I’m a little late in providing an update since my surgery was 9 weeks ago. I’m still not allowed to sit more than 30 minutes (and even if I wanted to my butt tells me to get up) so my computer time is limited. I’m still on a painkiller, but only three a day alternating with Tylenol. I have low back pain which requires me to lie down at least every 2 hours, and if I move suddenly or the wrong way I get sharp back pains, although that's getting better. My left leg is also a little weak; I have to take the stairs one at a time. At my last followup visit, my surgeon told me that a little pain is good because it keeps me from doing something I shouldn’t be doing. Easy for him to say but, then again, maybe he has me figured out!
I’m not allowed to drive for at least another month, so I’m still on “house arrest.” I have a home health aide coming in once a week to take me shopping, clean, and do laundry. My family has been great, helping me out with chores around the house and visiting, always bringing food – bless them! But I am really getting restless …
My biggest concern was coming home with oxygen – I was told my blood oxygen level was at 86% the day I left the hospital. Then, after doing an overnight oximeter test, the pulmonologist told me that I probably have sleep apnea. I am not yet convinced of that since I have none of the symptoms, and I’m also not satisfied that the doctors have given me an adequate explanation for the low oxygen levels. The only risk factor I can find is a diminished lung capacity, but that same doctor told me it wasn’t low enough to worry about. Contradictory, yes? Since I found out my insurance wouldn’t pay for the oxygen equipment, and because I’m trying to deal with my back issues right now, I have put all that on the back burner. I can’t help feeling that the anesthesia had something to do with all this. I would really like to hear if anyone else has had a similar experience.
I have been following the new posts, and I’m happy to see that everyone who had surgery at about the same time is doing well. Onward and upward!
I’m not allowed to drive for at least another month, so I’m still on “house arrest.” I have a home health aide coming in once a week to take me shopping, clean, and do laundry. My family has been great, helping me out with chores around the house and visiting, always bringing food – bless them! But I am really getting restless …
My biggest concern was coming home with oxygen – I was told my blood oxygen level was at 86% the day I left the hospital. Then, after doing an overnight oximeter test, the pulmonologist told me that I probably have sleep apnea. I am not yet convinced of that since I have none of the symptoms, and I’m also not satisfied that the doctors have given me an adequate explanation for the low oxygen levels. The only risk factor I can find is a diminished lung capacity, but that same doctor told me it wasn’t low enough to worry about. Contradictory, yes? Since I found out my insurance wouldn’t pay for the oxygen equipment, and because I’m trying to deal with my back issues right now, I have put all that on the back burner. I can’t help feeling that the anesthesia had something to do with all this. I would really like to hear if anyone else has had a similar experience.
I have been following the new posts, and I’m happy to see that everyone who had surgery at about the same time is doing well. Onward and upward!
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