Thursday, June 30, 2011

Thursday, June 30, 2011- Day 28

Boy oh boy...tomorrow marks 4 weeks post op!

I'm sad to report there's not MORE going on. I'm feeling good. I'm at the point where it seems like I surpassed recovery from last surgery. I have been trying one crutch which I don't think I started until week 5-6 last time. Sleeping on my side is good. However, I woke up last night ON my op-side oops. It felt fine but I don't think I was supposed to be like that just yet, and there was no pillow between my legs either. Anyway, I sleep fine...but it's slightly annoying because every time I have to roll over, I wake up since I can't roll over smoothly just yet. That kind of ruins my night sleep.

Today I did some errands...went to the grocery store and used one crutch while I used the shopping cart as my other crutch. Isn't fun, but it got the job done. Boy am I tired today. I've had a busy few days I guess and I'm ready to just chill and go to bed already!

No new changes in the hip, my exercises are still where they have been, I can't really do them myself yet but I'm trying. My post-op is in 5 days so we'll see how I'm healing!

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Wednesday, June 29, 2011 - Day 27

So...I skipped a day in there, whoops.

Anywho, yesterday wasn't anything too exciting. I did a LOT of errands with my mom and a lot of in and out of the car but I did well. I didn't really get sore or achy, I did get tired though. I ended up also going out at night with my friends but was home at the early hour of 11:30! sheesh.

Today I couldn't seem to wake up. I ate breakfast then went back to bed! I got up and got ready and then did some errands with my Dad. We went to the grocery store which I still can't do alone yet since I can't crutch and push a cart at the same time. So that went well. We came home and put everything away and then picked up my grandma to go to the nursing home to visit her brother. We spent an hour or so there, then dropped her back off and home and Dad and I went to lunch. It was a busy morning!

I came home, got back into my pajamas and sat in the chair to watch my shows and do some work. I've been feeling pretty good. I still have soreness right in the front and right in the back of my butt. So I'm not sure if it's muscular or some other issue going on, it's not debilitating so I can handle it. I can't wait to see Millis next Tuesday and see if I can get to one crutch. I've been doing my exercises but feel as though I was a little farther along last time. The muscles don't feel like they are coming back as quick. SO we'll see where he thinks I stand. I'm also a week earlier than last time for my appointment so that may cause a set back. I use one crutch in desperate times but am trying not to so I don't put too much weight on the hip before it's able to handle it. All in all it's been good and I can't complain right now. YAY! I see the light at the end of the tunnel. :-)

Monday, June 27, 2011

Monday, June 27, 2011 - Day 25

Another low-key kinda day. My mom worked so I just chilled at home and rested. I took a trip to see my Grandma, but right back here to chill in the chair.

There's not much else to report today...I did manage a shower and only had to sit for a few seconds. So, anyway. I'm doing very well, not any pain...just some uncomfortable feelings in the front of my hip mostly when I do my exercises, but I assume it's the muscle coming back to life. Other than that, I'm doing great. I tried using one crutch today and it felt pretty good but I don't want to put that much weight on my op hip already so I don't want to get too used to that just yet. Patience is a virtue! haha

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Sunday, June 26, 2011 - Day 24

Well things are looking up each day. I get a little more mobile, a little stronger and less tired! All are huge pluses at this stage in the game. Still not ready for any marathons yet though. Saw some bicyclers on the road today and DEFINITELY got jealous though....I do miss that.

Today was a good day. Kevin and I did some errands this morning. I thought I could push a shopping cart but alas...with two crutches that is not correct. We then went to visit my friend Adrianne that had a baby two weeks ago, I finally got to see the little nugget! He is the absolutely sweetest and cutest thing I've ever seen! He slept the entire time I held him. I didn't want to give him back! But I'm DEF not ready for any bambinos yet! Gimme a couple years to enjoy these hips and catch up on the last 5 years of my life.

So after that we came home and ate and sat around then Kevin headed back to CT and I stayed here at my parents house and will be here all week. Later on my parents and I took a ride to get some ice cream and then a nice "sunday joy ride"...I was so bored I needed to get out! Then came home and watched a movie.

Basically I didn't DO too much today...but I still feel pretty good. My mom helped with my exercises which still don't feel overly great, but are getting better. I have a sore muscle I think on the inner part of the front of my hip that really feels bad when I'm lifting my leg up to me, and when I walk I still have a little soreness in my butt which also hurts when I sneeze. I think it's one of the cuts in the bone that bothers me in both instances. I remember last time trying to get these sneezes out without hurting myself...but they still don't come out full blown.

