update from rick #4
written on 1-26-09:
I have been feeling much better the past couple of days. Thank you so much for your prayers, please know that they are working. They have and continue to be what hold me up. I am feeling better physically, emotionally and spiritually. I feel like I am doing well, much better than a few days ago. My swelling, bruising and pain have diminished. I am still unable to sleep on my back, but I’m sure that will come in time. To make up for the lack of quality sleep, I am taking naps during the day. Yesterday, I took three naps.
I feel like my body, system is beginning to get used to my new meds. Unfortunately, it makes me feel seasick, nauseous, drowsy, dizzy, basically out of it all day. I have reduced the dosage from three to two times a day, which has helped. Overall, I have to admit that my recovery is much better than I had anticipated. Don’t get me wrong, I know this is a long, slow process. I can’t believe that it has only two weeks since my surgery.
From a physical therapy standpoint, once released from the hospital, I was supposed to begin by walking at least 5 minutes a day and adding one minute each day. I just took my second walk outside. So far, I have been doing most of my walking inside. Walking is the best therapy for back surgery.
I hope and pray that I am on my way to a fully and complete recovery. I know that there will continue to be challenges especially as I transition to my own home. Please pray that the Lord will provide wisdom, strength and patience to overcome them. Pray for His continued provision, covering and protection of me during this season. Pray that I remain in good health, no sickness or illness.
written on 1-27-09:
I have a follow-up appointment with my surgeon tomorrow morning. He wants to monitor the progress of my healing. From my perspective, I believe that the swelling at my wound has continued to go down each day and the bruising continues to diminish as well.
While I still cannot sleep on my back, I am able to lie on my back for a short period, this is a big improvement. I continue to get interrupted sleep during the night, I have to wake up and “log roll” from one side to the other every hour or so.
I took my first shower on Sunday. I made good use of my new shower bench and scrubber on a long stick (since I cannot bend, this is most helpful to clean my legs and feet). That was the first shower I had in two weeks.
With the good weather, I have started a new routine of walking outdoors twice a day, once in the morning and again in the afternoon. This morning, I walked for nine minutes. To help prevent fatigue, in the next few days I will begin walking less time but increase my frequency to three times a day. So far, I have been able to maneuver a few stairs and curbs fine. But, I am careful not to over do things, slow is good.
I am feeling better again today. That’s three good days in a row. What a relief. I continue to be optimistic about my healing process. I seem to be getting a little better each day. It is easier for me to roll over in bed, trust me in the beginning this was quite the challenge. It is also easier for me to get in and out of bed; this too was very painful and difficult, most likely due to all the bruising on my buttocks.
I cannot sit for longer than 20 minutes at a time. After that, I have to get up and walk around. I think sitting tends to place a lot of weight and stress on my lower back. I have an egg timer that I set for 15 to 20 minutes to help remind me to get up and walk around.
I must be getting better, because I am getting bored. There is not much to do, but eat and sleep. Maybe due to my meds, I cannot concentrate on things for “long” periods of time. Jeanie and I began watching a video last week, and we still haven’t finished watching it. I really can’t read much either, maybe a page or so at a time.
I am still a bit tired and fatigued. I know that my body is doing the best it can to heal. I know that the healing process is long and slow. I asked my doctor how long it would take for my vertebra at L4 and L5 to fuse, he said six months.
Please continue to pray for my ongoing healing physically, emotionally and spiritually. Pray for protection, covering and provision. Pray for patience, discernment and wisdom. Pray against infection, illness and disease. Pray for peace and comfort.
Thank you for standing with me in my healing journey. I hope and pray that God will bless you more than you have blessed me.
Graciously,
Rick
I have been feeling much better the past couple of days. Thank you so much for your prayers, please know that they are working. They have and continue to be what hold me up. I am feeling better physically, emotionally and spiritually. I feel like I am doing well, much better than a few days ago. My swelling, bruising and pain have diminished. I am still unable to sleep on my back, but I’m sure that will come in time. To make up for the lack of quality sleep, I am taking naps during the day. Yesterday, I took three naps.
I feel like my body, system is beginning to get used to my new meds. Unfortunately, it makes me feel seasick, nauseous, drowsy, dizzy, basically out of it all day. I have reduced the dosage from three to two times a day, which has helped. Overall, I have to admit that my recovery is much better than I had anticipated. Don’t get me wrong, I know this is a long, slow process. I can’t believe that it has only two weeks since my surgery.
From a physical therapy standpoint, once released from the hospital, I was supposed to begin by walking at least 5 minutes a day and adding one minute each day. I just took my second walk outside. So far, I have been doing most of my walking inside. Walking is the best therapy for back surgery.
I hope and pray that I am on my way to a fully and complete recovery. I know that there will continue to be challenges especially as I transition to my own home. Please pray that the Lord will provide wisdom, strength and patience to overcome them. Pray for His continued provision, covering and protection of me during this season. Pray that I remain in good health, no sickness or illness.
written on 1-27-09:
I have a follow-up appointment with my surgeon tomorrow morning. He wants to monitor the progress of my healing. From my perspective, I believe that the swelling at my wound has continued to go down each day and the bruising continues to diminish as well.
While I still cannot sleep on my back, I am able to lie on my back for a short period, this is a big improvement. I continue to get interrupted sleep during the night, I have to wake up and “log roll” from one side to the other every hour or so.
I took my first shower on Sunday. I made good use of my new shower bench and scrubber on a long stick (since I cannot bend, this is most helpful to clean my legs and feet). That was the first shower I had in two weeks.
With the good weather, I have started a new routine of walking outdoors twice a day, once in the morning and again in the afternoon. This morning, I walked for nine minutes. To help prevent fatigue, in the next few days I will begin walking less time but increase my frequency to three times a day. So far, I have been able to maneuver a few stairs and curbs fine. But, I am careful not to over do things, slow is good.
I am feeling better again today. That’s three good days in a row. What a relief. I continue to be optimistic about my healing process. I seem to be getting a little better each day. It is easier for me to roll over in bed, trust me in the beginning this was quite the challenge. It is also easier for me to get in and out of bed; this too was very painful and difficult, most likely due to all the bruising on my buttocks.
I cannot sit for longer than 20 minutes at a time. After that, I have to get up and walk around. I think sitting tends to place a lot of weight and stress on my lower back. I have an egg timer that I set for 15 to 20 minutes to help remind me to get up and walk around.
I must be getting better, because I am getting bored. There is not much to do, but eat and sleep. Maybe due to my meds, I cannot concentrate on things for “long” periods of time. Jeanie and I began watching a video last week, and we still haven’t finished watching it. I really can’t read much either, maybe a page or so at a time.
I am still a bit tired and fatigued. I know that my body is doing the best it can to heal. I know that the healing process is long and slow. I asked my doctor how long it would take for my vertebra at L4 and L5 to fuse, he said six months.
Please continue to pray for my ongoing healing physically, emotionally and spiritually. Pray for protection, covering and provision. Pray for patience, discernment and wisdom. Pray against infection, illness and disease. Pray for peace and comfort.
Thank you for standing with me in my healing journey. I hope and pray that God will bless you more than you have blessed me.
Graciously,
Rick
posted by Donna at
10:09 AM
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