Posts by Casey Palmer5

I always turn green whenever I open this page... And honestly, once I see those nurses in the hospital starting to mess around with needles, drawing blood, or giving shots in the butt... I just gracefully make my exit 😁

I feel like they’re going to try to do that to me just so I can end up lying flat on the floor 😁 I think I won't have kids because a child would just suffer seeing how terrified I am.

We’ve touched on this before, but I have to ask—are you staying hydrated enough? Muscle cramps can often be a direct result of dehydration. When you're low on fluids, it throws your electrolyte balance completely out of whack, which is usually what triggers those spasms. The big players here are potassium, sodium, and calcium.

Honestly, the best thing you can do the moment a cramp hits is to focus on stretching the muscle out. Also, keep a close eye on your fluid intake; reaching for an isotonic sports drink is usually a great move. And with this kind of heat we're having, don't be afraid of a little salt either, since you're losing so much through sweat.

Make sure to bring this up at your next check-up, too. See if your OB-GYN has any specific advice or insights for you...

Honestly, why bother popping all those pills? If I were you, I'd just stick to some aspirin and a long soak in a hot tub. You really just have to be patient; it’ll pass on its own in a few days...

And hey, maybe think about finding a way to stay active so you aren't totally wiped out for three days every time you push yourself a little too hard physically.

frozenangler9 said:I’m going to check in with the nurses today about that walking idea. Since it's a holiday, I'm guessing they'll be running on a skeleton crew, and it really comes down to how many emergencies they have to juggle...

Her arms are probably just feeling weak; she isn't exactly tiny, so it takes a lot of strength to lean on them. She might also be a little anemic following the surgery and all that—I don't know the exact underlying cause—but I'm assuming she's just not feeling very steady right now.

I wouldn't try any experiments like that without a nurse present. I'll talk to them and see if they have a spare moment to help out.
(It honestly feels like the nurses are swamped, which is a real hurdle when you're trying to handle things that aren't life-or-death. It's unfortunate, but there's not much anyone can do about it...)

I really hope she gets her walker soon. Honestly, things feel so much more natural once you have one—we had to learn how to walk perfectly again, so we tried everything... 😁)
If the nurse gives the green light for you to walk her, don't hesitate! If not, maybe ask if they can at least help her sit on the edge of the bed. And if they really aren't planning on getting her up for four days, please ask them to let her rotate her ankles a bit. Tell her to do some small movements, up and down, every hour or two just to get the circulation going. It won't hurt her at all...

frozenangler9 said:Ugh, that part doesn't sound great at all. 😢
I really hope those specific movements don't seem as vital to her quality of life as they do to me. 😉
I'm sure she'll adjust, but I can't tell if she'll always have to sleep with a pillow between her legs?😕

We were taught that you should never make those specific movements again—that you have to adapt to this way of living to minimize the risk of dislocation. I found some foreign websites saying you have to be extra careful for the first 12 weeks... To be honest, I'm not sure who's right. Using a pillow for the first three months is definitely a must, but eventually, it becomes second nature and she'll subconsciously keep her leg from drifting the wrong way while she sleeps. Given her age, it's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to preventing a dislocation.

Here is a helpful link:
(You'll see people online talking about cemented vs. non-cemented implants—given her age, your mom almost certainly has a cemented one. The upside is that you can put weight on the hip much sooner, making recovery faster).

http://www.louisvilleorthopedic.com/...ecautions.html

stormywolf2 said:Casey Palmer5,
if she’s dealing with pneumonia, physical therapy has to be kept to an absolute minimum—just enough to prevent pressure sores. Usually, they scale it back because pushing too hard can actually do more harm than good.

That's true, but you really have to push those breathing exercises to make sure the lungs fully expand. Honestly, I just hope the staff is being careful about how and how long patients do them. If they don't explain the "why" behind it or supervise the process—trust me, people just rush through everything, and that's when things go wrong...
By the way, I really admire how much effort you're putting into writing to Velma; you have my total respect 🙂 Kudos to you!

