In brief

[kitanzi]

I had my first post surgery physical therapy last night. The good news is things are basically healing. The bad news is apparently they are doing so in spite of me.

I had post surgery instructions for the first 48-72 hours, but was apparently unclear on what I should be doing after. I (being a stubborn and impatient type, fancy that) have been pretty much pushing myself as I can tell I'm getting better. In fact, I was quite pleased with my progress. Well, the therapist apparently isn't. I should have been cautious where I was impatient, and resting where I was stretching, and generally trying to make the muscles relax more than they are rather than testing my limits. Her description was that the muscles were extremely guarded, and I didn't have nearly the range of motion she apparently expected. Dammit.

So ACat is back on pretty much the full range of housework, and I'm taking advantage of the 4 day weekend I have (a company that gives Fri AND Mon off for Xmas on Sun??) and hopefully I'll be doing better soon.

I have to admit, it's immensely less painful this way, but somehow I seem to have been raised with the idea that coping with pain is more admirable than whining about it - I am able to see past that for other people, but it's hard to get around it for myself. Having doctor's orders to rest it and avoid the pain somehow doesn't make it feel any less like malingering. I know, I'm much, much better. I want to be well, though. The really depressing part is the thought that I've sabotagued myself.

(Another disconcerting bit - I've been fairly regularly waking up between one and two, in enough pain to want a Percocet pill. No pain last night following PT and the new instructions (and a session of electrostimulus, which is the WEIRDEST damn thing I've ever felt but effective for pain relief like whoa!), but I still woke up about one thirty, very twitchy and tense, unable to sleep and REALLY wanting to go take a pill. I don't like this, I don't like this at all. Fortunately, I don't work today, so I just stayed up until I could go back to sleep without one. My goal today is no painkillers stronger than ibruprophen. So far, not even that - I am warily pleased.)

Edit: Note this doesn't mean I'm going to try and be stupid and stubborn in a different direction and NOT take painkillers when there IS pain. I just don't like the feeling that I have a habit of taking them that's there even when the pain goes away.

Comments

[aiela.livejournal.com]

Very nice. Rumor has it even the part time people are going to get paid for the half day today and the day off Monday, but since I'm a new employee I dunno if I'm counted in that.

Guess I'll see in two weeks when we get paid. :P

[gingicat]

Yeah, narcotic dependencies do in fact begin that way, so you are correct to resist.

Also, not surprised that you overdid or by the way your muscles reacted. :) I am, alas, much the same way. Hope the new regimen speeds healing.

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

Thank you for confirming what I suspected... I have a limited amount of them, so I don't expect I could get in a huge amount of trouble, but I suspect that it's infinitely better not to go down that road to begin with.

And it's HARD not to overdo! I never realized I was so thoroughly right dominant.

[gingicat]

And it's HARD not to overdo!

I know, trust me (it took Wolf, Mom, my sister, AND browngirl to keep me from cleaning before the bris, even though I was still wobbly). But you'll regret it if you do.

[delennara.livejournal.com]

It is good to hear that you are healing rather well - and PT sounds like a good thing, indeed ! Shame they didn't give you good instructions after the surgery.
*huggies*

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

I suspect they assumed I'd get to PT sooner, but there just weren't openings. There aren't now, either - next one is Jan 3rd.

[msminlr.livejournal.com]

"(a company that gives Fri AND Mon off for Xmas on Sun??)"

I also have a 4-day weekend. The normal for State of Arkansas employees is, when a holiday date (Christmas Eve & Christmas both) falls on a weekend, we get the adjoining Friday or Monday (in this case Friday AND Monday) off.
Definitely nice to have a 4-day weekend without having to put-in for any Annual Leave!
Relax and enjoy yours, while following Doctors Orders!

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

Well, I expected one of the two off, with Xmas on a Sunday, but not both. The unfortunate part is that I'm a temp, so actually I'm paid by the temp agency, which will only cover Monday. It's two extra days to my weekend, but only one extra day's pay.

[cadhla.livejournal.com]

I am very very very very very very proud of you, and totally pulling for your swift recovery.

Love you much.

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

Awwww! *bearhug* Thanks, hon! I'm not sure what you're being proud of, other than me getting a swift kick in the, er, shoulder so I know to get over my stubbornness.

[kyttn.livejournal.com]

*hug*

Boy oh boy do I know how hard it is not to overdo, and how much one pays for doing so. I'm glad you are going to have a chance to take it easy this weekend and will be trying to take it as easy as possible, though it will be incredibly hard. I'm paying this evening for not following the rules this morning! You are are also right to try and avoid dependence on the Percocet; the stuff is easy to get hooked on. I've often been told to take a combination of ibuprofen and acetominophen at the same time for a narcotic effect without the side effects. It works very well for me with dental pain, though I am admittedly sticking to the Percocet for the first 48 hours after my surgery before going to otc painkillers for primary relief. Use it if you need it, though, and if you feel you are having enough continued pain that you truly need it every day, talk to your Dr about alternatives.

*HUGS* and take care!

[a-blue-moon-cat.livejournal.com]

Having just screwed up my knee last month, I know that rest is important.
:) I like stim--it feels like tickling/tingling in a good way. ;) And ultrasound is also a good good feeling. :) Do the excercises that are given you, rest, and take care of yourself. It will get better.

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

Stim did an amazing job of cutting the pain - not quite so pain free tonight, but still ever so much better. It felt like hyperactive mice toedancing on my skin, though.

[maedbh7.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear you are getting well-er. Is it possible to get your own home version of the electrothingamawhatzit? Sounds better than drugs. *hugs you gently and lots* -H...

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

Um, suppose I could hook me up to a socket, but somehow I don't think I'd get the same results. :) *hug*