Monday, January 31, 2011 -- Day 19 UPDATE

These updates are coming more frequent now...I could just add to my morning post, but then ALL my followers wouldn't know I added anything. :-)

So..get this, ALL my steri-strips fell off since this morning! I know right. ok, ok...I'm a scab picker so OBVIOUSLY those things weren't going to stay on for very long. Anyway, I just wrote Dr. Millis an email because either I heal like Wonder Woman, or a plastic surgeon sewed me up because I had horror pictures of what my scar was going to look like and I think it looks (excuse my language Mom..Aunt Sheila...and any other family reading this) but quite frankly it looks fucking amazing. Just had to share! Enjoy! (I think this is the only time my Husband...or Brother, will allow me to post such risque pictures on the internet!)

 Please excuse 'little miss stretch mark', I had a fat stage in 3rd grade.

Monday, January 31, 2011 -- Day 19

Almost hit Day 20 and feeling basically perfect (except I can't put weight on my PAO hip). This is where I hit the crap part of recovery I think because I can do almost everything I want except walk without a crutch. Kevin left my commode upstairs again so I have to do exercise every time I gotta pee. So I did a bad thing (don't tell Doc) but I used one crutch to get to the stairs (only about 8-10 feet from my recliner) and then only used one from the top of the stairs to the bathroom (another 5 feet or so). But why take the second crutch up and downstairs, it's SUCH a hassle. So I managed to use one, even though I DEFINITELY shouldn't being less than 3 weeks post-op but nothing hurts...I just won't want to put too much weight and run the risk of hurting myself. So maybe just leave the crutch at the bottom of the stairs next time. But I felt fine. I wish my appointment was sooner than Feb 22...I feel like these next 22 days are going to be really ridiculous. Maybe I can email Millis and see if there is anything additional I can do until then.

I slept so great last night after a BUSY day and no nap. I went to bed around 9:30 and woke up around 5am, slept right through. But after 5am I woke up a lot more because I had plenty of sleep at this point. I had some cereal for breakfast...the last time I had cereal was YEARS ago...not a cereal kinda gal, but I figure I really need the calcium from the milk, so why not chow down on cereal at the same time.

I have pulled a couple more steri-strips off that were loose, the remaining ones are still on pretty well. I took a picture of what I have so far...the scar looks good at the end from what I can tell. I'm still Shea Butter and Neosporin'ing myself up like crazy. I've ALWAYS sworn by Neo so I'm in heaven now.

Not much else to say, Kevin is off to work today so I'm back to watching my shows and ready for Dexter Season 4...SO excited. This weekend we have dinner at our friend's house on Saturday and got invited to a Superbowl party right around the corner from us so it will be a busy weekend and I am READY! I know I'm not anywhere near strong, but compared to 19 days ago...even 2 days ago, I feel great. Just now the boredom sets in.

Take a peak at my pictures...not overly exciting but it will be good to compare on future pictures. The incision area is completely numb, and it feels HARD. I'm starting to massage the area to help it heal and not have scar tissue form.

TV line-up for today...90210 re-runs, Golden Girl re-runs, Dexter and Food Network. That should hold me over until Kevin gets home to make AMAZING meatloaf. He's been a real trooper putting up with me, even though I really am trying to fend for myself, I like to be waited on sometimes too. But he's a great husband (less than a year being married) he knows what he got himself into and I'm very fortunate for that AND for a husband cooks, and LOVES cooking. :-)   <3

Sunday, January 30, 2011 -- Day 18 UPDATE

OK, really not exciting...but MY FIRST STERI-STRIP FELL OFF!! ok ok, I ripped it off, but I really wanted to see that was underneath! Just looks like a dark line...not very exciting but one step closer to being normal. I also lathered up with Shea Butter this morning and put some Neosporin on the little piece of scar sticking out. :-) Why bother when they are going to cut me open to remove the screws anyway...So I put on normal underwear today (ones that mimic what my bathing suit would look like) and the scar definitely sticks out about halfway, SUCKY!! I really gotta get a good story to tell people then. Maybe a shark got me...hmmm

Sunday, January 30, 2011 -- Day 18

Oh hello little red light on my hair straightener, you haven't lit up for me in 20 days! <3 can you guess I took a shower today. I decided I wanted to do my hair and even a little makeup today because we're gonna go have lunch OUTSIDE of the condo. Finally.

