Yesterday was my third PT appointment. We didn't seem to do as much as the last two, which was okay with me since various parts of my body, sans the right hip, were killing me. One of the PT guys showed me how to wrap my wrists for extra support because my hands are killing me with the crutches. I know it seems all I do is whinge, but this process is getting the better of me. Dr. Kelly was meant to talk to the PT guys about how he wants me to proceed, but it seemed no one had spoken to him so I had to ask them to contact him so we're all on the same page. One of the PT guys did not seem to think it was such a good idea to return to work on Monday, but I really don't have a choice. Mostly I am going mad just sitting here. He is afraid I will do too much and flare up with the various multitudes of bodily issues I have. I guess we'll have to just see how it goes and I will just have to do what I can.
I had it in my head since earlier this week that after PT I would take my mother out for a well deserved lunch at a favourite little bistro that was not too far from the PT office. Unfortunately once I get something into my head that's it. And that was where it all went wrong.
After PT we went to my bank on the corner and then walked a few blocks to the restaurant. Looking back we really should have taken a taxi, but I am so frustrated from not going anywhere that I decided I was going to do it all by myself. I admit it, I am an idiot.
Thankfully there was a table free when we got there, and we had a lovely lunch with a little wine. My right hip started hurting then. After lunch we were going to try to take the bus back but I was too tired and we were very lucky that a cab was free, as most were off duty at that time.
I was so knackered from this trip that I ended up passing out for a while when we got home. I did the Game Ready for my right hip and that helped for a little bit but my psoas was really hurting as well as my right knee and left hip. This kept me up for a while and I ended up taking a pain killer so I could hopefully get some sleep. I eventually did fall asleep for a little bit, but have now been up since around 5 am. I took another pain killer around 6 am and am very loopy and queasy from it. I haven't been this out of it from them for a while, I guess I had started to get used to them but now that I've been not taking them regularly I am more affected.
I was hoping to do a test run to the office during rush hour this morning with my mother, but I am definitely not up for it now. Hopefully later on we will be able to do it.
05 October, 2007
01 October, 2007
Catch 22
I am going off of my mind! I am so bloody bored I could scream. The problem is anytime I try to move around more, my hands and hips and shoulders get very upset with me and start to complain in intense anger. There is no winning in this situation. I did cave and take another pain pill today, though it was the first time since Friday.
I had to go back to the dentist today for some work and he shot me up with three injections in my mouth! I am the queen of torture at this point. After we went to get my new specs and then I was dreading coming home so much I rang one of my close friends who happily had just gotten home, so we popped over there for a nice visit.
I took another magic pill last night and slept fairly decently. I have been having the most bizarre nightmares for the last few weeks, it must be all the stress and drugs. But at least I got some sleep so I won't complain.
My mother and I have been trying to suss out how I can do all sorts of 'little' things that you take for granted by myself, as next week I have to return to work and will not have her around to help. You don't realise how much it truly is the small basic things. For example, getting a sock on my right foot is a nightmare. Thankfully my mother found this sock aid pull on she had bought for my dad when he had hip replacement surgery and it seems to work. Washing and drying my lower legs is another difficult task. I finally sussed out how to get lotion on my lower right leg - with my left foot! I'm getting quite creative. Quite a learning experience for sure! I keep trying to do more and more myself without overdoing it at the same time. Opening doors though is one thing that is very difficult, so not sure how that is going to work. Oh well, onward and upward as they say.
I had to go back to the dentist today for some work and he shot me up with three injections in my mouth! I am the queen of torture at this point. After we went to get my new specs and then I was dreading coming home so much I rang one of my close friends who happily had just gotten home, so we popped over there for a nice visit.
I took another magic pill last night and slept fairly decently. I have been having the most bizarre nightmares for the last few weeks, it must be all the stress and drugs. But at least I got some sleep so I won't complain.
