cancer

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.

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.

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.

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?

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?

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.

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.

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.

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!!

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.

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?

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!

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.

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.

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.....

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 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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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