planning post surgery

[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.