limitations - help please

[alicia]

Priscilla - How many weeks post op were you when you got your leak?  How did you know?  And how long til the meningitis set in? 

[msmaggie]

My leak was contained at the incision site, in the form of a big goose egg.  It showed up about 4-5 weeks after the surgery.  The meningitis set in about two weeks after that, with major, migraine like headaches.  Then the usual meningitis symptoms started up. It was diagnosed w/a lumbar puncture and I was hospitalized for 4 days, then two weeks on home IV therapy.  The spinal tap reduced the pressure in my head and the leak eventually healed.  I'm really feeling good now, w/only a few minor headaches/neck issues every now and then. I went back to teaching full time and finished out the school year with my class, and that made me very happy. 

Priscilla

[msmaggie]

Something else that probably needs to be noted is that when all this took place I turned 60, so my healing was more than likely slower than a lot of you young whippersnappers will experience!

Priscilla

[Rich56]

Hello Ladies,

I agree with Priscilla, "Better to be overly cautious".

Scarlett just pasted 12 weeks as a postie.  We went to her second VPT yesterday at MGH in Boston.  She told the therapist of the pressure and aches that she has in her AN ear and incision area.  The therapist told us that even though the scar looks to be healing very nicely, there is still a lot of healing going on inside.

When Scarlett was in ICU the nurse told her "slow and steady wins the race".  We have recited that phrase over and over, and so far (knock on wood) she is doing very well.  She does some light exercising, walking on the treadmill, and stuff around the house, but I won't let her lift anything close to heavy.  It's just not worth it!  Like the rest of you, she has been through too much crap, to risk a set back.

Carolyn, you said "he's been adjusting to the "too heavy" for mommy thing", please listen to your intuition, 30 pounds is alot!  Do you really want to chance it?

Just my two cents!

Continued healing to all of you,

Rich

[Jim Scott]

Carolyn ~

Your situation is, as previous posts indicate, quite common.  I would follow your doctor's instructions regarding lifting restrictions and I would cite Priscilla's ('msmaggie') experience as basis for that opinion.  Doctors don't impose lifting restrictions and precise time-frames for no good reason.  I was pretty scrupulous about the lifting restrictions, post-op, but even some months later, when I attempted to lift an item that was 40 pounds or so, I could feel the strain at my incision site.  I quickly put down the item and asked my adult son to lift it, instead.  Even now, 3 years post-op and fully healed, I avoid lifting anything over 50 pounds. 

As compelling as the natural urge to lift your child may be, it really isn't worth the risk.  Once healed, you'll have plenty of opportunity to lift him to your heart's content.  As for your husband, he's probably very relieved that you're doing so incredibly well and just wants to see everything (mostly, you) be 'back to normal'.  Perhaps a quiet talk that acknowledges his feelings but also points out the reality of your surgery and that you can't just ignore the doctor's instructions with no fear of negative consequences, might be a good idea.  If you do this, be sure to emphasize that it's temporary - and that you'll be lifting your son again in a few months.  You might add that if your little boy understands, daddy should too....or try, anyway. 

Jim

[AthenasMom]

Please please please listen to you doctor on this one!  I tired to use my own judgement and ended up with a CSF leak.  Its not worth it.  Please don't try to do too much.    The time will go by quicker than you think..

[stoneaxe]

HHmmm....this thread has me worried about my thoughts of paddling in the CCBC on August 15th. I'll be 2 months post-op. I may have to base my decision on the conditions that day.

This brings up a thought though. What may be heavy for some would be lightweight for me (not bragging, just genetics). While the paddle isn't easy, it isn't the same thing as lifting heavy weight. I've had differing responses from the docs. Going to have to look into it more.

[Kaybo]

Stoneax~
I would go out & really look at every aspect - even resistance of water from various angles.  When I was ging birth 2, 6 & 7 YEARS AFTER my surgery, the Dr. (OB-GYN) was still a bit concerned about the pushing & straining of giving birth.  Of course, that is VERY intense, full bodied straining...I had EXTREMELY easy births (2 pushes w/ the FIRST! & by the 3rd, she just slipped out), but they were still prepared none the less w/ the forcepts and consideration of C-section!  DEFINITELY talk to your Dr. about that!

K

[moe]

Bob,
I'm sure your body and your docs will work together to tell you what you can and can't do by the time August rolls around.
It will be time to take a deep breath and just let nature take its course post op.
Slow and easy, no rushing. If you race, you race,
if you don't, you'll be there to cheer em on! One way or another you will be there.
Like people said, don't want to push yourself. There are other races, but only one Bob!
But we'll cross that bridge when we get there.
Maureen

[heyct]

Thanks for all your posts and encouragement everyone.

I will definitely still take it easy. Just the thought of a leak and a few more days in the hospital is enough to keep me takin' it easy. I already had one leak post-op in the hospital. My doc did say to start trying to push myself, cardio-wise, but no weights. I guess my excuse for not going to the gym should be nullified!

OK, Stoneaxe...you look big & burly in your pic, but I know from my windsurfing days that those boards are not light. At least think about someone helping to carry it for you!

Carolyn

[epodjn]

I do daycare and I'm constantly lifting children up to 45 lbs. My doctor said absolutely no lifting anything heavier than my purse for the first 6 weeks. Then I could lift up to 25lbs. until 10 weeks. After that I had no restrictions. I do know when I pushed it I got really bad headaches. It's not worth over-doing.