Exercise/Activities during Recovery?
 

Hi All,
With my upcoming implant it has me wondering what I can actually do during the recovery period and still fit within the BLAST requirements. I mean 12 weeks is a long time to vegetate :D and I imagine getting out and walking will be fine. Any other suggestions? Thanks for your help.

Phil

Upcoming surgery
 

Hi Rimbanda or is it Phil?,

You've a lovely name, where is it from?
I'm sure you've been told about the bending and twisting. Definitely get lots of rest and walk short walks for 5-10 minutes at first, perhaps 5 minutes at first, twice a day and build it up.
Do you like swimming? Maybe ask your Doctor about a few minutes walking in the pool or back strokes that helped me mentally to. After that, rubbish daytime TV is interesting sometimes....not! In saying that I like the Discovery channels, or films I've recorded. I read books if my concentration is okay with it.

I hope this helps but please remember I'm not a doctor and their advice on anything you feel you can do is important, you probably won't feel like doing these things every day, work at you're own pace and try not to push yourself too hard, listen to your body that will tell you what you're ready for.

Best of luck with your surgery Rimbanda,

Sinéad :):hug:

Hello Phil!
 

Thanks Sinéad,
Didn't think swimming would be doable due to twisting, but I will ask about that, the Nevro rep has already said water skiing is out. Which is fine as I don't waterski. :) But she used it as an example of one of her clients who went skiing after 9 weeks thinking all was good. Bad move on his part.

Rimbanda is a locality basically in the middle of nowhere in central Queensland. It is approximately half way between Longreach and Winton. I worked in Longreach for 4 1/2 years and we used to have a break and change drivers there on our way to Winton.

Phil

Hi Rae,
Thanks for the tip about the hot tub. I might have tried that out as at present I use a lot of heated wheat bags on my various annoyances. Thankfully Rae (my wife) has made a heap of them, so there is always a fresh one to heat up.

Implant is scheduled for the 23rd, but still have to have another meeting with the PM to discuss placement of the unit. The waiting is nearly as bad as the thought of the procedure. :D:D

Phil

I found frequent walks very helpful in keeping me mobile and prevent myself from seizing up, I also found that using a walking stick was a useful help in getting others to give you a wide berth when you are feeling a bit vulnerable is busy places... also a steadying effect.

As for my other pastimes; beer drinking and stuffing my face with mussels in white wine sauce, no problem, although I did find my other hobby of bird watching a bit painful, with my wife constantly batting me round the head saying; "why are you looking at her" ;)

Wingy

Wingy
 

Oh Rae
How you rock
How true that statement is
Laughter
Thank you Wingy

I think they put them in upside down in Oz don't they Phil? ;-)

Wingy

Makes the power come out quicker, doesn't it? :eek: Still have to decide on the placement of the unit. Of the suggestions given we have narrowed it down to hip or armpit. Kinda leaning towards armpit, but I'm open to ideas. :D:D
Less than two days to implant and work has me rostered right to the last moment. Supposed to finish at 2330 Sunday night, but that particular job rarely if ever finishes as scheduled so finish time will more likely be 0100. Then the fun begins at around 1500 Monday afternoon. At least the waiting and wondering will be over. :-)

Phil

I have mine in the front, about where I would have had an appendix scar if I had had an appendectomy, which I haven't.... does that actually make any sense? :confused:

I have had to make a few adjustments though, I have stopped wearing jeans and started wearing cords as they are a bit more forgiving and also I have bought some elasticated belts that have some give in them.

The elasticated belt has been excellent, I am able to eat loads and drink lots of beer without any restriction, think the belt must be shrinking though as I am sure it was longer to start with ;)

Advantages; Easy for charger placement, can move about with charging coil in place and I think it will be easier and less painful should the IPG need replacing.

Disadvantages; Easy to knock the IPG and that hurts, grandson kicks me there whenever I pick him up (little sod), and I have heard that it can hinder lovemaking, I can't verify this as I have only had the unit in six months and I won't get to find out till Christmas :D

Wingy

Thanks for the reply and the list of Pros & Cons. One reason I considered under the armpit was that it would be more protected, though having played with the grandkids this morning I'm less sure about that. :D I'm not sure about the behind the hip area due to the amount of driving I do.

I'm hoping not to need the expandable pants as I intend being good and doing a bit of walking once I'm up and about, as that seems to be the safest activity to fit within the BLAST guidelines. Not saying I'm gunna eat any less. :rolleyes: But a bit of optimism never goes astray.

Maybe once I get off my meds I might be able to enjoy the occasional cider again. We have a 0.0 BAC limit at work so that stops me from over indulging.

Phil

Well my implant is in (yesterday) and I'm back home again, so I guess the journey has well and truly started now. :) Ended up having the device implanted just behind my left armpit. Not quite where I expected, but the two docs had a discussion and mapped out where they thought it would fit best. So far so good, except for on the trip home when Rae drove around a couple of roundabouts that I wasn't prepared for. Still it is very early days and everything is swollen a bit and sore from the procedure.

Thanks for everyone's help and advice and more importantly your support.

Phil

Hi Phil,

Things should start to settle down soon mate, once the bruising comes out I found I was soon on the mend, think it took me about two days to make it to the pub... and three days to make it home again ;)

If you have the metal staples in as opposed to stitches then only charge for short periods till you are shot of them because they do get hot, also they do increase charging time and stop you getting a good contact. If you have stitches then ignore that last sentence.

Hopefully you will soon be feeling yourself again...... err yeah :wink:

Wingy

So happy things started off on a good note
Wingy happy you are well also
Your upbeat spirit resonates through me
It must for Phil
You go
A success in progress
All be well
Me

rest
 

hey Phil....no place like home...
Now just let go and let yourself heal a few days.
Sleep...walk a bit.....sleep...eat....no place like home......

HB

Isn't that the truth!!!! And my beautiful Lady is making sure I behave myself.

Phil

AMEN
keep up the faith

Yes, I guess I have got it made, but I can see I'm gonna be a nut case by the time the 12 weeks is up. :D :eek: :D Didn't sit in the shade yesterday, sat in the sun on the patio with the dog & cat, drinking coffee and doing crosswords. It was too cold in the shade, got down to 1 degree celcius here yesterday. :eek: Thanks for the hug peoples, it is so great to be able to talk to people who know what is happening.

Phil

12 - 2 = 10
 

Two weeks down, and ten long weeks to go. It's been an up and down two weeks, but I suppose that is to be expected as the body recovers from being invaded, then gets used to having extra bits and pieces floating about. Levels are similar to the trial which is great. Have had a couple of bad days, one of which I basically slept most of the day. But on a positive note it has mainly been a major improvement. It's just operating within the confines of these BLAST rules that is the problem. :D:D:D

Doesn't help when one of our riding buddies calls in a couple of times while out cruising on his bike. :( But that's life in the colonies. We have a big ride planned in October, about 5 weeks after life gets back to semi-normal. So will have to get plenty of short rides in during those 5 weeks to avoid getting saddle sore on our trip. It's my bright light at the end of the tunnel at the moment. :):)

Phil

good to hear
 

"Major improvement"

well that is just wonderful to hear...and yes it is an invasive surgery...

I have to please ask that you put up with BLAST....when you are on the other side of the ten weeks you will be so grateful that you did.
Take up puzzles.

hold back so that bike trip will be the real blast.

HB