Thursday, August 1, 2013

Post Surgemication: Day Two

It's amazing what time and pain killers can do!

Here it is, the second full day after my surgery and I feel pretty darn good.  The first night I slept on the couch, which was fine, except my butt was really tired of being sat on and was pretty sore.  I pretty much laid here all day with my foot up, but I had to pee almost on the hour.  (Rehydrating is a pain!)  I was never really loopy, although I do fall asleep pretty quickly, and mom and I watched some streaming Netflix until time for bed.

Yesterday mom had to go back to work, but I was feeling pretty good and I was getting around pretty well on the crutches.  Also, Meghan stopped by and brought me flowers and a balloon and sat and talked for awhile.  She dropped the girls of at the water park and brought us back a Maid-Rite for lunch.  (She had never had one before! :-o)  I munched my Maid-Rite and slurped down my raspberry milkshake while we chatted and watched Frasier.  It was nice to have company.  Dad came up for a visit shortly afterwards.

Last night mom and I decided that I would be more comfortable sleeping in my bed, but I dreaded going up the stairs.  After a lot of effort, and some tears, I made it up stairs and to my bed.  It was nice to sleep in my bed!  I was able to turn onto my sides slightly and my behind was very pleased with that.  I had an alarm set to wake me when it was time for medicine, so at 2 a.m. I put peanut butter on a cracker, ate it and took my pill.  I just got laid back down when it felt like a pillow had slipped out from underneath of my leg so I opened my eyes to see mom hovering over me and scare the crap out of me.

Coming down stairs was much easier than going up, and I am getting around even better today.  I really am amazed at how little my ankle hurts.  (But it is really itchy!!!)  I'm happily situated on the couch and bless dad's heart, he is on an errand to get me more Bomb Pops and some watermelon.  He also put my new license plates on for me. :)  Meghan is going to bring me lunch and check on me today, and I am feeling totally relaxed and comfy!  (And I can wiggle my toes without pain today!)

Aaaah!  The life of an invalid! :)


Flowers and balloon from Meghan. :)






Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Os Tri-gone-um!

It's gone!  I've been surgemicated!!!

My day started at 3:00 a.m.  I got up, showered and prepared last minute items for the day and we were on the road by a little after four.  We arrived at the hospital in the dark of the night and had to wait about 15 minutes for the registration desk to open up.  I got registered and they took me back to pre-op. A nice nurse named Barb asked me a lot of questions, weighed me, gave me a cup to pee in, put in my IV and made me comfy.

I laid there waiting until nearly seven when the anesthesiologist came in and talked to me.  About fifteen minutes later Dr. Lee came in, marked my leg and explained what was going to happen.  At 7:30 they wheeled me a short ways down to the OR.  They had me scoot over onto the table with a bean bag on it, they were already slipping me a mickey through my IV, and I got situated, thought this is uncomfortable, they put a mask on me and I was out.

I started to wake up in post-op and it was hard to breathe, but there were nurses right there and they told me they were going to remove the tube, for me to cough a lot and take big breaths.  They sat me up which helped, but I couldn't swallow because I was so dehydrated, and it was hard to clear my throat.  I was there for what seemed like fifteen minutes while they unplugged me and woke me up, and then I was wheeled down to the recovery room.

They sat me in a chair with my legs up and called mom to come back in.  I had kind of a tough time waking up, and at one point I was overcome with emotion and started to cry (except that no tears came out because I was so damned dehydrated!!) but that didn't last long.  I sat there for maybe 45 minutes, drank apple juice and ate a piece of toast, after which I felt much better.  When I felt up to it I got dressed, which was a little tricky, and then they wheeled me out to the car.  I scooted into the back seat and we headed for home.

After a brief stop for a milkshake for me and chicken strips for mom, we drove home.  Well, she drove home and I slept in the back.  Since then I have been laying on the couch with my foot up.  I have finally gotten somewhat rehydrated, however that means that I have to pee every hour or so--that is no small feat.  (Getting off the couch, walking with crutches, trying to get my pants down and up again...you get the idea.)

All in all, I am very pleased with the way things have gone today, and I am thrilled to have the surgery over!!







No drugs yet...


Marked the correct foot...


You want me to pee in the Handy Tub????


Monday, July 29, 2013

Countdown to Surgemication: Ten Hours

Well, tomorrow is the day.  I had a little flutter of nerves earlier, but I'm doing ok so far.  I'm ready to get this over with, but we'll see how I feel in the morning.

I have to be to the hospital at 5:30, so we will have to leave home at like 4:00 a.m.  Eeesh!

Last pic before the knife...hope I can point my toes better afterwards.

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Countdown to Surgemication: Two Days


Well, this has been an interesting week.  I haven't been sleeping well at all, and have been running on coffee and energy drinks.  Needless to say, I've felt pretty crappy.

Thursday morning I think the pre-surgery nerves finally hit.  I was wound a little tight and everything was going wrong as I was getting ready for work, and by the time I walked out the door I had almost worked myself into tears.  On top of that, I hadn't been able to spend any time with Meghan.  I was having serious withdrawals.

I was saved last night though, by my awesome aunt who invited me to come over and hang out with the girls in her fam.  I was going to go Friday night, but my tummy was upset and my head was hurting on and off.  I tried to sleep in Saturday morning--technically I did--I just didn't really sleep, so we got going kind of late.  Mom and I ran over to Ankeny to do a few shopping errands and then I headed to Mary's sister's house about a half hour away.  We sat around the fire and drank beer and played the name game.  It was g.r.e.a.t!  I totally relaxed and had fun.  (I also got to go the range with my dad and have some fun.)


<--Yesterday at Panera, 23 weeks on Weight Watchers and 44 lbs. lighter.


I was going to maybe stay over, but the can of beer I had was not agreeing with my tummy, so I headed home.  I don't always sleep well away from home, either.  Hallelujah, I slept pretty well last night and I am feeling better today.

Today I am doing stuff around the house to get ready for Tuesday.  I'm getting some boxes moved so I can get around better as an invalid.

I'm ready to get this done!  C'mon Tuesday!





I saw this idea on Pinterest and thought it looked cool, so I made these yesterday.  As I lose weight I take pieces from the To Lose jar and put them in the Lost jar.



Curveball

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