I'm back on line

[Guest guest]

Hello All, had a total TRH replacement on Dec 11 and ended up in hospital for 10 days, (due to a physio making me do 30 knee crunches and my leg swelled so badly it was the size of my body and they rushed me off for all sorts of tests thinking I had a blood clot - which I didn't) which in hindsight was great because I was so much more mobile once I got home. I find sitting chronically uncomfortable, and am already back in my lazy boy chair trying hard not to break the 90 degree rule, and I don't think I am. The surgery went well, I have only a 5" scar and the surgeon said it was a real pleasure to operate on me - she had never operated on anyone as thin (and the op dropped another 5 lbs coming home at a scant 110 lbs) so xmas has been fun fattening up this scrawny body. She also told me that I only have a 2% chance of dislocation. Exercising is going well and I start local physio next week. I honestly think the worst thing I have experienced through all this was the chronic nausea which finally seems to be abating - the pain was tolerable - oh how quickly we forget LOL. I see the surgeon again on Jan 5 and I'm hoping she'll allow me to kick up my heels a little more, I'm ready for sure.

Nights are horrible, I don't seem to need sleep and if I don't sleep then I cat nap during the day - trying to break that cycle - I think it will help when I can lie on my right side which is my preferred way to sleep - wonder how long that will take, the hip is still quite swollen - it will take time, probably spent most of the 10 days in hospital asleep. I am no longer taking pain meds during the day, and sometimes break down at night because it sure helps to sleep. I'm off the injectable cumadin - had it for just over 2 weeks and I can't believe I actually injected myself, but I did. Still on iron as my numbers dropped from 140 to 83, just above the transfusion #, but refuse to take 3 a day as it really bungs up the works - lots of beef and venison and liver will fix that, along with alfalfa!

So all in all I think I'm coming along well - yesterday I walked 200 yards down to my dog training field, it felt so good, will go a little further today.

One thing I will tell all of you, if you can prior to your operation get your leg in very good shape, go to a good physiotherapist to work the muscles that are so weakened by the journey to the surgeon - it has really made this recovery very easy - 2 months before the surgery I was hardly walking and after 3 sessions with the physio I was in a lot less pain and my leg was so strong. Also, loose weight, the lighter you are the easier the surgery is. I had very little brusing, but do still have a fair amount of swelling.

I hope you all had a pain free and happy xmas.

ann

[Guest guest]

Welcome back, Ann! It's good to have you and your can-do attitude back on these pages. Sounds as if you are not of the pill-taking type, saying sometimes you "break down" and take one at night. A pain or sleeping medication is not a bad thing if it helps you get the much needed rest you need to heal. Wishing you the best during your recovery. :-) Warm regards, Donna Ann <katlady@...> wrote: Hello All, had a total TRH replacement on Dec 11 and ended up in hospital for 10 days, (due to a physio making me do 30 knee crunches and my leg swelled so badly it was the size of my body and they rushed me off for all sorts of tests thinking I had a blood clot - which I didn't) which in hindsight was great because I was so much more mobile once I got home. I find sitting chronically uncomfortable, and am already back in my lazy boy chair trying hard not to break the 90 degree rule, and I don't think I am. The surgery went well, I have only a 5" scar and the surgeon said it was a real pleasure to operate on me - she had never operated on anyone as thin (and the op dropped another 5 lbs coming home at a scant 110 lbs) so xmas has been fun fattening up this scrawny body. She also told me that I only have a 2% chance of dislocation. Exercising is going well and I start local

physio next week. I honestly think the worst thing I have experienced through all this was the chronic nausea which finally seems to be abating - the pain was tolerable - oh how quickly we forget LOL. I see the surgeon again on Jan 5 and I'm hoping she'll allow me to kick up my heels a little more, I'm ready for sure. Nights are horrible, I don't seem to need sleep and if I don't sleep then I cat nap during the day - trying to break that cycle - I think it will help when I can lie on my right side which is my preferred way to sleep - wonder how long that will take, the hip is still quite swollen - it will take time, probably spent most of the 10 days in hospital asleep. I am no longer taking pain meds during the day, and sometimes break down at night because it sure helps to sleep. I'm off the injectable cumadin - had it for just over 2 weeks and I can't believe I actually injected myself, but I did. Still on

