I got a new hip

[gsdx]

I discovered today just how difficult and painful it can be to trim one's toenails on a hip-replaced leg. I hope you have better luck, or, at least, a friend who will do it for you.

 

[Kulindahr]

Bammer will soon be going walkies!

Just as Bammer is finally getting used to me being on crutches, I'm hardly using them.

Yesterday I got bold and went for a bike ride on the beach -- with the tide on the way out, there was lots of hard, smooth surface. Bammer was as excited as I've ever seen him, running circles around me as I pedaled along in low gear, then running alongside me, obviously proud of being right by his 'papa', then dashing off to jump on a wave....

I overdid it a bit on the hip -- the damned Air Force flyboys tore down all the trail markers again, which made it hard as heck to locate the spot we were hauling some "Bammer buckets" for. So I trudged at a snail's pace back and forth across the dune ridges looking for the right place, though I finally found it only by stumbling across a trail a quarter mile from where we were supposed to be, taking it back toward the woods and turning onto a trail (still under improvement) that parallels the beach until I found the one we needed. But it wasn't the operated hip that gave me the real trouble, it was my right hip, which by the time we got the compost placed and properly surrounded with sand to hold in the moisture, would barely hold me up -- so I suspect I'll be going in for another new hip in less than a year.

But this morning I just felt exhausted; that was the most exertion I've done since several weeks before the surgery! Now I'm merely lethargic, but that's the weather: It just ISN'T supposed to get up to 85 F in April!

 

[Kulindahr]

I agree. Basically they are a very short term confidence booster to help you adjust to having a balanced gait again

For me they've been essential -- I couldn't get five feet without them. But then that was mostly true before the surgery, my hip had gotten so bad. The biggest reason was that after the trauma of the surgery, my hip could literally just give way, as it had done more than once beforehand; happily, that part of it is over! But after a long time with weight on the hip, I get balance problems, so the crutches are there to help with balance but also to take pressure off the hip. I couldn't have made it into the house last night without them, or around inside once I made it.

The quarter mile through the dunes yesterday was only possible without crutches because I was always right by soft places to fall, and Bammer was there to get me back up. Though I didn't actually fall, I slid and let myself just lie against the slope a couple of times, and did need my faithful 'hound' to get me back to my feet.

Shortly I'll be venturing out again today, into weather I think is setting a record high for May Day! The good part: biking along the beach means that if my hip does start to throb, or if I feel too hot, I can literally go soak in the nice 52° F water (the surf itself is actually a degree or two colder).

 

[Kulindahr]

I discovered today just how difficult and painful it can be to trim one's toenails on a hip-replaced leg. I hope you have better luck, or, at least, a friend who will do it for you.

I was just contemplating that today. I may just go with sandals until I can reach those little extremities.

 

[LeicsDom]

But it wasn't the operated hip that gave me the real trouble, it was my right hip, which by the time we got the compost placed and properly surrounded with sand to hold in the moisture, would barely hold me up -- so I suspect I'll be going in for another new hip in less than a year.

The problem will be that you will be adjusting your gait as the new hip gets more comfortable. That will place uneven pressure ont he old hip and accelerate its deterioration.
A 12 month gap between hips is about average
When you get the second one done the recovery time will be markedly improved.

PS Just in case you need to fly they will set off security. I just love being patted down

 

[LeicsDom]

I was just contemplating that today. I may just go with sandals until I can reach those little extremities.

Oddly I can reach my left foot (second new hip) to cut my nails but have tremendous difficulty reaching the other
But with some concerted thought I found a way round it, more or less

 

[Kulindahr]

The problem will be that you will be adjusting your gait as the new hip gets more comfortable. That will place uneven pressure ont he old hip and accelerate its deterioration.
A 12 month gap between hips is about average
When you get the second one done the recovery time will be markedly improved.

PS Just in case you need to fly they will set off security. I just love being patted down

I prefer not to be treated like a criminal just to get from one place to another, so I will likely never fly again.

