tintx
11-27-2004, 03:15 PM
Hi, thought I'd report in. My surgery Tuesday went well, no complications. I was released from hospital Wednesday after one night, very glad to be out. I find it impossible to sleep in those places! I did miss the hospital bed at first, but we rearranged one of our couches that has a recliner on each end, and that's been my bed. It's easy to get up and down, and pretty comfortable for sleeping. I've slept only on my back since my right hip has the graft site, it's pretty sore. I haven't slept as much as I'd like, but 3-6 hours at a stretch.
I've very little neck pain, mostly sore in the back and the dressing feels really tight--I think they'll remove that when I go in on Tuesday. It's waterproof, so I had a shower on Thursday. The soft collar isn't bad, just kind of hot, I'll be glad when that's over, too. My hip is the main source of pain, but I've been up walking a lot, and the vicodin is adequate if I take two. I got my muscle relaxant and pain med bottles mixed up the first night home, but figured out my mistake after one or two missed pain med doses, the coughing part of that episode was not fun :D I also had some bad toe cramps that night and the night before surgery, but thankfully, those haven't returned.
I've had some good food, family brought Thanksgiving leftovers yesterday, and homemade tortilla soup. J dearest has been an excellent nurse, he's gone to work today (he's a massage therapist), and he's probably enjoying getting out! I've tried not to be too demanding, but he's been a good sport.
Besides getting more sleep, my biggest problem has been digestive. I spent a rather long, uncomfortable, and tiring day yesterday gradually drinking half a bottle of milk of magnesia...Wish I'd been a little more proactive with this issue :eek: Vacillating between hunger and mild nausea, I've lost some of my usual enthusiasm for food!
Turned 51 yesterday :rolleyes: I emphasized to my visiting sister and niece that I had to have this surgery not because my body was so old, but because I'd fallen hard when waterskiing twenty years ago. Thinking of it that way makes me feel better!
Well, I'm tired, so I'm going to try to be a good patient (for a change) and get some rest. Hope this post might be useful for anyone heading down this road!
Tintx
I've very little neck pain, mostly sore in the back and the dressing feels really tight--I think they'll remove that when I go in on Tuesday. It's waterproof, so I had a shower on Thursday. The soft collar isn't bad, just kind of hot, I'll be glad when that's over, too. My hip is the main source of pain, but I've been up walking a lot, and the vicodin is adequate if I take two. I got my muscle relaxant and pain med bottles mixed up the first night home, but figured out my mistake after one or two missed pain med doses, the coughing part of that episode was not fun :D I also had some bad toe cramps that night and the night before surgery, but thankfully, those haven't returned.
I've had some good food, family brought Thanksgiving leftovers yesterday, and homemade tortilla soup. J dearest has been an excellent nurse, he's gone to work today (he's a massage therapist), and he's probably enjoying getting out! I've tried not to be too demanding, but he's been a good sport.
Besides getting more sleep, my biggest problem has been digestive. I spent a rather long, uncomfortable, and tiring day yesterday gradually drinking half a bottle of milk of magnesia...Wish I'd been a little more proactive with this issue :eek: Vacillating between hunger and mild nausea, I've lost some of my usual enthusiasm for food!
Turned 51 yesterday :rolleyes: I emphasized to my visiting sister and niece that I had to have this surgery not because my body was so old, but because I'd fallen hard when waterskiing twenty years ago. Thinking of it that way makes me feel better!
Well, I'm tired, so I'm going to try to be a good patient (for a change) and get some rest. Hope this post might be useful for anyone heading down this road!
Tintx
Sponsor
thecraw
11-27-2004, 05:34 PM
Congratulations!
I also had the hip graft so I know where you are coming from with the pain. Try your best to walk a bit on it and you should see it improve dramatically in a few days.
Make sure you continue to rest even when you feel good. I had a great week (3 weeks post op here) but over did it. I feel it now :(
Dont worry if you feel twinges of pain still in the old places its all part of the healing process.
All the Best
Paul
I also had the hip graft so I know where you are coming from with the pain. Try your best to walk a bit on it and you should see it improve dramatically in a few days.
Make sure you continue to rest even when you feel good. I had a great week (3 weeks post op here) but over did it. I feel it now :(
Dont worry if you feel twinges of pain still in the old places its all part of the healing process.
All the Best
Paul
DJBAKC
11-28-2004, 01:17 PM
Tintx,
Congrats on progress so far! A lot like Paul, I noticed biggest improvement during third week. I thought docs were a bit off prescribing more muscle relaxers than pain killers, but found out they were on the money. Most discomfort latley has been muscle spasms, with car rides causing the worst of them, so I try to wear most supportive collar I have when riding in the car.
Walking for 20-30 minutes always seemed to make me feel better, even if I didn't want to go...
My N/S seems to be pretty conservative...even though have supportive BAK/C cage, he still recommends collar for six weeks to help protect fusion.
Looking forward to X-ray in Dec to see how fusion is going. Best of luck to you!!
v/r
DJ
Congrats on progress so far! A lot like Paul, I noticed biggest improvement during third week. I thought docs were a bit off prescribing more muscle relaxers than pain killers, but found out they were on the money. Most discomfort latley has been muscle spasms, with car rides causing the worst of them, so I try to wear most supportive collar I have when riding in the car.
Walking for 20-30 minutes always seemed to make me feel better, even if I didn't want to go...
My N/S seems to be pretty conservative...even though have supportive BAK/C cage, he still recommends collar for six weeks to help protect fusion.
Looking forward to X-ray in Dec to see how fusion is going. Best of luck to you!!
v/r
DJ
solardust
11-28-2004, 10:19 PM
Hi Tintx,It sounds like from Paul and you that I was very lucky not to have had the bone from my hip, I hope this resolves for you quickly,just take it easy!!!! I really can not say that enough,relax heal.Thinking good thoughts for ya, Diana