That's my story...maybe try to hang out with some friends this week while I'm home and wear real clothes and feel like a regular person! That sounds good to me!

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Saturday, June 25, 2011 - Day 23

Hello New York. Kevin and I drove to my parents house yesterday. He drove separate since he's going to go back to CT Sunday and I'll be staying here for the week. The drive was pretty good, my leg did get a little cramped up. I have a car so a little different than sitting in a truck, but all in all not too terrible. We all went out to dinner and I stayed awake until 10pm which is usually my goal. I've been taking Tylenol PM the last two nights. I was basically just taking the Valium at night to help me sleep so Kevin suggested I take the PM so I won't be on the narcotics. It has been helping a lot. I have a futon at my parents house so I was nervous about it being uncomfortable, but it was pretty amazing. I woke up at one point to roll on my side which wasn't TOO uncomfortable, then again to roll to my back. But I slept until about 8:30 and got up once to use the bathroom. So I got some good sleep in. I like being home because my Mom and I do a lot and I get real tired out which is good!

Today we went to some yard sales which was a bit difficult because it's a lot of in and out of the car. We took my Dad's truck since that's easier to get in than any of the other cars we have here. A few errands I stayed in the car, but I'm doing pretty good. The front of my hip has been very sore and the front of the right hip has actually been sore today. I think my underwear is pressing/rubbing on a tender area and it's causing some discomfort. Still have a little pain in my butt which I think is either the nerve or some muscle pain...but not terrible. I'm currently sitting with my feet up which feels real nice.

It's been a good day. Each day brings a new pain or feeling, but it could also be caused by me feeling better, so I'm doing more...but then I get sore from moving muscles that haven't moved in a while. So I just am keeping positive and saying the pains are healing pains.

The other thing hurting me is my right wrist! The first surgery my right arm got all messed up and now this time my wrist is real sore. One of the IVs they tried to put in me gave me a HUGE bruise on my wrist, so I think that's what is causing this pain...it is still swollen in there or something. But crutching has been so sore!

That's about all for now, I should sleep well tonight because I feel very tired already and it's only 4:15pm.

Update- - I feel bad with the blog this time around because I'm not really saying much about what I can and can't do....it's old hat...but I should probably do that. Yesterday I was able to put my sneakers on and tie them both...it's slightly uncomfortable for the LPAO hip but I can bend my leg back at the knee and get it done. I've also been putting my own sock on for a few days now too. This is different than last time. For my RPAO I grabbed my shin and brought the leg in towards me. For my LPAO I bend my leg at the knee and bring it as close to my chest as I can while leaning back a bit...I then open the sock with my thumb and middle finger and bend my foot outward (as opposed to in towards my other leg). This isn't too uncomfortable and it gets the job done. Being as it's the second time around I know what I can and can't do and how I'm allowed to move without hurting something. But when something hurts, that's hint to NOT do it. I can also get up into a truck by myself (with the step rails)...shower by myself with my shower seat (I have been standing for about half of my shower. So things have been progressing. I've been blogging about all the negatives but haven't said anything that's good! But already at yard sales at 3 weeks post means I'm feeling great! haha

Friday, June 24, 2011

Friday, June 24, 2011 - Day 21 - 3 Weeks

YAY 3 weeks today. Things are going pretty well. I can't complain TOO much. I took some Tylenol PM last night so I can stop the narcotics...but it didn't necessarily work great. I woke up at 1:30am...rolled over but then was out again until about 6:30am or so.

I got up and took a shower and actually...(drum roll.....) I straightened my hair today! yay. After Kevin gets off of work we're going to head to NY and spend the weekend with my parents and then I will stay there next week until my post-op appointment.

I don't have too much to say today. Hopefully my car ride home goes smoothly....more to report tomorrow.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Thursday, June 23, 2011 - Day 20

Busy busy day today!!

I got up and got dressed ASAP this morning to get to the DMV. I lost my license about a month ago so I wanted to go get a new one before I really start driving around just in case. So I drove myself and got there around 8:15 or so. Of course no one holds the door for you, or offers to move over so you can sit. Stupid idiots. Anyway, it went quick since they had my picture on file so they printed me a new one (I'm overly organized so I had my paperwork and everything else all ready to go) and I was out by 8:30! YAY!

