Guest guest Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 Hi Cam, Your full of good idea's. Part of the problem is my house is very small, at least on this level. So even walking in here requires five or six point turns. Also it has been raining for two or three days now and there is another week of rain due, so i can't go outside. I will however start the timer on the stove and walk around and increase that. What i was doing was, getting up and walking around for 5 or 10 minutes on the hour but i like your idea better. I'll give it a try. > > , > > You don't say, is someone walking with you? Are they afraid you are > just going to collapse? The timing of my surgery was such that > outside walking was not really a possibility for the first month to > six weeks...it was still winter and there are no paved smooth areas, > no malls...just dirt roads and trails. > > My discharge instructions, and I quote, were " Begin slowly and > gradually work up to 15-20 minute walks, 3-4 times a day. Work up to > 5 miles a day. Use a cane for outside ambulation " . > > Part of that info was good...and part, I think, is a typo. What I > did was set the timer on my kitchen stove and walk the loop in the > house first for 10 minutes, then build to 15 minutes, then 20 > mins....adding the extra 5 mins to each session every couple of > days. And I did that religiously 2 or 3 times a day. Once I got so I > could walk for the whole 20 or 25 mins. I had my husband bring me to > the grocery store so I could walk longer while he shopped....that > seemed like a huge moment. Ha! > > Working up to 5 miles seems like an outlandish goal. Before flatback > befell me I walked and hiked alot. I could walk a mile in under 13 > minutes. At that pace, post surgery goals would take 1-1/2 hours. > Being that I wasn't walking anything like 13 min/miles I am thinking > walking 5 miles, even today, would take close to 3 hours. I like the > way Martha's Doctor put it better...so I just kind of worked up to > taking one big long walk as the weather improved and I felt surer on > my feet. I think one of my routes is about 2.5 miles and I could > easily cover that by 4 months. I honestly felt a lot safer water > walking in the earlier going so I did that more. > > Maybe just tell your family that this is what it takes, and the > faster you regain some endurance, the better it is going to be for > everyone. I did order one of those camp chairs (tripod thing) that > had a sling so I could put it over my back and bring it on a walk in > case I needed to sit down. It turned out I never did...but it seemed > to make me feel more confident! > > Just remember that less is more right now. If you walk 3X 20 > mins...that is walking an hour a day....more than most of your > friends and family probably do! > > Patience! Cam > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 Val, I am lucky that my first floor has one of those circular patterns...even then I would do a turn around the kitchen island just to change direction....it can be an amusing past time. At least with this rain, that looks like it might go through the weekend, you could gain sone endurance and demonstrate to your family that you can safely walk 15 mins....maybe they will then pay the rein out a little! Cam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 , Cam, I am really bad. :-) I put on both the kitchen TV and the bedroom TV when I walked around and around the house, so I could really follow the program. It made the time walking around the house that much more interesting. Bonnie [ ] Re: ideas?CAM Val,I am lucky that my first floor has one of those circular patterns...even then I would do a turn around the kitchen island just to change direction....it can be an amusing past time. At least with this rain, that looks like it might go through the weekend, you could gain sone endurance and demonstrate to your family that you can safely walk 15 mins....maybe they will then pay the rein out a little! Cam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 Bonnie, Thats a good idea, a TV in every room....I think I ended up doing a lot of focusing on how I was standing and trying to notice the difference in walking properly. I remember feeling so awkward in my body those first few weeks home, I really felt like I had been dropped into an alien shell. I never stood like this before...even as a teen. I remember thinking I would never get used to it and be able to relax at all....but now I don't notice. Its officially the new normal. I also forgot to mention Val, even though technically since I wasn't leaving the house I didn't have to have my brace on, for the first little while I used the brace because I thought it helped me focus on the NEW posture while doing my kitchen walks. Enjoy your strolls through the house...just try not to notice what needs doing! Take Care, Cam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 I have a treadmill. I would think it should be perfect for the recovery. We have it infront of the TV. I walk with Oprah. Jolynn > > , Cam, > > I am really bad. :-) I put on both the kitchen TV and the bedroom TV when I walked around and around the house, so I could really follow the program. It made the time walking around the house that much more interesting. > > Bonnie > [ ] Re: ideas?CAM > > > Val, > > I am lucky that my first floor has one of those circular > patterns...even then I would do a turn around the kitchen island just > to change direction....it can be an amusing past time. At least with > this rain, that looks like it might go through the weekend, you could > gain sone endurance and demonstrate to your family that you can safely > walk 15 mins....maybe they will then pay the rein out a little! Cam > > > > > > scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 Jolynn, DrRand specifically cautioned me against using a treadmill. Beleive it or not, when you walk on a treadmill you actually have to " dig in " a little more to walk and, at least in my case,he felt that it