iron as my numbers dropped from 140 to 83, just above the transfusion #, but refuse to take 3 a day as it really bungs up the works - lots of beef and venison and liver will fix that, along with alfalfa! So all in all I think I'm coming along well - yesterday I walked 200 yards down to my dog training field, it felt so good, will go a little further today. One thing I will tell all of you, if you can prior to your operation get your leg in very good shape, go to a good physiotherapist to work the muscles that are so weakened by the journey to the surgeon - it has really made this recovery very easy - 2 months before the surgery I was hardly walking and after 3 sessions with the physio I was in a lot less pain and my leg was so strong. Also, loose weight, the lighter you are the easier the surgery is. I had very little brusing, but do still have a fair amount of swelling. I hope you all had a pain free and happy xmas. ann __________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

thanks donna, I don't need narcotics for pain, any old tylenol will do now - sleep, well, I just had another damned cat nap between laundry loads - life is back to normal LOL

ann

Re: I'm back on line

Welcome back, Ann! It's good to have you and your can-do attitude back on these pages.

Sounds as if you are not of the pill-taking type, saying sometimes you "break down" and take one at night. A pain or sleeping medication is not a bad thing if it helps you get the much needed rest you need to heal.

Wishing you the best during your recovery. :-)

Warm regards,

Donna

Ann <katladyhughes (DOT) net> wrote:

Hello All, had a total TRH replacement on Dec 11 and ended up in hospital for 10 days, (due to a physio making me do 30 knee crunches and my leg swelled so badly it was the size of my body and they rushed me off for all sorts of tests think ing I had a blood clot - which I didn't) which in hindsight was great because I was so much more mobile once I got home. I find sitting chronically uncomfortable, and am already back in my lazy boy chair trying hard not to break the 90 degree rule, and I don't think I am. The surgery went well, I have only a 5" scar and the surgeon said it was a real pleasure to operate on me - she had never operated on anyone as thin (and the op dropped another 5 lbs coming home at a scant 110 lbs) so xmas has been fun fattening up this scrawny body. She also told me that I only have a 2% chance of dislocation. Exercising is going well and I start local physio next week. I honestly think the worst thing I have experienced through all this was the chronic nausea which finally seems to be abating - the pain was tolerable - oh how quickly we forget LOL. I see the surgeon again on Jan 5 and I'm hoping she'll allow me to kick up my heels a little more, I'm ready for sure.

Nights are horrible, I don't seem to need sleep and if I don't sleep then I cat nap during the day - trying to break that cycle - I think it will help when I can lie on my right side which is my preferred way to sleep - wonder how long that will take, the hip is still quite swollen - it will take time, probably spent most of the 10 days in hospital asleep. I am no longer taking pain meds during the day, and sometimes break down at night because it sure helps to sleep. I'm off the injectable cumadin - had it for just over 2 weeks and I can't believe I actually injected myself, but I did. Still on iron as my numbers dropped from 140 to 83, just above the transfusion #, but refuse to take 3 a day as it really bungs up the works - lots of beef and venison and liver will fix that, along with alfalfa!

So all in all I think I'm coming along well - yesterday I walked 200 yards down to my dog training field, it felt so good, will go a little further today.

One thing I will tell all of you, if you can prior to your operation get your leg in very good shape, go to a good physiotherapist to work the muscles that are so weakened by the journey to the surgeon - it has really made this recovery very easy - 2 months before the surgery I was hardly walking and after 3 sessions with the physio I was in a lot less pain and my leg was so strong. Also, loose weight, the lighter you are the easier the surgery is. I had very little brusing, but do still have a fair amount of swelling.

I hope you all had a pain free and happy xmas.

ann

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Ann,

Thanks for sharing your experience with us. This really interests me since it's less than a month for my surgery. I'm sure glad you didn't have a clot and sorry you had to be in the hospital so long. Did it take tham that long to figure out what caused the extreme swelling?

Oh My, to weigh only 110 lbs -- actually, I think I'd be too thin if I weighed that much. At my thinnest I was 120 and when I look at pictures of me at that weight, I look rather sickly. I suppose a good weight for me would be right around 130. SIGH, I can dream. Actually, I WILL weigh 130 again! YES I WILL!

It's great you no longer need your pain meds, except to help you sleep. What a relief that must be for you -- NO MORE PAIN!!!!!!!!!!!! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!

So, you train dogs? Any particular breed? I have a very bad Cocker Spaniel. She doesn't listen to a thing I say. LOL But I love her so much, she's the most lovable little girl! LOVE LOVE LOVE!

Thanks again for sharing. Glad to hear you're doing so well! BRAVO!

