Recovering from an op- ideas of what to do?

[—Tom—]

Hi all,

After 2.5 years of waiting I had my spinal op last week so will hopefully be free of the sciatic pain and associated weirdness down both my legs which has been quite sapping.

Recovery expected to be 6-12 weeks, with no lifting anything over 2kg for the first 3 weeks and only light duties for a while after that.

Whilst I’m off work I need some things to keep me active, but nothing strenuous, and I continue to be surprised by how much of what I normally do involves lifting, reaching or bending (or sitting) all of which are either ruled out by the docs or by pain.

So - any ideas of what I can do in 15 minute bursts that fits in the criteria?

If I’d had the forethought I’d have milled some pieces of wood to project sized components - but as it stands most of what I have is in large planks and so will likely stay that way for the foreseeable.

Today I’ve been able to lap a few whetstones back to flat. Once that’s done the list as it stands is
Sharpen the planes and chisels
Disassemble clean and lubricate tools that will come apart
Make some plough plane blades to fill in the gaps in sizes for making grooves.

Mostly my list is do jobs that get in the way of making things - but does feel like there are more things that could be done.

Any ideas?

 

[Mike G]

Sheesh, Tom.......that's a pretty brutal restriction. My experience of the last few weeks tells me that boredom can be excruciating, so I hope you have more luck than me in filling your time productively.

 

[Malc2098]

How about a change of direction? Come lockdown, I researched CNC router machining and its associated design software. It's kept me going ever since then. I struggle to stand for long periods due to arthritis in lower back.

It means time at a desktop or laptop to do the research, then after choosing your CAD/CAM software designing things that you never thought of before.

I've spent a couple of hours at least today just designing a 50mm x 100mm trinket box, but then using the software to create an array for the size of slab I can put on my machine to multiply the number it mills in one session.

It keeps me off the streets.

 

[—Tom—]

How about a change of direction? Come lockdown, I researched CNC router machining and its associated design software. It's kept me going ever since then. I struggle to stand for long periods due to arthritis in lower back.

It means time at a desktop or laptop to do the research, then after choosing your CAD/CAM software designing things that you never thought of before.

I've spent a couple of hours at least today just designing a 50mm x 100mm trinket box, but then using the software to create an array for the size of slab I can put on my machine to multiply the number it mills in one session.

It keeps me off the streets.

Having a day job that tethers me to a pc has sapped my love of technology outside of work.
I can see it in my future as the ability to 3d print parts, or cnc router complex shapes is hugely appealing- but for me the laptop detox is something I want to cling onto. I also know I’d end up checking email and getting sucked in to the latest work drama!

 

[—Tom—]

Sheesh, Tom.......that's a pretty brutal restriction. My experience of the last few weeks tells me that boredom can be excruciating, so I hope you have more luck than me in filling your time productively.

It’s going to be worth it though

The boredom is really kicking in now and only been out of the hospital for a few days.

 

[Cabinetman]

Sad for the both of you, hopefully to plan and this should be temporary, when I’m away from home and unable to do anything hands on I spend a lot of time designing, all on paper as that’s me. First of all it was the bench which involved a lot of research including putting my mind to having a quick release tall wooden vice (name escapes me) - really good ideas on the QR but will probably never build it.
Then it was the workshop, not so much the design as planning, methods, and materials.
All this stopped me going nuts with boredom so might help if you have any projects coming up?
Ian

 

[Accipiter]

Find some good books to read? Either woodworking themed or entirely different... something you had an interest in but never got round to taking further.

Gets you away from behind a computer screen if nothing else.

 

[Lurker]

Spoon carving?
Apparently it can be quite addictive, eh Pete?

 

[Woodbloke]

How about trying a ship in a bottle? Virtually zero cost (make all your own tools from knitting needles etc) and a fascinating pastime, no heavy lifting required. The only thing you do need is absolutely 100% decent eye sight - Rob

 

[—Tom—]

Something to work out how it’s done at least.

Closest I’ve come is fruits in bottles which need time rather than skill per se

 

[Blackswanwood]

I think I’d have a browse of the model shop websites (being careful what search terms I used ). There are some good kits for making detailed models of ships etc?

