I hope no-one's getting bored with my ramblings - I'm getting to feel like a bit of an old gossip myself!
Anyway, day 5 post-op, and she's finally got rid of the chest drain. (Finally got rid of the horrible hospital gown and into a decent nightie, too.) They let her keep the "happy button" for today, though. The IV needle in her right hand clogged up this morning, like the one in her left did last week (keep pressing the button - why's the pain not going away?) and the lack of analgesia meant her pain levels went up a bit. They wanted her calm for removing the chest drain and her first time out of bed, so she got to keep it, with a new IV in her left elbow (more holes than best Leerdammer, this girl). On to Voltarol tomorrow.
She was in a chair for about 3 hours today - quite a long spell for first time, so she was a bit tired when I saw her this evening. She says it felt odd - she looked straight down and was looking between her knees rather than at the right one!
Other encouraging news - the registrar says some loss of sensation in the legs post-op is normal and should be temporary, so the patches should come back to life. He also said he anticipates her being discharged about 2 weeks post-op, so that's the middle of next week, for those who are planning visits.
One of the nurses asked what a "scoliogram" was tonight, so we got her x-rays out. Well, it was like "film night" ("movie night" for the US readers) - nurses appearing from everywhere wanting a look. I think they get lots of knees and hips, but these spine jobs are weird and interesting. What brought up the subject? She's getting excited about tomorrow - she gets her post-op scoliogram done. Bad news - the standing up bit (groan); good news - can't wait to see the films! (How straight will it be? How many screws?)
That's enough for tonight - it's 10:45, I've only just had my tea, and I'm as knackered as she is. I have a good healthy glass of red wine here, though - to help me sleep, honest!
Ta-ta (or as they say in Cardiff "ta-ra, now")
"Hubby".
Monday, February 13, 2006
Sunday, February 12, 2006
12/02/06 - patchy progress
Well, me and my big mooth! Unfortunately, after I left last night, her chest drain started filling again, so she hasn't had it removed yet. We're now 4 days post-op, though, and there's been virtually no further seepage at all today, so I'm pretty sure it will be removed tomorrow, and they'll take her off the morphine.
On the matter of chest drains (our more squeamish readers may wish to skip this paragraph), she told me that she had had chest pains on Friday, and the on-call doctor couldn't be sure whether they were her usual heartburn, or irritation from the end of the drain tube (I warned you - if you did read it, don't think about that too long!). So you can see how the drain may well be a big factor in her discomfort. She's got her heartburn medication (acid-suppressants) with her, and is taking it regularly rather than "at need", to be on the safe side.
She really enjoyed a surprise visit lunchtime, and says the cards he brought were really nice, although she nearly broke his fingers when she grabbed his hand for support during a coughing fit. If any local readers have time (and want) to visit, she is much more alert and chatty now (she kept me there for 3 hours tonight!) - email me on any of our addresses for visiting hours/directions.
She's sleeping better, and her obs are now down to 4-hourly; her blood pressure is back up to normal (actually a smidge above her normal, but still a little lower than most - she doesn't do "normal", this girl). She has past experience of several operations, and was well prepared by what she has read on the forums and blogs, but is still surprised how washed-out she feels, even now. She asked me to take her MP3 player in yesterday, but so far she can't be bothered to plug in the headphones and press the buttons!
On a slightly down note, she thinks she has lost a patch of feeling in one leg (shame - she doesn't have much anyway!), but isn't sure how extensive it is, as she can only check the bits she can reach with her hands (kind of like the old joke "Doctor, I can't feel my legs" "It's OK, sir, we've amputated your arms"). This is not likely to be a problem for most scoliosis patients, though - it is likely a result of her tethered cord, and it may not be entirely coincidental after all that they stopped the op at T10, which is just below the point of tethering. She has owned up to one or two other little concerns about her "wiring", which I will leave her to explain to the clinically interested parties when she gets home.
She's sitting up to 60 degrees now, (when she feels like it - bed goes up...) and the physio has started her on breathing exercises to breathe from her diaphragm (stomach-breathing ratehr than shallower chest=breathing). But too much tends to provoke coughing (and you just don't want to go there - ugh!)
Anyway, that's about enough for tonight. I hope there are not too many mistakes in this - it has been very difficult to type with one cat sat in front of the screen and another rubbing herself all over my hands! (We're too soft with these animals, but our cat-loving readers will understand.)
10-10
"Hubby"
On the matter of chest drains (our more squeamish readers may wish to skip this paragraph), she told me that she had had chest pains on Friday, and the on-call doctor couldn't be sure whether they were her usual heartburn, or irritation from the end of the drain tube (I warned you - if you did read it, don't think about that too long!). So you can see how the drain may well be a big factor in her discomfort. She's got her heartburn medication (acid-suppressants) with her, and is taking it regularly rather than "at need", to be on the safe side.
She really enjoyed a surprise visit lunchtime, and says the cards he brought were really nice, although she nearly broke his fingers when she grabbed his hand for support during a coughing fit. If any local readers have time (and want) to visit, she is much more alert and chatty now (she kept me there for 3 hours tonight!) - email me on any of our addresses for visiting hours/directions.
She's sleeping better, and her obs are now down to 4-hourly; her blood pressure is back up to normal (actually a smidge above her normal, but still a little lower than most - she doesn't do "normal", this girl). She has past experience of several operations, and was well prepared by what she has read on the forums and blogs, but is still surprised how washed-out she feels, even now. She asked me to take her MP3 player in yesterday, but so far she can't be bothered to plug in the headphones and press the buttons!
On a slightly down note, she thinks she has lost a patch of feeling in one leg (shame - she doesn't have much anyway!), but isn't sure how extensive it is, as she can only check the bits she can reach with her hands (kind of like the old joke "Doctor, I can't feel my legs" "It's OK, sir, we've amputated your arms"). This is not likely to be a problem for most scoliosis patients, though - it is likely a result of her tethered cord, and it may not be entirely coincidental after all that they stopped the op at T10, which is just below the point of tethering. She has owned up to one or two other little concerns about her "wiring", which I will leave her to explain to the clinically interested parties when she gets home.
She's sitting up to 60 degrees now, (when she feels like it - bed goes up...) and the physio has started her on breathing exercises to breathe from her diaphragm (stomach-breathing ratehr than shallower chest=breathing). But too much tends to provoke coughing (and you just don't want to go there - ugh!)
Anyway, that's about enough for tonight. I hope there are not too many mistakes in this - it has been very difficult to type with one cat sat in front of the screen and another rubbing herself all over my hands! (We're too soft with these animals, but our cat-loving readers will understand.)
10-10
"Hubby"
Saturday, February 11, 2006
11/02/06 - elephant tales
Things are moving along. After I left our Leading Lady yesterday, they reduced her obs from hourly to 2-hourly. She slept a bit better last night, but you know hospitals... doze for 20 minutes, wake up uncomfortable, press the "happy button" ('Mmmmm, morphine...'), repeat steps 1-3 until just about properly asleep, only for some nuisance in white to wake you to check your blood pressure and pain levels ('mild until you woke me, moderate now').
