TLIF Surgery - Post-op Day 11

TLIF Surgery Post-op Day 11...what can I get into today?? Oh, I know...more binge watching... some writing... looking through some magazines (need to catch up on my tabloids)... some more sitting...some more walking...up and down all day long. Walking and standing is actually much more comfortable than sitting. Sitting puts pressure on my back that makes me cringe. If I stand I have to do a lot of shifting around for comfort and to take pressure off my back. Walking is when... it feels the best. I'm still walking slow, but many more steps than right after the surgery...and much bigger strides. 

Thankfully still not having any excruciating pain in the surgical site - very uncomfortable but tolerable. I should say tolerable with the assistance of pharmaceuticals. I am now able to substitute regular Tylenol for one of my doses. Still taking Lortab in the daytime and leaving the Percocet (with Phenergan) for night. I'm now able to take just half a Phenergan with the Percocet and that worries me some. I think it means I'm getting more used to the Percocet...so (depending on how today goes) I think I will try to take just half a Percocet tonight and start weaning off of them. I don't like to take narcotics unless absolutely necessary. With my family history it doesn't hurt to be cautious. 6 hours of sleep again last night according to my Fitbit. 

Still scheduled to get the staples out Thursday. I can't wait for that. I know my incision is healing because it is itching like crazy!!



My favorite pup has become very fond of my new recliner!  Today however, he did decide to spend some time on the couch too.  What a boy!  💛



This boy loves when UPS comes to the house...especially when it's his favorite driver - the one that gives him treats.  Today I was fortunate enough to make it to the door before the driver got there and he was nice enough to put the packages inside the house for me.  You really don't realize how much simple tasks mean until you can't do them.  Not being able to lift the packages is tough...I'm a very independent person and not used to other people doing things for me.  But very thankful for all the help.



Shortly after I took these pictures we had a heck of a storm come through.  Really glad those packages were inside already or they would have been soaked!  The area had quite a bit of damage from high winds and heavy rain. We were lucky.  When the storm hit the electricity went out for like 3 hours.  My hubby wasn't home yet so I had to deal with that on my own.  While that's not usually an issue I quickly realized that where I store my candles (in a bottom cabinet) is not back surgery friendly.  The only lanterns in the house had dead batteries and I couldn't get to the travel trailer where there were several other lanterns - partially due to the weather and partially due to the fact that I can't get through or over the fence in my current condition.  I managed to find enough candles located at easy access to at least have some light.  Man, the things I do all the time (bend, lift, and twist) that I don't even think about - until I can't do them anymore.  And you would not believe how many things I've dropped!!  Thank goodness for my handy grabber tool! 👏 

TLIF Surgery - Post-op Day 10

TLIF Surgery Post-op Day 10
Woke up this morning when Ron got up and my back felt pretty stiff. I walked a bit and then got back in the recliner with my ice pack and my pup. We slept some more before deciding to take on the day. Well, I should say before I decided. Clearly Diezel was not ready to get up when I did. 🐶 My Fitbit says I slept for 8 hours last night. Unfortunately 6 hours is more accurate because I was restless and watched 2 episodes of Rosewood when I couldn't sleep. But 6 hours isn't bad. Hoping for a great day today with lots of walking.



I spent a good portion of the day walking...making laps in the house.  A friend mentioned that by the time I recovered from this I would probably leave a worn out path in my house...LOL.  Diezel loves it when I'm up and walking around:



That face!!!  How can you not love it?  He's the best medicine for me.

We're getting ready for a car show...which means lots of packages are being delivered daily.  The bad thing about this is I'm not able to bring the packages in.  Diezel loves when FedEx and UPS comes...especially UPS because our regular driver brings him a treat.  He left him a treat today on top of the packages.  I wasn't able to get the packages into the house but I was able to get his treat with the my handy grabber tool.  And then later when FedEx came I managed to make it to the door before he did so I asked him to set the stuff in the house.  He did...and brought my UPS packages in.  Woot!



Today hasn't been a bad day.  I didn't take any pain pills until noon and then took half of a Lortab 10.  Nothing else until around 7pm and I decided to just take regular Tylenol since it was so close to bedtime - and I will be taking something stronger then. I'm trying to not take too much of the narcotics, but there are times when it is needed for sure.  