The new hip has just given a few little twinges today -- and the incision is itching like crazy! Oh -- and only one suture remains, which reminds me I want to ask why I can't get in a pool once those are all gone and there aren't any holes left.

Actually for a while I expect the old hip to feel better, because I got so used to putting more pressure on it to help the other. Now that the other is the stronger one, I'm already finding myself favoring the bad one... which is the one thing that made the operated hip ache today at all.

The other thing that is a problem is that the lift material I've put in keeps getting mashed thinner, especially in the heel, and that keeps making me walk crooked. Fortunately I have a nice supply of thin material; I just made a new heel insert before going to the pharmacy for more oxycodone... which pretty soon I won't be taking because of the operation but because of the other hip!

 

[Kulindahr]

Oddly I can reach my left foot (second new hip) to cut my nails but have tremendous difficulty reaching the other
But with some concerted thought I found a way round it, more or less

I used to be limber enough to chew them off....

Bammer's nails stay short because of all the running on pavement and gravel and beach -- too bad human nails don't work that way.

 

[gsdx]

I just made a new heel insert before going to the pharmacy for more oxycodone...

Has that stuff blocked you up at all? I was given percocet in the hospital and a supply to bring home with me. That oxy blocked me up like crazy. I was given laxatives and suppositories every day. Even then, I had only 2 BMs in 8 days. It was just as bad when I got home. Took ages to get my system back to a movement a day.

 

[Kulindahr]

Has that stuff blocked you up at all? I was given percocet in the hospital and a supply to bring home with me. That oxy blocked me up like crazy. I was given laxatives and suppositories every day. Even then, I had only 2 BMs in 8 days. It was just as bad when I got home. Took ages to get my system back to a movement a day.

I have goodies to go with them. With the vicodin, I had to take twice as much as was prescribed, and I was still miserable. With the oxies and the other two prescriptions I'm actually more comfortable and regular than before.

 

[DonQuixote]

Thanks for keeping us up to speed on your recovery, Kuli.

You, Neil, and LeicsDom are providing valuable information should some of us ever find ourselves in similar positions.

 

[LeicsDom]

and the incision is itching like crazy! Oh -- and only one suture remains, which reminds me I want to ask why I can't get in a pool once those are all gone and there aren't any holes left.

The itching is a good sign. It means the wound is healing
Hm not sure about the pool problem. I was told I could swim as soon as the wound was healed. My only issue at that time was getting in and out of the pool because it only had regular steps

 

[LeicsDom]

Thanks for keeping us up to speed on your recovery, Kuli.

You, Neil, and LeicsDom are providing valuable information should some of us ever find ourselves in similar positions.

Oft times first hand experience is more useful than all the theoretical info from professionals

 

[LeicsDom]

I prefer not to be treated like a criminal just to get from one place to another, so I will likely never fly again.

I guess over here we are used to having to fly to get anywhere.
If it is something that I have to endure I feel I might as well have some fun with it. If I am bored I can have a great time subtly winding the staff up, especially if it is a hunky guy

 

[DonQuixote]

There's that inimitable British sense of humour.

 

[Kulindahr]

The itching is a good sign. It means the wound is healing
Hm not sure about the pool problem. I was told I could swim as soon as the wound was healed. My only issue at that time was getting in and out of the pool because it only had regular steps

Getting in a pool is easy -- just a nice shallow dive.
I'm not sure what sort of exit arrangement the new pool at the Y has, though.

 

[borg69unimatrix]

Getting in a pool is easy -- just a nice shallow dive.
I'm not sure what sort of exit arrangement the new pool at the Y has, though.

Beans... they feed you beans.

 

[LeicsDom]

There's that inimitable British sense of humour.

If there is a silver lining to be found, I will find it

 

[LeicsDom]

Getting in a pool is easy -- just a nice shallow dive.
I'm not sure what sort of exit arrangement the new pool at the Y has, though.

I have never been brave enough to dive

I found that getting out, up a ladder, was not as hard as I thought.
Getting in that way was very nerve wracking for me

 

[Kulindahr]

If there is a silver lining to be found, I will find it

Inevitably, if there's a silver lining, a cloud comes with it.