Monday, September 7, 2020 – POSTED: Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Hurray! I only got up twice in the night, about 1:30 and again about 4:30, if I recall correctly, then I woke up just before 8:00. I still feel tired, but I’m hoping this is the beginnings of a regular sleep pattern.
I really need a normal sleep pattern and 7 to 8 hours of sleep, preferably, continuous. This helps me to function well. My mind is clear, I can do what I need to do, and I’m pleasant company.
Return to Work
Tomorrow is my first day back at work after surgery. I’m liking having time to myself to work on personal things. I like my job, except those times where there’s too much of it. I’m hoping I don’t get dog piled with requests of help tomorrow. I don’t have the energy to work at peak performance. I’ve got a better attitude than prior to surgery, but if I’m tired, I’ll easily lose patience with colleagues and customers for their nonsense.
One Week Since Catheter Removed
Today is one week since I was freed of the catheter. I also add a second exercise to my pelvic floor exercises. The first week after the catheter I had to do five sets of five quick pulses, five times a day.
This week I continue with the quick pulses in the same amount, but add “squeeze and hold” for three seconds with ten seconds of rest, for five repetitions, three times a day.
In following weeks I continue the same quick pulses, and increase the time of squeeze and hold until I’m up to being able to squeeze for ten seconds, for fifteen reps at seven weeks. I then continue to do the same exercises forever to maintain. This should help my bladder control increase to the point I don’t need to even wear a pad. Eventually, my muscles will develop muscle memory and do the job of bladder control on their own, like I had before surgery.
Less Bloating
I have less bloating today so my denim shorts that are my loosest pair of jeans are not uncomfortable. I wear them with suspenders to avoid the squeezing of a belt. So far so good!
Thankfully, I should be able to wear long pants before cold weather sets in.
I did have to unbutton them and lower the zipper so I could put on my socks and shoes without my denim shorts digging into my abdomen.
Walking
I got in a bit of walking as I ran errands and went to the big name store today. When I got back I rested a bit. I then walked around our block five times with my granddaughter. I got in just over three miles today. My stamina for walking is slowly returning. I used to easily walk 5 miles in one go, so that should help me get back to that level of fitness.
Once I’m released from weight restrictions, I’m going to work on push ups and crunches and building up my core strength. I hope to burn off my belly and keep active and eat as healthy as possible. I want to avoid any other health issues.
If I can lose about fifty pounds and keep it off, I can probably go off the high blood pressure meds, which will make bladder control easier.
Walking also gave me a second wind so I didn’t feel like taking a nap. I should be able to get to sleep at a decent time and hope to have a productive first day back to work.
Men's Health in My Perspective 