July 30

6 week surgeon appointment....

Everything is great- Xrays are perfect-flexibility is remarkably good.

Had questions( of course)-- Can I....

travel-specifically:Fly to LA- YES!

bike ride?-- Sure

golf?---why not?

help with housework- Absolutely( that makes Koz happy)

Only real restriction- no heavy lifting-

Still need the raised toilet seat in the house-but don't need to go crazy when out or traveling

Still sleeping with pillow between my legs and no crossing over the mid line with the repaired leg.

When checking the flexibility and strength of my leg-Doc proclaimed- I think out patient therapy would be a waste of your time and theirs-You can do it on your own!

C Diff is mostly under control- still on antibiotics for another 3 weeks--But a least I am eating regular foods!

Everything is good just in time for school to start--- no, wait.................... just in time for the fun to begin!!!!

July 21

Funny how second-nature takes over....

I was coming downstairs yesterday and realised that I was taking the stairs normally--alternating steps instead of "one-stepping". Not sure when this started, but this is nice progress. When I got to the bottom of the stairs, I turned around and went back up realizing that I could do the same going up.

Stairs are a challenge - so this is a great breakthrough. Walking up and the down the stairs normally is great progress! Also, my victories over "c.diff" continue- had bread yesterday=finally starting to eat regular foods( This soft food diet is pretty boring). Feeling stronger everyday--went for a walk yesterday---even in the heat, it felt good to be back on my feet and moving!

July 19

Just when I thought that I was well on the way to complete recovery, I got knocked down last week and ended up back in the hospital....Short version of the story...........

1. When one has majorly invasive surgery, it it protocol to be on antibiotics to fight infection.

2. Antibiotics kill the bacteria in one's body- good and bad(who knew that we had good bacteria).

3. Hospitals are germy places

4. Meet my new friend- "c.diff"(Clostridium difficile).

"C.diff" is a colon affliction that is really, really nasty- suffice it to say that puking and pooping nearly every hour is difficult at best under normal situations, but combined with not quite walking well( and quickly) enough makes for a difficult situation. By the time I was diagnosed, my blood pressure was dangerously low due to de-hydration. 3 and 1/2 bags of saline and an overnight stay in the hospital later, I am back on my feet and on the mend. I will be on a set of antibiotics for a month to kill this infection--but this time( NOTE TO SELF) also am taking a Probiotic to get natural beneficial bacteria into my system.

In the meantime, we had major bleaching of our home to take care of--- Have I said that Koz is a saint? Having to take care of me isn't difficult enough, combine that with a bad Cub season and now this.... suffice it to say that I owe her big time. This bacteria can live on in spore form for a long time -- and re-occurrence is common-so cleaning is key.---Let's just say that we threw a lot of things away!

While this has had no effect on my hip--thankfully--- it has set my rehab back. But, now that I am back on my feel walking can resume. I have graduated to almost no assistance- I really only use a cane because I am weak from the illness. And boy am I weak!! Little by little, I can add solid foods back to my diet and move forward.

A very interesting lesson in body functions learned.

July 7

YIPEE!!

Crutches- gone.....Transition to cane

Driving-OK

Pool Therapy- Good

Cumadin- DONE

Compression socks-"prefer you to wear for 6 weeks--but ok to take off for a day or two-put back on if there is swelling"

All precautions still in place for 3 months( that's not a surprise) total

Saw X-ray of both hips- clearly they are two manufacturers-both were "installed" without cement- the prosthetic is inserted into the femur and the bone is allowed to grow around it. Interesting how 11 years ago, I was not allowed full weight bearing for 6 weeks and this time it was immediate full weight bearing.

I really got everything that I wanted today. Last date with in home physical therapy- will do some measuring in terms of range of motion. No formal therapy for three weeks- then more intensive out patient range of motion and strengthing.

July 4

Happy Independence Day!

Early morning therapy included walk and exercise-Feel like I am gaining more and more Independence- Very anxious for Thursday-Surgeon appt, last therapy and last blood draw.

Feeling great!

July 1

Today I lose my rehab companion. We have been dog-sitting my sister/niece's dog Picabo for the past two weeks. Picabo has been a great little companion for me during my rehab. She seems to have a sense that something isn't quite right(I'm guessing it's the crutches!) with me and wants to take "care" of me. She waits until I climb the stairs before she does, she jumps on my bed and "helps" with exercises(she sleeps, I work) and she has figured out that due to my hip precaution of not bending more that 90 degrees, she has to wait on the stoop while I go down a level to click on her backyard lead.

