Re: Re: Response to (CAM - BONNIE)

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Hi , I'm So Glad you have found some relief... and I'm looking forward to some of it myself!! Ken.heatherbenjaminnicholas <heatherbenjaminnicholas@...> wrote: ---Ken,Before the surgery I could not put my legs straight out..it actually brought tears to my eyes...not now!!! I can do it now!!!,PAIn , "Bonnie" <bonnie@...> wrote:>> Ken,> > For lying flat, do you use a thick pillow or wedge under your knees? I lie on my back with a wedge under my knees for hours on end. Without it, I would last about 1 minute.> > Bonnie> [ ] 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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