cancer

Fitness-wise stop worrying, you'll very quickly build it up again once you get over this stage. It took me some months to get back to 12 mile walks (in the Dolomites so pretty strenuous) mainly because of the ankle being crocked, you'll be much quicker!

Ethel you have to be kind to your poor body - it's doing it's best to tell you that it needs to rest so it can heal and recover from the major trauma it has had.

You will not regain your former fitness levels for some time - just do a bit each day and then a bit more, but slowly,until you start to feel stronger. If going round the garden is too much then go half way. Next day a bit more etc etc. I hope you are managing to eat - remember strength goes in through the mouth (as my Mum used to say).

Lots of us are thinking of you and lots of us are available to chat via emails if that would help the boredom. Keep your chin up - you will get there. and

will wait till I get my results next week then I need to start getting fit.

Hello Ethel,

Can the doctor or the nurses give you advice about recuperation? You hear so much about it on the TV.

Any luck with the Macmillan team?

I'm not sure exactly what support my son had because he didn't say much (typical bloke.)

thank you for the , I am worried now that I will not be very fit as im just sitting around, ive not been out today and im getting used to just flaking out in front of the tv. How can I excersise as I cant do anything even just walking in garden has me knackered.

I can empathise ethel I was pretty much confined to the house for 4 months with a very painful leg in plaster and I nearly went potty. I couldn't focus on anything for more than 10 minutes (thanks to very strong painkillers and pain) and the highlights of my day were confined to watching TV and bedtime

I found it very tedious but got through it by promising myself various treats when I was mobile again- a massage, trip to the hairdresser etc.

((Hugs)) and a big bouquet of wild x

How are you today Ethel, I think you're doing a grand job. My son had a similar operation but he had a wife to support and help him and two little kids to take his mind off things. Friends can be disappointing at times as I know too well.

nice ones from the florist.

trying hard whenim64

Pace yourself, ethel You're learning new things about how you cope and you'll find some shortcuts and other ways to make life more interesting in the days and weeks to come. If you've ever wished for more time to relax and just appreciate being alive, now's your opportunity.

I know you are right charleygirl but its not so easy when I had lots of visitors the first few days, my best friend promised to come every day even stay over for the first week but I got 2 visits and an email.
Got another infection going to the docs yet again. Arrgghhh (scream).
my other friend is the same I rang her today and she was in bed havig had a hip replacement 3 weeks ago.

ethel you are trying to run before you can walk! When I had my knee replaced it took 2 months before I could change my bedding to give you some idea! I was totally exhausted and like you had little help.

Take each day as it comes- it used to take me 60 minutes to have a shower and get ready for bed to give you an idea. You are not giving yourself a chance.

It is silly to say that you are regretting having surgery. As others have said, find things to occupy yourself even if it means watching TV until you are square eyed.

I agree Mishap
Don't forget ethel you were in a state of very high anxiety pre op and now the adrenaline has returned to normal there's bound to be a bit of a slump. Add to that major surgery and going out yesterday it's hardly surprising!

You're not giving yourself a chance to recover, could you take up a new interest and make the most of not being fit for work yet?

It's entirely natural to feel a bit low, it's your body telling you to rest and recuperate! Overdoing it will only set you back.

x

I'm sorry you're feeling so down, ethel. My operations weren't as invasive as yours and of course it will take longer for you to recover.

Didn't the hospital give you any information to prepare you for how you might feel afterwards, or any indication of how long it usually takes for people to get back to normal after the surgery you've had?

I agree that all you can do is find things to keep you occupied and try to accept the fact that it will take a while before you feel able to do the things you could do before the op. Think positive!

Easier said than done, I know...

Give it time - you are actually doing very well.