 

[Mr P]

When my wife had her knees and hips replaced, (10 years or so ago), the kids bought her some colouring books to help pass the time after each operation because she had to sit for 6 weeks after each operation, and still does it today.

 

[AJB Temple]

Avoidance of boredom:

Learn to draw. Figures, animals etc.
Learn a musical instrument. Not generally strenuous. Piano for example (or a keyboard).
Do an on-line language course. The linguists in my family say Spanish is easy. (German is not, I can confirm).
Do some letter carving. Surprisingly therapeutic.
Learn to cook an entirely new cuisine. I'm doing Pho at the moment.
On-line wine appreciation course: eg WSET 1 and 2. Has the double advantage that as you taste the wines boredom is less and less of an issue....

 

[Eric the Viking]

Boy, do I sympathize! I've had two spinal operations in the last four months, and I think this second recovery has been worse than the first one!

Your mileage WILL vary from mine, depending on where/what the operation was. That said...

... I found out the hard way (er, twice, which is embarassing) that the restrictions on lifting stuff, etc. are important. I don't think I have done lasting damage, but I have really hurt myself, initially just lifting a kettle-full of water! It is so tempting to try too much, more so as you improve. I didn't tear the stitches, etc. however I did have days of pain after stupid mistakes.

What can you do? What the physios say you can do? I'm not sure. I'm seeing our lot tomorrow afternoon, actually. The exercises I was first given I think were too optimistic, so this second time I have held back a bit. I think it's worked better.

To be honest, in my case there are too many variables in play to be certain. #2 was definitely more painful, both initially and for longer, but the results seem to be better. For example, when I resumed driving the first time I struggled with muscle fatigue holding the car on the clutch at traffic lights, etc. This time it's definitely better, although I waited a bit longer to get back in the driving seat.

Lifting stuff has been an ongoing nightmare though: I have finally got into the routine of testing very gently before actually lifting things. Otherwise I do successfully manage it, without sudden pain, but really, really regret it from about two hours afterwards. And it's the silly things you'd never normally think twice about - I mentioned the kettle; another was a standard lamp in the lounge, late at night. I got some Systainer toolboxes over the last few weeks (the ones with drawers in), which I am very pleased with, BUT now they have tools in, I can't pick them up by the handles! So I am planning more carefully (e.g. take the drawers out individually, move them independently, reassemble grumpily).

It's really hard to take the long view, but you/we must. Only you can decide, but I have learned the hard way to err on the side of boredom.

There is a funny side to this though: a well-meaning friend sent me a book several weeks ago. It's a theology tome, and the subject matter is interesting to me. I'm 59 pages in, however it'll stay that way for a while. It's a good read, but sadly it's also 1045 pages long and 68mm thick (a paperback). It's been too painful to lift it casually...

 

[—Tom—]

What can you do? What the physios say you can do? I'm not sure. I'm seeing our lot tomorrow afternoon, actually. The exercises I was first given I think were too optimistic, so this second time I have held back a bit. I think it's worked better.

Hope you’re coping with yours - sounds like you’re in front of me recovery wise. Really useful to hear that the strictness needs to be followed - a useful reminder to cope with feeling useless rather than try to do too much. As you say jeopardising it being fixed and recovering properly isn’t worth it.


Physio guidance was light walking, but not too much- the challenge being knowing what is too much before it is

And then some stretches to try whilst lying in bed. They were very much more on the don’t do anything side than any physio I’ve had for anything else.

It is surprising what things weigh - I was thinking I could try and cook something on the barbecue - but Google revealed the weight equivalent of lifting up the bbq lid to be 3.5kg so outside the range.

The kettle is tough as people offer to fill it to be helpful- not realising that once full I can’t move it.

I have succumbed and bought a grabby hand that arrived yesterday and has made everything a lot easier.

Right time to draw out some plough plane blades ready to transfer onto some steel

 

[RogerS]

How about an OU course ?

If you popped down the area that you live then you never know. Might be some forumites who could pop round or prep a bit of timber for you ?

 

[Pete Maddex]

I can recommend Tom Scott on you tube and the Meades shrine some really good interesting videos.

Pete

 

[—Tom—]

How about an OU course ?