Actually, her blood pressure is normally a bit lower than average, and it's been down quite a bit since the op (mostly through inactivity and the relaxing effects of the "happy button"). But they put up a new drip today - something to bring up her BP a bit. I'm sure they called it Jello, but I might be mistaken!
Tomorrow could be a big day - the leakage in her chest drain has slowed and they think it will probably be taken out in the morning. That will make her a bit more comfortable, but on the down side, they will most likely take away the morphine tomorrow, and substitute another analgesic. Plus, as soon as the chest drain is out, the physio is hovering...
So, where does the elephant come in? Avid students of earlier chapters will remember she expected to feel like she'd been kicked in the back by an elephant. Well, she tells me the sneaky blighter seems to have kicked her in the side instead! Strangely, lying on her back, in itself, is less uncomfortable than it has always been in the past. (Early days, and it may be that "happy button", but lets hope it's a good sign.)
For all those kind souls who repeatedly express concern for my welfare through this - be of good cheer, I'm doing fine. Bachelor catering, therapeutic administration of alcohol, and numbing the brain with TV bring down the stress levels a treat! (But why do I watch Casualty and Holby City? - I blame it on herself for getting me into the habit.)
Anyway, I'm starting to ramble, so I'll sign off for tonight.
[aside to Robyn - glad it helps, that's why she started this and instructed me to keep it up.]
Nos da
"Hubby"
Actually, her blood pressure is normally a bit lower than average, and it's been down quite a bit since the op (mostly through inactivity and the relaxing effects of the "happy button"). But they put up a new drip today - something to bring up her BP a bit. I'm sure they called it Jello, but I might be mistaken!
Tomorrow could be a big day - the leakage in her chest drain has slowed and they think it will probably be taken out in the morning. That will make her a bit more comfortable, but on the down side, they will most likely take away the morphine tomorrow, and substitute another analgesic. Plus, as soon as the chest drain is out, the physio is hovering...
So, where does the elephant come in? Avid students of earlier chapters will remember she expected to feel like she'd been kicked in the back by an elephant. Well, she tells me the sneaky blighter seems to have kicked her in the side instead! Strangely, lying on her back, in itself, is less uncomfortable than it has always been in the past. (Early days, and it may be that "happy button", but lets hope it's a good sign.)
For all those kind souls who repeatedly express concern for my welfare through this - be of good cheer, I'm doing fine. Bachelor catering, therapeutic administration of alcohol, and numbing the brain with TV bring down the stress levels a treat! (But why do I watch Casualty and Holby City? - I blame it on herself for getting me into the habit.)
Anyway, I'm starting to ramble, so I'll sign off for tonight.
[aside to Robyn - glad it helps, that's why she started this and instructed me to keep it up.]
Nos da
"Hubby"
Friday, February 10, 2006
10/02/06 - conversation
48 hours post-op, the Little Woman has now had her N-G tube removed, and gone from constant oxygen mask to nasal specs which she is using occasionally. She still has her chest drain in, and is happily playing with her morphine pump, but no longer has the paracetamol drip.
Today she had the delight(!) of a bed-bath, but with a clean gown and her glasses on so she can focus on the world, she looks a lot brighter (and hopefully feels it, too). She's had a few (only a few) mouthfuls of food today, so that's another first step on the recovery road. This evening she was able to hold a conversation, but was pretty tired by the time I left, and not looking forward to being "turned" again - that periodic exercise of rolling the patient to prevent bed-sores (and to check the dressing, I assume). It's not a pleasant experience at the moment, so I left her to it to avoid any loss of face!
I have passed on readers' comments to her, and she thanks you all for the kind thoughts.
TTFN
"Hubby".
Today she had the delight(!) of a bed-bath, but with a clean gown and her glasses on so she can focus on the world, she looks a lot brighter (and hopefully feels it, too). She's had a few (only a few) mouthfuls of food today, so that's another first step on the recovery road. This evening she was able to hold a conversation, but was pretty tired by the time I left, and not looking forward to being "turned" again - that periodic exercise of rolling the patient to prevent bed-sores (and to check the dressing, I assume). It's not a pleasant experience at the moment, so I left her to it to avoid any loss of face!
I have passed on readers' comments to her, and she thanks you all for the kind thoughts.
TTFN
"Hubby".
Thursday, February 09, 2006
09/02/06 - a changing picture
Well, what do you know? I guess there's only so much you can tell from X-rays and scans - there's nothing like hands-on examination...
Having spoken to the consultant this morning, we discover that far from the original plan to fuse T3-L5, the team decided that her thoracic curve is only a compensatory curve rather than a fixed curve, and have only fused T10-L5. So they managed to do that all from the anterior incision - no posterior access necessary.
For those less "expert" readers who are merely following this blog for news updates, that means they think the upper curve will correct itself over time, as it is not a real defect, merely the spine's own attempts to compensate for the lower curve.
The plan is to leave it at that, pending a check-up in 6 weeks, when they can assess whether it is straightening out on its own, or whether there will be a need for a further op. Fingers crossed! After going through this once, she won't want to do it again in a couple of months! But if they're right, then recovery should be quicker and easier than we feared.
BTW, she's back on the ward already - scarcely 18 hours post-op. That's a lot sooner than either of us expected. OK, she's still got wires and tubes everywhere, but it's a good sign that she's considered stable and doing well.
That's probably most of the exciting stuff over until she gets back home ("touch wood"). Any further updates between now and then may be a bit shorter.
"Hubby".
Having spoken to the consultant this morning, we discover that far from the original plan to fuse T3-L5, the team decided that her thoracic curve is only a compensatory curve rather than a fixed curve, and have only fused T10-L5. So they managed to do that all from the anterior incision - no posterior access necessary.
For those less "expert" readers who are merely following this blog for news updates, that means they think the upper curve will correct itself over time, as it is not a real defect, merely the spine's own attempts to compensate for the lower curve.
The plan is to leave it at that, pending a check-up in 6 weeks, when they can assess whether it is straightening out on its own, or whether there will be a need for a further op. Fingers crossed! After going through this once, she won't want to do it again in a couple of months! But if they're right, then recovery should be quicker and easier than we feared.
BTW, she's back on the ward already - scarcely 18 hours post-op. That's a lot sooner than either of us expected. OK, she's still got wires and tubes everywhere, but it's a good sign that she's considered stable and doing well.
That's probably most of the exciting stuff over until she gets back home ("touch wood"). Any further updates between now and then may be a bit shorter.
"Hubby".
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
08/02/06 - the view from ICU
Hi, all. The Little Woman says "points to self, smiles, thumbs-up gesture", which I take to mean "tell everyone I'm OK".