My work is actually real close to the DMV so I stopped in to say hi to some people. It felt SO good to see people, and really laugh and everything! I was there quite some time and then came home. I was definitely very sore from sitting in an upright chair for a while, so when I got home I got into my recliner and here I have stayed. So it's been a good day.

Driving was pretty good.It's my left leg so I don't have to worry about the gas and brake, but I was sore sitting in the seat...not sure how the trip home tomorrow is going to go, so we'll see.

Anyway, I pulled my steri-stripes off last night because I wanted to see my scar! haha I think the new one looks amazing and I think the hardware removal side doesn't look very good at all! Here are some pictures!



Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Wednesday, June 22, 2011 - Day 19

Another day, another day. So I slept pretty good last night. Not magnificent though. I'm still taking a Valium before I go to bed and it knocks me out. So I woke up around 12:30 or so and I was on my side with no pillow between my legs!!! OOPS! I must have rolled in my sleep and not even known it. As soon as I woke up I freaked out and flopped onto my back and laid there for a second to make sure everything felt OK and I didn't mess anything up. I know the major thing is pillow between the legs and don't cross legs. But I felt fine and I fell back to sleep. I was out cold again until about 4am, but from then on sleep wasn't as spectacular. My back hurts so so bad and I just can't get comfortable on my side yet (unless I'm knocked out by Valium). I only have a few left so maybe I will take the rest and then hopefully side sleeping will be good by then.

So it was a rainy miserable day so naturally I spent it in my recliner watching TV and doing a lot of nothing. How depressing right? I got my breakfast together myself...some cereal. TV was pretty boring until noon, then I walked around the condo a bit and then back to my chair...and I did was work throughout the day.

I'm feeling pretty good! My nerve issue has subsided a GREAT deal although still there. I can get around much easier and it's great. The front of my hip area is very sore and still real tight. But that will come with time. I can't wait to get to my post-op and see the x-rays and see how I'm doing.

Not much else to report today....I literally sat all day so I can't really offer and hip info. I hope to get a picture of my right hip sans steri-stripes soon.

Tomorrow I have to go to the DMV because I lost my license around Memorial Day - like literally I can't find it. Not that it was taken away from me. So I have to go take care of that first thing tomorrow morning. My first time driving...should be an interesting experience...

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Tuesday, June 21, 2011 - Day 18

Well I'm still trekking along! I slept like crap...but what else is new? I took a Valium before bed which puts me out old for about 3 hours, but I don't take anything else...I just have to hope I can keep falling back asleep. Unfortunately, sleeping on my side (with a VERY thick pillow between my legs just isn't cutting it yet). This time last surgery I think side sleeping was much more comfortable...I'm getting there, slowly, but just not there yet. I'm staying strong and just taking it one day at a time...I know it will come, just giving it more time.

So...naturally every time I wake up in the night I have to pee (hate that!) then about 6am when I woke up I just could not get comfortable and was getting really annoyed so I crept into our room and got into bed with Kevin before he had to get up and go to work. When he got out of the shower he got me dressed and out of bed so I could begin my day. yuck.

I didn't eat breakfast until later on as I just wasn't feeling so positive. But I eventually had some cereal with strawberries and bananas (prepared myself and carried to my recliner). Watched my shows until about noon time (getting up to pee a lot)...then took a NICE and much needed shower. I was actually feel pretty good. I haven't started the Neurontin yet as I TRULY don't want to be on another drug and I feel as though the nerve is subsiding a little, but I'm also not sure if I'm just getting used to it. But I don't dread getting in and out of the chair like I did last time...so that's progress. I watched some more TV and then decided to go for a walk around our building which has been VERY hard and tiring for me. But I did a loop with no stops and it felt great! OK...great isn't the right word...but it felt really good. I then packed up my things into my backpack and went out on the patio to cut some coupons and enjoy the nice weather. I was out there about an hour until Kevin came home. We sat for a while, then I decided another loop around the building would be good. I did that, got my heart pumping and came back. After that one I felt sore and came inside to side in my chair.

All in all, it feels as though things are getting better....cross your fingers that I've turned a slight corner and am going to put this nerve behind me! It's time for my exercises now and then perhaps some dinner.

I hope tonight gets me ONE step closer to a restless night's sleep. Also, I don't feel bad having all these nerve pills and not taking them since they didn't cost me anything!

Ah well....tomorrow's a new day!

Monday, June 20, 2011

Monday, June 20, 2011 - Day 17

So today wasn't too bad. I spent the day on the couch, trying to give myself the time to heal not only my bones but hopefully this nerve.

