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GinLyn
Hey, all; happy New Year!

I'll get right to it: I am not bouncing back from this last surgery as quickly/easily as I have before, and I'm looking for some help. I was 6-weeks post op on the 2nd (fistula repair & temp stoma). I am walking fine, but not quickly, and I am still out of breath upon doing more strenuous, but everyday, chores such as hauling/hanging laundry or cleaning floors.

In the past by this point I have been able to take on most of the dog-walking -- we have a large Lab/Rott mix -- up to one long walk and two shorter walks a day. Right now I am exhausted after one medium walk, and I can't get "up to speed". Today after hanging laundry I was out of breath -- please keep in mind I live in the Netherlands and haul the laundry up two steep, narrow flights of stairs to the attic so it's not entirely as pathetic as it initially sounds! Wink

I have help with both the kids and housework, so I promise it's not that I've been pushing myself too quickly. I'm eating well and getting enough good sleep. I've been off work until just this past weekend, so it's not that. I don't know if it's just my body reacting to the sheer number of surgeries (this was #11) or if it's because I'm older (no smart-aleck cracks, please! Eeker ) or what. All I know is that by 6 weeks post-op I've been walking just fine and have been able to begin moderate Pilates and some mild weights. Not to mention doing the laundry without having to sit down and rest afterward! There's no way I'm at that point right now.

I'm continuing to walk, and walk, and walk. But are there any thoughts on getting my stamina back? I'm really growing quite frustrated with this situation!

Thanks,
Gin

Replies sorted oldest to newest

BillVBillVMember
You have been through a lot with your surgery, and it takes time for your body to heal. I had roughly the same experience after my surgery (fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath). It was a good four months before I was back to normal. So, be patient and give yourself more time for your strength to return.
BillV
J JaypeaMember
I agree with Bill. You have been through a huge insult to your body and it will take time to get back to your "normal". My surgeon said that I can return to regular activity 8 weeks post-op. I cannot return to work until I am 12 weeks post-op as I work in a physically demanding job (I am a nurse required to lift patients and push beds).
I am going to start physiotherapy in the next couple of weeks to get some ideas of exercises to do to strengthen my abdominal muscles to prevent a hernia. Please be very gentle with yourself. Pushing too hard will only set you back. If your body says "Enough" please listen to it carefully.
J
skn69skn69Member
Gin,
Please give yourself a break...if 1 surgery required 6 weeks then according to my math 11 surgeries requires 6x10 weeks! (that's 60!)
So give yourself the time to heal up...this was not just one surgery, it was one of 11 and your body needs to be able to eliminate the anesthetic, regain strength and build up its nutrtion stores.
You might start with deep breathing exercises and yoga to give yourself more enegry and then slowly work one or 2 Pilates into your routine.
Yes, as we get older it takes longer and longer to get back to our 'fighting strength'...I applaude you desire but don't rush it.
Sharon
ps...happy New Year
skn69
labloverlabloverMember
My husband, after his first surgery, his first day home, suddenly announced..'I am going downstairs and use the treadmill!' I let him (though I pretended I had to do a load of laundry). I then went to the side to spot him if he fell off. He lasted for 5 minutes. He got back to exercise and has done really well (it's 18 years later)..weight lifts..hikes etc. Looks better than before his surgery.
lablover
GinLynGinLynMember
Well, I ended up in the ER last night due to abdominal pain so bad I couldn't breathe properly. After ruling out about 27 million different things, they gave me a prescription for pain killers, made a follow-up appt. with my surgeon, and told me to take it easy.

I guess I was pushing things a bit too hard...

Gin
GinLyn
A ActiveUC'erMember
I'm going to say something different than everyone else. I had five surgeries in two weeks...then six week hospital/rehab stay. A few weeks after coming home I was having huge issues walking. I thought, I just went through hell, it's just the surgeries. Turns out I had an infection. I got that taken care of and I improved by leaps and bounds.

Now I'm not saying that you have an infection, but something could honestly be off. I'm glad to hear that you're seeing your surgeon.
A
R Rebe0505Member
i think the key word here is patience..everything makes a difference ..how many times youve had surgeries,age and just about everything..just try to listen to your body..i now easier said than done..because its great to have the positive attitude of hey i can do this and that i exercise,eat right,sleep right and so on..been there done that!!but its better to just go with the flow and listen to the bod..it knows best..take a deep breathe and before you know it it will just happen..
R
GinLynGinLynMember
Yup, I know "the drill". I think that's part of my problem this time around -- I thought I knew it all and where I "should" be so I didn't pay attention to where I actually was.

No infection after all the tests Wednesday in the ER. I think maybe it's a pulled/strained muscle. So I'm just being careful and listening much more closely to how I feel.

And, to be honest, grumbling a bit. I hate all of this sometimes!

Gin
GinLyn

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