I missed her this morning - by the time I got to the hospital at 11am she'd been taken down to theatre. She got back from theatre to ICU some time between 5 and 6pm. I managed to get to see her at about 9.30pm. By that time, they'd revived her and removed her breathing tube. She's wired up to every monitor going, as usual for ICU, with an N-G tube and a chest drain, but they've already reduced her oxygen levels and her sats are just fine, so we at least know everything's OK on the lung front. And she's getting fidgety and moving her legs, so the neural damage/paralysis risk bit is OK, too. As expected, the nurse asked her to wiggle her toes - but I explained she doesn't do toe-wiggling; shuffling her feet around is about the closest, so that had to suffice.
She's obviously finding it difficult to speak at present, but I did catch the question "What day is it?" I think she was surprised to find they'd brought her round so soon. She had an epidural, but now has the good old PCA morphine pump, so that's familiar ground.
I still don't know if they managed to complete the entire job today - I will need to speak to one of the surgical team tomorrow to find out. I will let people know when she's back on ward - the ICU staff seemed to think it might be tomorrow!
I'm going to settle down now with this large glass of scotch and think about sleep soon. It's 23:34 and it's been a long day.
Night-night.
"Hubby".
I missed her this morning - by the time I got to the hospital at 11am she'd been taken down to theatre. She got back from theatre to ICU some time between 5 and 6pm. I managed to get to see her at about 9.30pm. By that time, they'd revived her and removed her breathing tube. She's wired up to every monitor going, as usual for ICU, with an N-G tube and a chest drain, but they've already reduced her oxygen levels and her sats are just fine, so we at least know everything's OK on the lung front. And she's getting fidgety and moving her legs, so the neural damage/paralysis risk bit is OK, too. As expected, the nurse asked her to wiggle her toes - but I explained she doesn't do toe-wiggling; shuffling her feet around is about the closest, so that had to suffice.
She's obviously finding it difficult to speak at present, but I did catch the question "What day is it?" I think she was surprised to find they'd brought her round so soon. She had an epidural, but now has the good old PCA morphine pump, so that's familiar ground.
I still don't know if they managed to complete the entire job today - I will need to speak to one of the surgical team tomorrow to find out. I will let people know when she's back on ward - the ICU staff seemed to think it might be tomorrow!
I'm going to settle down now with this large glass of scotch and think about sleep soon. It's 23:34 and it's been a long day.
Night-night.
"Hubby".
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
07/02/06 - Checked in
That's it - I've left her! - at the hospital, that is. The ward seems nice - efficient, friendly staff and the bed has "Homer Simpson" buttons (you know - bed goes up... bed goes down... bed goes up...).
All the usual disclaimers signed, we saw one of the surgical registrars on the spinal tap - I mean spinal team - he sounded very confident, and showed us the Bending X-rays taken during her pre-op assessment, explaining that they would hope to achieve at least the amount of correction displayed by bending contra-curve, so to speak; but the main aim is to get her head back over her centre line.
Anyway, the irony of it all is that after days of worrying (I hate surgery, and can hardly believe what we can get away with doing to the human body these days), I now seem a lot calmer - just as the Little Woman is starting to feel the first signs of tension. But she's still feeling very positive and practical, as usual.
She's scheduled 6th on the morning list tomorrow - probably about 11.00 to midday start. That'sproviding they still have an ICU bed available for her to go to after.) Visiting hours are up to 8pm, so I hope to see her post-op tomorrow evening (even if she's still out for the count) and will leave an update later.
"Hubby".
All the usual disclaimers signed, we saw one of the surgical registrars on the spinal tap - I mean spinal team - he sounded very confident, and showed us the Bending X-rays taken during her pre-op assessment, explaining that they would hope to achieve at least the amount of correction displayed by bending contra-curve, so to speak; but the main aim is to get her head back over her centre line.
Anyway, the irony of it all is that after days of worrying (I hate surgery, and can hardly believe what we can get away with doing to the human body these days), I now seem a lot calmer - just as the Little Woman is starting to feel the first signs of tension. But she's still feeling very positive and practical, as usual.
She's scheduled 6th on the morning list tomorrow - probably about 11.00 to midday start. That'sproviding they still have an ICU bed available for her to go to after.) Visiting hours are up to 8pm, so I hope to see her post-op tomorrow evening (even if she's still out for the count) and will leave an update later.
"Hubby".
My bags are packed…
…and I’m ready to go. Not quite leaving on a jet plane you understand – my car just can’t go that fast, but you get the idea.
I don’t really know what to say now apart from the time has come for it all to happen! I called the hospital – they have a bed so all I have to do is turn up at the hospital and do as I’m told until they let me come home. I know you think I’ll never do as I’m told, but I want to be sensible too – quicker recovery times and all that…!
So, I’ll be back on line as soon as I possibly can (just try and keep me away from the PC – not easy as hubby (& others too) will tell you) – and I’ll get back to updating all the juicy stuff then. In the meantime, hubby hopes to be able to do daily updates just so you can see how I’m doing – please leave him some nice comments, he’s going to need serious cyber hugging!
One last thing – Kat over the other side of the pond is being sliced and diced the day after me – so – Good Luck Kat! - we’ll be a couple of fine straight gals soon…
I don’t really know what to say now apart from the time has come for it all to happen! I called the hospital – they have a bed so all I have to do is turn up at the hospital and do as I’m told until they let me come home. I know you think I’ll never do as I’m told, but I want to be sensible too – quicker recovery times and all that…!
So, I’ll be back on line as soon as I possibly can (just try and keep me away from the PC – not easy as hubby (& others too) will tell you) – and I’ll get back to updating all the juicy stuff then. In the meantime, hubby hopes to be able to do daily updates just so you can see how I’m doing – please leave him some nice comments, he’s going to need serious cyber hugging!
One last thing – Kat over the other side of the pond is being sliced and diced the day after me – so – Good Luck Kat! - we’ll be a couple of fine straight gals soon…
Monday, February 06, 2006
The waiting continues….
Well, here I am and if all goes well tomorrow at this time I will be sitting on a bed in some kind of ancient NHS ward in my (Victorian) hospital and probably wondering what I have let myself in for and where the nearest exit is! I still remain remarkably calm although I don’t have any fingernails left – nope, you’re wrong, it’s just that I cut them last night – (please note the following formula).
Long nails going into hospital + 2 weeks growth = some long bendy ones a-la Lo-pan in Big Trouble in Little China + lots of broken ones.
In no time at all I will be transformed into some kind of bionic robot type wonder woman able to leap tall buildings with a single bound (am I mixing up my superheroes here?)...........
That’s me done then – just sitting around on my ample behind now and waiting to go in.
- BTW - I could tell this smilie was me ‘cos the little legs don’t touch the floor! (You may have spotted I've had fun with my smilies today too!)
Just want to say a big thank-you to all of you who have sent messages and especially to those who’ve offered support and help to hubby. Big hugs all round....
Long nails going into hospital + 2 weeks growth = some long bendy ones a-la Lo-pan in Big Trouble in Little China + lots of broken ones.
In no time at all I will be transformed into some kind of bionic robot type wonder woman able to leap tall buildings with a single bound (am I mixing up my superheroes here?)...........
