That wasn't fun...

[Ritz459]

I had my knee surgery today. This was the first time I had ever had any kind of surgery preformed so I was new to the whole thing. I'm not a fan of hospitals, needles, and pain in general so I wasn't looking forward to it. But I've been trying this new thing were I tell myself I won't get anxious about something and refuse to feel anxious...and I don't get anxious. So I was able to go through the whole day without once feeling nervous. Psycology at its finest. It works for piano recitals too.

Getting the IV stuck in me wasn't fun at all. Putting on the hospital gown was even worse. It kept reminding me of a quote from one of the Anita Blake books I'm so fond of reading...something about how hospitals feel the need to make you feel more ensecure than you already are by stripping you down and making you wear a rediculous gown that only half covers you.

When they knocked me out they did it well because I don't remember a thing. But I woke up sooner than I was expected to and they still had the tube crammed down my throat. That wasn't fun either. I couldn't make my body move at all and even though I could hear the doctors talking I couldn't respond to anything. I kept swallowing around the tube and I felt myself shaking horribley. I've seen dogs come out of anestetic before so I know it wasn't pretty. (Although even one of the nurses asked, "Why is she shaking like that?" lol) Once I was awake enough to open my eyes for a whole two seconds, they yanked the tube out of my throat and I thought I was going to throw up then and there. I didn't though, so two points for me. My throat still hurts though.
And when you are still groggy enough that you can barely open your eyes, it isn't fun to have a nurse come over and start asking you if you can wiggle your toes, and can you feel this and that...I just wanted to say, "Go away lady and let me sleep!" It was probably a good thing I couldn't talk.

Then I was wheeled away to recover from my drug stupor. My mom kept making fun of me and was taking pictures that are going to go in her scrap book. The look I was giving her was not a good one.

They got the whole cyst removed from my knee, but it was bigger than they expected and it took them longer to remove it than expected. They don't know what caused it. There was some irritated tissue that they removed as well as they thought that might have been the cause, but they aren't sure. Hopefully it doesn't come back.

So now I'm crutch bound and can't bend my leg at all (which makes getting dressed interesting). I have to keep ice on it for 24 hours and am on some pretty strong pain killers that make me drozy and loopy. But they didn't help my headache. Huh.
Chloe is being a little mother hen and keeps trying to lick my bandages, but I didn't think that was such a good idea. She was also smart enough to not jump up on me when I was using my crutches, so she's learning. Blackie and Rose came over to say high to me when I got home but then went off to follow my younger sister who had food. I know where their loyalties lie.

As I told my parents, "Let's not do this again anytime soon." But I got some KFC out of the deal and was able to watch a fascinating ( ) documentary on the worlds sharpest blades while waiting for the doctor. Which is slightly ironic that I was watching about sharp blades right before I went to the surgery room.

Sorry for spelling mistakes and tangents that make no sense. My pain killer is starting to kick in and I'm tired.

[Doglover1988]

I'm sorry about what you had to go through but i'm glad you came through good. I haven't really had any real surgery before since when I was a little girl so I don't really know how you feel but I'm wishing you a fast and speedy recovery!

[Swiftwind]

I bet you're very relieved that it's over, even though your recovery sounds painful (Just remember that it will be ALL WORTH IT in the end! ). I have never had surgery but my sister has, and I can slightly understand what it's like afterwards. Shaking, when coming out of an anesthetic, is normal for humans too. The body's just gone into a bit of shock. I hope you have a good sleep tonight and aren't in too much pain..

[Dangels]

Wow, sounds like you had quite the interesting day there! I'm glad that you came through it all okay, and hopefully you'll be feeling back to normal before too long!

