2 Weeks post op, Aromatherapy massage, and a couple of warnings!

 Over the days 8 - 14 I felt increasingly more comfortable. I managed to walk up to my greenhouse, (about 100 metres from the house) and perched on a stool for a while, I thinned out and potted on a few of my seedlings in readiness for planting out in the warmer days to come.

Thankfully we were having a dry spell, and the sun was warm on my face. My plants were romping away, but it was too early to put them outside. I was SWELTERING in the greenhouse. But I had an idea. If I could get a few of my trays closer to the house, the hosepipe handy and a comfy chair, I could sit in the sunshine and pot on a few trays into larger pots, whilst soaking up the sun. So Roy carried my bits and pieces down to the patio, and I had everything I needed at arm’s length. 

‘This is good’ I thought. The sun streamed down, warming my skin. The birds were singing and raiding the feeders. I had visions of tomatoes and cucumbers, courgettes and beetroot later on in the season, and lots of lovely flowers in my borders. 

BUT, I had forgotten that sitting upright with your leg dangling is NOT a good idea. Remember the toes above nose? I did have my foot on a plant pot, but that wasn’t good enough. 

I started to feel increasingly uncomfortable. My foot was hot and itchy, and felt tight in my shoe. So with Roy’s help; (no bending yet remember) my sock and shoe were removed.

My right foot and ankle were TWICE the size of my left foot. 

“Jesus! Roy look at my foot!”

I sent a picture via What’sApp to my bestie, Chris, a very experienced nurse. 

“My foot and ankle have swelled up. Eek!”

“Yes take it easy!”

“I was just pottering in the garden, pricking seedlings out and moving my strawberry plants”

‘Faaar too much!! What are you thinking? X’ She chided.

‘Just sitting in the sunshine, I was sitting most of the time at the table’

‘With your leg hanging down and not moving your calf muscle, impeding venous return to your heart causing swelling in a leg that’s already swollen and bruised!!’

Suitably admonished, I retreated to the bedroom and put my legs on a pile of pillows for 45 minutes. I was so worried about blood clots that I rang the hospital for reassurance. I was doing the right thing elevating my leg, and swelling is to be expected if the leg is not elevated. Phew! I knew Chris was right, and I make sure now that if I’m sitting my leg is elevated and I don’t sit for long periods. 

Massage

https://www.physio.co.uk/treatments/massage/when-can-massage-help/post-surgery.php

I am a huge fan of massage. It helps with lymphatic drainage, boosts blood flow and healing. It also helps with the pain and scarring. I trained years ago as a masseuse and aromatherapist, and decided that as soon as I could, I would massage my leg and hip. I started gently massaging my leg, avoiding the wound as it was not yet healed.

I created a massage lotion with aromatherapy essential oils and a fragrance free, mineral oil free lotion. I buy big bottles of this from Neal’s Yard, so I can create my own lotions. You could also use grape seed or almond oil, but I prefer a lotion so I don’t have an oily residue on my skin. 

I added peppermint oil, which is cooling and helps with the pain, it is also helpful in reducing inflammation. Lavender oil which is anti-viral, anti-septic and relaxing, it also helps to reduce swelling. Frankincense to help regenerate tissue is great on wounds. (Frankincense is used in some VERY expensive face creams) and Patchouli oil because it is my favourite and is another antiseptic. 

CAUTION - Aromatherapy oils are NOT harmless. There are contraindications so always check with a professional before creating your own potions and lotions. ALSO Arnica is sometimes advocated for bruising, BUT be careful because if you are taking anti-blood clotting medication post-op, it’s best to avoid it. 

ACUPRESSURE

The physio therapist at Ross Hall suggested a couple of simple acupressure points for self-massage. These include: 

• Gentle but firm massage around the outside of the kneecap
• 3 finger widths ABOVE the kneecap, find the sweet spot where it is painful and press gently
• 2 finger widths on the inside of the kneecap - again gentle but firm pressure can help the pain. 

By the end of week 2 I was feeling much better, and with the help of a couple of suction handles in the shower, could now stand whilst washing, and get myself dried and dressed without too much help from Roy (I still need help putting on my socks).

7 Days post op “Steak and Guinness”

 Since arriving home on Thursday, which was op day plus 4, I have managed to establish a “healing”routine. 

My day starts with me taking the first 2 co-codamol, then Roy brings me a coffee and toast in bed. I elevate my legs (Toes higher than nose) and catch up with my reading for half an hour or so. Eventually I do my “Home Gym exercises” in the bed. 

