and Ann Marie: In re loss of appetite/depression

[Guest guest]

,

I hope this isn't beating a dead horse, but just in case you missed my

suggestion a while

ago: It took me at least 6-8 weeks to really get back my appetite, so I stocked

the fridge

up with Nutriments. They are high protein and carb shakes that taste pretty

good. I'd have

a few of those a day in between trying to eat solid food. It wasn't awful, I

could drink one

first thing in the morning when I REALLY didn't feel like eating, and the

caloric intake really

boosted my energy level. You should be able to get these at any supermarket and

they are

not expensive.

I hope this helps. Although losing weight can be a nice benefit from surgery

(and staying

at a lower weight will really help take the pressure off your lower spine and

hips-- at least

it does in my case) you don't want to lose too much, or your energy will be

zapped, and

depression will increase. Come to think about it, this weight loss may also be

adding to

your depression level.

You will come through this depression, both of you...I can guarantee it. You are

not that

far along, but really, consider how far you've come! And when you feel as though

you just

can't face it, remember that the absolute worst is definitely behind you, and it

does get

better, bit by bit, from here on in.

Aside from that, the advice and support K gave you could not be said in a

better

way. K, you will always remain my rock, girlfriend (and probably for about

a

thousand others out here, too!)

Hugs to you guys,

Edie

> > > >

> > > > Hi All,

> > > >

> > > > These topics have been discussed in many previous posts, but I

> > wanted

> > > > to just mention a few of the things I found most helpful in my

> > recovery

> > > > when I initially returned home. I'm just over 4 weeks post-op

> > and I

> > > > know we have a number of people on deck for upcoming surgeries.

> > > > Hopefully, some of these tidbits will be useful to others. Of

> > course,

> > > > these are just the opinions of this flat-backer! Everyone's

> > needs and

> > > > experiences are unique.

> > > >

> > > > Hospital bed:

> > > > The best! Very comfortable, I can position myself to lay flat or

> > sit

> > > > up without straining myself and I use tons of pillows to

> > alternate my

> > > > position and get comfortable. I have found that I can now sleep

> > on my

> > > > side and it is SO comfortable. I commonly sleep through the

> > night.

> > > >

> > > > Bedside Commode:

> > > > Another must have. The first few nights I used it right next to

> > the

> > > > bed (hubby was right by my side) and then I put it in the

> > bathroom

> > > > which is a short walk down the hall (again, hubby with me.) What

> > I have

> > > > is the combo bedside commode/toilet seat riser with handles. So

> > when

> > > > used on the toilet, it just provides me with a higher seat with

> > > > handles. The thing they sent home from the hospital with me was

> > a

> > > > device you just put on top of your toilet seat. I don't know

> > what it

> > > > is called, but I didn't find it very stable and it stil seemed

> > pretty

> > > > low. I'm sure some people find it to be fine, but I like the one

> > I

> > > > bought at the drugstore better.

> > > >

> > > > Comfy Clothes:

> > > > While I love cotton PJs, I have been living in what I call

> > my " Growing

> > > > Up Gotti " clothes. If any of you remember this reality show, I

> > dress

> > > > like the teenage boys on the show. Let me try to explain: I

> > wear

> > > > those athletic clothes that are a polyesther/spandex blend. They

> > are

> > > > really long shorts with a draw string waist (which makes them so

> > > > comfy.) While you can buy long sleeve jackets to match, I prefer

> > the

> > > > short sleeved ones. I guess if I had impressive arm muscles,

> > they

> > > > would be quite prominent with this jacket! Anyway, I wear a

> > regular

> > > > white tee shirt with my brace over it and then the jacket over

> > that.

> > > > You'd never know I even had a brace on. I just always look like

> > I'm on

> > > > the way to the gym! The only piece of clothing out of whack are

> > my K-

> > > > Mart courderoy slip on sneakers/deck shoes. I wear a brace on my

> > left

> > > > leg for the dropped foot, so I needed a pair of slip on sneakers

> > that I

> > > > could cut up a bit to fit the brace into. By the way, the reason

> > I

> > > > like these clothes is that they are comfortable enough to sleep

> > in, but

> > > > I don't feel like I'm in my PJs all day. I try to nap during the

> > day,

> > > > so if someone comes to the door, I look " dressed. "

> > > >

> > > > Meds

> > > > When I first got home, I took my 2 tabs of oxycodine every 4

> > hours

> > > > whether I felt I needed it or not. I have to say that I have

> > been

> > > > lucky and really have had NO BACK PAIN since my surgery. My big

> > issue

> > > > were the muscle spasms in my legs/butt which I take valium for.

> > The

> > > > valium does the trick and I now only need it once or twice a day

> > at

> > > > most. Since seeing Dr. Boachie last week, I have started to take

> > the

> > > > oxycodene every 6 hours now instead of every 4 and I found no

> > > > difference in comfort level. PLEASE NOTE: I'm scheduled to

> > start

> > > > working with a pain management doctor next week to get on an

> > > > appropriate plan for the meds going forward. I'm in no way

> > suggesting

> > > > to anyway to experiment with their meds without their doctor's

> > advice -

> > > > I had talsked with my doctor. Anyway, what I realy want to tell

> > you

> > > > guys about meds is this: take your colace (stool softener) every

> > day

> > > > and milk of magnesia as required. The last thing you need is to

> > get

> > > > backed up from the narcotics and this is from a girl who eats a

> > diet

> > > > incredibly high with fiber! You get the picture - enough said!

> > > >

> > > > Emotional State:

> > > > I'm so glad I heard a lot about this from you guys, but it is

> > worth

> > > > repeating for our buddies about to go through surgery. My mood

> > changes

> > > > from day to day. Most days I feel pretty good and have great

> > ideas in

> > > > my head and feel enthusiastic about things (i.e. who I will

> > call/email

> > > > that day, etc.,) and then I fall asleep and do nothing - which is

> > > > perfectly fine with me! Other days I feel very emotional and am

> > quick

> > > > to cry. Luckily, I have way more good days than bad days, but

> > they are

> > > > both normal. I have absolutely no attention span. I can't even

> > follow

> > > > the plot of the simplest movies, but it is getting better. I

> > also

> > > > often fall asleep within 5 minutes of the start of the movie. I

> > also

> > > > have no memory. I've spoken with friends on the phone who have

> > > > said " you told me that story yesterday, " and I don't even

> > remember

> > > > having spoken with them! Anyway...point is this is all normal

> > and gets

> > > > better each day. When I wake up and it feel like a " good day, "

> > I'm

> > > > grateful and try to take advantage of the good feelings. When I

> > wake

> > > > up and it's a " bad day " when I just feel crummy, I try not to

> > sweat it

> > > > too much and just trust it will pass.

> > > >

> > > > Hope some of this is helpful to others! Happy Sunday....

> > > >

> > > > Ann marie

> > > >

> > >

> >

>