| How to Prepare for Back Surgery Posted: 01 Oct 2016 05:00 PM PDT If you have an upcoming back surgery, there are some useful things to know beforehand that can help you get through the surgery more easily. You want to try to recover in the healthiest way possible. Whether you are having a spinal fusion, disc replacement, or other procedure, there are several things you can do to make the process a little easier. EditTalking to Your Doctor - Learn about the procedure. There are many different types of back surgeries. If your doctor suggests that you need an operation, take care to find out precisely what he recommends. You can also ask for a referral to a surgeon who specializes in that type of back surgery.[1]
- One of the most common types of back surgery is spinal fusion. During this surgery, weak spines are supported, usually by steel rods.
- Your doctor might recommend a discectomy. Part of a disc is removed to take pressure off of other parts of the back.
- A corpectomy is also common. This is when part of a vertebrae is removed.
- Ask questions. If your doctor recommends back surgery, you might have concerns. Before scheduling the surgery, make sure to have several thorough discussions with your doctor. You will want to talk to both your regular doctor and the potential surgeon.[2]
- Make sure you understand the terms. When your doctor talks about your back and potential surgeries, you might not understand all of the medical jargon.
- Ask your doctor for clear explanations. You can say, "I'm not sure what you mean by 'lumbar disc herniation'. Can you explain that to me in different terms?"
- Take notes. Write down what your doctor says. This will help you remember the important details after you've left the office.
- Discuss alternatives. Back surgeries can be extremely effective in treating a lot of ailments. But it is normal to feel scared or reluctant. Ask your doctor if there are other options.[3]
- When your doctor brings up surgery, ask if there are alternatives. You can say, "I understand that surgery can help. But are there other things we can try first?"
- Depending on the severity of your problem, there might be other regimens that could work. For example, you could ask about physical therapy.
- Take a friend or family member to your appointment with you. It can be helpful to have someone else listening and asking questions.
- Know the members of your team. There will be several professionals involved in your spinal surgery. When you are planning for the surgery, it might be useful to meet as many of these people as possible. Ask your surgeon who will be responsible for your care.[4]
- Get to know your surgeon. You want to make sure that you feel comfortable with this person.
- There will be several other people caring for you while you are in the hospital. For example, there will be an anesthesiologist, several nurses, and a case manager.
- While you are in the hospital, you will most likely begin the recovery process. Find out in advance if you will be working with a physical therapist or occupational therapist while you are in the hospital. Also, ask your surgeon if you will need to go to a rehab facility after you leave the hospital.
- Do further research. One of the best ways to prepare for surgery is is to rely on the knowledge of your medical team. However, you might find that you are interested in learning more about your condition and solutions. You can also do some outside research.[5]
- Ask your doctor for reading materials. He can likely give you some pamphlets or direct you towards useful websites.
- Find an online forum. There are many online communities that can be useful to you. Look for one where people discuss back surgery and the recovery process.
- Talk to people you know. Maybe a friend or co-worker has had back surgery. Asking them questions about their experience can help you know what to expect.
EditGetting Ready Physically - Plan your pain control regimen. Once you have decided to have back surgery, it's time to get ready. There are several things you can do to prepare your body and your physical environment. First, you will want to figure out a pain management plan.[6]
- Talk to your doctor about what kind of pain you can expect. Try to assess the severity and how long it will last.
- Be proactive in planning your pain control. Tell your doctor that you would like to figure out a regimen before surgery, not after.
- Many people report that better pain control management helped them have a faster recovery. You can discuss this issue with both your primary care physician and your doctor.
- Take care of your body. There are several things you can do to help increase your chances of a smooth surgery and effective recovery. Remember that your overall physical health impacts the health of your back. Take steps to improve your general health.[7]
- Eat a healthy diet. This will help your immune system, which can in turn help wounds heal faster.
- Pay attention to your nutrition. Eat a balanced diet of fruits and veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins.
- If possible, get some physical exercise before your surgery. It can be helpful to strengthen your muscles. Talk to your doctor about any limitations you might have.
- If you smoke, quit. Smoking increases your risk of complications during any type of surgical procedure.[8]
- Make your house recovery friendly. Recovering from back surgery can be a lengthy process. Be proactive and get your house in order before the surgery. You can do several helpful things ahead of time.[9]
- Your range of motion may be quite limited. Move the things you need most often, such as clothes, food, and medications, to waist level.
- Move any potential hazards. Temporarily move things like rugs, cords, or pet toys, so that you won't trip over them.
