Haven’t really felt like posting anything in a while. Pre-op on Tuesday was rough because my veins are so tiny – I looked like a pin cushion. Three attempts to draw blood – finally got it from the back of my hand. Surgery was Friday (Sept 30). Had to be there at 5AM – more attacks on my tiny veins. The nurse blew the vein on my right hand but got the IV in on my left. I told her it hurt pretty bad but I didn’t want to go through another round of darts. Next it was off to the surgical holding area – I love the warm blankets – very calming. Went over the anesthesia with the anesthesiologist – mentioned the IV was still hurting but it didn’t look blown so again I figured I was going to be out soon enough. I get rolled into the cold OR and moved to the table. Another warm blanket. Next the mask – that thing is a little heavy and actually hard to breathe with it on. So now my shoulders are getting cold, no way to ask for another blanket and my doctor is running “late”. The chatter in the room leads me to understand he’s usually early. Finally I hear on the 2-way that he’s on his way – time to sleep.
So next I’m waking up in recovery – huge ice pack on my knee. Last round of vitals and I’m off to a room to stabilize before they let me go home. The IV comes out and my hand immediately swells – at least the damn thing was out. The nurse brings me crackers and Sprite. Talk about syrupy sweet. I had already decided I wasn’t going to mention nausea – the last time I did it delayed me getting out by almost 2 hours. In hindsight I guess I should have. I was so sick after I got home. Jeff took good care of me at home – if I needed something I just pushed the Nextel.
I was up walking around on Saturday – used the crutches more for stability than to stay off the knee. Got very comfortable on the loveseat with my knee all propped up for the ball game. Spent Sunday on the couch in my cocoon all propped up watching movies. Did a little more “walking” around without crutches – was able to up the stairs but still not enough bend in my knee to go down. My knee was still very very swollen.
Stayed home Monday, still had issues with swelling – it was finally starting to come down, but as it did that awful “pinch” was back. The pain is very sharp, enough so that it throws me off balance, even causing me to stumble.
I thought my doctor’s appointment was Tuesday but when I got there I found out it was actually supposed to be Wednesday. They got me in, I got the stitches out and asked about the “pain”. Got the expected reply – well it’s going to be sore for a while, yada yada. Okay, I’ll give it a month. I almost feel like I should use a cane to keep me steady when I hit that “spot” – it takes my breathe away.
Thursday will be the first Physical Therapy session – I’m going to ask if they have a copy of the surgical report. The PA that saw me showed me part of it and I need to learn more about the Grade III/IV stuff I saw. It was related to that “spot” that hurts.
Leave a Reply