15th day and so exhausted

hello Linda, keeping up appearances has gone right out of the window at the moment. I don't fit into my clothes, which is a problem, so pj's it is. I'm struggling to motivate myself to even get out of bed this morning. Thank you for your support, just feeling a bit sorry for myself at the moment. I'm sure it will pass. Thanks again for your kind words. Warmest wishes. 💝

Hi Julia - I wore my husband's flannel sleep pants around the house most of the time. I bought to pairs of stretchy pants (next size up before the operation and I lived in thesefor the duration of the first four weeks. The swelling had noramalized by then and I started wearing my regular clothes except when tired (then everything seemed hyper-sensitive and I reverted to 'comfy' clothes). 

If you can get a friend or relative to cooperate - have an at-home pedicure, foot and leg massage with lots of mositurizers. My skin, hair and nails took a ral beating from this operation and the pampering will feel soooo good. While I think of it - eat jello or gelatin products - really helps with recovery of all of these. 

Hugs to you Julia

Hello Sue, who would have thought it would be so difficult to allow yourself to rest, without feeling guilty, even after surgery. I think I will allow myself a day to recharge the old batteries.  Thank you for your kind words. Let's try again full force tomorrow. Warmest of wishes. 💖

Hello Renee, I don't know what it is about you, but you can make me smile and  cry at the same time, a bit like my hero Bet Midler. You allow the emotions to flow without reproach, Again you have made me feel less of a failure, along with Linda and Sue. Thank you again for your support. love Julia. xxxxxxxxxxx

This is your time to rest and heal. Pack the guilt away and take all the time you need to get better. You might compromise your recovery by pushing yourself so please try not to do so. It is OK to stay in your pyjamas, to lie around, eat, read, knit, colour, listen to music, enjoy visits from friends, be waited on and generally be fussed over. It won't last forever and only you will know when you are ready to do more. Listen to your body, not your head. xo

Hello Chick, been thinking about you, how are you doing? Thank you for that, just what I needed to hear. Perhaps it's got a lot to do with being a woman, as to why we feel we need permission to rest, and not be the soldier most of are used to being. I'm sure I will regret not allowing myself this little bit of R and R, when I'm back to the usual grind. Guess I'm feeling old. Have had a wash and moisturised, ( skin is like a rhino at the moment ). I think my hair can wait another day, I bet it's enjoying a rest from the onslaught of dying, blowdrying, and straightening anyway. Hope your feeling well chick, and enjoying your own R and R, without the spiteful guilt monster. Great advice, most appreciated. warmest wishes. xxxx

Hello Graham, burning calories, what a geat snippet of information that is for a gal. Hope you are ok, and on the mend. Woke up this morning full of pain, much more than yeaterday, is this a normal step back that people mention, or should I be worried. Maybe it's my body telling me it wants to lie in a more natural position to the one advised for 6 weeks. Thank you again for your support. warmest wishes. Julia. xx

I really love that notion that recovery burns calories - I am going to hold onto that thought !!! We will all be skinny hippies !!! Ha ha. ( I wish !] x

Hello Malloo, every cloud has a silver lining hey. xxxx

Yes, but sadly it doesn't work like that  but it does explain the tiredness.

I put on a few pounds, which I am now trying to get rid of.

Graham

Hi Mallory, can you take an antihistamine for the itching? X

Mallory????? Sorry, predictive text!

Hello again chick, Last night I was awake all night with the itching, it seems realy deep, the kind of itch you cant reach, so frustrating. Had a bad start yesterday, but after a nice wash and putting a bit of make up on didn't do too badly for the rest of the day. This morning seems I am back to square one again, loads of niggly pains and stiffness. I am taking peoples advice and resting if and when needed, trying to ignore the guilt moster on that one. The stupid ipad seems to really dislike this forum, and won't co-operate at all, so am having to use the lap top, much more reliable. Hope you have a great day, and feel so much better. warmest wishes Julia. xxxx

Hi Julia - I have taken the dressing off and moisturised where the sticky plaster stuff was. The wound is amazing - but where did all that crinkly rhinoceros skin come from ha ha. - anyway that has reduced the itching a bit. 

The sun is shining today, I have  had a lovely wash ( oh how wonderful will it be to get in that bath - whenever that will be!!!!! )

more than that I have walked to the end of our street and back and spoken to a neighbour en route!!!! I knew I was slow cos I was too slow even for my 12 year old Labrador !!!! Ha, Neil has taken the two hooligan border terriers to the pub for refreshment ( him or them ? ) I am going to sit in the sunshine and inhale the fresh air. 

Hope you are feeling good Julia xxxxxxx

love Maloo

I will bear that in mind - why do the most obvious solutions evade you? Thankyou xxxx love Malloo

Maloo

That sounds just great progress there - love the bit about the rhino skin. The plaster glue can be unpleasantly itchy. 

Your walk sounds like a wonderful tonic to your recovery, you are not in a race, so your lack of speed does not diminish your achievement.

Best wishes

Graham