Hi Bionic,
Holy Cow - You need to get that Polar Care machine replaced!  You should definitely tell Dr. Gross' office that you got a lemon.  Perhaps they can arrange for a replacement machine to be overnighted to you.  I can't imagine post-op without the Polar Care.  I had mine running almost constantly.   Is the machine running when plugged in?  Or, is it only the hand pump that's problematic?

You might want to put a large plastic garbage bag on the bed to help you slide on and off the bed more easily.  This works like a charm!  You don't necessarily have to sleep on the plastic.  You can put it on your nightstand and spread it out over the side of your bed when it's time to slide off. 

Keep your spirits up!  It's great that you're sleeping so well.  That will really help your recovery.

Jeanie

Hey Jeanie,

Yea, the PolarCare unit doesn't work with either the bulb or the electric pump.  The problem appears to be in the stem of the cover--the one that runs down into the cold water reservoir.  Something in it gets stuck and stops moving water.

The plastic bag idea works great!  I've been using that ever since Friday (learned my lesson).

I decided to take my folks to the town center for coffee this afternoon.  We went for a nice walk; I probably went nearly a half mile.  I'm a little swollen but not bad.  It's suddenly not seeming so farfetched that I might be moving from crutches to cane in a couple of days.  Two days ago it seemed impossible.

I'm a little freaked out by my progress!  The turning point for me was definitely being able to sleep normally.  Life improves dramatically after a good night's sleep or two.  Once I move from crutches to cane, I'll be essentially where I was just prior to surgery.  Then it will be upward and onward.

I've been trying to understand why I think I'm doing so well.  I attribute it to three things.  First, I chose an excellent doctor who has a record of patients with good recoveries.  Second, I was in very good physical condition before the surgery, both in terms of strength and endurance.  Third, I was exceedingly well hydrated after surgery.  This is perhaps very important.  Because I had problems with low BP, I received two I-V boluses and drank literally gallons of G2.  I couldn't have been better hydrated without floating away.  I'm still pushing fluids and don't plan to stop anytime soon.

I just got off the phone with customer service at Breg, the makers of my PolarCare unit.  We tried debugging the problem over the phone and it couldn't be fixed, so they're overnighting me a new one, which will arrive by 10:30 tomorrow AM.

That's excellent Bionic....that ice machine is really important to have right now during your recovery.

Karen

Time to sign that boy up for a marathon next week.

Sounds like a really smooth recovery, save for the polar unit going out on you, usually it's a kinked hose.

Whatever you're doing, keep it up.  Walking is great excercise--- what did they say about your incision?

Chuck

Quote from: Bionic on February 16, 2009, 04:00:36 PM



I decided to take my folks to the town center for coffee this afternoon.  We went for a nice walk; I probably went nearly a half mile.  I'm a little swollen but not bad.  It's suddenly not seeming so farfetched that I might be moving from crutches to cane in a couple of days.  Two days ago it seemed impossible.

I'm a little freaked out by my progress!  The turning point for me was definitely being able to sleep normally.  Life improves dramatically after a good night's sleep or two.  Once I move from crutches to cane, I'll be essentially where I was just prior to surgery.  Then it will be upward and onward.

I've been trying to understand why I think I'm doing so well.  I attribute it to three things.  First, I chose an excellent doctor who has a record of patients with good recoveries.  Second, I was in very good physical condition before the surgery, both in terms of strength and endurance.  Third, I was exceedingly well hydrated after surgery.  This is perhaps very important.  Because I had problems with low BP, I received two I-V boluses and drank literally gallons of G2.  I couldn't have been better hydrated without floating away.  I'm still pushing fluids and don't plan to stop anytime soon.

Still waiting to hear on the incision, Chuck.  The doctor's office called back when I was out having coffee (of course).  I'm hoping to talk with somebody in the morning.

Hi Bionic

Reading your posts.

Congratulations on your new hip.  You are finally an official Surface Hippy.

Glad everything went pretty well.  You can try a bag of frozen peas on your hip until your new ice machine arrives.

I just wanted to wish you Good Luck with your recovery.  I am sure you will be up and "running" soon.  Well, at least moving about more normally.

Wishing you the best.

Pat

Bionic,
A few days ago, when you were miserable in the hospital, didn't I tell you that you'll be amazed at how quickly you bounce back?  It truly is amazing.  It reminds of having the flu and being absolutely miserable, then you wake up a few days later and feel fine!   I felt absolutely terrible in the hospital.  But, as soon as I got out, I felt pretty great all things considered.  I agree with you that picking a great doctor and going into the surgery in great shape are key to happy and quick recoveries.  . . . and yes, I'm sure all the fluids help to flush out your system and renew your insides more quickly as well.

If your using two crutches, you might try ditching one tomorrow and see how that feels before going to the can..  I quickly found that it was much less awkward to use one crutch rather than two.  Then, it's a more dramatic step to go the cane.  It's amazing what a big difference between one crutch and a cane.  I was stuck on my cane for awhile.  I just loved that cane.

I'm glad to hear your doing well and thank heavens you'll get a new Polar Care tomorrow morning!

