I couldn't stand myself anymore. Sponge baths with the hospital-type wipes weren't cutting it, and I had to get the stinky off me. My doctor said I could remove the gauze and Tegaderm coverings today, and take a shower. So, I removed them, counted TWENTY-NINE! steri-strips, and then took a standing shower. Did it hurt?
YES! Did I survive? Yes, but with much pain, which is still here. But it was worth the pain. My hair is clean instead of greasy and I smell sweet and clean again. While I was in there hubby changed the bed, so I'm clean and my bed is clean.
Now I think I'll sleep all day with the ice machine going. Well, at least I'll rest as I'm still in too much pain to sleep. I get about 2 or 3 hours of sleep each night in between being woken, but I'm still hoping the pain abates soon. If only I could take a pill and not only have the pain go away, I could sleep! This stupid, contrary body of mine is driving me nuts.
My lower leg is still fairly numb from the leftover pain ball stuff, but when my husband helped lift my leg at the ankle, he touched a spot next to my lower surgical site that sent out a sharp, stinging, stabbing pain that kept hurting like that for about 5 minutes. Hopefully that's all the pain I get from the lower area, as that was a solid 10 and mean.