was the kind of thing that could lead to problems with the illiac screws/bolts not seating properly. He actually said power walking even in the future is out...walking...good...power walking...bad. I think the other worry is that you are more likely to fall on a treadmill. In any event...I would put it on my list of " post-op " questions. At least you will be recovering during decent weather! Take Care, Cam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 Hi, all. I get the impression everyone who goes through revision spends some time using a cane or a walker. So even though I'm not currently feeling the need enough to bother with the encumberance, I'm thinking of getting a cane. Does this sound like a good idea? Do you think it has to be one of those generic medical-looking things, or might a decorative cane, say, with an interesting carved handle, work just as well? I've seen several on eBay that I'd enjoy as an expression of my personal style, which appeals to me a LOT more than something that conveys a crutch-like attitude. Does that make sense? I've pretty much given up attractive clothing on this pre-revision body, so maybe that's why I'm interested in expressive accessories. Sharon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 Hi Sharon.. I say go for it! I have used both a cane and a walker. They have both helped with my balance (I actually teeter sometimes!)The walker helps me walk easier in my natural state with out exhausting myself completely. I completely understand about the clothing thing. There are days I just stand in front of my closet crying. I get so tired of things not fitting right/looking right/hanging right etc. So if you can find yourself a cane that is pretty, interesting or just plain snazzy..again, go for it! > > Hi, all. > > I get the impression everyone who goes through revision spends some time > using a cane or a walker. So even though I'm not currently feeling the need > enough to bother with the encumberance, I'm thinking of getting a cane. > > Does this sound like a good idea? Do you think it has to be one of those > generic medical-looking things, or might a decorative cane, say, with an > interesting carved handle, work just as well? I've seen several on eBay > that I'd enjoy as an expression of my personal style, which appeals to me a > LOT more than something that conveys a crutch-like attitude. > > Does that make sense? I've pretty much given up attractive clothing on this > pre-revision body, so maybe that's why I'm interested in expressive > accessories. > > Sharon > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 11, 2006 Report Share Posted May 11, 2006 Dear Sharon, My revision was performed in a one day surgery, so my recovery timetable was a little different than most here. I used my walker for about three week post-op, and the cane for another two. I liked having the stability it gave me, especially on stairs. A long surgery, major blood loss, just zaped my energy, and I felt more confident having the aides. By all means get the aides that make you feel better, a cute cane, whatever gets you through it.I'm sure glad it's over for me and was very glad to give all that stuff to the Goodwill, a great release that I was better. I had three surgeries in two years, so boy was I tired of all that equipment. After I was up walking good, and had lost a lot of weight following surgery I was so glad to go shopping for new clothes. Jeans, something I could never wear before surgery because the waist band cut into me. I got form fitting tops, and even sweaters, to put on my new, level, less humped body. While I wasn't looking for a cosmetic fix from revision, it is a very satisfying part of it for me. I feel like I can pass for normal, before revision I sure couldn't. Re: [ ] Re: ideas?CAM > Hi, all. > > I get the impression everyone who goes through revision spends some time > using a cane or a walker. So even though I'm not currently feeling the > need > enough to bother with the encumberance, I'm thinking of getting a cane. > > Does this sound like a good idea? Do you think it has to be one of those > generic medical-looking things, or might a decorative cane, say, with an > interesting carved handle, work just as well? I've seen several on eBay > that I'd enjoy as an expression of my personal style, which appeals to me > a > LOT more than something that conveys a crutch-like attitude. > > Does that make sense? I've pretty much given up attractive clothing on > this > pre-revision body, so maybe that's why I'm interested in expressive > accessories. > > Sharon > > > > > scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 11, 2006 Report Share Posted May 11, 2006 I will be sure to ask. You can go very slowly on the treadmil. you dont have to go fast at all or powerwalk. I can understand how it is different than walking on the ground. I have fallen and busted my arse more times than I care to say in the snow and ice. I would think that I would still have to walk past the first 3 months. We get snow in late November (sometimes October). I mentioned the treadmil already and he said it is a great way to stay fit. He did not say anything about it after surgery specificly so I'll ask again. I'll write that on my list of questions. Jolynn > > Jolynn, > > DrRand specifically cautioned me against using a treadmill. Beleive it > or not, when you walk on a treadmill you actually have to " dig in " a > little more to walk and, at least in my case,he felt that it was the > kind of thing that could lead to problems with the illiac screws/bolts > not seating properly. He actually said power walking even in the > future is out...walking...good...power walking...bad. > > I think the other worry is that you are more likely to fall on a > treadmill. In any event...I would put it on my list of " post-op " > questions. At least you will be recovering during decent weather! > > Take Care, Cam > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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