Happy new years eve.
Found the bottom of my walking cast was getting moist. Removed the foam bottom (no weight bearing anyway) to dry it off last night put a washrag under the liner to draw the water out of it. Seems to be better today.
Dont want skin to stay wet, that does not end well.
Sometimes sitting with the liner open but the walking boot still on for support. Got to keep that foot at 90 degrees!
Small ache yesterday after being up most of the day taking my wife out for her Birthday dinner and wandering. Felt like it was in the bone. My Aunt (CAJ a nurse) says that you can get swelling even if you cant see it and it will cause pain. Very minor 1 or 2 passed in a few hours of sitting.
Cooked a fair amount today, among other things cake for Angie as I did not have milk to make it on her birthday. Good cake.
Ill be up to just after 12M tonight to do my first 20 of 50000 push ups Im doing with some other crazy folks from the studio. Seems like a bunch but Ill make it one way or the other. That and the 100000 sit ups should help me keep in shape while not able to work out.
When walking with Angie I used the iwalk free a fair amount (1 or 2 hours) real pain to put on and take off! Cant sit to use the bathroom with it on eithor. Ok for walking if I use a cane. The cane smooths my gait. Not sure it is worth what I paid for it we will see.
Well bath night for me, looking forward to it, the simplest things seem hard now. You need to think ahead for everything! My family (particularly my wife) are helping out a lot. Bummer to do this on my own.
Went shopping on my own today. Short outing scared the clerks when I just hopped off. They have a scooter for use in the store so I left my crutches in the car and hopped on one leg into the store, to the scooter then from the scooter to the car. Makes my family nervous as well. Good exercise and good for balance. Besides I like freaking people out, good for their nerves.
Hopping is not to bad for anything under 1/4 block longer than that and I need to lean on something for a minute. Dont want to push to much. Penalty is another operation, no thanks!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Monday, December 26, 2011
day 12 post surgery
Rarely have swealling.
Busy couple of days. Hoping is improving.
Ways to get around.
Hopping (careful and know when to use crutches or another method, you cant afford a fall right now!)
Crawling stomach down, good for night time trips to the bathroom or moving something by sliding it in front of you.
Crawling stomach up, actually quieter than stomach down since my leg does not drag.
A young amputee friend tought me how to walk with one foot. You swivel heel to toe and stay centered over the foot. You can carry a glass of water this way. While she can do it as fast as I can walk with 2 feet I am a lot slower and have to stop and catch my balance often. She is amazing. It is very quiet and as you improve pretty quick. Thanks young lady! You are impressive!
iWalk free, great for cooking and being up transition from up to down sucks though. Takes a few minutes to put on/ take off and since I dont have the plastic cap sometimes I get stabbed by it. Contacted the company a couple of times and dont think Im going to get one. Should be able to do forms in it a bit though.
Crutches, work but you cant really carry anything, noisy and they keep falling over when I am not using them. Palms and ribs sore from using them, raw patches on skin above ribs starting to go away now. Ill really be ready for palm strikes when this is over.
Wheeled office chairs work pretty good.
other things that help.
Upside down 5 gallon bucket good in bathroom to prop leg up when sitting, good leaning post when getting up and good to kneel on (with one knee) when shaving.
Recliner couch with computer desk next to it. My throne! Photo comming soon. If you add a couple of pillows to prop the leg up it really helps, remember keep the foot above the heart and the swelling will stay down.
Ipod good music and games when you cant get up for a while.
near as I can tell I have a certain number of vertical hours. Spend them wisely. If at a friends lie on the floor and put your leg on a chair while visiting. dont be shy you are injured! Be proud and hurt or be humble and do more stuff your choice.
Great friends and family, I can tell patience is running a bit thin but they have not thrown me out yet.
