I'm back home!! (update #81, home again - for now)

[K9karen]

Well, advise from another back surgery girl (at least 1-2 more to go)..take care of YOU! I'm so involved and worried about the house and bills and the dog, etc...that I drove myself nuts after my surgeries, feeling helpless and frustrated. Listen, having 2 guys in the house who vie for my attention and are caring but lazy, sometimes I think solace is better. Good advise I heard once, was, your house has 4 walls that will be there WAY after you're gone. Dust? It can wait until you're healthy. Health is always first, because without it, you basically have nothing. I'm truly trying to live by this advise.

Hemotomas suck, but will go away slowly. Please dearheart, try NOT to worry. I know I'm a VERY intense person and it's hard..easier said than done.

Just relax and love on your babies. The faster you heal, the faster you can get back to normal. I'm so happy that the surgery seemed to work great. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers!

[Pembroke_Corgi]

I'm glad you are home. I hope you feel better soon. Be sure to take some time just to rest and relax.

[Marigold2]

welcome home!!
hope your recovery is quick.

[DJFyrewolf36]

*hugs* still praying that you feel better soon!

[Kirsten]

Well, guess things don't look very well here at the moment, and I'm getting frustrated. The swelling, that was first said to be a hematoma, is getting bigger and bigger, and I'm getting worried about that. Obviously, according to my doctor and my physiotherapist, it's no hematoma, but fluid coming from the wound (I don't know what this fluid is called). Anyway, the swelling is getting bigger with each passing day, and has the size of an egg by now. Tried to take a photo of it, but it didn't work well:



The blue color you see on it is from a circle one of the doctors at the hospital draw around it, so it's going to be easier to control the size, and it's easy to see that it's much bigger now.

It's not painful, but it's putting some pressure onto the nerves, and I can feel the effect of it right down into my legs. My right one even started aching yesterday, some kind of sciatic pain again, and I hope it's an effect coming from the lump, and does not mean that more of the disc has slipped out meanwhile. Anyway, all this is scary and very frustrating!

Also, I'm very disappointed meanwhile that I have barely any help here at home. This was so much different in 2004 when I had my first surgery! I even cleaned my entire floor on Friday because I couldn't find anyone who was willing to help me. This is not the way it was planned, and I'm so disappointed!!

Kirsten

[Catty1]

Where are all the people that were there in 2004? Do they know you had surgery?

Let your floor stay dirty!

I wonder if your insurance covers any home help, or even if there is a volunteer group somewhere in your city. Please look into that!

All I can do is offer suggestions...I hope you see your doctor again to get that bump checked.

{{{hugs}}}}

[Randi]

Kirsten, I understand you are worried about the swelling and you should demand your doctor do something about it - unless it is a normal effect from the operation. If you're supposed to be in bed resting, then it's really not a good idea washing floors! The dirt is not going anywhere, but will be there for you (or someone) to tackle it WHEN YOU ARE READY!

It's disappointing that no friends or family are there to help you. You must be entitled to get some help! I'm so sorry you have go though this.

Have you thought of applying for disability?

I hope the swelling will go away soon and you'll feel better!

Take care!

(((hugs)))

[pomtzu]

Gosh Kirsten - that lump certainly does look somewhat scary. What are the doctors doing/saying about it??? I had back surgery, and never had anything like that happen. I'd demand some answers - and now!!!

As far as cleaning - the heck with it. Just how "dirty" can it possibly be with just you and the 2 furkids??? It's not like you have kids running in and out all day. Just leave it until you feel better. You're not helping the healing process any if you exert yourself beyond what you feel that you are able to do. Try to relax and don't stress over a little dirt or messiness - it will still be there when you're feeling better.

And get some answers from those doctors............