Sunday, January 27, 2013

13 days post op.

Well I'm alive, kicking  and almost bored silly.   I'm gradually watching all  my favourite tv shows and movie collection. The operation was a huge success.  The entire cyst was removed. It was "well adhered" according to the surgeons notes for the physio.  Apart from some terrible pain and discomfort for the first day or so from the surgery  and a few minor post op effects I was 100% straight away.  None of the pre op pain existed from straight away.    It's now 13 days later.  I get tired quickly if I walk and can't go far yet. The first week going to the shops with G  meant I was shattered after 30 mins  from trying to stand and walk nice and straight etc.  I can feel the area that was operated on when I lie flat on my back. As in, I'm aware of it.  But no pain.  On a bad back day it feels like I've  over done the gardening and my back is left aching.  But that is less and less. The 23 staples were removed last Monday, exactly a week after the surgery. If some people go back to work after 3 weeks which would be in 8 days from now I can't see how I can't start doing more  in another week.  But I'll have to wait and see. I haven't been in a car for any great distance since returning home from the hospital.  That was done on 3 stages of 50 mins or so with back support and stops for a 10 mins stand and walk break. However I intend to get the youngest to take me to work on Thursday so I can talk to the teacher who will have my class and do a bit of a handover. She will also be my Friday job share teacher as we've decided I am going to only work 4 days a week from now on. I guess that means they are now, OUR class. Yippeee. 
Lying on my stomach is still far too uncomfortable and I was told not to do it but not for how long not to.  It is the same with all the other restrictions. told not to do them but not for how long.  I just have to stop myself  bending( a no no) or doing anything I'm not meant to.   No gardening, cleaning, cooking, washing, hanging washing etc.  hmm  well I've been making sandwiches for lunch since day 4.  Have cooked dinner twice.  The first time I was a bit tired by the time   prep was over.  But I've managed to cook a couple of cakes etc.  which is something I always try to do when on holidays. I am looking forward to seeing the physio next week hopefully although I haven't had a notice yet so I'm not sure when I'll be contacted.  I hope that the physio might be able to advise when I can start driving. I certainly can't imagine not driving for another 6 weeks.   Hopefully I'll get a letter with my post op appointment for  mid Feb soon.  Whilst it might not be 100% wise to drive yet I am not that limited and could do it easily.   I try not to twist or bend  as per surgeons instructions but of course sometimes you do.  There is no pain. Not to say that  it isn't stopping the healing process though. so very frustrating and I do try to limit the times I do it.
Poor dog and cat are  waiting  to be fed atm as I chose to bake for breakfast instead of feed them. I figure that's my "bend" for the morning.  I'll get eldest up soon to give them food.


The yard:
  The lawn was given a serious weeding by me before I left for the operation. It was also given a good dose of a soil wetter and minerals to try and help it out over the very hot patch and a seasol and molasses treatment.  I can see the weeds coming back. I know better than to try and weed although I've pulled out a couple of weeds that taunted me too much for me to stand.  1-5 good.   15  not so good. Won't do that again but I guess I could use a weed wand and poison them.
I am hoping to talk one of the boys into doing some gardening for me today. A few bits that are really annoying me. I guess it depends on how warm it gets though.
As the weather has been really warm G has taken the opportunity to have a break from paving but  I know he wants to get back into it and get it over with.   It will be good to see it all done. It's  a mammoth task.  Most garden work atm consists of watering to keep everything alive during this very warm period.