My first evening home I didn’t attempt to do much. I was able to get into my pajamas on my own, but when it came to getting into bed, I couldn’t swing my left leg up into the bed, so my husband helped me. We went to bed at 9:30 pm on Thursday night, a little less than 40 hours after surgery.
I had to get up and pee at 11:30pm and again my husband needed to help me swinging my left leg into bed. When I got up at 3:30 am I was sorry to see him up, waiting for me to return from the bathroom. “Oh thanks, Honey, but I’ve got this,” I said, and into bed I got, easily swinging my legs up into the bed! Amazing! Amazed I was!
Friday, my first full day at home, and just 48 hours after surgery, I moved around easily, forgetting the cane a lot. I showered with no problems. We changed my dressing, seeing the incision for the first time. They were true to their word, it’s about 4 inches long. No stitches or staples, just glued together. There is a dimple in one spot, but if that’s the worst of it,, you’ll never hear me complain!
We had company at Noon, and I made them stand in our great room and watch me walk into the room toward them, just holding my cane, not using it, not limping. Walking normally. (Not fast mind you, or without some pain or sensation, there is still a lot of swelling.)
I did a lot of walking around in the house, not wanting to overdo things or stress my recovery by trying to venture outside. Venturing into the unpaved world of Outside didn’t seem advised.
Sometime in the night I even slept on my side for a short time. It wasn’t easy getting there, but after reviewing my Joint Handbook, I see I wasn’t performing the task properly.
By Saturday morning I was able to bend more than 90 degrees at the hips, I could easily unload and load the dishwasher. I made my breakfast. I did my exercises. I asked to go somewhere, so we took a ride out to friends. We walked about a 500 feet total in their driveway, strolling down and back with my husband and our dogs. Then I climbed 13 stairs to their main level, and later 13 stairs back down to the car. I had a difficult time remembering which foot to lead with, and felt perfectly capable of going up the stairs like a normal person, left step, right step, left step…I had to force myself to go easy. I had the cane with me but didn’t need to use it.
Once home again from our outing, it was easy getting into our house, easy to get my winter boots off (we’d struggled a little yesterday, I was afraid to pull too hard on that leg). Saturday evening was uneventful, I haven’t taken any Advil all day. I’ll probably take some before bed, to help me get to sleep.
I think I want to try a half a walk to the beach tomorrow, Sunday. That will be Day 4 after surgery of a total hip replacement.
I’ve always said, “If they told you how you’d really feel after major surgery, no one would ever do it!” In the hospital industry, the 3rd day is always the worst day of recovery.
There have been some advances in modern medicine. I had laparoscopic gallbladder surgery and hysterectomy, both should have been less traumatic than this hip replacement, but I have recovered and am recovering exceptionally well. This third day has been awesome! I haven’t even needed a nap! I admit I am not working at full capacity on things like reservations, and my head is a little fuzzy still; my left thigh still quite swollen and numb in places.
But it’s all more like a minor annoyance, not a major problem.
Could this be the result of my Personal and Spiritual Regimes? I am beginning to think so….
Until Next Time, Dear Reader
I thank you for your time, Namaste’
<3 LAMP <3
P.S. I welcome your comments and questions!
