Good morning!
I feel like 4 weeks is a big hurdle for me. I am off of my pain meds all day long and surviving on Tylenol and at night I have been taking one hydrocodone and one muscle relaxer w/ valium to help me sleep and be comfortable lying down for a longer period of time. I'm not sure I need the pain meds, so may stop taking that and maybe try a Tylenol PM like Kathy suggested. It will be good to be off all pain meds and just learn to live with the aches and pains associated with this new body.
The last two weeks have been a roller coaster ride. Some days I feel great and am so grateful that I am recovering well. Other days, I feel like a walking Frankenstein and cry and wonder if I made the right decision. Since my back was actually fractured, I'm not sure I had much choice anyway... or so my husband reminds me. Walking has been extremely good for me and I'm diligent about walking 45-60 minutes every day. I have even gotten on my treadmill at a very slow 1.6 mph, slow but it felt good. It's hard not to feel sorry for myself at times knowing that only 4 months ago I was running 8-10 miles and in race training mode. The recovery makes me feel much older than I am and I often wonder how long it will take until I feel moderately 'normal' or whatever normal will be for me. In the process, I am learning a lot about myself and teaching myself to be patient and take it one day at a time. My life pre-surgery was crazy and chaotic and I'm learning to take it slow now. I read A LOT of books and nap and try to eat well and just take good care of myself. I don't think I have ever in my life been so focused on taking care of myself... it's a good thing
Last Thursday and Friday, I drove the 20 minute commute to my office and made it a half day both days. They were tough for me and I had to lie down a few times while here in our Wellness Room and took a long nap when I got home. I am lucky to have a place to lay down as well as a sit stand desk. But... I got through it and it honestly felt really good to focus my mind on something besides how my back feels. Today was the first day of school for my kids so I got them off on their busses and have been in the office ever since. I am feeling good, but know that I need to call it quits for the day when I am done. The funny part is, I will feel fine one minute and then when I am tired it comes on so quickly. When I'm done, I'm absolutely done and can't prolong it.
As for now at the 4 week mark, I am grateful that I can be in the car for short jaunts. I have gone out to eat for quick casual dining twice now and even managed to get to my salon last week for a haircut. There's just something about the salon that makes you feel instantly better. I've learned to just take my pillow with me wherever I go and not be embarrassed about it or worry what people will think. My goal now is to feel good enough to join my family in Mexico in another 4 weeks. My doctor has told me all along that he feels I will be just fine for the flight and lounging by the pool, so that goal is what keeps me going Anyone have any tips for surviving a long flight? I am stockpiling some pain meds and muscle relaxers in case I need them and have requested to move to first class for a little more room to stretch out. Any other tips would be much appreciated.
Hope everyone else is recovering well. I love to hear about your individual journeys Ed, your adventures give me hope that one day I can do some fun things again, so please keep sharing.
Much love,
Misty
I feel like 4 weeks is a big hurdle for me. I am off of my pain meds all day long and surviving on Tylenol and at night I have been taking one hydrocodone and one muscle relaxer w/ valium to help me sleep and be comfortable lying down for a longer period of time. I'm not sure I need the pain meds, so may stop taking that and maybe try a Tylenol PM like Kathy suggested. It will be good to be off all pain meds and just learn to live with the aches and pains associated with this new body.
The last two weeks have been a roller coaster ride. Some days I feel great and am so grateful that I am recovering well. Other days, I feel like a walking Frankenstein and cry and wonder if I made the right decision. Since my back was actually fractured, I'm not sure I had much choice anyway... or so my husband reminds me. Walking has been extremely good for me and I'm diligent about walking 45-60 minutes every day. I have even gotten on my treadmill at a very slow 1.6 mph, slow but it felt good. It's hard not to feel sorry for myself at times knowing that only 4 months ago I was running 8-10 miles and in race training mode. The recovery makes me feel much older than I am and I often wonder how long it will take until I feel moderately 'normal' or whatever normal will be for me. In the process, I am learning a lot about myself and teaching myself to be patient and take it one day at a time. My life pre-surgery was crazy and chaotic and I'm learning to take it slow now. I read A LOT of books and nap and try to eat well and just take good care of myself. I don't think I have ever in my life been so focused on taking care of myself... it's a good thing
Last Thursday and Friday, I drove the 20 minute commute to my office and made it a half day both days. They were tough for me and I had to lie down a few times while here in our Wellness Room and took a long nap when I got home. I am lucky to have a place to lay down as well as a sit stand desk. But... I got through it and it honestly felt really good to focus my mind on something besides how my back feels. Today was the first day of school for my kids so I got them off on their busses and have been in the office ever since. I am feeling good, but know that I need to call it quits for the day when I am done. The funny part is, I will feel fine one minute and then when I am tired it comes on so quickly. When I'm done, I'm absolutely done and can't prolong it.
As for now at the 4 week mark, I am grateful that I can be in the car for short jaunts. I have gone out to eat for quick casual dining twice now and even managed to get to my salon last week for a haircut. There's just something about the salon that makes you feel instantly better. I've learned to just take my pillow with me wherever I go and not be embarrassed about it or worry what people will think. My goal now is to feel good enough to join my family in Mexico in another 4 weeks. My doctor has told me all along that he feels I will be just fine for the flight and lounging by the pool, so that goal is what keeps me going Anyone have any tips for surviving a long flight? I am stockpiling some pain meds and muscle relaxers in case I need them and have requested to move to first class for a little more room to stretch out. Any other tips would be much appreciated.
Hope everyone else is recovering well. I love to hear about your individual journeys Ed, your adventures give me hope that one day I can do some fun things again, so please keep sharing.
Much love,
Misty
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