Went into the surgeons office with Kirsten on Wednesday morning for the followup visit. We met with the nurse and then the PA; we knew the surgeon would be out. It seems, as I expected, that all has gone as well as it can. The TED's (surgical hose) use was lifted, the 90 degree movement precaution was lifted, I'm off the narcotic meds and can now use ibuprofen or acetaminophen and/or naproxen in the approved combinations. I'm still taking an aspirin a day for blood thinning. All the news was good news.
It's been just a month and it is nice to have the restrictions removed. There is still background pain and pain when I get to the 90 degree point or too bent. The background pain is enough, it seems, to make me a little more tired than I would be otherwise. I'm still stiff and move slowly when I first get up from sitting or sleeping. I tried the toilet without the riser and that seems a little soon. But yesterday when I got up in the morning and walked to the kitchen to start the copy I thought for the first time that I feel better in many ways than before the surgery. The furthest I have walked is 3 miles and that was over rough ground in Capitol Reef. I was a little stiff but it wasn't too far.
Time to start getting stronger again. I specifically asked about the gym, a bike, weight bearing and the answer was to let pain be the guide at this point. The only continued restriction is to stay out of tubs and pools and such for another couple of weeks. So, meeting Edsall at the gym tomorrow.
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