K Day!

 Today was the day! They put a deer knee in so I can now jump over fences!  Amazing!

Arrived the hospital at 0630, hungry and tired.  Intake and processing was very quick and soon we were in a day surgery staging room.  Lots of visitors wanting to know my name and DOB; nurse, anesthesiologist, surgeon, nurse, anesthesiologist aide.  So friendly. I hope they send birthday cards!  By 0730, I had an IV and had a lil relaxer.  I chose to go with a nerve block and anesthesia to knock me out as opposed to a nerve block and spinal block.  The difference being with the spinal, you have to stay in facility until it wears off.  In as much as I have had a slow recovery from spinal block in the past, I didn’t want to wait.  With anesthesia, you end up with a sore throat from the tube.  

The anesthesiologist returned with an aide and completed the nerve block.  I apologize for not knowing much about it, but it’s a long probing needle that finds a nerve on the inside of your thigh, guided by an ultrasound to “see” that results in “deadening” the nerve temporarily. Done!  Off to the OR.

By 0800 I was announcing myself to the 9 people in the OR, once again recalling my name and DOB.  Honestly, it was a little more difficult this time.  White, stainless and cold.   I asked how they worked in there and they said the gowns plus the task lighting kept them warm.  As they prepped, they put face piece over my mouth that had “oxygen.” Yeah, plus a little something else as my world became somewhat pixelated.  It felt heavenly and I enjoyed listening to the discussion between the anesthesiologist and an aide about their procedures.  Suddenly, good night!

I woke up on my way back to the staging room.  My amazing care provider and partner for life returned.  I got some water, juice, coffee, cheeseburger, more water, more juice, tea…..I was famished plus needed to fill my bladder.  You have to pee before they let you go home.  

The physical therapist arrived and showed me some simple exercises.  On initial evaluation, I could flex to 90 degrees, perform straight leg raises, abduction, and quad sets.  Using a walker, I took a lap with the PT, ascended/descended a few stairs.  This was night and day different from the last time and I felt ecstatic.  But, I couldn’t pee.  

Finally “did the deed” and headed for home.  My amazing partner gave me all the support I could ask for and more.  We watched a little TV, I did a little PT and now I’m settling in for the night.  Fingers crossed I stay on this trajectory.  If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to hit me up.  If you don’t have my contact info, post a comment and I’ll reach out.  Or use your network to get in touch.  

K-1

 

Tomorrow’s the day.  The day will start with a brightly lit environment, warm blankets, an IV and something to “relax me.”  I will get to visit with the doc, the anesthesiologist, and some nurses.  The doc will sign my knee so he does the right one and then I’ll be wheeled into the OR.  The operating room is typically chilly, very bright, all white and stainless.  There will be a bustle of business as people prepare with hushed conversations and maybe even some laughter.  When it’s time, the anesthesiologist will tell me what’s happening and I will drift from awake to asleep, hovering only for a couple seconds in the twilight between.  That is my favorite part; being neither awake or asleep.  Just being. Very relaxed.  Being.  

I’ll likely remember waking up, time in recovery, getting a snack and then off to the car.  It will take some work to get settled in the house and then I will doze off and on all night.  Not much pain the first day as the nerve block won’t have worn off.  

I will predict that I won’t get an update off tomorrow night as my state of mind on oxy won’t support the creativity.  Or maybe it will improve it.  Thanks for reading.  -K

 

K-2

K = knee, -2 = days relative to surgery.  In case you didn’t get that.  It starts before the knife.  I could have started writing last March but here we are.  

Because this has been a “hurry up offense,” I had to get a couple things in order today.  On the way to pick up pre-surgery scrub soap, stopped at physical therapy to see if they had my order and to schedule some appointments.  I walked in and the receptionist immediately recognized me.  A flood of emotions washed over me.  It all came back; the work, the pain, the frustration, discouragement and slow pace of progress.  I remember being about 5 days post-surgery when I couldn’t get ahead of the pain; one of the most miserable days of my life.  I began to recall my mental state that went along with the first recovery.  It was no joke.  I realized today that I was in for months of suck once again.  But, here we are. 

While this might be tough for me as the patient, it is easy to overlook the impact on my care provider, my partner.  First, I’m not a great patient.  First responders can be difficult as we know what the care “should look like” and if our partner does it different, it causes us angst.  I am working hard to pay close attention to how I respond to the support I receive.  Second, they don’t like seeing us struggle or in pain.  This is also something I am watching so I can facilitate a break when she needs one.  

On the other side of the coin, or other knee, it’s feeling quite a bit better today.  I am looking forward to the PT being good for both.  This just might be the opportunity I need to get them both going in the right direction.  No more compensatory effects.  

Today, I feel better knowing what to expect.  And, because I know what to expect, I am not looking forward to this.  But, here we are.