This time last week I was lying in the recovery area, waiting for the spinal block to wear off, trying to wiggle my toes. Wow, I had no idea what the coming week would bring. As Hettie and I have both noted, it's good to have this week behind us. I wouldn't want to be setting off down that road again.Speaking of the post-surgical recovery area, there's a lot to be said for having early-morning surgery... as in very-early. I was first on the schedule, 6:30 a.m. The downside, of course, is that we had to the at the hospital at 4:00. That meant, for us, a 3:00 a.m. wakeup call - with very little actual sleep beforehand. But there are plenty of upsides to being first. Once I went back into pre-op, I got everyone's attention - very little waiting around. It was all a smooth process, following some unwritten countdown, that led to my being wheeled into the operating suite exactly on time.
Another upside is the recovery room. I can't remember the official name - something like post-anesthesia recovery or something. Anyway, even in my foggy state, I remember looking around at the 20 or so beds, all but mine empty, asking someone about how full the area ever gets. Someone replied, "In a little while all these beds will be full. Good thing you're here now - you get our complete attention."
That was correct - and good. Turns out I'm allergic to morphine. When they started it in my I.V., my left arm lit up like a Christmas decoration, turning very red. It started to swell and itch, as well. I also remember asking about some I.V. Benedryl and an alternate pain medication. It took a while to get the official word from Dr. Mokris, but that's exactly what happened. Problem solved - I like that. I also like that even in such a foggy state, I was proactive - pointing out the problem and a potential solution.
Being first in surgery also means you're first to head out of recovery to a regular room. It means you're getting a new nurse who's been on-shift for probably just an hour or two - plenty of time to have made the urgent rounds and now able to help you get situated. I remember someone delivered a meal to my room a couple of hours after I got there. I was 100% not interested, but I think it was good to have the option.
Early surgery also means you've started the clock ticking for your discharge, whenever that will be. I had a goal of going home the next day, and I think having my surgery super-early helped my cause. A quick note about all that: I don't think it's realistic for everyone to try to go home the next day. I absolutely think it would have been entirely appropriate to have spend at least one more day in the hospital - and if you are facing this procedure, please don't push it. Coming home so fast impressed a lot of people, for what that's worth, but it put a tremendous amount of pressure on both Hettie and me. We're that kind of people - and, I never get tired of hearing this - we're pretty young, still in our 40s. If I were to face this procedure again, I'd give serious consideration to staying in the hospital longer. It was after I got home my fever manifested itself, my bandages needed to be changed, my on-site pain catheter had to be removed, and lots of other milestones that might better have happened under the care and observation of skilled nursing staff. We managed - you probably would, too - but I can certainly see a case for staying in the hospital at least one additional day. I actually can see a case for staying a couple of days, until the worst is over.
Anyway, I'm glad I did what I did, when I did it, but I caution anyone against pushing it. Again, all of that began a week ago... and what a week it's been. I'm so glad the first big push is behind us. I slept OK last night, needed pain meds a few times, but actually woke up wanting my morning coffee today (first time since the operation) and with a pretty positive outlook. I tried taking a few steps without crutches last night and early today. It can be done, but I end up just sort of dragging my operative leg. I don't think there's much to be gained doing that, so I'll stay with the crutches and the physical therapy exercises for now. During the no-crutch steps this morning, it's as if I could feel the initial limitations of the artificial joint for the first time. That was an interesting feeling... maybe I'm able to experience it because the initial post-op pain blast and swelling had both subsided somewhat. I'm wondering if that's the goal of physical therapy - to sort of re-train my body to work with that new joint. Again, more stuff I really hadn't thought about before.
Well, I'm hoping and believing Week 2 will be much better than the past week was. By all indications, that will be the case. I'll keep you posted.