TLIF Surgery - Post-op Day 9

TlIF Surgery - Post-op Day 9
Hanging out with my sweetie today. Fitbit says I slept 7 hours last night...woot woot. I needed that sleep. My body needed that sleep to heal. I thought Diezel was going to sleep in the recliner with me last night, but after a few hours he decided he wanted to go to the big bed. What a boy! 🐶
The pain is really not too bad today. Even though I don't think I need one of my pain pills right now, I don't want the pain to creep up on me like it did the other day, so I'm gonna take some regular Tylenol and a muscle relaxer and see how that works. The muscle relaxer is needed for the rest of my back and hips...lol. I'm using so many other muscles to keep my spine neutral that everything else is aching. 😱 Luckily it's all manageable and tolerable for now. Ask me again at the end of the day. 



This boy loves my new recliner!! 😀



2pm - I was able to water my plants all by myself.  Well, Ron did have to get the container out for me...and I was not able to carry as much water as I usually do...and I had to water without bending...BUT, I did it.  Woot Woot!  It's the little things.... 
9:30pm - took another picture of the incision after my shower.  It seems to be healing well.  I sure will be glad to get these staples out.  I'm sure some of the pains I'm feeling are coming from them.

TLIF Surgery - Post-op Day 8

TLIF Surgery / Post-op Day 8
... Still moving forward and doing good in my recovery. Slept about 5 hours last night...which seems to be the norm lately. Walked 5655 steps yesterday according to my Fitbit. Improving every day. Pain is still tolerable...but happy for pain pills.



10:30am I had a great visit with Diana and her son today.  Diezel for sure loved having someone to show out for.  Diana gave me these cute frogs and some card games.  Also received a card from another coworker (Michelle).





Mike (our neighbor) came over.  He needed Ron to help him with something.  When Ron came he gave me hand carved cross.



6pm - The day has gone pretty good so far.  Not a lot of pain in my incision site, but of course I'm keeping up on the pain meds.  My back is hurting quite a bit in the middle and upper back.  I think it's because I'm using so many other muscles to keep my spine neutral.  It's wearing me out...LOL.


9:

TLIF Surgery - Post-op Day 7

8am morning update  / TLIF surgery Post-op Day 7...
1 week ago today I had the surgery.
I didn't sleep as well last night as I have been. I still managed to get in a little more than 5 hours, but it was a very uncomfortable time. I was in the same position I have been in on nights before, and tried the ice pack, but just couldn't get my darn back and hips to stop hurting/aching. I took a Percocet / Phenergan cocktail at 10pm last night (the same thing that has been working) but it didn't do the ...job this time. So this morning as I do my walking I'm reevaluating yesterday and think I have figured out the problem (hopefully). Yesterday was a pretty good day. I was uncomfortable but not in a lot of pain...so I didn't take a lot of pain meds. In fact, when I looked back at my notes (yes, I keep up with when I take stuff) I skipped one dose entirely. I think that was probably a mistake. So today instead of being "Ms. Tough Girl" I'm going to stay on schedule. If I'm not in a lot of pain I will not take a narcotic, but will take some Tylenol instead. Hopefully this will keep the pain pushed away enough and I will sleep well again tonight. Live and learn, right? Still staying positive. I know my back is healing because it's itching like crazy! 😜 Now to get my pup out of my chair so I can rest some more. He sure loves the new recliner.


12:00 noon - The day is going well.  The pain is under control thankfully...and I plan to keep it that way if possible. Same routine as the previous days - resting and walking.  And I have the best nurse in the world:





4pm - Holy crapola!! I was trying to get situated in my chair and pushed up with my right arm.  Apparently I didn't have my spine neutral enough and it sent an excruciating pain through me!!!  Mostly through my right side...Yikes it hurt!!!  Got up and walked it off...walked right to where my meds are kept, got a pill (thankfully it was almost time for it anyway)...and then walked some more.  So thankful the pain went away.  Yikes!!!



Amazon delivery for me today!  😁 Isnt' that the cutest little cuddle bear?  My coworker Judy said she made sure that the bear's robe matched mine too...LOL.



