Surgery is Over!
This has been a long day, but I am feeling remarkably well - considering.
I got out of bed at 7:00 a.m. I had to time this just right. All I needed to do was take a shower, wipe a packaged antiseptic all over myself, put on my clothes and leave for the hospital. There was no need for make-up, moisturizing, or fixing my hair. Most importantly I didn't want any extra time here at home since I wasn't permitted to have anything to eat or drink.
Jeff and I left the house at 8:15 and arrived at the hopspital around 9:00. We went directly to the outpatient surgical wing of the hospital. We were directed to a tiny room and I was given my "outfit" for the day; two gowns - one to tie in the back and one to tie in the front. I also got cute little sockies with treads. Jeff and I sat in this room and watched TV. When I got cold a nurse brought me the nicest pre-heated blanket. Farrah and Jim arrived (I think) about 10:00. We had a nice visit before I was taken to surgery.
In the pre-surgery room I met the surgeon, John (my personal nurse) and the anesthesiologist. Each of these people asked me the same questions; "What is your name?" and "When is your birthday?" One of them wrote the word "Yes" on each of my ankles. This was to make sure they would know to operate on both of my feet.
Surgery was scheduled for 10:30. It actually began at 12:00. After being put on the operating table, the IV was put it. The anesthesiologist said, "You will be getting sleepy." Not more than a minute later I told him, "I'm getting sleepy". His reply was "Good" and that's all I remember until . . . I woke up during surgery. I asked, "Are you finished?". Someone answered, "No". Thank goodness I'd had a block on both feet! The surgeon then said, "Look at her she's still smiling". Then to me he said, "You have been smiling during the entire surgery". That's all I remember until I woke up in recovery.
In recovery the only complaint I had was a severe headache. I really think this was due to a major lack of cafeine. The nurse brought me crackers and sprite, which really hit my totally empty spot. Since I was doing so well; no nausea, etc., I was taken to post-recovery pretty quickly. Farrah, Jim and Jeff arrived to keep me company while I was given post-op instructions and until I was allowed to leave. Farrah helped me get my clothes on, Jeff went to get the car and before I knew it, I was on my way home.
Jeff and I came straight home. Farrah and Jim stopped to get my prescriptions; percocet and an antibiotic. They also stopped at mom's to pick up two casseroles. :) I took my first meds at 5:00 p.m. Right now I feel okay, but the surgeon said this would be my "best" day. My toes hurt a little and the pain medicine is making me feel a little weird, but other than that I think I'm doing great.
The surgery took about an hour and 20 minutes. The surgeon said that everything went just as he planned. I have to stay off my feet (except to go to the bathroom) with my feet elevated until Tuesday. Then I go for a check-up. I got 8-9 stitches in each toe. These won't be removed until the following week.
Being immobile is going to be the hard part. Jeff is doing the best he can to keep me on the couch and he kept his promise . . . I am holding the remote control. :)
I got out of bed at 7:00 a.m. I had to time this just right. All I needed to do was take a shower, wipe a packaged antiseptic all over myself, put on my clothes and leave for the hospital. There was no need for make-up, moisturizing, or fixing my hair. Most importantly I didn't want any extra time here at home since I wasn't permitted to have anything to eat or drink.
Jeff and I left the house at 8:15 and arrived at the hopspital around 9:00. We went directly to the outpatient surgical wing of the hospital. We were directed to a tiny room and I was given my "outfit" for the day; two gowns - one to tie in the back and one to tie in the front. I also got cute little sockies with treads. Jeff and I sat in this room and watched TV. When I got cold a nurse brought me the nicest pre-heated blanket. Farrah and Jim arrived (I think) about 10:00. We had a nice visit before I was taken to surgery.
In the pre-surgery room I met the surgeon, John (my personal nurse) and the anesthesiologist. Each of these people asked me the same questions; "What is your name?" and "When is your birthday?" One of them wrote the word "Yes" on each of my ankles. This was to make sure they would know to operate on both of my feet.
Surgery was scheduled for 10:30. It actually began at 12:00. After being put on the operating table, the IV was put it. The anesthesiologist said, "You will be getting sleepy." Not more than a minute later I told him, "I'm getting sleepy". His reply was "Good" and that's all I remember until . . . I woke up during surgery. I asked, "Are you finished?". Someone answered, "No". Thank goodness I'd had a block on both feet! The surgeon then said, "Look at her she's still smiling". Then to me he said, "You have been smiling during the entire surgery". That's all I remember until I woke up in recovery.
In recovery the only complaint I had was a severe headache. I really think this was due to a major lack of cafeine. The nurse brought me crackers and sprite, which really hit my totally empty spot. Since I was doing so well; no nausea, etc., I was taken to post-recovery pretty quickly. Farrah, Jim and Jeff arrived to keep me company while I was given post-op instructions and until I was allowed to leave. Farrah helped me get my clothes on, Jeff went to get the car and before I knew it, I was on my way home.
Jeff and I came straight home. Farrah and Jim stopped to get my prescriptions; percocet and an antibiotic. They also stopped at mom's to pick up two casseroles. :) I took my first meds at 5:00 p.m. Right now I feel okay, but the surgeon said this would be my "best" day. My toes hurt a little and the pain medicine is making me feel a little weird, but other than that I think I'm doing great.
The surgery took about an hour and 20 minutes. The surgeon said that everything went just as he planned. I have to stay off my feet (except to go to the bathroom) with my feet elevated until Tuesday. Then I go for a check-up. I got 8-9 stitches in each toe. These won't be removed until the following week.
Being immobile is going to be the hard part. Jeff is doing the best he can to keep me on the couch and he kept his promise . . . I am holding the remote control. :)
posted by SMSSecretary at 8:55 PM
1 Comments:
Hang in there and feel better quickly!! :)
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