- Get a non-skid bath mat. You may also need to get a raised toilet seat.
- Adhere to pre-op guidelines. Your doctor will issue several instructions for you to follow. It is important that you follow all of the directions carefully. If you have questions about any of them, make sure to clarify.[10]
- For example, your doctor might instruct you to stop taking some of your current medications. You will need to do this in the week leading up to your surgery. Bring a list of your medications to your doctor, and ask which one you should continue to take, and which ones you should stop taking. Make sure that you find out how soon before surgery your should stop taking certain medications and when you can resume them.
- The night before surgery, you might be instructed to take a "pre-op" shower. Your doctor's office will provide you with instructions on what products to use.
- You will likely need to fast. Do not eat or drink after midnight. Remember, your doctor might give you different instructions, depending on your particular situation.
- Prepare a "day of surgery" checklist. Write down a list of things you will need to do on the day of your surgery. This can help calm any nerves you have. It will also ensure that you don't forget something important.[11]
- Make sure you take a bag with you to the hospital. It should include items such as comfortable clothing, glasses, dentures, cell phone, cell phone charger, and reading materials. Do not bring any jewelry.
- Also, remember to bring your driver's license for identification and your insurance card.[12]
- Take any necessary medications with a small sip of water. You can brush your teeth but don't swallow the water or toothpaste.
- Leave instructions for anyone who is caring for your pets or children. Thorough instructions will give you peace of mind during your hospital stay.
EditPreparing Mentally - Fight the negative thoughts. In addition to getting your body and home ready, you can also prepare mentally and emotionally for back surgery. Try to put yourself in a positive frame of mind. The power of positive thinking can actually help.[13]
- It is common to have a wide range of emotions before back surgery. You might experience a lot of different types of negative thoughts.
- For example, it is normal to "catastrophize", which means imagining the worst case scenario. To fight these thoughts, try to do the opposite. You can think, "This surgery is going to change my life for the better."
- It is also common to overgeneralize. You might find yourself thinking, "This surgery means I'll never play tennis again." Instead, try to think, "Maybe my game will improve once my pain is gone."
- Practice relaxation techniques. In the days before your surgery, you might be nervous. It is normal to feel anxiety. Surgery is a major event. You can practice relaxation techniques to help calm your fears.[14]
- Try breathing exercises. Breathe in through your nose for four counts and exhale through your mouth for four counts.
- Repeat this pattern until you feel more calm. Focusing on your breathing can distract you from your fears.
- Breathing exercises and other relaxation techniques can also help you to manage your pain. For some people, they can also lower your heart rate and blood pressure.
- Plan your recovery process. You will likely have a lot on your mind as you prepare for back surgery. If you can anticipate your needs during your recovery process, you will feel more calm and prepared. Make a list of all the things you will need.[15]
- Take time off from work. Talk to your boss about the time you will need to be completely off, and when you might be able to work from home.
- Anticipate the financial costs. If you are going to miss out on income, make a modified budget for your recovery period.
- Find out what equipment you will need. For example, you may need things like a brace or possibly a walker.
- Find a support system. Recovering from back surgery can be difficult. It can become even more complicated if you don't have help. Before your surgery, make sure that you have a support system in place.[16]
- Ask a family member or friend to help you out. If you live alone, ask someone to stay with you for a few days.
- Explain your needs. You can say, "Will you be able to go to the pharmacy and grocery store for me? I won't be able to drive for a while."
- Choose someone you trust. You will need reliable emotional support in addition to help doing everyday tasks.
- Learn about the procedure you will be having. Choose a surgeon you trust.
- Accept help from friends and family when they offer.
- Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
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| How to Take a Mental Health Day Without Feeling Guilty Posted: 01 Oct 2016 09:00 AM PDT Medical experts claim that in order to remain productive and perform, workers should take a mental health day every now and then. However, most people still feel guilty being away from work to rest their brain. Here are a few steps to take that much needed day off without adding guilt and pressure. EditIdentifying The Need For A Day Off - Think about your sleeping pattern. Whether you've experienced nightmares that have been waking you up at night or overall insomnia, a disrupted sleeping pattern can signal stress and a feeling of anxiety. Monitor your sleep in the last six weeks. Have you noticed a difference? Do you sleep significantly less?
- Use sleeping pills with caution. Their usefulness is debated and there are accidental deaths linked to them. Never use them without talking to your doctor.
