The most significant thing for recovery was to have home support, and have the environment set up correctly. I'll start with the latter first.
How the Bed(s) were Prepped
Upon my return home, I happily, and necessarily, spent most of my time in bed. To be honest, I still spend a bit of time there, though as the days proceed, I am standing and sitting more and more. The bed is essential that it be set up correctly ahead of time.
- Prior to my surgery, I had raised the bed so that it was above my knee, and thus I would not be breaking the 90 degree threshold of knee to hip. Still, I struggled getting into bed that first day, and for a few days afterward. The difficulty was having the strength and confidence to bring the leg up over the edge of the bed once I had swung my body to the right.
- I definitely had the trusty slippery plastic bag on the bed so it was easier to slide around. Eventually a sleeping bag sufficed very effectively as the shell is slippery and has a much larger surface area.
- My grabber was always handy. When it fell on the floor it was difficult to get it, let alone anything else that I needed. So I hung it up within my reach.
- One thing I had trouble with is the bedside light and the radio, as they are located next to my head. I would have to twist. So I moved them slightly.
- when my support team left for work for the day I was supplied with a cooler full of lunch food and fluids for me. Outstanding!
- for the less complex of mother nature's call, which was often those first few days, a hospital-like receptacle did fine. I didn't have to leave the bed. (I was told that the body is ridding itself of all of the anesthesia and trying to cope with the drugs, so the kidneys worked very hard.) I always had water on hand
I did mention beds as sub-heading:
- We have a fold-down couch in the family room, and we used a huge air mattress to make the elevation more appropriate.
- same issue for the first few days -getting in the bed. I needed help, so I did not use it too frequently.
How the Bathroom was Prepped
- when it seemed it was time I tried to use the adapter toilet seat extension we picked up at the Red Cross, but it was unstable and seemed to pierce my suture and wound. So, we had to pick up another much more robust unit with handles, and a padded seat. Should have thought of it the first time.
- for the shower, we have a step over type tub/shower unit. This is not a good arrangement for hip surgery. A special made shower seat that extended over the edge of the tub worked perfectly. I sit on the edge, following my precautions of course, and can slide over and use the shower. The first few times I did not do this alone. The first time I felt like Bambi on ice.
How my Mobility was Prepped
- while I have a walker, the crutches are the most effective for movement around the house.
- there are 15 stairs that turn 90 degrees to the left half-way up. Crutches under the right arm and leading with the good leg going up, and the reverse going down, one step at a time. To be sure I am holding fast and hard to the railing both ways.
How I was Equipped
- a grabber
- crutches
- a long shoehorn
- a sock-aid
- a walker
- a toilet seat
- a shower chair
- a cell phone
- a slippery sheet or sheet blanket for the bed
- extra pillows for the legs
- pills, pills and more pills
- 4 re-freezable ice packs - a must have!!!!
- a home support team:
my family. During the day they had school and work. But their absence was prepared for by having everything I needed on hand, literally. Breakfast was brought upstairs in the morning, my lunch was prepared and handy in a cooler.All of my medications were in a basket within arms reach. There's much more I could say here, but I'll leave it at the following: without this support I cannot imagine how I would have experienced my recovery. The fact that I am now rehabbing is due to their attention, patience and support.
_______________________________What I Did Wrong
One step forward, two steps back.
Starting on the Friday of my return home (three days after the operation), I tried to ween myself of over reliance on the Hydromorphone pills. I was supposed to take 1-3 1mg tablets 4 times daily or as needed. I cut it back right away to 1 per 4 hours 4 times daily. At the same time, I took 2 Extra-Strength Tylenol pills 4 times daily. By Sunday, I was in misery both physically and mentally. Monday was just as bad. So I went back on the prescribed program until such time I could feel I was progressing. During this whole period of time, I was exercising, and going for short (emphasis on short) crutch enabled walks in my neighbourhood. Sunday I shut down, and did nothing.
What I Did Right
Tried not be a hero (other than the above).
I long ago accepted that this recovery was going to be an inactive period, and had to be a process. Maybe its wisdom, but during this recovery phase I accepted the whole process and let my body talk to me - go ahead or don't go ahead depending on the stress or non-stress I experience. Those 2 bad days described above I think set me back, but I learned quickly. In the end, little by little my confidence increased to a point that I am now in the rehab phase.
Iced my Hip Area
I was constantly using the ice packs: after exercise, after a short walk, in the morning, and late in the day. I always had ice on hand. It was left in the cooler when everyone left for the day. It has really helped reduce my swelling. In fact by my 5th day at home the swelling was noticeably reduced.
Did the Exercises
The potential of delaying recovery and the possibility, however slight, of a blood clot, scared me into action. As best I could I did my my exercises during recovery. I go for two short walks a day, with plenty of rests.
____________________________
Today
The hip hurts even when walking with support, that being said, I can deal with the pain. However, I am now off the hydromorhone. Is it for good? Well I hope so. I notice the atrophy of my thigh and the left glute. It is quite striking how much muscle mass I have lost. I have a long way to go before I can say I am close to back to normal, but I do feel I have progressed from recovery.