I hard boiled myself some eggs for breakfast and I got up to prepare my lunch (kind of)...so I've been up and down a few more times than normal today. I also just put dinner in the oven...of course my nerve is feeling very painful, but I'm putting it out of my head and trying to get things done. Maybe it's almost gone! But on another note, I emailed Dr. Millis and Jaime and he prescribed me Neurontin (generic: gabapentin) which is a drug used for epilepsy and seizures. It's a nerve blocker and it is supposed to help my pain. But it takes a while to start to work and you have to take quite a bit of it and over a longer period of time. Also, you can't just stop taking it...you have to ease off of it. So I'm hoping my nerve is healing so I don't have to start this...but we'll see. Kevin will be picking that up for me on his way home.

So that's the story of my day really...I did some work from home so I feel pretty good I will be getting some kind of paycheck now. It's going to be a difficult couple of months here. I'm not even close to being ready to go back to work anytime soon...definitely not while I'm on ANY meds. We'll see what happens.

My Mom has off this weekend so I will probably go home and stay there for a week or so until my post-op appointment which I can't believe is so close already. We'll see how that goes. I feel a little behind based on last time because I'm not getting as strong as I was as quickly due to the painful nerve. I hope it's going away so I can kick start healing for real!

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Sunday, June 19, 2011 - Day 16

Really? Only day 16? I remember posting from day 40 last time. Why can't I be at that point right now. Anyway...I'm not, so this is what I have to deal with.

I just wrote to Dr. Millis/Jaime/Erin and let them know that nothing has changed since they last emailed me and that I don't want to really take any meds, but if it's my only choice I guess I'll have to. Damn. It.

So today didn't get productive until later on. After breakfast and some sitting around and what not, I really wanted to get just out....even if it was for a car ride. So Kevin packed some snacks, blankets and my pillow and off we went. We decided to go to East Rock which is a State Park type of place real close to our house and we drove to the top, ended up finding a perfect parking spot close to a picnic table and set up shop. I had to walk down a small hill/ditch but it was alright. We played cards and had some snacks. I got pretty tired and real sore sitting there so we left...but we were there for maybe 2 hours? It was a nice change of scenery and nice to be outside. Once back in the car I did get quite sore and now I'm home sitting on the couch.

Of course I got all sad again....I'm trying to be so strong, I really am. And no one can really know what this is like until they are put through it. Absolutely I would recommend this surgery to ANYONE...it's not easy, but it's amazing. It's just the nerve thing that I can't handle. Jaime from PT basically said there's nothing I can really do at this point...maybe take some meds but I don't want to do that. I'm not a pill pusher...never was, never will be. Pre-op I never took pain meds for the pain and I don't plan to start. My incision is pretty sore still and sometimes I move and it feels like a burning sensation...so I move my position again quickly. My lower abs are also VERY very sore and sensitive. It was rare when they were sore last time and now it happens again? Must be getting to be a common issue. Anyway, when my pants rub on the area it gets quit sore. But all in all the hip is going fine....would like to get the sleeping on my side thing under control, but that's still slow as well. Nerve pain go away, please. I just want to be pain free because I haven't been in over 5 years...can't you just let me be happy. Maybe...starting tomorrow? Love, the rest of the body you're attached to!!

Saturday, June 19, 2011 - Day 15

Naturally the day started off pretty terrible. I slept like crap, I woke up a lot, I was sore and couldn't get comfortable....typical. I crept into our bedroom in hopes I could get comfortable in our bed vs. the spare bed and all I did was lay there for a while until Kevin woke up and decided it was time for breakfast. We had breakfast and I just felt SO down and out...(can't say depressed because Kevin won't let me). But I feel just so run down and that there's just nothing I can do which is the worst of all! I hate this nerve pain with ALL of my heart.

So after some talking...I sat outside for a few minutes and decided it was time for a shower to maybe perk me up a little. It felt nice and I got to shave my legs after about a week! While in the shower Kevin told me we would have company for dinner. He must have assumed that would cheer me up a bit. At first I was unsure because I just felt completely BLAH and don't really want to see anyone. But as I went through the day and had a nap, I knew it would DEFINITELY cheer me up. I took a nap, we had some lunch then I threw on the old bathing suit and sat outside for a little bit while Kevin did more work on our sound-proof wall.

