Post-Op Day 5: Things Seem to be Improving
November 30, 2015
It’s amazing how therapeutic this blog has been. I really enjoy reading all the comments and they really make me feel better. I guess misery really does love company.
Since post-op day 3, nothing has really changed. I was extremely frustrated yesterday, even bringing myself to tears in the morning because I just felt bleh from all the inactivity. My body was sore from sleeping on my back all night and I just overslept since I am really not doing anything during the day. I felt so bad because really, why was I crying? I am pretty lucky that a) I had a good surgeon who more than likely fixed my ankle that has been bothering me for 6 months; and b) I have had great support from my boyfriend and family who stayed with me all weekend to make sure that I was comfortable and not alone. I felt so foolish for letting the tears spill but couldn’t help it.
After this display of emotion, I decided to move on. Had a good talk with my mom about how this is just the beginning and there is so much to look forward to during this recovery. Most importantly, I will be able to walk again! If I continue to focus on my inability to do things, the boredom, and the stiffness/pains, it will only bring me down. So now I have really tried to keep busy with schoolwork (currently working on a clinical pharmacy doctorate, but strangely, am avoiding homework at all costs despite having tons of time), knitting a sock for my foot after it comes out of this cast, playing games on my iPad and the adult colouring book. Even took advantage of some Black Friday weekend and Cyber Monday sales.
I think things are looking up! Will see what the rest of the week has in store for me, and hopefully it goes by quick!
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1. Marie Cooper | November 30th, 2015 at 7:02 pm
Glad to hear you have turned it around. I know the feeling…although I never got to the point of crying, without this site I would have certainly become depressed. The inactivity was driving me crazy! I posted a response to your comment on my site - thanks for the response! In my response, I give some details about the FHL transfer. Keep hanging in there - it definitely gets better!
2. Rita | December 1st, 2015 at 8:53 am
Glad to hear you’re feeling brighter, AWT. I think you should probably give yourself a bit of a break on the tears. About three, maybe four days into the enforced sit-in…or, more accurately, lie-in being staged in the lounge that ordinarily I barely see, I had a full blown pity party with a guest list of one. It does no harm…and probably cleanses the doldrums just a little. Not necessarily to be scheduled on a daily basis.
Anyway, I have another tip for you. Turn off the screens, the TV, the computer games, the iPad, the phone…and ramp up the CD / iTunes / whatever tracks of your youth. Preferably tracks you can belt out and sing along to. Songs from teen parties, favourite summers, rock anthems from road trips. I promise you…there’s a real feel-good factor to it.
One month in, AWT, and if someone had suggested two months ago that I could ever manage a month on the settee…I’d've laughed…long and hard. We’ll get there.
3. beanie | December 1st, 2015 at 6:14 pm
Hey AWT, don’t be too hard on yourself, I’ve had a few sob fests during this journey and like Rita said, I think that they are actually therapeutic. The main aim is to stay positive and focus on the journey to getting better and we all know this and are trying. But I think it’s ok to sometimes just admit that it sucks and it’s not easy and you’re upset and frustrated. Acknowledging those feelings can help you to accept them and then put them aside and move forward even more positive than before. Hang in there! You’re doing great and every new day gets you closer to more activity and a more functional life.