- There are several reasons for which you might not sleep. Make sure your mattress is good and your bedroom dark. You should also talk about your sleeping problems with your doctor. You might be suffering from a condition such as sleep apnea.[1]
- Reflect on your stress tolerance. You don't deal with stress as well as you used to and you feel more fragile. Each deadline is a source of major anxiety and you don't know how to cope anymore. If you notice a negative evolution in your stress tolerance, it's probably time to act.
- A lower tolerance to stress than usual is usually a sign of exhaustion or burnout.[2]
- Don't feel guilty and don't lose faith in your ability to work if you're more stressed than usual. We all have ups and downs.
- If you work in an abusive environment where the boss is using stress as a tool to increase productivity, a day off will not help. You should talk to your trade-union or HR and see if the law is on your side.
- Discuss with your family and friends. Those who know you the best, your family and friends, will probably notice if you're in desperate need for a break. Talk with them about your stress and ask them for their opinion. If you have a strong relationship, they will give you the best advice.[3]
- Remember that communication is fundamental in a relationship. If you have been fighting with your partner recently, explain that you feel pressurised at work and are struggling. Let your partner express his/her feelings too. It's important to realise that a stressed person is difficult to live with.[4]
- Check that you're not suffering from a serious condition. A day off is ideal to relax but not enough when you have a serious physical or mental condition. You should talk to a doctor or a specialist if you suspect a depression or any other health issue.
- Identify the signs. If you feel sad and down for weeks or months, you might be depressed. Depression is a real illness and has nothing to do with being weak.[5]
- If you notice any unusual symptom, such as a rapid loss of weight, go immediately to your doctor.
EditPlanning Your Day In Advance - Identify the right day. Plan your mental health day during a slow time at work. Make sure your day off doesn't bring stress on others. Check the calendar and your schedule to ensure your day off works for everyone.
- Pick a Friday or a Monday if you don't work during the week-end. Three days without working can do miracles.
- Plan with your boss and colleagues. Instead of saying that you are stressed, just tell your boss that you have a few important personal appointments or matters to address and would like the day off from work.
- Be calm and confident in your approach and reassure him/her that you will have your work covered and/or deadlines met in time.
- Don't pretend to be sick. If your boss doesn't believe you, you might be in trouble.
- Don't tell co-workers or clients that you need a mental health day. Some people are unfortunately intolerant toward health issues.
- Find a co-worker to back you up if there is an emergency at work and you're needed.
- Consult with human resources to figure out how to categorize your day off. In some cases, the company may have actual mental health days built into your benefits - another reason why you should not feel guilty.
- Ask your family for peace. You might want to make the day off about you and only you. It shouldn't be about fetching the little one at school or buying nappies. Discuss the planning in advance and make sure that everybody will respect your peace and quiet.
- Offer to do more for the household before or after your day off to compensate. The key is respect and understanding.
- Tell your family not to call you on your mental health day, except in case of emergency.
- If you want, it's also perfectly fine to spend your day with your family. It's all about what you want!
- Determine what you will do in advance. You want to make sure that your day off work is as relaxing as possible. A bit of preparation will help considerably. Make sure that you have all you need in advance. You don't want to get stuck in a line at the supermarket's cashier on your day off.
- Make a list the day before and go buy what you need. Buy the essential, such as food and drinks, but don't forget things that might make you happy.
- Make a schedule of your day and fit in priority what you would really want to do.
- Create a good resting environment. It's better not to have any work at hand for your day off. Leave everything at your office place. Turn off your phone and avoid your emails.[6] Make a resolution that you will not work and truly commit to taking your mental health care day seriously.
- If you want to keep your phone turned on, make sure to turn off the emails to avoid any temptation.
EditMaking The Most Of Your Day Off - Catch up on sleep. If you've been exhausted or not sleeping, your day off should be spent in bed, resting your body and brain. You don't need to sleep the whole time if you don't want to, but you should definitely allow yourself to rest a few more hours than usual.[7]
- Don't forget to disconnect the alarm.
- Once you're awake, take a long and warm bath to relax your muscles.
- If doing chores and housework will make you feel a little saner on your day off, go for it. A mental health day doesn't mean that you have to just sit around relaxing. In some cases, restoring order to your surroundings will bring you to a place of peace.
- Go for a nice meal. You've been working so much that you have eaten your sandwiches in front of your computer for the last four months. It's time to go to a restaurant and enjoy a lazy lunch with a friend.
