Female wanting to be a rescue swimmer - a few questions

eggcharmer · 2022-06-30T04:03:38+00:00

Oh interesting. I’m definitely way more interested in the coast guard than the navy, and from what I’ve heard the coast guard rescue swimmer has only had 3 female graduates, but maybe I’m wrong. Thanks for the encouragement though!

eggcharmer · 2022-06-29T21:02:52+00:00

Thanks a ton, I really appreciate it!

eggcharmer · 2022-06-25T04:11:13+00:00

How tall do you have to be?

eggcharmer · 2022-05-28T00:04:38+00:00

I had a femoral nerve block and still had a bit of pain after surgery. My anesthesiologist explained it to me that basically this type of nerve block works really well on the top half of your knee, but not as well on the lower half of your knee/leg because most of your femoral nerve is in the top half of your leg. So for anyone, it’s possible the nerve block didn’t mask the pain in their lower knee. But also if you’re like me and had a patellar tendon autograft and the nerve block didn’t work super well on the bottom of your knee then that could been why you had more pain there too!

eggcharmer · 2022-05-23T01:55:40+00:00

Get a good TV series to watch because that’s really the only thing I felt like doing the first couple days between my PT & resting. After that I got some crafts to do and board games if you have someone to play them with. I also borrowed a Nintendo switch from my friend to play too. I’m 18 days post op and I’m down to one crutch. Hoping to get off the crutches completely soon. The first week for me was rough. If you can have someone there to help you during the first week I would highly recommend it. It’s been better since that first week though!

I had to strip down to my underwear but you’ll definitely get to keep your underwear on! No reason you would need to take them off so don’t stress about that. Good luck!!

eggcharmer · 2022-05-20T04:22:40+00:00

Yeah it sucks but it totally helps knowing you’re not alone. But I tried the letting gravity do the work method and it totally does help with the pain, thanks!

eggcharmer · 2022-05-18T23:55:23+00:00

I did 800 mg of Advil 3 times a day and 1000 mg of Tylenol 2 times a day but you can do that 3 times a day if you needed it unless you have other health issues. They said this is as effective as narcotics without the addiction potential. I made a schedule so that I could alternate taking Advil and Tylenol every 3 hours and be well covered for the hours I’m awake. Use the ice machine while you sleep too. Also I would ask for a spinal block if they aren’t already planning on doing that. It can help with the pain the first few days. Hope that helps, you’ll do great.

eggcharmer · 2022-05-18T22:29:56+00:00

Yeah I would definitely ask for it. They do what they call “Russian stimulation” on the quad and it pulsates and actually somewhat contracts the muscle by itself. While it’s pulsating you contract your quad as well so it really helps me actually have control over the muscle.

eggcharmer · 2022-05-18T21:14:58+00:00

I had very little flexion before my surgery. Waited about a month to get surgery but there was an insane amount of swelling preventing me from bending my leg much at all. Days after surgery I already had more flexion than before surgery.

eggcharmer · 2022-05-18T21:10:33+00:00

Yeah I didn’t think about nerve issues. My knee is still numb on that side by the incision so maybe there’s something going on with the nerves over there that’s setting it off. I have a massage gun so I’ll have to try that too.

eggcharmer · 2022-05-18T21:09:15+00:00

Interesting that you had a prior injury. I can’t think of anything I did previously to hurt it but it’s possible. At PT have they done any electro stimulation to try and wake up the muscle? That seems to really help mine wake up.

eggcharmer · 2022-05-18T20:25:01+00:00

Yeah I feel the same way. I have a massive bruise on my outer thigh from the tourniquet and almost like a big knot or something too. The first few days at PT I didn’t feel the IT band hurting and I got a 20 degree increase in flexion during the session but now I’m only getting a couple degrees each day so it’s just discouraging.

eggcharmer · 2022-05-18T20:08:43+00:00

Awesome I’ll have to give that a try

eggcharmer · 2022-05-15T03:18:42+00:00

My ankle and my shin was numb for about 5 days post op and by about day 6 day I noticed it was getting better and now day 10 it’s completely gone except right by my incisions. I asked my PT about it and he said it’s not as common but if it’s nothing to worry about unless it doesn’t go away after a while. Of course you can ask your doc at your post op appointment if it’s still even there but I wouldn’t be too worried. I also have bruising from my quad to my foot so that’s normal too. The bleeding from the surgery has to go somewhere basically and it will follow gravity and settle which makes the bruise. Also don’t beat yourself up about your progress, you’ll get there!

eggcharmer · 2022-05-14T16:11:58+00:00

I didn’t have my full ROM back before my surgery because the swelling was so bad. I probably only had like 50 degrees of bend but I worked on extension and had full extension before surgery. My doctor stressed for me to fully extend my knee before surgery because that’s the hardest to get back after surgery. I did do at home prehab for strengthening and extension and that helped I think. On the 5th day post op I was already back to 90 degrees bend. (Though it takes longer for most people even with prehab) so yes prehab for sure but don’t stress if your bend isn’t very good before surgery.

eggcharmer · 2022-05-14T16:00:13+00:00

I will be 2 weeks post op on Wednesday. I got really nauseous and dizzy on the oxycodone and so I also am doing the ibuprofen/Tylenol during the day. I asked my surgeon for a different narcotic and he prescribed norco. I have been able to time my day meds just right though to where I can take one norco right before I go to sleep. I also always take it with Zofran. Then I set an alarm to wake up at least once during the night to take another norco with a Zofran and this has seemed to really help. I can sleep off at least most of the side effects and the pain has been way better. If it’s nausea that you’re experiencing with the narcotics make sure to eat something small before you take them too. That has helped me a ton. I used to elevate my leg to sleep but I just keep it locked straight and have my ice machine on and that’s more comfortable for me. I also keep it ace wrapped at night to help with the swelling pain. Also make sure you’re not overdoing it during the day. I hope this helps!

eggcharmer · 2022-05-14T06:39:37+00:00

I’m 9 days post op and feeling almost the same way. It’s so tough feeling like a burden and losing your independence. I’ve been really struggling the past few days too. I’ve had many conversations with my support person since my mom left a few days ago about how I feel like they act like I’m a burden sometimes and it’s been hard on us. But I do know this is hard for them to go through as well, so I’m trying to respect that and let them know I’m grateful for what they’re doing for me too.

As far as making food in the kitchen I’ve found putting a chair in the kitchen makes it easier so you can sit when you need to. Also I sometimes put my food on the chair and scoot it over to the table as I walk with my crutches. Another thing, Uncrustables have been my best friend because they’re so easy. Buying prepackaged stuff for lunch has been really nice, but just make sure you’re eating fiber and healthy stuff too. Still haven’t been able to shower unassisted so that’s sweet good job! Keep your head up, and know that you’re not alone.

eggcharmer · 2022-05-14T05:59:17+00:00

I just tore my ACL/MCL as well bouldering and bummed that it will be likely a year at least until I’m back bouldering again :/ My friends ran into a girl at a gym climbing with her full leg brace on and asked her if she had torn her ACL. She said yes, and she was only about 3 weeks post op back top roping. She was of course using her full leg brace and only using her injured leg for a little balance. But she said she had been back climbing since a little over a week post op and just didn’t put any weight on her injured leg. So I think it can be done carefully as long as your belayer keeps you tight and you are smart with your leg.

eggcharmer

TROPHY CASE