Practical advice sought re sitting

Very interesting question maybe you would like to post it again in the Live Q & A session with the nurses they are available this morning to answer any questions you may have.

For information please refer to my post on this group yesterday.

Ian

Cheers

Hi

Ive not had an APR operation but I’ve read people talking about recliner chairs being helpful and also valley cushions which are expensive but can be hired maybe?

If you type ‘valley’ into the search box then it’ll bring up some of the previous posts

Glad to hear that you’re recovering so well

Take care

Karen x

thanks :-) 

Hi there  I hope you’re improving gently. I thought of a chair like that in my earlier recovery and it’s something I never followed through. In hind sight it would have been a good idea as I’m pretty sure if you can take the weight  of sitting on your lower body that’s got to be a good idea. Hard surfaces have been very difficult for me but everyone’s different. The ro ho cushion wash a huge enemy..,. bu that’s another story. I might just investigate anyway as my back is still stiff post op. 

Good evening all - I have done some research and had some conversations- the outcome  is that initially I have rented a Valley Cushion & will see how I get on with that as it is movable - when I'm able I will then try one of the kneeling chairs, particularly for home use. Fortunately I have a reclining settee which will be utilized to the max too!! 

Thanks all - I'll post updates as and when

My experience was that the best solution in the early days after the surgery is to sit on a reclining chair as it did a brilliant job of spreading my weight distribution which prevented exerting excessive pressure on the site of my surgery. It gave it time to heal properly and after a few months I found it progressively more comfortable to sit on an upright chair. I am now 9 months post operative and almost back to normal sitting wise. 

So my advice is not to rush things expecting to be back to normal in an unrealistic short period of time. You need to let your body recover and repair itself at its own rate. Outwardly you may look good, but internally your body is dealing with a car crash for several months!

Absolutely agree with everything you’ve said here 1959 and equally 9 months post op too. This is not just physical recovery it’s also huge mentally too and that’s something else. Knowing how to deal with negative thoughts is a must do.

Indeed ewok, It is important to deal with negative thoughts. In addition to permanent colostomy stoma, I was also additionally given a permanent urostomy stoma due to the close proximity of the rectal tumour to my prostate. However, I have managed to deal with both bags and am now able to physically do most things as before ( swimming, walking, DIY projects, cycling, guitaring...). The toughest part was dealing with a post op infection which like you caused night sweats and also loosing a lot of weight. Thankfully, that was successfully treated and I started to get physically mobile and stronger 3 months after the operation.

At the end of the day, I view it all as a new lease of life. I should not really still be alive, but I am and now feeling remarkably fit and healthy for someone who was virtually confined to a wheel chair prior to the operation. This was due to the tumour exerting pressure on my sciatic nerves causing extreme pain in my legs and buttocks. It was amazing to wake from the operation, to find that pain virtually eliminated!

I wish you well in your continuing recovery ewok.

Had an APR in October last year.

Initially bought a doughnut shaped thing to sit on to ease the discomfort which helped a bit but after a few weeks I just sat down as "normal", sometimes sit on the floor, okay not always as comfortable as I would hope but it's not an issue, I don't think I'm unique.