I still was feeling pretty terrible, any move I make just aches my butt down to my hamstring. It is the absolute worst pain ever. Everything is uncomfortable. What can I do? Honestly. I take my meds which I'm REALLY mad about because I don't want to take them since my hip feels fine...plus they bind me up and I'm trying to get over that. But I have to suck it up and take them, hate it.

Anyway, I ended up staying awake until 10pm since we had friends over! Unfortunately, I still needed meds to sleep through the night.

I'm trying to be diligent regarding my exercises...but we're not as good as we were last time. Sometimes Kevin and I become very lazy and don't get to do them, not good! He says I'm getting stronger with them, so that's good. So, I can get in and out of bed by myself mostly by grabbing my thigh and bringing it up onto the bed then shifting in whichever direction I need to go. I can also put on pants by myself, not problem. Haven't mastered the sock or shoe yet and haven't even tried! There's no way my flexibility is where it was last time, damnit. In and out of shower by myself is no problem and getting in and out of chairs is fine too. I'm only two weeks so I can't hope for too much....but I will admit I didn't think the second one was going to be this shitty. But then again I didn't think I was going to have nerve issues either.

Here's a pic of my incision areas minus the bandage, and with only the steri-stripes on. A few "fell off" from my right side...I can't tell if they opened the entire area again or only part of it. But it's looking good either way and feeling great. Just let me get to that point with my left hip and we'll be good to go! Post-op is in a little over two weeks. I hope to be feeling great by then!


Friday, June 17, 2011

Friday, June 17, 2011 Day 14 - 2 weeks

Here I am at 2 weeks! I can't decide if the time flew by or not. ahaha I want to say it didn't, but at the same time it did kind of go fast. But I wish it went faster!

The night didn't really go as planned. I fell asleep on the couch for about two hours last night so when I eventually went to bed...(9:30pm) it took me forever to fall asleep. I tried to fall asleep on my stomach but it just wasn't happening. I tried for about an hour and just laid there and laid there. I tried my side but I can only stand that for about 10 minutes still. I wish that would get more comfortable so I can move around more. Then for some reason, my mattress is getting uncomfortable so that's really making me frustrated.

I tried being on my stomach around 3:30am but because my back hurt so badly before, it KILLED when I went on my stomach. So it was a real bad situation. I just want to be able to roll around and bend my leg like normal. But I'm at 2 weeks...I can't push it.

Kevin and I did a walk around the sidewalk that goes around our building last night. It took forever! Crutches are just SO tiring and because I am in some pain it makes it twice as long. I want this nerve pain to go AWAY!!! Why couldn't this go as smooth as the first one? I hate it so much. It makes me so depressed and lazy because moving is so sore. My hip is pretty much fine, it's this pain running down my butt and my leg that's killing me. PLEASE please please, heal ASAP!

So I haven't moved off the couch much today, only twice to go pee! I guess that's a good thing because I need to heal anyway. But I feel so lazy. AND...today is day 14 for surgery and Millis said two weeks for bandage removal. So I took off the right hip bandage (hardware removal) since he didn't change the dressing after surgery, this has been the same one.

I will be posting pictures of:
1) My hips with the bandages on them - which I call my diaper because it sounds like I have a diaper on when I move.

2) A picture of my right hip sans bandage and only containing the steri-stripes which will now begin to fall off themselves (YAY) and the LPAO with the same bandage which I can take off on Sunday.

3) My screws, finally! I took a picture with a pen next to them as well as my hand. I have very long fingers if that helps in any way to see how large the screws are...as they are really long!!!! I couldn't believe how long they were. The small one held the muscle together. This time Dr. Millis said he just sewed it together. Enjoy!




If I were to guess...I'd say the longest one is approximately 5" long. Incredible!!! So glad to have them OUT!

Thursday, June 16, 2011 Day 13

So I keep getting a day behind...I'm posting this ON Friday, but it's really about Thursday.

My Mom left early this morning to go to work and back home. Not sure if she'll come back again or if I'll go home in a few weeks. I had a good night...trying to back off on the meds but still doing half of a Valium which doesn't seem to be doing much of anything. I'm just trying to fight through this pain and hope it goes away sooner than later.

I sat around and watched TV as usual until about noon. Then I threw my bathing suit on and sat outside on our patio with my laptop and lunch. I wanted to try and do some work but I couldn't see the screen of my computer because of the glare. So I ate lunch and listened to the Grey's Anatomy finale. I was fairly comfortable, was a pain getting all of my things outside....computer, pillows and lunch. I threw most things into my backpack but then made a couple extra trips for the other things.

