happy healthy hippy
A blog following my Triple Pelvic Osteotomy in January 2016
Last week flew by - everything takes up so much more time than usual, just getting up, washed, and dressed is a task and a half and then the morning is nearly over! The best thing to do is not let the lack of independence frustrate you, embrace a slower pace of life, and be grateful that this disability is temporary!
My days seem to revolve around meds, food, and exercises. I've had visitors most afternoons and I'm loving using FaceTime too. Max our cockapoo puppy keeps me entertained in between so it's not possible for me to be bored - I can't get enough of him! Stef took me to Nandos for lunch last Wednesday which was great and it felt like a big deal as it was my first leisure trip out! I would definitely recommend hiring a wheelchair so you're not housebound for the first few weeks! It's good to have a little plan for each day (even if it's just "rest day" or "shave legs") to give some sort of structure to the week. Someone suggested on the Facebook group to have "pyjama days" and "doing days" which I think is a great idea! So far I've been alternating between lazy and extra lazy... with just a couple of doing days haha! I've been getting dressed whatever my intentions (just in comfies most of the time) as it makes me feel more well in myself. Today's aim was to have my first shower (!) with the help of a bath board and mum, followed by a much needed foot soak. I then spent longer than necessary moisturising my full body. It's lovely to take the time doing things you normally would have to rush (silver linings!) I'm feeling happy that things are manageable. It's certainly not an easy ride and it's not a surgery you'd jump into lightly. The pains are varied every day, every hour even! At any given moment, it can be one or more of buttock, back, pelvis, groin, thigh, knee, shin, and foot! I'm getting used to the randomness. The clunking and the nerve pain that shoots down my leg are the only things that are unsettling me. My consultant has told me not to worry though so I'm just crossing my fingers and toes and hoping they'll ease soon. I've mastered lying on my front now which is surprisingly comfy (it's become the position of choice during my Netflix binges!) However, I can't roll yet so to get there I kind-of belly flop from standing whilst Stef cradles my operated leg then swivel! As I'm sure you can imagine, it's quite comical so we end up in fits of giggles every time mid transfer. Another mini achievement is ditching the ridiculous amount of pillows at bed time. I've downgraded to just one under my knees and one under my heels. I'm finally sleeping flat and it doesn't pull on my hip anymore. I've added 'sleeping on my side' to my list of short term goals! Last week, I cried twice - fortunately both occasions were tears of happiness. The first time was when I opened a hamper full of gifts put together by 11 of my best friends. It was so thoughtful. Big life events like this definitely make you appreciate those closest to you. It makes me feel stronger when I'm surrounded by people who believe I can get through this and who spoil me with lots of love and support. The second time was Friday when I saw my incisions for the first time when the nurse checked my wounds. She cleaned them up and I was so impressed at how neat and healthy they looked. Mr McBryde has done a very tidy finish! I'm also confident that my obsession with staying hydrated has helped with the healing. For what I've been through, I was expecting something more gruesome! I have 2 wounds - 1 is 12cm in the groin and the 2nd is 7.5cm on the side of my buttock (Yes, I've actually measured them haha!) The scars were never something I thought or worried about pre op - but now they are there in all their glory, I'm actually quite proud of them! Andrea X
1 Comment
Dan
5/2/2016 14:28:20
Great blog matey!! Sounds like you are right on track! Keep ticking the little goals of each week! Keep it up xx
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