merrynan
01-19-2009, 11:37 PM
I am having surgery 1/22 and would love to know how you are doing. How long were you in the hospital. I was told 1-3 days and that I did not need to go to rehab as long as there was someone home with me. My husband is a great guy and a good cook too, so I should be okay but I am dreading the long recovery. I am self employed and my work requires running around to different locations. I love my work and the thought of being confined for a long time has me getting very anxious. I am getting the ice cuff because I am trying to anticipate and it was recommended by my surgeon. Any suggestions from anyone out there will be greatly appreciated.
Good luck to you.:cool::wave:
Good luck to you.:cool::wave:
Sponsor
lovelyladi
01-20-2009, 02:28 PM
Well another newbie to TA. I am doing better than I expected.
My thoughts at day 5
The hardest part is the total immobility. If I move around too much or even put my left foot down it throbs. If I drop something I cannot pick it up.
I spent 3 nights in hospital, needed to gain mbility, pain contol and have fever drop to normal. By mobility I meant able to get to bathroom (with help)
I spend my days in a recliner, my nights in bed (king size) with my hubby with leg on a triangle shaped pillow I purchased from Foot Smart on line. I did not need to sleep alone and it is comforting to have hinm right there if I need him.
I canno sit at the table or a desk because myfoot needs to be up (heart level)all the time. I am doing very well with the swelling...my soft cast is actually a bit loose now.
I have hired a nice older woman to stay with me from 10 to 5 escorts me to bathroom, serves me lunch etc. I could not yet be alone all day. Fear of falling during transferring from knee walker to toilet etc.
Hopping on a walker was not really an option for my 60 year old no cartlige right knee while my left foot is immobile. I would be in much worse shape without my "roll-a-bout" knee scooter (walker) If you are younger, thinner and with good knees the other options -crutches, walkers etc may work for you
Good luck with you surgery... feel free to ask any and all questions
Shelly
I too am used to being out and around all day...the next 11 weeks will be very tough I too am scared.
My thoughts at day 5
The hardest part is the total immobility. If I move around too much or even put my left foot down it throbs. If I drop something I cannot pick it up.
I spent 3 nights in hospital, needed to gain mbility, pain contol and have fever drop to normal. By mobility I meant able to get to bathroom (with help)
I spend my days in a recliner, my nights in bed (king size) with my hubby with leg on a triangle shaped pillow I purchased from Foot Smart on line. I did not need to sleep alone and it is comforting to have hinm right there if I need him.
I canno sit at the table or a desk because myfoot needs to be up (heart level)all the time. I am doing very well with the swelling...my soft cast is actually a bit loose now.
I have hired a nice older woman to stay with me from 10 to 5 escorts me to bathroom, serves me lunch etc. I could not yet be alone all day. Fear of falling during transferring from knee walker to toilet etc.
Hopping on a walker was not really an option for my 60 year old no cartlige right knee while my left foot is immobile. I would be in much worse shape without my "roll-a-bout" knee scooter (walker) If you are younger, thinner and with good knees the other options -crutches, walkers etc may work for you
Good luck with you surgery... feel free to ask any and all questions
Shelly
I too am used to being out and around all day...the next 11 weeks will be very tough I too am scared.
lovelyladi
01-20-2009, 02:34 PM
Just a few other thoughts:
I had a lot of bleeding in hospital and had to have my soft cast replaced.
My surgeon said absolutely no ice cuff...did not want to risk wetting the soft cast
Shelly
I had a lot of bleeding in hospital and had to have my soft cast replaced.
My surgeon said absolutely no ice cuff...did not want to risk wetting the soft cast
Shelly
shelleybutn
01-20-2009, 08:13 PM
merrynan, just read all of this post, we put lots of suggestions up for shelly. i used the cryo cuff with the pump so it pumped cold water thru the cuff all night long. didn't get my cast wet at all. being stuck at home was hard, try to do little trips out once you feel up to it. my insurance covered a wheel chair and my husband would push me around grocery or walmart or wherever.
keep asking questions, we got answers!!! :confused:;)
shelley (with 2 e's)
keep asking questions, we got answers!!! :confused:;)
shelley (with 2 e's)
shelleybutn
01-20-2009, 08:14 PM
oh ya, i was in hospital only 1 night and went home the next afternoon. but i am only 31 (sorry shelly) and did very well. my husband took a few days off and then my two friends stayed with me for the first two weeks.
shelley
shelley
klbs1961
01-21-2009, 03:19 AM
Merryane,
Welcome to this site! You will find there are many survivors of TA. My suggestions are:
Books
Needlework
Tear-away pants
Grab bars
Shower seat
Cast cover (for bathing)
Knee scooter
Raised toilet seat
Cable TV
All clothes cleaned
Family pj's (I have kids and with my foot in the air - well you know)
Pre-cooked meals
Ice packs
Cyro-cuff style ice packs - this really helped
and if I can think of anything more, I will let you know.
