My Journal: 1:00pm the last 2 day went well Still have problem with the swollen foot/ankle/knee. But it is the foot and toes that hurt the most. Also getting tender on calf and behind my knee. I can get in and out of the shower now with out the bench. I never should of purchased it. I am now walking with the walker with no limp. But I swear my surgery leg is at least 2inch longer. I still dont understand why i was not told to see a physical therapist once a week. I hope I am doing the exercises right. I even added some. I want to be able to drive ASAP. I think that all the medical people involved with hip/knee surgery should have to go a week knowing how it feels to hurt and depend on others for just about every thing. Cant they rig them up some how to where when they walk, sit, get into and out of bed an electric shock is sent to them. Also put padding on them to simulate the swelling and let them see how hard it is those first few days to even wipe your self. And then Up the shock volts cause their pain meds were taken away....
I will have the house to my self pretty much most of the day, So that will be nice.
11:30pm: Jessica brought Samantha home around 5pm she didnt want to spend the night. So she and I watched the fire works from the porch. They were amazing, Amazing what some folks get their hands on who live on these small lakes.
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Try them out first not all work very well
Introduction
Hip Replacement My new HIP: June 22nd 2009, I received a new hip. 13 years ago I was diagnosed with degernerative arthritis of my Rt hip. Back then I was sure that the hip pain I was having was due to the epidural I received during labor of my 2nd child. It really shocked me that at age 38 I had a form of arthritis. The last 3 years I had 2 procedures to help with the pain. They were steroid injections right into the hip.The first one was like a miracle. I almost felt normal, minimal pain. It lasted for about 6 months. The 2nd one had no effect. So now my only option was surgery. So at age 51 I had the surgery using the Posterior approach. As a single parent and caring for a mentally disabled 13 yr old (Samantha) I had to relay on my oldest daughter (Jessica) age 31 to care for her sister while I was in the hospital and to assist me with my recovery. Samantha and I would stay with Jessica and her family (Hubby & my 2 grandsons) for the recovery. Jessica would be the one to drive me every where. Jessica planned to have me stay with her for 3 to 4 weeks. I planned on only 1 week. The excitement of getting back to my pre-hip NO PAIN days of going out dancing, play a round of golf, go to the Zoo, or something as simple as shopping for an hour or more was overwhelming as was the fear.
My Journal
See my post: I will edit my actual journal and keep it short, with the sweet and bitter of my recovery. Select older post to see from day 1. Also if leaving a comment you may need to hit preview for word verification.
How did they do that?
And Then What
And ??
Shared links
THE 3 CARDNIAL RULES
1. DO NOT CROSS YOUR LEGS 2. DO NOT ROTATE YOUR OPERATED LEG INWARD. 3. DO NOT BEND YOUR HIP PAST 90 DEGREES.
Jessica and I did a lot of research prior to the surgery, We realy felt that we were very well prepared. NOT!! But you do figure it out. It took me a while to not understand why no one could tell me how much I can do in a day, You know like how many feet should I be walking by the 5th day? All I would hear was " Every one is different just do your best" Finally on or around the 9th day after my surgery it was finally put to me in a way that I could except. I was told, "walk as far and long as you want as long as you
"DO NOT BREAK ANY ONE OF THE 3 RULES"
Jessica and I did a lot of research prior to the surgery, We realy felt that we were very well prepared. NOT!! But you do figure it out. It took me a while to not understand why no one could tell me how much I can do in a day, You know like how many feet should I be walking by the 5th day? All I would hear was " Every one is different just do your best" Finally on or around the 9th day after my surgery it was finally put to me in a way that I could except. I was told, "walk as far and long as you want as long as you
"DO NOT BREAK ANY ONE OF THE 3 RULES"
My Learned Tips
I wished I could of found some of these tips prior to my surgery.
1. Walk your house with a walker piror to surgery
2. Check out your setting prior to surgery (to know if high or low enough. to do this, back up to the chair if the back of your knees are at the same height or lower as the set then good to go or I should say set in)
3. Use FROZEN PEA'S 2lb bags for icing your hip. Get at least 3 to trade of with.
4. Have at least 2 reacher/grabber bars. Try different ones out first. Not all work very well.
5. Sleep when ever you can.
6. Have lots of different size pillows and get some cylinder one.
7. Have a small pillow when in the car.
8. Have prune juice on hand
9. Except and ask for help.
10. Put some padding on your walker bars.
11. Have something you can do sitting up as well as laying in bed.
12. Be sure to have comfy adjustable shoes just in case your foot swells up.
1. Walk your house with a walker piror to surgery
2. Check out your setting prior to surgery (to know if high or low enough. to do this, back up to the chair if the back of your knees are at the same height or lower as the set then good to go or I should say set in)
3. Use FROZEN PEA'S 2lb bags for icing your hip. Get at least 3 to trade of with.
4. Have at least 2 reacher/grabber bars. Try different ones out first. Not all work very well.
5. Sleep when ever you can.
6. Have lots of different size pillows and get some cylinder one.
7. Have a small pillow when in the car.
8. Have prune juice on hand
9. Except and ask for help.
10. Put some padding on your walker bars.
11. Have something you can do sitting up as well as laying in bed.
12. Be sure to have comfy adjustable shoes just in case your foot swells up.
My Do's And Donts
What did and did not work for me:
Do's: Use wedge when sitting down, so you dont turn in your leg.
Do be direct with the staff
Do drink lots of water
Do ice at least 4 times a day
DONT'S: Dont keep track of your own meds for that first week at least.
Dont stop your stool softner unless you are sure!!
Dont over plan or set high goals for the first 2 weeks at least
Dont get over tiered so that you forget about the 3 Dont Do Rules.
Do's: Use wedge when sitting down, so you dont turn in your leg.
Do be direct with the staff
Do drink lots of water
Do ice at least 4 times a day
DONT'S: Dont keep track of your own meds for that first week at least.
Dont stop your stool softner unless you are sure!!
Dont over plan or set high goals for the first 2 weeks at least
Dont get over tiered so that you forget about the 3 Dont Do Rules.
My Top 5 Needs
I got very lucky I am so greatfull that Jessica was able to care for me and Samantha in her home. At first we both worried about living together again. We are just to much alike.
1. She had extream patients with me and the grandkids were great. And I have the best son in law.
2. She did not houver over me. "Once I told her not to" LOL
3. She prepared the guest room for me that was so comfy and relaxing.
4. She cooked my meals, did our laundry and cared for Samantha.
5. She monitored my meds. Which was good cause I would forget.
1. She had extream patients with me and the grandkids were great. And I have the best son in law.
2. She did not houver over me. "Once I told her not to" LOL
3. She prepared the guest room for me that was so comfy and relaxing.
4. She cooked my meals, did our laundry and cared for Samantha.
5. She monitored my meds. Which was good cause I would forget.
Good Prices!
Try them out first not all work very well
PHASE 1: My Short Term Recovery
Follow my posts for the first 8 weeks of my recovery. June 22nd to August 22nd.
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