offbalance (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
offbalance) wrote2012-01-06 07:32 pm
offbalance) wrote2012-01-06 07:32 pm
Entry tags:
The Recovery
So, surgery wound up being no big at all. I was all freaked out that they'd turn me away because of this post nasal cough that arrived at the beginning of the week. But not so! The anesthesiologist gave me a few puffs of hospital grade albuterol and I was fine. But I'm getting ahead of myself here.
J and I worked out that the best plan for surgery would be that my parents would take point on the day of the procedure, and he'd stick it out with me at home for most of the recovery. So, my mom and dad arrived at 5:30 am on Thursday to take me to the part of the hospital that deals with outpatient surgeries of all kinds. Can't lie, I was a bit nervous. Also, unpleased at being up so gorram early. Still, I discovered that I was first in line, which wasn't all bad. My mom stayed with me as we waited, and the place was empty.
And if you're in need of a hospital, I have to say I've been very impressed with Maimonides so far. Everything is clean and relatively new, and all of the staff I've dealt with were really and truly nice. For someone to be upbeat and cheerful at 6:30 in the morning? That means something. And all of the RNs I worked with were really great. One came over and took my blood pressure and temperature, the other did another checkup on me. Then I met my anesthesia team (go team!) which was a clever way to explain that two hot doctors would be giving me nice knockout drugs. There was a really funny scrub nurse, too. I got to sit in a nice recliner and talk to this whole bunch of people as I got ready for the surgery.
I chatted with my doctor and another doctor who would be working with him (likely a resident or intern). I'm used to just seeing my doc in his office, but as it turns out, he's an attending, and seems to love to teach. He was talking to the other doc about an article he read that the other doctor would find useful. I'm a big fan of teaching hospitals, and like seeing older and newer doctors working together, so this made me extra happy.
After a bunch of tests and checks and forms to sign, I was wheeled into the OR and put on a stretcher. They put an IV in my hand (ow) and told me I might feel a burning sensation. Shortly after said sensation, I was down for the count.
A short time (to me) later, I woke up thinking that![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
katiebea was pushing me along to recovery. I asked her what she was doing there, only to be informed that this very nice recovery nurse was not, in fact, katiebea. (I was on drugs and without glasses, so I think it was hardly the worst thing that could have happened). I was groggy and disoriented and thirsty as all get out. I was given water and told to sleep. Tried that, didn't work, eventually got more water and someone delivered my mom, who had been holding my glasses. My doc also stopped by to tell me how it went. I remember some things, but in the state I was in, Nathan Fillion could have professed his love to me and I would have barely remembered.
The gist is this: ankle was more fucked than we thought. Shards of cartilage (also the name of my new metal band) were everywhere, and causing all sorts of pain and inflammation to the ankle, which he sucked out with his magical medical machines. Doc had to drill holes in the bone to promote new growth, and I'm going to have to stay off it for longer than originally hoped.
On the bright side, though? I feel BETTER. No, seriously. My ankle is a bit sore but keeps insisting in some way that it's much happier. It hurts way less than it did for the cortizone shot, and it's obvious now as to why. The recovery part frustrates me. I'm not a good patient. I hate the crutches, and the inability to take A Real Shower. (Operation: Wash Hair will likely occur tomorrow and will involve my kitchen sink and help from my mom and/or sister. ) I hate that I have to be waited on.j_bkl has been taking good care of me, bringing me all sorts of things, moving furniture around to accommodate my gimpy ass, and being a source of love, a source of humor, and a source of positivity, which only helps with the healing process. And friends and family have been popping up in droves with offers of help and company and entertainment, making me feel really loved. And J's folks sent me a big bouquet of lovely flowers, too. They're decorating the coffee table, which has been moved to make room for gimpy.
I'll have more complete details about what's the what after I see my doc on Monday. In the meantime, I have much tv to watch and much healing to do. And I dearly hope that the Rangers manage a few shots on goal already, they're already down by 1 with 6:45 left in the first period. Come ON, guys!
J and I worked out that the best plan for surgery would be that my parents would take point on the day of the procedure, and he'd stick it out with me at home for most of the recovery. So, my mom and dad arrived at 5:30 am on Thursday to take me to the part of the hospital that deals with outpatient surgeries of all kinds. Can't lie, I was a bit nervous. Also, unpleased at being up so gorram early. Still, I discovered that I was first in line, which wasn't all bad. My mom stayed with me as we waited, and the place was empty.
And if you're in need of a hospital, I have to say I've been very impressed with Maimonides so far. Everything is clean and relatively new, and all of the staff I've dealt with were really and truly nice. For someone to be upbeat and cheerful at 6:30 in the morning? That means something. And all of the RNs I worked with were really great. One came over and took my blood pressure and temperature, the other did another checkup on me. Then I met my anesthesia team (go team!) which was a clever way to explain that two hot doctors would be giving me nice knockout drugs. There was a really funny scrub nurse, too. I got to sit in a nice recliner and talk to this whole bunch of people as I got ready for the surgery.
I chatted with my doctor and another doctor who would be working with him (likely a resident or intern). I'm used to just seeing my doc in his office, but as it turns out, he's an attending, and seems to love to teach. He was talking to the other doc about an article he read that the other doctor would find useful. I'm a big fan of teaching hospitals, and like seeing older and newer doctors working together, so this made me extra happy.
After a bunch of tests and checks and forms to sign, I was wheeled into the OR and put on a stretcher. They put an IV in my hand (ow) and told me I might feel a burning sensation. Shortly after said sensation, I was down for the count.
A short time (to me) later, I woke up thinking that
katiebea was pushing me along to recovery. I asked her what she was doing there, only to be informed that this very nice recovery nurse was not, in fact, katiebea. (I was on drugs and without glasses, so I think it was hardly the worst thing that could have happened). I was groggy and disoriented and thirsty as all get out. I was given water and told to sleep. Tried that, didn't work, eventually got more water and someone delivered my mom, who had been holding my glasses. My doc also stopped by to tell me how it went. I remember some things, but in the state I was in, Nathan Fillion could have professed his love to me and I would have barely remembered. The gist is this: ankle was more fucked than we thought. Shards of cartilage (also the name of my new metal band) were everywhere, and causing all sorts of pain and inflammation to the ankle, which he sucked out with his magical medical machines. Doc had to drill holes in the bone to promote new growth, and I'm going to have to stay off it for longer than originally hoped.
On the bright side, though? I feel BETTER. No, seriously. My ankle is a bit sore but keeps insisting in some way that it's much happier. It hurts way less than it did for the cortizone shot, and it's obvious now as to why. The recovery part frustrates me. I'm not a good patient. I hate the crutches, and the inability to take A Real Shower. (Operation: Wash Hair will likely occur tomorrow and will involve my kitchen sink and help from my mom and/or sister. ) I hate that I have to be waited on.
j_bkl has been taking good care of me, bringing me all sorts of things, moving furniture around to accommodate my gimpy ass, and being a source of love, a source of humor, and a source of positivity, which only helps with the healing process. And friends and family have been popping up in droves with offers of help and company and entertainment, making me feel really loved. And J's folks sent me a big bouquet of lovely flowers, too. They're decorating the coffee table, which has been moved to make room for gimpy. I'll have more complete details about what's the what after I see my doc on Monday. In the meantime, I have much tv to watch and much healing to do. And I dearly hope that the Rangers manage a few shots on goal already, they're already down by 1 with 6:45 left in the first period. Come ON, guys!
good news!
Re: good news!
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I will definitely let you know. Right now I'm still in the adjustment phase. :/