I'm doing great with this blog, I REALLY want to try and update this every day while it's early in my recovery still.

The night went well, up a couple times to pee...but this is OK now because I can get in and out of bed by myself - YAY!

Not much else to reply...the one thing killing me is sneezing, I cannot commit to a true sneeze! All that comes out is a stupid little squeak. A couple days ago a sneeze came upon me so quickly I couldn't stop it and it scared me and it hurt! Omg, it hurt the numb patch below my belly button and it hurt my pelvis where everything was cut, I swear to god all my bones move when I sneeze. Not cool.

So, between that last paragraph and this one, Kevin and I had left to do some errands. We went to get lunch and boy was the booth hard on my butt! Note to self, bring pillow into restaurants every time. From there we went grocery shopping!! I did it all on crutches, I organized the list in the order we shop and also the coupons so we could be in and out FAIRLY quickly. It wasn't too bad, but while Kevin did the self checkout I, went out to his truck (YAY I can get in and out of it by myself now...it's a Ford Ranger lifted real high with no running boards!). My left hip, aka non-op, was KILLING me. It was terrible pain before surgery with two hips and now it's hating me even more because it has to be my stability right now. Man...it was rough. But my new hip was fine. I wore my brand new sneakers and it felt like I was walking on AIR. So I felt real good about this trip. By the time we got home I had to pee so bad and Kevin never brought my toilet downstairs, he said "I thought you needed some exercise to I'll leave it upstairs from now on" boy, I sure am getting my workout today! But then again, I can get in and out of cars and bed so I guess it's all working!

While we were in the store Trail Blazer...they sell all the outdoors type of things...the guy asked me what happened..I said I had surgery on my hip, I'm like an 80 year old basically. But damnit, I need to start making up some awesome stories. I ALMOST blurted out something about skiing down some sweet moguls and falling, or doing a half pipe in Colorado. So from now on I'm going to make some awesome story up depending on who asks me. If an older person asks, I'll say I fell out of bed. If someone at work asks, I slipped on the floor and am collecting on it. HAHA I think it's way more interesting than being like "yeah had surgery on my hip" unless you go into detail, it's just not a cool story. Gotta have a little fun, don't I?

Well I'm EXHAUSTED so I'll leave it at that. We have cards tonight and I'm back in action, still in 1st place too I think. WOOOOO!

Saturday, January 29, 2011 -- Day 17

Sorry, had to shoot off an update before I went to bed! My goal is to truly make an entry every day, so here goes.

First...I started to read a fellow PAO's blog last night and finished it this morning; however, it went from a PAO blog with 3 post-op surgeries (she had an infection as well as a tissue growth and everything else)...so it went from that to a cancer blog as she was diagnosed with this at 1 year post-op (at the end of 2009) and is currently still fighting! This really bothers me and I think had all day, how terrible! This poor girl went in for a PAO, had many issues and instead of going in for her second PAO she gets this diagnosis followed by chemo and radiation - I really need to suck up MY troubles and get on with this recovery shit..so here I come!

Other than that, today was pretty boring. I woke up and Kevin and I watched the news before getting out of bed then got some breakfast and he had to head off to do some side work. He got back around 3pm and I was bored out of my mind...unfortunately, we didn't do anything which I had hoped we would, being as it's FINALLY a day off together...so that sucked. But it's about 9:30pm and we're gonna go watch some TV or a movie in bed where I will fall asleep and wake up every couple of hours to flip over. I'm glad that I can sleep on my non-op side but it makes for one hectic night's sleep since I have to really concentrate on moving back and forth. ugh.

I forgot to mention in previous posts how DRY my butt is. haha I feel like I need friggin' Desitin (as in the diaper rash creme)!! I think from being in the hospital bed 24/7 and being sweaty and everything else it just got so rash-like! I've been lotioning it and putting on baby oil in the shower (basically I put this all over my body because I get really dry skin)...and alas, it's much better now. hip hip, hooray!

