Energy level: Variable
Pain level: Manageable with occasional stabbing pains
Epiphany: Watering cans, not rubber duckies make bath time so much fun.
Milestone: Stitches removed!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
post op day 13 - r i m e
Nurse D “massages” the wound to expel excess liquid – or so my husband later tells me. Laying on my stomach I can’t feel or see anything, I just suddenly break out in a sweat and become nauseous while she is “taking a look” down there. Stitches are a bitch and not ready to come out.
I am sent home to rest and hope for the best – that they feel like coming out next week. I’m ready to RIME - Rest! Ice! Meds! Elevate!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
post op day 12 - itchy stitches
Stitches are like whiskers and I suddenly have and appreciation as to why cats don’t like their whiskers touched. When I move the wrong way I can feel them move beneath my skin – not pleasant at all.
Monday, February 15, 2010
post op day 10 - my companion
Energy level: cat naps
Pain level: meds and warm fuzzy friends help to ease the pain.
This is my constant companion.
His name is Zappa.
He sleeps all day long just like me.
He snores.
I awoke to very loud snorring today. I thought that my own snores had woke me up. ....but no, it was this loud fuzz ball.
Pain level: meds and warm fuzzy friends help to ease the pain.
This is my constant companion.
His name is Zappa.
He sleeps all day long just like me.
He snores.
I awoke to very loud snorring today. I thought that my own snores had woke me up. ....but no, it was this loud fuzz ball.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
post op day 9 - meds chart
Energy level: What energy?
Pain level: chocolate hearts make the meds all the sweeter
Where was this chart last week when I needed it?
http://www.vaughns-1-pagers.com/medicine/painkiller-comparison.htm
Happy Valentines Day! I'm in love with sleep, meds and more sleep!
Pain level: chocolate hearts make the meds all the sweeter
Where was this chart last week when I needed it?
http://www.vaughns-1-pagers.com/medicine/painkiller-comparison.htm
Happy Valentines Day! I'm in love with sleep, meds and more sleep!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
post op day 8 - pain explained
Energy level: playing opossum
Pain level: meds and friends help to ease the pain
Jack and Jules are two of my oldest, dearest friends and together they are like a walking Wikipedia. The know everything! Being my oldest friends they can get away with greeting me with “How are you? Are you constipated?”
Wow! It’s like they are mind readers. How did they know that? And… how is it even possible given that I’ve only eaten bananas for an entire week?
Finally, some practical explanations for what has been going on.
My inactivity and fight with gravity has caused everything to stay put. Apparently simple things like being upright and moving put the “movement” in bowel movements. Wow. Who knew? Jack and Jules!
This explianion makes sense and I also find a few more reasons at about.com
Did you know that anesthesia not only paralyzes your arms and legs during surgery but your intestines too? Without muscle contractions to push food along the intestinal tract there is no bowel movement.
Fascinating!
Then… the missing piece of the puzzle is revealed. The cause of fire flooding my foot is due to the fact that all of pumps that keep blood moving in and OUT of my foot have been severed.
This is why post surgery has been so much more painful than the initial break.
The surgeon’s knife had to slice though critical veins and tissue to work on the bone. The miracle of the human body is hard at work reconnecting vital networks. When my foot is below my head, the heart and force of gravity pump fluids into the foot. Too much fluid aggravates the repair work going on down there and causes everyone to hit the alarm. And they hit that alarm hard.
Swelling also causes pain because too much blood and fluid pooling in the foot places pressure on every cell. The skin reacts like a squeezed water balloon and can only stretch so far. When the skin can no longer expand the pressure goes inward causing every cell to scream out in agony.
Elevating the foot is critical to draining blood and fluids away from the foot that would normally be pumped out by the circulatory system.
Elevating the foot - such a logical, simple solution but works like magic!
Jack and Jules also give me a lecture on the importance of massage to keep lymph circulating.
The network that normally caries lymph throughout the body runs complementary to the veins. Where as blood has the heart to pump fluid though veins, the lymphatic system relies on lymph vessels to carry lymph throughout the body. Natural motion of the body promotes absorption of lymph from tissue for drainage back to the circularly system.
Since I’m not moving very much these days it is critical to massage my legs to get the lymph moving around.
Amazing!
This may explain the “stiff” feeling just above my ankle -about four inches above the joint. It seems like a random spot because there are no moving parts. I’ve been feeling like there has been this stuck lump – not quite like a muscle – just hard and stiffness - like something that should be circulating is not. Massage does break up the stiffness.
Massage – not just a good thing – a healing necessity!
Pain level: meds and friends help to ease the pain
Jack and Jules are two of my oldest, dearest friends and together they are like a walking Wikipedia. The know everything! Being my oldest friends they can get away with greeting me with “How are you? Are you constipated?”
