Around 3 hours after taking the meds, I feel a little pain and I know that the time for another pill is approaching. The first time I tried walking to the bathroom, I was almost due for another painkiller, and just lowering my legs off the bed was painful as the blood rushed down. Remember that I had both feet done, so I had to scoot on my bum to the bathroom. Now I'm timing my bathroom breaks for AFTER I take my meds, and I am able to walk on my heels.
Also taking a stool softener, since painkillers cause constipation (something nobody told me at the hospital), and aspirin on the advice of my doctor to avoid blood clotting from lying around all day.
"What
have I done to myself?" Lingering doubts as I lie in bed all day with my feet propped
up. I tell myself that fear and doubt are probably
normal after any surgery. I read
online horror stories of people whose surgeries did not succeed (I know, I
should be reading a good novel instead). People with bad experiences are
probably more motivated to write. I add my anecdotal story to this mix,
hopeful that it will ultimately counterbalance all of the bad stories.