hearts and roses
Mind Reader
When my surgeon said the first month is grueling, he wasn't kidding. Immediately following the surgery, I felt pretty good...well, duh, my leg still had the nerve block and I was on strong pain killers. As the nerve block wears off and the PT begins, well now, things change a little. Your muscles spasm and ache. You feel the pain. I guess the primary goal with the PT is range of motion. Mine is at about 66-70 degrees. The immediate goal is 90 degrees' hopefully by weeks end.
I had a bit of a falling apart at the seams moment last night. I felt so behind progress wise,like my mind and body were not cooperating. I wasin so much pain and really couldn't sit or lie down without severe cramping or muscle spasms. I wanted to swallow extra doses of my pain medications and muscle relaxers. My PT called and I ended up crying into the phone.she suggested icing my knee while the medications kickin. Did that, helped a wee bit,but I had to keep the ice packs on for a few hours to get relief. So that was last night, 6 days out from the surgery. I vowed to set the alarm to take my medications throughout the night so there is never a gap again!
This morning, I was able shower on my own, scrub my face, wrap my leg in Saran, wash my hair, dry off, lotion, shave and get dressed without H's help! I then gimped into the kitchen, H made me a coffee and cereal, I read the paper and gimped back to my room for a liedown (my feet have been freezing!) under the heated blanket.
The point is that yesterday was a bad day, but this morning was better. In terms of pain and discomfort, medications help, so will time and ice. The PT in the hospital said that I will have days that are great, followed by days that stink, followed by days that are okay. As the muscles become stronger and I can do more, I will feel that healing taking place on the inside and it will hurt, but ultimately, the end result should be good.
It is frustrating for me to feel so incapable! The little things I do throughout the day or for myself and others, wow. I have to keep reminding myself that this has only been a week. My surgeon said the first month is grueling but that one day you turn a corner. I will keep you posted!
I had a bit of a falling apart at the seams moment last night. I felt so behind progress wise,like my mind and body were not cooperating. I wasin so much pain and really couldn't sit or lie down without severe cramping or muscle spasms. I wanted to swallow extra doses of my pain medications and muscle relaxers. My PT called and I ended up crying into the phone.she suggested icing my knee while the medications kickin. Did that, helped a wee bit,but I had to keep the ice packs on for a few hours to get relief. So that was last night, 6 days out from the surgery. I vowed to set the alarm to take my medications throughout the night so there is never a gap again!
This morning, I was able shower on my own, scrub my face, wrap my leg in Saran, wash my hair, dry off, lotion, shave and get dressed without H's help! I then gimped into the kitchen, H made me a coffee and cereal, I read the paper and gimped back to my room for a liedown (my feet have been freezing!) under the heated blanket.
The point is that yesterday was a bad day, but this morning was better. In terms of pain and discomfort, medications help, so will time and ice. The PT in the hospital said that I will have days that are great, followed by days that stink, followed by days that are okay. As the muscles become stronger and I can do more, I will feel that healing taking place on the inside and it will hurt, but ultimately, the end result should be good.
It is frustrating for me to feel so incapable! The little things I do throughout the day or for myself and others, wow. I have to keep reminding myself that this has only been a week. My surgeon said the first month is grueling but that one day you turn a corner. I will keep you posted!
Praying the pain is on a downward trend. (((hugs)))
