Home Again!

Again, this post is TMI for my readers but it is my way of remembering events in our lives.  And hip replacement surgery has been the major event in my life since March 3 when I asked my primary care provider what I could do for my arthritic hip—and the journey started with an x-ray that afternoon. 

We were awake early on Thursday—I slept very little—so we got to the hospital early and were ready for the 10:20 surgery easily.  Being wheeled into the operating room was the one moment I felt a bit of panic.  It was cold and large and I felt like a piece of meat put on a slab to be cut up.  I don’t remember anything of the anesthetic and woke up in recovery where there was a very kind nurse Kathy and many beeping machines. I didn’t have a lot of pain but that was the one time they gave me OxyContin.    I could see a bit of blue sky and that comforted me.  I was very eager to see Jim and it wasn’t long before they wheeled me to Room 207 where we could be together.  Dr. Culp was in the hall and walked with us there.  He said everything had gone well and that he had done some extra work for my hip bone to prevent breakage. I asked how many surgeries he did that day—and it was six!  

My cheeseburger tasted great for supper.  Jim stayed with me until almost 9 pm.  The night nurse Sydney was very kind and allowed me to stop the compression stockings which were driving me crazy with their off and on modes.  A physical therapist got me up and walking a bit but I was quite dizzy.   It was a long and uncomfortable night knowing that I was supposed to be on my back which is not my way to sleep ever!  Eventually I disobeyed and turned to my side and got a little bit of sleep.  

There were endless pills to take and “vitals” to be checked.  On Friday morning a physical therapist came again and walked me down the hall with my walker to make sure I could do steps and get in and out of a car.  That was not difficult for me to my relief.  An occupational therapist came also to teach me how to safely get dressed and put on socks and shoes without bending over.  The sock gadget that came with the hip kit (from Amazon) was tricky so I tried it twice with her guidance—but I still am not sure I can do it on my own. Jim helped me this morning instead—putting on compression stockings to prevent blood clots 

There were some problems for me with urinary retention due to the spinal anaesthetic.  The nurses did several bladder scans but eventually they decided the issue was not bad enough to keep me at the hospital or need a catheter.  Thank goodness!  The last hour was endless as we were ready to go and there was some delay in processing the forms.  But finally the wheel chair arrived and John wheeled me out.  And Jim was waiting at the hospital entrance. 

Home!  To watch Washington Week  and the Mets.  We had a simple supper of bacon and cheese on English muslins and fruit.   I was not hungry.  I had a better night of sleep in which I called Jim twice on the phone from our second bedroom to supervise my bathroom trips.  

I have made a sheet of pill monitoring because there are so many to take for the next 30 days. No alcohol for 30 days either.  I hope to avoid the really strong pain medication of OxyContin and so far I think I can.  Jim helped me with my shower using a shower seat that came from Jeff and Susan’s attic.  

Jim will go to get groceries by himself as I will continue to rest and ice my poor hip.  I was somewhat uncomfortable during the night and at times in some pain but it could be a lot worse.  It’s a different pain than pre-surgery pain.  

It’s over!  I was so apprehensive and I hope I will not have to do it again for the right hip which is also arthritic but not as bad.  Almost without exception, the medical staff and support staff were kind.  Just one person was abrupt with my fumbling attempts to get in and out of bed and using the toilet.  She also was hard on her aide trainee.

Ah, there is joy in using the toilet without someone waiting to help me walk to and from the bed.  There is joy in brushing one’s teeth and just now taking a shower.  The joy of being home again and thankful that the 17 steps to our apartment were not difficult.  I hope and pray the recovery will proceed normally with no danger of infection or blood clots or a lot of pain.  I hope this will all be worthwhile if I can walk without a walker or cane and enjoy less arthritic pain and more mobility.