THR Hipster64's Recovery Thread

[julesglass]

I put my foods on a plastic grocery bag and clutch it along with walker. If it's something that slides on the plate I put it a container with a lid.

 

[Hipster64]

Julesglass, that is a great idea! I am always looking for different ways to multitask. Another idea that the occupational therapist at the hospital shared with me about carrying things with a walker is to wear an apron with pockets.

 

[julesglass]

If you like that idea here's an other one for you @Hipster64. Instead of an apron which I would get too warm in, I took a small tote bag and tied it to the front of my walker by the handles. Like the cloth type grocery bags. My grabber has a Velcro straps on it so I have that hanging on my walker also. I can carry my coffee in a glass jar in my tote bag to get to my recliner. I'll have this down to a science before I'm done! My bedside commode didn't come with a toilet paper holder so I took a bandanna, slip it through the roll and tied it on to the arm of the commode. Works great!

 

[Fiona444]

I put my food in a tupperware and slip it down the front of my shorts with cutlery in my pocket and an ice pack tucked into my hoodie. The other day i went for a walk and discovered a whole load of recycling that i had put in my pockets to carry downstairs and forgot about accompanying me

 

[enoughpain]

One week today and good to see that you are doing so well. Congratulations! Following the progress of those of you who have recently had surgery is helping to control my pre-op jitters. Thank you.

 

[Fit4Family]

Good morning @Hipster64

Congratulations on making it through your first week! You sound like you are handling everything so well and progressing amazingly well. Just wanted to wish you a good, steady second week!

 

[Barbaraj]

Yup, the first week is totally the pits (still being in it, I can definitely say this) so surviving and thriving is wonderful to read, @Hipster64. I hope to be you in a couple more days--it's been a slow slog. But hope springs eternal, and having done this before, I know that endurance and patience will be tested and that I just need to get through it. With enough time, things will look up for all of us on the recovery trail.

 

[HipsterKat]

@Hipster64, yay one week down!!! Hope things keep going smoothly!

 

[Elf1]

@Hipster64 one week down! Keep up the good work!

 

[Hipster64]

Thank you again for the support! Hard to believe my surgery was already one week ago. I actually made it to my den today-what a refreshing change from the living room- and sitting at my home computer for the first time typing this. My 4" riser cushion finally arrived yesterday and fits perfectly with the chair we now have at the desk-90 degrees, you know!

I have a home PT session tomorrow morning and an appointment with my PCP in the afternoon. It will be my first time out of the house since being discharged. I am kind of nervous about going out. My goal is to be able to walk with a cane by the time I make it to my ortho follow-up on Friday. As always, I am trying to have some fun with my durable medical equipment, so the cane I purchased on Amazon looks like this:

Much prettier than the walker!

 

[CricketHip]

snazzy piece of equipment there! Perfect way to celebrate the end of your first week of recovery! woof!

 

[Hipster64]

CricketHip, I am hoping that my therapist can adjust it for me and help me use it tomorrow!

 

[Layla]

Pretty cane! I hope your PT session went well this morning.
Best wishes for your visit with your Primary today.
I think you'll enjoy getting out and going somewhere for a change. It can be tiring, but it feels good to be part of the world again. Enjoy!
@Hipster64

 

[Barbaraj]

Wow, very snazzy cane, @Hipster64 and I think anything is better than those depressing grey walkers! Hope today’s appointments go well for you. Even if you’re a bit nervous about getting out of the house, I bet you’ll enjoy a break from “cabin fever”!

 

[Hipster64]

Hello everyone! Went out for the first time today since discharge last Wednesday. Went to the PCP who confirmed that I am doing very well. However, between my therapy session this morning-we are going to attempt the cane tomorrow!-and walking the rat-maze ramp to the PCP' s office, I am pretty wiped out. Time for ice, Tramadol and laying on the couch. We picked up "Awful Awful" shakes at Newport Creamery (a local ice cream chain)on our way home; since my appetite has decreased since surgery the kiddie size was the perfect treat, and even though I sat in the car while my husband got the shakes, it was nice to feel like part of the real world for a tiny bit.

When I made it up the stairs to my deck to enter the house, I automatically began walking by myself! I got about as far as two steps when my husband ran up the stairs with the walker screaming "What's the matter with you? You need the walker!" For a brief moment, I completely forgot about my surgery and just started to move. Oh well, time for Cinderella to turn back into a resting pumpkin!

 

[Elf1]

@Hipster64 you sound like you're doing well and yes those little trips out can tucker us out quickly but they sure feel good. I'm still definitely going to use my walker in public for a while, trying to keep from getting knocked down. It is kind of funny when you just start walking along and realise you've left the walker, oops!

 

[CricketHip]

@hipster4 what a busy day! I hope you are deep into resting pumpkin mode now..
Tomorrow the snazzy cane! I hope you sleep well tonight, you really out did yourself today.

 

[Ptarmigan]

@Hipster64 I love the cane! Yes, girl! And it’s wonderful to hear about your adventures out in the real world.

 

[Riversong]

Hello everyone! Went out for the first time today since discharge last Wednesday. Went to the PCP who confirmed that I am doing very well. However, between my therapy session this morning-we are going to attempt the cane tomorrow!-and walking the rat-maze ramp to the PCP' s office, I am pretty wiped out. Time for ice, Tramadol and laying on the couch. We picked up "Awful Awful" shakes at Newport Creamery (a local ice cream chain)on our way home; since my appetite has decreased since surgery the kiddie size was the perfect treat, and even though I sat in the car while my husband got the shakes, it was nice to feel like part of the real world for a tiny bit.

When I made it up the stairs to my deck to enter the house, I automatically began walking by myself! I got about as far as two steps when my husband ran up the stairs with the walker screaming "What's the matter with you? You need the walker!" For a brief moment, I completely forgot about my surgery and just started to move. Oh well, time for Cinderella to turn back into a resting pumpkin!

Thanks for sharing, @Hipster64. I’m in my 4th day since surgery now and feeling a little less optimistic. Everything is harder than I thought it would be. To hear that you got out and about after a week gives me some much-needed hope. Right now, I’d be happy if I could just get into bed without expending so much energy. It’s also be nice to turn over. I’m looking forward to going out for ice cream.

 

[Fiona444]

Woop woop @Hipster64 ! wonderful progress you are making! Getting out and about really does feel good and walking some steps unaided? Priceless