05:26
Just had coffee and a rusk. Not a very good rusk.
Doctor said I should leave on Tuesday or Wednesday. Maybe I can convince him for Monday.
I see this morning in the pile of pills was a lyrica. I tried lyrica before , but it gave me the jerks. I wonder why he prescribed it. It might have something to do with phantom pain I have. Last night it felt like my missing foot was jammed under the bar on the bed. I tried many times to remove it. Duh!
I have read much about amputations, and nowhere does it mention a particular problem I am having. When the leg was normal, the quadriceps muscle was used to lift and straighten the leg. The hamstring was used to bend the leg and bring it backward. But now both of those muscles have been cut. If I try to use either of those muscles, there is sharp pain.
Now to move the stump forwards requires the hip flexors, and to move the stump backward requires the glutamus maximus. The butt muscle.
Learning to use the new muscles isn't that hard, but learning not to use the old muscles is very difficult. Every step for the last 60 years has required those muscles.
So now when I want to move the leg forward, I instinctive use the quadriceps, which causes stabbing pain. Trying to relax the quads is more important than using the hip flexors, and relaxing the hamstring is more important than using the butt muscles.
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08:15
Am waiting for Doctor to make his rounds.
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09:30
The new wound care lady came by. She cleaned and looked at the wound.
Just had coffee and a rusk. Not a very good rusk.
Doctor said I should leave on Tuesday or Wednesday. Maybe I can convince him for Monday.
I see this morning in the pile of pills was a lyrica. I tried lyrica before , but it gave me the jerks. I wonder why he prescribed it. It might have something to do with phantom pain I have. Last night it felt like my missing foot was jammed under the bar on the bed. I tried many times to remove it. Duh!
I have read much about amputations, and nowhere does it mention a particular problem I am having. When the leg was normal, the quadriceps muscle was used to lift and straighten the leg. The hamstring was used to bend the leg and bring it backward. But now both of those muscles have been cut. If I try to use either of those muscles, there is sharp pain.
Now to move the stump forwards requires the hip flexors, and to move the stump backward requires the glutamus maximus. The butt muscle.
Learning to use the new muscles isn't that hard, but learning not to use the old muscles is very difficult. Every step for the last 60 years has required those muscles.
So now when I want to move the leg forward, I instinctive use the quadriceps, which causes stabbing pain. Trying to relax the quads is more important than using the hip flexors, and relaxing the hamstring is more important than using the butt muscles.
--
08:15
Am waiting for Doctor to make his rounds.
--
09:30
The new wound care lady came by. She cleaned and looked at the wound.
17 stitches in one long string, overhand with no knots between.
Now to wait for the doc to come and chat.
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10:30
Doctor just left. He says that all is fine, but he wants two more physio sessions before I go home. So today, and another tomorrow.
Two crutches lessons.
Then the psycologist came by. She says I seem ok and can go anytime.
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11:50
Physio lady just left. We walked maybe 20 yards.
Crutches are more wobbly than walker.
Keeping quadriceps and hamstrings relaxed is key.
Maddie is busy spending my money. She bought a shower chair, and a bed urine bottle. All necessities.
The doc said I could leave tomorrow if physio lady was happy. she wants another session doing stairs. so tomarrow is one more physio session, then checkout by 10:00.
I am tired. A long day.
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Can't wait to have you home, and I'm sure you can hardly wait too. Hospitals are not good places - you get poked and earlobes twisted to see if you're awake after anaesthetics, and you never get proper rest, as we all know too well. Time has come to recuperate in your own surroundings.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a learning process to me. And that is something you do well. I stood next to the TigerCat this morning and thought of you.
ReplyDelete