Yes, my son has joined your club - 2 hips done in 4 months! The story of what happened to make the doctor change his mind will have to wait for another time.
Each hip experience is SO different. I think it took son THREE MONTHS to emerge from the fog because of general anesthesia AND he was in such a debilitated condition prior to surgery. But, he didn't have much incision pain. He had a spinal this time, and instead of taking four hours to be conscious enough to leave, he had clarity in an hour, and along with it, pain.
But today he has not taken any narcotics, but did feel a bit hungover this morning. He is taking acetaminophen and naproxen.
Yesterday, he went to a meeting on campus and walked 6 blocks to and from. He was not in pain, but he was so tired and had discomfort. It was 95F feels like 108 yesterday. He is not walking properly - stride to short - but does not use his cane. sigh. Today he went for a deep tissue massage, and thought it helped.
Hippies, if you've had a bad allergic reaction to oxycodone, DO NOT LET THEM GIVE IT TO YOU AGAIN! Son had the waterfall sweats, itching and dizziness from this with the first hip. So he told everyone he could he did not want this. Instead they gave him a low dose of hydromorphone. After ten days, we started splitting them. Yes, we know you're not supposed to. We even split the oxycontin. It just made it easier to taper off.
Here's the downside: with all that clarity comes worry. And the crazy busyness involves us moving out of the present apartment into interim accomodations while his belongings go to the west coast. Who knew they have a hospital rate? We'll stay in them for a month, then fly away from this place. I am going crazy trying to find a short-term place to stay there, as well as an apartment for son to rent. Yesterday I asked a friend there for help, and he has already come through with some ideas. Unlike this place where people smile and say things, but could care less.
Okay, sorry TMI. Just how do you hippies recover alone? With meds to figure out, dressing to change, cooking and eating? At least my son has a personal assistant to do the laundry, and today she vacuumed and mopped! That would be ME!
Son has an appointment with the surgeon Monday. The nurse who took his staples out kindly set it up as we are leaving so soon. Son is worried that there is Leg Length Discrepancy. And there is a hematoma to be aspirated.
Hope you are all doing well, and not bored to death.
Aloha, Soos