The time at home alone for me was the (almost) the worse. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, watch for any form of infection. It hit me 4 weeks after surgery. Stay home, move if you can, and follow the doc's orders! I also had a cover for my cast, my doc loaned it to me, however it can be found by * removed * This really helped.
You will do fine, and if you have any questions, just ask, there are many of us that have 'been there, done that'. Good luck!
My surgery was 10/09, and the MSRA surgery was 11/10
I hope that tomorrow I will get permission to go back to work PT, you will do much better!
Kathy
Welcome to this site! You will find there are many survivors of TA. My suggestions are:
Books
Needlework
Tear-away pants
Grab bars
Shower seat
Cast cover (for bathing)
Knee scooter
Raised toilet seat
Cable TV
All clothes cleaned
Family pj's (I have kids and with my foot in the air - well you know)
Pre-cooked meals
Ice packs
Cyro-cuff style ice packs - this really helped
and if I can think of anything more, I will let you know.
The time at home alone for me was the (almost) the worse. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, watch for any form of infection. It hit me 4 weeks after surgery. Stay home, move if you can, and follow the doc's orders! I also had a cover for my cast, my doc loaned it to me, however it can be found by * removed * This really helped.
You will do fine, and if you have any questions, just ask, there are many of us that have 'been there, done that'. Good luck!
My surgery was 10/09, and the MSRA surgery was 11/10
I hope that tomorrow I will get permission to go back to work PT, you will do much better!
Kathy
merrynan
01-22-2009, 11:57 AM
Kathy-
Today is the day and you are amazing. I am going to print out your list and give it to my husband right now.
Where do you get tear away pants? Do you mean Depends?
Thanks so much for the info and your support. I will let you know how I make out.
Merrynan
Today is the day and you are amazing. I am going to print out your list and give it to my husband right now.
Where do you get tear away pants? Do you mean Depends?
Thanks so much for the info and your support. I will let you know how I make out.
Merrynan
lovelyladi
01-22-2009, 12:06 PM
Good luck with your surgery Merrynan!
Let us know how it went
Shelly
Let us know how it went
Shelly
shelleybutn
01-22-2009, 08:04 PM
she means like sweat pants, or athletic pants...some have snaps down the side. sweat pants work well if the bottom is big enough.
Mangonia
01-23-2009, 06:54 PM
It gets better! Each week you will make progress. You will be amazed at how you accomodate to your disability. Just be careful and don't get cocky.
Lesley54
01-25-2009, 12:47 AM
Merrynan,
I had my surgery in August. I was laid up for a good 2 weeks. I have hardwood floors and 2 stories. I had 2 sets of crutches. One upstairs and one down. I used an office chair and rolled around the house for 3 months with my leg lifted. Went up and down the stairs (only once or twice a day) on my butt. My upper body became very strong as my lower body atrophied. Once weight bearing (3 months) the muscles come back. I worked in a clothing store and scooted around on a chair. Part time. You get very tired. Listen to your body... I have a walk in shower. Had a chair out of the shower and one in the shower and shifted from one to the other with the door open and a leg cover over the cast. I kept my foot elevated on the outside chair as I sat inside. It worked very well. This chat board will tell you everything you need to know. We are all in pain...
I had my surgery in August. I was laid up for a good 2 weeks. I have hardwood floors and 2 stories. I had 2 sets of crutches. One upstairs and one down. I used an office chair and rolled around the house for 3 months with my leg lifted. Went up and down the stairs (only once or twice a day) on my butt. My upper body became very strong as my lower body atrophied. Once weight bearing (3 months) the muscles come back. I worked in a clothing store and scooted around on a chair. Part time. You get very tired. Listen to your body... I have a walk in shower. Had a chair out of the shower and one in the shower and shifted from one to the other with the door open and a leg cover over the cast. I kept my foot elevated on the outside chair as I sat inside. It worked very well. This chat board will tell you everything you need to know. We are all in pain...