I'm 5.5 days post op. Back home after 3 days and getting about OK but staying upstairs as no toilet downstairs. I have been downstairs a few times with no problems but don't want to be popping up and down all day to go to the loo.
My husband goes back to work tomorrow and kids at school and I'm nervous about going up and down stairs with no one in the house. Do I just stay upstairs a while longer until I'm stronger or just go for it. I do feel confident going up and down stairs it's just the 'what if' scenario. What are other hippies doing?
I felt the same in the early days. I was always up, washed etc before my husband and daughter went to work. Always wore jeans so I could keep mobile phone with me at all times in pocket. Then I did not have to go upstairs more than once or most twice during the day. When I had visitors went to the loo, only one and that upstairs, before they left. Additionally had a sheewee and an old bowl that I kept downstairs. Acted more as insurance but did use it once or twice
Thanks Maggie, never thought of the shewee lol. I have one in camping kit. Good ideas, all my friends work though so not likely to have any visitors during day and every time I gave a drink I need a wee lol. A few things to think about though. Might go down for part if day so not so many trips.
it won't be long before you will be comfortably, if slowly, going up and down. We live in a town house so I seem be be going up and down all day. The more you do it the easier it will seem. Just take your time and plan the loo visits, e.g. Have a nice big drink and go up before you need to. I found the crutches were the easiest way to go up and down in the first 3 weeks. from 3 weeks onwards I have been able to go up and down with stick in one hand and cup of coffee in the other.
reading your conversation I now realise it's not just me. I only said to my husband this morning that I think the surgeon must of done something to my bladder as I seem to be weeing for England.
By the way Karen I agree with everyone, sounds good advice.
Sheewee!! took me a while to figure that out. I bought one too but not great at using it even more op. But intend to put it in big handbag if going to daughters house as no high toilets..
Hi Karen...If it was me, I would hire a Caravan Toilet for downstairs, it is so silly to have your life, ruled by a toilet...
Just take the steps one at a time, and be careful, you need to build your self confidence at the moment, and I am still taking steps going down one at a time at 7 weeks post op, and going back to work, on Monday, our Staff Room is up on the second floor and will have to go up and down 13 large steps every two hours at least, I could use the lift, but prefere the light excercise or the stepping,
Yyou can hire toilets from camping and caraven shops, and they are not too expensive to buy either.
Thats my idea, and hope that you are not marooned upstairs for too long as it could begin to bring on a downer...Dont bring on a Downer with all the tablets and upset of a major operation and unbalancing effect it has on us all.
Just been talking to Linzh about the dreaded downer, I have had one once, it spread to the wife and it was hard to shake off too...
Hope my solution works for you sure it will, if you give it a go..LOL..
Thanks all. I think I've just had Sunday blues too. I've been up and down stairs several times today and actually found it quite easy. I'd rather be moving than sitting still as I just can't get comfy. Came upstairs for a little snooze as little sleep last night ( I rang hospital to ask for anti sickness tablets as feeling terrible but they just said if they make you unwell stop taking them), so I'm just on paracetamol and can't sleep on back so very tired. Will go back downstairs for tea then back up for evening.
Day 6 almost done. Wound check tomorrow, apparently I'm too young to have district nurse come out so Hubby's got to get home from work and shoe horn me into the car to get to clinic, then hoping I start to feel more comfortable next week and sleep better. Can't feel like this forever I guess.
Hi Karen, it sounds like you are actually doing very well. Climbing up and down stairs is very good exercise and will help strengthen your legs back up quickly.
Do not worry so much about the "what-if", just take your time, you really are in no rush. It is the rushing around that causes the slips, trips and falls. So take your time and take care. Every few days you will realise that you can now do something else easily, you will be less tired and start to sleep better. But it's a slow progression and some days you will feel worse than the day before, so do not compare daily, but weekly, and you will see yourself improving all the time. Best of luck, isn't this forum great for asking questions?
I'm in Doncaster. The hospital gave me dressing to give to district nurse and said they'd arrange visits then they called my husband and said cos I'm going (44) I should arrange to get myself to my own doctors surgery. I thought it was a but of a cheek only 6 days after major op.
That's so funny. That's because where I come from originally I Ireland we have a lot of Scottish words. Some else on the forum called the female urinal a sheewee.
I've just had 4 hours good sleep first night home in own bed.
Still can't get off keep trying. Trouble is I want to eat. Already had one dark chocolate ginger biscuit! I'll never get my jeans on, been living in joggers/dresses.