2Bbackontop-- UPDATE

[2Bbackontop]

Hi all! Got out of the hospital yesterday. The ride home was painful at times. Taking turns, hitting bumps/potholes, and just normal stops at red lights (could not imagine the pain if we had to brake at 100%) were all painful. I am staying in the uptairs master bedroom, but I may have to consider moving to the downstairs guest bedroom. Last night in the middle of the night I felt like being on the laptop or turning on the TV but I knew I would get the "eye" from my wife. Some things I learned that you all have shared that have helped alot: grabber device, I had it at the hospital and it came in handy. The nurses were so busy and shortstaffed, I couldnt get them to help me for some things (I had to press a call button and a receptionist would ask for details on why I needed help) - I was on my own if something was out of reach. They were supposed to do hourly checks but they almost never did, until I complained to the charge nurse. Another thing was to stay on top of my pain medicine. After they took the PCA pump away, I was on PRN (as needed) oxycodone. The problem with this was if I was sleeping I wouldnt get any pain medicine and blood levels would fall too low. One time the Doctor had to be called at 2 am because I was so bad. Medicine wasnt prn after that .
Things I can share that may be helpful to others:
If you have a cell phone, get a bluetooth device that does voice activated commands. This eliminates having to reach for a phone or hold it while eating, using walker, etc. I use cell instead of house phone.
Bring hard candy with you to have after surgery. The first 2 or 3 days, my throat was so sore and dry from the tube that had been used in surgery and from the medicine. The Jolly Ranchers saved me!
For the men, bring talc baby powder with you. Makes things move/slide around better when general mobility is a problem and there is no showering for a time.

That is it for now. I have my follow up appt in 2 weeks. I feel as if I am progressing well. Incision looks good. I do have a lot of bruising on my lower back/side (love handle area). But I am able to get in and out of bed, walk with a cane only, though I use the walker when possible.

[BlueAtlas]

I'm sure you're glad to be back home!

I got a headset that connected to my bedroom TV wirelessly so I could watch TV after my surgery while hubby was sleeping if I was in too much pain to sleep myself. He didn't like the light from it, but he sucked it up since he at least couldn't hear it.

Take it easy now! You're full time job is to recover! Rest and walk, rest and walk, rest and walk. And you've already learned how important it is to keep your meds up.

I know you're happy to be on the other side of surgery! Let us know if you have questions.

Take care,
Emily

[Baybreeze]

Im glad your out of the hospital and it seems like things are on track , post surgery wise. I can sympathize with the ride home.....my ride home took about an hour and 1/2 as I went to another state for my surgery. Thankfully I got out of the hospital on the weekend so traffic was less. When I went there to have my surgery, it took about 2 1/2 hours with the traffic. I even told my father, who drove me home, pleaaassseee try not to brake hard! Boy does hurt. Even when going around turns & corners when you go to brace yourself for the turn, its like agonizing almost. ANd my incision was only about 5 inches or so ( I had multi level laminectomies but no fusion).

You might also think about getting a raised toilet seat extension and maybe a shower chair. Oh, and one of those long shoe horns unless you have shoes you can just slip on.

Take it very easy and follow docs orders and hopefully you will have a succesful recovery and end up with no more pain.

[camperboy]

And it may take a few weeks for that horrible hospital smell to go away.

[kyma3]

Glad to hear you got home and hopefully things will start looking up for you on a good recovery. Take it easy and do what they doctors told you do. Prayers and good wishes your way.

Linda