Hub :-)Hub had his knee surgery on Tuesday at 11 a.m. and got to go home on Wednesday around noon, which I think was some kind of record for knee replacement! He had to prove to the physical therapist that he could walk 150 feet (with a walker, of course) and go up and down some stairs (with a crutch). He was very motivated to go home, and all the nurses and other staff were amazed at how well he did. He really wasn't feeling much pain yet because I think the local anesthetic they injected in his knee prior to the surgery (in addition to the general anesthesia) was still keeping the pain away. We left the hospital with prescriptions for hydrocodone and oxycodone. Both are strong narcotics, especially the oxycodone which is described as being "for severe pain such as surgical or cancer pain."
But instead of taking the medicine when we got home, Hub apparently thought... "I'm going to be strong and won't take much pain medication." Like he thinks he's Mr. Spock, who could control his pain with his Vulcan mind. Believe me, I've watched enough Star Trek to know this..my Hub is no Mr. Spock. And for some unfathomable reason, it is also apparently acceptable to act like a major jerk as long as you are in major pain. The bottom line is there is no reason to be in pain, especially when they have sent you home with SUPER DUPER PAIN MEDS. Uh, Helloooo! It is EXPECTED after knee replacement that you will need MAJOR PAIN MEDS! I finally had to tell him…"Either you take enough medication to enable you to act human, or I will leave and you can take care of yourself." He finally realized the wisdom in what I said, and ever since things have gone much better in the "communications" department. We are now on a regular medicine "schedule."
He did have a 102.5 fever on Thursday, but his wound looks good, so the doctor said it could have been a reaction to a foreign body (the new knee) or the anesthetic. Whatever...It didn't last long.
Slowly but surely every day, he's getting better and stronger. He's already buzzing around with his walker, and doing a lot of stuff on his own. The first 2 days were rough, but now we've developed a routine to get all the therapeutic things done that need to get done everyday and we've hardly argued at all!
Me :-(
I wish I could say that I'm doing as well as Hub.
The sad thing is, on the morning we were leaving for the hospital, we were both getting ready in the bathroom. I was stepping out of the shower, and Hub said…"Wow, you are getting skinny! I can really see the difference since we've been on 4HB." I had noticed my jeans were getting loose, and so I felt great...
I had every intention to stay low carb, but to be honest the stress has caused me to eat crap for the past 4 days. Stuff I would never normally even look at twice. But today, I finally worked out on the treadmill for an hour and was eating right most of the day. Then some friends brought us Chinese food for dinner. Hub's not interested, but I just had a big bowl of chicken chow mein, as well as some sesame balls and custard tarts. Not exactly good on a low-carb program.
And remember those drawers I was going to clean out?…Fuggedaboutit! I've been too tired (or maybe just lazy) with all the other stuff going on. Taking care of sick people is hard! I have always had a lot of respect for people who take care of others in whatever capacity. But these last few days have really reinforced that respect. Seriously, you have to be a saint to do this, day in and day out. I could never do it, I don't have the patience.
Anyway, everything is going well now (except for my diet), and we are getting along great (uh, well... good).
But instead of taking the medicine when we got home, Hub apparently thought... "I'm going to be strong and won't take much pain medication." Like he thinks he's Mr. Spock, who could control his pain with his Vulcan mind. Believe me, I've watched enough Star Trek to know this..my Hub is no Mr. Spock. And for some unfathomable reason, it is also apparently acceptable to act like a major jerk as long as you are in major pain. The bottom line is there is no reason to be in pain, especially when they have sent you home with SUPER DUPER PAIN MEDS. Uh, Helloooo! It is EXPECTED after knee replacement that you will need MAJOR PAIN MEDS! I finally had to tell him…"Either you take enough medication to enable you to act human, or I will leave and you can take care of yourself." He finally realized the wisdom in what I said, and ever since things have gone much better in the "communications" department. We are now on a regular medicine "schedule."
He did have a 102.5 fever on Thursday, but his wound looks good, so the doctor said it could have been a reaction to a foreign body (the new knee) or the anesthetic. Whatever...It didn't last long.
Slowly but surely every day, he's getting better and stronger. He's already buzzing around with his walker, and doing a lot of stuff on his own. The first 2 days were rough, but now we've developed a routine to get all the therapeutic things done that need to get done everyday and we've hardly argued at all!
Me :-(
I wish I could say that I'm doing as well as Hub.
The sad thing is, on the morning we were leaving for the hospital, we were both getting ready in the bathroom. I was stepping out of the shower, and Hub said…"Wow, you are getting skinny! I can really see the difference since we've been on 4HB." I had noticed my jeans were getting loose, and so I felt great...
I had every intention to stay low carb, but to be honest the stress has caused me to eat crap for the past 4 days. Stuff I would never normally even look at twice. But today, I finally worked out on the treadmill for an hour and was eating right most of the day. Then some friends brought us Chinese food for dinner. Hub's not interested, but I just had a big bowl of chicken chow mein, as well as some sesame balls and custard tarts. Not exactly good on a low-carb program.
And remember those drawers I was going to clean out?…Fuggedaboutit! I've been too tired (or maybe just lazy) with all the other stuff going on. Taking care of sick people is hard! I have always had a lot of respect for people who take care of others in whatever capacity. But these last few days have really reinforced that respect. Seriously, you have to be a saint to do this, day in and day out. I could never do it, I don't have the patience.
Anyway, everything is going well now (except for my diet), and we are getting along great (uh, well... good).
I'm glad the worst is over. Maybe now I'll stop eating out of stress.
I happy that your husband's surgery went well and that he was able to get out of the hospital so soon (I know hospitals are necessary but I also know how dangerous staying in them for long periods of time can be).
ReplyDeleteHere's to hoping life returns to normal and less stress soon!
Sounds like he is doing very, very well! What a trooper you are for not going too crazy. Thanks for the kind words about caregivers. I am one, and just grateful that my 92 yo mom is doing well these days. It has not always been so. Wonderful that friends came over. That really helps. And take care of yourself. That's the hardest part.
ReplyDeleteYay - I'm so glad your husband's surgery went so well! I'm totally like him with the pain meds too. My husband has to force me to take them but then I'm always glad when the pain goes away like magic! And don't beat yourself up about the eating lapse - it's totally reasonable for what you've been through and making yourself "pay" for it only backfires anyhow. You'll get back on track and 4 days is just a blip. Glad you guys are doing so well on 4HB!
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