3 weeks down

It has been a while since I last posted. I had my 2 week checkup and I went in trying to show how careful I have been by bringing in both crutches and walking very gingerly. Turns out, I am not as fragile as I thought. Both the doctor and the PA were surprised to see me still on the crutches and even laid some hints that I shouldn't need any walking device--wait, what! So, when I got home, I tried walking on my own. I definitely have a limp and I am sore in my groin and knee...this it turns out, is from the awkward positions your body gets rammed into while on the operating table. Also, my back gets sore after doing any substantial amount of walking (walking more than 20 feet). I believe that this has to do with my adjustment to having normal leg lengths again. I was pretty down at the 2 week mark, mostly because of the doctor's visit. It proved that I am doing alright--healing normally, but not a rock star like I thought my 30 year age gap would afford me. I was also worried that I might not be on the road to recovery...that I might be stuck with a limp and in pain for the rest of my life. But, at the 3 week mark, I can see that I am better than I was just a week ago, so I am confident I will improve. I just hope that I didn't trade my hip problem for a knee problem and I won't see the walk from the table to the restroom at a restaurant as "long". At 3 weeks, I am driving again, which helps the mind. I love that all the people have been helping me, but it is good to have a little bit of freedom again. Had my first day back at the office last week thanks to my family members picking up and dropping me off and now I am at work as full time as I get. Having the baby is still difficult. She knows the sign for "pick up" and is constantly asking me to help her out...just a little longer, baby, a little longer.

Post-op day 13

Feeling less foggy and am getting my energy back. I went to a 5 year old birthday party yesterday. I was a little worried about a kid ramming into my incision site, but was relieved to get out of the house. I think if you are looking to do this and are trying to decide between a winter or summer recovery period, there are a couple of things to think about.

1. You will not feel bad that you are not out enjoying the nice weather, but you might not get out at all and this can make anyone a bit crazy.
2. Ted stockings in shorts would be an extreme fashion faux pas.
3. Ice pack in the summer would feel better. I am still using my ice pack around the wound. It feels better if it is numb, but I do hate bringing it into bed with me. The use of the ice pack has gone down in the last couple of days and I take this as another sign of feeling better.

Post-op day 11

So, I have missed a few days. I have been working from home more and time just gets away from me. Anyway, here is the update:

1. I really hate the ted stockings. I don't think I have shared this hatred yet. I hate them more because I can't shave my legs; razor on a stick doesn't work as well as I would like. Mostly, I hate that I can't get them on myself and that I look like a pasty white mannequin under my pants.
2. The hip pain generally isn't too bad. Really Tylenol is enough. I don't want to take too much so I still take the oxycodone at night. Another reason for the oxycodone is that sleeping is tough. I am not sure if I should be on my side with a pillow. This is my preferred position, but it kind of makes the hip throb after a while. Hmm...wonder if that is a no-no. I will try to be better about sleeping on my back.
3. Moving at a pretty quick clip with one crutch, but I am getting over confident. I slipped a bit going down the stairs and my leg hurt for a couple hours afterward. Need to not go down the stairs as much.
4. I am officially a klutz. I cannot do anything without dropping something. I don't think I realized the extent of how often I bent down and picked things up before. Not bending past 90 degrees is tough.
5. I am feeling better. Earlier this week, I talked to the pharmacist at the hospital and she said it was normal to feel run down and to not have an appetite for 2 weeks after surgery. That is good, because I like to have an appetite...a couple of people have asked if I have lost weight. Sure, it is nice to lose a little weight, but not at the cost of feeling bad.

Overall, I think things are going as they should. My sister-in-law asked me what was worse...pre-surgery pain or post-surgery pain. So far post-surgery pain is the clear winner, but I think that is because of the sleeping problem and the worry that I am going to do something to dislocate it. Also, I am still hobbling around--would like that to go away.

Post-op Day 6

Another weekend. Baby didn't sleep well last night. I hope hubby can take a nap today. I feel bad about how much he has had to take on and I know I will take a nap today. I switched my afternoon dose of oxycodone to 2 maximum strength tylenol. I am not sure if it is the medication or the surgery, but I have zero energy. I take a long afternoon nap and I am feeling better with just the tylenol. Still a little loopy, but maybe that is just the lack of movement. I can't wait to get out and be my normal self again. I am using just one crutch and that has been an improvement in my lifestyle. I can carry things and I feel a little more capable.

Post-op Day 5

Today is a weekend. Feels good to not have to hurry son and husband out the door. Feels good that husband is here the entire day to help out. The house has gotten out of control in my opinion, but I am trying to let go. I still try to clean the kitchen. This does not make husband happy. He wants me to rest and I want to rest, but I also want to clean the kitchen and I can hobble around it pretty well, supporting myself on the countertops. I am fiercely independent and it is difficult to have someone take care of me. It is difficult to watch someone do my job of house chores and child rearing. I am still pretty tired though. Still pretty loopy. Wish I didn't have pain killers. Will try to replace one oxycodone with tylenol tomorrow. Things that I am noticing.

1. I can lift my left leg up a little more, enough to trigger the foot button on the trash can.
2. I can get in bed with the use of the other leg, but no longer a sharp pain
3. I can almost do a leg extension on my own. Not sure if I should be doing that though.
4. Getting better with the abduction/adduction exercise. That is the only one of my list of my home PT that causes me issues.
5. Still can't march--not joining a band anytime soon, but still noteworthy.
6. Still feel unsteady on my leg. Am afraid to put weight on it.

Post-op Day 4

I decide since I am so capable, I may as well enjoy myself. I tell my sister that we are going to the mall to do some returns. We make it to the mall…we make one return and then I am done. Apparently, the mall was a little too ambitious for me. I go home and rest.

Post-op Day 3

So nice to wake up in my own bed. It is still a struggle to get in and out of, but I am happy to not have a port in my arm and there is no beeping from my room or any other. Today I take a shower. It is not so hard really. I sort of lean against the wall and the hardest part is getting over the small lip of the walk in shower. I still haven't shaved my legs but decide that next shower, I will make a workable razor that I don't have to bend past 90 degrees…razor on a stick. I am a nut about this--the support hose don't mix well with hairy legs.

My sister and I journey out today to get my blood drawn. Not exciting, but it shows that I am capable of going out.