Some answers from my perspective - I live alone, had two hips done, three months apart:
1. The first days were not bad for me. I expected pain and discomfort, but for me it wasn't as bad as I had braced myself for. First the old, draining pain from the hip was gone. It was awesome. The replacement was soreness, exterme tiredness and some pain from the incision. The soreness felt like having seriously overworked muscles while exercising.
There were several things that were important the first couple of days. I wanted to go home quickly, so standing up, walking ASAP were important. Sitting and doing the exercises they give you. I didn't have much time since the physical therapist and the occupational therapist were tag teaming me with things to do. The rest of the time I slept or ate. It seemed to go by quickly, and the goals were well defined - walking the stairs with crutches, walking the hallways and practicing getting in and out of bed, the toilet or the tub. And keeping that @#$%^&# catheter away from me gave me great incentive to make trips to the bathroom. They used that as a standing threat.
I didn't have a lot of visitors, but the nurses were great, and kept my spirits up.
2. My parents came to take care of me for the first week. I had prepared certain things to make it easier to navigate the apartment on crutches; I put all chargers (cell phone, kindle, etc. ) on the kitchen counter so I wouldn't have to chase a dropped wire. I put as many CDs and Blurays in a box on a chair so I didn't need to bend too much to hunt for viewing material. I also organized the remotes for electronics and keys to be in secure bins while I had issues bending down. I also made sure anything I wanted to reach frequently was at the front of the top shelf in the refrigerator.
My parents were great, mainly as moral support. You do need the companionship or at least some friends or relatives to call. There will be times you get discouraged or just a bit blue. I went through all of my CDs and Blurays during my time out. The important things were to exercise, rest, keep up with your pain meds (I only used Tylenol) and ICE, ICE, ICE... Helps with swelling, soreness, everything.
I released my parents from their bondage, since I was able to pretty much care for myself after one week. That included showers, cooking, walking, even bending down to get things from the floor. The tools that you can get to help you were provided by my occupational therapist - one to get things by hook and crook, and a sock putter - onner, these were invaluable.
The home nurse and the home physical therapist came twice per week for the first couple of weeks. My parents left after the first; my mother did me a great service by cooking and freezing about three weeks worth of individual meals.
The days were pretty full with exercising (six times dailly) and walking (3 times per day, about 1/4 mile each).
After the first couple of weeks, I was down to one crutch, after the second week I started driving for short stints, then I was pretty active. Still doing the exercises, but went to visit friends within reason, etc.
After the third week I graduated from home PT and the visitng nurse and was allowed to take off my Ben Franklin socks (the TED socks). Yay!!!. I was pretty active and started walking (limping) inside the house without support.
After the fourth week, I was walking outside without support for stretches, going to my usual places within reason (until tired, usually happened quickly), and resuming life.
Fifth week, started outpatient PT which is what really strengthens you (IMO), and went back to work.
It's a process and not too hard. What really got me positive was the progress I saw and the complete absence of that old grinding pain. It felt like all sorts of doors were opening up again. Don't be too nervous, you'll be able to manage it independently.
Topic: Bilateral BHR - coming up June 21st (Read 3939 times)
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