Just one week ago tomorrow I had a total right hip replacement. I had planned to let you know what it felt like just in case you might need to take care of a loved one who needed such work done or someday had to go through such an operation yourself. Suffice it to say that today is the first day I’ve not been so dopey that I can actually write a few words without having to rewrite them. So, my first lesson is that I have been incredibly drowsy and unable to concentrate. Having never had a drink, I don’t know if it would be correct to compare it to feeling drunk, but let’s just say that you definitely wouldn’t want me to be driving you home from a party yet, even if I could make my food scootch over to the right pedal in time. My days have consisted of sleeping about 20+ hours with intermittent interruptions for the all-time challenge: making it to the bathroom. Having in a cath for the first day or two relieved that trial from early recovery, but it also left me with a very irritated confused state perhaps known as a UTI, but for sure lovingly dubbed “peeatosis” by my dear physician husband. That settled down after a couple of days and took the fear out of drinking anything, although I still had no appetite for food in any case. My strict adherence to a diet high in fiber with no breads or desserts and lots of prune juice and milk of magnesia netted my a couple of days of diarrhea, which I am sure is preferable to constipation—the bane of patients on pain meds and unable to take their normal evening constitutionals. At any rate, my stomach is now totally confused but my digestive system seems to have recovered and now understands that if you put something in it’s not meant to be an insult.
My big accomplishments each day are doing some petty little exercises that before the surgery appeared to be a joke. Amazingly, one week later I still cannot lift my right leg off the bed unaided, nor can I slid it along the bed sheet sideways 15°. Apparently during the surgery someone takes the bother to hold the muscle out of the way so that it’s not injured, but the net effect is that the muscle is so badly stretched that it takes a good while to tighten up enough to do anything useful. I am practicing faithfully.
Oh, my other goal for each day is to give myself an injection into my belly fat. “Lovenox” they say it’s called. “Love it not” would be a better term, but I guess it’s dreadfully expensive and practically guarantees that I won’t develop blood clots (as long and I do everything else right) during my bed rest. The hospital stay was three days, and I’m not sure how long the bed rest will continue, but for sure until I can type at least one sentence without having to make 18 corrections. You can see this has been a long labor of love to share all these glowing details of surgery. Why? I guess so you are patient with any patients you may care for, and so you’re a patient patient if ever your turn comes. If you think in terms of losing about 3 weeks of conscious life, then I don’t think you’ll be too disappointed.
By the way, thank you for the beautiful flowers and wonderful food. I have also appreciated people allowing me to convalesce in quiet since I would do nothing but embarrass myself by my lack of clarity on ANY issue! But, there you have it. My first week of recovery. May you be able to avoid such a treat!
5 responses so far ↓
Andrea // July 2, 2009 at 6:44 pm |
That sounds just awful! I had no idea. I certainly will try to remember all this if I ever have to take care of someone in a similar circumstance, or if I should have to have my own hip replaced.
Organizing Mommy // July 3, 2009 at 1:33 am |
I’m glad the first week is over; the next week WILL be better–I am sure of it. I “love it not” or I “loved it not” for 12 months of my life during the high risk pregnancy and P.E. that ensued from the beginning. I’m quite a pro at those injections–could even do it without bruising. Sorry you have to go through with this. The high price of mothering, I think. HUGS.
Gloria Rudd // July 3, 2009 at 9:28 am |
Dear Kathy, I had no idea you were having hip surgery!!–I am so so sorry for you–I totally empathize with you…remember I broke my hip at age 35 with 4 kids-one of them a nursing baby. I know the humiliation and feeling of not being in control of the slightest things
. Thankfully, there is no one who has to be cared for. Who is caring for you?? Alan, I am assuming. I am praying lots for you all. When will you be able to put weight on it–or have you already.??
You certainly know how to keep a busy schedule!!!–let me know how you are doing…What can I do for you ??….
Sarah Jäschke // July 3, 2009 at 4:04 pm |
Dear Kathryn,
We are amazed that you are able to write to us at all after just one week! My friend had the same operation and was in hospital for two weeks and then went on what the Germans call a “Kur” for physiotheraphy etc. We think you are very brave!! We have been and will continue to pray for you until you recover completely.
Today Jonathan, Gerlinde, Christoph and I went on a day trip looking for bargins in the factory shops in Oberfranken selling porcelain. They were successful and Gerlinde is sooooo happy that she has something German to take to the States with her. Christoph and I often smiled at the beginning ” nest-making” syndrome in saw in action. We had a great time together and really love Jonathan. Hope to see you soon.
Kathi // July 3, 2009 at 10:01 pm |
Hi!
Thanks for the encouragement and sympathy. I am doing great given the amazing care of my dear husband, tenderhearted son Stephen, and incredibly helpful and ever able and aware youngest born, who is going to make a prize husband someday! I couldn’t ask for anything better from my dear family and find that I feel more alert and “human” every day. Sitting is still uncomfortable, so it may be a few weeks before I get out to church, but I think survival is definitely in the forecast, Lord willing!