My mother and I have been trying to suss out how I can do all sorts of 'little' things that you take for granted by myself, as next week I have to return to work and will not have her around to help. You don't realise how much it truly is the small basic things. For example, getting a sock on my right foot is a nightmare. Thankfully my mother found this sock aid pull on she had bought for my dad when he had hip replacement surgery and it seems to work. Washing and drying my lower legs is another difficult task. I finally sussed out how to get lotion on my lower right leg - with my left foot! I'm getting quite creative. Quite a learning experience for sure! I keep trying to do more and more myself without overdoing it at the same time. Opening doors though is one thing that is very difficult, so not sure how that is going to work. Oh well, onward and upward as they say.
30 September, 2007
Just can't get the hang of it
Sleeping that is. I took one of my "magic pills" on Friday night and I actually slept through the night. Well, sort of. At least when I would wake up and shift positions I passed out straight away. Unfortunately that magic didn't work quite as well last night.
Yesterday was a big one. There was an Oktoberfest around the corner from my flat, just one block mind, so I thought it would be nice to go out and test the walking. I was okay getting to the end of the block, but after stopping for a slice, I was wiped out and getting back home was beyond a challenge. The hip wasn't too bad, but the left hip was hurting like hell and I thought my hands were going to fall off. I iced all four when I got home for a bit before we left for the island. I must have been exhausted because I slept most of the ride out there and then for another hour or so when I got home. Perhaps that is why I didn't sleep too well last night.
My mother just got back so I suppose I must get myself sorted with a shower, PT, etc. so I am signing off for now.
Yesterday was a big one. There was an Oktoberfest around the corner from my flat, just one block mind, so I thought it would be nice to go out and test the walking. I was okay getting to the end of the block, but after stopping for a slice, I was wiped out and getting back home was beyond a challenge. The hip wasn't too bad, but the left hip was hurting like hell and I thought my hands were going to fall off. I iced all four when I got home for a bit before we left for the island. I must have been exhausted because I slept most of the ride out there and then for another hour or so when I got home. Perhaps that is why I didn't sleep too well last night.
My mother just got back so I suppose I must get myself sorted with a shower, PT, etc. so I am signing off for now.
pics of the machines
My nephew hanging out with me whilst I am on the Game Ready machine. This one freezes and applies pressure to the hip. The millennium crutches are in the back.
*******The CPM Machine - Constant Passive Motion
*******
It is much more attractive with an adorable nephew posing in it...
*******
The CPM in action. It moves your leg back and forth from a 0' to 90' angle. It also weighs a hell of a lot!
*******
I just had to add this one of my nephew!
28 September, 2007
L O N G recovery ahead
Yesterday I had a lovely outing sitting outside across the street at Starbuck's. It was the first time I've really gone out for anything other than to and from a place. We sat out there for a little over two hours which was huge for me as I have not been able to sit in a chair that long since surgery. Unfortunately the fresh air didn't help me sleep any better though. I would kill for a good 8 hours in-a-row of sleep. Again, not so much for the pain, which is getting better on the operated side (unlike the rest of my body which is getting worse), but lack of comfort. I was even desperate enough to try to sleep on my stomach, which didn't last very long.
Today I went for my post-op today and the sutures were removed. They told me that I couldn't shower for a day or two as when they remove the sutures they put a tape with some sort of sticky glue stuff on top and want that to stay put for a while. I wish I had known that as I had thought I would be able to take a shower after the visit, so neglected getting up early to take one before. Oh well.