If you popped down the area that you live then you never know. Might be some forumites who could pop round or prep a bit of timber for you ?

I’ve looked at some of the online woodworking schools - as figure some good quality video furniture builds might be good. So far persisting with hunting around on YouTube but hard to find project builds and presenters that aren’t irksome.

I’m based in Cardiff, will update my profile tomorrow- thanks for the nudge.

 

[—Tom—]

Avoidance of boredom:

Learn to draw. Figures, animals etc.
Learn a musical instrument. Not generally strenuous. Piano for example (or a keyboard).
Do an on-line language course. The linguists in my family say Spanish is easy. (German is not, I can confirm).
Do some letter carving. Surprisingly therapeutic.
Learn to cook an entirely new cuisine. I'm doing Pho at the moment.
On-line wine appreciation course: eg WSET 1 and 2. Has the double advantage that as you taste the wines boredom is less and less of an issue....

Cheers- food and wine are long held fascinations and so the time off will be spent trying to produce foods that taste the way I want them too.
Working out a good chicken tare for yakitori is currently jostling for position at the forefront - and the flavour memory from Japan has been unsuccessfully sought in restaurants.

Challenge with wine is the temptation when I can’t drink at the mo, and is all to easy to go over budget as have the time to track down things I want to drink.
May see about wset- the courses nearby are full days- but online could work if unpaced

 

[Phil]

I really feel for you and Mike.

My knee replacement 17 years ago was 5 day hospital and I could only escape if I could climb the stairs up & down with the crutches.
Then another 5 weeks on crutches (lots of physio and also using their warm pool).
I was fortunate to be able to take work home and spent about 4 hours a day on the laptop.
Physio was twice a week which meant eating lunch out! Driver (wife) was also happy.
Final specialist visit was on a Friday morning and I drove myself. That afternoon we left with friends to go camping in Mozambique. Getting in and out of a small low tent was challenging as well as beach walking.
The prosthetic has about a 20 year lifetime, so 3 years to go. (pushing 80 then it just might be pushing up daisies)

 

[AJB Temple]

Cheers- food and wine are long held fascinations and so the time off will be spent trying to produce foods that taste the way I want them too.
Working out a good chicken tare for yakitori is currently jostling for position at the forefront - and the flavour memory from Japan has been unsuccessfully sought in restaurants.

Challenge with wine is the temptation when I can’t drink at the mo, and is all to easy to go over budget as have the time to track down things I want to drink.
May see about wset- the courses nearby are full days- but online could work if unpaced

WSET 1 and 2 are very easy and can be done on-line. Uses low cost wines, not premium stuff. WSET 3 is more challenging and the Diploma a stiff step above that.

I love Japanese food too and travelled there extensively as well as cooked there. Challenge in the UK is getting authentic ingredients and good enough quality fish. I use a restaurant supplier https://www.kernowsashimi.co.uk/ that services most of the M* Japanese p[paces in the UK. Not sure if it does retail as well though. Atariya foods is good for authentic Japanese ingredients.

 

[PAC1]

This is an incredibly well timed thread. I have an op in 2 weeks after which I am not supposed to do any heavy (or even light) lifting for 4-6 weeks. So thank you I will spend the weekend preparing material for box making and other small projects that have been on my round tuit list for a long time. I also have some light carving to do for the chairs so I can organise that.
I hope you have found things to do to keep your mind active at the very least.

 

[RogerS]

....... Challenge in the UK is getting authentic ingredients and good enough quality fish. ......

I'll second that. Forget supermarket fish. The Cornish fishmonger used to be very good and online but their prices have risen a lot over the last couple of years. Fortunately we have a fishmonger who gets morning catch direct from Newlyn. We can also place an order if it's something he doesn't usually stock.

 

[Lons]

I'd second what Eric said, do as the physio tell you.

I had a spine op, a laminectomy 39 years ago just weeks after moving into this house which was a wreck. I got out of hospital after a week by managing the stairs but not allowed to lift anything and told to follow a strict excercise regime for 6 weeks but needs must and in between the constant 'phone calls from my office I was fitting doors and painting. The surgeon said it had put me back several weeks and could have caused serious damage so I was stupid but lucky.

