Post Op Report, Week 4

My surgery was 4 weeks ago today. I've been thinking a lot about the first week post op, and after reading what I wrote, I have to say that I didn't do a good job describing the pain in those early days. It really was hell, an all-consuming pain that left no energy for anything else. I wasn't able to cope with normal daily things and was forced to rely on my family and caregivers for even basic support. Bone pain has got to be the worst of it.

Still, following those 6-7 days of hell, I woke up about a week later feeling hugely better. My body was able to rebound quite well. So, for anyone contemplating this surgery, even doing one joint at a time, let me say that the week in hell will be well worth it. Take the drugs and just do it.

I continue to be better every day. My flexion gets about 5 degrees better every 3-4 days. I have not used a walker or cane for 2 weeks now. I can walk 4-5 blocks without pain or tiredness. On Monday, following a dental appointment, I stopped in at work for 3 hours. By the time I went home I was absolutely demolished, but I'm going to start going in to work next week, for a few hours at a time.

I can't drive yet, and probably won't be driving for another 2 weeks or so. That sucks.

I am down to about 1/3 of the medication I was taking in rehab, and I am actively weaning myself off the Oxycontin. I will continue to use Percosets to get through physical therapy. PT has become a routine. I arrive around 2:30 for my 3:00 appointment (Jess drops me off on her way to work), and get onto the NuStep machine for 30 minutes, to warm up. I then suffer through 30 minutes of Kristin's stretching, prodding, and bending, followed by 30 minutes of exercises (lunges, squats, leg press, balance ball, weights, calf raises). The last 1/2 hour is devoted to electrostimulation and icing. I get picked up around 4:30, go home and hit the recliner for a much-deserved nap.

I seem to be losing weight, about a pound a week. I'm not restricting calories, but I am eating well and don't seem to need to overeat. The chronic pain is no longer here, just some acute episodes that are easily handled by rest, ice, or drugs.

My goals for the next month include a gradual return to full time employment and being able to ride my bike. It's all good.