I did it!

Bones, joints and muscles
21

I bet, I was too and now it's all about the healing and recovery as Yazz sung "the only way is UP!"

22

I was in hospital for a week (in UK though) when I had LTHR done, was nowhere near my kitchen or loo on day 4!

post op swelling... I elevated my legs and iced

23

Thanks Juliet. Icing feels so good. I feel hot all over at times even though no fever. Did you experience that at all?

24

Hi Jeanne (Sally) -

Welcome to this side and thank you for sharing ! very encouraging, especially for all our pre-op hippies here ...

The trips to the bathroom will get less but yeah, I remember them vividly - Also had UTI right after I was discharged ... 

Are you on blood thinners?  

 

Swelling will go down and flu-like symptoms will come up now and then - As you said, all part of the healing process ... This is major surgery after all ...

How is your blood pressure? 

The best thing is to really listen to your body ... nap when you feel like it - only do what you can without too much effort - that will come later - 

Take care and be oh so gentle with your self ..

warm hug

renee

 

25

I know, right!  I'd have packs up and down my op leg and hip.  Yes I did have that heat... Toxins from hospital drugs and general meds being excreted in sweat (ewww!) and for me I couldn't wear HRT patches for a while pre and post op so unregulated hormones, or lack thereof probably didn't help.  Ice away, it's a relief!

Jx

26

So glad to read your recovering well Jeanne. Soon you will be back to living your life again and doing all the things you've missed. 

27

Ditto to all the above and welcome to the club!! 😄😄😄😄😄.

Carol😄 Xx

28

Thanks so much Carol.  

hugs,

Jeanne

29

Thanks so much Carol.  Can't wait!

hugs,

Jeanne

30

Hi Renee

Thanks for the welcome and info.  Flu like symptoms lessening but swelling has gone from my thigh to the top of my knee.  I guess swelling anywhere on the operated side is normal?  I've been up and walking more today and maybe that's why.   Also sitting is the most difficult thing for me to do right now.  So painful getting up-knee pain mostly.  I am so afraid of going past 90degreess that I am probably sitting awkwardly and putting a strain on my knee.  Not sure.  Now icing the knee since icing mh thigh really helped.  Did you have knee pain or mostly lega and hip pain?

31

I have said this all over this forum but believe that this is how the recovery pattern goes -

The first two weeks are rubbish. 

Most of us are weak, tired, feel like we've just done 20 rounds in a boxing ring, we sleep all the time but can't sleep at night. We are hot/cold/bruised and sore and we spend our time counting the four hours between meds.

We develop cankles, we ache, other joints and limbs join in, we shuffle to the loo and sometimes we don't make it!

THEN

After two weekswe  notice a difference.

Not only did we survive anaesthesia, not only did we survive getting the top of our femur chopped off - now we realise that the pain that we have left is a hopeful pain.

From this point on  we are shuffling forward to a new life. More steps, more stairs, less crutches and aids - it all comes along slowly as we heal. It is often two steps forward and one back but always moving forward.

High five yourself, Sally, we are the brave, we are the hip adventurers and no matter what your new hip throws at you in the next couple of weeks just remember it is just settling into its new home.

Kate x

 

32

Good morning Jeanne -

I hope you had a good night sleep ..

Swelling is absolutely normal - from thigh, knee to ankle where it might linger for a bit longer ... mine was all gone in 10 days ... 

just make sure it is not painful and you don't have a fever ..

Oh, my poor knees !!!  they both have to do so much work to get this, heavier, body moving - especially getting in and out of chair or bed or, later on, car ... To be honest, they already gave me problems prior surgery - so much so that I asked for some kind of a brace or being taped or something ... 

The 90 degree rule is taunting - they scared the hell out of me and, like you, I was focussed not to break it - akward and unnatural - afraid my new hip would pop out or something - ...

Not so though ... it is more the fragility of the tissue, tendons and muscles that were severed ... 

Have you watched the surgery on You tube ? It was an eye opener for me and gave me so much respect for my body and its healing capability - I didn't realize what a major operation this is ... Not for the sqeamish - so be warned ....

Unfortunately (or fortunately??) my left hip's cartilage has gone from mild to bone-on-bone in a very short time and is very painul ... 

You are doing great !!! put ice on the swelling if it helps you and take one step at a time, taking your time with it ...

Angel blessings and warm hug

renee

33

Concise and precise and SO true! Well said Kate

Jx

34

Hi Jeanne

So pleased you are all done and dusted!

There are no rules in the THR game as we are all different. Go with your body's flow

Walk when you feel like it, sleep when you feel like it and let yourself be waited on

This really is all about YOU!

Most important are your exercises as they really increase the mobility in your hip and strengthen your muscles for walking

Just take it really easy and don't feel in the least bit guilty for doing so

Get the first two weeks out of the way and you'll be sailing. And when sleep eludes you, which it will, do come on to the forum - always someone awake in the early hours to chat to

Kind regards Linda xx

35

Thanks Linda for the wise and kind advice.  Exhausted from not sleeping at night.  Up every hour to pee  Stiff back keeps me awake.

 

Any tips for getting comfey while flat on your back? Can't get out of bed by myself so don't want to disturb hubby more than I already do. Would love to get up and be talking to the hippies.

 May try sleeping in the lift chair tonight. Have taken naps in it before for a couple of hours but then get uncomfortable.

Also have you had problems sitting?  I cannot sit on the loo(even with raised seat and arm supports)  Too painful.  Have been using a female urinal instead.

 Also difficulty sitting at the kitchen table for more than 15 minutes at a time even with a gel cusion under me.  I had posterior surgery and I know those with anterior do better, sooner with these kind of tasks. Trying to be as patiient as possible but can't wait to be six weeks out and these problems a distant memory.  

 hugs,

Jeanne

 

36

Hi Jeanne

Plenty of pillows needed in bed - I also had a sheepskin effect padded back rest and a VPillow as well as 3 normal pillows

 Are you having difficulty getting out of bed because your leg is stiff? Use a dressing gown belt round base of foot and lift yourself in and out by the ends of it - works a treat

I had Super Path procedure but it is still a butt scar albeit a small,one

I didn't have much of a problem sitting - had a padded seat raiser cushion for both dining chair and lounge chair which were very comfy . Don't worry about the sleep thing- I hardly got any for 5 weeks till I could lie on my side

Just content yourself with TV , an iPad or a good book or come on to the forum

It's early days for you girl - be patient - things start to move forward after the first two weeks

You are doing good and you will get there

Sleep tight

Kind regards Linda xx💞💞

 

37

Good morning Linda

Thanks for the pointer re the pillows etc.I slept in the lift chair last night .  No stiff back in the am and didn't wake hubby either. Also had the computer nearby and could look at email and forum etc.  That made the night hours go much more quickly.   So defintely better there.  Really appreciate the moral support.  Have to remind myself eventually I will be walking/sitting normally. Hoping the third week will be a turning point.

Love n hugs,

Jeanne 

38

Hi Jeanne, 

Just checking in with you ... good to hear that you are doing better and will for sure in coming weeks - 

I find it to be a roller coaster ride at times - not only physically but also emotionally ...

have a good day and be gentle with yourself today

warm hug

renee