It has now been just over a week since surgery and to be honest I feel pretty damn good. The first full day was a little rough, mainly because I felt like I had to pee every 5 minutes and when I did get up to go, I wasn't getting very much. The nurse said it is common and would eventually go away, but when you need all kinds of help to get out of bed, it is pretty fucking annoying. Thankfully though this has slowly subsided and not really an issue any more. I am also happy to report that my pain has been pretty manageable to the point I haven't needed to take any of the really strong pain meds. I have only been taking one which is more of an anti inflammatory than anything.
The majority of my days have been spent laying on my back, which is NOT the most fun I have ever had. During the day, Mandy gets me up every 2-3 hours to use the bathroom and do a little walking around with the crutches. 6- 8 hours of my day is used bending and flexing my leg in the continuous passive motion or CPM machine that slowly elevates and bends my knee and hip to a certain degree over and over. My starting point the day after surgery was 0 to 30 and my goal in about 10 days is 0 to 120 degree of bend. Currently I am laying here with my leg going to 100 and I have zero pain.
When I am on a break from the CPM machine I get out in the living room to walk around, eat and play some Madden 2016 football. After the third day I was able to sit for short burst and would stand to eat or do any other activities. Now I am able to sit and play a game of football without any pain or the need to get up. Most of my pain feels more like if you have ever strained a muscle and it hurts to use it to say lift something. My large thigh muscle is very sore when I try to lift my leg in the straight or bent position, but each day feels better and better.
When I am on a break from the CPM machine I get out in the living room to walk around, eat and play some Madden 2016 football. After the third day I was able to sit for short burst and would stand to eat or do any other activities. Now I am able to sit and play a game of football without any pain or the need to get up. Most of my pain feels more like if you have ever strained a muscle and it hurts to use it to say lift something. My large thigh muscle is very sore when I try to lift my leg in the straight or bent position, but each day feels better and better.
At night when I am laying in bed trying to sleep and not using the CPM machine, I am having my feet squeezed by a machine that is used to help prevent blood clots from forming in my legs. If anything it is really annoying, because instead of a slow even pressure, it emits a pulse of air that inflates the foot cuffs immediately. So I will be laying there and all of a sudden puff and they inflate.
So far I have been able to maintain my sanity with typing, reading or watching tv, but the urge to go a little stir crazy is starting to settle in. Today my Mom, who has been helping me during the day while Mandy is at work, told me how nice it was outside and I couldn't take it anymore. While I was on a break I said fuck it and headed out the back door just so I could feel the sun on my face again. I stayed out for 10 minutes or so before heading back inside to lay once again in bed. You know it is easy to stay in bed when you are in pain or feel shitty, but as soon as you feel somewhat better, all you want to do is get the hell out of here. Maybe I can bribe Mandy into taking me somewhere this weekend, even if its just for a short car ride.
Anyway my follow up appointment with the surgeon is on Wednesday, I am hoping, no praying that I will be able to start physical therapy and maybe get back to work so I can feel somewhat normal. Plus I got tickets for the new Star Wars movie on Friday, and I am NOT gonna miss it!
 |
| Not me, just a image I found online |
So far I have been able to maintain my sanity with typing, reading or watching tv, but the urge to go a little stir crazy is starting to settle in. Today my Mom, who has been helping me during the day while Mandy is at work, told me how nice it was outside and I couldn't take it anymore. While I was on a break I said fuck it and headed out the back door just so I could feel the sun on my face again. I stayed out for 10 minutes or so before heading back inside to lay once again in bed. You know it is easy to stay in bed when you are in pain or feel shitty, but as soon as you feel somewhat better, all you want to do is get the hell out of here. Maybe I can bribe Mandy into taking me somewhere this weekend, even if its just for a short car ride.
Anyway my follow up appointment with the surgeon is on Wednesday, I am hoping, no praying that I will be able to start physical therapy and maybe get back to work so I can feel somewhat normal. Plus I got tickets for the new Star Wars movie on Friday, and I am NOT gonna miss it!
Great job. Keep up the good work Dean!
ReplyDelete