planning post surgery

[withm]

When I had my bone spur removed, I slept in a recliner for about a week. If you sleep in your bed, you might want a pillow to hug -- it helps keep your shoulder stable.

This tip alone has already given me many more hours of sleep than I would have had "normally" in the last couple of nights. Who knew a little pillow would make so much difference? I still wake up every 2-3 hours, but at least I'm no longer in tears when I do. Thank you Snap for your wisdom.

My tentative date is 11/23, which relieves me of any obligations to travel over Thanksgiving. However if this pain progresses as much in the next two weeks as it did in the last two weeks, I'm in trouble.

[snapdragen]

This tip alone has already given me many more hours of sleep than I would have had "normally" in the last couple of nights.

Glad I could be of help!

Has your doctor given you anything for the pain?

[ruffianxc]

I say although you may be independent, you may have to ask for help with things. I remember it was sometimes frustrating not being able to do something by myself. Give yourself extra time to get around and do things. Don't overextend yourself at the time even if you may feel pressure from work. Easier said than done I guess.

Thats all I remember.

I've never had shoulder story just a couple knee surgeries when I was in college. I guess college was nice though as I had a dining hall. I didn't even think about stocking up on food.

[Tokie]

A tip from the recovery room - a pull-over or step into camisole top with a shelf bra is pretty comfy to protect your breast from your sling and give you some support. You can put it on and just leave the strap loose or off on the surgery side. Good to wear to bed too. And I strongly recommend Miralax. No yucky taste, cramps, etc. Just start taking it - if the pain pills give you bad constipation, you might want to take the usual dose twice a day 'til you poop. Good luck! tokie

[withm]

Well I got my staples removed today. I had been prepared for a painful session and was surprised and relieved for it to have been a non-event. It felt like a great weight had been lifted from my shoulder. I guess the staples pulled my skin quite a bit more than I realized. I went to PT afterward, and though my shoulder is still very tight I did notice that my range of motion is improved even from Monday. It's a good thing too, cause doing my "homework" yesterday brought me to tears. I managed to stay with it up until the end when they brought me my ice, but forgot to bring me a pillow for my arm.

I've learned a lot of things this past week.

Miralax is my friend. It took a few days before it started to work, but it looks as though I'll be needing it for as long as I am taking the percocet.

Wearing t-shirts, sweaters, fleece with V-necks are the easiest clothes to get on/off. Shirts, sweaters, jackets with buttons/zippers are hard because I can not flip them off of my shoulders, nor reach behind far enough to grab a sleeve and pull the clothes off. Slippery fabrics are better - pima cotton, fleece, fine gauge sweaters. Rough fabrics grab onto each other and are more difficult to manage.

I did break down and buy a recliner (Ekornes Stressless chair). What a luxery! I had avoided owning one all these years cause most seemed to be huge, clunky, and ugly. This one is on a swivel base, reclines, and has a separate footstool. Butter soft navy blue leather. This is heaven. I have probably slept more in the recliner than I have in my bed in the last 5 days. It was not cheap but it's definitely worth every penny.

I still can't wash my hair easily, or style it at all with the blow dryer but at least it's clean.

I still can't open jars, or child-proof pill bottles. I can finally tie my own shoes though after 10 days.

The doctor said to give it a least 2 months to expect noticeable improvement. I have seen small improvements every day so right now things are looking good. But the good news is that but the PT says I can probably ride my bike "in a couple weeks." A bike ride for Christmas sounds pretty good to me right now.

[snapdragen]

I know the feeling about PT bringing you to tears. It gets better!

So glad you've been able to get some sleep, I think you made an excellent investment in your recliner. I asked my pharmacy to put non-child proof caps on my meds, you might see if yours has replacement caps.

[Zen]

I know the feeling about PT bringing you to tears. It gets better!

I had to use a pillow...for screaming into.