Re:Recoveries

[Guest guest]

Dear Lorrie, Bonnie and ,

I have found myself feeling a little jealous of some of the really quick

recoveries I've heard here, but sometimes we are comparing apples and

oranges. This surgery on a good day is very complicated and each of us bring

a different set of problems to revision. Mine was a one day surgery, and you

staged girl's sure do seem to pop back quicker. I remember going to my two

week after surgery check-up using my walker, and feeling totally awful, and

Dr. Kumar praising me on how well I was doing and I just wanted to slap him.

My progress literally felt like baby steps, but looking back, I really

recovered at a pretty good pace. I think a very long one day revision takes

a lot out of you, and with my blood loss, I just was behind par on my energy

level. While function came back fairly quickly for me, the energy part took

a full year before I felt like myself, so have heart Lorrie. Dear heart you

have been through a lot, and I'm forever here sending you good healing

karma, time unfortunately, it just takes time. I hope the pain eases soon,

and you'll be feeling better. Our recovery is just that, ours. I don't think

any two will be the same. We just have to be here to prop each other up

while going through it. You ladies are amazing for sharing so much while you

are in the thick of it!

[ ] Re: Ken-Recovery timeline (CAM - Group)

> Hi Ken,

>

> I will see what light I can shed for you...

>

> 1) Why didn't I go through rehab? I am not really sure what the

> criteria/differences are in situations that tend to get one in

> rehab....I spent 1/2 a week betwen surgeries there. I think I had

> done very well after both surgeries, I had managed to accomplish all

> the " daily living " goals that they had set out for me...and they

> knew my husband would be home with me to help full time...so I guess

> they didn't really see any need for me to stay there. I was also out

> of town....so I am only guessing.

>

> 2) are you able to sit up in bed and type on your lap top? (it's

> hard to imagine since I can't do that now).

>

> No...I do not sit....I lay flat on my back (smallish pillow under my

> head)and draw my knees up until I have a comfortable angle to set

> the keyboard against...the screen is opened more than 90deg. It is

> quite comfortable for me...my bed is nice and flat and firm. When

> you say you can't do that now...what prevents you?...I think the

> only position that allowed me relief from the sciatic pressure/pain

> was when I was laying down.

> My husband got me one of those bed cushions with arms before surgery

> and it has never come out of the plastic...I think leaning in that

> position after surgery would be quite uncomfortable...and the nurses

> and doctors are very cautious about anything that would tend to

> encourage you to bend at the waist...as this cushion would. For

> instance, in the hospital I was not allowed to use the feature on

> the hospital bed that raised the top half of the bed...the only

> thing they would do was tilt the entire bed so the head was a bit

> higher than the foot...but no raising tthe head.

>

> I am probably jumping into your personal situation way to deeply, so

> forgive me, but aren't you putting the cart a little before the

> horse, planning on having your wife not work next year when you

> haven't even found a doctor, or set a date for surgery to happen?

> Wouldn't it make more sense to have her in an income earning

> position, (covered by a contract hopefully), which will require her

> employer to allow 12 weeks of Family Leave when the time comes? Just

> a thought. Pete filed for the 12 weeks of FMLA leave and truly, he

> could have gone back to work after 8 weeks...it wouldn't have been

> perfect, but it is doable if all goes well with your recovery.

>

> And again, it is just my view, and we will all do what we have to

> do....but following your plan of selling before surgery and moving

> in with parents...aren't you putting a tremendous pressure on

> yourselves? I mean there would be all the packing and moving into

> storage, and one of you will then be living with in-laws while one

> of you is feeling pretty crummy. I love my in-laws...they came and

> cared for our child while I was at the hospital, but I was very

> happy they only stayed on a couple days after I got home....it just

> isn't the same when you don't feel good and other people are

> about..at least that is the way I feel. And it is some pressure on

> your parents who I am guessing are a little older....to have a

> recouperating person under their roofs too...

>

> If anything...I would think selling and moving and banking

> some " cabbage " while you are figuring out what is next would make

> the most sense...but then...I don't know you or your wife...my

> advice mostly reflects my personal opinion based on my life

> experinces...with the caveat that we all know that moving and health

> issues are two of the seven great stressors on a marriage....why

> roll the dice?

>

> I probably am muddying the waters...sorry if I have...Cam

>

>

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> scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

>