Post Fusion...just what the heck are we supposed to do all day?

[Katie]

To everyone who has gone through any kind of surgery, but especially fusion, I need some advice.

I've been told by my surgeon to avoid twisting, bending, lifting anything of any weight for quite awhile. So that basically eliminates everyday things, except laying around and reading. Yes, I can walk around, do my exercises as ordered at the hospital, and have yet to start my aqua therapy because there just isn't any place within a decent distance. I can start it in our own pool this summer when it warms up.

So what does everyone do? I was sleeping 14-18 hrs a day, simply healing sleep, especially after several years of very limited sleep at night. I am still up for bathroom breaks both at night and during any daytime naps, but not so many hours anymore.

Everything I want to do involves movements on the 'do not' list. Suggestions?

I doesn't help that hubby has just left for five days on a business trip and except for someone doing the farm chores, I'm on my own...and feeling very vulnerable.

[Cindylou]

That's a tough one Katie. In all honesty, you are very limited at the moment. Now might be a good time to paint. What's likely making it doubly hard is......... it's spring! You want to be outside right now....probably playing in the dirt. What I would do for this short interim, and remember, there is an end in sight to this "no bending, twisting law," is consider setting up your easel outside and doing your magic on the canvas. (does that involve bending? If it does, can you modify it somehow?) Again, I read more in the winter, and am outside all summer, you might be similar, since our climates are so much alike......but try diving into a good read right now too. Remember, I had my fusion surgery last spring as well, so I was fit to be tied to get outdoors and try some limited gardening. My hubby remembers a funny moment last summer when he pulled in the driveway from work, only to lay his eyes on me using one crutch for balance, and bending over...not at the waist, but swinging my one leg way behind me, straight up in the air, just to grab a nasty weed out of the grass. Hang in there sweetie....it will get better.

[Katie]

Yeah, that's the hard part, CL. The painting does involve a leaning over from the waist, just ever so much to make it bad. With the neck involved in the no bad movement as well, it makes it really hard to find a position that will accommodate.

I did start a painting for Caitlyn, one that was supposed to be finished before she was born, but had to quit..even more frustrating.

And you are right...spring has sprung, a few weeks early even, and the yard is just screaming for cleaning, weeding, you know the drill. I feel stupid for whining like this, after years of praying for the surgery to come true...guess I just need a good kick in the pants I have never, ever been one to be bored, but it is starting to rear its ugly head...back to the not so interesting book...and even TV has nothing on today, being Sunday...we only get 2 channels That's probably it....no sitcoms that have kept me brain dead till now. I'll just hibernate till tomorrow hits!

[ajj1001]

So what does everyone do? I was sleeping 14-18 hrs a day, simply healing sleep, especially after several years of very limited sleep at night. I am still up for bathroom breaks both at night and during any daytime naps, but not so many hours anymore.

First off sleeping is a good way to fill the time but the novelty of that will wear off. My list of time consuming activities that can be done without all the forbidden movements has grown hugely over the past year. I have learnt to do lots of stuff semi reclined from bed and in a similar position downstairs. I have hand sewn a full size quilt from small scraps of material, sketch, read tutorials on ANYTHING on the web, have four forums that I subscribe to and read most everything that goes on them, read books, sing along to cd's, watch box sets of dvds. I do other stuff up and about for a short period of time until I tire or it becomes uncomfortable.

It is not easy, not pretending its is, but you get through. I had a big cry yesterday because i want my old life back but thats not happening any day soon so you get on with what you can do.

[dalhousie]

Hey Katie - I don't have much more to add but thought I would write a reply & try to give you some moral support.

After both my spinal recoveries I've passed the time on my laptop (logged on to a few forums, played games on facebook. I also found a long lost friend on facebook which I was so pleased about as we were the best of buddies many moons ago), read, read & read some more, watched the latest DVD's. I'm not very arty or creative but Alison's hobbies of sewing/sketching might be a good idea for you.

After my fusion surgery I was a real sleep monster especially for the first 6 weeks. I was pretty rigid as well & there was no routine post op physio in 2005 so no danger of twisting/bending/lifting. I've had & am having quite lengthy rehabs but as Alison says you get through it.