THR A Bionic Octopus!

[C Mac]

I'm getting really bored and don't know what to do with myself. I have lots to do, but can't be bothered doing it.

Hi Diane,

This will get better with more time and maybe also by your being back at home in the coming weeks. In the early months there is a bit of brain fog and sometimes difficulty concentrating and focusing for very long - especially if you are still taking some of your post-op meds. It will get better though!!

Great that you'll have a physio appointment this week!! Doesn't sound like it's too long after your surgery -- it's never too late for some PT!! You can ask your therapist about an exercise and activity plan for at home. I'll bet they will suggest that you walk more/further than what you are doing currently. Listen to your body when you start this and do it in small segments to see how it feels at first. In other words, don't just double the length of your walks and the number of times you do them daily -- add 5 minutes to one and see how that works for you.


I'm betting that you'll get to those hills in the neighborhood pretty soon, but for now if they seem too daunting just walk in the flat areas even if that means really short walks back and forth in a small area. Meanwhile, also work on that little schedule of home activities to make your day seem more productive and get those post-op exercises in.

Take care,
Cardie

 

[octopus]

Thanks C Mac

 

[octopus]

Hi Kiwi... Have you thought about getting some Nordic Walking poles to go walking.. Check out my article on the topic in the social room..

I have purchased a second set and leave them at work, so that I can take a 15 min cardio NW break at lunch time.. Gets those wonderful endorphins going

Funny you should suggest this. I saw you post about Nordic walking somewhere else and made a note to look into it. Thanks!

 

[octopus]

octopus Like Clifford I think your progress is great especially as you only need Panadol for pain relief I take paracetamol and codeine 30 mg 4 times a day and the codeine is giving me a pounding head from time to time.How us Brits envy your gorgeous Auckland sunshine you wouldn't believe how cold it is here so going outside is not an option.I hope you have a good appointment with the physio on Tuesday

Thanks Kim, I am really pleased to have had this done in the summer, it's made life a whole lot easier. (Now its starting to cool ever so slightly, that shower stool is a bit cold! ) Also I'm really grateful we don't get it as cold as you, not here in the north anyway. Down south they surely do! That's no good getting headaches from pain relief pills. I hope you don't get them too often.

 

[Kim22]

octopus I am ok when I team them up with paracetamol but the problem is when I wake at night and have had my full quota of paracetamol for the 24 hours so I take the codeine on its own and wake up with the headache I will see my GP on Tuesday to see about taking something else at night asI still need the strong painkillers unfortunately day and night

By the way I think I am going to try Nordic Walking when recovered

 

[octopus]

Week four update - cant believe its four weeks already, time is flying by

Getting around more easily on just one crutch
2 paracetamol twice daily
Still quite tired and can easily sleep for a couple of hours during the day, although I have resisted the last three days
Spaced out feeling starting to go, feels better than a week ago
Scar looking very good, healing well, can still see staple marks
Walking up to 1 to 2 kilometres per day
A small outing to shops or cafe every second day is definitely saving the sanity.

Moving home tomorrow!!

 

[Kim22]

octopus I love reading your weekly positive posts on your progress especially as you are 2 weeks ahead of me It's great that you have reduced your pain killers by half and haven't had to cope with the added discomforts caused by codeine I am thrilled that for the first time I got right through the night without it whoo hoo ! I am waiting for the nurse to arrive to remove the staples I suspect that I may have some discomfort for a few hours afterwards so I will wait until tomorrow before very slowly reducing the codeine.

I know that spaced out feeling well glad to hear yours is starting to go Well done with the walking that's an achievement I just want to get out in the great outdoors !

 

[octopus]

Thanks Kim22 It will be great when the weather improves for all of you in the northern hemisphere. Our news today says the cooler weather is on it's way. I really can't complain, it's been a lovely long summer.

 

[Kim22]

octopus Just heard weather to improve slightly at weekend in the UK You are lucky in NZ

 

[dede62]

Kiwi Diane, so glad to hear how well you are doing. It's hard to believe the month has passed by already. You're doing great. Just remember to pace yourself at home as you finish your preliminary recovery. You'll do great!

