(a) the dreaded stairs;
(b) I did not have a snatchy thingy to help me pick things up; and
(c) I had not made a sling thingy to help me lift my legs from the bed to the ground.
The last two were recommended by the book - and I found I did not need them at all.
Stairs were fine - I took them slowly at my own pace and my housemate sorted out luggage. The stairs from the driveway to the house were fine as there was a railing. The stairs from first to second level were deep and no rails. I managed.
Two non-negotiable items if you can get them (luckily for me friends could assist with both):
1) Lifted toilet chair - I moved mine over the loo; and
2) Shower chair / stool - mine looks like a comfy garden chair - absolute, absolute bliss!
My greatest challenge was - and still is - to rise from a 90 degrees or lower angle. I was fortunate that my bed was high off the ground and both the loo and shower chairs were higher than 90 degrees.
The sofa was too low - solution: I added four thin garden chair cushions - and still sit on them. To raise myself I pile cushions on the side to push off with my hands. Our couch looks ridiculous. On H's side are a 2 to 3 cushions for back support. On my side? Chaos. 4 garden chair cushions, plus a host of cushions at the back for support and a whole lot on the side ... cushion carnival!
We have an old bar stool which is light and, even now, gets carried around to where needed. In the beginning it stayed in the kitchen, but I even carried it outside when hanging up washing. Hildegard cooked the first week or so and then I took over (I usually cook and she does the dishes).
In the beginning I spent a fair amount of time in bed, sleeping or doing my exercises. I had two extra pillows to prop my legs as needed - eventually got rid of them towards the end of January.
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| Diego keeping me company (note extra two pillows in the background) |
On the discomfort level I experienced the following: Pain, especially like severe growing pains; restless legs (they seemed to have a life of their own - best to just take sleeping pills and let the mind rest while the legs go all jumpy); cramps and at times a concentrated stitch pain or two - so severe it hurt to move my leg for a day or two. I also found that I was constantly, often involuntarily really stretching my legs. Physio did not seem concerned so I just accepted that it was part of the healing process. If possible, take pain medication about 30 minutes before a physio session - helps cope with the pain. I found I had to take extra paracetamol some time after the sessions just to cope.
This is not the time to get neurotic about using drugs. Forget about being brave. Its going to be really sore - use drugs and get really friendly with ice-packs. We tried to make our own ice-packs using water and surgical alcohol - varying results, but always helpful (see link for instructions)!
The magic word is exercise - exercise, exercise, exercise. It helped that I had a few visits from the physio ... next blog - we get moving, moving!
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