Anyway, I have to say that I am by now getting the odd frisson of nervousness (great word frisson!) Actually, I’m not even sure that frissons apply to nervousness, just excitement and that is absolutely not what I am feeling! Mostly, they are all about what I have forgotten – you know, like that thing when you’re halfway to the other side of the country and wonder if you turned off the gas or shut the front door. Today I have been out and bought bendy straws ‘cos I forgot earlier and remembered that washing without a towel (well drying yourself anyway) is not good – directing the hand dryer to bits of my anatomy whilst wheeling a drip and creaking around the place in 101 stitches just doesn’t seem right – I’d rather go smelly (eew!). Anyway, I have now packed a towel so that’s sorted. I am also going to have to re-pack my bag at some point (and no, not to check that everything is in it that’s on my list) but because I went out today and fell prey to buying a new bag (well, my stuff has been in a carrier bag so I think it’s legit) – I’ll leave you all to guess the colour….
That’s me done then – just sitting around on my ample behind now and waiting to go in.
- BTW - I could tell this smilie was me ‘cos the little legs don’t touch the floor! (You may have spotted I've had fun with my smilies today too!)Just want to say a big thank-you to all of you who have sent messages and especially to those who’ve offered support and help to hubby. Big hugs all round....
Saturday, February 04, 2006
Post surgery activities
I found this webpage with a great list of things that you can and can’t do after scoliosis surgery and when you can and can’t do them:
Post Surgery Activities
I’m amazed that I will be able to play tennis and baseball – it sounds like a tampax advert – you know, the “with tampax you can rollerblade” – strange, I couldn’t before! It’s nice to think that I will be able to have sex months before being able to do any hoovering (I will be quite happy if that turns into years as I find hoovering a real chore and that’s when I don’t move the furniture and only do the middle of the room!) I’m sure though, that I shall be itching to do a bit in the garden months before I am able. I guess my gardening activities will have to be limited to sitting on my swing seat, reading and sipping a nice chilled drink this summer. I know its months away but somehow that still sounds really good.
Anyway, to be serious about this, it’s really great that this list exists – before surgery you just have no idea of how long things will be restricted and it gives you some kind of general idea although it’s bound to vary from person to person. I guess I will just have to add my own dates here, as I go along…
Post Surgery Activities
I’m amazed that I will be able to play tennis and baseball – it sounds like a tampax advert – you know, the “with tampax you can rollerblade” – strange, I couldn’t before! It’s nice to think that I will be able to have sex months before being able to do any hoovering (I will be quite happy if that turns into years as I find hoovering a real chore and that’s when I don’t move the furniture and only do the middle of the room!) I’m sure though, that I shall be itching to do a bit in the garden months before I am able. I guess my gardening activities will have to be limited to sitting on my swing seat, reading and sipping a nice chilled drink this summer. I know its months away but somehow that still sounds really good.
Anyway, to be serious about this, it’s really great that this list exists – before surgery you just have no idea of how long things will be restricted and it gives you some kind of general idea although it’s bound to vary from person to person. I guess I will just have to add my own dates here, as I go along…
Why am I still so calm?
I have no idea why I am still so calm about all of this when there are just so few days to go now. It’s only in these last few days that I can get all those hundreds of things done that I need to - right? Well, wrong! I have no idea why it is, but I guess I am just ready for this now. Of course, I will never be ready in the way that you are for an emergency operation (please see the entry regarding surgery with a spoon) as while you are still leading a relatively normal life you have to wonder how necessary it is to get this done - especially this particular week! (Actually I’m sure my life is in no way normal, but that has nothing to do with my scoliosis….)
I think the length of time that the NHS keeps you waiting for surgery helps in some ways. Firstly you get enough time to get all the information you need to make an informed decision and to prepare mentally & physically (getting fit, eating well, taking vitamins etc). Next comes the time when you get fed up with all the waiting (completely unnecessary!) and then when the date finally comes through you are so relieved that you don’t have to answer the query of “when”(?) over and over that its worth doing just for that. (Gosh doesn’t that sound flippant!). Seriously, if you get to pick a date, I would think that about 6 months would be about perfect (- there, you’re perfect Lynne!). It’s enough time to get sorted and not so long that you get fed up with waiting.*
There are a couple of other things that make it easier to be calm too. Firstly, I have had a few operations before – I know that the anaesthetist will probably make me count backwards from 10 (and I’ll only get to 7 however hard I try) and I know that hospital food is ... ummm interesting. I know things hurt but it gets better and I know that inevitably yikky stuff goes on too (but I won’t gross you out just yet – wait for my post op reports!). I also know that the doctors are experts (because it’s their job to be) and that nurses are nurses because they care. They will do their best for me because no-one goes into work in the morning (whatever their job) and goes “I think I’ll just do a really bad job today because I feel like it”. So, as far as the operation and the hospital go, I have nothing to worry about and no reason not to be calm. Oh, sure I know there are risks, but there are busses on the roads too…..and I haven’t been run over yet!
All the other stuff there is to get not calm about, well, most of that is overcome by simply being prepared. I already bought my new nightie and dressing gown and I have stockpiled my magazines to take. I have been hoarding my small change all week and setting it by for the pay phone – I have puzzle books and pens and all the stuff on my list – boring but necessary! Oh yes and hey, I’m a pretty pragmatic person, if I forget anything or something new comes along then I’ll rise to that challenge when it comes. You can’t do more than go into hospital prepared for the stay and comfortable with your decisions – all that remains then is to let everyone else get on with their jobs and life will go on around you.
So there you go, I feel fine. My only real concern is hubby and how he will cope as he’s the one who will be doing the worrying. I shall just be reacting when they poke me, but he’s the one who has to do the cat feeding, driving, blog updating, laundry, cleaning, cooking, going to work, worrying (did I say that already), etc, etc. Gosh, maybe someone should tell him what he’s let himself in for ……..and send him regular hugs – he didn’t get a cuddly dog for Christmas after all!
I think the length of time that the NHS keeps you waiting for surgery helps in some ways. Firstly you get enough time to get all the information you need to make an informed decision and to prepare mentally & physically (getting fit, eating well, taking vitamins etc). Next comes the time when you get fed up with all the waiting (completely unnecessary!) and then when the date finally comes through you are so relieved that you don’t have to answer the query of “when”(?) over and over that its worth doing just for that. (Gosh doesn’t that sound flippant!). Seriously, if you get to pick a date, I would think that about 6 months would be about perfect (- there, you’re perfect Lynne!). It’s enough time to get sorted and not so long that you get fed up with waiting.*
There are a couple of other things that make it easier to be calm too. Firstly, I have had a few operations before – I know that the anaesthetist will probably make me count backwards from 10 (and I’ll only get to 7 however hard I try) and I know that hospital food is ... ummm interesting. I know things hurt but it gets better and I know that inevitably yikky stuff goes on too (but I won’t gross you out just yet – wait for my post op reports!). I also know that the doctors are experts (because it’s their job to be) and that nurses are nurses because they care. They will do their best for me because no-one goes into work in the morning (whatever their job) and goes “I think I’ll just do a really bad job today because I feel like it”. So, as far as the operation and the hospital go, I have nothing to worry about and no reason not to be calm. Oh, sure I know there are risks, but there are busses on the roads too…..and I haven’t been run over yet!