I also wanted to mention the nurses and staff at Children's Hospital because I haven't given them the credit they deserve. Talk about an amazing group of people. The nurses were SO sweet and caring, one better than the last. Working in a hospital primarily with children, you need a different attitude and personality. I absolutely loved my nurses, all of which were females around my age and typically I may not get along with very well, but they were AMAZING! To name a few, Rachelle-fantastic nurse who knew her shit! Anisa-Muslim woman who was my night nurse about 3-4 nights and the nicest woman ever, Danielle-of course I liked her because she has a great name, but she is pregnant and due in April, yay! Megan-my nurse towards the end, and the sweetest one of them all I think! She was born with hip dysplasia and was actually seen by Dr. Millis when she was a baby, go figure. I also had a nurse named Paula, she was nice enough, but just not over the top like the rest, but still very nice. I also want to give props to the CA (certified nurses assistant) Carrie, I had her for about 3 days and was also really great and got shit done! I just really loved the staff and was truly upset when I was discharged because I didn't want to leave! This coming from someone who hates hospitals so much! Anyway, you're in good hands at CHB!

A couple questions I have to Dr. Millis at my post-op appointment:
1) why my right arm is so weak - I think something happened during surgery, maybe they way they had my arm placed or something but it is def really weak
2) the numbness/pain in my lower belly/pooch area
3) how soon is too soon to have my LPAO (I want this done ASAP). Can he leave the screws in my first hip and take them all out together...should I wait longer and have the first screws removed with my second hip...I'm ready for surgery #2 but want to be sure my RPAO will not be in danger.
4) will my legs be the same length after my LPAO? I feel like my new leg is a bit longer than the other. Also, will my hip socket "settle", like a new house?

Anywho, these are the questions I have do far...but I still have until Feb 22, seems like a long time for a post-op. dang.

Goodnight

Friday, January 28, 2011 -- Day 16

So my posts will get shorter since things aren't changing as much but I will try and update every day!

I didn't do much today, Mom is leaving so we're trying to clean things up a bit and put laundry away and everything else so I've been up and around...but mostly sitting in my chair (fun)!

So, I realize that I move my hip around more than I should...I move it in and out more than 10 degrees, I put more weight on it than I should, I bend it more than I should...but if it doesn't hurt then why not? I don't feel like I'll get stronger without pushing my limits. I am stronger every day.

Last night Kevin took my mom and I to Ikea. I rented a wheelchair instead of lugging mine around with us but that was a bad idea. Their chair was terrible and the foot rest couldn't be moved at all so it kept my hip bent at a terrible angle the whole time so when I got home I needed some Tylenol, but otherwise I was good. I slept well in my OWN bed last night (mom kind of snores--sorry MA)!! And I did surprisingly well, I went on my side a LOT more, the only problem with that is I wake up a lot more to turn back onto my side. But I felt rested when I woke up.

Luckily tomorrow is the weekend so Kevin will be home with me and maybe we can go somewhere or do something. But I feel good and ready to move onto the next step of recovery.

Bandage Removal

So here is the picture I promised of my bandage removal. The scab above the incision is where the drainage tube was I think. This does follow a modest bikini line, although I can't quite tell when I wear these granny-panties. Enjoy.

Thursday, January 27, 2011 -- Day 15

Well...so far so good. Unfortunately I can't help my husband shovel all 23" of snow or clear off and move 3 cars, I feel pretty good.

Not much to report, I thought I would sleep like a log last night after all I did yesterday and no nap! I did pretty well. Went to bed at 11pm and woke up around 5am. I had pee, my ear hurt from sleeping on, my pillow was hard, I was uncomfortable, and mom was snoring! So I decided to grab my gaggle of pillows and head into my bedroom in hopes it was more comfy...change of scenery was good. I got in bed and got on my side which felt good and fell asleep a little, then rolled to my back and fell asleep again until around 8. So I got some good rest.

