Sounds simple, doesn’t it? But when you are not feeling well, standing up for yourself, or even standing straight, is very difficult. It is easy to let your body slacken and lose muscle tone. Additionally, for those recovering from abdominal surgery, the fear of upsetting an incision makes everything worse. But it is incumbent upon us all to maintain the integrity of our musculoskeletal system in order to support our inner organs.
Over the years, I have mentored many approaching a surgical date and I always include a conversation about getting up and moving around, recognizing that lying in bed has the potential to become deleterious. Although the body wants to rest, if the surgeon approves it, patients can start by sitting in a chair. Next step, walking to the bathroom, again with the physician’s approval, is recommended. Finally, and extremely motivating, is taking the IV pole (referred to in the hospital as one’s “boyfriend”) and walking the halls. Reaching that goal is a major achievement! There is something very comforting each time one passes the nurse’s stations, knowing one can move and strengthen one’s body.
Additionally, and extremely important, those of us who have had major abdominal surgery know that it takes from several hours to several days for the bowels to awaken after anesthesia. Many surgeons will not allow even water until there are signs the body is returning to normal. Walking is the passport to accelerating the return to normalcy. Any in that situation will vividly remember being what is referred to as NPO (commonly referred to as “nothing passes orally,” although there it parallels a Latin term.) Nothing means absolutely nothing, not a sip of tea or a bit of juice. This is to prevent a bowel blockage because there is no peristalsis activity, which moves liquid and solids through the intestine. With time and movement, this “paralysis” reverses itself, and walking is the primary means of accelerating the process.
As the body continues to heal post-surgery, good posture and remaining erect will strengthen muscles, and sometimes physical or occupational therapy is ordered to assist with that. Even squatting in the bathroom has the potential to cause alarm for a patient with a painful incision, and that may cause a setback in their recovery. The goal is to keep moving forward, even as movement may be slower than expected. Each time one foot is placed in front of the other, congratulations are in order. The patient who is motivated to keep on moving will see the best recovery, and that is standing up for yourself!
Excellent!
As an ostomate since age 17 (Now almost 50 years), I strongly believe in speaking up for those who do not have a voice. Let others know that we are much more than our ostomies. Remember a phrase I always use ‘the ostomy is what we HAVE, it is NOT who we ARE”
As always you are excellent, correct in the mastery of the subject matter and terminology while concomitantly being inspiring!