All the other stuff there is to get not calm about, well, most of that is overcome by simply being prepared. I already bought my new nightie and dressing gown and I have stockpiled my magazines to take. I have been hoarding my small change all week and setting it by for the pay phone – I have puzzle books and pens and all the stuff on my list – boring but necessary! Oh yes and hey, I’m a pretty pragmatic person, if I forget anything or something new comes along then I’ll rise to that challenge when it comes. You can’t do more than go into hospital prepared for the stay and comfortable with your decisions – all that remains then is to let everyone else get on with their jobs and life will go on around you.
So there you go, I feel fine. My only real concern is hubby and how he will cope as he’s the one who will be doing the worrying. I shall just be reacting when they poke me, but he’s the one who has to do the cat feeding, driving, blog updating, laundry, cleaning, cooking, going to work, worrying (did I say that already), etc, etc. Gosh, maybe someone should tell him what he’s let himself in for ……..and send him regular hugs – he didn’t get a cuddly dog for Christmas after all!
-------------------------------------------
*Another point about the waiting is that it gives you the time to do something special to look back on while you’re recovering – you could take a dream trip or even have a weekend in Bognor Regis if that’s what floats your boat….Things I shall miss...
As the time gets closer and closer, I wonder more and more about the things that I shall miss while I am recovering. I did even think of making a list of them for some completely insane reason. What did I think I might do with such a list(?), tick things off day by day – oh yes, I’m missing that today, oh and yesterday I missed that! This of course all makes me sound like some kind of closet list maker- (in fact, those people who know me best will tell you that actually there is nothing closet about my avid list making (hee hee!)). Anyway, I have resisted the urge to do so (so far) but there are some things I am sure to miss.
I know I am going to miss red wine (and other booze too I expect) as I will be good and not drink to excess while recovering. This will be:
This brings me on too the other thing that I am really really going to miss.
I am really really going to miss driving.
I love driving, I like driving fast and I like driving far. I am not a complete lunatic behind the wheel, unlike some of my friends (you know who you are!) but still I like to have fun on country roads and (somewhat unusually) love motorway driving.* Its just as well that I do like motorway driving as motorways send Hubby to sleep – it doesn’t matter which seat in the car he is in, all send him to sleep equally. (I don’t actually mind him sleeping in the car but I find it a little disconcerting when the driver starts snoring, so I prefer to do the motorway driving myself.) For some reason I like all that eating up the miles whilst listening to some suitable driving music and seeing how many unusual vehicles are on the road today (wow a Sherman tank and a DB5 both on the same stretch of road?!!). OK, OK - I admit it - I am odd, I know this and I am sure that you’ve realised it too by now!
Anyway, these two things I shall miss; putting any more down will make it suspiciously like a list so I will stop here – please feel free to make your own lists tho’…
*For all you USA citizens, motorways in the UK are like Interstates in the US – if we had Interstates in the UK they would have to be called Intercounties because we don’t have States only counties – but hey, that would just sound stupid. Anyway, for whatever reason we call them motorways!
I know I am going to miss red wine (and other booze too I expect) as I will be good and not drink to excess while recovering. This will be:
- a) because I will be taking vast numbers of narcotics (with any luck) and it is not a good idea to mix these with alcohol (as I discovered one New Years Eve when I was young and foolish) and
- b) because I think maybe it would not be too good for my fusion and its rate of healing. And of course there is also
- c) and that is that if I get drunk and fall over I might break a rod or something…
This brings me on too the other thing that I am really really going to miss.
I am really really going to miss driving.
I love driving, I like driving fast and I like driving far. I am not a complete lunatic behind the wheel, unlike some of my friends (you know who you are!) but still I like to have fun on country roads and (somewhat unusually) love motorway driving.* Its just as well that I do like motorway driving as motorways send Hubby to sleep – it doesn’t matter which seat in the car he is in, all send him to sleep equally. (I don’t actually mind him sleeping in the car but I find it a little disconcerting when the driver starts snoring, so I prefer to do the motorway driving myself.) For some reason I like all that eating up the miles whilst listening to some suitable driving music and seeing how many unusual vehicles are on the road today (wow a Sherman tank and a DB5 both on the same stretch of road?!!). OK, OK - I admit it - I am odd, I know this and I am sure that you’ve realised it too by now!Anyway, these two things I shall miss; putting any more down will make it suspiciously like a list so I will stop here – please feel free to make your own lists tho’…
*For all you USA citizens, motorways in the UK are like Interstates in the US – if we had Interstates in the UK they would have to be called Intercounties because we don’t have States only counties – but hey, that would just sound stupid. Anyway, for whatever reason we call them motorways!
Friday, February 03, 2006
Did I say I had nice friends?
I guess this post links into the last post of "will I grow?" - and I think my next question is going to be "what will I weigh after surgery?" Now, I know I once read a really irate posting on one of the forums about some poor teenage girl who actually dared to ask how much all this hardware weighed. Now (poor dab) the response she got was that she shouldn’t worry about gaining a little weight in stainless steel when she was having spinal surgery and there are lots of other more serious things in life , but I find that I am also curious about it. Now, don’t get me wrong, I am no sylph like, waif like supermodel type (I wish!) - I’m only 4ft 9” (just a weenie bit short to be a supermodel I think) and weigh (ummmm well, I’m not telling). In fact, the way I usually describe myself is that I’m a bit chunky. So, given these facts, I guess that a few pounds here or there is not really going to make any difference - actually that’s a fib – at 4ft 9” just a few pounds looks more like 20lbs does on a tall person but I digress. I just mean that if you’re a bit chunky, being a bit chunkier wouldn’t actually be the end of the world – it’s not like it’s my career or something (Elle Macpherson I ain’t!). I’m curious though, nothing more – how much does all that stuff weigh – for example, will I sink to the bottom of the swimming pool?! These are all valid questions aren’t they?
Well, back to the title of the posting as I’ve gone a bit off the subject (so what’s new!). One of my particularly nice friends (thanks A!*) suggested that while the surgeons opened me up they could use the time and general anaesthetic to give me a bit of liposuction at the same time. Not realising that he was digging himself into a very large hole by the merest hint of a suggestion that I might need the teeniest hint of liposuction he rashly went on to add the suggestion that maybe I should also get a tuck here or there.
I hasten to add at this point (before you ask) that I did not hit him …!
Still the question remains, will I weigh more or less and will I be thinner round the middle (without liposuction) just ‘cos they stretch me outwards?
Just one final thought (and I promise to stop then) - if I do get taller as a result of this op, then my BMI will go down, even if I weigh the same – how weird is that!
