Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Now that's a lot of fluid...

For those of you who I have had the opportunity to talk to this weekend...I'm pretty sure I mentioned my displeasure at not only the GINORMOUS size of my operated leg, but the weight I gained in the hospital as well. After really not eating for 7 days I came home weighing 15 lbs more than when I went in. As mom tried to console me that it was just fluid from my leg...all I really heard was FIFTEEN POUNDS!

At the cost of numerous trips to the bathroom in the middle of the night (which also means the cost of mom getting up with me 6 times a night to get me in and out of bed), I was elated to see the number this morning...down 17lbs. My leg is still the size of a tree trunk (I'm thinking Pine...more than Giant Redwood) but I'm told this is a normal reaction to such a serious surgery.

The pain from the surgery has subsided since in the hospital, but I do notice in the mornings, after switching from back, to side to stomach in an attempt to get comfortable, I have a great deal of pain. I truly wish I could be comfortable sleeping on my back, but it just ain't happening.

The exercises that Dr. Murphy gave me are going really well and my quad muscle is finally starting to respond to my attempts at lifting it off the ground. 1/2 inch is something after all. :)

I've been very worried about all the weight that my left leg is taking while I'm on the crutches as I have a pretty severe case of dysplasia in that hip as well. The more I do, the more my muscles seem to be responding and helping to compensate for that pain.

After the scar has healed, which we are assuming is next week, mom and I will be heading to the pool everyday. I'm told that I have to leave my competitive nature behind me, which includes the thought of flip turns and trying to beat the little wimp over in lane one who just lapped me again. Now this might be a big challenge.

3 comments:

Chrome King said...

Hi Sam; I enjoy reading your blog even though it comes at great expense to you. I think you have found the newest weight loss diet. Soon it will be all the rage. We are thinking of you. Tell you mom and dad hello. Your frineds from florida. Andy

LH said...

Hi Sam,

I'm glad to hear that you're doing well. I too have an enormous leg, but not the courage to step on the scale - I know that will only bum me out.

My visiting nurse pretty much told me that I just have have to wait for the swelling to go down on it's own... I'm not known for my patience.

Let me know if you figure anything out!

best,
Laura Hill

Anonymous said...

Well written article.