Re: Help - Shirley's Brick Wall Today

[Guest guest]

yup shirley...you hit it...that damn wall! it's crazy because you

feel so good and then just feel like you've been run over by a truck.

i think the day 5 wall is pretty normal though...just keep the faith

and i promise it does get better )

be careful in the shower too! i passed out in the shower after one of

my surgeries about ten years ago. i've since concluded that i

normally shower with pretty high heat to loosen congestion - but after

surgery that can really do a number on your blood pressure and thus

lead to the passing out. i would keep the showers short and a little

colder than normal and try to keep your head up (i know when i shampoo

i sometimes do it upside down...this also makes me dizzy).

i never used heat - not for any particular reason other than my body

didn't crave it. i used the ice for almost a week and a half - i feel

like it helped the swelling and also made me a little numb (which felt

good). take it easy and i promise tomorrow will be better )

hugs

-becky

[Guest guest]

Not that it will help with the brick wall -- that one you just have

to find your way through, pretty much -- but for the sake of your

tummy and other digestive tract:

How about buttermilk, or yogurt -- even one of those yogurt-fruit

drinks? (Dannon makes the last). That'll help restore some of the

flora your antibiotics have wiped out.

Cammie

> Hi all, Day 5 seems the worse for me. Though they've said I can go

> to heat, it doesn't seem to help. The pressure and swelling seems

> worse on the upper jaw (LeFort I, BSSO, Genio, Turbinectomies). I

> seemed better when released (probably due to steroids). We're

> hoping to head home from motel - the motel is getting to be a

second

> home But we're still here as I don't feel up to trip home.

>

> Did you feel like swelling and pressure was worse on Day 5? I

> decided to so back to ice as it seems to help more. It's getting

> more difficult to talk.

>

> Things started going downhill yesterday when I almost passed out in

> the shower (I never faint). Intestines are acting up. And

> yesterday they had told me drink 3 gator/powerades (for

> electrolytes) and 3 Boost/Ensure. The Boost I can do. But the

ades

> give me terrible indigestion. Today a tried a little ramen juice

> and yesterday some baby food.

>

> I plan to call the surgeon tomorrow if the pressure doesn't get

> better. Sorry to be such a downer, until now it all seemed

> tolerable.

>

> Shirley

[Guest guest]

Shirley,

My swelling peaked at 5 days post op too so totally normal, and yes,

i didn't feel that great. I packed on the ice like crazy for the

first 10 days and even though some doctors say that it doesn't affect

the swelling in one way or another after the first 48hrs post op it

did make me feel better. So if it makes the discomfort more bearable

ice away!

As for showering, I didn't shower for the first couple of days. I

opted for baths as in bubble baths. I don't think any one whose had

this surgery should be attempting a shower so soon after. Lord, I get

faint in the shower even when I haven't had surgery if my blood

pressure is low. Try a bath. Washing your hair sitting down is much

easier and try not to make the water too hot. Also get your husband

to be around towards the end of your bath so that he can help you get

out, and TAKE IT EASY! Little baby steps.

The indigestion is probably related to the meds you're on. I know

mine did a real number on my stomach but I promise it does get

better!!

In the mean time I'm coming over with the bulldozer Caboose

lent me and I'm tearing down your brick wall:-)

Sara

[Guest guest]

bizegramatx wrote:

>Things started going downhill yesterday when I almost passed out in

>the shower (I never faint). Intestines are acting up. And

>yesterday they had told me drink 3 gator/powerades (for

>electrolytes) and 3 Boost/Ensure. The Boost I can do. But the ades

>give me terrible indigestion.

>

>

I've used Gatorade for electrolytes on hard hikes. If it's not too hard,

Gatorade is okay -- but for harder hikes, using Gatorade isn't pretty.

I'm only going by this paragraph, but you may be somewhat dehydrated. Is

that a possibility? If so, go to a local camping/hiking store (in SoCal,

Big 5, Sports Chalet, A16 and others) and pick up something specific for

rehydration.

I've found that if you're dehydrated and are rehydrating, take it slow.

Whatever you take, cut it with water. Let your body adjust to it, then

cut out the water as necessary.

Bill

[Guest guest]

Hi Shirley,

I'm really sorry you hit the brick wall today! I seemed to hit it

for a couple days - make that a few actually. Sunday through

Tuesday (yesterday)...they were all rather tough on me; either

physically from the pain/swelling - & /or mentally, this is not an

easy thing to get used to and you and I have basically had the same

thing done. The only difference is that I had my uvula removed too

(the hangy thing in the back of the throat).

I'm doing better today - Day 8, but there's still plenty of pain and

swelling. When someone has this MUCH done to them, there's bound to

be very difficult days. It's then we have to just try to make

ourselves as comfortable as possible (not always easy, this I know

well)...and it does help to sleep some of it off too. Helps pass

the time, plus it's great to help the body heal itself.

I had steroids too...and I truly think once those start to wear off,

it puts our body through all little bit of a hard time.

I feel for you very much Shirley - just hang in there, I'm praying

for ya to feel better soon!

Judy

(LeFort I, BSSO, Genio, deviated septum fixed, uvula removed; all on

June 20).

[Guest guest]

Shirley,

We each have our turn. I KNOW I had mine - more than once,

actually. But I SWEAR it will get better!

If ice works, I say stick with ice. As I recall my Surgeon said 20

minutes on and 40 minutes off and that it was okay for maybe a week?

Of course, check with yours just to make sure.

I had stomach issues too. I've had them in the past. Actually had

to have my gall bladder removed several years back. So, once my body

was only getting liquids - it went a bit nuts. My saving grace was

vitamin water and Propel. The vitamin water comes in all sorts of

yummy flavors and will keep you hydrated. The Propel I had for the

first time at a marathon and have enjoyed it ever since. Same idea:

hydration (and it's yummy, too!).

For the first week or so, I had someone sit in the bathroom with me

when I showered. They would ask every few minutes if I was okay and

I'd give the thumbs up sign. I kept them short and not too hot.

That would be my advice on that topic.

Check with your doctor when you can. Let him/her reassure you and

address your pressure and swelling if it doesn't get any better. Now

that I think of it, could be signs of infection. Are you on

antibiotics? Taking them like you should?

Just hang in there ... write when you need to. The people in this

group saved my sanity more than once. That's what we are all here

for.

Sending you positive thoughts and a big hug!

Carol

> Hi all, Day 5 seems the worse for me. Though they've said I can go

> to heat, it doesn't seem to help. The pressure and swelling seems

> worse on the upper jaw (LeFort I, BSSO, Genio, Turbinectomies). I

> seemed better when released (probably due to steroids). We're

> hoping to head home from motel - the motel is getting to be a

second

> home But we're still here as I don't feel up to trip home.

>

> Did you feel like swelling and pressure was worse on Day 5? I

> decided to so back to ice as it seems to help more. It's getting

> more difficult to talk.

>

> Things started going downhill yesterday when I almost passed out in

> the shower (I never faint). Intestines are acting up. And

> yesterday they had told me drink 3 gator/powerades (for

> electrolytes) and 3 Boost/Ensure. The Boost I can do. But the

ades

> give me terrible indigestion. Today a tried a little ramen juice

> and yesterday some baby food.

>

> I plan to call the surgeon tomorrow if the pressure doesn't get

> better. Sorry to be such a downer, until now it all seemed

> tolerable.

>

> Shirley