Roy puts the slidy mat, hand weights, rolled up towel and my soft Pilates ball next to me, and I do the prescribed exercises, each day brings a little more movement and a little less pain. It’s advisable in the early days to take your pain killers about 30 minutes prior to the exercises, just so you can get that little bit more movement that isn’t hindered by the pain.

I decided early on that my exercises should incorporate BOTH hips. Otherwise I’d be putting tremendous pressure on my left hip. I had some exercises that Cameron Angus had given me prior to the op, so I carried on with those. 

I also use my hand weights, legs in “Semi supine” position to do some lateral raises, bicep curls and shoulder raises. Your upper body strength is important while you are supporting yourself on crutches. 

I usually have some music on while I’m doing these. So even though it’s not quite the gym, I can try and recreate the atmosphere.

Roy still has to supervise me in the shower. I’m not steady or confident enough to stand, so I sit on the stool bought specially for the purpose. 

I have to tick him off for opening the bathroom window to let the steam out while I’m sitting shivering waiting for him to hand me my clothes and put my socks on.

 “For Goodness Sake Man! My goosebumps have goosebumps”

‘But it’s steaming up - “

“Yeah, and I’m sat here, starkers and soaking wet”

He learned eventually. 🙄

I can’t reach my lower legs or feet, so he has to dry those and put my knickers, trousers and socks on. Bad foot first. He does have a tendency to lose concentration and wander off to another part of the house while I’m freezing my tits off though! 

By now my digestive “situation” has settled down to normal. Well, relatively. My usual breakfast consists of porridge with all kinds of added extras, made with oat milk. (I neither like nor can digest cow’s milk)

Here’s my special porridge recipe:

1 cup organic porridge

1 tsp Chia seeds

1 tsp Goji Berries

1 Tabsp Flaxseed

1 Tsp cocoa nibs

Oat milk

Topping:

Berries (blue berries, raspberries)

Kiwi fruit, mango, whatever you fancy

Kefir (for your gut health)

Organic runny honey

Walnuts

You can either make it up and leave it overnight, or cook it with the oat milk and put your toppings on.

It’s packed full of yummy good stuff and I have it most mornings with a big glass of fresh Orange juice. 

We have Visitors

After lunch on day 7 we had visitors. Our surgery often have final year medical students with them on placement, so this year’s placement accompanied Malcolm, the GP as he called in to check how I was doing.

I answered the door, as Roy had to corral the dogs. It was quite a surprise, as I hadn’t experienced this level of personal care in England.  GPs in England hadn’t made house calls for a long time, in my experience. 

“You’re walking well” Observed Malcolm “We just wanted to see how you were getting on after your op.”

Roy joined us in the lounge and we had a chat about levels of pain, amount of exercise etc. I had taken a picture of my scar (I know, Sad!) so showed that to Malcolm too. He commented on how neat it looked. If you’re squeamish, look away now! 

My knee was REALLY sore and badly bruised post op. I asked Malcolm why that might be?

“Well, Orthopaedic surgeons are a bit like mechanics, with all their hammers and chisels, saws and drills. The surgery you had would have been brutal, and the way you are manipulated during the operation will cause bruising in other places. It will heal with time.”

I winced. I remember reading about how they have to dislocate your hip to carry out the operation. They probably used my knee as a ‘jack’.

“You’re looking awfully pale, do you know how much blood you lost?”

 “No’

He checked my lower eyelids and sat down. “I think we should get a blood test just to see if you’re anaemic.’

“Well now you mention it, I’m very tired and very cold.”

“Yes, let’s get you checked out, in the meantime, up your intake of iron rich foods, red meat, green leafy veg, that sort of thing”

“Is dark chocolate ok? That’s got iron in it?”

“I think you’d be better off with steak.”

Thing is, I hadn’t eaten steak for years, but I kind of wanted to now. They say your body tells you what it needs. So Roy had to add ‘Best steak’ to his shopping list. And Guinness! 

One of the things that I couldn’t understand was how bloody cold I was! When I got into bed, I was like ICE. My feet, body, head, everything felt chilled to the bone. In addition, I would get to a point in the afternoon where I would just crash and burn, and HAD to go to bed with as many blankets and throws as I could bear to stop me feeling like I’d just stepped out of a freezer. 

Evidently this tiredness is normal. Most of your energy in these early days goes into the healing process. You have had MAJOR surgery. It takes time to heal. A long time.