*please note intended sarcasm
Well, back to the title of the posting as I’ve gone a bit off the subject (so what’s new!). One of my particularly nice friends (thanks A!*) suggested that while the surgeons opened me up they could use the time and general anaesthetic to give me a bit of liposuction at the same time. Not realising that he was digging himself into a very large hole by the merest hint of a suggestion that I might need the teeniest hint of liposuction he rashly went on to add the suggestion that maybe I should also get a tuck here or there.
I hasten to add at this point (before you ask) that I did not hit him …!
Still the question remains, will I weigh more or less and will I be thinner round the middle (without liposuction) just ‘cos they stretch me outwards?
Just one final thought (and I promise to stop then) - if I do get taller as a result of this op, then my BMI will go down, even if I weigh the same – how weird is that!
*please note intended sarcasm
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Will I grow?
Did I happen to mention that I was short? Well, I am, in fact, it just about describes me. Recently when arranging to meet someone for the first time (no it wasn’t a blind date – I am already married – and therefore if it was, I wouldn’t own up to it!). Well, anyway, did I tell this guy I had to meet that I would wear a red carnation in my buttonhole or that I had dark hair or that I would wear a red jumper (I’d have to buy one, I don’t own one of them), or even that I had a limp? No, I did none of them – I said you’ll recognise me – I’m short and do you know what – he did!
I am officially about 2.75” shorter than when I was 12 years old (and I wasn’t huge for a 12 year old apart from round the middle). So, when they straighten me out will I grow again? That’s a tricky one – immediately you’d think yes – put someone on a rack and they’re bound to get taller – right? Well, not necessarily – if they decided to stand you up at the point in the surgery when they have taken out all your discs you would definitely be shorter. (Actually, I do hope they don’t attempt to stand me up whilst under general anaesthetic and with a big hole in my middle but you never know what will amuse these doctors!) So, if they remove discs, you’re shorter…well, then they stretch you out when they crank your spine over to the rods to straighten it – and that will make you taller. So will I be taller? I’ll be shorter than now at first and then I’ll be taller again (both on the operating table) and I guess it may just all average out to the same as I am right now. Personal stories I’ve heard seem to be that the 6ft people all seem to grow (maybe I’m just jealous here and get fixated on the tall ones so don’t believe anything I’m saying here..) and the rest vary, some do, some don’t. It’d be cool to grow again at this age so I am going to draw a line on a wall somewhere in my house so that when I am home and recovered I can compare, just like you do when you are 6. That’ll be fun!
I am officially about 2.75” shorter than when I was 12 years old (and I wasn’t huge for a 12 year old apart from round the middle). So, when they straighten me out will I grow again? That’s a tricky one – immediately you’d think yes – put someone on a rack and they’re bound to get taller – right? Well, not necessarily – if they decided to stand you up at the point in the surgery when they have taken out all your discs you would definitely be shorter. (Actually, I do hope they don’t attempt to stand me up whilst under general anaesthetic and with a big hole in my middle but you never know what will amuse these doctors!) So, if they remove discs, you’re shorter…well, then they stretch you out when they crank your spine over to the rods to straighten it – and that will make you taller. So will I be taller? I’ll be shorter than now at first and then I’ll be taller again (both on the operating table) and I guess it may just all average out to the same as I am right now. Personal stories I’ve heard seem to be that the 6ft people all seem to grow (maybe I’m just jealous here and get fixated on the tall ones so don’t believe anything I’m saying here..) and the rest vary, some do, some don’t. It’d be cool to grow again at this age so I am going to draw a line on a wall somewhere in my house so that when I am home and recovered I can compare, just like you do when you are 6. That’ll be fun!
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Can you trust the doctors predictions?
I guess this is a matter for everyone, especially those trying to make up their minds about whether to go for surgery or not. All my life I’ve had a whole bunch of doctors predict all sorts of stuff for me and I have steadfastly ignored most of it! The one prediction that came up time and again was the wheelchair one – you’ll be in a wheelchair by the time you’re 30 then 40 and it just didn’t happen. (I guess I was listening but my stubborn streak wasn’t!) Anyway, last time I had one of those predictions I asked “why will I end up in a wheelchair?” and was told as a very minimum that the pain would be too bad for me to walk by the time I was 40. Well, the pain’s no fun, I’ll grant you that, and I have now passed the 40 mark and yes, I do own a wheelchair. I don’t use it often though so I don’t know if it counts. Another prediction was made that I wouldn’t have children, and while in fact it is true that my only pregnancy went pretty badly wrong so I’ve ended up not having children, I did at least get pregnant.
So does this mean that because these predictions came true(ish) I should believe the doctors. Of course not! Their predictions now (if I don’t have surgery) are pretty horrible with regard to squashed internal organs, slow numbness and paralysis and yet more pain, but why should I believe them when I still don’t use my wheelchair often – they didn’t really get that right, did they? No, I don’t think you can base your decisions on whether to have surgery or not solely on what gloomy future your consultant may happen to paint for you (- and don’t they all do gloomy so well!). Only you can look at your life now and look at your life 2 years ago or 5 years ago or 10 years ago. I look back to some of the things I used to be able to do and realise that I simply can’t do that stuff now. This is a good basis for a decision I think. You have been told!
Wow – I re-read this one and thought it was a bit D&M. Needed to be said tho’ so I’m leaving it in…
So does this mean that because these predictions came true(ish) I should believe the doctors. Of course not! Their predictions now (if I don’t have surgery) are pretty horrible with regard to squashed internal organs, slow numbness and paralysis and yet more pain, but why should I believe them when I still don’t use my wheelchair often – they didn’t really get that right, did they? No, I don’t think you can base your decisions on whether to have surgery or not solely on what gloomy future your consultant may happen to paint for you (- and don’t they all do gloomy so well!). Only you can look at your life now and look at your life 2 years ago or 5 years ago or 10 years ago. I look back to some of the things I used to be able to do and realise that I simply can’t do that stuff now. This is a good basis for a decision I think. You have been told!
Wow – I re-read this one and thought it was a bit D&M. Needed to be said tho’ so I’m leaving it in…
Monday, January 30, 2006
Did I mention that I talk a lot?
I was wondering if I had mentioned that I talk - a lot! 
Well, I do! Hubby says it's because I am on my own all day and I have to make up for it the rest of the time, but I don't know if his theory holds water as I talk to the cats during the day (I know, I know I'm sad, but at least they don’t answer back - much!) Actually my last cat used to answer back a lot but that's another story and one that would just bore you - so I'll resist the temptation to start on yet more rambling...
Well, I do! Hubby says it's because I am on my own all day and I have to make up for it the rest of the time, but I don't know if his theory holds water as I talk to the cats during the day (I know, I know I'm sad, but at least they don’t answer back - much!) Actually my last cat used to answer back a lot but that's another story and one that would just bore you - so I'll resist the temptation to start on yet more rambling...
