Welcome Back to Life - LBHR Mr Treacy 9th August 2012

[Spanielsal]

Happy 3 weeks Ruby red xxxxx

[rubyred]

Thanks Sal :) I'm going through a relapse, but I'm hoping all will be well soon x

[Spanielsal]

What's happened Ruby? I'm so sorry to hear you have relapsed. Have you not recovered from overdoing it in town?  :(

I've not been out of bed for two days, But am feeling better. Scar tissue is still very sore and the lergy made my bones ache really badly particularly the new one. I went back onto my pills.

Hope you are feeling a bit better, keep moving even though gently, and keep taking the pills, they are there to help.

Thinking of you, it is still v v v v early days

Sal xx

[rubyred]

Nope, still not recovered properly. Everything literally hurts  :'( I managed to get the doctors this morning for a wound check and at least that all looks nice and normal. The dressings can come off now and I can start on the Bio Oil  :)x

[rubyred]

Seriously, when does the aching stop?!?! Now the dreaded 'clunking' has started if I move the leg when sitting down, which actually feels the exact same way as it did before surgery! Talk about feeling disheartened! The only thing I've yet to have seemingly, is the 'squeaking'.... though I might as well have that, I have everything else  :(

Sorry guys. Feeling really fed up tonight. I didn't know recovery would be this difficult. I hear of people sailing through their recoveries, but I don't feel i'm making much progress.  The nurse said it was safe to take the dressings off and how letting the skin breath would help it heal better, but we've had to put some back on as the rubbing of the clothes has brought me out in a rash around the incision. Great.  :(

I know it's still VERY early days, 23 days to be exact, maybe i'm just impatient and expecting too much from myself and my body. It has been through quite an ordeal.

[Spanielsal]

Hi Ruby, it sure is a long road. Sounds like Mike is way ahead of me, I still have a very painful incision site and the drain site has only just come out of hiding too. I'm walking on one crutch around the house but still on two for walks outside as I have weakness in the stability muscles, I missed a whole week of recovery walks and strengthening being floored by flu like symptoms. But hey, it's only a battle against my patience, I will get there, doing it slowly but right.

It will and does get better, you are healing just slower than you want to. If you are worried I'm sure one of Mr T's surgical team would chat stuff through with you to put your mind at rest. He said it wasn't straight forward, perhaps it'll take longer to settle down?  I don't know about the clunking, is that a muscular phenomenon? Or do you think it's the prosthesis? Once you are healed are you going to get physio? You might be able to request hydro. I'm really looking forward to being in the pool.

Hope it gets better for you soon.

Sal

[rubyred]

Hi Ruby, it sure is a long road. Sounds like Mike is way ahead of me, I still have a very painful incision site and the drain site has only just come out of hiding too. I'm walking on one crutch around the house but still on two for walks outside as I have weakness in the stability muscles, I missed a whole week of recovery walks and strengthening being floored by flu like symptoms. But hey, it's only a battle against my patience, I will get there, doing it slowly but right.

It will and does get better, you are healing just slower than you want to. If you are worried I'm sure one of Mr T's surgical team would chat stuff through with you to put your mind at rest. He said it wasn't straight forward, perhaps it'll take longer to settle down?  I don't know about the clunking, is that a muscular phenomenon? Or do you think it's the prosthesis? Once you are healed are you going to get physio? You might be able to request hydro. I'm really looking forward to being in the pool.

Hope it gets better for you soon.

Sal

Where I thought Mr T was a complete gent, I found his surgical team a little lacking, one surgeon in particular who drew the incision arrow on my calf instead of my thigh - Much to Mr T's annoyance!!

Mr T did tell me in my last appointment before the surgery that it wouldn't be straight forward, so really I shouldn't be so impatient with things. Things will heal as fast as they need. The clunking feeling I got before surgery... it's hard to explain but it feels like the hip is coming out of the socket, then popping back in again! Now, I know that really can't be happening, but it's what it feels like. It's not at all painful, just a weird sensation and I was quite surprised to be feeling it again after surgery.

As for the physio, I asked the PT's in hospital if I would require anything further at my local hospital and they said no and that for the first 6 weeks they would only get me to do the exercises at home that I have recieved. However on my 6 week follow up appointment should Mr T feel it's necessary for more, he would do me a referral.

How are you feeling now, Sal?

I've just felt brave enough to post a picture of my scar in the gallery!

[Spanielsal]

Hi Ruby,

Still feeling below par, better than a few days ago.thanks.  the hip moves well but still hurts, still swollen.  I find my rom is increased (my other leg seems decreased with the time off swimming which had helped it. ). The pain in the resurfacing has gone, only the odd twinge so it was definitely referred. The stability will come, it's muscular. Weird that the tissue is hard and lumped under the scar and to the side, I keep gently massaging it but can't tolerate much. I've been doing the bed exercises recently and sleep on my back with my heels drawn right in and knees up, biazzare but is more comfy than flat!

Sorry to hear you didn't get referred for physio, have you got a reasonable GP? Might they refer you on? it really helps, I had to try and work on individual muscles last time.  You may also be able to self refer too. Does your local Hosp have a hydro pool? I'm really lucky that we have a hotel with a pool v close. As long as I'm all healed, I can go. It's not warm like a hydro pool but it's water.  Must start practicing Brum brumming in my car, can't wait to drive! 

