Are there Rehab Cruises? not for drugs & alcohol

[Irina]

Everyone is different, but....

I couldn't sit really at all the first two months. I would force myself to sit for meals, but even then I would scarf the food down and be up in about 10 minutes (and in quite a bit of pain). I'm not sure you need an arm chair. I think any chair with a firm seat would have worked for my limited needs early on. I still can't sit comfortably in my leather recliner.

I put a twin-bed size egg-shell foam bed cover on top of my couch cushions. I put an electric blanket on top of that. That was my go-to place in the living room for months. I have only recently (4 months post-op) moved the foam, but I still lay flat on the couch. Doreen has a very nice video of logrolling. They will also teach you it in the hospital. Hold those an muscles as tight as you can--it cuts the back pain.

Irina, I did not cook for quite a while--2-3 months? But I was spoiled because neighbors brought meals and my mom was living with me. It is difficult to get things in and out of the oven, still. Think top of stove.

Best,
Evelyn

Evelyn,

You’re saying it is still difficult to get things in-out of the oven, but is it allowed at 4 months post-op? I thought we should not bend at all for at least half-a-year or am I wrong?

[Confusedmom]

Everyone is different, but....

I couldn't sit really at all the first two months. I would force myself to sit for meals, but even then I would scarf the food down and be up in about 10 minutes (and in quite a bit of pain). I'm not sure you need an arm chair. I think any chair with a firm seat would have worked for my limited needs early on. I still can't sit comfortably in my leather recliner.

I put a twin-bed size egg-shell foam bed cover on top of my couch cushions. I put an electric blanket on top of that. That was my go-to place in the living room for months. I have only recently (4 months post-op) moved the foam, but I still lay flat on the couch. Doreen has a very nice video of logrolling. They will also teach you it in the hospital. Hold those an muscles as tight as you can--it cuts the back pain.

Irina, I did not cook for quite a while--2-3 months? But I was spoiled because neighbors brought meals and my mom was living with me. It is difficult to get things in and out of the oven, still. Think top of stove.

Best,
Evelyn

[golfnut]

Your cruise idea sounds relaxing.
I couldn't sit for very long at first, but was most comfortable on our couch. I added a large seat cushion from another couch so that it was about 6 inches higher than a normal couch. I had lots of pillows behind my back.
In the kitchen, I added extra seat cushions and also a pillow behind my back. I had planned to use a computer chair with arms, but I liked the couch better. It's kind of trial and error after surgery to find what's most comfortable.

[JenniferG]

Jennifer,
That was a great and prompt answer, thanks. How soon were you able to be left alone after leaving the hospital? For the past year, I have lost interest in eating or cooking when I am alone. I can always call for delivery (no pizza).

Laying in bed has been the story of my life.... I could do anything in bed. I keep telling my husband that if I had a studio (with a balcony overlooking the ocean or sea) high above the ground, with a TV, computer, and refrigerator. I would be a happy camper.

I used to work full time and travelled constantly to South America every month for business. I raised 2 wonderful girls and they always knew that I lived in bed by 8pm. Lately in Baja, the demand for my time has been on the computer to keep in touch with the world and I spent much less time in bed lounging.

I can survive as long as I can get up and go to the bathroom and move around.

I am quite used to moving in.out and around the bed using my extremities. There has been lots of time when my hip area could not move so I had to be resourceful in order to get out of bed. I ask for a hand only when really bad but for stability seldom for anyone to help me out. I accommodate my body in all type of contorsion movements quite interestingly and it works for me.

Thanks for the reply,

Gardenia

PS> there was someone who had videos showing how to get in and out of bed - can't remember where they were...

I think it might have been Doreen who did those videos.

If you have a chest of drawers next to your bed, you can use that for leverage when you get up, if need be.

I was a bit different to most here, in that I was in hospital for 19 days. When I came home my partner continued working as usual. I was alone from approx 3.30am to around 12-1pm. But I was fine. I think I could have managed if I'd lived alone just with help getting fresh food in. My pain was under control with Oxycontin which made me relaxed and I slept a lot of the time. I wish I still slept as well as I did then! 10 hours at night and 2-3 hours during the day - it was wonderful. So the time passed very quickly and I got stronger every day. I walked every day. At first it was nerve-wracking, until I found I could do it ok. But my surgeon gave me only one instruction, to walk, so I did it religiously. I still do. At my 6 week appt. I told him I was walking every day and he said, "Now do it twice a day."

Looking back I think the walking did several things. It made me stronger and more confident in myself. It made me feel more like I was back to normal. It probably helped me sleep and probably increased my appetite, because I enjoyed my food, despite the medication. Not sure if it helped with fusion but it was visible at 6 weeks. For these reasons, I think walking is a great idea for post-op patients.

[JenniferG]

Jennifer,

When were you able to cook? Curious because I love, love, love to cook.

Hi, Irina, standing at the kitchen counter was not a problem for me. My problem was with sitting. So I pottered in the kitchen from about 3 weeks, but probably didn't cook a full meal until about 5-6 weeks out of pure laziness and the fact my partner enjoys cooking. <grin>

[gardenia]

When did you start being alone?

Jennifer,
That was a great and prompt answer, thanks. How soon were you able to be left alone after leaving the hospital? For the past year, I have lost interest in eating or cooking when I am alone. I can always call for delivery (no pizza).

Laying in bed has been the story of my life.... I could do anything in bed. I keep telling my husband that if I had a studio (with a balcony overlooking the ocean or sea) high above the ground, with a TV, computer, and refrigerator. I would be a happy camper.

I used to work full time and travelled constantly to South America every month for business. I raised 2 wonderful girls and they always knew that I lived in bed by 8pm. Lately in Baja, the demand for my time has been on the computer to keep in touch with the world and I spent much less time in bed lounging.