The other side of that is there was another guy had the same op immediately before mine and I bumped into him on the plane to Heathrow around 6 months later. he was bent over and struggling to walk. He was a wimp and hadn't done the excercises because they were "too painful".

 

[—Tom—]

Recovery seems to be moving along, dressing changed yesterday and they were happy with the healing.

Have done some very light things- lapped some stones back flat (a job I often put off as no running water in workshop)
Going through planes now sharpening them up, so they’ll all be ready for use.

Also the talk of japan reminded me I have some hammer heads without handles I picked up whilst there, and in the box of odds and ends a small curved piece of boxwood that I think should work for two handles- so will cut that down and then can spend ten minute bursts with planes and spokeshaves shaping to fit.

Will keep me occupied for a bit.

Sketching out a drawer unit too, thinking lots of narrow drawers so things like dividers, gauges, calipers, small squares etc will have somewhere to separate them better than the current deeper drawers where they all mix together in a tangle.

 

[Eric the Viking]

My physio appointment on Tuesday last was with someone I hadn't met previously. She took a fresh case history, and did a reassessment, too.

She also reviewed the exercise regime in the light of the second op, and an embarrassing propensity to fall over this time around. The 2kg dumb-bells are out for a bit longer (biceps/triceps and shoulders), but she's increased the emphasis on balance exercises and lower leg muscle strengthening. I have a review next month, and another in July, the second one her and a specialist neuro-physio together, which she's organised.

So I'm feeling well looked-after...

 

[PAC1]

Today I will prepare some wood and patterns to make several shaker oval boxes. Also some boxes for my power carving equipment that is in cardboard boxes that are well past their useful life. I might also prepare some small turning projects.

 

[—Tom—]

After feeling rough Saturday I managed to venture into the workshop today

Piece of wood from the small bits box ripped down on the bandsaw


Taping to an offcut to give a flat face to run on the table


Hammer head eye traced


Starting to fit on


Black marks left where rubbing


Tweaking with a chisel got the head seated


With the head fitted time to shave down the handle to a comfortable shape with a spokeshave



Once shaped the top of the handle was sawn for a wedge and the head fitted and wedged on

Some of the bark side still in place but it was comfortable and didn’t feel the need to keep going



The natural bend to the wood giving the handle a pleasing curve and an easy way to tell the flat side from the domed.

On and off over the afternoon - was nice to be doing something and means one of the hammer heads from Japan now is usable.

 

[Gill]

Or you could have hung the washing on the line.

Well done for pushing on.

 

[shafiq]

I'd second what Eric said, do as the physio tell you.

I had a spine op, a laminectomy 39 years ago just weeks after moving into this house which was a wreck. I got out of hospital after a week by managing the stairs but not allowed to lift anything and told to follow a strict excercise regime for 6 weeks but needs must and in between the constant 'phone calls from my office I was fitting doors and painting. The surgeon said it had put me back several weeks and could have caused serious damage so I was stupid but lucky.

The other side of that is there was another guy had the same op immediately before mine and I bumped into him on the plane to Heathrow around 6 months later. he was bent over and struggling to walk. He was a wimp and hadn't done the excercises because they were "too painful".

Lons, not spinal but tummy removal surgery (for big boned, wealthy people) and one of the staff once told me when I was working there at that particular place. That one of the best surgeons for that op is in Norway or Sweden (maybe even Denmark).

He actually would wake the patient after the op on the operating theatre bed and tell them to get off the table themselves. Obviously still drugged up at the time but his success/recovery rate was phenomenal. Yes, always good to follow physio advice, they're be bees knees and if they thought it helpful to move earlier they'd be the first to shout it out.

I always encourage/explain the quicker movement (within the letter/limit of the operating notes) technique. At the time the patient might still be in agony but they get much faster results in managing the pain and getting off the drugs (stronger pain meds I mean).

Tom, keep taking it easy and don't be like Mike ). I PMd you about adding quailty honey in your daily diet going forwards. It'll do wonders

 

[Lons]

I was in the Nuffield in a private room as I had health insurance with my job. None of my branch staff would make a decision so I had the phone constantly to my ear which is a PITA when you're drugged up after an op.

