THE WRAP UP

I'm writing this on Sunday, August 29

The worst part of the procedure occured on Tuesday, 8/6. On Monday morning nurse Kara called and I mentioned that I hadn't taken a bowel movement since the day before the procedure. She recommended that I take a laxative, and it seemed like it would be no big deal. That evening I took a dose of over-the-counter laxatives that I picked up at Walgreens. I felt well enough to walk over.

I awoke Tuesday morning, and felt I had better get down to business. I then spent from approximately 430am till 11am on the toilet in a close approximation of agony. I was in such pain that I wasn't even able to get to the phone to call the clinic until almost 730am. A nurse suggested that I attempt to 'dig out the blockage' because even if I were to visit the emergency room, this is what they would do. I didn't even know that this was possible, but I was able to clear the blockage with my finger, and finally got things moving. Later I found out that the anesthesia and the procedure itself tends to shut down the colon, and this will make for a severe case of constipation. The exit is blocked by constipation, and the laxative has created some raging, watery stools, and it creates a big problem. This was the most sick that I have ever felt, and I honestly thought that I might have to call for an ambulance. However, by early afternoon, I was feeling not bad at all.

On Thursday, 8/8 I walked downtown to the library, and the next day I went back to FitClub for the first time. I took the Accord since I hadn't driven it since before the operation. I actually was able to do a 30" bike ride, with reduced resistance, One Hour Old Style Cross, 30 Walk on Tread, and 45" Cross. Just a shower with the water aimed away from the incisions. Absolutely no ill effects, but I had taken a few of Dr. Floyd's pain pills for insurance.

On Monday, 8/12 I had a 930am follow-up appointment with the surgeon's assistant, and he said that I really shouldn't begin biking or jogging for another week. But, I could continue the mild FitClub workouts, and all of the walking that I cared to do. From the clinic I stopped at R&M Cycle and bought a flashing light for the bike, did the grocery shopping, and then walked over to FitClub after putting away the groceries. A two hour 'lite/mild' workout.
       I really enjoyed walking to the club, and I plan to do this whenever I can. It's really only a ten minute stroll, and unless it's too cold or raining, I should be able to only use the Accord for shopping and the odd trip out and about.

Tuesday, 8/13 I walked downtown and then straight to FitClub for a two hour workout. The doctor had ok'd me to use the pool and whirlpools on Monday at the visit to the Springfield Clinic on 1st and Carpenter.

On Wednesday, 8/14 when I walked to the FitClub I felt some moisture on my left thigh when I got out of the locker room and ready to start the workout. The incision had opened and I was bleeding, but I managed to walk back home with no problem (used a patch of Kleenex to stop the flow). I got on the phone with Kara, and we decided that it would not be an over-reaction to swing by the clinic. I got there in twenty minutes (about 3pm) and she had one of the resident doctors take a look. He said that all of the purple discoloration was merely blood trapped under the skin, and it was seeping out through the cut. It was a tiny bit uncomfortable, but he squeezed a lot of this out, and it really cut down on the discoloration and swelling. They were could not have been nicer, and the nurses gave me a bunch of bandages and band aids. No mention of fee, but the doctor did ban me from the pool and whirlpool until the incision is completely healed.

On Thursday another two hour visit to the FitClub, and on Friday, 8/16 another walk to the library, and then over to the FitClub. The wound seems to be on the mend, and there is really not much blood on the band aid.
(The walks to the library are straight out Monroe and back. The first couple of times I got out in front of Remax, and walked on the grass at the far north side of the street. Then, I experimented with going out through Monroe Gardens, down Gaylord, and then Farragut. This is an area of the city that I had never been, and I plan to incorporate this into some of my running routines. THE WALK IS ALMOST EXACTLY TWO HOURS. A very pleasant waste of time)

On Monday, 8/19 I did the first jog since the procedure. Just 30" and south around the old eye clinic/Lynn/Law/bowling alley. Then I got on the bike for the first ride to the library. The road was closed near Illini Golf Club, and I had to detour a bit, and came home via Monroe.

By this time, I think that it is all pretty much behind me. There are still some stitches of some kind that are kind of like pen marks. The incision is healed over although it is kind of hard, but I no longer even use the band aid.

But, I have elected not to resume the Nautilus workouts until one month has passed. So on October 2nd, I plan to resume some limited weight exercises.