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Celia's Surgery

Greg Langelius *

Greg Langelius *

Resident Elder Fart
Full Member
Minuteman
Aug 10, 2001
9,245
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AZ
My Celia has undergone total hip replacement surgery as of this past Monday Morning. The surgery went really well, and her condition is improving at a good pace. Post-Op pain is as expected, pain regulation is working, and her physical and occupational therapy is progressing according to schedule. We expect to go home either Tomorrow of Thursday. Although matters proceed as expected, it is still very difficult on her.

She had been experiencing progressive difficulty with her left hip for several years, the Surgeon suggests it could have been going on for at least the past seven years. The Surgeon reports that the damage from degenerative arthritis was profound, with arthritic spurs, detached cartilage, bone fragments the size of marbles, and detached muscles all being present within the operating field.

As I type, contractors are in our home upgrading to tall toilets, railings, and such to accommodate her needs.

All I would ask is your prayers for her continued healing and improvement, as well as some easing of her discomfort.

Greg
 
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May God continue to watch over and bless you all and help to assuage Celia's pain and speed her recovery. My family will keep you and yours in our thoughts and prayers. Hang in there, brother!
 
Glad to hear she's doing well Greg, hope the rest of her recovery goes quickly. Don't let them send her home until she's truly strong enough and feels comfortable, keeping her there an extra day or two might be necessary. Good luck and all the best to the Mrs., prayers sent.
 
Hip replacements are very gratifying for all, all she needs to do is Walk Walk Walk..maybe to the mall where U can buy her anything she wants.. :)
Best wishes for a full recovery!
 
Greg Langelius * said:
As I type, contractors are in our home upgrading to tall toilets, railings, and such to accommodate her needs.

Greg
Click to expand...
Has an Occupational Therapist evaluated the home yet? Their input to construction needs can be invaluable (I was a COTA after I got out the Army, and before I got a few more degrees). That said I also own a Therapy Company.
Make SURE that you have a functional understanding of her weight bearing status, and buy a "Hip replacement ADL package". That will have a long handled reacher, stocking aid, long handled sponge, etc. Consider getting some long handles shoe spoons, and elastic shoe strings in her shoes. (See a pattern...NO bending at the hip past 90 degrees). One last thought...think about raising the height of her favorite chair so she does not have to lean forward too much to get up (make sure when you adjust the height, the modification is secure and you may need to adjust the width so the chair does not become top heavy).
Just a few thoughts.........Good luck!
 
The home has been Professionally evaluated on two prior occasions. At the time, hip replacement was not an issue, but we got the info required anyway, so the contractors are working to that standard. Per TeleConv w/contractor the lower floor is done, the upper will require replacing the floor in the upper bathroom, it's shot. That work is in progress as I type. Since we were on a nearly six month waiting list, we were able to budget the contracting costs in advance, and our Son-In-Law is one of the work crew, so some of the costs go into my family's pocket.

Our first OT session was today, the ADL package is part of the discharge procedure here at the Cayuga Medical Center, she has three weeks of in-home PT coming, along with the same for Visiting Nurse, and then she is booked for ongoing OT/PT at Schuyler MC Outpatient Care. Yesterday, our Daughter and eldest Granddaughter took the caregiver support training together. Overall, her recovery planning goes on for six months. We have gone in heavily for Insurance coverage since our retirements; having been through major illnesses, both of us, as non-insureds. It's literally paying off.

Her current status is that she has dressed herself using sample ADL tools, can get to and from the bathroom here on her own, and has succeeded at climbing and descending three steps in the OT Training room. It goes slow, there's reliance on analgesia, and she tires a lot. But all the challenges are being met at least according to schedule. I'm impressed with her and everyone here providing her care. They do a good job here at CMC.

Once past this, there's the other hip.

Greg
 
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It sounds to me like you have given this lots of consideration and are taking all the right steps (pun...) to get her back on track. As said above, she will need to set up a walking schedule and find places to walk. This can be a great way to take in the nature around you and an enjoyable way to get back her health. I've been there for a couple relatives that have had this surgery, so my thoughts are with you both.
 
Greg,

Pat and I hope everything progresses better than expected. We have both been involved in surgeries in the past few years. But none related to hips. Prayers inbound.
 
My stepfather had both hips and both knees done. One surgery a year for four years. It's a heck of a thing, but for the best.

You and your lady are in my thoughts.
 
Greg,

What everyone else said, then,

+1.
 
Celia's Surgery

Greg,

I bet she's glad that you are there to take care of her. Her pain will pass, but your efforts will make the bond between the two of you even stronger than it already is.
 
I understand Celia has a pretty good man about the house. That Greg is tough to beat in a pinch.

Prayers sent, old friend!
 
