R
RC1982
Guest
Hi,
I had a TLIF on my L4/L5 on 16 June 2010. I am 28 and was active prior to my injury. According to my surgeon and CT scan the surgery was a great success. I was released from the hospital late on 21 June 2010. I did black out when they made me get out of bed the first time at the hospital. Oooops! Ive never had surgery before, nor have I ever broken a bone or had stitches. This is new territory for me...
I feel I have made progress over the past couple weeks; I dont need the walker except to help me stand up from my bed or couch and I can actually shower w/o assistance now -- well someone neeRAB to turn the water on for me, but I have some concerns that I was hoping someone could give me insight on.
I cant lay down comfortablly on my side, so I feel I have no choice but to lay on my back. It is extremely uncomfortable unless my body is straight and I need a pillow under my thieghs for comfort. In order to get straight though I need to lift my butt up a little to adjust. Is that bad to be doing that? Also, has anyone have a similar feeling or any recommendations.
I try not to lay down a lot (for the most part I sit most the day and walk around my building), b/c I stiffen up so bad when I lay down and try to get up. The problem is, I have no support because it hurts to lean against anything... even a pillow! Normal?
I feel a lot of pressure on the right side of my spine by the surgery site. I assume it is the hardware I am feeling. Again, normal to feel it for lack of better worRAB? I feel it a lot when I am getting out of bed or up from a sitting position.
Why the heck am I so itchy? Im not itchy at the actual incision site but the surrounding areas and it is driving me nuts! Any advise to control the itch?
Swelling... I knew I was going to swell, however, I though it would be only at the surgical site. Why is my side swollen (above my hip)? It was freakishly swollen there for a hot minute (the swelling is going down). My surgeon said not to worry... anyone else swell in odd areas?
I still try to do certain things w/o help and have found ways to do get around obsticles -- I feel so sneaky!
My feet are great for picking things up! The hospital did give me several awesome gadgets to help. I can unload/load the top rack of the dishwasher and I can load some things on the bottom rack if I use my knees and keep my back as straight as possible, I have figured out how to make the bed, and I can fold laundry using my dogs crate since its hiegher then my bed. I have squated down to the floor only a few times and have kept my back as straight as possible then to and have always done that when I have something to help get me back up. Im I pushing my luck here? Should I back off? I really dont want to f-up this surgery and I want it to fuse but I am scared it wont.... Can your body reject the hardware?
I'm sorry this is so long and I appreciate any advice anyone can give me on these concerns and any advice on the actual recovery process.
I had a TLIF on my L4/L5 on 16 June 2010. I am 28 and was active prior to my injury. According to my surgeon and CT scan the surgery was a great success. I was released from the hospital late on 21 June 2010. I did black out when they made me get out of bed the first time at the hospital. Oooops! Ive never had surgery before, nor have I ever broken a bone or had stitches. This is new territory for me...
I feel I have made progress over the past couple weeks; I dont need the walker except to help me stand up from my bed or couch and I can actually shower w/o assistance now -- well someone neeRAB to turn the water on for me, but I have some concerns that I was hoping someone could give me insight on.
I cant lay down comfortablly on my side, so I feel I have no choice but to lay on my back. It is extremely uncomfortable unless my body is straight and I need a pillow under my thieghs for comfort. In order to get straight though I need to lift my butt up a little to adjust. Is that bad to be doing that? Also, has anyone have a similar feeling or any recommendations.
I try not to lay down a lot (for the most part I sit most the day and walk around my building), b/c I stiffen up so bad when I lay down and try to get up. The problem is, I have no support because it hurts to lean against anything... even a pillow! Normal?
I feel a lot of pressure on the right side of my spine by the surgery site. I assume it is the hardware I am feeling. Again, normal to feel it for lack of better worRAB? I feel it a lot when I am getting out of bed or up from a sitting position.
Why the heck am I so itchy? Im not itchy at the actual incision site but the surrounding areas and it is driving me nuts! Any advise to control the itch?
Swelling... I knew I was going to swell, however, I though it would be only at the surgical site. Why is my side swollen (above my hip)? It was freakishly swollen there for a hot minute (the swelling is going down). My surgeon said not to worry... anyone else swell in odd areas?
I still try to do certain things w/o help and have found ways to do get around obsticles -- I feel so sneaky!
My feet are great for picking things up! The hospital did give me several awesome gadgets to help. I can unload/load the top rack of the dishwasher and I can load some things on the bottom rack if I use my knees and keep my back as straight as possible, I have figured out how to make the bed, and I can fold laundry using my dogs crate since its hiegher then my bed. I have squated down to the floor only a few times and have kept my back as straight as possible then to and have always done that when I have something to help get me back up. Im I pushing my luck here? Should I back off? I really dont want to f-up this surgery and I want it to fuse but I am scared it wont.... Can your body reject the hardware?I'm sorry this is so long and I appreciate any advice anyone can give me on these concerns and any advice on the actual recovery process.