Got Home Yesterday

Feels so good to be back home, just not used to being so helpless. Husband is fantastic to me, Thank God. I'm really glad I found this site before the surgery, it feels like a safe haven to me, since you all have been through this, too. I've read so many of your posts, and it helps calm me to know the pain and emotions I'm having are normal. Also is nice to know what to expect down the road of recovery!

welcome home!!!!! this is a great site for help and support. glad to hear dh is a great support person for you, mine too and boy does make a difference! rest and recover and let the pampering of the begin!

peace

I have been home for 9 days. At first it was hard for me to accept that I needed to ask for help, but in my case, help lovingly and supportively given went a long way towards easing the discomfort of recovery. I have also found that short (1/4 mile) walks (with the surgeon's encouragement) are a great blessing to my well-being. They seem to keep the GI symptoms (gas, bloating) under control, and reduce pressure in my abdomen. I have a vertical incision.

Regards and best wishes for your recovery,
Holly

Thanks bright-eyes and hollyl3 for responding to my post! It feels so good to not be alone in this! Just one more comfort, like my thick robe and blankey wrapped around me after I FINALLY get into the recliner!!!

amen to the fuzzy robe and recliner!!!! and good by blood pressure and temp checks every 2 hours! hard to rest at the castle. funny (now) thing happened when i was released, snow and ice storm hit when i was fully reclined in my ELECTRIC recliner, yup power went off. dh thought he could tip it and i'd slide out - not a option, second plan was to call rescue squad - not an option, didn't want to be known around town as the rescue that involved being extracted from a recliner...dh ran out to lowes and bought a generator - free at last. sometimes recovery has it's ups and downs and sometimes you want it to have ups and downs.

hope you have a speedy recovery!

Oh, bright eyes, what a funny story (now)!!! That would be a horrible feeling, just KNOWING you can't get out! I'll be thinking of you next time I get in mine, although, thankfully mine is not electric! It was a real challange trying to get me in bed last night. The only good thing about having to wear this catheter for a few days is I knew once in bed I could stay there all night!

there's a trick to getting out of bed:
a. turn on side facing direction you want to go
b. drawing legs up by bending knees and placing feet over side of bed
c. with arm that is on top grab the mattress or prior to laying down have dh place a straight back chair by the bed and pull up on it at the same time you are sliding the arm you laying on under the side of your chest using your elbow as leverage and push up while swinging the rest of your legs off.

sounds wacky, but i read the post here and it does work, and soon you'll be getting up in one smooth move

glad you found my recliner adventure as funny as we do now.

take care of yourself!!!

Thanks bright-eyes for info on how to get out of the bed. I tried the chair trick this morning, and that helped alot. It's the getting IN the bed that is hard for me! I know it will get easier though.

welcome to the other side!! I am gald that you are home and feeling fine. Your Hubby sounds wonderful. They go through their own issues during this time but they manage to pull it together and be there when we need them. Remember to walk,rest and drink plenty of water.
s
Lynn

Welcome home!. Tip on getting into bed reverse the getting out directions it should make it easier. By the way if you have a tummy pillow it helps to hold it to your stomach. Had to use this trick when I hurt my back and it works fairly well getting up and laying down and it does get easier each day.