Category: Health

A long list of surgeries

This week Fandango asks;

Have you ever fractured a bone (or bones) that was serious enough to require inpatient hospitalization and a post-operative stay in a rehab facility? What bone(s) did you break? How long did it take in rehab (inpatient or at home) before you were back to “normal”? And did you actually achieve the same level of functionality you had prior to the fracture(s)?

I broke 3 bones in my right foot four years ago. Though it was very painful, it didn’t need hospitalization. The surgeon got the X- rays done, set the bones, and put my foot in a cast for 6 weeks. And despite my being 57, the bones healed well. I wrote about the injury here.

Other than this, I have had many bone/joint-related surgeries, resulting in hospitalization, starting from age 19 and the latest being at the age of 60.

The list is as follows;

Medial meniscus right knee at 19

Lateral meniscus right knee at 35

Total knee replacement- right at 50

Total knee replacement- Left at 54

Left foot bone fusion and arch rebuilding at 60

I needed physiotherapy after my knee replacement surgeries but it was done at home. It was arguably the most painful part of the recovery process but was the most helpful too. I used to dread the arrival of the therapist but was very grateful to him in the end.

For my knee replacements, it took around 3 months for me to be fully active. I wouldn’t say back to normal, because before the surgery, my normal was very painful, repeatedly swelling knees!

The foot surgery was the worst and most cumbersome of all the surgeries. It entailed my foot and leg being in a cast for 3 months, out of which for 6 weeks I couldn’t put my left foot on the floor so I had to hop around on my right foot/ leg. Even now I sometimes feel pain when I walk more than 4 miles a day.

My wisest decision was to get my knees replaced when I was young enough to recover completely. It helped me be more active, mobile and achieve the mobility that I lacked when I was suffering from severe joint deterioration because of an inherited condition.

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In response to FPQ # 199, hosted by Fandango

#Keepitalive

#FPQ

Sweetness

My doctor strictly recommends “No sweets”

I rebel with a small bit of chocolate sometimes

It’s true I don’t need more sweets when I have

More than enough in my previous life to last

Me for the rest of my life if I stay on course

But what’s life without a bit of sweetness

Now and then!

Written for JusJoJan- Sweet, promoted by Ritu, hosted by Linda

#Keepitalive

#JusJoJan

One Liner- Weight loss

“The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight, because by then your body and your fat are really good friends.” – Bob Hope

The reward for eating less is that when I get on the weighing scale, I get a little spark of joy when it shows a downward trend.

In response to Linda’s One Liner Wednesday

#Keepitalive

#1LinerWeds

Sharing my world- November 21, 2022

My thanks to Di for graciously hosting Share Your World

Here are the questions for this week:

1. As a child, did you prefer to watch TV, play games outside on a nice day, or read?

We were allowed to watch tv for an hour a day. The rest was up to us how we entertained ourselves. I played outside with my brothers, played with my dolls, and made clothes and jewelry for them too. I remember knitting a sweater, hat, and booties for my doll too. Reading was very much a part of my day. This all happened after we had done schoolwork. Surprisingly, we managed to fit a lot into our day.

2. What would you rather do now, read a book, watch a movie at home, dine out with friends, or go down the pub?

In the evening, I usually blog when at home. In the morning I sometimes meet friends for a chat or a meal, go shopping for groceries, or just laze around at home. My younger daughter often comes after picking up her daughter from school and we chat and spend time together.

3. Are you fashion conscious?

In my younger days, I was moderately fashion-conscious. I would follow trends within limits. Being somewhat of a tomboy, I was always clumsy so it mostly didn’t produce the results I wanted. As I grew older I have learned to dress smart, not fashionably. It works better.

4. Do you wear slippers, clogs or go barefoot indoors?

Slippers, always. Specially since my foot surgery.

Gratitude:

Today I met the doctor for 2-week post-surgery follow-up. He was satisfied with my progress and has finally allowed me to have thick soups and puréed food like porridge. It’s such a heavenly feeling to have solid food inside of me.

Thank you Di for carrying on Share Your world.

#Keepitalive

#SYW

Happy birthday

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It’s my birthday on 23rd November

I will be turning sixty one that day

My husband gifted me something special

He paid for the surgery that will ( hopefully ) change my life

Now it’s my turn to make good on this special gift

Watch what I eat and drink and be mindful

That my health now resides in my own hands

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Written in response to One Minute Fiction, hosted by Cyranny

#Keepitalive

#1MinFiction

When will morning arrive?

Sleeping lightly, I am suddenly awake

Is it night yet or has morning arrived

I check my watch, alas it is only 1:30 a m

I twist and turn, trying to find a comfortable position

I beat my pillow into submission, get my blanket just right

But the elusive sleep……… refuses to come even when invited

I turn the light on and get up, giving up on sleep

This light sleep is a gift from my thyroid medication

Now I can try to go back to sleep with the help of some medication

Or stay awake till my body is tired enough to want to sleep

I don’t have to get up early in the morning, I can sleep in

So I go out of my room and start to walk, hoping to tire myself

And then perhaps I’ll be able to fall asleep, way past morning!

Your prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “morning.” Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!

Written for Linda’s SoCS- Morning

#Keepitalive

#SoCS

All about my surgery

On Monday, I had sleeve gastronomy done.

I mistakenly thought that like my laparoscopic gallbladder surgery, this will be short and painless procedure. It wasn’t. Last two days I’ve been heavily sedated with pain meds and was not able to respond to your comments on my posts.

I did decide to get this procedure done because my weight is causing most of my problems. I am hoping to lose the excess weight and be in better health. But the path leads through this surgery.

I’m trying to catch up with your posts but it may take me a few more days. So bear with me.

Thanks for all the kind wishes my dear friends.

See you on the other side, hopefully soon.

#Keepitalive

#Update