Hi All,
I'm back to check in and say hello.
Debbi & Marci - thanks for the reassurances that I'm not the only one who needs a nap after people come over. Even if I'm feeling 100% when they're here, as soon as they're out the door, the fatigue hits! Good to know it will get better, too.
Kathleen - so good to hear that you're doing well and listening to your body. And I'm so glad you're going to get the extra time to spend with your children, too!
I really want to keep up with my posting for a couple of reasons. First, I felt like I went into my surgery with such a "gift of knowledge" from this forum that I want in any way I can to pay it back. And secondly, I know that however insignificant any aspect of my recovery may seem to me, it may be useful knowlegde to someone else.
I've also been anxious to get on and post in the last week because I remember myself always awaiting updates to see how people were doing after any kind of treatment. I remember making my own mental list of post-treatment issues that would come up, and questioning myself as to how I would feel and deal with each of them should the same apply to me. It was all very helpful, but the story that comes to mind this week is the "kitchen floor nap."
Someone posted that he had gone to make a sandwich and was hit by an overpowering wave of post-op fatigue. It was so intense that all he could do was lay down on the kitchen floor before he feel fast asleep. Recalling that story made me feel completely normal last week as I sat down and curled up on the hallway carpet - on my way to some destination that was just too far away!
My energy level really came up a notch one week after surgery. I remember waking up with a feeling of renewal that I was already at the one-week mark, and felt energized enough to make my own breakfast for the first time. That in turn, gave me the psychological boost of not having to be as dependent on others. (I really found it a difficult transition from being "cared for" in the hospital, to having to ask my already tired out loved ones for help at home.)
I'm also sure the post-op steroids made it harder to listen to my body, making me think I had more energy when I was up and around. Unlike "normal" life, when one's body has a clue that energy reserves are low - the post-op bursts of energy were almost always followed by an unannounced and abrupt crash...or "kitchen floor nap."
But I really do feel better everyday - just like you all said I would.
Today is my 11th day post-op, and I felt so good this morning that I went for a walk around the neighborhood by myself (though with the cell phone in case I had to call for a ride back!). I've learned to pace myself with naps throughout the day before I'm on the floor. (And I'm learning to tell all those well-meaning visitors to give a call back next week.)
I did go back last Friday to have the stitches taken out, but since I still have some swelling at the bottom of the incision, the doctor (not my regular doc, who was on vacation) decided it would be OK to leave them in a few more days. I was a little worried about them getting healed into the skin, but he said they're nylon and should slip right out. By the time I go back to my doc on Wendesday to have them out, it will have been 2 weeks since surgery. Just wondering if anyone else has had their stitches in that long and how they came out.
The soreness in my neck muscles has gone away, and I can sleep comfortably. I can turn my head almost completely to both sides, though it still feels a little tight, but that's expected with the retro.
I think I have very diminished hearing on the AN side, but it's hard to tell at this point. (I can't hear a dial tone, but seem to hear the tones from pressing the buttons.) But I'm hopeful to hear of some who've had hearing return after retro, so we'll see.
And now I think I'm really ready for my next nap.
Take care , everyone,
Nancy