Update Thursday 2/12/14 Day 3 of PT: Celia continues to improve at a good pace. She's been feeling some digestive side effects from the pain management, but she continues to eat well and her spirits are positive, her pain level is diminishing, and her only real issue if fatigue. She's pushing her PT, and it fatigues her accordingly.

She is currently scheduled for release tomorrow. The biggest issue is figuring how to get her into and out of the Grand Caravan for the trip home, and the PT/OC staff are working up a procedure to get her up and in OK tomorrow. The van carries a step stool as a matter of course, anyway.

Weather here is picking up with some heavier snow right now in the Ithaca area. Current snowfall predictions range from 1-3" to 3-5". Closer to Dundee, the predictions taper off significantly.

My Daughter reports that the cats are doing well and come out to greet her when she stops by several times each day to check them out, feed, etc. meanwhile the Cayuga Med Center has been kind enough to give me the other bed in her room. Since she has contact precautions in place, that bed would need to remain vacant anyway. BTW, the food in this hospital is excellent, both for the patients, and in the Hospital's Café.

Greg
 
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OK, we are finally home. Celia can get around slowly with the walker, and should be essentially healed up in a month or so. The range-of-motion restrictions are for the next 6 months. Good to be back on our own turf. The contractors did a really nice job with the toilets.

Greg
 
Our first evening-through-morning back home was challenging. She slept through.

Celia is not letting this impair her lifestyle, and was insistent on sleeping in our bed last night, which is upstairs (14 steps). Going up was not especially bad, but getting back down this morning was a lot more challenging. I've built solid handrails on both sides of the staircase. It's doable, but involves time and discomfort. We'll see how she feels about this after a few more mornings.

I'm doing all the chores, plus a bunch of running and fetching. It's good exercise, and I need it. Right now my life is about her life, and it pleases me to be able to do it well.

Celia and I are especially grateful for all your prayers and kind words.

Our Daughter Jen is a couple of weeks into a new job, learning to run a small Post Office the next village over. Last night, an auto repair shop adjacent burned down, with fire units from many nearby departments on the scene. It is her turn to open up today, and she reports the PO is still intact, but the repair shop on the other side of the parking lot is all smoke and rubble. Some days are more interesting than others...

Greg
 
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Greg Langelius * said:
I'm doing all the chores, plus a bunch of running and fetching. It's good exercise, and I need it. Right now my life is about her life, and it pleases me to be able to do it well.
Greg
Click to expand...

This defines the kind of man you are. If there were more men, not males, but real men like you in this world, we would not be such a dejected and miserable people only thinking for ourselves. God bless you, sir. I am praying for you and Celia. We are to serve our wives as He served the church. That, is real true blue manliness! Hats off to you!
 
Glad to hear things are progressing well, Greg. Keep up the good work as we all continue to keep you and yours in our thoughts and prayers!
 
Best wishes for you all. Everyone I've known that has undergone joint replacement has always been satisfied with the results, so long as they follow instructions about rehab.
 
It's been 30 days now, since Celia's operation.

The Visiting Nurse and Visiting Physical Therapist are in the process of releasing Celia from further care.

She is in the process if strengthening her muscles so she can progress from using the Walker to using the Rollator, which uses wheels and handbrakes. She escapes her recliner frequently during the day to walk, do exercises, use facilities, and do light housework.

The range of motion restrictions remain in place for another two to five months, so the synthetic joint apparatus can fully bond with her skelature.

More importantly, her manner and attitude are greatly improved. Surgical pain has been replaced by muscular pain, at a far lower level. The incision is completely healed and the muscular pain indicates that her muscles are being worked at an effective level.

From this point, it's a slow and gently upward trek to full recovery.

Much thanks for all your good wishes, they do help.

Greg
 
Glad to hear it, Greg. Give her a little pat on the bottom from her friends at the Hide. $:<)
 
Great news on all counts, Greg!

She and your family continue to be in the thoughts and prayers of mine. Keep up the great progress and know that there are many still pulling for you all!
 
Greg. Glad to hear all is going well. Not exceeding range of motion is important, but just as important is moving around often during the day. Even if it's just to walk to the kitchen and back. I had my right hip replaced Dec 11. It was in terrible shape. There was immediate improvement in pain reduction and movement. Then about 6 months after things slowed a bit. Then gradually to a year things improved. Then it seemed like great progress for the next several months. By the time the 2 year anniversary hit I could honestly say that I felt better than I had in 10 years. If Celia starts to feel a little down, let her know that the great thing about this type of operation is you continue to feel better and better. Best of luck to you both!
 
Hi Greg, Thanks for the update and it sounds like things are headed the right way for her. Really happy its working out for her and best wishes for her on the next round.

