Day 6 post-op -- I took a bath! - Foot Problems Message Board

Pitpat · 07-16-2006, 10:04 AM

After not having bathed at all since the night before my surgery (a whole week ago), I took a bath last night and it was wonderful. I sat sideways in the tub and put my legs over the edge. I had a laundry basket next to the tub to put my feet on. It worked quite well. Unfortunately, I didn't think to grab my razor before I sat down, so I wasn't able to shave at all. But that's OK - I'm clean!

And I just washed my hair a few minutes ago, by kneeling at the side of the tub. That was easy, as I have so little hair. I have very short hair, and I had my stylist cut it even shorter the last time b/c I don't know when I'll be able to go back. It's practically a buzz cut.

Apparently the universe has decided that having foot surgery isn't bad enough; it also sent me a UTI/kidney infection. So now I am on antibiotics too. It's not bad enough to need to go to the hospital for IV antibiotics, though my doctor did bring it up yesterday. But I'm not nauseas or feverish, so I don't have to go (whew). And it turns out that darvocet also helps with the kidney pain. Yay! Let's see, what will happen next.....

So tomorrow is the big day. I *think* the doc will take the bandages off. I am curious to see how my feet will look. Hopefully not too gruesome. My mom had knee replacement surgery in April, and she kept showing me her knee when I would visit. It was kind of yucky, but I would tell her it looked better.

Hope everyone else is doing well.

mkl · 07-16-2006, 02:21 PM

I know the feeling...isn't it delicious to be clean? I had the first surgery on 7/5 and did not even attempt more than rubbing myself down with a damp washcloth until 7/12, the day before the first visit for a check-up to the doctor. I invested in a shower stool for the BIG day and have a hand held shower attachment I bought some years ago; the combo worked out fine and I even was able to shave! Also have a buzz-cut and boy, does that make things easier!

Your re-action when they take the bandages off the first time will likely be shock and awe...shock at how swollen your feet look and how ugly the black stitches are....and awe that you realize that in spite of the swelling, everything is in alignment and that when the swelling goes down, you will have a normal foot.

Beekermlady · 07-16-2006, 02:27 PM

I am glad you enjoyed your bath! We have just a shower so it's extremely hard for me to shower. I remember the first time that I realized it had been a week since I showered... I was grossed out! LOL and I was stinky (just kidding) It's not like I do much of anything but lay around in bed, so I don't have to shower everyday like I did before the operation.
It takes a lot for me to be able to shower... two stools, a bucket with all my shampoos and soaps, I use a Xero-Sox now but before that showering also took a lot of garbage bags and duct tape! I really wish we had a bathtub!

Because showering is such a pain I really can not shave while I am in the shower.. a quick fix for that, I started using a wet/dry electric razor! It's the best thing I ever did, I can shave whenever I want. I don't know if you have ever used them before but if not then the first time you do shave your legs probably won't be as smooth as they are when you shave in the shower, but after a few times of shaving with it they eventually do get smooth.
Well I hope you feel better now that you've bathed (I know I always do) and that your healing is going along smoothly!

Happy Healing!!!
Britt

journey4me · 07-16-2006, 06:15 PM

Hi...I know the feeling of a WONDERFUL shower. I told my husband that it feels like heaven each time I get to take one. For someone who is used to one or two a day, having one every four or five days is rough. I had ankle surgery a month ago and somehow developed a massive infection while in the hospital. I was hospitalized for a full week and then sent home for more antibiotics. I have had a pic line in my chest for almost two weeks. I am hoping the infection is gone. Labs were done last week and I am waiting to see if the pic line can be removed. I have to tape that up along with my leg to shower. I have a shower bench. It is getting easier for us to make this happen and so worth it. I love feelling clean. Hopefully, when I see my surgeon this week, he will finally be able to cast my leg. I am so concerned with the cadaver bone grafting with my bone. It has been a very rough month. My ankle is looking better. It was rather spooky looking when they first removed the wrapping a week after surgery. Things are looking up. My best to you also in your recovery.

wtwct · 07-19-2006, 07:56 PM

That's how I did it. I would sit on the side of the tub, I would hold on to the grab bar and slide in. I would then put my leg on the edge of the tub. Since I didn't have to be anywhere at a certain time, I would just lay in the tub. AAH, what a wonderful feeling.