I'm back home from hospital (but still very much in pain)

[Kirsten]

Thanks!

And sorry for being so short today, but I'm still very much in pain. Guess the stairs were definitely a mistake, and unfortunately, I'm living on the second floor, which means more steps.

BTW, I actually put a pillow on my tummy to keep Luna away, but she laid down on it. It worked for a while, but 6 kg is a lot when your abdomen is sore...


Will go to bed now and hope I'll feel better tomorrow.

Kirsten

[rg_girlca]

Thanks for checking in with us Kirsten. I hope tomorrow is a better day for you. Take it easy now and tell Luna she will just have to lay by your side for now.

[Catty1]

Kirsten - I hope someone is coming in every day for a while to help out. If you are living on the second floor...just stay home for a few days!

I was at my mom's for over a week - then I stayed in my apartment. I had a couple of friends that I called to pick stuff up for me. I had money for them - and it made for a brief visit - but definitely helped to stay put!

It is difficult to do nothing!

I hope you feel better soon! Do you have pain pills?

[Kirsten]

No, I'm on my own, nobody came to help today. Didn't think this would be so painful, this is much worse than my spine surgery 3 years ago. Even cleaning litterboxes is an ordeal!

I have to go and see my doctor tomorrow, and I need to buy groceries.

And no, I have no pain meds, but tomorrow, I will ask my doctor for it.

I really wonder if this pain is still normal. The first two days were much better, and now it's getting worse with each passing day. Meanwhile, I could scream when I'm trying to rise from my bed. And one of the incisions look somewhat infected to me, so my doctor definitely has to see this tomorrow.

Kirsten

[Freedom]

Kirsten, glad to her you are home, continued good news with the doctors and a quick healing!

[Catty1]

OMG...if you have no painkillers the pain is definitely normal!

It was over a week before I could start cutting down.

I used extra-strength Tylenol at first, then ibuprofen as that helps inflammation. (Drink lots of water and get fibre, as Tylenol can cause constipation.
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Getting out of bed...try this(was taught in hospital):

1. Roll onto your side.

2. Use your arm that you are lying on to push you up to a sitting position.

3. When your feet touch the floor, shift forward a bit if you need to to get to the edge of the bed.

4. Use your LEGS to push you into a standing position, with your arms behind you on the bed starting you up.

This will be more comfy.

Kirsten - does the hospital have a social worker? Or does your doctor know one? I am just hoping in-home help would be available for people who are on their own, covered by your insurance. Heck, you are paying their salaries! Ask for this.

ALSO: Ask your doctor about lifting restrictions. Your groceries may be over that limit. Also...the inside dissolving stitches take 3 weeks to start dissolving...so you have to allow as MUCH healing as possible in the first 3 weeks!

If your grocery store delivers, it might cost a bit more - but you don't want to risk another surgery!

Good luck tomorrow!

[Grace]

And no, I have no pain meds, but tomorrow, I will ask my doctor for it.

I really wonder if this pain is still normal. The first two days were much better, and now it's getting worse with each passing day. Meanwhile, I could scream when I'm trying to rise from my bed. And one of the incisions look somewhat infected to me, so my doctor definitely has to see this tomorrow.

Kirsten

Absolutely, you should have some pain medication - actually, you should have been sent home with some.

Helpful hint for getting out of bed: roll over on your side and rise up that way, using your security pillow/blanket across your abdomen. that's how I used to instruct my patients. You put less pull on those abdominal muscles rising from a side lying position.

[anna_66]

It's so very nice to hear that this was caught so soon! Your so very lucky.

Sorry your in pain right now and I do hope the incesion is not infected. Healing vibes being sent your way. Feel better soon.

[Kirsten]

Will make this short, because I'm in terrible pain! I saw my doctor this morning, and yes, the incisions ARE infected and don't look good. Got an ointment, and painkillers, and was told to rest a lot (which I try to, but I have no help here, so there's still a lot to do for me).

But right now, the pain is almost unbereable! My entire abdomen seems to be burning!

Kirsten