Wow! It’s like they are mind readers. How did they know that? And… how is it even possible given that I’ve only eaten bananas for an entire week?
Finally, some practical explanations for what has been going on.
My inactivity and fight with gravity has caused everything to stay put. Apparently simple things like being upright and moving put the “movement” in bowel movements. Wow. Who knew? Jack and Jules!
This explianion makes sense and I also find a few more reasons at about.com
Did you know that anesthesia not only paralyzes your arms and legs during surgery but your intestines too? Without muscle contractions to push food along the intestinal tract there is no bowel movement.
Fascinating!
Then… the missing piece of the puzzle is revealed. The cause of fire flooding my foot is due to the fact that all of pumps that keep blood moving in and OUT of my foot have been severed.
This is why post surgery has been so much more painful than the initial break.
The surgeon’s knife had to slice though critical veins and tissue to work on the bone. The miracle of the human body is hard at work reconnecting vital networks. When my foot is below my head, the heart and force of gravity pump fluids into the foot. Too much fluid aggravates the repair work going on down there and causes everyone to hit the alarm. And they hit that alarm hard.
Swelling also causes pain because too much blood and fluid pooling in the foot places pressure on every cell. The skin reacts like a squeezed water balloon and can only stretch so far. When the skin can no longer expand the pressure goes inward causing every cell to scream out in agony.
Elevating the foot is critical to draining blood and fluids away from the foot that would normally be pumped out by the circulatory system.
Elevating the foot - such a logical, simple solution but works like magic!
Jack and Jules also give me a lecture on the importance of massage to keep lymph circulating.
The network that normally caries lymph throughout the body runs complementary to the veins. Where as blood has the heart to pump fluid though veins, the lymphatic system relies on lymph vessels to carry lymph throughout the body. Natural motion of the body promotes absorption of lymph from tissue for drainage back to the circularly system.
Since I’m not moving very much these days it is critical to massage my legs to get the lymph moving around.
Amazing!
This may explain the “stiff” feeling just above my ankle -about four inches above the joint. It seems like a random spot because there are no moving parts. I’ve been feeling like there has been this stuck lump – not quite like a muscle – just hard and stiffness - like something that should be circulating is not. Massage does break up the stiffness.
Massage – not just a good thing – a healing necessity!
WEEK 2 | POST OPERATION
Energy level: Low
Pain level: High
Epiphany: Office chairs are excellent for rides to the bathroom! Woo hoo!
Milestone: Can make it to the WC with crutches, but office chair rides are preferred. Unable to carry things since both hands are occupied with crutches -must haul even the smallest items in a plastic bag and must also use an office chair to get around the kitchen.
Pain level: High
Epiphany: Office chairs are excellent for rides to the bathroom! Woo hoo!
Milestone: Can make it to the WC with crutches, but office chair rides are preferred. Unable to carry things since both hands are occupied with crutches -must haul even the smallest items in a plastic bag and must also use an office chair to get around the kitchen.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Post Op Day 7 - surgeon says
Energy level: caterpillar in a cocoon
Pain level: pain – it’s normal to feel this way after foot surgery
The good doctor called today to check in on me. That was so thoughtful and nice! When I ask if it is normal to be in so much pain, he plainly states that I’ll be taking the Oxycodone for three weeks.
I should continue to rest, ice, elevate and take the meds. That is all that can be done for now.
Surly, millions of people have had foot surgery. Why isn’t there a timetable for recovery? HR wants a date for my return and I want to go to Las Vegas.
There is a training seminar in Vegas in six weeks and I ask if I’ll be able to go. He says that that should be ok, but anyone flying so soon after surgery should take some aspirin prior to the flight to reduce the chance for blood clots.
“So soon after surgery”
That phrase really strikes me.
Six weeks seems like a lifetime away, caterpillars turn into butterflies in less time. Yet… he refers to it as though it would be just a few days after surgery.
And why would I be at risk for blood clots in six weeks? That implies that things won’t be completely reconnected by then.
With a heavy heart, I inform my boss to remove my name from the trip.
I won’t be taking chances in Vegas.
Pain level: pain – it’s normal to feel this way after foot surgery
The good doctor called today to check in on me. That was so thoughtful and nice! When I ask if it is normal to be in so much pain, he plainly states that I’ll be taking the Oxycodone for three weeks.
I should continue to rest, ice, elevate and take the meds. That is all that can be done for now.
Surly, millions of people have had foot surgery. Why isn’t there a timetable for recovery? HR wants a date for my return and I want to go to Las Vegas.
There is a training seminar in Vegas in six weeks and I ask if I’ll be able to go. He says that that should be ok, but anyone flying so soon after surgery should take some aspirin prior to the flight to reduce the chance for blood clots.