Big news today: shower and removal of the bandage!! I was dreading it...not sure why, but I was. I washed myself completely and did my bandage last. It must have taken 10 minutes to get the damn thing off. The clear wrap stuff is SO sticky I thought my leg skin was going to come off with it. So the scar is covered in steri-strips which will fall off on their own. I think the little scab I have is from the drain tube. Other than that, things look great. I washed off the blood and beta-dine and I am ready to go! Will post a pic as soon as someone will take it for me, but there's not much to see since it's covered in the strips.

Basically all to report, feeling good...and the bathroom area has become much more productive at 2 weeks post op and being off pain meds for a couple days. Thank goodness! Time to EAT!

Wednesday, January 26, 2011 -- Day 14

2 weeks ago today I was under the knife...doesn't seem possible!

Mom got here yesterday late afternoon and Kevin had dinner in the crockpot so we didn't have to do much for dinner.

This morning Mom and I had plans to do some shopping, a couple errand things I wanted to do, but wouldn't ya know it, they predicted 5-9 inches for today. Did I mention snow follows me? I was born in a blizzard and it's been following me around ever since - day of my pre-op we had gotten that huge blizzard in December, my surgery was in a blizzard, the day I left we got snow and ice...sheesh! But anyway, we did two errands, AC Moore and Bed Bath& Beyond, basically in the store and out of the store since I can't stand very well and my non-op leg still is super sore and that is my stability right now. But we got back in the car (trecking through more and more snow) and I was exhausted! The ride home was a little longer because the highways weren't plowed yet and when we got close we decided to go to lunch at Chili's, I almost fell asleep in my food! Couldn't wait to get home. Got home and got through the ~4" snow on the side walk and plopped in my chair, I am SO tired and a bit sore. This is the most I've done in 2 weeks and I basically didn't do much at all. I took a couple Tylenol as I didn't think I needed narcotics and here I am, ready for a nap.

Not much else to report...sleeping is getting better and rolling onto my side is also getting easier and I can stay a bit longer. This recovery thing is slow, but getting there.

Do not look if you get sick from blood....

Here is a picture my mom took when they were changing my dressing, aka, Millis Diaper. It's not pretty...

I'll take my bandage off in the next couple days so a 2-week scar pic will be taken. This picture was taken on Day 2. The discoloration is the iodine, not necessarily blood.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011 -- Day 13

Today we're doing good, it's 10:00a and I've eaten and taken a shower..now I'm exhausted.

So Kevin left for work at 8am and I refused to get out of bed because I was somewhat comfortable. So I managed to get out of bed by myself - I shift up the bed and grab my thigh to dangle my op leg off the bed and sit up, no problems here anymore! I also gt up earlier to use the bathroom and got back to bed alone. I feel a lot stronger than even two days ago which is a noticeable change! So I came downstairs and got my yogurt/granola/strawberry breakfast which was yummy! Then back upstairs for my shower. I was a bit hesitant since no one was home, but I didn't try anything fancy so I figured I couldn't hurt myself. 

I got my clothes and headed to the shower. Got everything ready and able to grab once I got out of the shower. Before surgery we bought a new shower head, the type attached to a hose so you can sit and use the shower head which was such a great buy! So I take it off of the hook and let it dangle in the shower. I crutch up next to the shower, put my non-op crutch into the shower and quickly put my leg into the shower (over the tub), then shift closer to the tub and bend my leg at the knee to get my op leg into the shower - no pain here. -- I know I have explained this, but just going over it again to help anyone who got confused the first time. SO...I sit on my shower seat which I bought on eBay for $40 and use the shower hose. I first do my hair and put it in a towel so it's done and out of the way (I use a 2-in-1 shampoo / cond) no need to fuss with the hair since all I do is sit home in my chair all day. I wash my face next followed by my body. For christmas I asked for a loofa/sponge on a stick to help wash my back and op leg since I wouldn't be able to bend...so this also is a great idea!

