Greetings to All,
I do not recommend a hip replacement for a good way to spend the summer, but now that I am almost 5 weeks post-surgery, I am glad I did it! I am still lurching around on the walker, but gradually adding time on a cane. I have no pain (and really never did since the surgery), but the muscle that was cut requires "6-12 weeks to heal", so I simply do not have the strength back necessary to walk normally. The medical people say I am doing fine, but it is hard to be patient. I have learned to ignore dirty floors, overgrown lawns, and neglected gardens. Suzanne is now working two jobs and does all of the grocery shopping and laundry. Paul is busy with the farm. I am grateful for what they can do. I am doing all of the cooking and clean up now, and we had lots of help from good friends early on, so we are doing OK. I did give up and hire the lawn mowed twice and a temporary cleaning lady (which is kind of an "interesting" experience) to do the bathrooms and mopping and vacuuming. It seems like forever since I have been able to walk out of the house, jump in the car and drive myself somewhere! At the six-week point I don't have to be so careful about bending over, reaching to the side while bending, etc. (for fear of dislocation) and should be able to work at strengthening the muscle. The doctor doesn't think I will need formal phys. therapy; but we shall see.
I ended up being in the hospital for 6 days instead of the expected 4 because I had such a horrible reaction to the various narcotic pain medicines they gave me. I ended up dehydrated and dizzy and before I left the hospital I asked them to just give me extra strength Tylenol, which was plenty to control the pain. The Sunday I got home I read the article in the World Herald taken from Jason Peter's book. When he commented he had an instant euphoric reaction to the pain pills I decided I was glad I definitely did not! Throwing up constantly and being dizzy is not my idea of a fun time...
Now, Joan, I have a question regarding Interstitial Cystitis in one of our cats...The vet here says he is probably not suffering as much as I think he is and that these things can be cyclical in cats. He suggests we could try Elmiron or Elavil, but warns they won't give rapid relief, and since the one is an anti-anxiety medicine can't be stopped suddenly. This is our cat with the most pleasant personality and the best "pet" of the three we have, and it disturbs me to see him trying to urinate with such frequency. Do you have any "brand new" information that might be different than what his doctor suggests?
I was glad to see mom's posting. She has had quite a summer, too.
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