KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY: SIDE EFFECTS
First, many, many thanks to our friends (virtual and otherwise) who sent good wishes to Odel, and good advice. He is by nature positive and optimistic, but I know it adds to his feeling of well-being to read the comments and emails you have written.
And hello to new readers who have joined us in the last week or two. Who knows what you found appealing in these detailed descriptions of Odel’s most recent health adventure (!), but your comments and advice are welcome. Many readers seem to appreciate the details of the surgery and recovery, particularly the unusual constraints caused by our tiny abode. If Odel’s experience can be helpful to those RV’ers (or others) facing similar surgery, good!
High on Odel’s list of questions was (paraphrasing now!) “How can I get my guts moving again?” The triple whammy of iron supplements, anesthesia, and pain medication had been touched on by various health care professionals (and mentioned by many readers), but none had prepared Odel for total absence of normal intestinal function. Since he didn’t have much appetite last night, it was my opinion that the major post-dinner puking incident I mentioned yesterday was simply his body’s indelicate way of saying “Hey, no more room in here” – and Anna agreed.
SHE, on the other hand, knew just what to expect and came armed with a special one page handout on the 5 steps to take to Get Things Moving. The first step is what I nicknamed the Senior Cocktail: one ounce each of prune juice, apricot nectar, water and Karo syrup! (When I asked Anna about the Karo, she said that a blast of sugar will sometimes get things moving.)
As soon as Anna left, I zipped over to the supermarket to pick up the ingredients (along with a box of bran cereal as a breakfast treat). When the cocktail produced rumbling noises, I suggested Odel massage his inflated belly to help move things along. He did, then smacked his hand against the very firm abdominal bulge and pronounced it “my six-pack.” He, he, he! Guess that’s ONE way to get rock-hard abs!
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That's too funny...Rock Hard Abs! Who knew it was that easy. I always like to use, what I call nature's laxative, Chocolate. Brownies, cake, does not matter, it always seems to get things moving. And who can resist chocolate? :)
ReplyDeleteWhen my husb broke his heel bone a couple of years ago & had to have surg, he had the same prob. I put good 'ole Karo syrup in his coffee or warm milk & it did the job -- that's what we used to do for our babies & it still works today:)
ReplyDeleteI had the same issue when I had surgery several years ago. It was awful. I tried all the 'natural' remedies. Nothing worked, so I finally resorted to Exlax. Worked like a charm and it seemed once things got moving due to the Exlax they remembered how to work on their own and I was fine after that. But it was awful uncomfortable until things 'got moving' again.
ReplyDeleteOh gee, poor Odel! Hope things are moving along just fine by now. It's good to get this kind of information from someone we know, someone with a sense of humor and great writing skills. It really helps to have a clue about what might be in store for any of us someday. Thanks, Laurie.
ReplyDeleteAfter Jim's emergency gall bladder removal in January, he was told to take Colace (a stool softener). The beauty of living in an RV is once the gut starts working again, the bathroom is only a very short distance away! Although with Odel's knee he may not be able to move very fast to get there. Have enjoyed reading about his experience and hope his recovery goes well.
ReplyDeleteLaurie you are such a great writer and this post about a "delicate" subject was SO funny. I know Odel doesn't think it's funny and I hope everything is working well by now. Send him my sympathy for his "endurance". Keep up the great blog.
ReplyDeleteSherry
www.directionofourdreams.blogspot.com
I used stool softener,available at Wal Mart in generic little bottle. Along with all that natural stuff it will help things along. I've had three surgeries in the last 5 months, so I have experience here.
ReplyDeleteWhen my babes were small and they had the same problem I found a dose or two of blackstrap molasses worked wonders when added to their formula. Odel probably could take it straight!
ReplyDeleteDenise D.
This blog entry is proof of what a good writer you are. Such delicate handling of a not always delicate subject. Good job!
ReplyDeleteMy best to Odel in his recovery. I just tore an MCL, and seem to have narrowly escaped surgery.
ReplyDeleteGet well soon.
I feel Odel's pain...When I was on steroids for my heel, my calves got big and so did my colon...Metamucil, Oat Bran cereal and prunes helped...also a daily dose of dark chocolate..I'm not sure the chocolate helped but it sure tasted better than the prunes.:-D
ReplyDeleteI find that Activia Yogurt helps me move things along. It comes in several flavors. Good stuff.
ReplyDeleteMike sympathizes Odel--when he was so ill this past summer and fall, taking mega pain pills he ran into the same problem--it will resolve!
ReplyDeleteSounds like both of you are doing great - it takes two !
ReplyDeleteI had extremely severe surgery , and the best thing I ever did was check out of the hospital and into the RV . I could rest on my schedule and my mental attitude was much better ! Thank you for the blog , I have learned a lot ! Marvin
odel get some plum smart it works great comes in reg an lite vertion.so glad yor doing well bob in md
ReplyDeleterock hard abs or a 'poop baby'!...good luck with the intestinal issues!..Benefibre is a good one..speaking from experience at our house!
ReplyDeleteWhat a surprise about the Karo syrup. Now I know we'll have a use for that bottle of Karo in our kitchen cupboard some day. We'll keep it in mind.
ReplyDeleteI had a surgery last year and thank heavens I didn't endure any appalling side effects or something. Send my sympathy to Odel as well.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had been warned of the potential problem of constipation when I was recently hospitalized for knee replacement surgery. You have to be careful with those over-the-counter remedies. My caregiver gave me three stool softener tablets at once and I had to see a doctor to get things back to normal. I had no idea tht the medication I was give pre and post-op, would cause that problem.
ReplyDelete