Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Four Week Anniversary of My Surgery

So far, there hasn’t been a miraculous change.  Tomorrow I have another follow-up and then hopefully I’ll be sent to physical therapy, where we can make this surgery a success.  Rah!Rah!Rah!  I hope.  Hey, the incision has healed like a champ.  I only have a few little scabs left on it and usually it doesn’t hurt at all if I lean against.  So I’m back to sitting normally on the couch and in the car, and I can lean back in bed.  I still have leg pain (but not as much), I still have bladder problems (some days are great, some are not), and my body suddenly wants to retain every bit of fluid that enters it (‘cept yesterday’s stuff, ‘nuf said).  My feet are rounded, like a caveman.  My ankles get red pressure lines when I bend them.  I still can’t put on my wedding/engagement/partnership/platinumthingthatfrightenstherightwing/whateveryoucallit ring.  I took it off right before surgery, tried to put it on last week, but my fluid retainin’ digits said, “No way, lady.”

Next entry: Microdiscectomy One Month Update Previous entry: Yesterday Was A Terrible Very Bad Day

1. Re the edema, I am wondering if you are still on pain medication.  That could be part of the problem I suspect.  But you will check that out with the doctor when you go in for the checkup.

   And you are right about seeing improvement with the physical therapy.

   All those muscles in your back need serious retraining now.

   Me  on  05/25  at  06:30 AM

2. Pregnancy to the rescue Everyone knows pregnacy makes your extremities swell, especially the lower limbs. “Dandelian root” and “Nettle” are readily available at your local healthfood store, combined they will get rid of the edema like magic.I could actually see my ankle bones during labor with my second child, and with the first child I had to cut my “ankle bracelet” (remember in the early nineties everyone had those colored twine friendship bracelets?) off my leg, it was so swollen. I promise you this will help. You can get it in gel cap or liquid (add to juice!)
   Having a “grey” day so I feel good helping someone, thanks for a chance to feel useful Jess

   Jezzie  on  05/25  at  07:31 AM

3. I’ve been wondering for 7 years now…what exactly do I call this ring???

   platinumthingthatfrightenstherightwing is absolutely the BEST name for it I’ve ever seen.  Thank you so much for providing me with humor and a name for the ring!

   I hope all the health problems get better soon.  I really feel for you.

   moonandsun03  on  05/25  at  07:46 AM

4. Lots of water can help the swelling too. I hate edema. Really hate it. Things sound slow but steady?

   Thinking of you. Get better so you can skip around blogher, you’re still going right?

   jess  on  05/25  at  08:18 AM

5. NurseAnn, yeah, it was the pain meds causing the edema.  I started complete weaning yesterday and already today I can see a difference.  I’ve had some trouble weaning because I’ve been getting some nasty headaches due to barometric pressure changes and regular meds just don’t touch those headaches.

   Jezzie, I tried Diurex (not that great) and have some Black Cohosh that I was going to try, but I’m starting to feel less puffy.  If I puff up again, I’ll go get some dandelion root & nettle - we have a health food store a block from our house.

   MoonandSun, yeah, I couldn’t figure out what to call my ring.  We’re not engaged or married, we just are, and we always wanted matching platinum rings.

   Jess, yep, slow & steady (I’ll write a new entry about today’s doctor visit).  Edema is so icky.  My ankles aren’t the most delicate in the first place, so they don’t need any puffing up.  And no, I’m not going to blogher. :(  I gave my two day pass to a bloggy friend.  I know she’ll do it justice.  Next year for sure though.

   Flippy  on  05/25  at  01:47 PM

6. Ugh, glad to hear the swelling up thing is getting better. I had a 10 year long Menopause From Hell, which involved continuous, random swelling and bloating. Cranberry juice was often suggested, but I don’t think it helped. Don’t know how old you are, but Estroven (meno vitamin supplement) has all sorts of stuff like black cohosh, flax, dandelion & doG knows what all else. Sposed to help with various symptoms, including water retention.
   On a happier note, my evil ex has rheumatoid arthritis and takes prednisone. Made him swell up like a water balloon. Hahahahaha.

   Carina  on  05/27  at  05:01 PM

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