medical Department with my cane to get put on 1/2 days, but I didn't think about that, so did not bring the cane, and had to go back full time!  I'll know better when I have my other side done.

[newdog]

Six Weeks (and three days) Post-Op Surgical Review
It's getting harder for me now to see the differences as they happen though I know that I am still improving steadily.

Lori Cee,
Yes, the differences are more rapid at first. At a little over 4 months for me, I notice the improvement a little later than before. One day you will notice that you can bend further or the little twinge of pain you once had by moving a certain way is no longer there. Your movements are becoming more natural and you don't notice it at first. It is still very exciting especially when you think back to what it was like pre-surgery. You seem to be doing very well. Enjoy!