A friend mentioned use cat rules for opening doors look at them and they will open. Funny I get the most help when out from the roughest fellows, a friend says they are the ones most likely to have been hurt so they have compassion for injuries. Works for me.
my balance is really improving in my right leg, calf muscle appears to be growing, hoping around will do that. very flat shoes are important! I am using Zem nija
Pack your patience. If you get to feeling to bad make friends with someone that cant walk and remember yours is temporary so dont whine. As a friend of mine said "If you need people to help you your job is to be pleasant so they want to" did I mention he is one of my wisest and smartest friends?
Another wash today with my wonderful wife putting up with my paranoia about hurting my ankle while washing it. Well I dont want to do it again darn it! She is right I am over the top on this but it should not be such a big deal soon another Dr appt in the new year. Feels great to be clean, the things you miss.....
Busy couple of days. Hoping is improving.
Ways to get around.
Hopping (careful and know when to use crutches or another method, you cant afford a fall right now!)
Crawling stomach down, good for night time trips to the bathroom or moving something by sliding it in front of you.
Crawling stomach up, actually quieter than stomach down since my leg does not drag.
A young amputee friend tought me how to walk with one foot. You swivel heel to toe and stay centered over the foot. You can carry a glass of water this way. While she can do it as fast as I can walk with 2 feet I am a lot slower and have to stop and catch my balance often. She is amazing. It is very quiet and as you improve pretty quick. Thanks young lady! You are impressive!
iWalk free, great for cooking and being up transition from up to down sucks though. Takes a few minutes to put on/ take off and since I dont have the plastic cap sometimes I get stabbed by it. Contacted the company a couple of times and dont think Im going to get one. Should be able to do forms in it a bit though.
Crutches, work but you cant really carry anything, noisy and they keep falling over when I am not using them. Palms and ribs sore from using them, raw patches on skin above ribs starting to go away now. Ill really be ready for palm strikes when this is over.
Wheeled office chairs work pretty good.
other things that help.
Upside down 5 gallon bucket good in bathroom to prop leg up when sitting, good leaning post when getting up and good to kneel on (with one knee) when shaving.
Recliner couch with computer desk next to it. My throne! Photo comming soon. If you add a couple of pillows to prop the leg up it really helps, remember keep the foot above the heart and the swelling will stay down.
Ipod good music and games when you cant get up for a while.
near as I can tell I have a certain number of vertical hours. Spend them wisely. If at a friends lie on the floor and put your leg on a chair while visiting. dont be shy you are injured! Be proud and hurt or be humble and do more stuff your choice.
Great friends and family, I can tell patience is running a bit thin but they have not thrown me out yet.
A friend mentioned use cat rules for opening doors look at them and they will open. Funny I get the most help when out from the roughest fellows, a friend says they are the ones most likely to have been hurt so they have compassion for injuries. Works for me.
my balance is really improving in my right leg, calf muscle appears to be growing, hoping around will do that. very flat shoes are important! I am using Zem nija
Pack your patience. If you get to feeling to bad make friends with someone that cant walk and remember yours is temporary so dont whine. As a friend of mine said "If you need people to help you your job is to be pleasant so they want to" did I mention he is one of my wisest and smartest friends?
Another wash today with my wonderful wife putting up with my paranoia about hurting my ankle while washing it. Well I dont want to do it again darn it! She is right I am over the top on this but it should not be such a big deal soon another Dr appt in the new year. Feels great to be clean, the things you miss.....
Friday, December 23, 2011
Day 9 post surgery
Wow moving right along. Now we get down to the hard part.
I think it is relatively easy to keep your spirits up for a week or so its the next few that will be hard. I spent a good portion of my life very inactive and it is hard to go back to it now.
I guess that means I have changed a bit, good news. I should have what I need to change my cast stuff out and wash it by christmas so that sounds like a good time to start push ups and sit ups.
Also I will be ordering a book: Danny Dring and Johnny D. Taylor are co-authors of the book Stay in the Fight: A Martial Athlete’s Guide to Preventing and Overcoming Injury.