Feeling the love today...received these cards too.  The 2 cards in the back are from other co-workers and the post card is from the agency.  More TV time....too funny!  
📺
4pm - Decided it was finally time to take a real shower.  There's only so long I can stand doing the bed side bath and I really need to wash my hair!  I've been using dry shampoo but it can only help for so long.  So....I took the bandage off...thankfully, it came off easily.  It appears that the incision hasn't bled much at all.  
The shower felt amazing.  It's crazy how water can refresh you so much.  I feel so clean now!  😊 
After the shower I was able to get a really good look at the incision...well, as best as possible with a mirror.  Then my hubby took a picture for me.  10 staples - only 2 inches long.  I have quite a bit of swelling, especially on the right side, and funny indentions but I'm sure it's just part of the healing process.  I can't wait to see how it changes as it heals...at least I hope it changes.  😜



It's absolutely amazing that they can go through such a small incision to do all the work they did!

TLIF Surgery - Post-op Day 6

**Posting this blog entry after the fact based on notes I made on my phone the day of surgery and posts I made on social media sites.**

post-op day 6... Moving forward in my recovery. No more nausea or throwing up yesterday or last night. Woot woot! Pain is not too bad today - uncomfortable for sure, but tolerable. Fitbit says I slept for 6 and 1/2 hours last night between my two sleep spells (I got up when Ron left at 4am for a bit). Will probably nap some more today between my strolls. Worse complaint right now is that the pain meds are messing with my normal bodily functions and my vision. But, today is better than yesterday...plan to continue that trend. *** Notice the boy doesn't have his blanket or pillow. He took them out of his bed yesterday when Jane came to visit...along with the couch pillows. He's been so good for me I guess he figured if someone else was here he would show out. 🐶 (posted originally on FB at 9:29am)



Luckily the vision issues are very temporary. I think they are probably caused by the Percocet since I only notice it first thing in the morning.  It also seems to give me a bit of a headache.  However, it's very effective on the pain so taking it at night will continue for now.

I know I'm supposed to be blogging about my TLIF surgery, but this boy is part of my recovery.  He has my heart for sure!










Today was a pretty good day.  Still very uncomfortable but the pain is tolerable.  So glad the recovery is going better than I expected.

TLIF Surgery - Post-op Day 5

**Posting this blog entry after the fact based on notes I made on my phone the day of surgery and posts I made on social media sites.**

Early morning update ~ Post-op Day 5
Didn't sleep to bad last night. Fitbit says I got a little over 5 hours and I'm about to attempt to snooze some more. Only got up to see Ron off and do a little stroll. Yesterday wasn't too bad. The worst part of the day was yesterday morning because the Percocet ended up making me sick. I can deal with pain much more than nausea and throwing up!! Thankfully I had some Phenergan too so by the afternoon it had passed. Obviously I can't take the Percocet without the anti-nausea meds too. 😱
I managed to get in just over 3000 steps yesterday. They were slow ones but steps nonetheless. I'm on the move now. 😂 Every day has been a little better than the day before and I'm hoping that trend continues. I've had to rethink how I do things - and not do some things at all. The no bending, lifting, or twisting rule is difficult but I'm sticking to it! I definitely want this fusion to work and to hopefully be pain-free.
Thanks to everyone that has checked in on me and Ron. We have some great friends and family.  (originally posted on FB at 5:16am on Feb 1)



Changed my medications up some....I'll stick to Lortab during the day and only take the Percocet at night (with Phenergan).  Hopefully that will take care of the pain and the nausea.  
Diezel continues to love the new recliner!!  😊😊😊😊




Still working the hubby pretty hard.  He's having to do pretty much everything, but he committed to this journey also.  We both know that it will be worth it.  I did a lot of walking today too....well, not a lot compared to what I was doing before the surgery, but a lot for recovery.  The Doc told me to walk as much as I could.  Walking promotes healing and it feels better when I'm walking too.  
Today was a good day.  Not too much pain and NO nausea.  Woot Woot!!!  I think I have figures out the right way to do the pain meds.  Jane came out to visit.  Bless her heart she always wants to do something.  She brought me lunch and spent some time just visiting.  Diezel showed out some while she was here.  He's been so good for me, I guess he just needed to get it out of his system.  😂