- time of day drugs taken
- what drugs and quantities
- Kelly's pain level at the time
The objective of this is two-fold: 1. to ensure I don't overdose Kelly on the amount of drugs and 2. to see if there is any pattern emerging as to time of day, pain level and drug taken. Just a tip for those of you recovering or soon to undergo surgery - everyday paracetamol, which can be bought over the counter, when taken with Tramadol or Diclafenec for example, increases the effectiveness/power of the drug significantly - it can also create an effective 'bridge' when you are in pain but have hours to go before the next lots of meds. This has been deemed perfectly OK for Kelly but PLEASE do check with your own medics that it's OK for you before trying it.
Final note on the drugs, there was one day when Kelly elected to skip some drugs... big mistake -it was far too premature - she now realises that the amount of drugs prescribed are needed (especially this soon after the op). I'm sure in time there will be significant reductions but for the time being, we will keep to a strict schedule, it seems to be working.
On a pain scale of 1-10 we had one day only as low as 4, we've hit a few 9s, but on the whole it's been 6,7,8s. It's still early days and we are not out of the shits yet but we are beginning to see a pattern developing. We are due to see the surgeon on the 4th November and I hope by then we could share with him the results of Kelly's progress / pain since the operation, and what drugs have been taken and when.
Kelly has been told by her surgeon that she will be monitored for months and years to come. I guess what with this being a relatively new procedure (under 10 years, 75% success rate) they are very keen to get as much information about the success / outcomes of the procedure so that they can improve it for others in the future. I guess in a way Kelly is one of many medical 'guinea pigs' ! She has always said that someone has to do it and believe me this operation wasn't entered into lightly!
Kelly has already built up a routine of movement / exercises - she is limited to about 50 minutes a day - and this includes stairs, visits to the loo and washing - so when all that is taken out it doesn't leave much time - Kelly feels she could do more, but she mustn't and has had Dr. Vic tell her off on more than one occasion this week.
Well it's Saturday night, time to call it a day and chill. Dr Vic.
P.s Kelly sends her love to all.
6 comments:
Hi Kelly - it's Michael (referral order panels - remember those!) I thought I would leave it a little while before leaving you a message. i have been reading your hubby's comments and was pleased to see that you seem to be doing well. Although it's going to be a long journey I just know you will come through the other end and life will be so much better for you. You are such a cheerful and positive person that you just cannot fail! I really miss our chats in those panel meetings and look forward to having them again really soon. My old knee is up and down as usual but we soldier on don't we?!
Well look after yourself and I hope your recovery continues. I forgot to register before typing this message so I hope you realise who this is!
Best wishes, Michael x
To Dr. Vic and Kelly
Keep the good work Vic
between the two of you its working fine hope that it keeps getting better.....love you both
keep you in our prayers
iz - ziju u iz - zija
Gene and Marian
Hi Kelly looks like you are doing much better thank God. Hope the pain will lessen soon and that you will start to be your normal but as we say here in Malta God took six days to creat the world. He rested in the seventh day. As like other things it has to take its time to get better. Hi to victor as well and take care both of you. love and kisses Grace and Dom
Hi Vic and Kelly Once again was so nice to hear from you.Things seem to be getting better-remember
what they use to say when I was in the UK: God helps those who help themselves!But God helps those who get caught helping themselves! I'll still jot a prayer for both of you.
God Bless you.Uncle Fr.Joe
Hi Kelly
Thought I'd have a look to see how you are doing - Scoobi is missing Millie so he was hoping to add a few words for her also!!!!
Think Vic should start wearing a white coat - hes better than the doctors on Holby!!!!
The way Vic has described your pain is almost identical to my friends - she had a back op last year and in the first week thought the pain in her leg would never go - that she would never feel her leg again as it was constantly numb and that this was as good as she was ever going to be. 18 months on - she is doing so much better. She is walking normally although no high heels but I think that is more down to nerves as she is worried she will injure herself walking in them as she has been in flats for so long. She can feel her leg now but is still working at the muscle in it - after a year of doing very little it really affected it but unlike you she was not as prepared. She still can't overdo it - lifting shopping etc but what are Husbands for???? Her bank balance has never been so healthy as for months she did not go shopping so there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Anyway will keep checking to see how you are doing - if there is anything you need - shopping, books, films (think Michael is trying to create the oscars in our house with the amount of films he has) etc just let me know as there is only so much Fern and Phil any one person can take!!!
Louise & Scoobi
xxxxxxxxxx
Hi Dr Vic!
I'm so happy to hear that althought it's still early days Kelly's already starting to move and see some progress (a 4 on the pain scale is fantastic news!).
My thoughts are with you both as you make your way through this. While it must be a challenging time for you both, I truely believe that going through these experiences as a couple results in an even stronger bond.
Big hugs to you both!
Love,
Theresa Ennis
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