Kim22 I think you're about to get the gorgeous weather we had this last weekend! I'm sure the staple removal will go without a hitch (at least I hope so). I barely noticed it when the nurse removed mine. One of our other warriors had a bit of a rough go, but I think that's the exception rather than the rule. Fingers crossed!

 

[Vida]

Hey Diane ...have you settled in back home? Sounds like you are recovering incredibly well... Long walks so soon! So happy to hear it. Post some artwork when you get going.. Vicki

 

[octopus]

Thanks dede62 & Vida, I'm loving being home, I still have to unpack, but I'll do that over the next few days. My flat mate drove me around the corner in her car so I could walk on the flat, and then we had Thai for dinner. I've had a couple of nights not sleeping well with increased pain. I'm not sure what from, I don't think I've over done things. But I've had pain in my sacroiliac joint and the muscles in my bum, and it's radiating down my leg, mostly when I'm laying down, so it's making sleeping uncomfortable. I'm guessing its just part of the healing process, but it does remind me a bit of my pre-op pain.

 

[Kim22]

octopus So glad you have settled well back home There is no where quite like it I didn't sleep well last night either for the first time in ages for the same reason as you due to intense muscle ache in the front and back of my thigh, in the bum and radiating to the groin and knee as well as a slight numbness of the lower leg and ankle but the upper front thigh was the worse After lying there for a while I resorted to ice packs as it was too early for more painkillers and that helped enormously This morning I am a lot stiffer than yesterday so it must be the walk I did with the physio I now think I was walking too fast Like you the pain reminded me of the pre op pain We will see what today brings.I feel so frustrated !

 

[octopus]

Kim22, sorry you are having trouble too. I'm having my third restless night with this. Also must be getting used to my own bed again. Thankfully I'm seeing the physio tomorrow, hopefully they will have some answers.

 

[octopus]

It's been an eventful few days. First I had a physio appointment scheduled for Thursday afternoon, that morning I received a phone call to say that physio is sick. So now I have one for Tuesday morning, 5 weeks post surgery.

To top this off, I received a letter to say that my follow up appt with the surgeon has been changed to two weeks later, 8 weeks from surgery. I have restrictions until I am released from them by the surgeon, at approximately 6 weeks when I then planned to return to work. I don't really want to have much more time off than that. So on Friday I phoned the booking clerk to see if she could ask the surgeon how I should manage these while at work. Next moment she has a spare appointment that day. It's a bit early, but I'm relieved to be able to see him. It was a very positive appointment. He said I can drive if I can make an emergency stop, but with my car being low, it would be better to wait until 6 weeks. I could start using the toilet without the raised toilet seat and he showed me how to get up from a lower position. Apparently my bones are very petite, but very strong. The flash name of my prosthesis is SROM Pinnacle ceramic on ceramic. I have a really cool pic which I'll post when I make it digital. My legs have been made even for the first time in my life and because I can't feel any LLD this is a very good sign. I can increase my walking, walk hills and beaches (went to the beach today for half hour walk), and use my stationery bike. No lifting of groceries & washing etc. just yet. I will have a follow up appointment 8 weeks from now and have another X-ray taken. I asked about getting antibiotics if I thought I had an infection of any kind, he assured me I should do this sooner rather than later. Well, what do you know, today I discovered an infection in my toe where I had tripped on my crutch a couple of days ago! Off I went quick smart to the after hours emergency centre and now only four weeks post surgery I am on antibiotics and daily dressings for a few days.

Must have had too much fresh air today, I can't sleep! going to try for some now. Hopefully this will be me shortly.

 

[Poppet]

Hi there Kiwi, what bad luck... the antibiotics will do the trick.

I had my first UTI infection at 8 weeks..

So pleased you got to the beach today.. nite nite... Hope you get some sleep soon... hugs from across the ditch xx

 

[octopus]

Thanks Poppet, always lovely to hear from you.

 

[Poppet]

Ta... I am playing scrabble on my iPad.. I have become addicted to the app Mr Word.. Keeps me amused for hours xx

 

[Vida]

Aw Diane, sorry about the infection but happy you can go to the beach. Here's hoping you will sleep through the night again very soon. Vicki.

 

[zauberflöte]

octopus Wow, what a story-- and it all turned out well, except for the sleep part... I hope that right this minute you are