"Light Duty"

So, I went back to work two weeks after my surgery, which was three weeks ago today.  I didn't want to take FMLA (couldn't afford it), and honestly I was getting bored at home.

But obviously, I couldn't really do my "job".  I'm a zoo keeper, and our days are harsh.  We spend hours  cleaning exhibits, which may mean climbing stairs, ducking into small doors, hauling trash cans of dirt, and standing around hosing all morning long.  None of this is doctor-approved, say nothing about being painful.

So whenever we have someone at the zoo who's compromised in some way, they go on light duty.  Light duty means any number of things; it could mean desk work - filing paperwork, writing emails, updating protocols, etc.  It could mean "diets" - spending time in several areas chopping veggies, sorting fish, or weighing out meat.  Sometimes it's organizing bookshelves, or helping the education department.  I'm just really, really glad they didn't stick me up in Guest Services for four weeks!

So what have I been doing for the past several weeks at work? Here's a list:
Updating guest connections records
Updating keeper refresh records
Working on ZooTech 6
Writing an article for the members' magazine
Organizing the tool cabinet
Updating Tropics protocols and bat diet sheets
Sorting fish for Rocky Shores
Writing a protocol for sorting fish for Rocky Shores
Making Reptile diets
Helping Cats with snow leopard watch
Helping education make "blubber bags" for their programs (this one involved several cans of Crisco)
Stuffing gift bags for the Felid TAG recipients.

Some of this stuff required sitting at a computer.  Most of the diet prep happened while sitting on a stool.  It still required lots of walking between areas, and especially to lunch every day.  I think that's what helped me ditch the crutches so soon...forced PT in the form of schlepping down to the SAB or up to Cats every day.

One more week (hopefully) and this'll all be over!

Crutches and blood-thinners. Over it!

No more crutches.  I'm walking all by myself. Granted, I'm slow.  Stairs are still a challenge, and if I walk to far or too long, I get tired and sore.

I just got sick of the crutches.  Getting them in and out of the car is ridiculous. Stairs are stupid.  And my armpits are sore as hell.

It still requires some concentration to walk without limping. Not necessarily because it hurts, but because my brain isn't quite ready to let me put my full weight on it unless I focus.  So the slow walking is not because that's all I can handle, but because I have to relearn how to walk without limping.

There are still times I forget that it doesn't hurt anymore.  It's always a surprise to me "Oh, yeah, no more pain!"

Another awesome thing?  Yesterday I stopped taking the blood thinners!  Honestly, the biggest hassle wasn't the pills themselves, but getting my blood checked twice a week.  I had to take off work three times just to go in to the Sugarhouse clinic, wait in the waiting room for ten minutes, just to get my finger pricked and be sent on my way.  And now it's over!

There's more to celebrate about four weeks post-op than two, that's for sure!

Swimmin'

Today I hooked up with my friend/coworker/bridesmaid Emily for some pool time!  She has a summer pass to Steiner Aquatic Center.  They've got a kick-ass Olympic outdoor pool.

It's the first time I've been swimming since the surgery.  It felt FANTASTIC to get in the water!  At first I just did some of my PT exercises at the side.  But pretty soon I couldn't help but swim a few laps.

We spent a half hour in the pool total.  I swam about 500 yds.  This is only about a third of what I usually swim, but I had no desire to hurt anything.  I did several laps of just pulling (arms) with a pool buoy, and a few laps of full swimming with kicking!

I can't say that it "hurt".  The sensation was more of uncomfortableness.  Like things were pulling that shouldn't have been pulling, or something wasn't in the right place.  It wasn't an overwhelming feeling, so I assume that it's a normal part of getting things moving and working again.

After the swim, we both passed out in the sun for about 20 minutes.

It's so nice to be able to swim again!

Bowling for Rhinos

Last night was our annual Bowling for Rhinos event.  It's a bowl-a-thon raising money for rhino conservation.  Last year, I was the event chairperson, but this year all I had to do was show up.

It's the first time since going back to work that I had to work all day, and then attend an event at night as well.  By 9pm, I was wiped.  I left early and passed out on the couch.

The one positive was that I'm starting to be able to ditch the crutches.  The short trips back and forth between tables and to the bathroom were totally manageable without crutches.

Down to one crutch!

To start my first full work week, I'm celebrating by leaving one of my crutches at home!  The physical therapist said that I should transition as long as I am not limping at each stage.  So over the weekend, I practiced on one crutch.  And it worked out OK.

It's much much easier to get around on one crutch instead of two.  I can carry things, like papers or my lunch, with the other hand.  I'm also much faster, and going up stairs is easier as well.

Tomorrow is the three-week post-op date.  I'm pretty sure that being down to one crutch just three week after surgery is a win.

Sweet Vehicular Freedom!

Today is Monday, June 18.  It's been a two weeks and four days since my surgery.  And today, I drove myself to the clinic to get my INR checked!

Granted, I drove slowly and only needed to go as far as Sugarhouse.  But I can drive again!  No major pain or uncomfortableness, no dizziness, no issues.

SWEET MOTHER OF GOD I CAN DRIVE AGAIN!

Two-Week Post-Op Appointment

Thursday was my 2 week post-op appointment. I wasn't really sure what to expect.  X-rays? PT? Blood tests?  I knew I'd be getting my bandage off, but that was about it.

The office was running about an hour late, and I ended up seeing Dr. Peter's PA instead of him.  It didn't really matter to me either way (although the hour delay cut into my pre-dinner nap time.)  I also didn't have a co-pay.  Apparently any appointment you make 90 days after surgery is considered part of the treatment, and so is included in the entire package...or something.

The appointment its self was only about 15 minutes start to finish.  The nurse took off my bandage and replaced it with strips of medical tape.  I assume this was to stablize the incision but allow it open-air time to heal.  A one-inch section at the top was (and still is) bleeding a little, but not all the time and not enough to be really worried about.

I was given a list of things to keep doing.  Wear your compression stockings (that hasn't happened for about a week now), keep doing your physical therapy, don't go into any pools or hot tubs until the scar is healed over (when is that?)

I had to remind them to take my blood to test my INR.  I felt so rushed that I forgot to ask about further PT (keep doing it myself or do I see someone somewhere?)  The whole thing was really bizarre.  No x-rays, no range-of-motion stuff.  I got her to write me a prescription for Tramadol since I was really eager to get off the oxy.  And I got some antibiotics for my eventual tattoo (I've got a Groupon to use!) I also had to ask for a "doctor's note" for work, and I basically had to tell her what to put on it.

I don't have another appointment for a month, which is my six-week post-op.  I still have to go in to a clinic to get my INR checked, as going back to work means that the home health people can't come see me anymore.

I can't say I'm 100% sure of what's going on, but I guess I'll figure it out.