7/7/2007
Fred announced this morning that he was going to have a lazy day and the weather cooperated by raining most of the day, so I decided to join him. I was up at 4 am and back in bed at 6 and then, much to my surprise, I slept in bed until 10 am, VERY unusual for me!
I have done no walking outside {but did do my lying-down exercises}. All day I have moved from the bed to the lazy-boy to the computer chair in the workroom where I am now. I have been reading most of the day and walking to the bathroom when I needed to go. Fred has fed me but I can and do get snacks myself.
Tomorrow I will get outside. Fred has told me I can use Oscar, his walker-with-wheels, who normally lives in the back of Fred’s car! I can use my {nameless} walker to get out to Fred’s car, unlock his car, get out Oscar, leave mine there, walk, and then return Oscar to the car.
The hardest part of this recovery process is that before I do anything, I have to plan out how I am going to do it! But I am noticing I am wanting to be in bed a lot less. In fact, I am up walking around the apartment –with the walker, of course} most of the day. It certainly helps that weekend TV bores the socks off me.
When Jen, the physical therapist comes on Wednesday, I am looking forward to telling her my thoughts about getting a shower. I am ALMOST on the edge of trying it myself although I guess it would be safer to do the "dry run" with her there to help and offer suggestions… I am pretty sure I could get myself into the tub and I have no problem standing for a pretty good period of time with no walker. I am a bit leery about getting out, though. I can put a certain amount of pressure on my operated leg but it will not hold my complete body weight for more than about three seconds… As I have mentioned before, we have an usually deep tub because it has a whirlpool capacity. We both tried this but we both prefer showers. Anyway, the high sides of the tub makes it a little difficult to get the operated hip into it because I still have to be very aware of the angle between my back and the upper part of my leg–the hip area… But sponge baths are getting tiresome!
Once I can do this, the next goal is to be able to walk down 12 steps, across the basement floor where I have to bend over because otherwise the ducts will take my head off and get to the washing machine and dryer… But that is a good way in the future!
I had the surgery three weeks ago on this coming Tuesday. The following Tuesday, which will be a month after the surgery, I have an appointment with the surgeon who did the surgery.
Things are going well!
QUOTATION: If you have the courage to begin, you have the courage to succeed.
— David Viscott
found you by random and thought i’d say hi.
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Three weeks ago…the time went quickly but I haven’t been the one suffering. It seems to me that you are making great progress.
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Showers are a BIG deal as they have a tendency to reaaaallly relax you. The make you feel like a wet noodle and you then get in to a bit of trouble without someone there to help that can lift some dead weight. So just watch that. have fun and be a bit careful…dan
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Would a little stool (we have a little Fisher Price plastic one) help? One you could put in the shower after to get out and use to get into the shower, too? I would definitely wait until the therapist is there though because you don’t want to undo your great progress! (((Hugs)))
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Oh I’m so glad you are waiting for the physical therapist to help you with that shower. You certainly wouldn’t want to mess anything up at this point. Patrisha you are such an inspiration in everything you do. I love your courage and determination.
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That first shower is going to feel sooooo good to you. SOunds like you have plans for a nice walk tomorrow. Hope the weather cooperates! Hugs, M
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Wow, three weeks without a shower really WOULD be tiresome! It will feel SOOOOOOO good to get hosed off! LOL! Still, I can tell you’ve made a lot of progress, even though it probably seems slow to you with Italy only two months away! Thx for your note about venting. I really need to sometimes, but I sometimes think readers get tired of it.
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Glad that you have decided to wait before taking a shower yourself. It was rainy here too today.
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I’m glad to hear that the PT will be there to offer suggestions on the shower and the tub.
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You’re doing great keeping up with your lying down exercises. Yes, wait for the therapist to show you how to shower. Better safe, and all that. Oh boy, that shower will feel great!
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gosh, already three weeks. Yes time goes by so fast, but you are doing very well. Congratulations!
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That deep tub does sound like a challenge! You’ll get in there and back out when you feel sure that you can do it safely, I know. And that’ll be more cause for celebration! :o) !! hugs, Weesprite
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I’m really happy that you’re doing so well! I highly recommend buying a seat for the tub and possibly a hand ‘rail’ for it. I saw them at Wal-Mart the other day and we’re going to buy one for us. Very inexpensive, but so worth it!
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I agree a shower would be great…(smiles)..but perhaps renting an apparatus so you could sit in the shower just for the time being..might be helpful and safer. Must agree with above noter..not an easy task lifting a very wet person out…if necessary. Forgive me..I tend to be overly cautious when it comes to loved ones falling. Great you are feeling so well. Take care.
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Can you sit on the edge of the tub and swing in and out from there? I’m thinking you should name your walker Hugo…not sure why that’s the pick, but it seems to go pretty well with Oscar! You’re doing great after only three weeks!!!! Hang in there. Love ya! ~M
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You really are moving along nicely. Glad to hear.
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Don’t rush things. A month isn’t long for a big operation like that, and you’ll get there in the end.
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