- Go for a healthy meal and don't eat too much if you don't want to feel sleepy during the whole afternoon.[8]
- Relax your body. Office work is stressful for the body and the spirit.[9] There are several activities which will allow your muscles to stretch and your mind to relax. Here are a few suggestions:
- There's nothing like sport to make you spend some energy and stretch in a fun way. Try to pick a sport you like and avoid injuries!
- Go for a massage to feel truly relaxed and pampered.
- Aromatherapy is a good alternative. It is relatively cheap and can make you feel very good.
- Reconnect with friends and family. If work has taken you away from the ones you love, spend the day making time to be with those important folks. For example if you've been working endless hours, seven days a week and haven't had a chance to spend time with your daughter, plan an entire day around what she wants to do.
- You can also combine a few nice activities at the same time. Why not having a go at a good restaurant with your friends before heading for a massage with your family?
- Avoid any guilt. If you're a workaholic, you will probably feel uncomfortable or guilty during your day off. Brush this feeling aside. Everybody deserves a day off once in a while and should be allowed to relax.
- Remember that you need to care for yourself in order to continue being a productive worker and present parent/ family member.
- Things at the office will not fall apart if you're gone for one day.
- Getting a break can help you refuel and regain creativity to approach new problems.
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| How to Grow Cannas Posted: 01 Oct 2016 01:00 AM PDT With their blooms of vibrant patterns and paddle-shaped leaves, canna lilies will add a riotous amount of color to any garden. Since they can be difficult to grow from seeds, cannas are usually grown from rhizomes, known as "tubers". Scroll down to Step 1 to start growing these lovely lilies. EditPlanting Your Cannas - Wait until any threat of frost has passed before planting your cannas. Cannas are a warm weather plant that don't do well in cold weather. Wait until spring to plant your cannas--when the soil becomes soft and warm from sunlight, its time to get planting.[1]
- If you live in a colder area where the warm season is rather short, you could consider starting your cannas in an indoor pot. See Part Three for how to care for indoor cannas.
- Look for a spot with full sunlight. As tropical plants, cannas require a lot of sun. A lot of sunlight will allow your cannas to bloom to their full extent--and that's something you definitely want. Cannas are known for the bright, beautiful flowers and intricate and colorful leaf patterns. Give your plant the sun it needs and you will be sure to have an exquisite garden.
- Look for a spot where the soil drains well. While cannas will survive in almost any soil, it does need to be able to drain. The way to tell if you have found a good spot is to check on the spot after a rain shower (or hose shower). If the soil still has puddles five or six hours after a shower, you will have to find another spot. While cannas do like moist soil, they don't like soggy roots.
- If you don't have another spot to plant you cannas, you can help your spot to dry by adding organic material to the spot. You can raise the level two or three inches using compost, peat moss, or ground bark--all of which you can buy at your local garden or yard supply store.
- Keep the wind in mind when selecting your spot. If you are going to plant one of the tall varieties of cannas, you will need to choose a spot where these tall beauties will be relatively protected from strong wind. In a strong wind, cannas stalks can snap or bend in a damaging way.[2]
- Loosen the soil to a depth of approximately 12 to 15 inches (30.48 to 38.1 cm). You can do this with a tiller or garden fork. Mix in a layer of compost that is 2 to 4 inches (5.08 to 10.16 cm) deep. The compost will give the soil an extra boost of nutrients that your cannas will appreciate.[3]
- Dig a 2 to 3 inch (5.08 to 7.62 cm) hole for each bulb. Place a single tuber (or rhizome) in the hole with the eye (or growing points) facing up. Plant additional tubers approximately 1 foot (.30 m) apart for dwarf to medium varieties and at least 2 feet (.61 m) apart for tall varieties.[4]
- Cover the holes and the tubers with soil. Press the soil down and water thoroughly. Watering the area will help to settle the soil around the tuber.
- Add a thin layer of mulch over the flowerbed. The mulch will help retain moisture and will also keep the weed population at bay.[5]
EditCaring for Outdoor Cannas - Keep an eye out for sprouts. Your sprouts should begin to show their heads a couple of weeks after planting, though if you live in a colder climate it might take a week or two longer. Cannas need heat to help them begin growing. For optimum blooming, apply a fertilizer rich in nitrogen to cannas about once a month.