She hates that I go for walks without her( somehow a leash and crutches don't seem like a good idea!)-But like all dogs, she greets me after 15 minutes away with great enthusiasm.

Nancy and Greg come into town today to take her back and we will miss her bunches.

Thanks Picabo for your companionship- WOOF!

June 30

Small milestones, but progress is progress!

Yesterday was the first day that I didn't feel the need to nap during the day- I was awake and active all day, doing my exercises and reading or watching TV. My little companion(Picabo) makes the days fun even though I can't do much with her. Picabo is my niece's dog who we are babysitting. She seems to understand that I have some kind of difficulty and waits for me to climb the stairs before doing so herself and joins me on my bed while I exercise(she believes that she is helping!)

She gets angry when I go for a walk and don't talk her, but somehow crutches and a leash don't seem like a very good idea!

June 27

The staples came out today!

OK admit it-- this image freaks you out!! But every teacher(and student) out there has the same image in their head of a staple remover--

An actual medical staple remover looks more like a scissors than this and operates in a much more humane way than this one does--Instead of "ripping" the staples out they are lifted up and out. Twelve staples out of my backside-which makes things MUCH more comfortable. Sitting and lying down now are more normal. Bruising is gone and the only evidence of surgery is the scar and the compression socks that I am still wearing.

Progress every day!

June 23 & 24

REALLY like my physical therapist- She is very good at adjusting and tweeking my exercises. I am fully aware that my "job" right now is to allow my body to heal. The difficulty in feeling good is the desire to do additional reps or more exercises. The most important caution in these initial weeks is that this is the time for the body to heal-- I have to keep telling myself that. Thursday was a day for healing and new exercises. Blood levels remain constant, so coumadin also stay the same.

Friday was an opportunity to get out. Technically, I am "home bound"--but got the okay to attend Koz's nephew's wedding. Officially I went to the reception- a very nice affair and it was really good to be out and among lots of people. Of course alcohol and dancing were out of the question, but it was good to see the groom and his lovely bride and spend time with Koz's crazy family-- if you can't have fun with those folks - you can't have fun! I even lasted until midnight, which is unheard of for me on a normal night! Congrats Jeff and Lauren!

JUNE 22

I continue to be humbled that people are actually reading and following my progress- Especially two friends who are preparing for the same surgery- so what started as simple amusement for myself is now a little bit of a responsibility. So......

Let's talk medications and side effects. I have figured out over time that one of the big issues following these kinds of surgeries is........ CONSTIPATION(Yuck!)

The combination of pain meds and the need for iron in your blood is a difficult scenario.

Fortunately for me, the pain meds are not necessary, so all that I am balancing is the supplement of iron. And ..... not that I am a medical genius or an expert on any level but I can say : PRUNE JUICE works! That's my medical advice for the day.

Wednesday was a good day-- More exercise, more rest and a nice dinner with my Dad and a surprise visit from Krista.

Better every day!

Two good days- June 20 & 21

New week- new opportuities for progress.

Monday was a day for healing- Mostly spent the day on the coach. Piccabo( Krista's dog) came back to stay with us, and with her came MaryAnn and Sharon. Had an opportunity to take them to lunch- again, nice to go out. Piccabo had an opportunity to enjoy (such as it was) the CrossTown Classic with us- I think she is really a Twins fan though.

Tuesday was a an opportunity for therapy again. We met my permanent therapist, Stephanie--What a great gal-- good discussions, questions, work out and walk. Visit from Sue and Becky-got to share my experience with Becky who is going to go thru this in July. The evening brought storms and they were really close and really bad. Koz convinced me that as I would move slowly, going to the basement would be a good idea. So we spent a half hour waiting for them to pass.

New day-new result-- SOX win.

GOOD DAY

JUNE 19-FATHER'S DAY

Today was mostly a day for relaxation, healing and all about DAD!

Home nurse checked blood levels for the first time- They are right where they should be and there is no need for adjustment in meds.

Koz was kind enough to grocery shop and Krista & Adam arrived about noon. We had almost three hours to catch up with each other. I was able to spend the time "bossing" them around the kitchen and the outdoor grill as we prepared for Dad to arrive.

He arrived about 3:30 and a great grilled chicken dinner was enjoyed by all.

Other than doing my exercises and moving around home-I didn't have a lot of activity.