SOO the big step today was shaving my legs! The last shave was the day before surgery so I looked pretty manly. So the non-op leg (not sure if this is considered my good leg or my bad leg now...technically my PAO is my good leg but I'll stick to calling them op and non-op leg for sake of argument) was easy to shave since I can put it up on the wall (also suggest the Intuition razor which is the one with the bar of soap around the blade so no need fussing with gel and a razor). The issue was with my op leg, I can bend to the right side and the left side a good amount but bending straight is difficult since I can't go more than 90 degrees. So my op leg may not be perfect, but it's a hundred times better than how it was before. I am also getting SUPER dry skin so I used some baby oil at the end of my shower so I didn't have to lotion up after the shower. I feel so refreshed, but it does take a LOT out of me. Lastly is putting on socks, that is VERY difficult and was a little painful. But I think I got the hang of it so YAY!

Before bed last night I did take the Oxycontin, 12 hour slow release, just to relax me a bit so I could be a little more comfortable. BUT, Kevin let me sleep on the couch for 2 hours so needless to say I didn't sleep much in bed. urgh! Don't fall asleep anywhere but BED because then your entire night gets kind of ruined. But I did roll to my non-op side with a pillow between my legs twice and was pretty comfortable. So I made few more big steps.

One last thing, Kevin helped with my exercises yesterday after work and I felt much stronger. There are 6 exercises PT gives you to do before you leave the hospital:
1: flex your foot/ankle up and down 10 times twice a day
2: squeeze your butt (proper terminology obviously) 10 times twice a day
3: tighten your quad, so basically lift your leg from the knee down up a couple inches 10 times twice a day
4: roll your knee in 10 degrees and out 10 degrees (may need help rolling out) 10 times twice a day
5: move entire leg (hip to foot) to the left 10 degrees and to the right 10 degrees - 10 times twice a day
6: (you will need help for this one) laying flat, have someone bend your leg up to an 80 degree angle to your body 10 times twice a day.

So I have done the first 3 by myself and can do the rolls almost all myself. But I do need help with the others. I feel like I am helping when Kevin is moving me but he told me I wasn't! So yesterday he could really feel the difference (in just one day) I can really help lift my leg up to the 80degree angle, so YAY I'm getting stronger.

Anything else changes...I'll update. Can't believe I'm off pain meds only 13 days after a MAJOR surgery where they cut my bone! Still feeling pretty great, but still LAZY!

Monday, January 24, 2011 -- Day 12 - UPDATE

So it's already 4:30pm and I am happy to announce I have not taken any medication (besides my daily aspirin to prevent blood clots) since I went to bed at 11pm last night. I feel GREAT! (just a bit lazy). I just did some work from home, walked around the condo (got the blood flowing and now I'm hot), and walked up and down the 2 flights of stairs to get some exercise. I feel like I'm doing great and in no pain, just tight/sore in my groin and my arm is still killing me. But what more do you want 12 days after a major surgery!

:-)

Mom comes tomorrow!

I also cleaned up my area because I looked like a hoarder momentarily, Mom can help more with that when she comes. YIPPIE!

Phew I'm so hot. Word of advice on the coldest day of the year so far...get up and move around!

Monday, January 24, 2011 -- Day 12

Kevin and I play in a card league on Sunday nights and I wasn't going to go last night but just as he was leaving I decided I wanted to go too. I didn't play, I just observed because I do get tired quick, but it was nice to get some fresh air and move around a bit, it was the first time I left the house since I came home!

Today was eventful. I woke up around 7:30 and had to pee but refused to get up! So I kept trying to fell back to sleep, but around 8 I decided I would get up. So this was the first time I attempted to get in and out of bed alone and it was a success! I threw off the sheets and shifted to more sitting position then grabbed my thigh with my hands and moved it off of the bed and VOILA! To get back into bed is a little more challenging. I sat on the edge and shimmied onto the bed about halfway, then I bent my leg up at the knee (grabbing my thigh again) I then put it on the pillow (that I use under my leg at night) and moved it down the pillow and laid back down. Then I decided I'd try to lay on my side again and that was successful for maybe 30 minutes or so. I also didn't take any pain meds since I went to bed at night so I was doing great. Kevin woke up and forced me out of bed, and again I got out by myself so I feel more self sufficient; however, I still need help to put pants and socks onto my op leg, but that will come with time.