This was pointed out to me by some friends at the Tae Kwon Do studio. Im sure I will face more injuries as time goes by but I am proud to be a Martial Artist and need all the help I can find to keep up with it.
Tae Kwon Do has made a huge difference in my families life. We are so lucky that we have picked up such a great family.
When you are in a hard patch you find out who your family really is.
Well been good as long as I can take it. Now using the iWalk free. Dr is against it. Oh well, Ill keep a cane handy for a few days
nearly impossible to sit down with this on, need to work on that.
"The path of the warrior is lifelong, and mastery is often simply staying the path." Richard Strozzi Heckler. (thank you Sir.)
I think it is relatively easy to keep your spirits up for a week or so its the next few that will be hard. I spent a good portion of my life very inactive and it is hard to go back to it now.
I guess that means I have changed a bit, good news. I should have what I need to change my cast stuff out and wash it by christmas so that sounds like a good time to start push ups and sit ups.
Also I will be ordering a book: Danny Dring and Johnny D. Taylor are co-authors of the book Stay in the Fight: A Martial Athlete’s Guide to Preventing and Overcoming Injury.
This was pointed out to me by some friends at the Tae Kwon Do studio. Im sure I will face more injuries as time goes by but I am proud to be a Martial Artist and need all the help I can find to keep up with it.
Tae Kwon Do has made a huge difference in my families life. We are so lucky that we have picked up such a great family.
When you are in a hard patch you find out who your family really is.
Well been good as long as I can take it. Now using the iWalk free. Dr is against it. Oh well, Ill keep a cane handy for a few days
nearly impossible to sit down with this on, need to work on that.
"The path of the warrior is lifelong, and mastery is often simply staying the path." Richard Strozzi Heckler. (thank you Sir.)
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Day 8 post surgery
Moving right along, slowly learning how to do this blogging thing.
Going to be a long 6 weeks. Got to keep my eye on the prize.
No pain just inconvenient. I have been sleeping on the couch since getting the walking cast, Im always worried about it slipping off. Ill try the bed tonight. Actually I prefered the other cast it was smaller and lighter and I didnt worry about it. When I go out today Ill get a few supplies to secure it better. Also trying to find a source for stockinette so that I can wash the one I have when I change things out tomorrow. According to my research the walking cast should reduce my post cast recovery time and that is worth a bit of worry.
Going to be a long 6 weeks. Got to keep my eye on the prize.
No pain just inconvenient. I have been sleeping on the couch since getting the walking cast, Im always worried about it slipping off. Ill try the bed tonight. Actually I prefered the other cast it was smaller and lighter and I didnt worry about it. When I go out today Ill get a few supplies to secure it better. Also trying to find a source for stockinette so that I can wash the one I have when I change things out tomorrow. According to my research the walking cast should reduce my post cast recovery time and that is worth a bit of worry.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Day 7 after surgery.
A week ago right now 1630 I had been home for a while after having my ankle worked on.
I over did a bit to much today getting the boys to piano and doing grocery shopping. Bit of swelling and tired. Sad how fast us old guys lose our conditioning. Its going to be a long 6 weeks.
Ill be ready for palm strikes when I get back to TKD, I am really getting sore palms from the crutches. Also the armpits get sore from the rubbing of the tops.
Apparently the next few weeks are the most critical for the healing. Once everything revascularizes and the dead tissue is replaced it should all be good. No Weight bearing uses all new muscles. I was able to raise up from the floor last night with only my right leg, if you think it is easy give it a try! One rep was plenty though. continue to do slow kicks.
A week ago right now 1630 I had been home for a while after having my ankle worked on.
I over did a bit to much today getting the boys to piano and doing grocery shopping. Bit of swelling and tired. Sad how fast us old guys lose our conditioning. Its going to be a long 6 weeks.
Ill be ready for palm strikes when I get back to TKD, I am really getting sore palms from the crutches. Also the armpits get sore from the rubbing of the tops.