Jeanie

Jeanie,

I keep waiting for something bad to happen, because so far this seems too good to be true.  Yesterday was really a great day.  I felt strong and energetic.  I was able to walk a long ways without tiring.

The only way I "paid for it" was when I took off my jeans last night (yes, "jeans" not sweats) and saw that my thigh had swollen up to a never-before-seen volume.  There was no pain, just a little stiffness.  I guess that in my enthusiasm to get back on my feet, I had stayed there too long and forgot that I was supposed to elevate.

After sleeping (about 10 hours!) with my foot on some pillows, the swelling was much reduced this morning, but still not completely gone.  I'm afraid I'll have to keep that foot up for a while today.

THe new PolarCare machine should arrive soon.  I've been thinking I can load it in my backpack and take it on walks with me.  Maybe that's too much trouble, but it's a way of keeping the coldness flowing without giving up mobility.

Pat,

Thanks for the good wishes.  It was the Internet chat right here with Dr. Gross that really got me interested in him and that lead me down the path to the good place I find myself today.  Thanks so much for your website and support!

The new PolarCare machine arrived at 9:58 this morning.  Now that's service!  I am now enjoying some cold treatment rocking in the glider with my feet up.  We'll soon have an outing to Costco.  I can easily rack up 1/2 mile crutching around there.

Day 8: my 1-week anniversary

Walked all around Costco yesterday.  Experimented with one crutch on and off.

Today, I walked down the hill of our street about 1/8 mile on one crutch only.  Walked most of the way back on two crutches.  The challenge with one crutch seems to be keeping my pelvis level.  It requires more strength from the gluteus minimus, I think, which was cut or at least "trimmed" during surgery.  I felt tired when I got back, but like I had accomplished something.

I'm now officially off Vicadin for three days, and have only used Tylenol occasionally.

Bionic,

When your body tells you try a few steps without your sticks, add a little more everyday and you'll be ditching your sticks before you know it. 

You are really moving through your recovery.   You might want to check to see if Gross actually stuck the hardware in  ;)


Chuck

Way to go Bionic!  I recall my first outing to Target and Kohls.  Exhausted by the end of it, but it sure felt good to move around.  Each day will be a bit better than the one before.  Keep at it.

Quote from: obxpelican on February 18, 2009, 01:01:10 PM
You are really moving through your recovery.   You might want to check to see if Gross actually stuck the hardware in  ;)

Hey Chuck,

The only proof I have right now is that I did set off the metal detector in the airport.  That was a first.  Oh, plus the fact that my arthritis pain is gone!

Maybe I'm overdoing it.  I went to the mall this afternoon with my wife and kids.  I figured it was my obligation go to help them score a handicapped spot :).

I walked around on one crutch most of the time, but found it tiring after a while.  Also, I started to "clunk" with each step until I remembered to keep my pelvis level.  When that become too hard, I switched back to two crutches and the clunking vanished.

Now, I'm just icing and elevating.  That's my routine: exert, ice, and elevate.

I was about 192 pounds going into surgery.  I thought I had lost fat in the hospital but, given the weight of the implants, expected to more or less break even after surgery.  But I was 198 on Monday, which made no sense until I looked at my right thigh.  I was down to 196 today, which agrees with the reduction I see in the size of my thigh and hip in the mirror.  I actually fit into a pair of moderately fitting jeans today.  The tight ones are still too painful.  I forgot to warn my wife not to put them in the dryer.

Todd, I actually drove today for the first time.  I had a few little twinges--one in my butt near the incision and one in my groin.  I decided to leave my right (operated) leg propped against the center island and brake only with my left foot.  All the twinges disappeared when I did that, but I have to say I was still happy and a little relieved when the trip was over and I could just stretch out.

Day 9:

Today started pretty much like yesterday.  Felt healthy but a little stiff from lying in bed so much.  Hobbled around on one crutch, with a little bit of clunking, wondering whether I had overdone my walking yesterday.

Went for a walk outside after my shower.  Any fears that I had hurt myself quickly vaporized.  It felt great to walk!

Without thinking, my strides started to open up, until I was walking with one crutch at a near normal pace.  Reached the bottom of the hill and met a neighbor.  After a brief chat, I turned around to head back up to the hill and home.  This is where I had problems yesterday and had to revert back to two crutches.  Not today.  One crutch felt great.  Maybe the rest at the bottom of the hill helped, but the effect was that I walked quickly and evenly back up the hill.  I actually enjoyed the hill, and even felt my skin getting a little moist.  I decided to over shoot the house, and continued walking up a steep hill to the next block.

I turned to walk home, now down a steep hill, and was thrilled that my strides naturally lengthened to cover the ground quicker.  I worried that I might be pounding on my implants too hard, so I "applied the brakes," but, boy, was it a great feeling to return home after what turned out to be nearly a brisk walk.

Day 10:

I'm starting to walk with a cane.  I'm a little wobbly and leaning a little too heavily on it, but the crutch is never far away and I think with a little encouragement I'll be solid in a day or two.  I'll take a walk outside with the cane later today and see how I do.

