Irina’s Surgery – March 5/7, 2013

[titaniumed]

Irina

I just wanted to say congratulations on being on the other side....

It is hard getting comfortable.....but it will get better soon.

Hang in there

Ed

[mabeckoff]

Glad that you are on the other side and that you are doing so well

[Irina]

When did you take your first steps (post-op)?

(Posted by Irina's husband, Dave)

At 2 days out from the last surgery, I've only been able to sit up a little bit. The nurse had me standing for a few minutes but I was very dizzy. The physical therapist didn't want to try standing because my O2 level was too low.

To all the other post-op people out there:
When did you take your first steps? Did you have a lot of dizziness?

Thanks,
Irina

[JenniferG]

Irina,

Congrats on having the surgery over with! Regarding standing/walking. I was sat up on the side of the bed, with the intention of walking on day 2 but I was very dizzy and they lay me back down again. They then topped me up with another bag of blood and next day I stood and walked easily. The blood made a huge difference. Don't be disappointed - each day makes a big difference. Relax and go with the flow, it'll all work out well in the end. You sound like you're doing just fine.

[JuliaAnn]

Irina, I sat up on the second day but was too dizzy to stand. The third day they helped me stand up and move to sit in a chair for a short time. I was still dizzy though and my blood pressure dropped so that was all for the third day. The fourth day I started to be more alert in bed and move around. I'm keeping you in prayer. You're doing great.

[maggie6]

Irina I'm only a little ahead of you with my surgery, Feb 18. I can't remember much of the the first few days after surgery. My sister told me they tried to get me up the 2 day. Now Im walking 3-4 times a day on my "track" I made at home. Most of the time I walk eat and sleep.

[titaniumed]

Dave and Irina

I don’t remember....Everyone told me that I had been standing, but in the fog of it all, I just don’t remember. The hospital reports said that it was done the next day. They must have been holding me, I was beyond wasted. The morphine, dialuid, and lortab is powerful stuff and you need it to keep the pain in check.

After major surgery, the body is running in overtime....white blood cell counts are high and the blood needs to adjust. I agree with Jen. The blood transfusions really are a huge help....it took a few days for me to finally feel good enough to want to get out of my hospital bed. It was around the 4th or 5th day that my mind came back and realized what was going on.

On heavy meds, the dizzy’s will come and go.....it will get better each day.

You guys hang in there....her body is going through major adjustments right now. Healing quickly, every single second.

That goes for you too Maggie...congratulations!

Ed

[Confusedmom]

The day after surgery they wanted to get me up to walk. But when I sat up in bed I thought I was going to faint. So they waited until the next day, and then I walked. You'll get there soon!!

Evelyn

[LindaRacine]

Hi Irina...

Patients usually stand the day after surgery, but you shouldn't judge your own health by that fact. After my 2011 surgeries, I was up the next day, but couldn't stay awake enough to stand on my own, so spent the next 2 days in bed. I think I was up on P/O day 4, and was just fine. They'll figure out what is making you dizzy, and you'll be up before you know it. Hang in there.

Regards,
Linda

[loves to skate]

Irina,
Glad to hear you're on the healing side. I think I stood up on the second day. I think I must have been too drugged to stand up on the first day. I don't remember too much on that first day except having hallucinations. Glad your hubby is taking such good care of you.
Sally

[Irina]

My Improvements

I am getting off the bed now to sit on a chair or to use a commode toilet. All the tubes are out except for the oxygen. Docs are still working on figuring out meds and to get my bowels moving. The cosmetic improvement is dramatic - I have not seen my back, but my mom says that I should kiss my surgeon,s hands because my back has never ever looked so beautiful.
Edited to say that this post is written by Irina.

[tae_tap]

Irina,

I am impressed that you are able to post while still in the hospital. You sound like you are doing great. Will keep the prayers coming that each day gets easier. It took me a while before the insides got to working as well, but it will eventually come to pass. Keep up the good work!

Tamena

[JenniferG]

I like your mother's expression! Oh yes!!!

You sound good Irina. Posting so early amazes me. I didn't even think about the internet for a couple of weeks. It's great to follow your progress and know you're doing great!

[kennedy]

i took my first steps 3 days post-op and yes i felted really dizzy

[Doodles]

Irina--
You sound wonderful and your back must look wonderful too! Congratulations for being on this side as you go through the slow steps of recovery. I remember standing very briefly the next day--or maybe they just told me I did! But I certainly remember dizziness for some time & I guess I had to have extra pints of blood during the first week so it's not unusual. Hope you have steady improvement over the next days and weeks. Janet