I've never had to have a surgery, and i'm very greatful for that. I simply hate pretty much anything to do with doctors, and I cannot stand being in hospitals at all. Although, I can handle pain pretty well. Last year, I broke my hand.... they wanted to put a metal plate into my hand, so it would heal correctly. I refused to allow that, my older brother had that done several years ago when he broke his hand, and every winter when it gets cold outside (we have REALLY cold winters here lol) he's in so much pain, because the metal plate in his hand gets cold. It causes him a lot of pain, and it just wasn't worth it to me. But, my hand did heal alright on it's own (it took a while!), and the only way you'd even know that it was broken is if you look really closely.... you can see that my one finger looks a little out of place lol. I know, I probably should have let them put the plate in my hand (sighs), but I chickened out lol!

Anyways, i'm very glad that everything went well with your surgery.... and I hope you're feeling much better soon!

[Ritz459]

I slept very well last night because of the drugs. It was quite nice, actually. Even though I could hear the dogs barking and my sister getting up to go to school, it was just all secondary and I was able to float off again.

I'm feeling much better today, although my throat still hurts. My foot has swelled up quite nicely so it looks a ballon that someone blew up. But my knee doesn't hurt as much now.

Once the swelling goes down I'll be able to walk on it, but for now I'm still on crutches. Right now it is just a race to see if I'll be fit and able to drive and walk around before Monday when my classes start. It was a gamble we took - whether or not it would be more benefitial to fix me up before school and hope I could recover in time or if I should risk walking around on campus with a bum knee hoping it doesn't flare up when I'm walking to classes.

[calgal]

Your hospital stay was a nightmare it seems, and I'm so sorry you had to endure all that humiliation and pain. Thankfully not all hospital stays are like that!!
JUst take things very, very easy and don't do anymore than you should.

[RedPowerLady]

I am so glad it is over with. Keep us updated on how your knee is doing.
I can't imagine waking up like that! Props to you for handling it!!!

[Rivsky]

Glad to hear things went relatively well - apart from waking up too early with the tube still in, that sounds nasty!!

Take it easy and hope it solves the problem for you.

[Ritz459]

Thanks all. My leg and foot isn't swollen anymore. Well, just a little bit, but not bad enough to make it feel like I was walking on a ballon. I'm able to get around without my crutches today, but my knees threatened to give out on me a couple of times now. No pain, just wobbly. Hopefully I'll be able to walk around better tomorrow. Keeping Chloe occupied is proving to be an interesting challenge since I can't walk quickly at all and bending down is questionable.

[Shmee]

Glad to hear your feeling Ritz!

Take your time recovering and it will go smoother.... What was wrong with yer knee in the first place????

-Shmee

[Ritz459]

Originally Posted by Shmee

Glad to hear your feeling Ritz!

Take your time recovering and it will go smoother.... What was wrong with yer knee in the first place????

-Shmee

I had a cyst in my knee that was completely intertwined throughout my knee. It had wiggled its way into every crease and corner and if it decided to swell up...well, let's just say walking became very painful if not impossible. We thought it would be best to deal with it before I started school so I wouldn't have the risk of it swelling up on me when I was headed to a class. The doctor didn't know what caused the cyst to get in my knee in the first place, so hopefully it doesn't come back.

The doctor told us that the first three days were going to be the low activity, high rest period but after that I could get up and walk around as much as I want to as long as I stopped when I started hurting and I don't kneel or bend down on my knees. Right now it is a race to see if I'll be able to walk and drive to my classes come Monday. Luckly I have a light load Monday, but Tuesday is my full day where I'm there all day and have ten minutes between two classes that I have to walk halfway across campus to get to. It's going to be hard to do with a good knee that I can jog on, let alone a bum knee that I can't bend all the way so I hobble along.

[Dangels]

I'm very glad to hear that it's doing better now, and that you're in no pain! Best of luck, I wish you a very speedy recovery!

[k9hullio_sam]

Ooo...that sucks! Hopefully you will be all better by the time classes start, and hopefully your professors will be understanding if you come in a little late the first few days. Good luck!

[Ford_King]

Phew... I definitely know how you feel on that one. 15 total surgeries here! n_n

Hope you feel better soon!

[Swiftwind]

How did you go with your first day of college? Hope everything went smoothly for you!