I remained in the hospital for the remainder of the week. I checked in for surgery on Monday and checked our that following Sunday. Everyday I had a physical therapist come in to assist me in moving again. We went over how to getting out and back into bed (roll over on your side, push yourself up with your arms to sitting, and then stand up-the reverse to get back into bed). I had to sit for some time which was once for about a 10-15 minutes per day and walking in the hallway with assistance. By the end of the week, I could make it around the entire hallway once. The therapists also had a room were we walked to and it had items to help me learn how to get into a car and sit in a chair, etc.
I had a lot of visitors which was so encouraging. I was pretty tired and would often fall asleep while they were visiting with me in the first half of the week, but by Friday I was gaining more strength. I couldn't eat much, I just wasn't hungry. The dietitian came in one day to talk to me because all I was really eating was jello and fruit smoothies, but I couldn't eat much more.
I had x-rays almost everyday and mostly just rested. The nurses and doctors who checked in on me were very nice. I tried to sleep as much as I could, but it could be difficult at times because the pain made it hard to get comfortable to sleep. Often it was easier to sleep during the day, but at night the pain would bother me and my husband (who was staying with me in the room overnight) would have to help adjust the bed for me to help me get comfortable. I had brought soothing music to listen to which also helped when I was too uncomfortable to sleep.
The drain tubes were removed my last day (very painful) and got a ride home from some friends (we lived in downtown Chicago about a 1/2 a mile from the hospital and had sold our car). It was painful trying to get into the car because it was small. If it had been a larger car, it would have been easier, but I made it home.
I had a lot of visitors which was so encouraging. I was pretty tired and would often fall asleep while they were visiting with me in the first half of the week, but by Friday I was gaining more strength. I couldn't eat much, I just wasn't hungry. The dietitian came in one day to talk to me because all I was really eating was jello and fruit smoothies, but I couldn't eat much more.
I had x-rays almost everyday and mostly just rested. The nurses and doctors who checked in on me were very nice. I tried to sleep as much as I could, but it could be difficult at times because the pain made it hard to get comfortable to sleep. Often it was easier to sleep during the day, but at night the pain would bother me and my husband (who was staying with me in the room overnight) would have to help adjust the bed for me to help me get comfortable. I had brought soothing music to listen to which also helped when I was too uncomfortable to sleep.
The drain tubes were removed my last day (very painful) and got a ride home from some friends (we lived in downtown Chicago about a 1/2 a mile from the hospital and had sold our car). It was painful trying to get into the car because it was small. If it had been a larger car, it would have been easier, but I made it home.
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