I came inside and decided I needed to shower at about 4:30pm! It was late, but it was a quick one and much needed. The showers become easier each time. My leg/hip is still pretty sore. It's mostly this new pain down the back of my leg.

I ended up falling asleep on the couch for about two hours (UGH) so when I ended up going to bed it took me forever to drift off....I keep telling myself NOT to do that.

That's about it...nothing more to report. Will be posting pics shortly....and the hardware removal bandage comes off tomorrow!

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Wednesday, June 15, 2011 Day 12

Man....less than 2 weeks post-op and I am SO done with this. I guess the second one is kind of worse because you're so impatient at this point you just want it to be OVER! I can't just sit and wait now because it's not anything new! As much as I was looking forward to it...I'm ready for it to just be over, honestly. The hip is doing fine, it's this friggin' nerve issue that's really setting me back a lot! I don't want to move, get up or even out of bed because it's so painful. It would be nice is laying on my side was more comfortable too....but to no avail yet. I will read back through my posts from last time and see where I stand.

Today my Mom dragged me out for some errands....I only went in one store for 5-10 minutes and I almost died. I was overheating so bad and getting so exhausted. Couldn't wait to get in the car. But I never got a nap. It's 9:30pm and I'm trying to stay awake. Last night I didn't feel well and ended up taking a "nap" from 7:30pm until about 10:00pm!! Needless to say it took a while for me to fall asleep for good. So I'm trying for that NOT to happen this time.

So, like I said...sleeping has been alright. My bed is comfy so sleeping on my back isn't too bad. Just wish I could move around a bit more. I tried my stomach last night but that didn't feel so hot after a while. Sitting and laying my leg feels alright, it's mostly when I move...from laying to sitting, or laying to walking it kills so badly. I hate it more than anything. Just want to wake up and have it be gone. It makes you not even think about the actual hip/pelvis and just makes you depressed over the other pain.

Kevin, Mom and I went out to dinner tonight. I almost fell asleep in my pasta because I was/am SO tired. Is it time for bed yet?

Sorry, no pictures like I promised...gimme a few days.
Off to bed

Tuesday, June 14, 2011 Day 11

Welcome to day 11. So I'm doing pretty well today. I woke up around 4:30am to go to the bathroom. I got in and out by myself again...it's a bit easier but still not perfect yet. I have to use both hands to grab my thigh and move my leg onto the bed/pillow since my muscles aren't back. Kevin has been helping with my PT exercises so I'm getting stronger each day.

So I woke up around 8:30am and Mom went right into the shower. I stayed in bed and jumped in the shower right after her to get it over with. Our next trip was to the grocery store. We left just before 1pm and ended up spending 2 hours at the grocery store!! I used the motorized cart at Stop & Shop...Mom thinks it's the best thing since sliced bread....I get a bit embarrassed. At least I'm in CT and no one knows me around here! So between maneuvering around the store and figuring out my coupons...it was a LONG trip. One lady asked me if I needed help to reach a box of pasta and the shopping cart man in the parking lot helped us load the bags into the car. So we've had some nice people during this trip. We came home, unpacked (mom used my wheelchair to carry the groceries to the condo!) and relaxed on the couch.

Kevin came home shortly after and now him and Mom are cooking dinner. I feel so lazy.

I know I promised some pictures but that may not be until tomorrow. I need someone to help me take a pic. So...more to come later.

I should probably talk a little about my hips since that's what this blog is about. My LPAO is doing good. Still painful to bend over and I can't put a sock on. Trouble getting in and out of bed on my own. Getting in and out of chairs is pretty good. As long as this nerve pain doesn't flare up again I should be on the road to a great recovery. I sit in my recliner with my leg up and pillow under my leg.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Monday, June 13, 2011 Day 10

So this is a day late...but I wanted to make sure I updated each day.

It was my first day home alone while Kevin went off to work. I slept pretty well. Got up once in the middle of the night to use the bathroom and was able to manage myself in and out of bed. I eventually got up around 9am and came downstairs to get some breakfast and sat in my recliner to watch some TV.

I took a shower by myself which took a while but felt so good. However, I had a super headache for some reason. I came back to my recliner, ate my lunch and stayed here the rest of the day.

My nerve pain is really starting to bother me. It is SO painful I can't even deal with it. I emailed Jaime and no reply so I emailed Dr. Millis, we responded quickly...I wrote back and he ended up calling me right back. He was asking what the pain was like and trying to figure out if it was muscular or nerve. He said to take Valium and see how it feels. I said the Valium made me CRAZY and I stopped taking it in the hospital so he suggested trying half a pill. So he asked a couple other questions and tell him how I feel tomorrow.

