Abilities after BMX

Hi, djm. You'll still want to limit your movement on the right to let things heal. Is there someone to help you out? I was only permitted to lift a glass, not the milk carton, for example.

As to the bathroom, If you wear pants with an elastic waistband, you should be fine.

I had basic restrictions after my BMX--no raising my arms over my head for a couple weeks, no lifting anything heavier than a paperback for several weeks, no twisting, no driving until I had full use of my arms.  I had no problem taking care of hygiene. Nobody had to bathe me or wash my hair. I sat in a shower chair and leaned my head over in the shower, soaped up my hair, and rinsed it off. I wore stretchy clothes. Rather than raise my hands over my head, I sort of "dived" into my shirts, arms out, then ducking my head into the neck opening and pulling down on the shirt. Some people like button up shirts, but I didn't really need them. The thing that was hardest for me was sleeping on my back. I'm a stomach sleeper, so this was really torture.  I bought a wedge and put pillows on my sides to keep me upright. I didn't have to worry about rolling over--it was pretty uncomfortable, but not really painful, on my sides so it kept me in check.

As far as day-to-day activities, I wasn't up for much cooking. Some of our friends brought food twice a week, which was great.  I also laid in a supply of freezer food that DH could manage.  You won't be doing any laundry, other than folding (have you ever noticed how much a wet towel weighs?) No vacuuming, sweeping, no cleaning the bathrooms. Nothing that requires you to stretch or bend.  I had my BMX after several months of chemo. By the time I got done, my house looked like a pack of wolves had been living in there.   Nothing I could do about that.  I had a LOT of complications with healing, so my limitations probably lasted longer than most. I was not allowed to do any upper body exercise for about 4 weeks, due to the complications.

I was out of work for 4 weeks. I mostly work from home, but I'm a community health nurse, so I go out to clients' homes regularly. I couldn't drive well until about week 7, due to not having full range of motion in my shoulders (see above: complications), so DH drove me around and carried my 1000-lb laptop in for me. I did see a lymphedema specialist, who thankfully determined that I did NOT have lymphedema but I DID have a lot of tightness in my chest muscles. She showed me exercises to stretch and strengthen them. I only saw her for about 3-4 weeks and by then I was almost back to baseline. It has been >4 months now and I have full strength and range of motion.

Best of luck to you. It's normal to be anxious--this is a MAJOR surgery. If the anxiety starts getting the best of you, talk to your doctor. He/she may be able to give you a prescription to help you with the anxiety for awhile.

LOL, I hear you. I don't particularly want my DH hanging out in the bathroom with me.

I consider myself to have a pretty high pain tolerance and a strong body. I am active, organized and a real go getter. I was totally unprepared for this bmx. Maybe mine was the worst case scenario but here is what my recovery looked like, according to week and what I needed help with. To fully prepare yourself, I would plan on this and be happy if you don't need the extra help. According to week I needed help with the following (and by this I mean people had to do this FOR me because of pain or movement restrictions). My doctors told me I "might" need someone to stay with me for a few days.

Week one: feeding, dressing, toileting (yes, spotting me as I walked there and then wiping me), showering, medication management, driving, advocating on my behalf to doctors / nurses, taking care of my daughter, cooking, cleaning. Pretty much everything. Someone stayed with me 24/7.

Week two: By this week I could feed myself, toilet myself, by the end of the week I could dress myself, I was beginning to be aware enough to advocate for myself. Everything else I still needed help with. Someone stayed with me 24/7.

Week three: This week I could feed, dress, toilet, shower, manage my meds, drive towards the end of the week, advocate, cook, light chores. I was on my own this week.

Week four: I'm hoping to be able to clean as normal, lift push pull etc as normal, take care of my daughter alone if I have to (she's younger, 6, and very active). Pretty much get back to normal but with care not to hurt myself. I'll be on my own.

I wish I was more prepared. I wish I had thought to make and freeze meals. To arrange for a housecleaner. To find a way to send laundry out. To schedule a weekly delivery of groceries. Not anything I could afford to do on a regular basis, but short term for a couple weeks while I recovered it would have been handy, so I didn't have to inconvenience family and friends to clean my house, shop and cook for me. I hope this helps and I hope your recovery goes well! Remember, this is only one point of view. Your experience could be totally different!

My experience was more like Jnice's above. Except by day 5/6 my husband had to go back to work, so my oldest daughter and my girlfriend took turns being with me for the next 3-4 days.

I'm so glad I bought elastic waist band pants and button up (large) cotton shirts. My whole body was out of whack and I didn't need to complicate things or pull any muscles.

Yes, goin to the bathroom was interesting to say the least! You will be sore. I was in the hospital for 3 days so I had it pretty much down going pee. Because I was loaded up on pain meds and they back you up, I couldn't poop! Good thing because I would not have been able to wipe myself the first couple days home! Yes I know, tmi, but this is what this place is for! By the time I did go, I figured it out cuz hubby or kids were not going to do that and I didn't want them to either!

Here are some tips-- loose stretchy pants or capris and I wore thin zip up hoodies. I also bought a couple bras that zip or had eye hooks down the front. The surgical bras get old. Take everything you can from your hospital room. If they don't give you the non rinse soap ask for it or I just found some on Amazon it's great! You won't be able to shower 'normally' until your drains come out. I did not find it necessary to buy anything for my drains as pinning them to my bra was fine. I just hated the plastic touching my skin so I just put little short socks on them- took a couple from my girls! If you have a recliner that was the best for me to sleep in. I put things on my kitchen counter do I wouldn't have to reach up to my cabinets. You can get cute bins or baskets if you don't want random things on your counter!

Sorry about this, my guess is you've already had surgery and are home--didn't check the date! Oh I hope you are doing well! This is a great place to chat with people that know what you're going thru!

Hope this finds you managing all this the best you can!

are you doing reconstruction too