A few days have gone by, and I have come realize it is not so much the surgery I need to worry about as the pain and recovery. I'll write about the pain issues another time. Whether I go to a Rehab place, or come home quickly, I will have to spend a fair amount of time alone, using only my left hand. My right arm will be in a sling, and hurting.
I have to plan ahead for such things as being unable to open my pill bottles, or grind up my meds or my ice (which I do so they will dissolve quickly because I have such a small stomach now) or open cans or bottles or scramble eggs, or put on a bra, or button my jeans, or change my jewelry ( it may not be expensive, but I love wearing it!) or change the toilet paper roll, or use the cane and rolling walker I need for balance ( when I use my walker left handed, I roll in circles!)
Now this time I am not complaining, or whining and moaning. I am just planning ahead as much as possible, knowing that more issues I haven't thought about will pop up, willynilly. I will ask neighbors to help with many of these issues, although it will be hard to ask. I am way too willing to go things alone. I am already getting suggestion from people, some workable, some not so helpful. I well remember how much hard work Rene put in, and, of course, my mother has one arm(but she lost her left arm!) so I do know what I'm in for. Even my recliner is "right handed" as the handle is on the right and stiff.
Rene's brother Kevin and Jodi (with an i) of Looking Beyond the Cracked Window, have volunteered to drive many miles, so I can see my therapist. And I will request all the help possible from worker comp-like someone to come in daily and help for a while, and rides to and from physical therapy.
I have (at least for the moment) moved from anxiety into planning. I know that anxiety will creep up to grab me again, but now I am seeing that I can muster energy to plan ahead, so I will not feel as helpless as I did three years ago when the rod was put in.
Perhaps Warrior Woman will, once again, come through for me!
Blessings to you all, Margo
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5 comments:
I'm glad Jodi can help. If I was in CT, I would be over there too. I know that is not much help, but I would.
Planning is good.
Oh, I will be waatching this carefully, since I need shoulder surgeury badly...
Planning! Yep. That is key. Maybe put all the pills into an easy to open pill box (those bottles suck even with two hands!) I'll be wishing you pain free days, that's for sure!
I can't believe you read and comment on my journal faithfully every day, going through what you are going through.
This country is too damn LARGE isn't it? I'd like to hop on a Very Fast Train and help you out
Oh, Margo, I sooooo hate to ask for help even when I really need it. But it sounds like you are in a willing place and a planning place. I wish I could be there to meet your every need. You sound mentally prepared for what's to come. I only hope you'll be able to use the computer! love, christa
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