Returning to a normal life with 2 young children

recovery with kids

by Tracey_E - 2017-03-10 13:06:05

Wow, sounds like they didn't give you much information! Typical instructions are don't raise the left above shoulder level or lift anything heavy for 4-6 weeks. Other than that, listen to your body and go by how you feel, but be sure to use the arm so your shoulder doesn't freeze.

Your two year old is heavier than you should be lifting for a few more weeks. I would pick my daughter up with my right arm and hold her on my right hip, using the left arm only for balance. I changed diaper and clothes and played with her sitting on the floor so I wasn't lifting. Pushing the stroller is ok if you feel good doing it. There are ways to work around it, but yes, it's kind of frustrating for a few weeks until you have full use of both hands! 

7 weeks post op is a long way out for a follow up. Don't be shy about calling if you have questions or concerns sooner. 

Recovery with kids

by RBooth - 2017-03-10 13:30:17

Thanks for the reply. I have been using my left arm...probably more than I should, eeeek.

I am left handed so all of my strength is on my left side but if I need to lift her I will give my right side a go! I will try pushing the pushchair and see how it feels.

I have been leaving nappy/clothes changes to daddy up until now because she kicks and fights a lot but he has gone back to work tonight so I am going to have to sort her and hope she cooperates.

use of arm

by Tracey_E - 2017-03-10 14:43:33

Using the arm is good! You don't want your shoulder to freeze. My doc said no more than 20 pounds, tho from what I've heard 10 is more typical, and don't stretch overhead. Anything else goes. After the first 48 hours, it's just precaution anyway. It's pretty rare for a lead to come loose after the first day or two, and when it does it's more likely that it wasn't in a good spot to begin with, not that we did anything to cause it. There has even been one study that compared patients with no restrictions to those with the traditional 6 week limits, and there was no more incident of lead dislodgement in the group with no restrictions. When I had a replacement in 2010, my doc said 6 weeks. When I had another last year, he'd changed his instructions to 2 weeks so. Long way of saying, it's ok! Try your best, but don't sweat it if you end up in a battle with her changing clothes and have to grab her. 

Let the battle commence

by RBooth - 2017-03-10 14:52:53

Your comment couldn't have been timed any better TraceyE.

I have just changed them both for bed and ended up in a bit of a battle with the fidgety one which had me worrying about potential damage but I'm now feeling quite reassured that I should be ok.

Thank you 

use of arm

by bjd - 2017-03-11 17:10:24

pm installed 3-9-12, my post op ck up is for 2 weeks later.  what is this with 7 weeks??!!  Boy wld I be on the phone!!  they are leaving you high and dry here, lady...

Post op

by Dbedwell - 2017-03-13 12:15:49

My pacer was placed 3/8/17. My post op follow up is only 1 week away. That does seem like a long wait. I have staples too. They will be coming out then. I have pacemaker clinic the next week. Good luck to you, but I, as a Nurse would not wait that long for follow up 😉

recovery

by Seabreeze - 2017-03-20 12:50:12

I am very independent too, and needed help, but just try to go with it because it will get easier.  Trust me.

Sending you peaceful thoughts.