Larry: Things are looking up

Discussion

October 7, 2009

Anonymous The Randolph Guide Wed Oct 07, 2009, 12:29 PM EDT

It’s been one week since my hip surgery and things are starting to look up.

Last Tuesday, (Sept. 29) I had the Birmingham hip resurfacing surgery to my right hip, done by Dr. Riyaz Jinnah at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. It’s a major procedure and requires plenty of time for recovery.

This morning my cousin Tom Allen, who is assisting me at home during the long weekdays, changed my dressing and observed that there was no apparent seepage and the colors surrounding the wound are improving. For the first few days, drainage required changing the bandages three or four times a day. Now we’re down to once daily.

Another improvement I’ve noticed is that I can move short distances without the use of my walker. Although I don’t intend to toss it aside, the fact that I don’t necessarily have to have support is proof to me that the healing process is going well.

Yet another indication that my body is resuming normal function became obvious in mid-morning when I had a sudden urge to use the bathroom. And to think, I haven’t had a laxative since 12:10 p.m. yesterday.

Despite the positive signs, I know I have a long way to go until complete recovery. But it’s nice to see the road markers along the way.

Wednesday of next week is my next scheduled medical visit. I’ll see a nurse on the surgical team for removal of my 30 staples. I’m sure she’ll be giving me more information about what I can and cannot do.

At the same time, I’ll shift from injections for blood thinner to taking aspirin tablets. My pain pills will also be running out and I’ll seek advice as to how much longer they’ll be necessary. And I’m hoping to get rid of these dadgum surgical hose, used to reduce the chance of blood clots, for once and for all. They can be painful as well.

Speaking of which, the pain in my hip continues to be a constant companion. This particular surgery requires cutting deep into muscle, thus more fiber to heal. I’m hoping the process will be speeding up during the next week or so.

Don’t think that with the improvements I’ve noted I’m ready to go back out into everyday life. I still hurt, sometimes a great deal. Sleeping at night is still a big problem and sitting up can be an exercise in shifting weight to my left hip. So I’m still looking for improvements there.

After six weeks, I’ll meet with Dr.Jinnah, receive X-rays and further evaluation. At that time I’m supposed to be able to resume driving.

As to when I’ll return back to work, maybe I’ll have a better idea next week when I see the nurse. Once back, I’ve been assured a driver to take me places on the job.

In the meantime, perhaps I’ll be able to get out of my cocoon for short periods.

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Blogging with Larry

Speaking of running...
It's been a while since Larry Penkava could job. But last Saturday, during the human race, he rejoined the world of the running, completing one mile during The Human Race.

April 2, 2010
I can see the light! It’s been 16 weeks and three days since my hip surgery and I’m beginning to feel almost normal. I'm counting down to the end of March when I will (hopefully) go on The Run.
January 23, 2010
Larry: Brothers joined at the hip The Asheboro attorney and now city councilman-to-be had hip surgery just 10 days after I did. He had total hip replacement while I had hip resurfacing.
November 5, 2009
Larry Penkava - Not so bad being a shut in Since undergoing hip surgery on Sept. 29, I’ve found myself sitting at home at the mercy of others. Being waited on hand and foot isn’t all bad, but it goes against my proclivity to do things for myself.
October 28, 2009
Larry: Three weeks after surgery My recovery has entered the "doldrums" period. For the first couple of weeks after hip resurfacing surgery, I was pretty upbeat while becoming acclimated to life as a semi-invalid.
October 28, 2009
Larry: Whew. It's done. My surgery went really well. At least that’s what one of the team of doctors told me the day after I had hip resurfacing. He also said my arthritis had been pretty bad. No wonder I had hurt so much in my right hip.
October 28, 2009
Larry: On the mend I received good news today (Oct. 14) during a scheduled visit to the hospital – I can go back to work.
October 15, 2009
Larry: Free, if only for a while
October 9, 2009
Larry: Things are looking up
October 7, 2009
Larry: Schedule, Schmedule… Major surgery means a major shift in your everyday schedule of events. Forget setting the clock to get up for work. Now it’s set to correspond with taking medicines, checking wound dressings, having injections and removing or putting on surgical hose.
October 6, 2009
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