HOME HEALTH PT COMES TO AN END :(

Today was my last day of home health Physical Therapy. I like to think of it as my graduation day. Rasha, my PT arrived promptly at 2pm for our last session together. She and I have become very close. It's hard not to become close with a person like her. Rasha brings sunshine to an otherwise dark and gloomy day. It's really a trait that I believe few people have.

I had been feeling pretty weak and down for the last day and a half. After doing my therapy and chatting away (you know I'm typically kind of a shy person) (now I'll know who is paying attention), I felt great. The grand finale of my therapy was when Rasha took my cane away and told me to walk. I was amazed. I could walk about 6 feet without the cane. It was not easy, but I did it. Reminded me of the time I was learning to ski. Chuck was my instructor. He and I were both getting pretty discouraged with my progress. Until, he came up with the bright idea of taking my ski poles away. Once he did that, I went right on down the mountain. :)

Although is was sad when the session came to an end, I knew that Rasha and I would continue to stay in touch. We So exchanged contact information. Upon leaving, she said to me, "you're a keeper". I look forward to our new on-going friendship with my new friend.

I will begin outpatient Physical Therapy next week.

MY NEW BEST FRIENDS -- DEVICES

In the world of Rehab for Hip Replacements I have quickly learned to appreciate the devices one uses to assist with the activities of daily living (e.g. getting dressed) I had an excellent OT friend (Miss Wendy) provide me with an in-service prior to surgery. Thank goodness, because if I had to learn this post-op, I could never had done it being on the pain meds and feeling the way I did.

Being limited in what I can and can not do, has really heightened my appreciation further of what people with disabilities go through every day of their life. The simple activities of daily living are exhausting. Many of us think we understand what the a person with a disability goes through. But I would challenge each of you if the opportunity ever presents itself, to try doing things without the use of say your leg(s), or arm(s), etc. I promise you the experience is like no other experience you've had. People with disabilities are just like you and me, with some limitations. As a favor to me, please remember this always throughout your daily routine in life. I believe the more we understand each other, the better we as individuals will be and the better our world will be.

THE TOYS
Whoops, I mean Devices, I use on a daily basis are: A walker, cane, dressing stick (to be discussed later), grabber (like you see on the infomercial ads when you can't sleep at 2 in the morning), a sock device (the official name has slipped my mind), velcro, a water container with a lid and a sippy straw, raised toilet seat (this could be an entire chapter, but I'll save those details) :) Each and every device has allowed me to be relatively independent when it comes to dressing, moving around, etc.

If I was told for some reason that I could only have two devices to utilize, it would be a very tough decision to make. However, I believe the grabber, and walker/cane (ok maybe that makes it three) would win. Following close behind would be the sock device and the dressing stick.

LET THE DEMO BEGIN
Explaining how I use each would be very time consuming and oh so boring for those of you readers who have even lasted this long through the post. Admit it, it's boring.
However, I'll share one story with you. I was fortunate to receive lunch last Monday from our friend John and his daughter Zoey. Both were off for the MLK holiday. Zoey who is 3rd grade going on 8th grade, is very inquisitive about life in general and especially inquisitive this day about all my devices. So I gave her my own inservice on using the sock device. To set this scene up, the sock device looks something like a large plastic tube -- split down the middle, so that you now have a half circle of flexible plastic. (note: I will attempt to attach a pic or two if it works) Attached to one end are two ropes, one on each side of the tube. I learn best by doing versus watching, so I thought Zoey might benefit from the same process. I got her a sock, demonstrated the device, and turned it over to her to put her own sock on. The first few tries were fun, as she kept forgetting she couldn't bend down to straighten the device out. Her instructor would merely clear his throat and she got the message. Giving me a somewhat perplexed look each time that throat cleared. After about three throat clearings, WALA----Zoey succeeded!!. She was then taught to take the sock off with the dressing stick. So who knows, maybe Zoey will be demonstrating this device at her next Show and Tell. Do they even have Show and Tell anymore? If not then, she can teach John and Maggie how to put on their socks when they are old and in a nursing home.

PROGRESS UPDATE

The healing is progressing and I continue to improve in therapy. My biggest obstacle now is dealing with the significant pain in my operated leg. Visited the surgeon last Friday. He said about 20% of his patients have similar deferred pain. It is also believed the pain is coming from compression on my sciatic nerve and issues with my SI joint. Below is a more highlighted list of my progress:

HIGHLIGHTS
~ Now using a cane about 75% of the day and a walker the rest of the time.
Side Note: Never let your cane off your wrist. If you do, ALWAYS make sure it's
hooked on something or on a counter. This I learned earlier this week while in the
kitchen. Oh what words were said when the cane slipped from leaning on my leg
and jumped down on the floor. All I could think of is I'M SCREWED! But alas, I put
everything I learned in scouts to use. I was able to lift the cane up about 12" with
my non operated leg. Then I took the kitchen tongs as an extension of my arm.
What do you know---IT WORKED!!! I was out of high stress mode at last.