My mom came to visit tonight and will stay until Thursday morning. So she will help grocery shop and get this place back to normal.

Also, last night I slept on my stomach for almost 2 hours...Millis said to be careful not to cross my legs and not to hurt myself. He asked how the side was, but I said that was still a bit painful so I can't do that.

Tomorrow I plan on posting pics of my "diaper"...that's the bandages. I call them my diaper cuz they are huge and white and sound like a diaper when I move. I will also post some pictures of my screws! They are SO big.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Sunday, June 12, 2011 Day 9

Today was such a long day. I went to bed last night around 11pm which was great and woke up around 1:45am with Kevin talking in his sleep telling me I needed to get into my wheelchair! haha Whatever he was dreaming, it must have been very important. So I fell asleep again until around 3am, went to the bathroom and took my medicine then fell back asleep until around 9am! We had to check out by 10am so I pushed Kevin out of bed and he started to pack up.

We Pulled out of the parking lot around 10:15am and off to Rhode Island we went. We stopped at Kevin's Dad's house for a few minutes. I didn't even get out of the car as it is too difficult to get in and out. We then went to his grandparents house for a few minutes and then off to his Mom's house, grabbed a quick lunch and back on the road we went. We figured it would be easier to stop and see everyone since we don't know the next time we'll be back in town. I slept the whole way back to CT which felt nice. I sat in my recliner and have been here ever since. Tomorrow is Kevin's first day back to work and I'll be here alone all day. Then my Mom comes at night and will stay until Thursday morning.

Pain wise I'm doing ok. Hip is fine, but this nerve pain is killing me! It is so painful, if that could go away I'd be so thankful. I emailed Jaime (PT) if there's anything I can do to help it. I also emailed Dr. Millis a few days ago to find out if I can sleep on the side or anything. He said I can sleep on my side AND my stomach already. But to be careful. So I will keep trying it, but the side is still a bit uncomfortable.

One day at a time. Just get this nerve pain out of the way and I'll be SO happy!

It's only day 9....got a long road ahead.

Saturday, June 11, 2011 Day 8



I slept pretty crappy last night. Kevin went out with his friends from the wedding party last night. By the time I got into bed, I realized I had the wrong remote to turn the TV off, or even turn the volume down (it only changed channels) so I was stuck in bed with a loud TV until Kevin came back. So I fell asleep, it woke me up around 11:30pm, Kevin came back and turned everything off for me, then he left again and rolled back around 1:30am, I had to pee and that ruined my nights sleep. I also took my meds at that point because I was sore. I think I also tried sleeping on my side to relieve the tailbone pain. I woke up again around 8am…..we spent the next 5 hours or so in bed! It was a cold, windy, rainy day so we just laid in bed the entire day until 1:30pm!
We took showers and then got into the car (in the rain) and drove next door to the restaurant for some lunch (in the rain). Why is everything more difficult with crutches!! At this point I started to have some pain running through my left butt cheek. I am blaming this on my sciatic nerve. I think I had this feeling a bit last time but I can’t remember. I hope it goes away because it’s really painful!
The wedding today was outside, it was SO cold and windy on the Cape! Who would have thought. I sat outside under the tent, and between the sciatic pain and shivering, my pains got a bit worse. We came back to our room and hung out under the blanket. We leave tomorrow by 10am and finally head home to my own bed!
I realized that I hadn’t mentioned anything about my right hip, which the screws have been removed. When I came out of surgery, my PAO was completely  numb, my right hip, hardware removal was not numb at all! Which was fine with me because that was less invasive. I felt the incision and the rest of the area a bit. Obviously, screws were just removed from my bone so it’s not going to feel great. The first few days when I moved it felt like the incision was tearing/ripping SO bad, but it wasn’t even near the cut! After moving it a few days it felt much better. Today is day 8 and I can move it perfectly fine. I can pull it to my chest easier and there’s no pain or anything! The screws were definitely restricting some of my movement. I am so happy with that surgery now! YAY! It is in the process of getting strong, so that’s the only thing holding me back now is the muscle getting stronger.
So, I hope to wake up tomorrow and this nerve pain is gone because I can’t take it much longer!

Friday, June 10, 2011 Day 7 – 1 week.



