Intial Recovery - The First 14 Days

Day 1 - Surgery Day
Thursday - I am not going to lie.  I did everything I could to keep cool prior to.  I got a massage, I got a mani-pedi, I worked out.  But the morning I walked in, keeping my cool was all I could do.  The young, beautifiul anesthesiologist gave me anti-nausea drugs, but made two attempts at the veins in my hand - not exactly confidence building.   They marked my hips and on schedule, at 7am, they rolled me into surgery. 

I woke up and was a little bleary eyed.  I spent most of the time trying to focus and then came another 2 percocet.  So much for focus.  I felt really good considering, but what did I know, I was drugged up.  My husband managed to help me get my clothes on, down to the car, and up the stairs of death (no railings on the outdoor stairs).  I collapsed on the pre-arranged chaise and commenced to pretend that I was altert and capable of carrying on a conversation.  I nodded in and out throughout the day and night.  Went into the office, where we had the CPM setup, did two hours as I fell asleep.  That was day 1.  A blur.

I do remember the doctor calling to check on me and my being elated at the pain being gone.  Not sure if it was the results of the surgery or the powerful good drugs, but either way, I was grateful!

Day 2
Friday - Still a little opaque.  Took Vicodin, antibiotics and anti-inflammatories.  Feeling good.  Groin pain gone.  Now doing CPM 4 hours per day (2 in the morning and 2 at night).  Nothing extraordinary to report here. 

Went in for intial post-op with doctor's assistant to change bandage and get further instructions.  20% weight applied to surgical leg (toe tap) and continue with drugs, CPM and Game Ready icing (30 on/30 off).  A bit of numbness in the leg, but as to be expected.

Day 3
Saturday - More of the same routine.  Plus the endearing notes, emails and food deliveries from friends.  A party we had been on planning attending for a while has now arrived - Top Chef.  My husband concocts a delicious halibut with mango sauce for the party, but prepares a pre-dinner for me.  It's a winner!!!! 

Some good friends come over in his absence to sit with me and bring me a wonderful Thai dinner.  It's pretty much a haze, but very memorable.

Day 4
Sunday - Still.on antibiotics and anti-inflammatories, but the Vicodin needs have subsided.  Moving about pretty well, albeit on crutches.  Some good friends visit while hubby takes a well-deserved break.   They bring me Thai food and wine.  What more could you ask for?

Day 5
Monday - Don goes back to work today and I'm on my own.  What to do. 

Just a note:  One of our cats has been sleeping on my legs almost everynight, almost as a way of saying, don't you dare turn over.  How does she know?

Day 6
Tuesday - .Home alone again!!!!  Aaaaahhhhh!!! Luckily it's the maid's day, so they showed up to do the cleaning while I sit inside the office and do my CPM machine, work, watch TV, etc.  Really non-eventful today.  Pain lessens and mobility increases a bit daily.

Day 7
Wednesday - Don is really got the cold bad, so he has stayed home.  I've lured him back into the web.  But now, who's taking care of who.  Luckily, my friend came by with lunch and stayed to watch a movie with me while hubby slept.

Day 8
Thursday - Got stitches out!!!!  And, my first day back out into the new world.  It's pretty out there.  Don needed to get back to work, so I suggested he drop me off at a local restaurant nearby his office so my friend could meet me for lunch and then drop me off at home.  Problem with being a shut-in for a week, you forget essentials like rings, watches . . . housekeys.  So, my friend drops me off at home and I go to look for the hide-a-key.  Yeah, the maids who had been there two days ago left it on the bar upstairs.  Luckily, I did have my cell phone and a neighbor who worked nearby with a key to the house.  The irony.  The shut-in got shut-out.

I am now convinced the surgery was the right thing to do, but now my right leg/hip is now killling me because of all the pressure and compensation now impacting my right leg.  My left knee is aching.  New plan.  Left knee, 3 months from now; right hip, 3 months from left knee.

Day 9
Friday - IT band is really sore near the knee.  Don took me to the Farmer's Market and I think I overdid it.  It was nice though.  Got to go out and actually enjoy the neighborhood, if only for a little while. 

Day 10
Saturday.  The guys are here to put the railings on to our Stairs of Death.  It's like a dream come true.   I'm closing my eyes today until it's all over.

The cat is still sleeping on my legs at night.
Day 11
Sunday - The guys thought they would rap it up yesterday, but there's a bit more work to be done.  My friend came over to visit.  We drank wine and then she walked with me to a couple of Open Houses on our street to pass the time.  I like when people visit.

The railing is done and it is spectacular.  I can now make it safely up and down the stairs with no fear of falling.

Day 12
Monday - Worked more than expected and just hung out and watched movies.  I did, however, manage to clean up and bit and fix the man a nice pasta dinner with a bruschetta appetizer. 

Day 13
Tuesday - Woke up with the cat on my legs.

My first day driving.  Getting into and out of the car, I discovered was going to be the most challenging part.  I have also discovered that if you go to stores, buying things can be really challenging while you're using crutches.  However, you will be amazed at the kindness of strangers who are willing to help you out: open doors, carry items to your car, etc.  Then you notice those who won't even cast a glance in your direction.

Picked up some herb plantings (basil, oregano, rosemary, etc).  I was going to call it my Simon & Garfunkle herb garden (just parsley, sage, rosemary & thyme) but I got carried away.  I was surprised that I was able to bend as well as I did.  I did ice afterwards, just as a precaution.

Day 14
Wednesday - I rode a stationary bike today for 30 minutes at a slow pace.  So slow, the machine kept thinking I was pausing.  Burned all of 70 calories - but hey, movement is movement.  No real pain.  A little discomfort but very minimal.

Laying here watching 'I Shouldn't Be Alive'.  Truly, puts things in prespective.  I wrote thank you cards to all of those who had visited me or extended themselves in some way.  Appreciate it while you have it.  Tomorrow, I will bake cookies.