Hip-hop anonymous - a PAO journal

Today we packed up the cpm! Tonight I will attempt to sleep with my leg in the bed, not whirring up and down in some silly machine. Lots of pillows under my knee and at my side will be my friend. I'm also off the oxycontin! Just the oxycodone to go. I accidentally forgot to take it last night and woke up with the worst withdrawal symptoms: shakes, sweats, all-around craziness. Popped a pill and felt much better. I can't believe I'm addicted already and will be going off them in a couple of days after I'm used to being off the oxycontin. I also put my own socks on today! And I can reach stuff on the floor both from a sitting position and standing! And I'm overusing the exclamation point! That's what happens when you make so much progress!

Today was the first day I've spent more time in the living room than in my bedroom. After sleeping in late, I hung out on the couch with Mom doing a word puzzle all afternoon and spent only a couple of hours in bed in the cpm in the late afternoon. I even helped in the kitchen a bit preparing and cleaning up after dinner. Other milestones: I've maxed out the cpm, getting my hip to a comfortable 90 degree angle. I'm going to spend the night and a few hours in it tomorrow and then pack it up on Monday. Yay! After painstakingly watching my brother's new puppy from afar the past few days, I finally had enough. I made my way to the floor, using my ever-so-toned triceps and the recliner to ease myself down. The puppy and I were both thrilled to be seeing each other eye-to-eye. And after we were done, I was able to work my way back to the recliner. I'm almost weaned off the pain meds. Tonight (I hope) will be my last oxycontin dose, which is the long-acting drug and the o...

Seven days from my RPAO, I am feeling very good overall. I can already do some things that it took me weeks to be able to do after my LPAO. While I am tired and unmotivated, I can tell that this recovery is on the road to being even faster than my last. Warning: 1-week incision pic follows. At one week I can: Feel pain ranging from a 1-5, depending on the delicate balance of drugs vs. activity. Joint is stiff and painful, especially when moving, and also hurts down my leg and on on the back side. Lie on my stomach for 15 minutes before needing to turn. Mom has to help me into position. Lie on my un-op side for about 15 minutes as well. I can get into position, but not easily. Crutch around the house at a slow and steady pace. Get in and out of bed by myself if needed. Painful and a little risky, so I usually wait for Mom. Stand for about 10 minutes before needing to sit. This allows for a quick teeth brush, face wash, hair brush and deodorant/lotion smear. I am winning no b...

I want to take this moment to promote the infamous continuous passive motion (cmp) machine. For those of you unfamiliar, the machine holds the operated leg and slowly moves it up and down. Each day, the angle of movement -- and therefore, the hip's range of motion -- is increased a little. Most cpms are made for knee patients, but they also work for hips. Because each surgeon is different, not all prescribe the machine for PAO patients, which I think is a shame. Luckily for me, Dr. Mayo strongly believes in them. I was put into a hip-specific machine just hours after I was moved to my hospital room. I was in it 24/7, unless I was up doing PT. It never hurt, though at times my hip felt very tight and pressured. Two days after my surgery, my machine broke in the middle of the night and I didn't get a new one for 12 hours. During that time and for hours afterward, I was completely stiff and uncomfortable. I had gained a new appreciation for the clunky thing. Back at home, I was i...