Hi Everyone, Well some days it seems like only yesterday I was terrified of the surgery and other days I just want my recovery to be done with.
I am using a cane at home, doing mostly everything having to rest more than before, no pain at all in my hip,sleeping well and my appetite has returned. My 2 issues are, silly heel pain waking me at night, it is so weird as soon as I get up and walk it goes away, luckily I can fall back to sleep. If anyone else has experienced this and found a way to prevent it, I would love to hear from you. Second problem is boredom, despite getting lots of visitors, I am really fed up with staying home so much and the need for a raised toilet seat makes going out very difficult. Other than that my physiotherapist was amazed at my flexibility, said I was doing extremely well. I am really glad I went to see her because they gave me a book with exercies to do at home and apparently I wasn't doing some of them right !! no wonder they seemed so easy. Just booked a Mexican vacation for December, so that is giving me something to look forward to, also so very lucky with our amazing summer, makes going for walks very pleasant. Thanks again for all your support.
Lorraine.
I got myself geared up with some productive hobbies. I do craftwork, so I got some embroidery and knitting organised. I also do a citizen science project on line - if this interests you try the Zooniverse and see if there is anything that appeals to you. I find that having an achievement, however small, at the end of the day helps to convince me that the day hasn't been just a matter of waiting for mobility to improve.
Hi Lorraine....I remember so well your first post online (much like all of ours!)
So nice to see your progress...I too still have the heel pain, though I call it heel burning so bad it wakes me up...I found if I put a small towell rolled up that I prop my foot over, so the heel just barely touches the bed, helps 90% and actually Imeant to ask the physiotherapist today about that.
I'm still to use the toilet seet for another month (I'm 6 weeks tomorrow), as my toilets are old and too low, so yes going out is difficult, but to be honest I have no interest to go except physio and getting hair/nails done, as I'm too paranoid os someone bumping into me and me not being able to move quick and safely away from them....so I'm happy to stay close to home, also the sidewalks around where I live are so crooked and uneven I won't even attempt to walk around the block.
I'm fed up also, have read 8 books in under 6 weeks but my daughter treated me to a apple tv streamer so I'm hooked on House of Cards (though just found out this device uses my internet time and I was just charged an extra 60.00 on my monthly bill),
In any event you have your vacation to look forward to..I usually to go Cuba but gave up the past two years as I could not walk through the airport and on the resort, so maybe this spring I'll go back.....we have started our cool fall weather, how about you?
I get a little bored with my present state, but for me it's ACCEPTANCE....and I do believe I'm much older than you, so have done a lot of lifestuff.....
I keep the toilet riser on my home toilet seat, it is a goodsend....for me.
Yesterday, I went to a restraunt with a friend and their toilet was so low I almost thought I would not be able to get off the seat.....people talk about building up the muscles, etc....but FOR ME, and my later age, I'm happy to be walking as I do and no groin pain.....
So MUCH changes in our lives with this replacement world...
Hi Patricia, glad you seem to be doing a bit better. Believe me after another few weeks recovery you will start to lose your paranoia about people bumping in to you. I work as a support worker for social services and we see an awful lot of hip and knee replacements ( how ironic that I need both hips done !!!! ) for the first three months or so everyone is terrified of falling, dislocation etc, but I promise you the stronger you get all those fears will leave you. You are only afew weeks post op and are doing brilliantly, you just need to have confidence in yourself which will come !!!! I had a 72 year old client who after having both hips done completed the great north run, a half marathon I think ? 13 and a half miles, and did it it under 4 hours !!!! Amazing. Don't give up hope just be patient ( difficult I know ! ) and be kind to yourself. I finally got my date which is the 15th of October 3 years to the day since my partner of 19 years died, spooky or what !!!! Still I can't wait to get the first one done as surgeon now says he will do second 3 months after. How I long to get my life back. Keep well and stay safe lots of love Maggie from Scotland xxxxx
Hi Lorraine...so glad you're doing well...the pain in the heel is weird...are you still sleeping on your back? I had the dame and used a rolled up towel under my ankles so it raised my heels up off the bed....everything went as soon as I could sleep on my side again! As for the boredom, apart from reading, I bought some box sets of TV dramas on ebay and resold them after I watched them.....old films on sky tv helped too! lots of visitors were the best tonic though.....keep smiling and planning for your hols!!