Dr. Kelly came in afterwards and asked how I was doing and moved my right leg around. He said that I could cut the CPM down to one hour a day, but I asked if I needed to keep it because I would have to pay another $350 for two additional weeks. Thankfully he said that was fine to return it and I've seen the last of that machine - they are coming to pick it up today! He then showed me the pictures they took when they were doing the surgery. I cannot believe how red it was inside, really bright, bright red! He showed where I had a bone spur and where they shaved that off and the other bone that was shaved down as well, and also my psoas before and as they were cutting it. All very amazing to look at. Unfortunately the post op report was not typed up yet, but I was told I could ring them next week and they would fax it over. We went over my PT and he said he actually wants me to go very slow, and that my recovery would take about six months. I was not too surprised from this, but it was still not thrilled about it. The key thing is he wants my psoas to stay slightly tight since I have the laxity issue, but at the same time not scar up completely. It is a very fine line and my rehab is going to be very specific because of my multiple issues. He already told me to change one of the exercises I was told to do as he does not want me to externally rotate the leg too much. He said internal rotation is fine for now. I asked if he could reaffirm this with the PT guys as they were having a hard time believing me about having to do only two hours on the CPM and four. I also asked him why he had to make four incisions and he said that was because they had to get to the other side of the bone to cut it down. Fair enough I suppose. He said also to use the brace as long as I want because he doesn't want me to hurt at all. I am to try to put more weight on the leg but only as I can tolerate, it's very important to not inflame the hip. Regarding the crutches I will most likely be on them for a few more weeks. I kept laughing in my head when everyone kept saying I'd be on them only two to three weeks. I knew this was going to take a long time to be able to walk again without pain. But I don't want to mess up everything that was done so I will do exactly as I am told. The last thing I could deal with is having to go through this all again (poo poo, touch wood, etc.).
After I had been home for a couple of hours I noticed that one of the incision site tapes had liquidy stuff seeping through it. I just rang the office and spoke to Arianna. She said that sometimes the incisions open up after the sutures are taken up and that is should heal by itself, and to keep and eye on it and make sure it stays dry. Hopefully it will do this quickly.
I think that's it for now. I'm tired so going to have a bit of a kip if possible.
Today I went for my post-op today and the sutures were removed. They told me that I couldn't shower for a day or two as when they remove the sutures they put a tape with some sort of sticky glue stuff on top and want that to stay put for a while. I wish I had known that as I had thought I would be able to take a shower after the visit, so neglected getting up early to take one before. Oh well.
Dr. Kelly came in afterwards and asked how I was doing and moved my right leg around. He said that I could cut the CPM down to one hour a day, but I asked if I needed to keep it because I would have to pay another $350 for two additional weeks. Thankfully he said that was fine to return it and I've seen the last of that machine - they are coming to pick it up today! He then showed me the pictures they took when they were doing the surgery. I cannot believe how red it was inside, really bright, bright red! He showed where I had a bone spur and where they shaved that off and the other bone that was shaved down as well, and also my psoas before and as they were cutting it. All very amazing to look at. Unfortunately the post op report was not typed up yet, but I was told I could ring them next week and they would fax it over. We went over my PT and he said he actually wants me to go very slow, and that my recovery would take about six months. I was not too surprised from this, but it was still not thrilled about it. The key thing is he wants my psoas to stay slightly tight since I have the laxity issue, but at the same time not scar up completely. It is a very fine line and my rehab is going to be very specific because of my multiple issues. He already told me to change one of the exercises I was told to do as he does not want me to externally rotate the leg too much. He said internal rotation is fine for now. I asked if he could reaffirm this with the PT guys as they were having a hard time believing me about having to do only two hours on the CPM and four. I also asked him why he had to make four incisions and he said that was because they had to get to the other side of the bone to cut it down. Fair enough I suppose. He said also to use the brace as long as I want because he doesn't want me to hurt at all. I am to try to put more weight on the leg but only as I can tolerate, it's very important to not inflame the hip. Regarding the crutches I will most likely be on them for a few more weeks. I kept laughing in my head when everyone kept saying I'd be on them only two to three weeks. I knew this was going to take a long time to be able to walk again without pain. But I don't want to mess up everything that was done so I will do exactly as I am told. The last thing I could deal with is having to go through this all again (poo poo, touch wood, etc.).
After I had been home for a couple of hours I noticed that one of the incision site tapes had liquidy stuff seeping through it. I just rang the office and spoke to Arianna. She said that sometimes the incisions open up after the sutures are taken up and that is should heal by itself, and to keep and eye on it and make sure it stays dry. Hopefully it will do this quickly.
I think that's it for now. I'm tired so going to have a bit of a kip if possible.
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