I woke up at 6:40, gently and not so gently, by my kids.
They immediately gathered around the bed. Looking at my leg. Touching it. Asking questions. Curious, worried, fascinated. I was still exhausted, but there was no chance of falling back asleep.
The leg is swollen. Heavy. Angry.
Today was about starting the medication routine. My medication list suddenly feels like a full-time job:
- Toragesic — every 12 hours for 2 days
- Tramal — every 6 hours for 2 days
- Xarelto 10 mg — once a day for 15 days
- Zinnat 500 mg — every 8 hours for 7 days
- Novalgina — every 6 hours for 7 days
Of course, I did what everyone does. I started researching. What other people take. What mixes well. What should never be combined. ChatGPT and Google both seemed to know everything.
Physically, everything feels strange. I cannot really move my leg. There is no power in my quads at all. They hurt like I just finished the hardest leg workout of my life. That deep, burning soreness you feel after pushing too far. Which makes no sense, because I have not trained my legs in over a week.
Still, the soreness is real.
I learned how to use crutches properly. Not just walking, but the small details. How to lift the leg. How to place it on pillows. How to elevate it without activating muscles that simply do not respond yet.
I went back to work online. Surprisingly, it felt good. Slightly surreal, yes. Working while medicated is an experience on its own. Thoughts are slower, but focus comes in waves.
I am drinking a lot of water. Peeing often. Pain is still intense, even with medication. I get tired very fast. I sleep in short blocks, constantly searching for a position that works. What feels acceptable one hour becomes unbearable the next.
I read a lot today. Recovery timelines. Travel restrictions. What comes next. What is normal and what is not.
Mentally, it is heavy.
Sad. Pissed. Impatient. Vulnerable.
Every call with a friend or family member helps. Even short conversations lift the mood. They pull you out of your own head for a moment. Keeping close people close matters more than you realize.
They help you forget, even if just for a bit.
Key Takeaways
- Swelling and pain dominate the early phase more than anything else
- Muscle shutdown can feel alarming but is part of the process
- Following the prescribed medication plan matters more than online research
- Learning basic movements and positioning is a full-day task
- Fatigue arrives quickly and unpredictably
- Sleep comes in fragments and requires constant adjustment
- Early return to light work can help mentally, even if it feels surreal
- Emotional weight is as real as physical pain
- Staying connected with friends and family is essential
- Vulnerability is unavoidable and accepting it is part of recovery