I Spoke Too soon..............Why You Haven't Heard Much From Me--AND I'M GOING HOME!

[CarlD]

Hi Everyone,
I know I haven't been around much. Ben and my fellow mods are aware of why but I thought I should let all my other friends at Pool Forum know what's up.

I'm a very lucky man: lovely wife, great kids, good friends, financially OK...and a cool pool! But a lot has been going on.

In short, my brothers and I have been coping with our dear mother sinking in the heartbreak of dementia. We've struggled with falls, a broken hip, in-home care and...well, you know. So we've had to seek to place her in a nursing home capable of managing the worst ramifcations, yet allowing her to enjoy her life even as she's disconnected from reality.

In the midst of all this I found that I needed to replace my left hip. I am writing this from the sub-acute facility where I'm laid up trying to recover from the surgery. Nothing went wrong and it all seems to have gone OK, but all the assurances that my pain would be gone and recovery from hip surgery would be easy have been, well, not EXACTLY my experience. It's been a week since surgery and while I can get up and walk and stand on it (with a walker), I'm not seeing the kind of recovery I had hoped for. Ironically, the sub-acute facility where I am is one of the ones we looked at for Mom (their secure unit in the long-term facility--I am in the short-term side)!

In advance, I lost a great deal of weight and got in the best shape I've been in for many years, but it still not helped as much with the recovery as I hoped. So my mind has not been really into problem-solving and, I must say, I've been pretty self-involved.

But I thought I should let you know that I am thinking of all of you.

And I wish everyone here a happy, happy holiday season: Hannukkah (tonight's the first night), Christmas (just around the corner!), Kwanza, or even just the joy of the season.

Carl

[waterbear]

Hi Everyone,

But I thought I should let you know that I am thinking of all of you.

And I wish everyone here a happy, happy holiday season: Hannukkah (tonight's the first night), Christmas (just around the corner!), Kwanza, or even just the joy of the season.

Carl

And we are thinking of you!

[chem geek]

Carl,

I'm sorry to hear about your Mom. My mother had Alzheimer's and it's really hard to see and deal with the slow decline. I hope you found a good place for her. At least now there are more facilities that specialize or have areas for dementia patients so that they can be properly cared for.

I'm also sorry to hear about your hip needing replacement, but am glad you're getting through it OK.

To all, I wish happy holidays.

Richard

[Watermom]

Carl --- thinking about you, buddy!

Lisa

[CarlD]

Thanks, All!

Best Hannukkah present of all: I got to come home from the re-hab facility for the day. Have to go back tonight but we are going to try to "spring" me Tuesday when the doc takes the staples out.

Hope you are all having a wonderful holiday, be it Hannukkah, Christmas, or just yule time!

Carl

[CarlD]

I'm sprung! Tomorrow my wife and elder son are picking me up! Then it's off to the surgeon to have the staples removed and then home! I'm so excited!

Yesterday, I went home for the day to visit, to see if I could negotiate stairs and find comfortable places. Most everything worked (still can't find a comfortable seat in the family room...gotta work on that).

I need to walk with crutches or a walker. I cannot seem to stand with my full weight on my left leg...Question for the doctor. I hope it's just all the muscles are weak, sore, and abused from the surgery and physical therapy. But I haven't slept in my own bed in two weeks, and it's time....not like not sleeping in your own bed because you are on vacation at all.

But it's home again, and just in time for the last night of Hannukkah!

Again, I wish everyone here a Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukkah, Happy Kwanza, Happy New Year, and Happy Holiday all around!.

[AnnaK]

You'll get better much faster once you're home. Happy New Year!

[waterbear]

Chag Urim Sameach!

(For those that do not know Hebrew that translates as Joyous Festival of Lights, or Joyous Lights Festival.)

[CarlD]

So...Tuesday I went for my routine followup...and the routine x-ray showed my new hip dislocated, clearly for a long time (that's why it hurt so d*** much!)
I had kept asking "Why does it hurt so much? it's not supposed to hurt at this point."
I got poo-pooed, told that men are wimps and women tolerate pain much better.
Right. I've been going through physical therapy for over a week and a half with a dislocated hip and I don't tolerate pain well?????
BS! (which, as Ben says, stands for Barnyard Slush!)

So...Back to the hospital on Tuesday for a "reduction", medical talk for manipulating the hip back in while I'm sedated, then the next day sleeping it off, and finally, FINALLY, FINALLY home today!!!

I might have missed the last candle-lighting but my wife called me so I could sing the blessing for the last night with her and the boys....it's the little things that show just how much love a family has!

Thanks to all of you.

Carl

[Watermom]

OUCH! So sorry to hear about this Carl, but glad that FINALLY they have you all fixed up with everything in its proper place. Take care of yourself!

Lisa

[CarlD]

OUCH! So sorry to hear about this Carl, but glad that FINALLY they have you all fixed up with everything in its proper place. Take care of yourself!

Lisa

Thanks, Lisa!

It has been a challenge and a trial, but amazingly today I am much better. Doesn't hurt nearly as much as I guess the muscles and tendons are now back in their proper place. TECHNICALLY, I'm starting from square one again, but that's not true. I have a lot to fix and tighten but I barely need the walker. Monday, I couldn't step on my left leg without putting my full weight on the walker...because it was dislocated! Now we are all hoping it won't dislocate again and I'll be able to strengthen it as it is. I really, REALLY do not want to go through the "revision" surgery to fix it. One long scar on my you-know-what is enough!

[aylad]

Carl, I'm sorry you're having such a rough time with this, especially after all the prep work you did to make it easier. Hope the hip stays put this time and it's smoother sailing from here on out!

Jan

[CarlD]

Jan, Lisa, Evan, Anna, Richard and everybody:

Thank you! Being able to be home for New Years is a great gift!
But I cannot swim for at least 4 weeks (too much danger of possible infection).

[AnnaK]

Oh yikes! They had you do all of that PT on a dislocated surgical hip? And nobody noticed? Nobody stopped to think 'why is the patient complaining about pain when there really shouldn't be any?' The bums!

But you're home now. You were able to light the candle and sing the blessing. You're healing and healthy. Happy New Year!

[waterbear]

J
But I cannot swim for at least 4 weeks (too much danger of possible infection).
:confused::confused::confused:
You must be on some strong painkillers! :pIt's the middle of winter, even here in Florida, even with a heated pool it is too cold to swim!;)

[CarlD]

Oh yikes! They had you do all of that PT on a dislocated surgical hip? And nobody noticed? Nobody stopped to think 'why is the patient complaining about pain when there really shouldn't be any?' The bums!

But you're home now. You were able to light the candle and sing the blessing. You're healing and healthy. Happy New Year!

My sentiments exactly! All they had to do was a single $70 x-ray and it ALL would have been avoided or foreshortened.

[Watermom]

You should be good as new and more than ready when swim season gets here in a few months. I don't know about the rest of y'all, but I'm missing my pool! We haven't even had any winter yet and I'm already ready for spring!

Happy New Year everybody!

[aylad]

Hey Carl, how's it going??

Jan

[CarlD]

Hi Jan,

I'll let you know tomorrow after I see the doctor. But otherwise I seem much better and can actually walk without anything, though I use support to be safer.

Carl

[waterbear]

Happy to hear you are feeling better and walking again.

[CarlD]

Yeah, now I'm on the road to full recovery. I rarely bother with a cane, no crutches or walker anymore. Some pain, but to be expected. Lots more strength and flexibility in the leg.

It's going well!

Carl