Your joint replacement surgery is done. As the weeks progress, the pain lessens. But while you wait for the bones to fuse, you're still stuck with that three months of recuperation time.
How do you prevent yourself from going crazy from boredom? After all, there is only so much daytime television you can bear to watch! Isn't there?!
The strategy I've used nine-fold is to learn something new. When curiosity is aroused, the time passes quickly or at least quicker!
During both hip replacements, I knit and knit and knit - enough dishcloths for everyone that upcoming Christmas!
Before your surgery, make a list of the things you might like to do or learn during your recuperation. Of course, expectations need to match ability; this is dependent upon the type of surgery you're having. Assemble what you need prior to your surgery, so you'll be ready to start when you're feeling up to it.
Here are a few more suggestions:
- work through that long reading list
- crochet
- paint
- practice calligraphy
- try carving
- master a computer program
- get to know your cell phone
- teach yourself the basics on the harmonica or the guitar
- pull out your recorder from elementary school and play
- practice a second language
Did you also know that boredom activates the stress response? When you're stressed, you impact your healing and decrease your resistance to infection. Stress dampens natural killer cell cytotoxic activity. NK cells affect the immune system and provide protection from viral infections and cancer cells.
Your turn. What have you done post-surgery to prevent yourself from the litany of "I'm bored"?
What an amazing smile xx
And as for boredom there’s always Twitter 🙂
Well, thanks, Casper.
It’s hard to believe that eighteen years have passed since that photo was taken.
Take a deep breath!
I had Nurse Hitler my daughter home for six weeks to look after me post hip surgery. I knew her time with me was limited and she would need to return to her husband and work in the South of Ireland. I wanted to be fully independeent and return to living alone by the time she left. It was my goal or carrot.
At the beginning she announced that I would take her out to lunch once a week (she would do the driving). We invited a different person to join us each time and after the effort of week one – yes we did go out in week one, and it was an effort – I began to look forward to the event. First time it was lunch and straight home to bed for my rest. Week two I had a short walk before heading home. After that the outings got longer. Getting out from the four walls of home makes all the difference. Pre Op, check out a few restaurants – no steps, disability parking close at hand and the loos easy to access on crutches. Also check the chair seats are of the right height. Pedestal tables can be uncomfortable to sit at for the length of a meal since you need to be able to keep your legs out and not under the chair. Does anyone do that any more?
On one occasion we went to the supermarket with me on crutches. My daughter wanted me to get over the fear of crowds as I relearned to walk. The closest parking that day was designated for ‘Mother and child’. We parked. Turning to me she said “Well. We are mother and child, It doesn’t give a cut off age for the child”! 😆
Distractions for home:
Laugh plenty!
Jigsaws – are a handy distraction but make sure they fit on a tray. If the puzzle is too large then you will have to stretch to put pieces in place.
Cards – play patience the old fashioned way.
Update an address book.
Sort and scan family photos and recipes.
Blogging is a great distraction
Use a CD of music with a good beat to help with the exercises. I used American Swing.
Here ends my rant!!
G.M.
Rant? I don’t think so. More like a grant, or a gift! Tips, humour, history – it’s all there.
I do remember your regaling us with your daughter’s tough love approach to nursing on your blog.