For those of you who know us, you'll remember that DH is around eight years older than I am. One day he said to me, "You know, when I married a younger woman, I figured you would be in much better health at this age!"
Well, we all do what we can with what we have, right? There have been a few health issues in the last couple of years - the latest being the hip. I never knew what a friend I had in Celebrex until I couldn't take any the week before surgery. Now that the new hip is in place, yes, I still have to take the Celebrex (which helps all those other arthritic areas, too!), but the leg and back pain are gone. Yippee!
But, just so you all don't think that this has been a walk in the park, let me catch you up to speed.
There are morning exercises. There is getting washed. There is icing the hip after exercises and a few other times during the day. There is a repeat of the exercises sometime in the late afternoon/early evening. There is walking laps around the first floor every hour or so. There is taking the steps once, but not more than twice a day (we just added that!) There is sleeping - or trying to, anyway. I'm not a back sleeper, so this has been the biggest challenge. I've gone from recliner to love seat to the bed, sometimes all in the course of one night. I've eliminated the love seat, but usually end up in the recliner by morning. DH joked with Ms. Business and Moink the other night, and asked if they wanted to put bets on "Where will mom wake up in the morning?"
There is the putting on of the 'special stockings' that are supposed to keep me from getting blood clots. DH has to help me put them on because I can't bend that way yet- it's like trying to put a sock on a tree stump. One day I said, "Why don't you put them on the way you did yesterday? That worked out great."
He stood back and scowled. "I'm seventy-two years old. I don't remember how I did it yesterday!" Between you and me, he doesn't always put them on the same way from one leg to the other!
He is precious to me, you know. And, what a trooper he's been! The first few days he was so attentive, just waiting for me to show the first sign of independence. Then, with relief, he was able to back off. He's still attentive and caring - but glad not to have to be at my side every moment of the day! I asked for scrambled eggs the first morning - you would have thought I'd asked for eggs benedict! (he made them perfectly, by the way, but he was not overly confident in cooking them!)
This entire experience has been difficult for Simon, the cat who, when I came home from surgery, avoided me like the plague! It was almost like he could tell something wasn't quite right, and he wanted no part of it. Several days passed before he finally crawled up into my lap, careful to avoid stepping on the wound, but laid down on top of it and just purred and purred. I think he was trying to heal me! While Simon wouldn't let me touch him, he followed me around those first few days and nights, like my little sentinel - I just don't know what he would have done if something had happened! Sat in the hallway and sing the song of his people, more than likely!
Now, I'm just chopped liver. Sometimes he wants me, but mostly he wants Ms. Business (the favored human). Par for the course, I think.
With each day comes more healing, feeling better. A friend asked if I had walked down the street yet. Laughingly I said no, because I would have to cross the street first to get to the sidewalk, and I'm not fast enough - it would be like playing real live Frogger! (I don't want to be the crushed frog in the road.) I have, however, enjoyed watching Spring slowly make her way in. The forsythia and the daffodils are blooming, and the lawns are getting greener. The mourning doves are back, as are the crows. Getting fresh air whenever I want - and using the bathroom whenever I need to - now, that has been heavenly!
Hopefully I've given you a slightly humorous glance into the early days of healing from a hip replacement. After all, humor is the best medicine! Have you ever heard of or watched Gabriel Iglesias (a.k.a. Fluffy)? He's one funny dude, and great for a laugh!
On behalf of the crew here at the Stress Pool, I would also like to take a moment to thank everyone who has sent well-wishes - you've truly made this easier on all of us!
Get ready for summer in the Stress Pool - and the real pool - water aerobics for all! We'll talk about what ails us, and what doesn't ail us, and what we'd like to do with our time. Can't wait to see you!