I get all of that, but I honestly can't wrap my head around this whole turning thing. And the idea that someone could just lie motionless in bed for four days straight? It's hard to believe.

Velma,
Regarding the pressure sores, usually at the end of the chart, there's a specific risk assessment form... I've seen it at some hospitals. The nurses are supposed to fill that out, so maybe take a peek and see if anything was recorded. If it's empty, it doesn't necessarily mean they aren't doing their jobs; sometimes it's just how different clinics handle their paperwork.

And one last thing: try not to let your worry about her care show when you're with her. There's no point in dampening her spirits. The most important thing right now is keeping her upbeat and motivated to get better.

frozenangler9 said:So, where are you living, Casey Palmer5? 😉
Of course that's true...
Just a heads-up that there’s no physical therapy scheduled on weekends or during holidays...
It was exactly the same way at the rehab center near Krapina after her knee surgery...

At Shalat, I know they actually have a physical therapist on duty even on Saturdays. It’s just one person covering the entire orthopedic department, but they still manage to get a decent amount done... I can't speak for other hospitals, but honestly, this is something every facility should be doing. Providing that kind of access really helps minimize potential complications and speeds up the whole post-op recovery process. In the long run, that actually saves the American healthcare system money. It just feels like they're cutting corners in all the wrong places...

frozenangler9 said:The nurses? Yeah, I’m really skeptical about that...
What should I bring them? I only brought coffee and some pastries once... that feels a little thin if I'm really trying to show this much appreciation for my mom...😉

I honestly don't see why the nurses shouldn't help her get to the restroom; walking a patient around shouldn't be such a huge ordeal. And look, I’m really not a fan of people bringing in coffee, juice, or chocolate either, but honestly... if you feel like it’ll actually help her, then just do it. At the end of the day, your mom comes first, not some outdated debate about hospital etiquette. Bringing gifts is one thing, but taking money? That’s where I draw the line. That is absolutely inexcusable...

frozenangler9 said:I’m just not totally convinced she’s steady enough yet. She’s been lying in bed for quite a while, and her muscles have definitely lost some strength because of it. She’s really adamant that she’d walk better using standard crutches instead of that walker, though. She used crutches after her last knee surgery and knows exactly how to handle them, but I can't help feeling uneasy... since this was her other leg, I worry she might rely too much on muscle memory from before. I'm scared she might get a bit confused and accidentally step out with the injured leg instead of the good one...
For some reason, my physical therapist is insisting that I really need to get my steps in with this walker first... I'm not entirely sure why they're being so adamant about it...

I think I'll just ask the nurses if they can walk with me for a bit, or maybe if I can take a few steps on my own...

Look, it’s a bit of a vicious cycle—the longer she stays stuck in bed, the weaker she’s going to get. Regarding those walker frames: we usually reserve them for patients dealing with neurological issues—things like general weakness or balance problems—or when someone has significant weakness in their arms for any number of reasons. Essentially, they provide that extra layer of stability. For almost everyone else, standard forearm crutches are the way to go. It might be worth having your mom chat with her physical therapist about switching over to crutches, provided there aren't any medical reasons preventing it. And don't worry too much about her gait being a little off at first... she's got to learn how to walk again eventually...

I don't really think a patient necessarily has to be walking perfectly with a walker first... honestly, I haven't seen that being a strict rule at any of the hospitals I've worked in, provided everything is progressing normally. Maybe the physical therapist sees some specific indication for why they're using the walker—I can't say for sure without knowing the specifics—but it might actually be exactly what they need right now...

