at 17 days in. Today, I went outside with a pair of hiking sticks and traversed about 100 feet or so of asphalt. Despite the blistering heat (110+˚F), it felt good and especially good to get outside.
At this stage of the game, it’s starting to feel better to walk than not walk.
I’m getting itchy feet…
Fluid in Right Hip
It’s seems to be building up, again. Turning into a nice bump around the wound.
The PA said to come back and have it aspirated if it returned. Of course, these things always happen on a weekend and the office is closed. I called, was connected to the answering service, related the issue and the relative importance: they said I’d get a callback within 45 minutes.
The surgeon called back. I re-described the situation and he said to basically try to compress it: in his experience, compression was the best and easiest to remediate the fluid. Come back on Monday.
It’s an awkward place to try to wrap. One suggestion was to try a pair of tight biking shorts. Rummaging around, we actually found a pair of unused biking shorts that are quite tight. We applied those and will watch it through the weekend.
The swelling in the right foot seems to have gone down. I’m still feeling some pain as I move it around. The biggest challenge is the mornings: both feet are really tight after sleeping, especially around the achilles tendon.
It is quite painful to flex the foot and walk.
Fortunately, it only takes a few steps and it seems to get much better.
I keep thinking, “Damn!! They sprained my foot!” But, apparently, it’s just par for the course — they really wrench that foot manipulating it. It’s a good thing I was knocked out. If the pain during surgery wouldn’t have been bad enough (well, of course, it would have been), but wrenching that foot would have taken second place.
More entries in this series:
Latest visit with osteo surgeon indicates hips are deteriorating more rapidly. I get steroid injections into the hip joints to alleviate the pain until surgery.
The steroid injections are successful - vast improvement. Diabetes issues with the steroid, though.
After months of waiting, the day finally approaches.
The day is approaching, I'm starting to get things ready for the surgery and the convalescence at home. A hiccup from the hospital.
And, we're here. Today is the day. I perform some required prep, starve for the day, and reflect on the risk of infection.
Surgery done, I've been in the hospital for two days. Some convalescence, but overall not too bad. I have a couple of nice scars on my thighs.
I can't believe it's only been four days. Feels more like a month. Update, medication, exercise, etc.
Five days out and the pain has increased stupendously. Didn't think it would be like this...
Sixth day, trying the Hydrocodone. Lots less pain, but it messes with my digestive tract. Dropping it.
And here we are at 7 days/1 week out. The pain is reducing somewhat, and I'm doing ok on the Tylenol. More 'monkey walks'.
This morning seemed tougher than usual, a sore on my right heel needs attention, PT visit.
Morning stiffness, knee involvement(!), Vrooming about mid-day.
Back to the slog - tough mornings, better mid-days.
Back to the slog - tough mornings, better mid-days.
When I came out of surgery, I had an open sore on the back of my right heel. That and the fact that the foot is slightly swollen and painful is an interesting side note.
Visit with PA, today. Staples out, X-rays of hips and foot. No breaks in the foot or the ankle - we're calling it a sprain. Not untypical, apparently.
Day 17: Walking with Hiking Sticks, Fluid Build-up —> (This entry)
Getting more confident in walks. I went outside today with a pair of hiking sticks and walked about 100 feet or so. Feels better walking than not walking. Fluid build-up in my right hip, again.
Really starting to feel better, walk better. Feet still hurt like hell in the mornings, but quickly subside. More fluid buildup.
Week 3 has come, seems like it should be some sort of landmark. The seroma (fluid under the right incision) is returning. I've scaled back my activities to try to not aggravate it, but that has its own consequences.
Mornings are still a bear, but I'm walking more and better. Reducing the Tylenol a bit - giving my liver a break. The Seroma (fluid buildup under the right incision) is still with me. Best to leave it alone, according to the PA.
Just passed the four week mark, doing reasonably well but still a ways to go.
Just past six weeks and I'm confident enough to ride the scooter. Can mainly dress myself except for socks...
One day shy of seven weeks. Visiting with the surgeon, new X-Rays. Essentially all well, but still recovering.
12 week mark - I'm on the slow part of the healing curve, now. Still issues, especially with my right hip. Left hip is (mostly) great.
After 12 weeks, I feel like I can synopsize the experience