I took MUCH needed shower. My commode barely fits in the shower but we didn’t want to cart the short seat all the way here for no reason. I did the shower basically all by myself, except Kevin helped shave my op leg. Got dressed and drove down the road to get a few things. Came back, sat on some benches by the beach….then came back to the cottage and ate some breakfast/lunch. I took a nap, Kevin ended up meeting up with his friends and I went over a bit later. We came back around 3pm or so, I took some more medicine and lay down. Kevin and I played cards and ate dinner around 5:3/6pm. We played more cards and now I’m catching up on my blog. Kevin will go out later and meet up with everyone while I rest.
I’ve been reading my blog from last time seeing where I am compared to that. I’m pretty even. I can get in and out of bed by myself if I have to (otherwise I’m lazy and make someone else move my leg for me). The bed at the suite was SO comfortable I could sleep all day! The bed here, not so much. But they both feel better than my mattress at home. I can’t wait to be in our spare room again. The only other difference is I feel less bloated than last time, but I do feel like I’m in a bit more pain. My right leg (hardware removal hip) is doing great. The incision is sore and the muscles running up along my butt are sure too as they are working hard to cart my body around. I can’t wait until I can sleep on my side…even if it’s for a few minutes. I tried last night with Kevin’s help but I got stuck. Couple more days until that I think.
So my medicine intake is as follows: ~3am-2 Oxycodone and 1 Tylenol, ~8am-2 Oxycodone, 1 Tylenol, ~3pm- 2 Oxycodone, 1 Tylenol, ~10pm 1 Oxycontin, 2 Oxycodone and 1 Tylenol. I also try to take one Colace every day, or every other day to help with the bowel movements. But so far so good.
I’ve been taking the extended relief once a day at night, but Kevin suggested I take it during the day since the Oxycodone works pretty well at night. So maybe I will try that tonight/tomorrow.
Going to be another long night and a rainy day tomorrow, the ceremony is at 330pm a couple miles away and the reception is at the cottages where we’re staying so I can come and go as I need to rest or anything.
All for now. I just had a pretty normal BM…so all is well! G-night. 

Kevin and I in the Cape.


Thursday, June 9, 2011, Day 6



So today is the day we check out of the Crescent Suites and head to Cape Cod for the wedding on Saturday.  During the night I woke up around 3am and again around 8 or so. The second time I shimmied myself out of bed and Mom heard me come back to bed so she helped me back in. I took my meds both times since they were all 5 hours apart and got back into bed. I watched some of the morning news and talk shows then ended up falling asleep again. It wasn’t until noon that I crawled out of bed! Sometimes the medication makes me really sleepy and sometimes I have a lot of energy. 
Mike had made his way to the suite by way of the T and then we waited for Kevin to come back to Waltham so we could check out, get some lunch, then be on our way to the Cape and my parents could head time. Kevin got there a little after 1pm and we started to pack up. I got a little sad again since things just aren’t easy and you do get down about things. It’s a major, major surgery and is a hard pill to swallow, especially less than a week later and already out of the hospital and on my own. After checking out we went to Shopper’s CafĂ© which is where we ordered dinner from last night and the food was great. I wasn’t very hungry, plus I was waiting to take my medicine with food so I was pretty sore and I was really hot. We sat down and I was real uncomfortable. I ordered a wrap and wasn’t even hungry at all. Finally our food came and I couldn’t wait for everyone to finish so we could go. I went to the bathroom before we left which was a bad idea. The “handicap” stall was not handicap at all. It was a larger stall, yeah, but the toilet was SO low I could barely get off it! I tried and it hurt so bad on my hip, but I finally got up. Then I was upset and really mad. We got the heck out of there, got into the Tahoe (which we’re borrowing from my Dad), Kevin put on my beautiful stockings, we said our goodbyes and off we went.
The car ride was OK. It took about an hour and a half to an hour and 45 minutes but it was fine. My butt/tailbone was getting sore. We arrived and you can’t drive up to your cottage, so we parked across the street in a large parking lot and walked over. I used the wheel chair so I could help carry stuff on my lap and because it was a long walk for me. Kevin did the rest of the trips with the large wheel barrow they offer.
We ate torpedos for dinner then lounged around and I ended up falling asleep on the bed pretty early which is what I don’t want to do because I really want to sleep at night.  Kevin woke me up around 9pm and I got ready, took my meds and got into bed. I woke up around 3am and had Kevin help me to the bathroom, took medicine and woke up again around 630am, got up again, then slept off and on the rest of the morning until about 8am.

Less than thrilled to not be in my own home!