It's hard to be patient..... You are already 3 .5 weeks along this road, hopefully your pain is much reduced too. In one year you won't know yourself, you'll be mobile and carefree, all this nightmare will be a memory. Just a socking good scar to show for it, and the mental satisfaction of, I got through it.   I am definitely no athlete so not sure I want my 40 yrold wobbly bot on display..... Its not a resurfacing scar anyway...... And Anyway, uploading pics isn't enabled on my profile ....phew wriggled out of that one!!  ;D

Hope you feel better, you are a survivor, Ruby. Re-read your posts, you.'ve been to hell and back... The oasis is in view and no, it's not a mirage!

Sal xx

[bilateralbliss]

Ruby,try wearing loose jogging clothes, they shouldn`t rub. It is very early, we all get impatient.
Glad you`re doing Ok Sal.
I too had no PT, was told to do the exercises like Ruby,then walking a mile a day from 6 weeks, plus 20mins in a pool. Found both these too much, so built up gradually, am obviously one of the slower healers !

[rubyred]

Hi guys,

Sorry for moaning last night. Was just completely fed up. When I take a step back and look at how I was just after surgery, i'm miles ahead. I can now sleep comfortably on my side without pillows under my legs, I'm down to using one crutch, I can climb up and down the stairs a lot quicker, I can even get in and out of bed unaided now if i'm very careful.

Our hospital does have a hydro pool, but would have no idea of how I'd get referred for it. I see my GP the day before Mr T, so will ask.

[kamoynsgi]

Don't beat yourself up Ruby. Remember what your body has gone through and give yourself time to recover.  It's not an ingrowing toe-nail.  :)

Your entitled to have your downs as well as ups.  This is a rollercoaster ride. 

(Posted from my bed as I finally had to give in and go and have a lie down after forgetting that I'm less than 3 weeks out of hospital)

Ka

[rubyred]

Thanks Ka,

Unfortunately this is a rather horrible habit I have - beating myself up. And don't worry, I too have afternoon naps every day!

[lycraman]

Hi Folks

many many thanks for all your advice and support.  There are so many things that I just hadn't considered ..... loo seats, grabbers, pillows for the journey home etc. What is even more illuminating and heartening is the support that everyone provides to Ruby's emotional ups and downs. It is obvious how emotionally draining the post op 'journey' can be and how the positive support of the group can pull you through.
RubyRed - Good to see that you're seeing the improvements, even if they are small at first. All your hard work now will bring the benefits in the future.

[bilateralbliss]

Hi lycraman and Ka:) Good to hear from you, happy healing.

[jono]

Hi Ruby,

Glad you feeling better.

I guess each of us heal at different rates and in different ways. Sleeping on my side is a luxury I can only dream of at the moment and still on my back at 3 weeks.

My GP basically told me that the NHS is not the best for physio. I am a member at Virgin Health Clubs and they have a great physio. Both my parents had knee replacements and I signed them up for Virgin too. Was the best money I ever spent as they are moving much better now and go swimming 3 times a week.

All the best
Jono

[rubyred]

I love Virgin Active Health Clubs. I was a member of one when I first damaged the hip, not their fault I might add! I've had very limited physio on the NHS, just very basic stuff when I had scopes done on the hip and a few years back on my wrist. I would love to get into the hydro pool though. Just have to wait to see what Mr T recommends.

I saw a friend of mine this morning whom I haven't seen in a good couple of months, and as she's one of those people who will be brutally honest if you ask her to be, I asked if it looked like I'd gained any weight since she last saw me and she said: 'Your stomach looks flatter, but your hips look huge' LOL Well, I did ask I suppose!!

[rubyred]

I'm a little over 4 weeks post op now. In some ways I feel like i'm going backwards, but in others I feel like i'm improving. My walking is really getting there. I can shuffle around the house unaided although I limp when I do so perhaps I should remain on one or two crutches until the limp has gone. Getting up and down the stairs is fine too, I can do that normally as opposed to one step at a time. No real thigh muscle pain anymore either

The only problem i'm having, and have been for about 2-3 weeks, is this groin pain. I don't get it when I walk, only when I have to lift the leg on or off the bed for example. I had no restrictions from Mr Treacy, so I don't think I'm doing anything wrong. I haven't been over doing it, I get plenty of rest and take my meds if I need to.

I'm seeing Mr Treacy in a couple of weeks so will run this past him, maybe I need more physio or some form of deep tissue massage? This might be a completely normal part of recovery, but it's so very painful  :(

[kamoynsgi]

I limp when I walk unaided too Ruby.  Not sure whether I should persevere or wait a bit. What I have found that helps is concentrating on my posture.  Making sure I stand straight and lift my weight and not slouching makes for less limp.  Though I suspect that I have limped for such a long time my body is going to take some convincing that this is not how to walk.  ;D
Ka   

[Woodstock Hippy]

Yes, limping is bad.  Try to focus on something in the distance and on not rocking to the side.  If you need to go back to your crutches.  If you have been limping for a long time you might need a physical therapist to help you strenthen the muscles and unlearn the limp.

[rubyred]

I've been limping constantly for close to 2.5 years I would say.... PT is definately needed for that at least.