Well, my lovely hubby took me out to lunch recently and I was discussing the fact that I have talked endlessly about this operation. I've talked and he's listened (well, most of the time - that is, all the time he's not been glazed over with boredom). Besides him, I have only really spoken to 2 other close friends (you know who you are and Thank You!) and I've probably driven them mad too with all the gory details. But the fact of it all is this - I need to talk about it - and that's need with a capital N. The only way I have been able to get all of this OK in my head is to explore every option and discuss it over and over. It helps, it really does. Funny thing is, that the blog does the same for me. I write, I read and re-read, editing bits here and there and correcting the stuff which isn't really right. It crystallises what I think and what I feel and leaves me knowing where I've come from and where I'm going to on this journey. And so, dear reader (I just put that in 'cos I've always wanted to*) I recommend it as a bit of self therapy!
* Any ideas where this Dear Reader thing comes from (answers on a postcard please) - I know I read it somewhere but where? Oh blimey, that'll drive me mad now and then I guess, suddenly next Monday (at 2 a.m. or some other equally stupid time) I'll be doing something completely unlinked and it'll pop into my head. That is so weird the way that happens, don't you think?
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Supportive (and strange) phone calls
No, no, no, not that kind of strange phone call - just unusual ones from friends - oh yes and before insults are taken I said unusual from friends - I wouldn't accuse my friends of being strange or unusual (well, not in public anyway). Am I going off the point again?
My friends are brilliant - I guess everyone says that about their friends too but this is my lot and I like them which is what's important. Some of them (despite having known me for years) don't know me very well at all. This is my fault, because although I talk a lot (too much some would say), I don't always tell them how I am. I think many people who live with pretty much constant pain don't want to be going on about it constantly. It's depressing and besides which I don't know why anyone else would be interested. You hear so much about people with scoliosis wearing clothes to hide their rib hump and standing in a certain way in order to look (and feel) like everyone else and you realise that you do that yourself a lot of the time. Heck, it was years before I told many of my friends that I had Spina Bifida and I know lots of people who thought I limped just because I have one leg a bit shorter than the other - and I never enlightened them. For certain, it's not many of them who know all about the 'wonky wiring' in my legs which has resulted in an inability to either feel my feet or know what they are doing most of the time! * (It would be nice if they did something useful while I wasn't paying attention but unfortunately all they do is hang around at the bottom of my legs...)
I dunno if we try and hide these things so we fit in, or just so we don't have to answer too many questions ("Mummy, what's wrong with that lady's back?"). Or even if it's a coping mechanism - if I ignore it and hope it goes away, then maybe I can get on with something interesting in my life? I really don't know, but I know from other people that I am not alone.
Anyway (have you noticed how much I use that word), because I have spent so long hiding my back and my aches and pains from the world I am now in an odd situation. I am having major spinal surgery - my friends know this. What they don't know is why I am having it when I seem to cope so well - "I didn't realise things were so bad" one of them said. Well, I guess that's the point really - I didn't want them to know because I didn't want to be different. Maybe if I had, this wouldn't be such a shock for them - it sure has resulted in some strange phone calls...
*I guess you all do now as Ive just gone and told the whole world....
My friends are brilliant - I guess everyone says that about their friends too but this is my lot and I like them which is what's important. Some of them (despite having known me for years) don't know me very well at all. This is my fault, because although I talk a lot (too much some would say), I don't always tell them how I am. I think many people who live with pretty much constant pain don't want to be going on about it constantly. It's depressing and besides which I don't know why anyone else would be interested. You hear so much about people with scoliosis wearing clothes to hide their rib hump and standing in a certain way in order to look (and feel) like everyone else and you realise that you do that yourself a lot of the time. Heck, it was years before I told many of my friends that I had Spina Bifida and I know lots of people who thought I limped just because I have one leg a bit shorter than the other - and I never enlightened them. For certain, it's not many of them who know all about the 'wonky wiring' in my legs which has resulted in an inability to either feel my feet or know what they are doing most of the time! * (It would be nice if they did something useful while I wasn't paying attention but unfortunately all they do is hang around at the bottom of my legs...)
I dunno if we try and hide these things so we fit in, or just so we don't have to answer too many questions ("Mummy, what's wrong with that lady's back?"). Or even if it's a coping mechanism - if I ignore it and hope it goes away, then maybe I can get on with something interesting in my life? I really don't know, but I know from other people that I am not alone.
Anyway (have you noticed how much I use that word), because I have spent so long hiding my back and my aches and pains from the world I am now in an odd situation. I am having major spinal surgery - my friends know this. What they don't know is why I am having it when I seem to cope so well - "I didn't realise things were so bad" one of them said. Well, I guess that's the point really - I didn't want them to know because I didn't want to be different. Maybe if I had, this wouldn't be such a shock for them - it sure has resulted in some strange phone calls...
*I guess you all do now as Ive just gone and told the whole world....
How about listening to books?
I was talking to a good friend recently about books, reading, concentration and a whole bunch of other stuff during my recovery. I mentioned that I didn't think I would have the strength to turn the pages of the book and might need one of those grape peeling Chippendales to turn the pages for me as I think it will be a task too onerous for hubby! Anyway, he suggested listening to talking books and told me that you can get them from your local library. I hadn't really though too much about it but it seems like a bright idea in the absence of a suitable page turning hunk...
Saturday, January 28, 2006
My packing list (how organised am I?!)
You probably really don't care what I am taking to hospital, but failing to secure the Chippendales to keep me occupied and a full make up bag to keep me beautiful, I thought I'd concentrate on practicalities. I am basing my list on various lists I've found on blogs, forums and various web pages like this one at http://scoliosislinks.com/PreparingforSurgery.htm and I'm sure most of it will be useful. I thought I'd list my one here just in case you too need to pack for a hospital stay. If not, have fun reading through the list and my reasons.
Things I will take:
Things I won't take:
Well apart from the obvious - like War and Peace, I shan't bother with squash or fruit juice - I quite like water (it's my favourite drink after coffee, wine, whisky, beer etc etc!). Also I will let hubby bring suitable clothes to go home in at the appropriate time (any sooner and I might try and escape!). I thought of grapes too, but without a Chippendale to peel them for me it wouldn't quite be the same...
Things I will take:
- A nice new nightie which buttons up the front - yes I know they will give me a highly sexy hospital gown, but I have no desire to show my bottom off around the hospital for any longer than I have to. I have also heard that raising your arms above your head is very painful so a button up front sounds good.
- A nice new dressing gown - I really don't want anyone to see my old one!
- A sports bottle or bendy straws - well seriously, have you ever tried drinking whilst lying down - what else are you going to use?
- My Archos - OK, OK I'm too poor to buy an I-pod. Still it has all my favourite music on it and I can really annoy the old lady in the next bed by letting her overhear the tinny noises from my cheap headphones.
- Chewy tooth thingies sound good - unfortunately I don't know where to get them from apart from motorway service stations. I shall just have to settle for foul breath until I can walk to the bathroom and try to avoid eating garlic for the whole of my hospital stay.
- Some mints or fruit sweets to suck - sugar free of course. After all if I'm not going to be brushing my teeth (eeew!) then I don't want tooth decay too...