~ Staples have been removed. Incision healing well.

~ Accomplished going up and down stairs. Thank God, I can finally take a shower
upstairs. Sponge baths are just not my cup of tea!!!

~ Leg pain is getting better. Slow, but better.

~ Lastly, I'm getting stubborn and crabby. This is a true sign of my healing. Getting
back to normal! LOL

PRECAUTION THIS...

I can't tell you the number of people who have said "...oh hip surgery. You will be up and about walking the first day...". While there is indeed truth to their comments, the reality is not so easy!! You see there are the things you can do and those things which you can't do. It will be easier to explain what I can't do. Also, known as Hip Precautions. Can't bend greater than a 90 degree angle, can't cross your legs, when sleeping you must have a pillow between your legs at all times, you must used a raised toilet seat for a minimum of six weeks, and finally you can not turn your toes inward, So sure after you take all those precautions and a few other small ones, you can move around. Whoopee!!!! Let's just say it isn't a picnic in the park. It would be detrimental to the rehabilitation of the hip, if i did not get up and move around.

So onward and upward, oh mighty friends. This too shall pass. If it doesn't, I may have to be admitted to the Betty Ford Clinic for a little pain pill issue! :)

SEXY HOSE

To avoid blot clots after surgery, hip patients are required to wear "Ted Hose" other wise know to most of us as support hose. I was measured for the hose in my pre-op testing about a week prior to surgery. On one side of me was a bubbly nurse who was taking my blood and vitals. On the other sIde was Nurse Serious who informed me she needed to measure me for my TED Hose. I had only seen patients wearing white Ted Hose since arriving. Black is my preferred color for all seasons. I do career white. Plus my southern heritage roots taught me that no one should not wear white between Labor Day and Memorial day. So, I gently ask Nurse Serious if I could get something in black. I was given a very pitiful "NO, they do not come in black". Meanwhile, the nurse taking my blood was doing all she could to do keep from totally cracking up. So at least she and I appreciated some am humor, unlike her colleague. Who clearly had some interpersonal issues going on. :)

By the way, if you are like me, I wanted to know who this TED character is anyway. Did he perhaps invent hosiery? Well the answer is NO, he did not. It's actually an acronym for Thrombo Embolic Deterrent. They are worn 24x7 daily (both legs ) until your physician says they are no longer needed. ARGHHHHHH. They feel particularly wonderful as the hair on my entire left leg begins to grow in again. OMG. Ladies, i don't know how you do it, but alas I have a greater appreciation for women when they complain about having to wear hose?

PHYSICAL THERAPY ROCKS

I have never witnessed the greatness of Physical Therapy like I have now.  With my previous neck surgeries, PT was not a huge part of my recovery. Well, let me tell you my friends, IT WORKS!!!!

I have been seen by two PT's.  Amy in the hospital, and Rasha at home. 

In the hospital
Amy had me walking with a walker the morning after surgery.  Chuck was present for my first session.  The intiial converstion between Amy and I went something like this:
Gil:  Amy, this is my partner Chuck, who happens to be a PT.  Do NOT let him intimidate your or tell you do to something a different way. Whispering ever so softly to her, as not to let Chuck hear.  I said, don't worry he's not testing you.

Amy:  Very polite.  Introduced herself to Chuck with open arms. 

So we were off to a great start.  Chuck and Amy got a long very well.  He later said to me that he thought amy was a very good therapist.

Amy provided two treaments a day in the hopsital.  Each time, I was able to see a little more progress.  When I say little, I mean little.  But it was the expected goal, so Amy and I were both very happy!!!!!  I was saddened and a little afraid to loose "my" therapist on Friday when I was discharged.  However, she left me in good mental and physical condition to face the challenges of transporting home, getting settled, and continuing therapy.

Side note:  Amy could not believe how many friends I had stop by the hospital, who were therapists.  SHe laguhted and said I knew more therapists than she did. 

At Home
My home health PT came on Saturay the 7th.  Her name is Rasha.  Rasha  is a terrific human being.  She is energetic, warm, caring, and a damn good therapist. She also  passed the Chuck PT test (i.e. she treated with him in the same room).  Two PTs passing in the same week is well how shall I say...WONDERFUL.   I am once again lucky to be able to rehabilitate with such a great individual.  Rasha and I have worked daily on my excercises, and like Amy in the hospital, she is helping me move forward.  As an example, I could not raise my leg when lying fly off the bed without assistance lifting it up.  With the help of PT and my excercises, I can now raise my leg almost two inces.  Doesn't sound like much, but it's an incredible independent feeling to accomplish this task.

