cancer

Flippin' heck ethel!
It takes about six weeks to get the anaesthetic (and surgery rummaging around takes time to settle down) out of your system!

This awful weather doesn't help though, does it?

ethel - it's still early days so don't be too hard on yourself. It's always much harder when you're on your own and having to cope with all the stuff we have to do.

My son was 12 days in hospital so he had longer to rest and he is younger - 45 so has more reserves of energy. He also has a wife who did a lot of the day to day stuff.

Can you do internet shopping or is there a nearby shop where you could take a gentle walk just to buy a newspaper or magazine.

Ethel smack your bum!!!! You know very well it is going to take some time. Eat well, sleep well and rest well and above all try to be optimistic and cheerful, refuse to allow yourself to dwell on the grotty stuff. When you find yourself thinking glum thoughts haul them away and think of something positive. Say to yourself "Today I am going to be happy and cheerful" every 5 minutes if necessary!!

groan, I just want my life back its almost 2 weeks now and I m sooo tired all the time, thought I would be back shopping and going out and about by now.

daffy

I'm sure your post will make Ethel laugh and as we know, that's the best medicine!

ethel take it easy! Crikey, if I'd had an op like you had, I'd be in bed long before 8. Here are your for today.

Falcon I was in for 7 days, could have been 6 but they said they needed to observe me for 24 hours as something in my blood wasn't right, so I was released the next day.

Hi Ethel,

Hope you don't mind me asking but how long were you in hospital. My son had a similar op., and he was in for 12 days.

He was in a single room and although he liked it at first he found it lonely after awhile.

Did you manage a walk today?

I don't believe this. I have actually posted the above on the wrong thread and I am totally embarrassed. It was supposed to go on the thread about your most embarrassing moment and this is now one of them. How did I manage that?

So here goes. A few months ago I was flat on my back having an internal examination by a consultant Gynaecologist. He told me to cough and at the same time pressed firmly on my pelvis and a stream of pee shot out all over the couch. Thank goodness it didn't reach him but I have another appointment later this month and wonder if it is on my notes.

Apologies ethel, I seem to be making a mess of this. I wanted to start the above by wishing you a good day. I have got a new lap top and the keyboard seems to be incredibly sensitive to the slightest touch. It is driving me up the wall.

I have done it again - pressed the wrong button. I will complete the above post.
Have you thought of keeping a sort of journal, jotting down each day what you have achieved and any other thoughts. It need not be too long but you might find as you go back over it just how far you have come. I once did a course on Writing as Therapy which was very interesting.

I had an infection every time I had to have a catheter - a few days of antibiotics saw them off. Good luck.

Onwards and upwards ethel It takes quite a while to shake off the effects of a general anaesthetic so don't be surprised if you are feeling exhausted. Hope you can get the infection sorted out quickly, catheters so often cause infections - my friend's DH has awful trouble. You'll be gaining strength everyday, you won't know yourself soon!

You are doing brilliantly Ethel.

Sounds as though you're doing really well, ethel!

Are the nosy, interfering visiting nurses having a good snoop in your fridge and checking for dust as you imagined before your op?

they think ive got a bladder infection as I was passing loads of blood. I did have a catheter but that was a week ago, I thought that would have been ok by now. I don't feel ill just tired as I was at hospital until 3am. Im having an early night and maybe be 'full of go' in the morning.
Otherwise I am doing well, I can achieve more every day and go out for a little walk, do my dishes, hang washing out etc. (washing line is saggy and almost on the ground or I could not reach it)..

Sorry. I must have hit the wrong button I used to work in the operating theatres. It takes some time to get the anaesthetic completely out of the body which is bound to make you feel somewhat lethargic plus the surgery itself puts the body under stress. You will regain you energy and the more you allow yourself to relax the sooner you will feel you can do the things you are keen to do.
Keep us posted on your progress.

So good to have you back home. I used to work in the operating theatres. It takes some time

Hello Ethel,

What sort of infection is it do you think. Infections do happen after ops., You should let your doctor or nurse know if you haven't already.

My son had a number to ring if he felt ill after his bowel surgery.

Let us know how are are?

Down to earth with a bump , what a bummer ethelbags
Hopefully you'll get over the infection quickly, x

I have now got an infection, Im sooo fed up. Its raining and a boring sunday.

I took 3 months off after each major surgery I had - and I was a lot younger then! Surgery takes it out of you and it is very important that you rest when you feel tired and do not get despondent if it seems to be taking longer than you had hoped. You WILL get there - it just takes time.

Glad you are back home safely Ethel.

There is something so comforting about buttered toast and a nice cuppa.

In days gone by people expected to convalesce after an illness/operation and that is exactly what you need to do now.

As my dear old Mum used to say 'Sleep is a great healer'.

ethelbags sometimes I yearn for the long past days when our garden was just long grass like a meadow.

Glad you are back home. God bless.

Take things slowly ethelbags, you've had major surgery, under general anaesthetic and your body needs time to recover. Don't try and do too much, pace yourself and you'll be able to do a bit more every day.

It could be at least 2 or 3 months before everything settles down, pushing yourself too much too soon won't help. Accept any help offered!

I know you've said before that you've impatient, but .........