Recovering From Back Surgery - Not as Easy as it Looks! Week 1

Previously I shared the story of my ten-year journey to discovering that I was in need of a microdiscectomy (technical term for having a disc in the lower lumbar region removed).  Three to five weeks was the projected recovery time - but they do not know me!  I do nothing on a normal pace or in a typical fashion.  I am sharing a week-by-week breakdown of the fun I have experienced thus far in the Lifestyle section of this site.  It has been a bumpy ride, but I would not have it any other way.

Week 1 
Sunday 10/15 - It is the day before the surgery.  
Guess who wins the prize of that lovely monthly female gift showing up 4 days late, but just in time for surgery??!?!?

Monday 10/16 - Had I known my bottom would be exposed I would have gussied it up!  & Please stop the world from spinning!

Source www.collegehumor.com

I was hoping to sport my own panties, as I have a fool proof system for installing feminine padding to prevent leaks.  The pre-op nurse was having none of that.  I was provided with the hospital's easy-tear-away panties and a feminine pad that was not much larger than a band-aid.  I am thoroughly impressed with the stretch capabilities of these easy-tear-away panties.  Like anything, the more you stretch it the less opaque it becomes.  If I had known, I would have used some creative Henna designs on my bum to entertain the operating staff. 

Waking up from the procedure was clean, like waking up from a good night's sleep.  Unfortunately I managed to pick up a head cold and tremendous sinus pressure during my procedure.  The congestion (complete with green crust in my nose) and the sinus pressure combined to make my head feel as though it was actively inflating at a slow and miserable rate.  Any time I blinked or slightly moved my head the room began to spin at a rapid pace.  What better time for the Physical Therapist to insist on a short jaunt around the floor?

My first post-op walk was a laughable parade of my husband in front carrying a bucket to catch my stomach contents should they jump out against my will, me with my fancy new wheels (walker) and decked out in the finest attire the hospital has to offer, the Physical Therapist and my mom on either side of me and holding me up by a harness, and another Physical Therapist pushing the big recliner from my room so that I can pass out in style.  It was a sight to behold, but could have used some musical instruments and maybe a line of marching ducks.

Tuesday 10/17 - Dignity and Modesty Gone! & Vroom Vroom!
Bending and stretching are off of the table until my incision heals.  Going to the bathroom suddenly presents an interesting inner dialog of "who can I look in the eye again after asking them to wipe me?"  Answer: The NURSE!!!  Although, my husband did volunteer when there was a slight delay in the first-shift nurse responding.  The second-shift nurse was not as thorough as the previous nurse, or my husband, so I quietly demoted her - much to her delight I am sure.

I awoke with a clear head and decreased sinus pressure, so it was time to test out my new legs.  Holy smokes!  I got the upgraded model apparently, because I was running laps around the room as if I thought I were Usain Bolt.  The Physical Therapist required me to walk up a flight of stairs to ensure that I was ready to handle my own stairs at home.  I did the first flight, and as he was saying "ok, let's turn around and head down" I was making my way up the second flight.  75% of the way up I quickly realized that I had reached my limit.  In my excitement for my new found mobility I failed to plan for my descent.  Coming down the two flights of stairs and walking back to the room required a heavy dose of pain medication and a long mid-morning nap.

Wednesday & Thursday - Learning how to get in and out of bed.
I thought that I was prepared for recovery at home as I have an adjustable bed base with what I thought was a firm mattress.  I was wrong. After too many close calls for the bathroom (gotta go, gotta go, but cannot get up fast enough) I finally agreed to having a hospital style bed for the remainder of my recovery.  It will be here on Monday.  The coconut water routine has been put on hold until the new medical bed arrives. Hopefully I can keep dehydration and constipation at bay until then.

Friday 10/20 - Left Hand Troubles 
The surgical nurse put the IV in my left hand.  Ouch!  Yes, absolutely ouch!  There was a bit of finagling involved which entailed some gauze folded to keep the IV at the perfect angle for a good flow.  It seemed to me that it would have been easier to use a spot on my arm, but I am not one to second guess the professionals.

The location of the IV continued to be painful all week, with swelling and bruising across the top of my hand.  By late Thursday night/ early Friday morning the pain was closing in on a solid 8 so we called the surgeon's office.  They got us in for a mid-morning appointment as they wanted to verify that there was no blood clot.  No visible signs of a clot, but home with a steroid prescription I go - just in case.

Saturday 10/21 - My Surgeon's Office is Amazing! & Stop the Spinning, I want to get off! 
The surgeon's office called early in the day to check on the status of my hand.  There were no changes, which could be a good thing.  It was actually late Thursday night that I felt the increased pain in my hand.  My husband wanted to rush to the ER but succumbed to my persistence and called the surgeon's office.  He was quite surprised that he got to speak with one of the doctors after hours.

The sinus pressure is unbearable.  I have been battling it with my nightly Claritin D and hourly Netti pot rinses.  I feel like I have brought a toothpick to a gun fight.  Normally, when the pressure is this bad, I can take a few rounds of Dayquil to help relieve the pressure.  Unfortunately the pain medications I have for my back are full of Acetaminophen so I have to bench Dayquil.  I should be walking more, a minimum of twice hourly to avoid blood clots, but the pressure has the room spinning.  I can feel the vibration of sounds in my ears and the beating of my heart, and each vibration feels like I am being thrown around on a trampoline.

Sunday 10/22 - Walk, Sit, Walk while the world is still spinning.
I needed to get out of the house, more so because my mom needed to get out of the house.  We decided to venture out to the antique market a quarter of a mile down the road.  The plan was to take my walker which would allow me to move about in my power chair and then take short walks throughout the shopping time.

I managed to get in a few short jaunts around the various stores within the facility.  Ultimately the combination of riding in my chair, getting up and down from the chair, and moving around with the walker was more than my head could handle.  I was struggling to keep my stomach contents put.  Frustrating!

On a positive note - I did hold it together long enough to score a cute $5 milk glass candy dish.  It was my first visit to Trader Mae's.  I suspect that I will be doing more of my rehabbing there in the future.