- Some magazines and puzzle books - for all the hanging around before the operation. I'm sure I will be too spaced out on morphine after the operation to even do join the dots.
- No polite way to put this, but some sanitary supplies - don't ask me why, but one of the side effects of an anaesthetic seems to be to bring your monthly period forward - having just finished one means nothing in anaesthetic land. Oh yes and the things they have in hospitals would have been old fashioned when your granny was little - you have been warned! I shall take my own - just in case.
- My cuddly dog (aahhh) that hubby bought me for Christmas - I'm gonna need some serious hugs I think.
- My slip on slippers - which slip off easily and I will no doubt lose under the bed within minutes of arriving (and then I'll probably never find them again!)
- Lip balm - apparently is a life saver according to some people. Even though I don't expect to be kissing too many people this sounds a good idea - I really hate dry, cracked lips.
Things I won't take:
Well apart from the obvious - like War and Peace, I shan't bother with squash or fruit juice - I quite like water (it's my favourite drink after coffee, wine, whisky, beer etc etc!). Also I will let hubby bring suitable clothes to go home in at the appropriate time (any sooner and I might try and escape!). I thought of grapes too, but without a Chippendale to peel them for me it wouldn't quite be the same...
Friday, January 27, 2006
The pain diary idea (Thanks Chele!)
This is something that I came across recently in one of the forums and am reproducing with the author's permission (hence the thanks Chele!) Funnily enough it wasn't until recently, when I had to keep a diary for someone else for a completely different reason, that I had ever monitored my pain levels at all. I was horrified at how often in the average week or month I had to restrict my activities because of pain - even weeks when I thought I was just fine I would lose a day or two. Eeek! Anyway, because of this, I think the idea of a pain diary is fab and everyone should do one (well everyone with pain that is...!)
This was Chele's Post:
A Pain or Medical Diary is something that can be taken to appointments with you. It means that when you see a doctor and are trying to explain how frequent and bad the pain levels are or what medication you are on, all your information is to hand.
It holds the following information:
* Health Insurance Policy Number (or NHS Number/Hospital Number)
* A day-today account of pain levels
* Description of the pain levels
* Methods of pain Management
* Lists of questions
* A brief outline of medical issues
* Contact information of each doctor / consultant
* A list of what medication.
How to set-up a Pain / Medical Diary:
You can chose to use an ordinary notebook and layout each page accordingly, but simpler is to use and an actual diary. Each day is already marked out for you. While the space for each day need not be very large, it is useful that it has a few ordinary pages to write other information in. An A5 diary should give you plenty of space and many of them have a plastic pouch at the back which can be used to store appointment cards. Use the diary to record the following stuff:
CONTACT INFORMATION:
At the start of the diary write contact information & medical insurance details & in
In the notes Section the following pieces of information are written:
PAIN LEVELS / DESCRIPTIONS:
* 1 Mild - No Medication Required
* 2 Bad - Over the counter medication assists pain
* 3 Strong - Prescription medicine relieves pain
* 4 Severe - Medication offers little / no relief
* 5 Chronic - No relief regardless of measures taken
The above are just examples of how pain can be measured on a scale of 1-5.
PAIN RELIEF METHODS
A list of the types of Pain Relief used such as:
* Types of over the counter medication: Panadol, aspirin
* Prescription meds: Tylex, Co Codamol etc
* Exercises (swimming, strolling)
* Rest & Heat
MEDICATIONS LIST:
Use plain pages to assign a page to each month and list any medication taken, including dosage levels. This includes inhalers, antibiotics, pain relief.
MEDICAL HISTORY:
A brief account of when some conditions were diagnosed and treatment received.
QUESTIONS:
You will always have and think of questions to ask, so make notes in the diary. That way you have any concerns to hand.
DOCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION:
There’s always an address section in a diary so here you can list your G.P's name and contact information, consultant, hospital etc ..
DAY-TO-DAY DIARY SECTION
Each day write what number pain levels seem to be on that day, with a brief description of where the pain seemed to be. It also helps you to see if there are issues that seem to trigger the pain off and see if there's a pattern to when it's at its worst.
There, that's that! A long post (and a serious one), but excellent advice that I wish I could own up to thinking of myself. Instead, I have just copied it (pretty much word for word). Isn't cutting and pasting brilliant - it means I still have room in my typing fingers to bash out some more stuff... but maybe I'll do it later!
This was Chele's Post:
A Pain or Medical Diary is something that can be taken to appointments with you. It means that when you see a doctor and are trying to explain how frequent and bad the pain levels are or what medication you are on, all your information is to hand.
It holds the following information:
* Health Insurance Policy Number (or NHS Number/Hospital Number)
* A day-today account of pain levels
* Description of the pain levels
* Methods of pain Management
* Lists of questions
* A brief outline of medical issues
* Contact information of each doctor / consultant
* A list of what medication.
How to set-up a Pain / Medical Diary:
You can chose to use an ordinary notebook and layout each page accordingly, but simpler is to use and an actual diary. Each day is already marked out for you. While the space for each day need not be very large, it is useful that it has a few ordinary pages to write other information in. An A5 diary should give you plenty of space and many of them have a plastic pouch at the back which can be used to store appointment cards. Use the diary to record the following stuff:
CONTACT INFORMATION:
At the start of the diary write contact information & medical insurance details & in
In the notes Section the following pieces of information are written:
PAIN LEVELS / DESCRIPTIONS:
* 1 Mild - No Medication Required
* 2 Bad - Over the counter medication assists pain
* 3 Strong - Prescription medicine relieves pain
* 4 Severe - Medication offers little / no relief
* 5 Chronic - No relief regardless of measures taken
The above are just examples of how pain can be measured on a scale of 1-5.
PAIN RELIEF METHODS
A list of the types of Pain Relief used such as:
* Types of over the counter medication: Panadol, aspirin
* Prescription meds: Tylex, Co Codamol etc
* Exercises (swimming, strolling)
* Rest & Heat
MEDICATIONS LIST:
Use plain pages to assign a page to each month and list any medication taken, including dosage levels. This includes inhalers, antibiotics, pain relief.
MEDICAL HISTORY:
A brief account of when some conditions were diagnosed and treatment received.
QUESTIONS:
You will always have and think of questions to ask, so make notes in the diary. That way you have any concerns to hand.
DOCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION:
There’s always an address section in a diary so here you can list your G.P's name and contact information, consultant, hospital etc ..
DAY-TO-DAY DIARY SECTION
Each day write what number pain levels seem to be on that day, with a brief description of where the pain seemed to be. It also helps you to see if there are issues that seem to trigger the pain off and see if there's a pattern to when it's at its worst.
There, that's that! A long post (and a serious one), but excellent advice that I wish I could own up to thinking of myself. Instead, I have just copied it (pretty much word for word). Isn't cutting and pasting brilliant - it means I still have room in my typing fingers to bash out some more stuff... but maybe I'll do it later!
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