Recovery Continues

Day 237 of Retirement, 95 days with the new hips

I have been very amiss in not writing since my surgery. Only one post since the surgery and that talked about the day of the surgery. Some have asked me why I was not writing, for that I must apologize. I found that I did not have a great interest to write while in the early stages of recovery. Now that I am feeling so much better I want to start writing again.

Thinking back to the surgery and my time in the hospital, I can confidently say that I was very blessed. The care I received in the hospital was AMAZING. My surgeon does not do the “anterior” approach so it was the standard hip replacement surgery. I also became aware while in the hospital that they would not have done the “2 for 1 Special” if the “anterior” approach was the surgery of choice.

I remember very well taking my first few steps the day after the surgery and how humbling the experience was. Very little energy and I did not go very far the first day. By the time I went home from the hospital I was doing about 100 steps. Of course using a walker the entire time.

Thankfully the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament started the day of my surgery so I was able to watch the 1st and 2nd rounds in the hospital. It was great, private room, big screen TV and food that was pretty good. (Although I did not want to eat very much). One of my friends brought me a bottle of Coke and it took me 3 days to drink the bottle. Those who know me well know that Coke is my beverage of choice.

A number of my former staff came to visit me in the hospital and we all realized that I did the right thing by retiring first and then doing the surgery. It was discussed that I would have been in the hospital and then at home working away on my “Blackberry”. I would not have slowed down at work and would not have taken the time to recover. With all those thoughts in mind I felt comfortable with the fact that I retired before surgery.

In the hospital they showed me exercises that I needed to do at home until the surgeon gave the OK to start Physio. Thinking back on it now, it was so hard to do some of those exercises in a minimal number, now they are easy and I can do them in great numbers.

A doctor doing rounds came in on Sunday morning, and told me how “brave” I was. She stated that she would never do 2 hips at the same time as she was afraid that she would fall down and that no one would be there to help her up. The Occupational Therapist and I were talking about her comments and he said “Gord if you fall down at home when you are alone phone the ambulance and they will come and help you up”. Thankfully I have not had to do that and if I did fall now I am pretty confident that I could get up on my own.

When I came home I ended up sleeping in the bonus room on the main floor for a few weeks as I was not yet ready to tackle the stairs using crutches to go to the bed room. I think it was more of an unwarranted fear, as when I started doing the stairs it was slow but easier than I expected.

Roxanne has been so amazing these past 3 months. I don’t know what I would have done with out her. She is PERFECT. The greatest care giver that anyone could ever ask for. She works all day and then is still eager to help me out when she gets home. She is an absolute blessing from the Lord

I got the OK to drive at week 7 from the surgeon. Roxanne went with me the first few times just to make sure. I did great and she was comfortable with me driving on my own. It has given me lots of independence and allows me the chance to get out of the house on a regular basis.

When we saw the surgeon at week 7 he said I was making great progress, especially for having 2 hips replaced. I started Physio at that time and they also say I am making great progress. However I have to continually remind myself that having two hips done is not the same as one and it will take longer to recover. The blessing is that I will not have to go back in for another surgery.

The picture at the beginning of today’s entry was taken on May 26th at the first Edmonton Eskimo game of the year. We were able to get tickets in the accessible section that day. I stood the entire game which was great. Since then we have sat in our regular seats for 2 games and everything has been great.

I think I will end for today, but for anyone reading this blog that is needing or contemplating hip replacement and you have the option to go for 2 at the same time that is what I would recommend. If you have any questions please let me know I would be pleased to answer them

Have a wonderful day everyone.