I'd like to say a special thanks to my darling husband for allowing me to crash the man cave (also known as Hybernation Music Studio) as my recovery spot! Just need a bed now ... This is the only room downstairs where we could arrange for me to sleep. I bought a laptop stand thing (on the left, beside the sofa) where I can roll my laptop closer to me (and put it together all by myself!) and blog ... actually, probably just play on Facebook and work on my FarmTown farm when I'm not knocked out on pain meds. :-)
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I'll give you some tips I learned during recovering from post auto-accident foot surgery (and I hope I never need them again.) Like you, I was looking at a lengthy recovery. 12 weeks no weight at all, 8 weeks weight with two crutches, 4 weeks weight with one crutch, and 4 more weeks with just the walking boot.
1. The PCA pump is your best friend. Push the button at the first, tiny glimmer of pain. It keeps you from overdosing, and your time in the hospital will pass more quickly.
2. After a few weeks, you can negotiate the stairs by sitting down and raising/lowering yourself with your arms. Looks funny, the kids will love it and it drives pets crazy.
3. After 10 weeks of no weight, you leg will have atrophied to the point that it won't be much bigger than your son's. Don't freak out. It will bounce back pretty quick after you get to start using it again.
4. Long-term use of pain meds has some unusual side effects they don't always mention. Percocet will make your nose itch. It will also cause headaches after about a week. It also causes some people to be constipated, which is unfortunate since the high-powered antibiotics you'll also be on have the opposite effect.
5. Physical therapy is all you've heard it is and more. Don't know what they'll have you doing, but my least favorite was picking up marbles with my toes. The tupperware container they had held 51 marbles. Once I started to get a little faster, they made me do it twice.
6. Even after you've recovered, it will still be difficult to stand on one foot (the problem side) for more than a second or two. You'll be surprised at how ofter you need this ability. Changing clothes, showering, etc. Be patient. It comes back eventually.
7. No matter how difficult John might be to sleep with, the first time you get to share a bed again will feel like your wedding night. Slightly different reason, natually. In my opinion, this was the hardest part for my wife and me.
8. Reading Piers Anthony's Xanth novels while your hooked up to the IV paid meds makes for some fascinating REM sleep.
9. But first, read Hebrews 11 and the first 3 chapters of Daniel. Not all hospitals have Bibles, so you might want bring one along.
10. Don't talk to your kids until you're completely recovered from the anesthesia. I nearly scared my daughter to death and she's a lot older than yours.
11. Do, however, call your friends and leave voice mail. You'll think you sound normal and lucid, but it will give them something to laugh about for a long time.
12. Make sure to get a temporary (6-month typically) handicapped parking permit. It's wonderful.
For someone you've never met, I've talked a lot. Hope it helps.
Jere Greene
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