Phesina updates - Home!!!

[phesina]

Having been down this same road, I'll tell you that she can cook (just as long as she's not trying to do a 20 lb turkey ), but the vacuuming is out for a while!!!! No BLT - bending/lifting/twisting.

Right, no BLT...

Pom, did you do any rehab at all, or you went straight home, didn't you, since you had family to go home to. Did you have PT and OT and stuff to do?

Did you have any extended time incision draining?

Pat

[pomtzu]

Right, no BLT...

Pom, did you do any rehab at all, or you went straight home, didn't you, since you had family to go home to. Did you have PT and OT and stuff to do?

Did you have any extended time incision draining?

Pat

Hi Pat...

I was sorry to read that things didn't go quite as smoothly for you as they did for me -- but every patient has different outcomes on the same procedure. Gretchen sailed right thru her hip replacement, while my BIL had life threatening complications that could have cost him his leg - or even his life. After a 2nd surgery 2 or 3 weeks after the first, to go in and clean everything out, he is home and on the road to recovery. It was touch and go for a while tho.

I had a lot more draining on the 2nd procedure than I did the first time, but they pulled the drain anyway after 3 days. Didn't seem to have any ill effects, but then a month after the surgery, I had that torn fascia and the spinal fluid leak that caused my back all along the incision, to look like Spongebob. With the lumbar compression brace, it squished most of it back into my system and was just absorbed naturally. I got some nerve irritation from the brace and can't wear it any longer, so I look like I have a bicycle tire around my waist from the fluid that didn't dissipate and just changed location but it's nothing drastic and may go away on it's own eventually. Certainly doesn't need to be manually drained.

I didn't do rehab - went straight home after 3 days in the hospital. Of course I had all the "normal" restrictions,, and doc encouraged me to walk-walk-walk. No PT or OT thank goodness, since I had that for months and after being in rehab for 2 weeks, after the cervical spine surgery in 2006 - The Year From Hell.

So I'm pretty much back to normal, and don't have to see my surgeon again till November. I think I may ask him for a PT order tho, since the strength hasn't come back in my legs, to the point I would like it to be. He left the option of PT up to me - if I wanted it or felt I needed it- and of course I didn't at the time. Looks like I need to change my mind on that one.

Thinking of you,, and hoping you get to go home very soon. Just take it slow and don't overdo when you get there.. Keep me posted on your progress.

{{{Hugs}}} my friend - and Wolfy sends doggie kisses too.

Oh - when you get a minute - go to Cat General and check out my thread of "Squirrel Tails". Had to introduce the kids to PT - finally.

[phesina]

Thanks, Ellie. They pulled the drain itself a few days after, but the incision has still been leaking some at the bottom. The surgeon considered doing a wash Tuesday morning but then decided to discharge me because he thought things looked better that it will be reabsorbed. I'm to see him again Monday, and if it still looks problematic, then he'll do the wash.

I just looked at your Squirrel thread. What sweeties!!!!!

Thanks for your encouragement. I am very depressed right now, to tell you the truth. I'd have to be extremely limited in my activity if I did go home now, but when I see him again I think I'll ask if home health assistance might do the job.

I still have stuff to rearrange and figure out what I'm going to do with, after the massive carpet-replacement job in the apartment which went into the week before the surgery.

I have a few questions for you by PM too, which I'll send as.

Thanks again, Ellie.

Pat

[Grace]

A couple of things to add to what Ellie said - walk, walk, walk. Can't stress that enough. Get up every 30 minutes or so and walk around the house. Go stand at the kitchen counter and go up on your toes, then back down. Repeat 30 times. You can sit in a straight chair and "march" with your legs. There are lots of small exercises you can do on your own with no special equipment.

There were times at the beginning that I wondered when I would be able to put on my shoes and socks - by myself. Time passes faster than you think it will.

Lots of

[phesina]

Thank you, Gretchen. Dr. Patel (surgeon) told me that too, walk as much as you are able.

[kaycountrygal]

Hello, I am so glad and relieved for you that your surgery went well and that now you're in rehab. Kay in NC