I refused to use a bed pan so crawled to the bog and shower and was up and around very quickly. I think they had trouble getting the other guy out of bed but I guess a lot of recovery is down to your attitude and mindset as well as physical limitations.

 

[shafiq]

I was in the Nuffield in a private room as I had health insurance with my job. None of my branch staff would make a decision so I had the phone constantly to my ear which is a PITA when you're drugged up after an op.

I refused to use a bed pan so crawled to the bog and shower and was up and around very quickly. I think they had trouble getting the other guy out of bed but I guess a lot of recovery is down to your attitude and mindset as well as physical limitations.

Yes, definitely attitude and mindset. I'm same and I'd have pushed for the toilet too (within reason). What you describe about your branch staff, thats similar to alot of my colleagues. They never bother to learn/read and sometimes even ignore standard protocols (like a PCA pump, its in the bloomin name, Patient Controlled Analgesic Pump but too many times its 'nurse led' and sometimes even given in their sleep - makes my brain hurt!) meaning slower patient/client outcomes.

 

[shafiq]

*Nuffield is rather decent.

 

[Lons]

*Nuffield is rather decent.

Not a proper hospital according to my wife who worked there for a few years after leaving the NHS hospital. Not really the place to be in an emergency as there used to be no doctors on the premises overnight, might be different now.

We had to pay for one of my wife's operations a few years ago and it was bloody expensive with the vast majority of the cost being accomodation and theatre. the consultant and anaesthetist fees were a very small part of the invoice.

 

[Lons]

Yes, definitely attitude and mindset. I'm same and I'd have pushed for the toilet too (within reason). What you describe about your branch staff, thats similar to alot of my colleagues. They never bother to learn/read and sometimes even ignore standard protocols (like a PCA pump, its in the bloomin name, Patient Controlled Analgesic Pump but too many times its 'nurse led' and sometimes even given in their sleep - makes my brain hurt!) meaning slower patient/client outcomes.

A close neighbour and good friend who sadly died a year ago this week had a knee replacement, a self confessed wimp couldn't do the excerises properly and two years after the operation was still having private physio and walked like a tin soldier. It irritated him that my wife was walking normally after just a few months but she put in the sweat and tears.

 

[shafiq]

Physio today was really happy with my mums progress too (post stroke if you recall). I walk her - with her doing all the work, just me instructing to try push the weak leg out more and get balance - without the frame and hopefully in the coming months she'll be even stronger. Physio being paid for directly by my mum, little soldier.

 

[Windows]

I once had an op after which the nurses were worried that I wasn’t waking up properly. They called the doctor to take a look. “How many times have you pressed this button?” he asked me pointing at the PCA machine. I told him. “You must be in quite a lot of pain”, he said. “Oh no”, said I, “they told me to press it every time before I move so that it doesn’t hurt. Haven’t had any pain at all”. “Ah. Maybe lay off pressing the button and see how it goes.” I livened up once the morphine stopped. Didn’t see any need to press the button again.

 

[shafiq]

I once had an op after which the nurses were worried that I wasn’t waking up properly. They called the doctor to take a look. “How many times have you pressed this button?” he asked me pointing at the PCA machine. I told him. “You must be in quite a lot of pain”, he said. “Oh no”, said I, “they told me to press it every time before I move so that it doesn’t hurt. Haven’t had any pain at all”. “Ah. Maybe lay off pressing the button and see how it goes.” I livened up once the morphine stopped. Didn’t see any need to press the button again.

Haha. Always nice to see it from the customers POV. I always try my best to remind my colleagues that it's called Patient Controlled for a reason. Worse (imo) is when they don't even educate their clients correctly. I think overopiating a morphine naive patient might still be in the 'never events list' by the Dept of Health in the UK. Not really any excuse for doing so but it happens all the time.

 

[RogerS]

Haha...reminds me of the old chestnut...

Nurse ..."Mr Smith? Mr Smith? Wake up. It's time for your sleeping pill"

 

[shafiq]

Haha...reminds me of the old chestnut...

Nurse ..."Mr Smith? Mr Smith? Wake up. It's time for your sleeping pill"

Lol, thats exactly it and happens often enough. Institutionalised...