The day was really about family-Adam and Krista shared some great grandma stories with Leo -We stayed and chatted around the dining room table, watched the end of the SOX victory and the US Open- It was truly all about Dad.

June 18-I need a grabber!

Hip precautions post surgery are threefold:

1. Don't bend the hip more than 90 degrees

2. Don't move the hip across the midline of the body

3. Don't stress the hip in rotation- i.e.- don't turn your toes inward.

All precautions make perfect sense and ensure that the new hip doesn't dislocate from its new "home." The precautions also require a fair amount of equipment which we have accumulated after 3 surgeries- Raised toilet seat, walker, crutches, cane, shower seat, sock assister(the best invention ever!!!) and a "grabber."

Somehow in the course of the years the TWO grabbers that we had are missing, and I mistakenly thought that I could exist without it. Silly me.... The number of things that slip and fall to the floor is sad . It is difficult to not pick them up- just leave them there--- And especially yesterday, my first day at home--was especially telling. Fortunately nothing of real necessity fell--but poor Koz had to go around at all of the places that I had been seated and pick up around my chair.

I'm getting a grabber today!

June 17

GREAT first day.

First and foremost--- it is soooooooo nice to wake up in your own bed! Koz made me breakfast which is such a nice change from hospital food. We went for a walk-beautiful morning! Then, I was able to take a " shower"-- Well actually, it is a seated shower, but it was really, really nice! Dressed and ready for home health care and physical therapy to come. Both were late--but in the end, all I have right now is time.

Nurse was a really nice guy- He will be doing blood draws twice weekly as I am on blood thinner right now to avoid blood clots.

Physical therapist was fairly non descript- I guess when you are a physical educator you have a different perspective on exercises, instructions and the like. Did a series of exercises and talked a little bit-Apparently he will not be my regular therapist, so at this point there is no sense in concern-I will wait for my regular person next week. Exercising is not too difficult or painful.

We even got out a bit- went to a movie-- Decided to go to one that had been out for a while, so that we could have a choice of seats- Saw King Fu Panda 2- very cute---Really it was nice to be in a new place.

Thursday June 16

Dr Lyon was again in early and said that I was going home. YIPEE!! There were three people that need to clear me to go-- The surgeon, PT and the hospital doctor(sort of a GP who didn't know me at all, but would come in daily, asked how I felt, listen to my check and say " Have a nice day."

PT was in quickly-- did more stairs and walked farther than before.

Now- the wait for the hospital doc-- Koz arrived about noon and it was 3 before we saw the doc--You can imagine my attitude as the wait continued-- Again, he came in listened to my chest and sent us on our way!

Happily I was home by 4:30! Koz picked up perscriptions and dinner and we were able to begin to get back to reality.

The home care nurse contacted me about come in to check blood levels as I am on cumidin for a while. Have not heard from the therapist yet.

So happy to be home. Thanks to everyone for the calls and kind words. I am still a work in progress- But everything is looking up.

Wednesday June 15

Dr Lyon was in early this morning, will to let me go home. As much as I wanted to, I felt that since nothing had been done yesterday, that really needed a good day of therapy. But boy, did I hate to say NO!!

Had a great day of eating and therapy. Walking with crutches instead of a walker and made the first foray to stairs- Piece of cake!!

At evening "vitals check", the nurse asked if I had an irregular heartbeat-" I did", I replied-" it was gone". Well she could fell it when checking my pulse-RATS!! So now the portable EKG comes up for a check-- Fortunately everything checked normal, but that was a scare!

Went to sleep prepared to go home tomorrow

Tuesday June 14

As pleased as I was with yesterday's surgery and quick progress, today was a bummer. The "pukes" were back -Evidently all of the anesthesia wasn't out of my body yet! I as unable to keep any food down and try as they might, everything that the kind nursing staff tried until 8pm was unsuccessful. As as result, physical therapy was cut short. I did a small amount of walking and no stairs or any other kind of work. Pretty much spent the day in bed. Had a 3 of the FourFriends visit which as much appreciated and made the time go by, but was discouraged at the lack of progress. But by 8pm, it appeared that the nausea was gone and I was prepared for tomorrow to be a better day

Monday June 13

Since I didn't have a laptop at the hospital, I will begin my journey from memory....