If you actually get the green light to take her for a walk, you’ll need to keep a firm grip on one of her upper arms—sort of like walking arm-in-arm—so you're ready to catch her if she starts feeling dizzy. If that happens, just wrap both arms around her under her armpits to support her from behind. Whatever you do, don't let go, and make sure she leans right into the walker for stability. Just watch out, she absolutely cannot squat or bend down... Keep a close eye on whether she starts sweating or looking pale, but try not to bug her every five seconds asking if she's okay... 🙂

frozenangler9 said:I honestly can't wrap my head around it either. She’s being told she isn't allowed to turn over by herself, but I’m guessing that’s just a blanket rule they give everyone because some patients just don't listen and won't follow instructions...
Maybe she actually can.

Besides, what happens when she finally gets home (she doesn't get to go to the spa resort until August 29th)?
How long does she need to be careful about not letting her leg cross that midline?

I really don't get why she isn't allowed to turn over, either. It might just be hospital policy, but that part makes zero sense to me. You should ask the physical therapist why she can't turn; that’s totally within their wheelhouse. If you can charm them, of course... 😢

My best advice is to find a great private physical therapist to work with her before she heads to the spa.

The leg should NEVER cross that midline again—never cross the operated leg over itself or rotate it inward. The same goes for sitting in low chairs; the highest chair allowed should maintain a proper angle between the thigh and the torso. Don't worry, they'll explain all of this when she's discharged... or at least I hope so! Let me know if they don't. She’ll have to learn to live with these restrictions, otherwise there's a real risk of the new hip dislocating.

I mean, nothing catastrophic will happen if she makes one forbidden move, but she really needs to watch it because nobody wants to end up back in surgery. People adapt, though; there are plenty of younger folks living with hip replacements, so it's not the end of the world. Some people even go skiing with them, but I wouldn't recommend that! Your mom won't be disabled, but there are definitely things she'll need to keep in mind...

frozenangler9 said:I find it so bizarre that doctors don't even bother to update their adult, capable patients on what's actually going on with their health. 😕

Honestly, calling it "unusual" is an understatement—it’s just plain wrong!!! Any doctor with a shred of decency should be able to spare at least a minute during a checkup if a patient has questions. Anyone who's actually sane would do the same.

I’ve been lucky enough to meet some truly wonderful doctors who are genuinely compassionate. They always take a second to ask how you're doing, explain any changes in your condition, or let you know which tests they're planning to run...

And of course, the rest of the staff needs to be just as helpful and kind. At the end of the day, we aren't dealing with machines, we're dealing with real human beings.

Four days without even getting out of bed? Honestly, my hair is standing on end if that’s true. Don't they have a physical therapist on call? Is she already steady enough on her feet to walk with crutches? If she is—ask the nurse if you can walk with her for a bit. Even just ten minutes would help, but make sure she sits on the edge of the bed first so she doesn't get dizzy. Seriously, staying immobile for four days is not good at all, I'm telling you...

And don't even get me started on not exercising for four days... I mean, it's really not ideal. It would probably be smartest if you exercised with her, though I know that isn't exactly a great idea either.
All I can say 👎 about this hospital if they're letting patients go four days without any therapy.
Look, nothing catastrophic is going to happen, but it's definitely not right.

I don't understand why you wouldn't be able to help her turn, or honestly, why she can't turn herself onto her healthy hip. The main thing is to put a pillow between her legs and maybe hold her surgical leg steady while she turns, then immediately tuck a pillow under her knee so she doesn't experience hyperadduction (you know, so her leg doesn't cross the midline of her body toward the healthy side).

frozenangler9 said:Then everything is looking up. I honestly don't know exactly how long it takes for pressure sores to develop, but she was down for three days before surgery and another week after (I assume they weren't turning her much after a few days because of the fever).
It’s been 10 days since the surgery, and for the last 3 days, she’s been walking a little bit with a walker and help from a physical therapist.

As for an embolism, I’m really hoping that doesn't happen. Do you happen to know if there’s a specific window of time after which you can feel like the risk of complications has passed?

There is absolutely no way she's getting pressure sores if she's already up and moving. Those things usually happen from being stuck in bed for weeks on end. Since the staff was turning your mom and now she's actually walking—you can totally forget about pressure sores... It's wonderful that she started walking, though; she should do it as much as possible! It might be a great idea to walk with her whenever you visit, provided the hospital allows it. You really have to push for her to move and exercise as much as she can.

