Post Op 12 days on

Hi Everyone.  Just thought I would update you all on my recovery.  Do I have pain?  Yes - this is the muscles repairing themselves - they have had a major traumatic time.  This may be an 'everyday' operation but it is still a major op.  Everyone will heal at different rates - alot will depend on how 'active' you were before the op.  Is the operated side swollen?  Yes -but this is normal.  If you have alot of swelling, get medical advice.  You might need to lay down with your foot higher than your heart.  Are my stitches/staples out?  No - this is happening on Friday.  Can I shower? Yes - I shower everyday including hair.  This makes me feel so much better.  Just take my time and sit if I need to.  How am I sleeping?  Still on back, sometimes with a pillow underneath the affected side especially if the leg is throbbing.  I sleep in a semi recumbrant position.  Not sleeping fully flat yet.  Do I feel frustrated?  You bet I do - I want to be so much further on than I am, but patience is a virtue (or so they say)!  Do I have daily help?  No, husband has returned to work.  Have to use one stick in the home in order to be able to carry a cup of tea etc.  Use a rucksack to carry miscellenous items i.e. puzzle book, kindle, purse, tissues, etc.  Just take my time and potter when I feel up to it.  Love tennis so with Queens on this week, Eastbourne next and then Wimbledon I couldn't have the op at a better time!  Do I use 2 sticks?  Yes.  Everytime I go out.  Using one stick all the time will instill bad habits - i.e. putting all your weight on the good leg.  To get back to normal walking you must put weight on the operated side.  I got 'wrong' from Physio son last night - I was standing with my legs too close together.  Stand with a wider astride - you are more likely to put your weight equally on both legs with a wide stance. Otherwise you are protecting the 'injured side'.  Have I suffered from Post Op Blues?  Yes.  First day home was horrid.  Husband was at work.  I was frightened in case I fell.  I was annoyed that hubby was unable to spend time at home when I needed him.  No one to talk to.  No one taking blood pressure etc.  No longer the centre of attention. Was not confident to have a shower.  Found everything difficult. Think there was also an element of the 'cocktail of drugs' leaving the body.  When did I feel better?  Thankfully the next day.  Helped that son took the afternoon off to spend time with his mum and then hubby was off the next 2 days.  Friends and Family have been major factors in helping with the recovery.  I have hayfever as a result of so many bouquets of flowers!  How old am I?  I will be 55 in just over a weeks time - more cards to fill the house!  Husbands was last week plus the get well cards.  Could start a shop!  Is it Easy?  No, but I am feeling postive and I hope that my experience will help others.  It is not pain free - take pain killers when you need them.  Yes, they might make you constipated but you need to keep moving to improve.  I am sure I will hit another brickwall sometime but taking one step at a time and crossing each bridge as it presents itself.  Good luck everyone.  We are on the road to recovery.  There is light at the end of the tunnel xx Mo

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