The coldest day of the year we decide to treck out this morning and do some errands at the bank! It felt good to get out again but I was exhausted when I got home and my heard was pounding! It's noon time and I haven't taken pain meds since 11pm last night and I still feel pretty good!

Kevin went to work around 11am so it's my first time being home alone so we'll see how this goes. It's so cold and I'm under 2 blankets and don't feel like getting up to walk around!!! This is not fun! Can't wait for the second PAO to be in the summer!

Sunday, January 23, 2011 -- Day 11

Wow, I think we've hit a turning point!!

So last night we decided I should try sleeping in the spare room since the mattress is practically new and may be more comfortable, BINGO! I went to bed around 11pm, took the slow release Oxycontin around 8 and the short release Oxycodone at 11pm before bed and slept perfect right up until 6am! I woke up and had to pee, but refused to get up. I was a little stiff and my back hurt a little, but nowhere near the pain in my other bed. So I popped the Oxycodone and fell back asleep until almost 9am! Kevin woke up around the same time and came to see how I was, I did feel pretty darn good. My back hurt, but not too too terribly and my leg wasn't very sore, just my ankle from being bent over from the sheets for so long. but a few exercises got that all back to normal.

As Kevin got into the shower I attempted to roll onto my non-op side again with a pillow between my legs (I like the longer, King size pillows the best for this) and it actually felt pretty good! SO double YAY! I laid like this for 15 minutes or so and them shimmied myself out of the bed (really not problem at all!). In the spare bed, my op leg is closest to the side, so with a little help from grabbing my thigh I got right out of bed, got some clean clothes and went into the bathroom where I scared Kevin because he didn't know I could get out of bed by myself!

I got in the shower - we have a tub/shower so I put one crutch into the shower and then hop my good leg in (left leg) then I scoot closer to the tub and bend my right leg at the knee to get my op leg in, doesn't hurt at all. I took a quick shower since I showered late yesterday and didn't do much to get dirty, plus Kevin used all my hot water. I felt really good. I cleaned up a bit and now decided to go down to my recliner (we have friends coming over today so we're trying to make this place look presentable). But the time I maneuvered down two flights of stairs I was exhausted! My heart was about to jump out of my skin and I was very hungry (now 10am) I needed some food.

So now here I am in my recliner, feeling really good about the progress. My hip is really in no pain, just still that uncomfortable feeling in y lower stomach/groin that does hurt to the touch. My arm feels like it's getting a little better and my cold sore is also looking a little better - this I got in the hospital, gross! The cream medication seemed to only make matters worse.

OH one last thing, last night around 10pm before we went up to bed I had a BM all by myself! YES! The things that excite me.

If there are any other changes I'll update later tonight...otherwise I feel a good recovery coming!

EDIT: We play in a card league on Sundays and I wasn't going to go tonight...but as Kevin was getting ready to leave I thought what the hell, what else am I going to do? SO I went! It felt good to get the fresh air in my lungs and also tired me out so I hope to sleep well tonight. I didn't play as I get tired and uncomfortable in straight chairs (even with my stolen hospital pillow under me) but it felt good to be out for 2 hours...even though walking down the sidewalk at our condo is icy! I feel so good, but had to take the Oxycontin when I got home for a bit of relief. I think another week or less and I'll be off of the meds!

Saturday, January 22, 2011 -- Day 10

Woke up early again, around 4am and tried moving around, sitting up, laying back down…I managed to sleep until 4:45am when I and had to come to my recliner to get the rest of my sleep. It’s starting to get really old now and it sucks. I emailed Dr. Millis, he suggested trying sleeping on my non-op side but it may be too sore…which it is because I have tried previously. Tonight I think I’ll try our spare bed since the mattress is basically new…so maybe it will give me more support. 

Today I took a shower with my new shower seat and really it was fine, I have no pain whatsoever, just strange numbness in my “pooch”(area below my belly button)  during my shower. So after yet ANOTHER mini meltdown I took my meds and went back to my chair for the remainder of the day to catch up on my DVR shows. 

