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1 month and my flanks are still on fire. This...
1 month and my flanks are still on fire. This sucks!!! but the swelling is slowly getting better
Nov 11 Daily life is returning to normal. ...
Nov 11
Daily life is returning to normal. Tomorrow I return to work (Veteran working on Veteran’s Day Observance in DC. UNDERPAID OVERWORKED RECESSION GENERATION SWEATSHOP WHO ONLY GIVE 12 DAYS OFF A YEAR AND NO SICKTIME!!!- but that’s for another blog.) I am back on a normal sleep schedule but get up several times a night for bathroom. Getting out of bed is still really hard. I have a memory foam mattress which makes the process of getting out of bed worse and more painful. The first hour of the day is the worst. I wake up feeling pretty beat up. I still need pain medication in the mornings but once I’m up and moving, I feel okay. I am still sore but daily life is bearable. Bending over takes effort. I can only lift my arms to shoulder height. But all-in-all at 6 days I’m doing well.
Swelling is receding slowly but surely. I can feel where some of the definition will eventually be when rubbing my hands across my belly; especially the upper part of my belly where swelling is receding faster than my lower belly/waist. I was surprised on how little bruising I’ve had. Most of the bruises that I do have are from the compression garment. I did take scissors and alter my compression garment. It was too tight around my groin (which is still swollen) so I cut the opening larger. I have the compression garment that starts at my knees and goes to my shoulders. I think I might cut the legs off (all of my surgery was from the waist up so I really don’t need compression on my legs.)
My nerves are healing which is causing me to itch. I’m using a plastic fork to scratch. It is strong enough to lightly scratch through the garment and gentle enough not to damage my skin. I have an EMPI machine left over from back surgery a few years ago. I started using the EMPI at bedtime to stimulate recover (I have not gotten approval from my doctor to do this but I will mention it at my follow-up appointment in 5 days.) The EMPI seems to help with the swelling. The amazing part of using the EMPI, is I can place it in an area where I’m numb and after 30 minutes on medium voltage, I feel the start of feeling returning. My EMPI cost $800 with electrodes and accessories. Most major health insurance covers the cost with a doctor’s prescription (empi.com.)
Daily life is returning to normal. Tomorrow I return to work (Veteran working on Veteran’s Day Observance in DC. UNDERPAID OVERWORKED RECESSION GENERATION SWEATSHOP WHO ONLY GIVE 12 DAYS OFF A YEAR AND NO SICKTIME!!!- but that’s for another blog.) I am back on a normal sleep schedule but get up several times a night for bathroom. Getting out of bed is still really hard. I have a memory foam mattress which makes the process of getting out of bed worse and more painful. The first hour of the day is the worst. I wake up feeling pretty beat up. I still need pain medication in the mornings but once I’m up and moving, I feel okay. I am still sore but daily life is bearable. Bending over takes effort. I can only lift my arms to shoulder height. But all-in-all at 6 days I’m doing well.
Swelling is receding slowly but surely. I can feel where some of the definition will eventually be when rubbing my hands across my belly; especially the upper part of my belly where swelling is receding faster than my lower belly/waist. I was surprised on how little bruising I’ve had. Most of the bruises that I do have are from the compression garment. I did take scissors and alter my compression garment. It was too tight around my groin (which is still swollen) so I cut the opening larger. I have the compression garment that starts at my knees and goes to my shoulders. I think I might cut the legs off (all of my surgery was from the waist up so I really don’t need compression on my legs.)
My nerves are healing which is causing me to itch. I’m using a plastic fork to scratch. It is strong enough to lightly scratch through the garment and gentle enough not to damage my skin. I have an EMPI machine left over from back surgery a few years ago. I started using the EMPI at bedtime to stimulate recover (I have not gotten approval from my doctor to do this but I will mention it at my follow-up appointment in 5 days.) The EMPI seems to help with the swelling. The amazing part of using the EMPI, is I can place it in an area where I’m numb and after 30 minutes on medium voltage, I feel the start of feeling returning. My EMPI cost $800 with electrodes and accessories. Most major health insurance covers the cost with a doctor’s prescription (empi.com.)
Nov 9th: First Post-op pictures (too swollen to...
Nov 9th: First Post-op pictures (too swollen to see improvement)
My pain level is reducing significantly with each day. Today I was able to do some house cleaning and get a haircut. I took my first shower since surgery. The shower was amazing since my nerves are coming back alive and starting to ITCH!!! I hope this is a good sign and swelling will begin to recede over the weekend. As you can see from my first post-op pictures, I’m really swollen. My waist is swollen at a minimum of 6” larger than pre surgery. None of my pants or sweatpants fit. The only things I can wear are gym shorts and it’s starting to get cold in DC. My crotch area is really swollen and I started using ice gel packs to help with the swelling, which did help. My friends are going out for Friday night dinner and margaritas. While I am feeling better I defiantly am not up for drinking or group socializing.
The last few days seem to blend together since my sleep patterns are off. The good news is I’m sleeping longer and starting to get back on a schedule. I have had really vivid dreams since the surgery which I think is from the pain medication. The dreaming and night sweats are getting less and less… I’m slowly returning to normal life.
My pain level is reducing significantly with each day. Today I was able to do some house cleaning and get a haircut. I took my first shower since surgery. The shower was amazing since my nerves are coming back alive and starting to ITCH!!! I hope this is a good sign and swelling will begin to recede over the weekend. As you can see from my first post-op pictures, I’m really swollen. My waist is swollen at a minimum of 6” larger than pre surgery. None of my pants or sweatpants fit. The only things I can wear are gym shorts and it’s starting to get cold in DC. My crotch area is really swollen and I started using ice gel packs to help with the swelling, which did help. My friends are going out for Friday night dinner and margaritas. While I am feeling better I defiantly am not up for drinking or group socializing.
The last few days seem to blend together since my sleep patterns are off. The good news is I’m sleeping longer and starting to get back on a schedule. I have had really vivid dreams since the surgery which I think is from the pain medication. The dreaming and night sweats are getting less and less… I’m slowly returning to normal life.