So in closing on a rather lengthy blog post, know that Physical Therapy does work!!!  They do wonderful things for people.  This time I am experiencing those "wonderful things" msyelf.  This is a great feeling!!!

ADJUSTING TO IT ALL

On the week after Surgery performed on the 3rd, I am still adjusting. I suspect I will be adjusting to things for a long time.   Being dependent on others and devices for help really opens your eyes.  I quickly realized my usual stubborness, was not going to allow me to do my daily acitivities of life.  So I caved!!!!  I caved and allowed took advantage of the offers from people and devices to help me.  It's great to be surrounded by healthcare workers.  Several close friends have provided me with equipment, training on using certain devices (such as the one to put on your socks -- see picture). 

THE COMMAND CENTER (Revised)

This will now be the third time I've revised one blog.  Maybe it's the meds.  Or as my baby brother so kindly put it in an email "maybe it's the cheap sofwtware you are using"...or something along those lines.  Anyway,....

One of the living rooms on our first floor has been converted to The Command Center (CC).  The reasoning, was that it would be more comfortable to sleep on one floor without doing steps, for the first few weeks.  The CC is where all decisions and actions are completed.  It is well equipped with such things as a hospital bed, TV, straight back chair, pillows, walker, cane, dressing stick, sock device (forgot the name), candy, Ipad, paper, books, ....  Oh and steno pads for recording my many thoughts throughout the day/night, and of course my medicine schedule and temperature readings.  For anyone who knew Mom, this command center will ring somewhat familar to her "CC" on 7th Road South.  Not much different.  LOL!
Must be genetic.

Modifications are being made to the CC to ensure we have accurate and tmiely decisions and solutions.

Saturday Morning!

Thank you all for the messages etc!
We survived the first night. Gil sleeping more than at the hospital. He was up for breakfast and is now napping. He loves his "beauty sleep". Hopefully I can get him to post later today.

Chuck  

"There's no place like home"

CHECK OUT LATER TODAY

To spare all of the many details about my stay at the resort, I am going to be discharged late today after Physical Therapy. Tithe surgeon and therapy staff are ready for me to be dc'd.

One can only watch so many repeat law and order episodes. Even better than the repeats are the INNFOMERCALS. Who knows what I purchased while under the influence pain killers. :)

Surgery a Success-Now The Fun Begins!

Gil's surgery was successful. As expected he is in a lot of pain. He had Physical and Occupational Therapy this am, and will have another PT session this afternoon.

Anticipated discharge is this Friday.

Gil is napping now He wanted to makre sure i told everyone thank you for the well wishes It means a lot to him and I both. He is getting email at his gmail address for those of you who do not have it already, the address is: gilbertmsmith@gmail.com

Hopefully, next update will be from Gil

~Chuck

11.5 Hours and Counting

Feeling like Santa tonight. Crossing off all lists, to make sure everything has been taken care of. Of course, as some one very close to me (who shall remain nameless) said "will the world stop if you don't get it all done?....". I suppose it won't. LOL.

So now I am ready. I mean right now!!!! Am I expected to sleep tonight? I don't think so.

Until then, HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE. I will try to update this blog in the next day or so. Check in at hospital at 7:30, surgery at 9:30.

Hip Surgery Countdown

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! Indeed 2012 has arrived like it or not. I like the phrase "out with the old, in with the new", which is exactly what I will be doing tomorrow morning, Jan 3,2012. I will ditching my "old" hip and getting a "new" one. Whooooo hoooooo!!!

For those of you who are just learning of my surgery, here is the abbreviated scoop. The Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr Bruce Jones, said I have a choice. I can choose to have surgery now, or wait until I can't take the pain any longer. So, being the type "A" person that I am and the fact that the pain is worsening, I choose sooner rather than later. Scheduling it before or during the holidays would have been way to dramatic. So I've decided January is a pretty boring month (at least in the Midwest), so it's a perfect time for Drama! LOL

I'm looking forward to the day I am with little or no pain. As I write this update at 3:30am, I am also looking forward to being able to sleep through the night. My bones may be aging, but I do need my beauty sleep. :)

Stay tuned for a post-op update. I will make every effort to not go on and on and on in my postings. But remember that I will simply tell you later, "it was the pain meds that made me chatty". Because we all know I'm pretty quiet most of the time. Right?

I will have access to my email while in St Luke's, and of course will have it when I return home. So please feel free to write me. Or call or visit. :)

~Gil