I can survive as long as I can get up and go to the bathroom and move around.

I am quite used to moving in.out and around the bed using my extremities. There has been lots of time when my hip area could not move so I had to be resourceful in order to get out of bed. I ask for a hand only when really bad but for stability seldom for anyone to help me out. I accommodate my body in all type of contorsion movements quite interestingly and it works for me.

Thanks for the reply,

Gardenia

PS> there was someone who had videos showing how to get in and out of bed - can't remember where they were...

[Irina]

Jennifer,

When were you able to cook? Curious because I love, love, love to cook.

[JenniferG]

Hi Everyone,
I am realizing that I have become extremely compulsive in many ways. I am in a super crazy hurry to get ready. As you know, I live in Baja Mexico but staying with my daughter during my surgery and recovery here in St Louis. She has a cute apartment but does not have a chair with arms. So this weekend, we went out and I wanted to buy a cute recliner at Costco at the warehouse. It was very nice and firm with wood arms. It fit my small body and it has nice cushions.

Problem, the box is too large to fit in her car and we would not be able to take up 3 flights up. But, I was ready. Then, we went to Ashley Furniture. Found many armed chairs and they deliver. I was ready to buy whichever she thought it would fit her apt decor. She wanted to come home and measure first to see how it would fit. Then, I could call and make the order thru phone.

We measured and the chair would be too bulky. Maybe, I could use a different chair like for a dining room etc ???? So, she suggested I ask my fellow friends on this forum before going crazy buying chairs.

I know I need to be able to sit and learn to do it by myself.

How much will I be sitting for the first 2 months? I won't be using it for watching TV, knitting or reading because by then I would be flying back home to Baja.

Can I lay on the couch and get out by myself? Is that a good idea at all?

How important is having an armed chair what do you suggest? My husband will be here the first month more of less. After that, I hope everyone could go back to their working activities leaving me home during the day. Will I be able to be left alone (more or less?) during the week? weekends I will have another daughter visit from Columbia but she is also in school.

Should I just buy a chair (like those in waiting rooms that are functional but not to keep?) or one for the dinning room type?

I just need to hear about your SITTING experience for the first 2 months.

I am here in St Louis for one more week because of blood testing (how important or special the blood works are I don't know but Dr B's office asked that I stay over in case the test have to be re-done)

Thanks, Gardenia

I've come to preface my comments with "we're all different, but..." For me, sitting was uncomfortable, so I spent most of my day sleeping in bed, lying on the sofa (firm) or walking. Ten minutes at a time, sitting at the computer was all I could manage for about a month, but it did improve a little each week.

Our sofa is quite firm and was easy to get on and off, no problems.

Honestly, I think a dining chair will do the trick, if all else fails. You need a firm chair with a padded back, that will hold you upright. From that position, you can use your body and legs to get up without help and if it's at the table, you can grip the table.

I was alone each day but my partner left food out for me which I only had to microwave/toast etc. He did early shift so went about 3.30am and was home about midday. So I was only really alone in the mornings. I found standing and walking no problem at all. I was far less helpless than I'd imagined.

Ed always advises lots of soft pillows. So if the sofa or chairs that you have aren't comfortable, the pillows might do the trick.

Hope it all goes smoothly Gardenia!

[gardenia]

Chairs Chairs (recommendations) if not a cruise

Hi Everyone,
I am realizing that I have become extremely compulsive in many ways. I am in a super crazy hurry to get ready. As you know, I live in Baja Mexico but staying with my daughter during my surgery and recovery here in St Louis. She has a cute apartment but does not have a chair with arms. So this weekend, we went out and I wanted to buy a cute recliner at Costco at the warehouse. It was very nice and firm with wood arms. It fit my small body and it has nice cushions.

Problem, the box is too large to fit in her car and we would not be able to take up 3 flights up. But, I was ready. Then, we went to Ashley Furniture. Found many armed chairs and they deliver. I was ready to buy whichever she thought it would fit her apt decor. She wanted to come home and measure first to see how it would fit. Then, I could call and make the order thru phone.

We measured and the chair would be too bulky. Maybe, I could use a different chair like for a dining room etc ???? So, she suggested I ask my fellow friends on this forum before going crazy buying chairs.

I know I need to be able to sit and learn to do it by myself.

How much will I be sitting for the first 2 months? I won't be using it for watching TV, knitting or reading because by then I would be flying back home to Baja.

Can I lay on the couch and get out by myself? Is that a good idea at all?

How important is having an armed chair what do you suggest? My husband will be here the first month more of less. After that, I hope everyone could go back to their working activities leaving me home during the day. Will I be able to be left alone (more or less?) during the week? weekends I will have another daughter visit from Columbia but she is also in school.

Should I just buy a chair (like those in waiting rooms that are functional but not to keep?) or one for the dinning room type?

I just need to hear about your SITTING experience for the first 2 months.

I am here in St Louis for one more week because of blood testing (how important or special the blood works are I don't know but Dr B's office asked that I stay over in case the test have to be re-done)

Thanks, Gardenia

[Doodles]

Gardenia--
I'm not on drugs right at the moment either but it sounds like an awesome idea! I'm in--even 3 years later sounds fantastic. Janet

[gardenia]

Just wondering if there could be a cruise starting at the end of October that takes you to places, caters to all your needs, food, PT, yoga, shrink sessions etc. I could also use a total make-over on board, like that show on TV. New wardrobe, hair, etc.

I am not even on drugs right now, this is just my spaced out wishing mind...

Have a great day everyone! this thread is for just those who want to be silly taking a break from reality.. Be positive and send an answer, it might brighten your and others day

gardenia