Apparently the next few weeks are the most critical for the healing. Once everything revascularizes and the dead tissue is replaced it should all be good. No Weight bearing uses all new muscles. I was able to raise up from the floor last night with only my right leg, if you think it is easy give it a try! One rep was plenty though. continue to do slow kicks.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Day 6 after Surgery
Excited to see the Surgeon Dr Vickars today. Hoping for a removable cast. Expecting a solid cast. Time will tell.
Hope I get the Ok to drive, fortunately one of our cars is an automatic should be ok to drive with my left in a cast. Sad I dont get to drive the new car for a few months.
Some concern since surgery I need to use the bathroom often at night (4 to 5 times) The meds should be out of my system right now so I need to look into this.
Well just made it to the Appt.
Dr had to remove 8mm of cartilage. Apparently not to bad they transplant carilage when it gets over 2cm. After messing with the cartilage they drill a hole in the bone so it will bleed a bit and put in a fibrous replacement for the what was removed. {any messing up of terms is entirely my fault Dr Vickars was very clear.}
Aparently I basically had no tendons left on my ankle, now I know why stepping down would cause it to pop. Also my donor tendons were very Beefy (exact quote) so there will be no problem there.
From what I know now I wish I had done it long ago then I would only be down for 1 week (nwb). Oh well. He also mentioned they X rayed both ankles and my right is pretty much in the same boat but he advised worry about one ankle at a time. The other one works now.
People that have "joint Laxity" will have these problems eventually. I was wondering what I could do for my boys. He recommended lace up braces when doing high risk activities. Apparently studies have shown they do not make your ankle weak or injure the knee. Strengthening activities do not really help. His opinion is that it is always good to have strong ankles but the muscles do not have time to react when an accident occurs. Main thing is to not get into the cycle of sprains that I have been in.
For the next 4 weeks I have to be very careful of my ankle if the ball of my foot drops more than 30 degrees from 90 it will rip out the replacement tendon and all but the cartilage must be done over again. Yikes, I might ask for a hard cast tomorrow, washing will be stressful, no pressure.
From now on it should only improve. At 4 weeks he will start doing joint movement excercises and at 6 weeks I can start putting small amounts of weight on it. Shortly after I will start PT and be in a lace up brace like I have been wearing in TKD.
I am paranoid about it slipping so I keep adjusting the boot to tight and putting my foot to sleep.
After Angie took me out to dinner.
Excited to see the Surgeon Dr Vickars today. Hoping for a removable cast. Expecting a solid cast. Time will tell.
Hope I get the Ok to drive, fortunately one of our cars is an automatic should be ok to drive with my left in a cast. Sad I dont get to drive the new car for a few months.
Some concern since surgery I need to use the bathroom often at night (4 to 5 times) The meds should be out of my system right now so I need to look into this.
Well just made it to the Appt.
Dr had to remove 8mm of cartilage. Apparently not to bad they transplant carilage when it gets over 2cm. After messing with the cartilage they drill a hole in the bone so it will bleed a bit and put in a fibrous replacement for the what was removed. {any messing up of terms is entirely my fault Dr Vickars was very clear.}
Aparently I basically had no tendons left on my ankle, now I know why stepping down would cause it to pop. Also my donor tendons were very Beefy (exact quote) so there will be no problem there.
From what I know now I wish I had done it long ago then I would only be down for 1 week (nwb). Oh well. He also mentioned they X rayed both ankles and my right is pretty much in the same boat but he advised worry about one ankle at a time. The other one works now.
People that have "joint Laxity" will have these problems eventually. I was wondering what I could do for my boys. He recommended lace up braces when doing high risk activities. Apparently studies have shown they do not make your ankle weak or injure the knee. Strengthening activities do not really help. His opinion is that it is always good to have strong ankles but the muscles do not have time to react when an accident occurs. Main thing is to not get into the cycle of sprains that I have been in.