Monday dawned, a bright beautiful day. We were at the hospital by 7:30 and checked in. We were in a "holding/prep area for about an hour. Dad and Koz sat with me while they put a compression sock on my right leg and had an IV put in. Spoke to Surgeon and Anesteoligist and by 9:30 was wheeled into the operating room. First-- I LOVE the heated blankets!! I recall moving on to the operating table, the prick on my spine of the spinal block and then NOTHING......

Woke up at about noon in recovery. Dr. Lyon came in the said that everything had gone well. It took about an hour before I could fell my legs after the block was removed, and then I was wheeled to my room.

Lutheran General has been completely redone, and all of the rooms are singles. I think that I drifted in and out of sleep for a couple of hours and at 3:45, a physical therapist showed up and asked if I was ready to get up.

I was on my feel and walking 4 hours after surgery- Amazing!!!

Notoriously I have a hard time getting rid of anesthesia in my body and was reluctant to eat, but did and was thrilled that everything stayed down.

Fell asleep early looking forward to new challenges!

Surgeon appointment

Final consultation with surgeron-- What a great guy! Of course we had to go through the usual possibile complications/problems-- I'm sure a legal matter-but still a little scarey to hear all that could go wrong. Have to put that out of my head and think positive. He thought that the surgery would be in the morning- Call from the hospital tomorrow to confirm.

You can actually perform my surgery(isn't that scary!!!):


http://www.healthline.com/hlvideo-5min/hip-replacement-61312368

Toughing it out

Surgical protocol is that for the two weeks prior to surgery, all pain medication is ceased-OUCH.

Generally pain medications also thin blood, so for obvious reasons, no pain meds are used in the lead up to surgery. If nothing else, this reminds the surgical candidate(me), just how much they actually need the surgery.

So-- I am crabby this week.

Medical professional always asked you to "rate your pain" on a scale from one to ten, in efforts for management. I wish I knew what a 6 was compared to an 8 -- All I know is, it hurts more than yesterday and likely less than tomorrow.

Is it June 13 yet?

The Last Hurdles

Cardiologist appointment this morning-

I really like this specialist that I have been seeing-- Mostly because she likes my jokes!!
I have had more tests, more electrodes in more places that I care to think about over the past 6 months. Every test has come back PERFECT. No disease, excellent pressures, no leakage, yada, yada, yada. The only unknown at this point is the sleep study results, which somehow have yet to make their way to her. Wouldn't it be interesting if this were all a result of sleep apnea??!!

At any rate, I have cleared the last hurdle and can OFFICIALLY have the hip replaced- YIPEE!!

It has been a difficult 6 months -- on lots of levels -- Now, it's on to the next chapter
STAY TUNED!

Now what?!?

Got home last night to a message from my GP to please call.......... Of course it is already after hours, so I have the entire evening and overnight to wait, wonder and worry.

I'm pretty sure that I was their first phone call this morning and was delighted to hear...
"we wanted you to know that all of your tests were acceptable for surgery.... we will fax everything to your surgeon."

WHEW.....!

Choosing the Therapy Provider

Time to choose a therapy provider. My surgeon provided me with information on two that they recommend as well as a listof other providers. While I'm sure that they are all good, I was VERY happy when the organization that I chose answers the phone with..."It's a great day @____"
Gotta be a good place!!!

Pre-Op Physical

It was eerie walking into the Doc's office last night, remembering exactly what happened 6 months ago in this same pre-surgery check-up. Lots has changed since then, paramount among the changes is the list of meds that have served a great purpose in correcting heart failure.

As I lay on the table for the EKG test-I remembered how blase' I had been, not knowing the issues that I faced.
AND, can I tell you how thrilled I was to hear "PERFECT" when it was over this time!

The countdown begins in earnest now...finishing school and getting a new hip--What a way to start retirement!

May 23, 2011

Pre-op exam today! This was as far as I got last time before my world fell apart. Here's hoping that all is well..... More to follow

May 19, 2011

Heart Cath was a piece of cake! 30 minutes in and out. Went in through the carotid, checked pressures - AOK, then took a biopsy. Results to this point are all good. Waiting for biopsy results.

Still saying that hip replacment is a go!

May 13, 2011

After 5 months of waiting and worrying, it is down to one more test/ procedue.
It is called heart catherization - the insertion of a catheter into a chamber or vessel of the heart. This is done for both investigational and interventional purposes. As I understand it, it is to measure intracardiac and intravascular blood pressuresand to take tissue samples for biopsy of the heart muscle.

An easy procedure I am told--- in by 8 am, out by noon on an out patient status.

Then the FINAL decision on the hip replacement!