When it comes to the other part, stormywolf2 is way more qualified than I am, so I'm hoping they can give you a better answer. My gut feeling is that the most dangerous period has already passed and that complication has been avoided. Prevention mostly comes down to circulation exercises, so hopefully, she's doing those regularly. Anything else is really up to the doctors (anticoagulants and all that)...

You forgot about Multiple Sclerosis too 😁

Alright, I'll be crossing my fingers that everything goes smoothly for you... 🙂

frozenangler9 said:Look, if prevention just means turning her on her side (if that's all there is to it, I'm not sure), and the nurses say they "don't have time" for that, then I really wonder if they're making enough time in general.

Could you let me know which postoperative day she's on now? And has mom been walking or even just sitting up in bed? Because if she’s already starting to move or get out of bed, you really don't need to worry about pressure sores. If she hasn't yet, she won't have time to develop them since she'll need to start walking very soon—and once she gets moving, you're all set. With this kind of surgery, there isn't long-term bed rest involved. Prevention mostly just involves turning and repositioning in bed. For patients at high risk for pressure sores (like those in a coma or in the ICU), other methods are used, but seriously—don't sweat it. I honestly haven't seen that become an issue in any orthopedic ward I've worked in...

Regarding pulmonary embolism—no internist or specialist looking after your mom would ever overlook that. It's such a dangerous complication that they watch for it specifically. If her respiratory issues have cleared up, you shouldn't have to worry about her lungs. If it's still weighing on your mind, why not just chat with the doctor about it? They won't be upset with you for asking questions about your mom's condition...

frozenangler9 said:On top of that, I’m not entirely sure if enough is being done to prevent pressure sores from developing.😕

I’ve honestly never seen a patient develop pressure sores after getting a hip replacement. Granted, I haven't worked specifically at a major Trauma Center, but I’ve been in plenty of other hospitals where they perform those kinds of surgeries. Personally, I don't think you need to worry about that part. Why do you ask, though? Are you feeling like they aren't paying enough attention...??

I'm really glad to hear things are starting to look up!

dustycanyon6 said:I have no idea which PubMed you were looking at (there are several versions), but I couldn't find anything like that. In fact, I found the exact opposite: claims that vitamin C can actually help prevent and assist in cancer treatment, along with tons of other benefits. Send me some links (and seriously, which PubMed were you searching?)—I am genuinely curious. Every study I've come across regarding vitamin C has been positive, and that one negative study was run by a "scientist" who pocketed millions from Big Pharma... so, honestly, you cannot trust him.

There is only one PubMed. If you just type "PubMed search" into Google, you'll find the site easily. I don't get how you can say you've found studies supporting the positive effects of vitamin C, yet moments ago you were arguing that it's being suppressed. Like I just told you, I also found research supporting the benefits of vitamin C, and nobody is suppressing or hiding the truth about it. What part of this isn't clicking?

dustycanyon6 said:Pasteurization destroys lactase and several other substances (http://www.mercola.com/article/Diet/milk/no_milk.htm).

Lactase is an enzyme produced in our bodies. Lactose is milk sugar, and I'm not entirely sure it gets destroyed by pasteurization...

dustycanyon6 said:From everything I've learned online and through my own experience, I'm becoming more convinced that most of us would be healthy if we just avoided certain foods (and ate what's actually good for us), stayed away from toxins (mercury, aluminum, aspartame and other synthetic sweeteners, formaldehyde—good grief, it's in everything from shampoo to furniture and electronics, fluoride—some idiots put it in the water supply just to reduce cavities in kids!), exercised, did things that nourish the body, and kept stress to an absolute minimum. It all lines up perfectly with the epidemic of various allergies, diseases like Alzheimer's and multiple sclerosis, obesity, heart disease...