- Water your cannas regularly. Cannas need moist soil, so its important to water your cannas regularly. If you live in an area where rainfall is one inch or less (2.54 cm) each week, you will need to water your cannas once a week. If you find yourself in a dry spell, water whenever you notice the soil getting dry.[6]
- Give your taller cannas some support. If you notice that your taller cannas are a little droopy, tie them to stakes to help them grow and support their own weight. Learn how to stake your plants here.
- Pick away dead flowers. As your plant's flowers bloom and fade away, remove the dead foliage. You can tell what is dead by looking for a faded brownish yellow color. Pick these away, taking care that you don't disrupt the still living parts of the plant. Do not cut leaves until they yellow because they will continue to provide nutrients to the plant even when it is not blooming.[7]
- Move your cannas indoors after the first frost. If you live in an area that gets frost, you will need to dig up your rhizomes after the frost kills the foliage of your cannas. Cut the plants back so that they are six inches tall and carefully dig the rhizomes up from the ground.
- Some cannas specialists believe that you should let the rhizomes dry for several days before moving onto the next step.[8]
- Fill a plastic box with peat moss or perlite. Both peat moss and perlite can be purchased at your local garden supply store. Once you have filled the box, place each bunch of rhizomes in the box, making sure that each plants rhizomes don't touch one another.
- You can also put them in a brown paper bag lined with peat moss or perlite if you don't have a plastic box to spare.
- Store the boxes so that they are not sitting on the floor. You should pick a spot that can have a maintained temperature of 45 to 55 degrees F (7.2 to 12.7 degrees C). Check on them every once in a while. If you notice that the moss is getting dry, lightly spray it with water so that it gets slightly damp. Your cannas will go into hibernation during this time, and will be able to be replanted in the spring, just like the first time you planted them.[9]
EditCaring for Potted Cannas - Consider buying dwarf cannas for your planter. Dwarf cannas grow to about three feet tall. They come in a variety of colors, such as the bright red Ambassador or the City of Portland, which is known for its salmon color. Regular cannas are much larger in size, so dwarf cannas tend to grow better when potted.[10]
- Use well-drained, good quality soil. Potted cannas will grow in almost any potting medium that can be purchased at a garden supply store--they're really not very picky. However, it must be soil that drains well, as cannas don't do well with soggy roots and could develop mold.
- Purchase a pot with drainage holes. You will also have to choose your container based on the size of the variety of canna you are choosing to plant. If you are not sure how large your specific canna can grow, run an online search or ask someone to help you at your garden supply store.[11]
- Remember, you can plant your cannas with other plants in your container, but just remember that all of the plants in one container must have the same water and sunlight needs or else they will not do very well.
- Dig holes that are 4 to 6 inches deep (10 to 15 cm). Plant your rhizomes (or tubers) in these holes, making sure that each dwarf or medium rhizome is at least 1 foot (.30 m) away from the next rhizome, unless you are planting them in a container, in which case you can often fit two or three tubers in a container. If you have a larger variety of canna rhizome, make sure that there is at least 2 feet (.61 m) distance between rhizomes. Make sure that the growing points (or eyes of the tuber) or pointing up.[12]
- Water your cannas. You should water your cannas right after you plant them so that the soil will settle around them and they can start to grow. When they have begun to sprout, water your plant as much as needed, keeping an eye on the soil to make sure that it is always relatively moist (though not soaking wet).
- Make sure your potted cannas get plenty of sunlight. It is recommended that you bring your cannas outside so that they can get full sunlight during the warm months. If you do choose to keep them inside, make sure they are near a window that provides them with bright sunlight for most, if not all, of the day.
- Bring your pot inside before the first frost. If you did bring your cannas outside for the summer months, make sure that you bring them back inside before the first frost has the chance to harm them. Store them indoors where the temperature stays at around 45 and 60 degrees F (7.2 to 15.5 degrees C).[13]
- You can also dig up the rhizomes and store them in a plastic box with peat moss or perlite.
- Separate and replant cannas every 3 to 4 years so the plants will not become overcrowded.
- When selecting a place to plant cannas, know what variety of canna you are planting. Some varieties can grow as high as 6 feet (1.83 m) tall. Take flower size into consideration when selecting the ideal location for your cannas.
- When you are ready to re-plant cannas in the spring, use a sharp knife to cut them apart so that each individual piece contains a good bit of rootstock and one eye.
- In climates that are warm all year long, cannas do not need to be removed from the ground for the winter. Simply add a dose of fertilizer in the spring.
EditThings You'll Need - Shovel
- Canna tubers
- Compost
- Mulch
- Plastic container
- Peat moss or perlite
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