Recovery ramblings

[greatbear]

Two weeks already. Seems like it was only, well, a couple weeks since the surgery. Slow progress being made. Jeff and I managed to get out in Saturday to have a nice early dinner at Carrabbas. My apetite is beginning to return, but I still can't handle anything resembling large portions, my insides need to recalibrate a while longer. It's nice that my sense of taste is mostly back to normal; the antibiotics and various IV fluids and other chemical tomfoolery bestowed upon my body by the hospital skewed my taste sensation a bit. I'm trying to wean myself from the Rush Limbaugh Recreational Drug of Choice (Oxycontin), but it is still an unfortunate necessity. Case in point, on Sunday Jeff and I ventured to the Columbia Mall for a little while to get me out of the house and to do some walking, but I figured I would skip the painkillers while out and about. Bad idea, since it did not take long before I was in agony from the waist down. We cut our little outing short and headed home I medicated and rested for a while. This was kinda sad, since the trip was to go out and shop for each of our anniversary gifts for one another. Postponed for another day. Jeff helped me a bit in the evening to see how other things are recovering. Prognosis: Good. ;)

I started today out of sorts and moped around the house between trying to rest, but once past noon I got an unexpected surge of energy. Kodi and I went out back, I opened up the garage for the first time and began to tinker. The nice weather, fresh air and rejuvenated feeling made me drag out some tools and do some makin' and fixin'. Just what the doctor ordered. Jeff eventually came home, we had a nice little dinner and I've been tinkering since. I'm able to stand for longer periods than before the operation, and I managed to get around the entire day sans cane. Good stuff.

I'm trying not to overdo things during my recovery. I don't want to jinx myself or cause any damage, just coasting along, getting needed exercise and making the best of the situation. As I feel better, I will expand my activities. On Thursday I should be able to have my seventeen body piercings removed. My main concern is the overall "dead" feeling below my knees. Not only is the numbness uncomfortable, but I get cramps in my arches, calves and shins from the lack of "feedback" from my muscles. I was warned that it will take a long time for this to abate, and might not recover fully. I have yet to attempt any driving, and I won't for at least another week. I'm afraid the numbness will interfere with working pedals. No gymkhana driving for a while. ;)

Here's hoping for more forward progress.

Comments

[putzmeisterbear.livejournal.com]

It is great to hear you are making progress. And it seems that you have a good plan for your recovery. Don't force it. Why are you having your piercings removed?

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

They are currently holding my incision closed. 17 little stainless staples. ;)

[putzmeisterbear.livejournal.com]

Aah, OK. It all becomes clear now....
And you seem to have that raw look. Good.

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

That was what it looked like the second day when Jeff changed the dressing. Better than I expected. It's healing nicely, though it's gonna smart each time one of those things is popped out. lol

[dan4behr.livejournal.com]

If it's anything like having the staples taken out after my hernia operation, it was one of the most wonderful feelings of my life - blessed relief. And not more itching!

[maxauburn.livejournal.com]

Wow... impressive!! Kinda looks like the Valles Marineris of Mars:



Glad you are slowly making progress!

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

But with a ladder built in!

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

"Jeff helped me a bit in the evening to see how other things are recovering. Prognosis: Good. ;)"

Bow chikka-bow-wow!

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

=D

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

I'm taking this easy.

[tbrough.livejournal.com]

Take your time to allow the healing process. Hugs your way!

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[furr-a-bruin.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad to hear you're improving, although slowly. Here's to the positive trend continuing!

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

Hear, hear!

[redmoonriver.livejournal.com]

I think your posting just simply sounds more relieved. And for this I'm glad. :)

[eric-mathgeek.livejournal.com]

Hugs and good thoughts.

[spatts5.livejournal.com]

A friend had a similar surgery and is also recovering nicely. Glad to hear you're able to tinker about (inside and out). I'm sure the best anniversary gift for Jeff is to have you feeling better each day. Now you'll have a great pick up line...What to see my scar?

[merlinwon.livejournal.com]

I KNEW yu could do it! Wonderful smile on face entry to read yur on the UP HILL side!! Yahooo!! :)

<3

[kymutt.livejournal.com]

Glad to here you are recoverin'nicely. Even more so that you were able to get back and do some tinkerin'! I don't know as much about you as I'd like, but I know that is somethin' you really enjoy. I hope you're able to do that more often, and keep makin' positive strides (sans cane!) and as always, if you need anythin' and I can help, let me know.

[rockybear02.livejournal.com]

So happy to hear that you were at least able to get out and tinker a little Phil - that is good news.

SORRY it is going slow - but it will all be worth it.

Big hugs

PS -

AND if the Mini needs some miles put on it - just give a hollar...

[(Anonymous)]

I know his cub could use some miles put in him :)

[jkusters]

So happy to hear you've been able to get back to your garage tinkering! Add my hopes for continued forward progress!

[teddyb.livejournal.com]

I'm really glad to hear you have made some really good progress and haven't encountered any major post-op complications.

Keep moving forward, but take it slow and easy and let your body heal up before pushing anything too far.

Great progress!! Very good to hear, Phil!