I am 3 weeks post op today and been invited for a BBQ at a friends's place along with other people. Not sure if am human enough (feeling like an alien) to be in a gathering...doing ok overall but incision area still hurts, stiff etc.....what do you think?
Why not go and enjoy yourself . Just make sure you go to loo before you go and that you have a chair to sit on .
let everyone spoil you and prob tell you how well you are doing .
dont drink too much , don't want you falling over !
it will prob do you the world of good .
Dont forget to dress to impress as that will also make you feel more human.
let us know how it went
mary
I would say do it! But only if you can leave early if you get tired and can get home.
Also be prepared to take it easy the next day or 2 as you may feel more tired than usual
If they are good friends they will be pleased to see you and make a fuss of you. Don't try and help though, no clearing up or anything.
I had friends round for a take away after 2 weeks. Lifted my spirits, to socialise. I just sat there like the queen and let everyone get on with it. Great fun and worth the weariness the following day. Didn't drink any alcohol, because of tabs.
Enjoy.
Barbara x
They always say that the first step is the hardest. Why not go for a couple of hours and absolutely enjoy the attention, let people fuss over you. Have your escape route planned though if it is all too much for you, a taxi number in your phone!! A couple of glasses of something may help. I am a little earlier than you, op was a week today. I want people to help me make me feel like a patient mixed with wanting to be completely independent. Poor husband cant right for doing wrong! Go to the BBQ you may love it and that will be a huge step forward in your recovery. If you go and only stay an hour, that's still a big step forward towards the real world again. Enjoy, hope the weather is kind,
Go for it. It will help you feel part of the human race again and people will say how amazing you are doing. Even when I was 6 weeks post op people were amazed how well I was doing. Just make sure you have comfy seat. Let's hope this rain stops!! Enjoy x
Hi again , can you bring a friend .?
I could pop over and come with you , could do with a night out,
Oh Jan! You completely understand how I feel! Kids are looking after me, I am 9 days today, and half the time I am in "I can do it myself" mode and the rest in "I am poorly" mode. Typical cranky recouperative!!! If I could get the operated leg in and out of bed without me shrieking the place down I should feel I had made a giant leap forward. On we go......
Hi Mary, am not in the UK and yes if you can take a quick flight to UAE ..you most welcome,...
Thank you all for you suggestions and uplifting comments, I think I might give it go...
Oh I would definately go just take it easy and sit alot. It felt so good to just get out of the house after 3 weeks of cabin fever. It was only to go to the grocery store with hubby but the fresh air does wonders and also the change of scenery, seeing friends. You can just sit enjoy the food and the company ( bring your pain meds ) and have a wonderful time,
Hi Margaret, I am sure we will laugh about all of this one day, just not very soon though! My husband is fab but my daughter has been doing the personal bits with me until this morning.... Hubby decided to hurry the shower process up by helping me dry my back and giving me a vigorous rubdown and couldn't understand the explosion of expletives, crying and screaming that ensued as he caught the wound /bruising whatever! I will be waiting for her to wake up to get the dreaded surgical stockings on!
Have you tried using a belt or something to help lift your leg slowly on or off the bed. I use my other leg and manage most of the time not always. The hard bit for me is not being able to get comfy anywhere including bed. I have box sets to watch on TV , books to read, sewing do and just cannot settle anywhere.
I think we deserve a bit of a poorly day now and then though, as long as we still do our excercises. Are your staples out yet. I am hoping that makes a difference.
I thought it would be one day at a time but actually it is an hour at a time. Good luck.
Jan and Margaret,
Been there! I'm 8 weeks now and yes once the staples come out you will feel much more comfortable sitting and lying down and will quickly become more independent. I know it feels like you have a mountain to climb but it gets much better quite quickly and the bonus - no pain in the hip. Good luck with your healing
Catrin x
Hi Jan, I tried a leg lifter but it bent all the time so gave up with that, will try a belt I am lucky I don't have the stockings but had ankle pumps while in hospital and foot exercises and blood thinning pills to take instead. I broke my right leg and ankle 2 years ago, the same surgeon put it together again but it still swells a bit, so he said no stockings. I could have kissed him!! I know what you mean about getting comfy, my posterior keeps going numb! I didn't have staples, just dissolving stitches, he said it will look as if it has been glued together, haven't had the dressing off yet, have to wait till day 20. They all seem to have different ways of doing things.
Oh what a shame , can't get a flight now ha ha
enjoy
The physio in hospital showed me how to use my good foot to lift bad out of bed . Put good toes under bad ankle it worked for me .
Good luck
mary
Go for it and enjoy yourself. I went out three weeks post op when lovely friends organised for me a curry night out. They gave me and my wife a lift n their car, provided silk cushion to get in and out car and for chair in restaurant, and the restaurant owners were marvelous in helping ideal sitting arrangements. Felt so good and grateful. Sure your friends, as already demonstrating with invite, do the same. Even if don't stay whole event as you will feel tired, it will lift you. Best wishes to you.
Go - it'll do your mental state no end if good and everyone will understand if you have to sit etc
One person said about getting in bed, was to scoot from the side your getting on the bed to the middle or to the other side.it's easier than the belt.
I used something called a leg lifter.it is also useful to use getting into a car.a belt will also be great for that too.
The hospital gave me a piece of tiny grip to use to lift my leg like a winch in and out of bed. I think a pair of tights would work too. Hook it under your foot and lift it up and on. It does get better. I'm 6 weeks post op and walked round Sainsburys for the first time today doing a full shop. I'm bloomin wiped out now but feel like I accomplished a little goal. X
Update: went to my friend's place parked the car the walked to their garden (not far), by that time I was sweating and out of breath, very uunusual i think I might be low on iron, the BBQ was great, good weather, friends were very understanding and helpful, the kids stole my crutch , sat for 2 hours but felt really sore after, went back home and did a 1.5 Km walk...today am done!! very tired...overall was worth it to get out of the house and socialise