The 7-day bandage should come off today.  I've had a little bit of spotting, which has progressed even to today.  The new spotting since yesterday is only a tiny little dot.  I may end up putting a band aid on that one little spot if it's needed.

One effect of the surgery that I haven't mentioned before is that I have a great deal of bruising on my inner thigh of the operated leg.  I can't account for this as a direct consequence of the surgical work, but I figure they must have had me in some kind of harness or stabilizer during the operation, which caused the bruising.  It goes all the way down my inner thigh.  There's even some bruising at the back of my knee and slightly down my calf.  It only hurts near the top of my thigh, and, even then, only when I push on it.  It's not a big deal, but something I just thought I would mention to see if other Gross Hippies have the same thing.

New sensations of pain have arisen has I've naturally tended to extend my activities and range of motion.  The most significant of these is pain in the side, or side-back, of my butt on the operated side.  I figure the origin of this is my minimus muscle, since that's about where it is and I know that muscle was manipulated quite a bit during surgery.  The pain arises mostly when I rise from a chair, especially when I don't bother to extend my leg in front of me when rising.  I'm not aware that I'm using the muscle to help me stand (I'm deliberately trying not to), but it is possible I'm stretching it more than usual.  At any rate, the pain can be avoided by keeping my knee extended with my foot out in front of me when I stand up.

Bionic,

So many new pains that you get to enjoy!  I had significant bruising that showed up on the inner thigh and in different areas of the leg away from the incision.  My swelling would also change positions from day to day and that caused some discomfort too.  I'm still finding new muscles that I haven't used for a long time, and doing so causes some pain and soreness.  I guess I didn't realize how much compensating for the bad joint I had been doing.  I've got to retrain the muscles to do their job as intended again.  You'll be surprised on how certain pain will disappear in a few days and you can move better each day.  Just remember to ice and elevate when not on the move. 

Well, Todd, the latest pain is in my knee!  Maybe it's just weak from disuse.  Another possibility is that the nice job the doctor did in straightening out my leg has put some new stresses on my knee, which it just needs to adapt to.

I think I said above that my right foot always pointed out, and it got worse as the arthritis progressed.  Immediately after the surgery I was pleasantly shocked to see I was walking with a perfectly straight right foot.  Of course, however, that's a whole new arrangement for the rest of my leg to deal with.

I'm getting better at walking with the cane.  It's not as easy a transition as moving from two crutches to one, however.  The cane is just a small step from walking with no assistance at all.  I hope that in another day or two the cain will be less troublesome.  I certainly don't want to revert back to the crutch if I can help it.

Bionic,
So glad to hear that you're doing so well!  I didn't have any bruising aside from around the incision.  But, I did have knee pain.  Before and after surgery, I had the opposite problem to you.  My foot turned inward instead of outward.  But, that caused a lot of pain in my left knee.  I was so disappointed when I had that pain after surgery.  But, both the inward rotation and pain resolved itself as my hip grew stronger.  But, it took a good amount of time, like 12 weeks or so.  So, don't fret if it takes awhile to resolve itself.

I also thought it was a big transition to go from one crutch to the cane.  You would think it would be nearly the same.  But, holy cow.  It's a big leap.  For me, it was an even bigger leap to get off the cane.  I loved that cane!  I could walk fast and very well with the cane.  Without it, I walked like a drunk!  I finally realized that I need to walk like a drunk for a few days in order to figure out how to walk without it and also start to build the strength to walk without it.  In hindsight, I wish that I had forced myself off it earlier.  I just felt so foolish trying to walk without it.  So, keep that in mind when trying to figure out what works for your body and mind.

Jeanie
 



 

Day 11:

I'm loving my cane, too, Jeanie.  I use it primarily for balance.  I briefly tried walking without it today and could only manage a "silly walk."  I had to waddle so that, when I put my weight on the operated (right) leg, I would lean way over to the right side.  I was able to do this for a number of steps, and could have kept it up indefinitely, I guess, if it didn't look so silly. 

I think my abductors are still weak.  Leaning way over to the side took all the stress off of them.  It was encouraging that I could walk unassisted at all, and now I think I know what's holding me back from being able to ditch the cane for good.  The abductors have got to heal.

So far, I have no PT for the abductors--walking is the only exercise that works them.  So I'm walking a lot.  I did three 1/4-mile walks today, spaced pretty evenly.  Each one felt better than the one before it!

I had knee pain on the first one only, but realized I could make it go away by (drumroll) turning out my right foot.  That's right.  Turning the foot out restored my old biomechanics, which my knee likes a lot better.  But that's not where I want to be in the future, so I'm working on gradually pulling that foot in as long as the knee doesn't get too sore.

On my third walk of the day, I noticed a lot of clunking in the new hip.  Sometimes the clunking seemed to come from directly in front of the hip, and sometimes from the outside.  Once again, I found I was able to make it go away by TURNING MY FOOT OUT.  Do you see a pattern here?  My body is used to my walking like a duck and likes it that way.  As I did with the knee, I obliged to some degree while gradually trying to pull in the foot.  This is going to take some time.

Overall, today was very promising.  Walking with the cane was much easier.  I think it's clear at this point that the crutches are not coming back.