Hugs,Lindy LouRight THR 1/22/2007

Hello All, had a total TRH replacement on Dec 11 and ended up in hospital for 10 days, (due to a physio making me do 30 knee crunches and my leg swelled so badly it was the size of my body and they rushed me off for all sorts of tests thinking I had a blood clot - which I didn't) which in hindsight was great because I was so much more mobile once I got home. I find sitting chronically uncomfortable, and am already back in my lazy boy chair trying hard not to break the 90 degree rule, and I don't think I am. The surgery went well, I have only a 5" scar and the surgeon said it was a real pleasure to operate on me - she had never operated on anyone as thin (and the op dropped another 5 lbs coming home at a scant 110 lbs) so xmas has been fun fattening up this scrawny body. She also told me that I only have a 2% chance of dislocation. Exercising is going well and I start local physio next week. I honestly think the worst thing I have experienced through all this was the chronic nausea which finally seems to be abating - the pain was tolerable - oh how quickly we forget LOL. I see the surgeon again on Jan 5 and I'm hoping she'll allow me to kick up my heels a little more, I'm ready for sure.

Nights are horrible, I don't seem to need sleep and if I don't sleep then I cat nap during the day - trying to break that cycle - I think it will help when I can lie on my right side which is my preferred way to sleep - wonder how long that will take, the hip is still quite swollen - it will take time, probably spent most of the 10 days in hospital asleep. I am no longer taking pain meds during the day, and sometimes break down at night because it sure helps to sleep. I'm off the injectable cumadin - had it for just over 2 weeks and I can't believe I actually injected myself, but I did. Still on iron as my numbers dropped from 140 to 83, just above the transfusion #, but refuse to take 3 a day as it really bungs up the works - lots of beef and venison and liver will fix that, along with alfalfa!

So all in all I think I'm coming along well - yesterday I walked 200 yards down to my dog training field, it felt so good, will go a little further today.

One thing I will tell all of you, if you can prior to your operation get your leg in very good shape, go to a good physiotherapist to work the muscles that are so weakened by the journey to the surgeon - it has really made this recovery very easy - 2 months before the surgery I was hardly walking and after 3 sessions with the physio I was in a lot less pain and my leg was so strong. Also, loose weight, the lighter you are the easier the surgery is. I had very little brusing, but do still have a fair amount of swelling.

I hope you all had a pain free and happy xmas.

ann

[Guest guest]

oops forgot to give you my tess' link http://www.jayhawkerbrittanys.com/tess.htm

ann

Re: I'm back on line

ANN,

you're already doing laundry? on your own? wow!

Hugs,Lindy LouRight THR 1/22/2007

thanks donna, I don't need narcotics for pain, any old tylenol will do now - sleep, well, I just had another damned cat nap between laundry loads - life is back to normal LOL

ann

[Guest guest]

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Ann, Tess is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love Brittany Spaniels. My Aunt in Toledo had one for years -- King , LOL. He was very big for his breed and now I can see just HOW big. He was a good ol dog though, so loving and what a personality! Thanks so much for sharing this. I LOVE dogs! Nikki is my first ever dog in my whole life and I didn't know what I was missing. She is the best friend I have. Kind of dingy, but a true friend. Actually, I think she learned to be so goofy from her owner. LOL I will attach a picture of her here. She will be 6 on Jan. 10th.

Hugs,Lindy LouRight THR 1/22/2007

oops forgot to give you my tess' link http://www.jayhawkerbrittanys.com/tess.htm

ann

[Guest guest]

she's lovely, they are the centre of my universe - without animals I'm not whole

ann

Re: I'm back on line

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Ann, Tess is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love Brittany Spaniels. My Aunt in Toledo had one for years -- King , LOL. He was very big for his breed and now I can see just HOW big. He was a good ol dog though, so loving and what a personality! Thanks so much for sharing this. I LOVE dogs! Nikki is my first ever dog in my whole life and I didn't know what I was missing. She is the best friend I have. Kind of dingy, but a true friend. Actually, I think she learned to be so goofy from her owner. LOL I will attach a picture of her here. She will be 6 on Jan. 10th.

Hugs,Lindy LouRight THR 1/22/2007

oops forgot to give you my tess' link http://www.jayhawkerbrittanys.com/tess.htm

ann

[Guest guest]

Hi Ann,

Just one thing I have been wondering about. Usually I make sure I don't

sleep at all during the day because I sleep so badly at night. A couple of

months ago I had a week off work with the flu. Each day for a week I had a

morning nap, an afternoon nap, and surprisingly I slept at night. I'm

finding that I sleep much better now. So I'm wondering if after surgery we

need to sleep a bit more to help the body recover.

