Home and On the Mend: My New After Market Hip

Bill had asked me in pre-op if  my surgeon autographed my hip. When I looked, I was amused to find his initials!  LOL  I knew he marked it, but couldn’t see what he had written.

Well, I’m over that hill! My hip replacement surgery was last Tuesday and I am getting settled in with my new bionic hip (not really, but those are the jokes flying around Facebook).  😊

The first few days were pretty painful. Mind you, I knew I wouldn’t be turning cartwheels out of the hospital, but I didn’t expect all the surrounding muscle pain. Apparently, there is quite a bit of pushing and pulling involved in the surrounding muscle and tissue. Both the physical therapist and also the clinical manager of the orthopedic wing had asked me if I saw the video of the procedure. When I responded I hadn’t, they both said, “Don’t”.

I was home the next day since it took a while to get a room and PT wasn’t able to put me through all the tests the day of the surgery, so I spent the night. Now that I’m home, the recovery/PT phase is going rather well. I notice each day that I have a bit more flexibility and less pain. I’m following orders religiously (I DON’T want to screw this up!) to the point where I’m documenting everything, like the nerd I am. Haha.. Those that know me wouldn’t be surprised, but it did make my physical therapist laugh. What? There is a LOT to track. Strengthening and breathing exercises that have to be done multiple times a day, how many times a day I need to get up and MOVE and most important, when did I last take my painkiller and other meds? That kind of detail is not going to stay at the forefront of my mind, especially when the drugs kick in. I’m also taking pics of my incision every few days to track healing.  (Told you I was a nerd!) Might make a cool timelapse.  Kidding.

I’m getting better at maneuvering around the house the way I should, following the no less than 90 degree rule, no twisting or pivoting, no crossing legs or ankles.  Sleeping has not been my favorite part, but hopefully as everything heals, I’ll have the freedom to toss and turn like I used to. 😊  My only option at this point is to lay on my back with a pillow between my legs to ensure I don’t cross them in my sleep. I’m a side sleeper and the only side they recommend sleeping on is my incision side, but it’s still too painful. So I’ve been waking up every several hours, limping my way to the bathroom and then trying to fall asleep again. Thank God for afternoon naps.

Right now the worst thing is first getting up in the morning – EVERYTHING is sore from lying still for so long and I feel like I was hit by a truck.  I really seriously hope this improves soon and it’s not just a part of growing older. OMG!

On an even more positive note, I am so in love with Netflix right now!  There are several good movies and shows being added in February, including the final season of Bates Motel!!!   February 20^th will likely be an all-day binge watch!  I can’t wait until I’m cleared to use my elliptical so I can really get moving again while reading/watching Netflix.

So that’s where I am!  A huge thanks to those who have checked in on me, and especially my surgeon and all the staff at Beaumont Dearborn. They were nothing short of wonderful.  I notice improvements by the day and can’t wait to get back to normal.

Hope to see some of you for coffee this weekend!