Well that was frustrating. I typed a long reply and it just disappeared before I could post it. Maybe it was boring! Anyway, I was asking how your golden retrievers were doing? Mine is a bit fed up looking at me I think. He has been pretty good but is fed up having to get out of the way as I come along and I'm not so much fun at the moment.
Not sure about the heel pain. Someone I know had that too and used heel protectors which looked very posh. My problem is buttock pain which makes sitting a problem. I can only sit for about 20 minutes at a time. I am longing for the day that I can lie on the couch but it is too low. Boredom is also a big issue. I can read for a while, go for my two walks down to the beach, sit on the sea wall for a while, I draw a bit and do crosswords and soduko, watch the telly. I have started cooking too. Visitors are good. I am now 6 weeks post op. Still need raise toilet and chair. Not had any follow up physio but am in uk (at the moment). We have all the excitement of a referendum happening.
Hi Lorraine, glad you got a good report from your physio! Yes, I found some of the exercizes really easy, till I found out I was doing it far too quick - you know that one where you swing your leg out sideways? I didn't know you weresupposed to hold the position at the end then bring your leg back. Ho hum.
Walking is always good, though, we have had some glorious weather lately down in Cornwall.
Take care, and keep up the good work!
Hi Maggie, it was so nice to hear from you! I'm hoping what said about confience etc coming to me int he weeks to come...I think now that I'm ok to use the walk in shower (feel more stable) and once I give up the toilet seats and can drive...all will fall into place.
I think the October l5th will be a good day for you as it is such a special day your loved one will be "watching over you"!!
xoxo Patrivcia
Jean/Lorriane, funny thing about the physio exercises..today the therapist was actually watching me and she said I had the "quickest 5 second count", which she said was actually 2.5 second!!! oops I was caught!
Good to see your reply to Patricia. Yes fear of falling, dislocation, infection. I think because it is pointed out to you at preop and again in hospital again and again. I still don't like whe little children, bouncy dogs or people on bikes and scooters are anywhere close by. I watched an 88 year old ballerina on TV today and she was so supple. She showed her morning routine and was amazing . She has had 2 hip replacements so gave me hope. Just noticed. I am also from Scotland exciting times at present. Who knows what will happen. Good luck on 15th October.
Hello. Good to see you are getting on well Patricia. Not managed to get to hairdresser yet. Not sure how hair washing will go. I really do need to have it done though.
I was blessed to have lots of people who wanted to take me out to lunch, as I live in a touristy area I chose the local hotels as they have disabled loos!!!!! They are a godsend, usually the seat is higher, if not they have frames that you can pull yourselves up on, look out for those places to relieve your boredom and best of luck recovering x
Hi Maggie, I will be getting my hip revision done the day before you - as long as they don't put it off again! has just been put back a week from the 7th. The first time round 5 years ago I was amazed at how little pain I had (normal operation type pain of course) but the horrible spiky arthitis pain just vanished. Good advice about building up confidence, thanks.
Ah yes, must practice my quick counting!
I was given one of those rubber band things to make the exercises more effective and difficult...especially the one to the side...out to five , hold for five, back to five...remember it well!!
I didn't know about holding the leg out either. Oh dear.
Good to hear you're doing well! I have my op next Monday and am at the terrified stage!
Just had a thought about using loos that are too low - actually my husband remembered a useful device that I have ( I have recurrent UTI's and travelling can be problematic).
Anyway - sorry for the graphic description - it's called a Shee Wee I think and basically it allows you to pee standing up as though you were a man! I know! I know! it's nuts and takes some getting used to but might let you get out and about as it's quite discreet.
Hi Lorraine
Glad you are making great progress.
i can only imagine how you feel. I am only 6 days post op and am already feeling a bit depressed. . Overdid things way too much yesterday because I hate sitting around. I am trying to talk sense to myself but I'm not always listening!
Hi Hippi, well my physiotherapist said to ensure I took my cushion andmake sure the hairdresser rolled a towel to put behind my head and all should be ok....and it was....felt great