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Cheilectomy Day 3

It does get better.

After the low feelings yesterday brought about by the pain that meant I couldn't walk to the bathroom, and after getting used to the routine of getting in and out of bed and crawling back and forth, I gave myself over to a day of Netflix and ensuring my leg was raised above heart level to help alleviate any unpleasant feelings of pressure of swelling building up. At least I wasn't experiencing any unpleasant side effects from the pain meds. The omeprazole seemed to be doing its job.

Today was better in all sorts of ways - namely I was able to hobble (yay!) to the bathroom and have a in-bath shower by sitting in the bath with my surgery foot hooked up over the edge - it's important not to get the bandages and wound wet - and douche with the handheld shower. I'm lucky I have this option, as a walk-in shower is out the question (and I didn't want to risk one of the those half leg shower covers you can buy). 

I did have some fun trying to work out how to get out the bath without help - I live alone. But managed it by turning round so my good leg could be utilised to push myself up in the bath and step out carefully onto the surgical shoe. Luckily my left knee is good and strong - I'd never be able to do this on the right knee where I have weakness due to ongoing meniscus issues. 

It's important to work out in advance of this surgery how you are going to manage with everyday tasks. I live in a three-storey house. The bedrooms on level 3 with the bathroom, the living rooms on level 2, and the kitchen on level 1 with a W.C. In the first couple of days I was totally reliant on my partner - who doesn't live with me - to fetch and carry everything, prepare meals, walk the dog and generally be moral support. With hindsight I shouldn't have attempted the bath without someone there to help haul me out, as my overall strength isn't great (various injuries in arm and leg etc). 

The day continued to get better (I cleaned my teeth!), and I was able to get into a chair and sit in the window of my bedroom and look out. I have a zero-gravity garden recliner which has been ace for this recovery period. When you lie back in it, it raises your legs above heart level. And that REALLY is the number 1 thing you can do in these early days - and probably why they don't give you crutches! STAY OFF YOUR FEET AND KEEP THEM UP. The swelling will be your worst enemy otherwise!

I was ready for my meds by teatime and in-between, if I felt any discomfort, I took paracetemol (I couldn't use ibuprofen while I was on Naproxen, but you may be able to depending on what pain meds you're on - for example, you can use ibuprofen with co-codomol. Check with your doc or pharmacist or Dr Google).


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