When Does This Get Easier?

Day 6 after surgery and here's what i want to know -- when does the miracle occur? You know the one where I sleep all night, wake up and realize the pain is gone and the swelling is gone and I look forward to doing new things in physical therapy? Let me assure you - it's not happened yet. In fact, if I slept 2 hours last night I would be surprised. I simply cannot sleep with the foam boots on . . it makes me panic and I spend 1/2 the night in a complete and total meltdown. I don't know what it is but i still have one more week to do this and I am not sure how I am going to make it. I can sleep like a baby in the continuous passive motion machine but i am not supposed to be in it more than 6 hours a day. I may have to make that 6 hours at night. At least then I would get 6 hours of sleep instead of none.

My ankle continues to concern me. We changed the bandages today and that was quite disheartening. I have 3 huge blisters across the top of my ankle and still little to no feeling in the ankle and top of my foot. At least the swelling is down a bit and it's not purple anymore. :-) Maybe that is progress.

I had an x-ray done yesterday at Dr. Philippon's office. They showed me the difference in the joint pre and post surgery. When I can tell on an x-ray that they cut away a large amount of bone, it's something. Normally x-rays tell me absolutely nothing. They were very pleased with the outcome and expect a full recovery for me with no additional problems. Now THAT'S good news!!

I continue to be happy about my decision to stay here for 6 weeks for physical therapy. Dr. Philippon visits PT on a regular basis and checks on his patients. The physical therapists also report in to Dr. P on a regular basis so they can change up a protocol depending on your progress. I feel very lucky to be able to do that. Most everyone else is only staying the 2 weeks and then going home. The cast of characters in pt constantly changes. It's interesting to talk to people. Many, many athletes in there. Lots of skiers with blown knees but an equal amount of hip patients. Everyone goes thru the same therapy no matter how famous they are. :-)

So, the time for lying on my stomach and icing my hip is almost done which means it's time to shower, get dressed and off for another day of therapy. I am really hoping for a break through sometime soon!