I think the problem is that you were not prepared for a prolonged convalescence and are having to get your head round it. Get in some good books, start a craft project - anything to make this down time constructive. It has taken me 7 months to surface from my surgery and the problems that surrounded it, and reading, quilting, making banners for a folk festival, writing poetry, listening to music and much else has occupied my time constructively and I have felt that, although I have been unwell and under par, I have at least used the time in ways that have enhanced my life and others'.

I have also been working at training myself to play the piano without repeatedly looking down at the keys - I can only manage that in shot bursts!

Start small with some good books and work up; but above all else rethink this as I time that you can value and not as a waste of time!

At one point, getting out of bed or having a shower were high points for me!! A visit to the doc's would have been way out of my league! - so you are doing well.

can anyone tell me how long this tired useless feeling will last, I went out yesterday and was so tired I had to go to bed, Im tired today and bored out of my skull. I am so fed up and almost regretting having the op. I thought that after 2 weeks I would be at least up to going to the local shops.
I am in the house today, bored and depressed, I don't encourage visitors so I will be alone all day.
Tomorrow I have a visit to the doc, highlight of my day. I could cry.

Blimey ana you must have the constitution of an ox!! Everyone I know including myself after major surgery takes ages to get over it. The main feeling is one of weakness, I remember after a while deciding I was OK to go for a stroll with the dog and had to totter back to the car after about 100 yards. You begin to think that you will never get over it but I think your body eventually reaches a tipping point and after that it is fine.

Have been thinking about you a lot. Good to hear you have survived the ordeal that is hospital ethelbags! Now you must look after yourself and rest, rest, rest. It takes time to recover from major surgery as everyone has said. Listen to your body. If it says it is tired, then it needs rest. I was amazed how poorly I felt after my cancer op and treatment but decided to just be gentle with myself and not expect too much. Little steps at a time.

So..... Be gentle with yourself.

Im going out for the afternoon tomorrow, Im so fed up of being indoors. It is worse that the operation. Maybe I will feel better being out, only going to DD so I can fall asleep if I want.

Does it really take 'weeks' for anaesthetic to get out of your system?

I've had two lots of major surgery over the past two years and felt fine after a few days.

Yes bring back the Convalescent Homes. Why were they ever done away with? ....... of course money.

I heard that there are still a few left for needy people? Does anyone know if this is true?

I watched a programme on TV some time ago where there used to be Council run homes where older people could go just to have a week or two of a rest from coping or if they had been ill.

It does make you think of "the good old days."

Believe me Gill, that's exactly what it looks like - I remember all too vividly my time as a student nurse in theatres . Mind you, that was long before keyhole surgery.

I used to stand there wincing!

Yes ethellbags you have had major surgery and it takes weeks for the anaesthetic to get out of your system, it really does slow everything down, so listen to your body; eat when you are hungry, sleep when tired, and someone suggested a diary, such a good idea, when you look back in a couple of weeks time you will realise how far you have come. I have to say, I liked your post loppylou about 'rummaging around' during surgery....I had this vision of a surgeon looking for his keys , rootling around.....

Yes, you are still ill, please remember that. Oh for the convalescent homes that used to exist! I would have you in one like a shot.

Get an online order to stock up the fridge and the cupboards, including some chocs, buy yourself half a dozen books from the many mentioned on gransnet and put your feet up. Have your phone and laptop within reach so you can contact the outside world and then sit and read. If you can get into other people's worlds through books you won't be fretting about your own being so restricted at the moment.

Think of people like Galen who are in that position all the time - she has said that getting about is like being Hans Andersen's little mermaid, who gained her wish of having legs, but every step she took was like walking on knives. At least your tiredness is tempory. Make some small plans to look forward to in a week or a fortnight's time, when things are not so exhausting.

As you get stronger, plan to go further afield. It will get better. You just need to be patient and build up gradually.

It does take a while for all the effects of the drugs, and of the trauma of operations to wear off; your body has been through a lot and so it needs rest and calmness. Just think of yourself, ethelt - I see from another post the other people aren't helping! Take care, now, and I mean of yourself!