Update on Radiogirl

[RitaR]

Hey Janet: Yup, my hubby too. Most of it I didn't even remember. But, it was weird when I would wake myself up talking to someone or answering someone and then I knew they weren't even in the room. Boy, those meds really do something to a person....Thanks for your well wishes. I'm still having trouble sitting up for a long time, but I can do at lesat 30-45 minutes now. I still take my afternoon nap too. I'm still on all the meds - but I think I can start to decrease some of the Hydrocodone soon little by little.

[JenniferG]

Rita you sound like you're doing great. To be sitting that long a few days out of surgery, is wonderful. And thinking about cutting down on the meds?

I don't get it!

[RitaR]

WEll, I said I was "thinkng" about cutting back on the meds - haven't had much success with that yet. Wonder if other people cut back sooner, about now or when? Also, I finally am wandering around the house without my walker. Yea!!!! My left leg is really weak and seems to want to give out from time to time, like when I go down or upsteps. But, most of Dr. Lenke's work was done on the left side of my thoracic spine, so maybe that explains it. Other than that, I have to say I'm doing remarkably well, I think. But, I have the best hubby in the world as my Chief Nurse - And, no he's not for hire.... hahahaha!!!!

[Doodles]

Rita--
You're pretty early to cut back on meds. I know some can. Take it really slow. Sometimes when I have cut back I think I'm absolutely OK with it for even 5 days then whamo--it catches up all at once. Glad you feel well enough to be thinking of it! Janet

[Radiogirl]

Quick update: I was released last night from the hospital...one of the questions they asked was if i have steps in my house. I said yes and then they asked if there were railings. I thought for a moment...and said, yes, going up I do...they all stared at me and burst out in laughter saying then, coming down you do too, sweatheart! Ohhh...boy did I feel dumb!

My sister and I are now in the Parkway Hotel attached. Im very sleepy now so must go rest. Just wanted to let you all know it went well, and just try to keep up your sense of humor.
Laura

[ShariMSU]

Great news Laura! Sounds like all is going well. To be able to go home too, how exciting. Travel home safely and have a great recovery. You sound very strong! Way to go!

[RitaR]

Yea Radiogirl!!!! I'm so proud of you!!!! So, how do you feel out of the hospital finally? We made it to the other side!!!!! I told you we would..... and, although we could have done without the uphill part of it, we're just better being out of the hospital. Wait till you get home - then you'll really be glad to have all your own personal things......Congrats to you, Laura!!! I am so proud of you!!!!!

[Doodles]

Laura--
That's wonderful news. You've finished one big part of the journey. We stayed at the Parkway when I went for my 3-month check. Nice place. Keep that good recovery going. Janet

[foofer]

Laura,

I love your story of the up-but-not-down railing! So cute.

Add me to the list of all the readers here who are soooo happy to hear you doing well from the other side. I'm looking forward to more posting with your usual enthusiam and humor.

Good work, and congrats to your sister too. She made it through your surgery as well!

Amy

[JenniferG]

Yes, great news. Keep up the good work Laura.

You'll get plenty of laughs into the future with your railing story.

[Vali]

You recent surgery girls are a crackup. Must admit, some of the things you do in hospital are hilarious when your family or friends tell you about them.
To Laura, great to see you are doing so well, keep it up.

Rita, keep that husband close to you. Good male nurses are hard to come by! LOL. With regards to your med question, i quit my pain meds on day 15 post-op.

Best wishes to all post-ops!

[ADMoul]

Rita,
I took meds down very gradually around week 3-4. Actually kept a chart on the refrig. and wrote down when I took them and kept increasing the hours in between. (Yes, I'm a little anal-retentive.) When I was completely off, I had one day of feeling sort of yucky and kept getting chills and after that I was fine. Everyone is different with their pain tolerance. Don't make yourself miserable, but I started to feel more like myself when I wasn't taking the narcotics. I still occasionally take a muscle relaxant at night. Good luck!
(Laura, make sure those stair rails are there in both directions! I loved that!)