My right arm still hurts, it’s inside my shoulder and the muscle…I have to figure out what’s going on with that. So I hope today is a new day and a start to a new state of mind because I can’t go on like this being down on myself and not thinking positive. Every day is something new and something better and I just have to think of it that way.  

I can shimmy myself onto the bed without help and move my leg around by grabbing my thigh, but sometimes in my groin gets a pinched sort of feeling so then I need help to situate my leg back to be more comfortable. 

I’ll get up again for dinner and eat at the table which I have done every evening, then reside back to my chair. I hope tonight’s sleep is a little better.

Friday, January 21, 2011 -- Day 9

Today I slept until around 7am and came down to my recliner and fell asleep again…even though I had plenty of sleep. Kevin went back to sleep so I didn’t have much else to do. 

When I woke up I decided I was going to do hourly walks around the condo to get my muscles moving and in a better state of mind. It definitely helped! I can get up by myself and sit back in my chair by myself. I stayed in an up-right position for a change as it wasn’t hurting or anything. 

Around dinner time I got annoyed that I hadn’t used the restroom in a couple days so I tried another suppository and that seemed to get things moving rather quickly. So I felt a little less bloated which helped make me more comfortable. I want to cut back on my pain meds to make things more regular but it’s a bit early for that I think.

Fell asleep in my chair and woke up around 11pm to go to bed. I didn’t want this to happen because I knew I was going to wake up really early in the morning with back pain.

Thursday, January 20, 2011 -- Day 8

I woke up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom and Kevin had to help my leg out of bed again. My tailbone was still in terrible pain but I can’t really fix that. I took some medicine around 5am and went back to bed. Woke up a little after 7am and had Kevin bring my belongings downstairs so I could sit in my recliner since my back hated me. My parents woke up shortly after to keep me company while Kevin went back to bed.  My pain was still under control but I sat in my chair for a while. We ate some breakfast and my parents left then I just hung around in my chair pretty much all day and we had some pasta for dinner.  The day was uneventful.

I can get in and out of the chair by myself, I just need a bit of help to put the pillow under my leg to keep it slightly bent. I can hold my thigh and pick my leg up a few inches without any pain.

The strange feelings I’m having – pain in my lower stomach when I stand up. Feels like tearing of my incision but it’s not near my incision. The feeling started today. It also is painful to the touch so I need to find out what that is all about. The other feeling is my right arm, it feels a bit weak. I think it was either held out during surgery at a strange angle or something…but trying to lift it up it’s a bit weak.

So I did some work from home today to pass some time, I had a lot of work to do. But sitting in my chair I really feel pretty good.  I had another mini meltdown because I really wish my mom could have stayed with me but she has a lot of things to do at home – it makes me tear up just thinking about it. Even though Kevin is doing everything he possibly can and I love him for it, you always want Mom when you’re not feeling well. So I called her and relaxed a bit. 

I do my daily PT exercises and they are getting easier every day. Pain is still at a 3-4 at the worst. Except that feeling in my lower stomach.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011 -- Day 7

I just had half a bagel for breakfast so I could take my meds and everyone else went to breakfast in the hotel restaurant. I took a shower (we trecked the commode all over the country-side, but thank goodness because it fit nicely in the shower. So the shower made me feel renewed and we got packed up to head home. I drove with my Mom in the Tahoe as that was more comfortable and my dad rode with Kevin in my car back to CT.

We got back to CT and everyone unpacked everything and my mom made some lunch of the leftover food they had packed for the hotel.  I was very comfortable in my recliner while everyone ate in the kitchen. My pain was very low – and I forgot to mention I fell asleep most of the car ride back to CT.

My parents were debating driving home or staying the night…I had a mini breakdown (as you do feel a bit of depression once you get home..plus Moms make everything OK). So we decided they would stay for the night. Kevin made homemade pizza for dinner since we didn’t have much in the house.

The other problem I’m still having is going to the bathroom…I’ve been taking Colace which is a stool softener similar to what they were giving me in the hospital but that’s not doing much of anything. My mom suggested Dulcolax (suppository) so I tried that and had success…so we’ll see how things go from here. I fell asleep during a movie and went to bed a little after 10pm.