Well its three weeks since my op and I think I am finally surfacing.
This week has been hectic, I have had appointments nearly everyday so am glad we have now reached Friday and I can have the weekend off.
Stitches are now out but remains touchy for some reason. The surgeon think it looks ok so thats all that matters. I started physio on Wednesday and cant believe just how stiff my shoulder is. I have been given loads of different exercises to do and couldnt believe how much pain this caused me in the early hours of yesterday, but have continued as I dont want arm lock. If only I could get in and out of the bath, I am sure this would help sort it out.
I have been told to leave the sling off for chunks of the day but will still wear it when I go out for the moment as It doesnt feel strong enough to support itself just yet.
I wont be going to my daughters this year as its all just too difficult but will miss seeing my grandson and celebrating his 16th on Sassys birthday the 23rd. This will be the first Christmas away from him since he was born, but will make up for it next year.
I wish everybody a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and for those of you who dont want to celebrate, I hope you have a breathe easy holiday with plenty of good food. For Skis, I hope you have something other than chicken soup for the day and scruffs has plenty of tuna x
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Izb1
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Got any good turkey soup recipes Irene?glad to hear you are on what will be a slow and measured road to recovery,exercise a bit like the eating for those with dodgy lungs,little and often but don't try to beat the pain barrier as your body is telling you to ease off,probably telling granny to suck eggs here but you know the score.
Wishing you continued healing Irene. Take things one day at a time. Wishing your grandson a very happy 16th birthday on Monday. Hope you get to speak to him or FaceTime perhaps.
Thank you Carole. My little family bought me a new apple iphone this year for christmas so yes I will be using facetime to keep in touch, once I get used to it of course ha! My Samsung was forever switching itself off or running out of space, so am very pleased with my gift. Hope you will be celebrating your birthday with family and friends x
It seems to be going slowly in the right direction. Well done. And what a strong woman you are. All the best for Christmas. Look after yourself and looking forward to hearing the next episode.
Thank you Kate, yes its a long process, 6 weeks to fuse and 3 months to heal. Couldnt have done this without my daughters help though, thats for sure, shame she lives so far away, but things are on the up now so feeling more positive. Will be so glad when i can use the hairdryer ha! x
Yes, I cant believe just how stiff my shoulder and arm have become in such a small space of time. I know its a long haul but am prepared. Thanks Chrys x
I really thought I’d replied to you! It’s a relief to know you’re starting to feel a little better though I am sorry your arm is still painful and you’re not able to use it much. Hopefully it won’t be too much longer before the pain starts to ease a bit. Technology is wonderful when it lets us keep in touch with family and friends so much more easily than used to be the case. Everything is so instantaneous now, which in some ways isn’t so good but sure beats writing a letter to a relative or friend and waiting for the reply. Now we can feel like we’re together in the same room with family or friends even if they’re in another country.
Thank you HH, yes thanks goodness for technology, I cant write a damn thing with my left hand so wouldnt be much use, although I am able to use this a little better now. Buttering a slice of bread was impossible until my niece bought me a little plastic shelf with a lip that sticks to the worktop, very handy. Think my ice pack may be with me for some months yet, just keep telling myself look forward to the spring. Will you be spending christmas with family? Whatever you do enjoy yoirself x
My mum lives just nearby so I will spend the day with her. My brother lives in Scandinavia, he did speak of coming here for Christmas but I don't think it's going to happen. However, he does leave things to the last minute so it's not impossible that he'll turn up. I have 2 days off so no time for me to go away anywhere. Also I have friends and family in various countries. Technology is a wonderful thing (when it works!) because it is so much easier to be with people wherever we are. 😊
Good Morning Irene, Yes it is Good, Your in Recovery, Tick, Your Here with us, Tick, It will only be a Hic up till your Stronger and able to Join in with Your Grandsons Birthday, Have a Later Christmas & Jollifications in the New Year. I also will be using Great Technology for my family in Spain , watching the little ones open their Presents on Xmas day. I too have a Birthday Grandson visiting me Tomorrow , he will be 14 on Monday 23rd(along with Carole), also my Bro in Law who is having a Surprise 50th Party this Evening of which I shall go too, with Hubby's Help, Oxy, Walking stick. So, Where there's a Will .......Have a Lovely Christmas Irene & all your Family, I know you will have Pain, Your a Strong Lass. Love & Gentle Hugs Hun. Happy 16th Birthday to Your Grandson. C. XXXX
Aaaw thanks, will just keep ticking the months off until spring , Im hoping to be fighting fit by then ha! Love to you and yours for Christmas, now go knock em dead at that party tonight x
Now thats a good read .... to read your post and see that slowly be surely you are on the up! Physio may be a tad uncomfortanle to begin with but in my experience, they only make you move to speed up your recovery and if its really uncomfortable they'll ask you to stop and rest.
Such a shame you'll not be with your family for Christmas but once you've recovered, maybe a visit in the New Year?
So here's a wish that nevertheless you have a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year.🐿🎅🎄💕
Thank you hon. I am sure that once the stiffness wears off things will improve, its early days yet. I think the fact that they shave of the bone bits that are in the way along with the screw in your bone all makes it hard for physio but have been told it is so important to keep up the exercises other wise I wont be moving properly, so will keep going and use the icepack before bed along with the meds for the moment. I am now hopeful thing will get better week by week x
I went to "track you down" and stumbled on this posting. I'm glad you've made it through the initial surgery and first week or two. It is such a long road but I'm hoping we both arrive with fully functional arms.
I had to wait 3 weeks before I could start PT---according to my terse testy surgeon the tear was too massive. The physical therapist was and is great----The first times with her were almost all passive movement -she does the work! and rather well tolerated. I have moved on to more active exercises and up to yesterday was able to perform them . What is vexing is that every morning (without the sling) my hand has been extremely swollen and painful. Occasionally with certain movements half my fingers are all pins and needles or completely numb. I spend some of my time attached to the ice machine for my shoulder and holding an ice pack for my hand. I feel like a human popsicle.
I stay out of my sling a lot but the few times I went out to the stores I put it on ---as a protective warning. Although in the Costco super store near me I think it was an enticement and people were actually aiming . I never was bumped into so often in the past.
Please keep me up to date on your recovery and have a very Happy and Healthy New Year.
Hi, good to hear from you patmc1. My surgeon thinks its better to do without the sling, which leaves you wondering what should i do. I wear the sling when I feel the need, most days now I am without it and dont wear it at night anymore. The physio here has had me doing a range of exercises and doesnt do any hands on, the only one I cant seem to do well is the one with the handle using my good arm to get my injured arm up, that is still very stiff, will see what she says when I go back on 16th, she wanted to see me before then but couldnt get an appointment. I dont need the icepack or pain meds now, although it can be painful at times it wears off quickly. My shoulder blade is the worse as I cant sleep with it and this keeps me awake, so am constantly tired. I will speak with the physio about this and see if there is anything I can do. It is just 4 weeks now and am hoping that in another 2 months I will at least be partly back to normal. I do hope you managed to have a decent christmas and wish you all the best for a Happy New Year x
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COPD Stage 2 Whaaaat!! PS its a long one
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Can this really be true ???
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Happy new year everyone.
