I have been home since the afternoon of September 11, 2024. It is good to be home.
The food at home is better, not that the food at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital was bad. There was a certain sameness to the food there. In the hospital I always felt like I was being underfed. Being back home there have been a few times I have felt ravenous. It is good to eat until you are stuffed.
It is also discouraging to be home. I feel like I am in more pain being home. I am twisting my body more from threading my walker around the furniture in my small space which results in more and different pain. I have a wheelchair that I am trying not to use as I am forcing myself to use the walker. I have a limited supply of prescription painkillers (Tylenol 3) and I am trying not to take any unless necessary.
My sleep at night is fractured. I only sleep in bits and pieces. I have this weird compulsion when trying to sleep. In the hospital I got used to sleeping flat on my back. At home in my much better mattress I feel I have to sleep on either my left or right side as I used to before I went into the hospital. The trouble is that my legs do not hurt but they noticeably ache in those positions. I cannot get comfortable. Every morning I know I will have to face a day of pain all over again. It is hard to face the day with pain in your future.
On the plus side, I went through my mail when I got home and completed my tax file and got that sent off to the accountant. There should be refund in my future.
Can you take NSAIDS? You may find over-the-counter Aleve to be a help.
ReplyDeleteOr even OTC Extra Strength tylenol.
Hospitals do underfeed you. Better for your health or some such.
I used to sleep on my left side all the time. Easier to snuggle with my hubby.
After he passed last year, I got an adjustable bed and found I can sleep on my back now and don't wake as often as I did before. I have osteoarthritis in my knees and I would wake to straighten my legs because if I didn't, I would wake in severe pain with them almost locked in position.
Glad you are home. Be safe and God bless.
Give yourself permission to sleep on your back!
ReplyDeleteA combination of Ibuprofen and Tylenol are better than either one alone. Due to arthritis, I take one of each about thirty minutes before bed time. This gives me a reasonable night's sleep. You might try this dosage every four hours as a start point. I wouldn't go over three hour intervals without talking to your pain specialist.
ReplyDeleteHave you tried putting an extra pillow under your knees?
ReplyDeleteOr between your knees
DeleteYou might have to get rid of a few pieces of furniture in order to make navigation easier around your condo? Perhaps you can put some in storage for awhile. Sleeping on your back is not a bad thing and if it helps with your comfort why not.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you finally made it home!!
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you made it home!!
ReplyDelete