So now we're worried about formaldehyde? You'll be living under a glass dome soon enough... You try to avoid everything alive, and yet you still have symptoms. Isn't that a little strange?

http://www.mayoclinic.org/

Alright, no more excuses—you need to get that appointment booked tomorrow. There’s zero waiting time there; a close friend of mine went in for her physical and had such a great experience...

Seriously, don't mess around with this!!!!! Like you said, you're a single mom. You really need to think about it.

I'm not sure what the exact cost is, but please, don't skimp when it comes to your health.

stormywolf2, seriously, great post. It’s about time we got a pleasant surprise like this...

You know as well as I do that you can't just ignore stuff like this and hope it goes away. Honestly, the smartest move is to head to your primary care doctor first to see what they think... if you're on the younger side, they'll probably just send you in for an ultrasound. Since it’s August, things shouldn't be too crazy at the clinic, so you'll likely get seen pretty quickly.

Good luck, and please don't put this off! Try not to worry too much—it’s most likely nothing serious.

To be totally honest with you, a hip fracture at her age is a really serious deal and carries a high mortality rate. But, since you mentioned your mom is so full of life, she just needs to tap into that mental and physical grit to pull through this... There’s absolutely no reason why she can't get back on her feet and beat this crisis. You just need to talk to her constantly, stay incredibly vigilant about following all the mobility instructions, and yaaaay watch how she uses those crutches.

She probably received detailed instructions, but you definitely need to double-check her walking technique because she CANNOT put more than ten pounds of weight on that operated hip (an easy way to check is to have her step on a scale). Also, regarding the crutches: lead with the healthy leg, then the crutches, then the injured leg while putting minimal weight on the hip. For stairs: lead with the crutch she needs to lean on most, then the injured leg which shouldn't take much weight, and finally the healthy leg—that's the golden rule, and you have to be super careful with it. I’ve seen so few people actually walk correctly after surgery like this, and unfortunately, physical therapists don't always give patients enough attention. Has she started walking yet? Make sure she doesn't just "sink" into the bed; she has to keep moving. She also surely got instructions on "forbidden" movements: absolutely no crossing her legs, and she shouldn't move the operated leg away from the midline toward the other leg, rotate it, or lift it so the thigh is at a 90-degree angle or less to her torso. Avoid sitting in low chairs just for that reason.

If she doesn't get physical therapy right away, try to find someone to work with her privately. I'm not sure how things are handled at the local Trauma Center since I haven't been there myself, but in most American hospitals, they just don't do enough. Right now, you have to focus on her gait while simultaneously working on strengthening the muscles around the hip.

Regarding any potential breathing issues—after surgery, they definitely taught her breathing exercises (it’s not rocket science), and I don't know what her current status is or how many days have passed, but those exact exercises are what prevent pneumonia and other respiratory problems. If she's still doing them, ask her to do them again when you come to visit, because it can't hurt and it's extremely important. You could also ask her to do circulation exercises—like circling her feet, moving them up and down, etc. She has to stay active if she wants to recover. Honestly, after orthopedic surgeries, staying in bed does more harm than good. Of course, that's assuming all the restrictions are being followed.

And most importantly of all—you need to talk to her and try to motivate her, because until she decides she wants to get better, there won't be any progress...

I am sincerely hoping for a speedy recovery and that no infections pop up!!! Keep me posted on how things are going!

Why don't you just say she was acting like Brown... Yeah, placidtiger15 has a point there, and I'm kind of feeling the same way.

I honestly thought they were pumping all sorts of crazy stuff into people's veins 😁
I still can't wrap my head around why Brown is even called that... Does anyone actually know the reason?

Look, Luce is home with her genes, but I can tell you from experience that genetics definitely plays a role in this whole thing.

Basically, if there’s anyone in your family who’s dealt with deep vein thrombosis, a stroke, or a heart attack—you really need to watch what you're doing (especially regarding how much you smoke).
And even if your family history is totally clear... well, you should still be careful...😁