Update well, tomorrow will be 5 full weeks:
Last update I think I mentioned frozen pipes and cold weather. The 'rest of the story' was that once things thawed out I was left with two water leaks, all repaired and good as new now. This morning I awoke to the sound of thunder and at final count, no less than 3 severe thunder storm warnings. Thankfully nothing materialized but for some heavy rain and a few gusts of wind, which brings me to the very nice sunny and warm day it turned out to be this afternoon.
Well, started this and then the page crashed. Came back and most of it was still here once the page loaded..odd, but starting over as I seem to have lost my momentum.
Basically.... I think I over did today. Once the sun came out, I found myself with some unaccustomed energy and feeling better than I have in a good while, and decided to change the sheets on the bed. This wasn't too hard as I have a memory foam topper and once I removed the soiled sheets I just tucked the clean ones under the topper, added the top sheets and blankets and was done. Not like I had to lift any heavy mattress or anything. I did have a bit of issue going around the bed to straighten as it's a narrow space, but I finished with no issues other than it took quite a while to get it all done.
I then decided to do some dusting in the same room. I proceeded on to clean up dishes in the kitchen and straighten there, then cooked a simple 'toss it in the oven' meal, took a shower and shampoo, and alas, found myself tonight barely able to even walk.
The torque feeling was back, felt like the 'tennis ball' was back in place, and the ache and burn was terrible. Guess I over did a bit. I made it to 9pm before I broke down and took a Percocet. I hadn't taken any hard meds for at least 24 hours and have been trying just a couple of Tylenol. I've done this before and seem to always have to break down and take a harder med, but this time was really bad with the pain and ache/tightness/soreness and burning.
The Percocet didn't treat all the discomfort but it has taken the edge off. Trying not to have to take another one, but may give in yet again if it keeps getting worse. Don't think I did any lasting damage of that nature, but it is a wake up call that I'm not as healed as I may like to think. I am disappointed. I thought I was doing so well today.
Later I broke down in a very short tear fest. Not sure where that came from. Just felt that I was emotionally drained..though I had nothing to be emotionally drained over.
Well this is the second time I've tried to reply and the page crashed. Didn't lose my prior writing though...odd.
Try to make this quick. Other than over doing today, things have been going ok. I seem to be fighting a queasy feeling that comes and goes. Thought I had a virus, but other than really getting bad the other day, it's more of an underlying queasiness that I've had since surgery. Not sure what this is.
My PT guy visited and said I was doing well and suggested I was even a bit ahead of schedule. Even so, he said my doc had sent orders for 4 more weeks of home therapy. I was surprised at this as we'd discussed it before (PT and I) and they'd said they were putting in for another two weeks at least. In the meantime, the doc sent orders of his own. It hasn't yet been approved by insurance so could still be turned down, but PT said rarely do they get turned down when it comes directly from the doc and are treating it as if it's been approved and will see me as usual.
I still have a limp that I'm not sure how to get rid of. Guess it will go with time? PT reminds me to walk heel/toe and to bend my knee. I'm doing that much better but can't really see any improvement in the limp. I find myself on occasion feeling 'over balanced' and leaning to the good side, again, as in the past, as if I'm going to keep going and have to catch myself on furniture or such. It's a bit disconcerting when it happens. I guess this may be why my Doctor admonished me that if I go out of the house to use the walker.
I finally lost my steri strips. All 10 of them. I soaked them in the shower with a warm cloth and lots of soap. Lost 3 yesterday and the other 7 tonight. Incision looks good. Not quite healed in a place or two, and still tender, but not redness or anything out of the ordinary.
Bonesmart crashed again while I was writing this, so not sure where I'm at. Rather distracted now. lol
Suffice it to say, other than today's fiasco, I seem to be making slow, but steady progress I think.
Going to post before it crashes again.
Wishing all a happy day, speedy healing, and best of all good things.
Kay
United Kingdom
I wish people would understand just how much influence they can have on a patient in pain and distress..both for the good and for the bad. 
![[Bonesmart.org] Kay's Recovery Stages](https://data.bonesmart.org/attachments/15/15893-ecd99d83573cfe87a364a412d4225593.jpg?hash=7Nmdg1c8_o "[Bonesmart.org] Kay's Recovery Stages")
