Day 11 and post-op X-rays

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I can't believe how well I'm doing. On Day 11, I can:
  • Walk up to 50 feet at a time before I get too tired
  • Get in and out of chairs/wheelchairs by myself and sit in almost any chair
  • Get dressed by myself by using my grabber to pull up my pants. Mom still has to help with my socks and shoes, though.
  • Use the restroom by myself
  • Shave both my legs by sitting on the shower bench!
  • Stand confidently at the sink long enough to wash my face, brush my teeth and put a little make-up on.
  • Get in and out of a pick-up and ride comfortably for a couple of hours
I made two trips to Billings (an hour's drive each way) in the past two days to see my grandma in the hospital. We used a wheelchair to get me around the hospital and my crutches for the rest. Last night we even stopped at a restaurant for dinner, and I just sat in my wheelchair. It was so nice to get out! The day was a little tiring, but not as bad as I would have thought. I had only a little pain, and that was only when my oxycontin was wearing off cause I forgot to bring meds. I'm very happy with my progress so far.

Dr. Mayo is very conservative when it comes to recovery, but my post-op restrictions are much less limiting than I thought they would be. For 8-12 weeks, I can not:
  • Put more than 44 pounds of weight on my bad leg. (We used a scale at the hospital to give me an idea of how much weight that was.)
  • Actively move my bad leg. No raising the knee when sitting; no straight leg raises while lying down.
  • Lie on my operated side. Stomach and right side are okay once they feel comfortable.
My PT for the next 8-12 weeks includes:
  • Keeping my leg in the cpm machine for about 12 hours a day until I can easily flex my hip to 90 degrees. I'm at 50 degrees right now. (The machine doesn't hurt, and I don't mind being tied to it except that I need someone to help me get in and out.)
  • Lying on my stomach for 30 minutes twice a day
  • Seated hip flexion with hands clasped behind my back
  • Glut, quad and hamstring strengthening by clenching/tightening the muscles
Below are my awesome x-rays both during and after surgery. Those are some long screws!





Comments

Anonymous said…
Glad to hear you're doing so well!! Got your address from Adrienne, hope you don't mind. You should be back to volleyball for the sand season, right? You are the defending champs for sand, so you HAVE to play, even if we just sit you in the corner (big smile). Hope everything progresses as it should or faster! Miss your smile already, Amy
May 03, 2008
Manda K said…
Being able to travel in the pickup that long is amazing. Being awake that long on all those drugs is even more astounding!

I know the PT sucks, but keep up on it. I let mine slide a bit after my fusion and some days I feel it, so keep your chin up, except when lying on your stomach. That might hurt :)
May 03, 2008
Anonymous said…
Cass
Sounds like you are doing superbly well. We all knew you would. Isn't it a relief being on the other side?! Hey if you get a chance please e-mail me. I am working on something exciting and would like you be a part of it. I think you may have some time on your hands these days to help me. It wouldn't take much time but shold be fun.
Lauren
May 04, 2008
VB Guru said…
Cassie,

YOU GOT "Screwed" literally..hahaha. I hope laughing doesn't make it hurt anymore.

I'm glad you are doing better.

Love,
Lee
May 12, 2008
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