“So soon after surgery”
That phrase really strikes me.
Six weeks seems like a lifetime away, caterpillars turn into butterflies in less time. Yet… he refers to it as though it would be just a few days after surgery.
And why would I be at risk for blood clots in six weeks? That implies that things won’t be completely reconnected by then.
With a heavy heart, I inform my boss to remove my name from the trip.
I won’t be taking chances in Vegas.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
post op day 6 - super nose
Energy level: engulfed by a rip van winkle fog
Pain level: pain killers – good things!
The oddest thing about this week has been my super human sense of smell and taste. Saltine crackers are suddenly overwhelmingly buttery. Due to this heightened sensitivity all I’ve eaten for this week has been bananas and saltine crackers. Pain wakes me up, I eat half a banana to wash down a pill and go back to sleep.
JP has tried to make my favorite foods, but they all end up being dinner for one. Eggs smell eggier, oranges like perfume and worst of all…. the mere thought of chocolate makes me nauseous.
This is what it must feel like to be in a parallel universe.
I remember these foods bringing me such pleasure, but now… my nose will have none of them!
Pain level: pain killers – good things!
The oddest thing about this week has been my super human sense of smell and taste. Saltine crackers are suddenly overwhelmingly buttery. Due to this heightened sensitivity all I’ve eaten for this week has been bananas and saltine crackers. Pain wakes me up, I eat half a banana to wash down a pill and go back to sleep.
JP has tried to make my favorite foods, but they all end up being dinner for one. Eggs smell eggier, oranges like perfume and worst of all…. the mere thought of chocolate makes me nauseous.
This is what it must feel like to be in a parallel universe.
I remember these foods bringing me such pleasure, but now… my nose will have none of them!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
post op day 5 - i'm no hero
Energy level: sloth
Pain level: 4 - 8 keep the meds and ice coming!
It’s been five days since surgery and five days since I’ve make the trek to the water closet, which is exactly 50 feet away. I lament “If only I had a wheel chair, I could make it!” JP, in a stroke of genius, brings me an office chair that should be glide over the hardwood floors. The trick is to propel oneself with one leg while keeping the other leg elevated.
I discover that a base of five wheels turns a straight shot into a zig-zag trail. An attempt to enlist gliding action evolves bouncing off of walls like a pin ball.
I make it!
Victory!
Relief!
Now comes the challenge of peeing with one leg elevated. I never realized how important keeping both feet on the ground has been to aim straight. Now I know.
Just as I am relishing in my victory and relief I feel a fire creeping down my foot. I have got to keep that foot above my head to counteract gravity. Elevating the foot just below heart level only slows the inevitable.
I go for my second ride in the early evening. The fire floods my foot quicker this time and I am screaming in agonizing pain as I finish my business and transfer from the toilet to the “wheel chair”.
JP just so happens to come home at the very moment my screams echo though the house. He runs to my rescue, but there is nothing that he can do. It is only pain. He pushes me back to my nest on the couch. Office chair rides are fun!
It is so strange how this pain goes from zero to maximum in a flash and then back to zero with simple elevation.
JP brings me some ice and we talk. I reluctantly state that I don’t want to be hero.
We both agree that it’s back to the bucket.
Pain level: 4 - 8 keep the meds and ice coming!
It’s been five days since surgery and five days since I’ve make the trek to the water closet, which is exactly 50 feet away. I lament “If only I had a wheel chair, I could make it!” JP, in a stroke of genius, brings me an office chair that should be glide over the hardwood floors. The trick is to propel oneself with one leg while keeping the other leg elevated.
I discover that a base of five wheels turns a straight shot into a zig-zag trail. An attempt to enlist gliding action evolves bouncing off of walls like a pin ball.
I make it!
Victory!
Relief!
Now comes the challenge of peeing with one leg elevated. I never realized how important keeping both feet on the ground has been to aim straight. Now I know.
Just as I am relishing in my victory and relief I feel a fire creeping down my foot. I have got to keep that foot above my head to counteract gravity. Elevating the foot just below heart level only slows the inevitable.
I go for my second ride in the early evening. The fire floods my foot quicker this time and I am screaming in agonizing pain as I finish my business and transfer from the toilet to the “wheel chair”.
JP just so happens to come home at the very moment my screams echo though the house. He runs to my rescue, but there is nothing that he can do. It is only pain. He pushes me back to my nest on the couch. Office chair rides are fun!
It is so strange how this pain goes from zero to maximum in a flash and then back to zero with simple elevation.
JP brings me some ice and we talk. I reluctantly state that I don’t want to be hero.
We both agree that it’s back to the bucket.
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