Hip Resurfacing In India

The Hospital - Post Op

OK, here we are Easter afternoon, just had a good nap. Thought I'd post the few pictures I took of the staff. They collectively call themselves either "Brother" or "Sister", so that's the shortcut way to address either a male or female. I did make an effort to learn names, but now realize that I don't see the same people very often so it's very hard! Anyway, here are pictures of Sam, Remya, and Revathi. Revathi stayed with me the first two nights after surgery, and while she didn't have a lot to do, it was nice knowing if anything did happen, she was there. Very sweet girl, and like almost all the Indians I've met, pretty small. But Revathi actually told me her weight, as she was obviously a lot smaller than me. 36Kg. Hang on, doing some math, thats... 79 lbs. Remya and Sam both were under 100 lbs too is my guess (definitely Remya). And they were all in their early 20s. Pretty much all of them work at the hospital 12 hr shifts, then stay at the Apollo Hostel for their other 12 hours. So they pretty much do nothing else. Same with the girl I met at the Park Hotel. She worked a split shift, and didn't really ever leave the hotel. Dang.

So, for a few observations of the Hospital. Now that I can get around with a walker, the bathroom really stinks. Two small steps-up to get into, and the door has a really strong closer on it, AND the door-stop only kind of works. So much for handicap accessable! So for me to get into the bathroom, I'm pushing the walker into the door, trying to keep it open, while at the same time trying to negotiate two narrow steps. Reverse to leave. Lots of fun. And it seems I also learned another hard lesson last night. As it was the first time I had been back in the bathroom after surgery (I was urinating in a urine bottle in bed), I decided to put my wedding ring back on. I had taken it off, along with my watch, for my shower before surgery and placed it on the bathroom counter. Sometime after surgery (Friday?) one of the cleaning boys handed me my watch as I lay in bed. Hmmm? Why? I just placed it on the stand next to the bed. So, when I got in the bathroom last night I expected my ring to be there.

No such luck. Looks like my wedding ring left. Not sure if it was one of the cleaning crew or what, but it's gone. There is a lockbox in the room, and now everything is in it. Bummer.

I'm getting around better and better, but am still suffering from the numbness in my quad. The physical therapist called it Neuropraxia, as did Dr. Bose last night. So I looked it up on the internet today to figure out what to expect. Basically, it's a case of hitting your funnybone, but in this case my ... um.. funnythigh? Something like that. Basically a mild temporary trauma to the nerve in the thigh. Should go away soon. Happens occasionally I guess. I can walk fine, but only with my leg in a near-locked position. Hopefully that'll be gone soon.

So for tomorrow, removal of the gauze stuff over the incision, replaced with a waterproof bandage. That way I can take a shower. Good, believe me, I need it. And I get my elbow crutches. You know, the kind handicapped people use? Never thought I'd be happy about getting a pair of those! And if all goes well, out of here the next day!

Enough for now, I'll try to take some more shots of the hostpital, and if you're really good, Dr. Bose showed me some pictures from my surgery, and, yes!, a short video of the shaping of my femoric head! Bet you can't wait!

Rus

posted by Russell Kappius @ 3:35 AM