4 weeks, PT and Cabin Fever!

Over 4 weeks post-op already, those days in the hospital seem like a distant (thank god!) memory.

I have been off all painkillers for about 4 days. I have very little pain at all now, except some slight discomfort when crutching or at night. I still wake several times a night to change positions. My sciatic nerve still feels bruised, and any pressure on the back of my leg can be painful, plus it causes some pain in my foot at night, but nothing that's not manageable. I have cheated slightly and tried a couple of times with one crutch, but when I used the scales to check I am slightly over the 50% WB allowed, so am trying to be good and not push that....unless I really need a spare hand for something. ;)

Had my first Physio session yesterday. She was actually really good, and seemed to know her stuff and wasn't fazed (or seemed not to be) by the PAO. The disappointing part was, being connected with my local surgery, there wasn't any equipment in the room other than a fitness ball. I am used to hospital PT departments, where they have loads of equipment at there fingertips, and really hope my recovery isn't going to be affected by lack of facilities. I do have a health insurance so plan to use the private physio route with that if this one isn't enough.

She wasn't able to do that much with me until I am fully WB and have had my 8 week xrays. I did expect that, but at the same time was disappointed because I am raring to go, and wanted more to do. She corrected my technique on a couple of things, and added a couple more simple exercises, but thats it until I see her again after my follow-up, so have to wait 4 weeks. :(

So, I am all good.......except for a major case of cabin fever!! I am missing work, driving and my Independence. Why is it, when we are in the full swing of busy days, all we want is the chance of some time out, and lazy days in front of the TV-but hate it when we get it!??

However, hubby has next week off. so we are planning to go away for a few days to a pretty little Yorkshire village about an hour or so away. A change of scene will be nice, the weather forecast is pretty good, so hopefully some good meals out in some country pubs will cheer me up. Then it will be just a couple of weeks until my follow-up.

Big improvements :)

I have made a huge leap forward this week.

Pain seemed to start to reduce after hitting the three week mark. I have been able to crutch around a local shopping centre for between 60-90mins, and although I took loads of meds beforehand, wasn't anywhere near as sore as I expected afterwards and the following day. In actual fact, I felt the exercise did it good, so intend to try and walk (well crutch) a little each day

I have my first Physio apponitment on Thursday, which will be just over four weeks post-op. How sad has my life become, that I am ridiculously excited for this! It is in my village, which is great on one hand because it means that I can crutch there easily, and don't need to worry about transport, but not so good in that I won't get hydrotherapy, which is at the local hospital. I am quite looking forward to seeing the physios face when I tell her about the PAO surgery, because last time they were terrified to touch me not having dealt with a PAO before.

My incision is looking really good now the allergic reaction to the glue is clearing up. It is much smaller than before, and a straight line measuring about 8.5cms, which is covered by my underwear. I am amazed that such a huge surgery can be done through such a small cut.

2 weeks

Well its 2 weeks since my second PAO, and the overall experience has been similar to the first time around.

I have experienced more pain and swelling (though much less bruising) than last time. The hip is stiffer and I find it harder to bend etc . I am using my grabber a lot more than previously, this may be due to not using NSAIDS this time due to gastic problems.,or possibly my unscheduled 'walk' without crutches-although I did experience the same before that. Pain is now back to where is was a week ago before I decided to be superwoman, and is about a 2-3 on a scale of 0-5.I am still waiting to hear back from Mr Witt to see if he is concerned about the WB but seing as its now 5 days since I contacted his secretary I presume he isn't!!

I feel better and less tired in myself. Reading my blog at the same time, I am about at the same stage and am able to get myself showered, dressed, and slowly crutch around . I can manage alone in the house making light meals etc and am feeling pretty smug at managing to have hoovered around the downstairs today. This wasn't easy, took a ridiculously long time and was fairly painful but with a very hairy Golden Retriever was necessary so I could then sit and relax without getting wound up by dog hairs. Pain relief at this time consists of Paracetamol, supplemented with Dihydrocodeine as needed, and heat and ice.