[Limoges]

I'm getting so tired of being tired all the time. I do a load of laundry and need a two hour nap afterwards, it's pathetic! I still have a patch of numbness on my right hand which is clearing up slowly, (my ulnar nerve was the most affected by my congenitally malformed rib. The nerves were wrapped around the bony protrusion part), but just adds to my overall feeling of not being myself. Has anyone else had experience with surgery taking a long time to recover from? I should be happy and delighted to be pain free, but I'm still kind of generally achy.

Thanks for listening.

[Sheri_TOS]

Originally Posted by Limoges

I'm getting so tired of being tired all the time. I do a load of laundry and need a two hour nap afterwards, it's pathetic! I still have a patch of numbness on my right hand which is clearing up slowly, (my ulnar nerve was the most affected by my congenitally malformed rib. The nerves were wrapped around the bony protrusion part), but just adds to my overall feeling of not being myself. Has anyone else had experience with surgery taking a long time to recover from? I should be happy and delighted to be pain free, but I'm still kind of generally achy.

Thanks for listening.

You had major surgery. Your body is healing and it will take time, a lot more than 4 weeks. As long as you are continuing to get stronger, then you're doing good.

[nospam]

It's been 4 weeks? It feels like only two since you've been post-op!

[Blurto]

Thank you for the update Limoges. I'm like that now, I can't walk anywhere for more than five minutes and I'm beat. It takes hours to recover. My surgery is on the 24th April so its getting closer.

I've been hounded by everyone to take it easy this time as its my second time for surgery in the same area and your update really drives home the point for preparing for the down time. I'll update what is happening with me in my resection thread in a few days.

Keep up with the updates!!

[Limoges]

Thanks all for the reality check. LadyLaura has been a super support locally and it makes me feel better knowing I'm not completely insane for being so exhausted. I saw Dr. Donahue and he said pretty much the same thing--we just removed a bone from your body, as well as muscle--it's major surgery and you need to take it easy. I get it intellectually, but I still feel like a slug. Plus, as LadyLaura told me the other day, after so many years I found a solution, found a doctor, had surgery, feel much better, etc.--so it's sort of this anticlimactic situation of recovering now that has me off kilter. I'm cranky and sluggish and feeling like a lump. I appreciate the kind words and you are right to listen to my body. As my ulnar nerve heals and becomes less swollen, it sort of aches. It's getting dramatically better almost daily, but I want to be able to swim again (my workout of choice) and that's not going to be a possibility anytime soon. Dr. Donahue suggested just doing some walking in the pool. The smell of chlorine might cheer me up!

Thanks, all.

Nospam, are you still on for the 19th? I wondered how the pt that promised to keep you from having surgery went. Either way, I hope all is well.

[Limoges]

Blurto, when is your procedure? I will keep you in my thoughts for a good outcome! Yes, preparing for down time is a good thing to do. I was so energized by being pain free initially, I didn't think I would feel so tired this far out from the surgery.

Sheri, thank you also!

[nospam]

Originally Posted by Limoges

Nospam, are you still on for the 19th? I wondered how the pt that promised to keep you from having surgery went. Either way, I hope all is well.

The PT went very well, but nothing dramatic to prevent surgery. Surgery for the left rib is a go for the 19th. I wonder how soon after I'll be able to get the right done. I'm hoping just 3-4 weeks.

What is the plan for your other side?

[Limoges]

Nospam, even though the left side shows the same abnormality of the first rib, I've never had major symptoms. Presumably because my right hand is dominant. I'll admit that I've started noticing more pain on the left side now that the right is pain free, but I'm going to wait and see how it goes. I have kids and a busy life and I need to recover fully and move on, or at least that's how I feel right now. Of course if it gives me trouble I'll consider it, but it just doesn't bother me right now.

I wish you the best for the 19th. Please post when you can as we'll all be pulling for you. I think you'll do better than you expect--the pain is well managed and I'm sure your doctor's team will do everything to make you comfortable. Have you gone in for preoperative testing? Make sure to ask about nausea patches if you have a tendency to feel sick after surgery.

[Joanna81]

Limoges,
At 4 weeks post op, the first time I was exhausted, could literally do nothing and as in hospital for the first 3 weeks!
The second(roughly 9 weeks ago now) was an easier recovery than the first but at 4 weeks I was still very tired and couldn't do much...
Give yourself time and be gentle with yourself. How ling has he said till you can swim? Maybe go and float around and relax.
Take care.

Originally Posted by nospam

The PT went very well, but nothing dramatic to prevent surgery. Surgery for the left rib is a go for the 19th. I wonder how soon after I'll be able to get the right done. I'm hoping just 3-4 weeks.

What is the plan for your other side?

Be careful having your second surgery so soon, I left 4 months between mine and it wasn't enough. I hadn't recovered enough physically or mentally(the first surgery had lots of complications) but at 4 weeks you will still have limited use of your surgeried side, to go and have the other side done and have no use of that one.
At 4 weeks you cannot be sure if a successful surgery on the one side to decide if it is worth having the second dOne.
At 4 months my surgeonwanted to wait, but I wanted to get it done. Which I am glad about, having surgery looming isn't nice.
Do you have good support? You may need help with lots.

Good luck for the surgery
Take care

[ladylaura418]

I'll be 7 weeks post-op on Tuesday...still needing to allocate my energy, but it's getting better. I know my limits now and try to listen to my body. Right side surgery will be three weeks from Tuesday. Just hoping it goes as well as the first.

Thank you all for being here.