Surgery #1

December 21st came way too fast. I had been off of work since the 14th. I went to Florida for the weekend with my boyfriend. I saw Every Time I Die with one of my best friends. I also spent some quality time with my family.

I had to be at the hospital at 530 in the morning on Friday the 21st. I had the first surgery of the day so I was super happy about that. 530 though? Shit, that is early! I slept for about 3 hours the night before. That was a bad idea because I get very nervous and cranky when I'm tired. Not exactly a great combo when you're at the hospital.



I had my procedure done at Edward Hospital in Naperville. My mom and I checked in a little before 530, and we told to follow the yellow brick road to the surgical floor. Well, it was an orange line on the floor, but that is close enough. We were told to have a seat and that we would be escorted to a private room. My mom and I waited about 10 minutes. In this little room I was given a gigantic purple gown that had a paw print and a couple of port holes on it. I was very confused. I was also sweating to death. Well thankfully my gown hooked up to this vacuum-like contraption. There will be a picture of me in the gown at the end. This was a Bair Paw gown, and it help patients control their body temperate and makes them more comfortable. IT WAS AWESOME. I only wish this was my gown for my entire hospital stay...although it was made of paper, not out of cloth like a traditional hospital gown.

The Gown

I had my IV put in by a very competent (thank you!!!) lady who listened to me when I said I'd be more comfortable with it in my right hand rather than either of my arms. First of all, I'm a lefty and I never EVER have blood work, or shots, or anything in my left arm. I chose my right hand because the last time I had an IV in my arm I bruised immediately and it was very uncomfortable for me. She also covered it for me so I wouldn't have to look at it.

My wonderfully covered IV

Around 630 I was moved AGAIN to a different area. I was transported via gurney, and while I was being wheeled away I saw a giant box of Teddy Grahams. I was told that I could have some later. That never happened, and I'm still a little bitter. I was greeted by Dr. Arndt wearing a Christmas sweater. It, oddly enough, put me right at ease. We talked for a few minutes, I signed some paperwork, he signed off on my leg, and he went on his way to prepare. The anesthesiologist came in to discuss being put under. Now, for those that don't me, I am a huge Grey's Anatomy fan. I was also a huge fan of ER when it was on. I should have known that being put under would mean a tube down my throat, but I forgot, and I freaked out a little. We talked about a nerve block, but he said that he didn't know what my doctor wanted. He said he would let me know before I was put under if I would get the nerve block.

The sign-off

My last memory was being wheeled in to the OR. As soon as the staff moved me from my gurney to the operating table I started FREAKING out. I heard the anesthesiologist tell me we weren't doing the nerve block on my leg, and that "the happy drugs were on their way." After that, I was done. I remember waking up briefly in recovery. I was moved to my private room at some point. I think I woke up around 11 or 1130 in the afternoon. They had already given me morphine so I was feeling ok. I was hungry, my throat hurt, and I was very thirsty.
A nurse came in and gave me a menu for room service. Ladies and gentleman, this was the best part of my hospital stay. The food was awesome! There were tons of options, and they had diet ginger ale! I ordered a turkey sandwich because I was STARVING, but when it arrived, I was less than thrilled with it. My throat hurt too much to eat it, so someone ran and got me some soup. I slept on and off all day. I was starting to have a lot of pain. Sometimes it was a 9, sometimes a 10, and some time a 100. I was given morphine through my IV on top of my Norco pill. Every four hours, that was the drill. I barely remember this, but I do recall meeting with a physical therapist to learn how to use my walker. I was also hooked up to a Sequential Compression Device to ward off blood clots. It massages your leg and is super comfortable.
My boyfriend Aaron came to see me towards the end of the night, as well as my sister Kendra. I sent my mom home to take care of our dogs. I also wanted her to sleep comfortably and not on a hospital couch. She said she would be back around 8 in the morning. After awhile, Aaron had to leave to spend time with his family. After all, it was Christmas weekend. My sister also had to get going shortly after.

After everyone had left, I settled in for the night. I tried to mentally prepare myself to be woken up every four hours for a vitals check and pain meds. I love my sleep, so I wasn't thrilled. I survived though. The worst was being woken up at 2am to my nurse demanding that I get up and use the bathroom. I had a full on argument with her over it. I didn't need to go and I definitely didn't want to get out of bed. She was threatening to have a catheter put in if I didn't go. I finally haggled with her and said that I would get up at 6am and go. She kind of huffed and puffed about it, but I sure as hell wasn't going down (or having a tube go up) without a fight. 6am came way too fast of course. I got up, went potty, and ordered some breakfast. Cheese omelet with hash browns...YUM!

Me all doped up on my Morphine/Norco cocktail

My mom showed up around 8am, and then began the longest wait for PT to show up. We kept asking the nurses, they kept calling, and PT kept saying "soon." I heard "soon" so much that I thought it was a new day of the week. When they finally showed up I learned some leg exercises to do for both my good and my bad leg. This would help my muscles stay active while I sat on my ass all day. I also learned how to get in and out of my house with my walker since every entrance has a small step. Go in backwards? Scary!

Side Note: I should probably say why I decided on a walker vs crutches, and also why I recommend the walker. It was my choice. I was given both options. However, I have two dogs who are always by me, especially now that I'm home all day. I was very afraid I would clip one of them with a crutch tip. Also, it is winter, and I live in Illinois. Hello ice and snow and wet pavement. I figured that I would have a little more stability with a walker. It would also give me something to lean on. I recommend a walker for one reason....a BASKET. I didn't get mine until after I got home, but it is great! I helps me be a little more independent at home. I can carry my meds, a bottle of water, snacks, a plate, and we even tried putting my sister's foster dog in it! It helps me get things from point A to point B when I'm home by myself.

My leg, post-op

Anyway, I was finally discharged from the hospital. My mom brought me some clothes. I had shirts, but I didn't really know what kind of pants to bring. She brought some old sweatpants and a sharp pair of scissors. We chopped some pants, and then I very painfully figured out how to dress myself. After that, they sent me in my way! I was very scared and very nervous, but I just wanted to get home at that point. They gave me one more Norco for the road and the nurse wheeled me down to my mom's car. One uncomfortable car ride later, I was home! I was still taking the Norco every four hours so the next couple of days were a blur. I do remember Aaron coming over once or twice while he was still in the burbs. My sister and her boyfriend came over Christmas morning and then again for dinner. My neighbors came over Christmas night. It was a quiet couple of days, but that is exactly what I needed. :-)

That's all for now.

Thanks for reading!
- Vanna