Made some good progress in PT today. Took my first steps up about six stairs (short ones though) and back down. Had to use both handrails. My house has ony one bannister so it in now way replicated realoity. But I think the main idea was just to start the movement of going up stairs.
Okay, now time to vent. So if you don't want to hear poor me whining, just skip the rest.
:hissyfit:
For some reason even though I had a good day today and moderate pain (it's never below a 5, but I'll take that) I'm exhausted now at 8pm having just taken my percocet 2 hrs ago and doing my ice, elevation and rest for the better part of the day. I had visitors, but I was icing in bed while I visited with them. I'm wondering if I'm just having muscle fatigue from working them so much in therapy and then continuing with the quad exercises in my room that the phys therapist recommended.
Honestly, even with the oxycontin and Percs, I spend mst of my post-medication time hovering around a 6 or 7. It doesn't help too that my left leg is nearly completely covered in bruises. I don't remember being prepared for that little post op "gift". Remember to repay the favor to my surgeon by letting the air out of one of his tires at my post-op visit ..... (kidding!).
I'm also irritated that the weekend nurse who has been taking care of me saw fit to have a shouting match with one of her co-workers out in the hallway and when it was over came in my room to bring me my meds and then vent all her complaints to the housekeeping coworker bringing me some towels, I:rolleyespink: I was sitting there in my wheelchair looking up at them while they badmouthed their coworker and employer and felt like waving my hands and saying
"excuse me, patient here in front of you! Remember me!!!? I need ice, I need my bandaged changed, I need help getting into my bed. Ya think you could quit bitching long enough to help me out here?" But I didn't. Instead I sat there and just nodded my head as she continued to tell me how unfair her schedule was and how they expect too much from their nurses, blah, blah, blah. Really? Is this quality nursing? I'm in one of the best rehab facilities in New Jersey and the quality of the nursing here, frankly, stinks. Oh, yes and there is a big glob of betadine on the windowsill from where someone set down one of the swabs I guess and it hasn't been cleaned since it got there...... 4 days ago! My years of luxury hospitality work has made me intolerable to very basic housekeeping needs. I plan to tell them everything in my exit survey!
Phew!
I feel better now. I realize I have some post-op blues going on, not to mention medication fogging that probably cuts out some of that self-monitoring we usually do. But what I love about this forum is that you all who have been through it can relate to my experience or at least to my frustrations so this is a safe place for me to vent.
Thank you kneekeepers!