Just wondering.

Aussie Margaret

RTHR 1990 revised 2004

I'm back on line

<snip>

Nights are horrible, I don't seem to need sleep and if I don't sleep then I

cat nap during the day - trying to break that cycle - I think it will help

when I can lie on my right side which is my preferred way to sleep - wonder

how long that will take, the hip is still quite swollen - it will take time,

probably spent most of the 10 days in hospital asleep. I am no longer

taking pain meds during the day, and sometimes break down at night because

it sure helps to sleep. I'm off the injectable cumadin - had it for just

over 2 weeks and I can't believe I actually injected myself, but I did.

Still on iron as my numbers dropped from 140 to 83, just above the

transfusion #, but refuse to take 3 a day as it really bungs up the works -

lots of beef and venison and liver will fix that, along with alfalfa!

<snip>

ann

Send instant messages to your online friends http://au.messenger.

[Guest guest]

I also slept day and night after sugery. When I was awake, I would do my exercises, read or watch a movie, whether it was 3 p.m. or 3 a.m. I was in the hospital 4 night and in inpatient rehab 7. They say newborns learn to their night awakenings at the hospital because there isn't a whole of difference between their days and nights there. I wonder if that's how it is for us. We are awakened, poked and prodded at night. The first couple nights, I had to push the pain pump every five minutes. Who can sleep. I was exhausted. Ann says she is very thin. I wonder if she isn't like some of my friends -- tiny, thin, high metabolism, hyperenergetic (I think I made that word up) without need for as much rest. Margaret, like you I discovered that when I nap on weekends, I'm ready to turn in earlier and get a better night's rest that night. I usually swim on Sat. mornings and then go to lunch with a pool

buddy. By then, I'm ready to crash. Sometimes I even have two naps. It has a very calming effect on me, and I sleep better for it that night. Donna Margaret <zztinau@...> wrote: Hi Ann,Just one thing I have been wondering about. Usually I make sure I don't sleep at all during the day because I sleep so badly at night. A couple of months ago I had a week off work with the flu. Each day for a week I had a morning nap, an afternoon nap, and surprisingly I slept at night. I'm finding that I sleep much better now. So I'm wondering if after surgery we need to sleep a bit more to help the body recover.Just wondering.Aussie MargaretRTHR 1990 revised 2004 I'm back on lineNights are horrible, I don't seem to need sleep and if I don't sleep then I cat nap during the day - trying to break that cycle - I think it will help when I can lie on my right side which is my preferred way to sleep - wonder how long that will take, the hip is still quite swollen - it will take time, probably spent most of the 10 days in hospital asleep. I am no longer taking pain meds during the day, and sometimes break down at night because it sure helps to sleep. I'm off the injectable cumadin - had it for just over 2 weeks and I can't believe I actually injected myself, but I did. Still on iron as my numbers dropped from 140 to 83, just above the transfusion #, but refuse to take 3 a day as it really bungs up the works - lots of beef

and venison and liver will fix that, along with alfalfa!annSend instant messages to your online friends http://au.messenger.

[Guest guest]

I say if a person has trouble sleeping, sleep when you can. Fortunately, since I do not work, I can sleep whenever the urge strikes, and I do. ;-)

I've had a sleep disorder my entire life and so many times I've totally burned out (when I worked) because I wasn't sleeping but a couple hours a night, and this just went on and on and on and on.

Sleep is so important -- it's when our muscle tissue rejuvinates so, maybe by taking naps, it helps our bodies heal to the point where it's even easier to sleep. Does that even make sense? HA HA!

Anyway, I sleep whenever I want. I'm really blessed I can do this. Most nights I'm awake til 3 or 4 am; just can't sleep, even with all the pills I take that cause drowsiness. You'd think I'd be sleeping around the clock. ;-)

Hugs,Lindy LouRight THR 1/22/2007

Hi Ann,Just one thing I have been wondering about. Usually I make sure I don't sleep at all during the day because I sleep so badly at night. A couple of months ago I had a week off work with the flu. Each day for a week I had a morning nap, an afternoon nap, and surprisingly I slept at night. I'm finding that I sleep much better now. So I'm wondering if after surgery we need to sleep a bit more to help the body recover.Just wondering.Aussie MargaretRTHR 1990 revised 2004