Tell her the SH large dysfunctional family is pulling for her and your a good man to be strong for her. Says a lot about you.......
 
Had my left hip done in 2011 and I can do anything I want (I'm 68 now) do what you can each day and before long you two will be doing all that you want together.
 
Five weeks in, and all goes very well.

Yesterday was Celia's first trip outdoors. We went over to Ithaca and met with the Surgeon for followup. Flying colors. healing is excellent, pain is essentially limited to muscle aches as the muscles begin to take up the load. We would have gone out sooner, but with all the ice and snow, we both figured it would pay to wait.

Lunch at Chili's, back home, new freedoms, slept in my own bed for the first time since Feb 8; previously we used the recliners each night.

Basically, with the weather clearing, we get to spread our wings, get out and have more fun. She is already much improved over here pre-op situation. I got her a Rollator, which is sorta like a walker, but with wheels and handbrakes. First few times she thought it was too quick, but she's got the hang of it now.

From this point on it's a matter of observing the restrictions for the next 5 months, while building strength and getting rid of the artificial supports.

Greg
 
Glad to hear the progress, Greg. I can just imagine the planning that is going through your head, what-with this upcoming summer and all the new opportunities and possibilities. Even more glad to know that you'll help set the pace properly, and not jump to shooting hoops on the court to quickly. HA.

I'd lived on the ward long enough, with so many who'd had hips replaced, to see those who got a 'new lease on life' and felt like a spring chicken again. It truly was uplifting and inspiring.
 
Fantastic on all fronts, Greg!

Still got you all on the prayer list and we'll keep you there over the coming months as things continue to progress and get better every day!! Hang in there, sister (and you too, Greg)!!
 
All thoughts and energy are concentrated on the family's Spring Break vacation on Tybee Island in Georgia, scheduled for sometime in the next few months.

A couple of weeks on the road and in a nice little beach community should be just the ticket. This will be a return trip, we fell in love with the place last Spring.

After the assault weapons train wreck we've been living through here in NY, I'll probably be checking out real estate while I'm down there.

Greg
 
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We've got a bunch of friends and some family scattered down the coast around Hilton Head and down into the Savannah area. It really is a great area and I can certainly understand the desire to be places other than NY these days. Unfortunately, when last we looked into it, property tends to be somewhere between ridiculous and absurdly priced in my experience, but I've not been in that mindset for several years now so things may have changed right along with the rest of the economy/real estate market. ;)
 
ORD said:
We've got a bunch of friends and some family scattered down the coast around Hilton Head and down into the Savannah area. It really is a great area and I can certainly understand the desire to be places other than NY these days. Unfortunately, when last we looked into it, property tends to be somewhere between ridiculous and absurdly priced in my experience, but I've not been in that mindset for several years now so things may have changed right along with the rest of the economy/real estate market. ;)
Click to expand...

Well, if (big if) we managed to convert our current domicile into one in GA (or thereabouts); I would want it to be somewhere away from hurricanes, mega-tsunamis, and cities/suburbs. 16 years in rural America has taught me that wherever home is, or needs to be, it's gonna be rural. Took me 52 years to finally recognize where home should be, the prior being spent in Metro NY/NJ.

Looking for somewhere West of the Corridor, within striking distance of the Barrier Islands. I don't need to own a place at the shore as long as I can rent it (or one sufficiently like it) when I need one.

My pied a terre would need to have different capacities than a vacation place.

Greg

PS, Hey, pahker, OK if I adopt your avatar?

When I joined 11Engr in June 1966 it consisted of a PFC and two Privates. Reporting to base, I asked where the 11Engr was, and received the reply, "It's wherever you are Private; you're the first to report." Being the PFC, I immediately became semi-permanent Duty NCO.
 
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^Small world. I know I'm a few years younger, however, I can proudly say I served in the 3rd Mar Div with 2nd Bn 3Mar Golf Co. Semper Fidelis gentleman.
 
0311 Hesco;

Maybe my timing is off, but weren't elements of your Unit involved in the Hill Fights?

Greg
 
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Yes sir, it was 2/3 and 3/3 on the hills. 2/3 Golf has a pretty rich history in some of the more documented battles, including securing part of the beach on IWO. My immediate senior marines were the ones that went looking for the rest of Luttrell's SEAL team in the mountains of Afghanistan after he was pulled out. My part in that history was in Iraq for our two tours there, then regrettably, got out before they went back to Afghanistan. We were called the "Angels of Anbar" after our first tour of pretty tough fighting in Haqlanyiah, Iraq where we lost 23 of our best (company-wide) (just south of Haditha). Small world.
EDIT: here is some more history: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2nd_Battalion_3rd_Marines
 
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