5 weeks post-pao
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4 weeks post-pao
3 weeks post-PAO... in chicago
3 weeks post-pao
2.5 weeks post-PAO
As a patient in the University Hospital system, you have access to all your health records. So naturally, being in PT school and all, I nerded out hard and closely examined all my tests and lab results when I got home. In school, we learn a lot about standard lab values and contraindications to exercise/therapy. I was shocked to see that my hemoglobin levels at discharge were roughly around 8 mg/dL--a value that we typically learn in school to be a "proceed with lots of caution" cut-off. There are some hospitals that even use this as a strict contraindication to therapy due to compromised oxygen capacity (even though research is starting to show that this is an outdated philosophy). Either way, I finally was able to understand the true severity of the anemia and why I had been feeling so fatigued and out of breath.
The hardest part of my day was getting ready in the morning. Even as a PT student, I truly took for granted just how much mobility and energy is required for self-care. I am really lucky to have an amazing roommate (who is also a PT student... talk about a bonus!) that has been able to help me out so much. She pushed me around school in the wheelchair, carried my backpack, helped me get food together... the works. I wouldn't have been able to return to school this soon without her. Did I mention this is the same roommate that helped me through my first hip scope last year? Talk about a great friend! 2 week post-op appointmentMy 2 week follow up appointment was on Thursday and it was the first time I had left the house since coming home from the hospital. My dad dropped me off at the front door to the hospital and I crutched all the way into the building and up to my surgeon's clinic. By the time I got up there I was shaking, light headed, nauseous and severely out of breath. All these symptoms were associated with extreme anemia, due to blood loss during surgery. To combat this, I was prescribed a hard core iron medication called Ferrex to help my body replenish my blood volume.
Other than that, things were healing well and Dr. Mei-Dan was pleased with my progress so far! My next appointment will be in 4 weeks, at which time he'll determine if enough boney union has occurred for me to begin physical therapy. Fingers crossed! 2 weeks post-paoWe are now in the first week of June and the second week of my recovery. Summer semester of 3rd year has begun for my classmates, and I can't help but feel completely disconnected from life right now. I have had to rely heavily on my medication regimen to manage pain, which has left me feeling extremely foggy. I've been doing my best to keep up with coursework while at home, but it has been a struggle at best.
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AuthorJust a physical therapist and her journey being on the other side rehab. Categories
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October 2017
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