Hi Everyone,
I've tried to stay off the site for the first few days because of how I was feeling. My first day post op was great ( still had the epidural and constant extended relief pain pill )
My second day was alright, the epidural came out and PT began, ritualistically. I didn't do so well. I was very very lightheaded and unable to really more than stand up and walk to the window 2 feet away from my bed.
Third day was a drastic set back day and I was unable to get up and go to the bathroom, get up to stand, and all extended release pain medication was stopped. I really felt this was the lowest point of my life to date. I was depressed and felt helpless in my situation.
Fourth day, I had another set back first thing in the morning and almost fainted while in the bathroom. I was flung back into a chair and rushed over to my bed and set down to relax and regain my color and feeling. After the third day's relapse and the events of the fourth, I felt I was doomed and I knew there were going to be no visitors to raise my spirits the entire day. I was in very dire spirits and started to focus on things that I came in here to do and my mind set. I had a PT session an hour or so after the fainting incident and I was very nervous with it.
I purposely made myself eat and drink more fluids than I had been accustomed to during my stay. My appetite had diminished greatly over the last few days and started feeling this was effecting my recovery.
My PT session started off shakey, little light headed and didn't know how far I would go. I started talking with the PT about my daughter and the next I knew I had walked the farthest I had walked since being in the hospital. I even pushed to where I don't know if it was a light headed feeling or anxiety made me think twice about progressing further. I walked back to the bed and took a great nap.
My second PT session of the day.. I felt determined. I walked out to the nurses station and asked where the room with the test stairs was. I directed myself to that room and went up and down the stairs almost defiantly.
Third session of the day.. I did the same as above, almost 1/2 the time and effort. They already were talking about sending me home the next day, this speeded up the talk.
Sixth Day.
Here I am, passed through hell and back. Still looking at the gates from the wrong side, but feel like I'm leaving sometime soon. There is alot of things that this site can prep you for, but you are responsible for your own recovery. Your interactions with the nurses, patient care assistants, physical therapists can only be molded by your own questions, requests, and comments.
I'm looking forward to one thing and one thing only right now. My family, I can't wait to be home with my little girl and her smile. Hearing her say Da-da is the reason I'm here, the reason I'm alive and the reason I am going home. Oh yea, my wife too
Stay strong!