For the next 4 weeks I have to be very careful of my ankle if the ball of my foot drops more than 30 degrees from 90 it will rip out the replacement tendon and all but the cartilage must be done over again. Yikes, I might ask for a hard cast tomorrow, washing will be stressful, no pressure.
From now on it should only improve. At 4 weeks he will start doing joint movement excercises and at 6 weeks I can start putting small amounts of weight on it. Shortly after I will start PT and be in a lace up brace like I have been wearing in TKD.
I am paranoid about it slipping so I keep adjusting the boot to tight and putting my foot to sleep.
After Angie took me out to dinner.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Day 5 after Surgery
Pain low I will take 1 advil to keep swelling down with lunch.
Moving along fine. Continuing to do slowly 5 front kicks, 5 back kicks 5 side kicks now without crutches but I am doing them in a door way so I can grab if I start to fall.
Unfortunately I cannot practice with my right leg because I need my left leg to support. Frustrating to see all that muscle fade away. At least I am in good enough shape that recovery should be fast. Hope for a good report from the Doctor tomorrow.
Plan to attend Tae Kwon do tonight (I just get to watch) but maybe we will get to eat with friends afterwards.
Great night with friends. Time for bed tired.
See Doctor tomorrow, hope the news is good.
Pain low I will take 1 advil to keep swelling down with lunch.
Moving along fine. Continuing to do slowly 5 front kicks, 5 back kicks 5 side kicks now without crutches but I am doing them in a door way so I can grab if I start to fall.
Unfortunately I cannot practice with my right leg because I need my left leg to support. Frustrating to see all that muscle fade away. At least I am in good enough shape that recovery should be fast. Hope for a good report from the Doctor tomorrow.
Plan to attend Tae Kwon do tonight (I just get to watch) but maybe we will get to eat with friends afterwards.
Great night with friends. Time for bed tired.
See Doctor tomorrow, hope the news is good.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Sleeping instructions
Sleep on your side, repaired ankle up Pillow under left (repaired) ankle. 2 reasons.
#1 Keep the foot higher than the heart.
#2 protects the good foot.
I sleep spooned to Angie she sleeps on non repaired side. At 4 am med I get up and move back to the couch so I dont wake her later,
speaking of sleep......
Sleep on your side, repaired ankle up Pillow under left (repaired) ankle. 2 reasons.
#1 Keep the foot higher than the heart.
#2 protects the good foot.
I sleep spooned to Angie she sleeps on non repaired side. At 4 am med I get up and move back to the couch so I dont wake her later,
speaking of sleep......
Mission impossible a technician and and Engineer get a hairy guy showered ...........
without getting the cast wet! Dont worry Ill keep it clean.
Light the fuse cue the Misssion impossible music (the original not the one with that wimpy Tom Cruise) its all about the team work.
While I am technically an engineer I was a way better tech than engineer and still think of myself as a tech.
Materials
Gorilla tape (hey I am pretty hairy)
Trash bag
Ace bandage
Detachable shower head
Clean bathtub
Understanding of fluid dynamics
about 20 min of time.
Put the bag over the cast using Gorilla tape to secure a band all the way around the bag and leg (with the leg in the air so blood does not pool in the foot, causing swealling). Apply ace bandage (foot still up, easier if you lie on your back and partner puts bandage on) a couple of wraps on bare leg the rest on bag forming water tight seal. Not to tight but snug. Ace bandage is somewhat absorbent.
Sit in tub with cast hanging out of tub Important that knee is higher than thigh (knowledge of fluid dynamics, water flows downhill in a 1 g field) also ace bandage absorbs water that might sneak in.
Using various contortions and a good friend (really good friend) apply water. Use soap (liquid soap works great) rinse and repeat as necessary.
Dry thigh and upper body as much as possible before getting cast lower than the rest of the body (fluid dynamics) Dry off and get dressed.
Cool beans nice being clean again! time for sleep.
Part06 Recovery at Home day 4
1000 hmm meant to take meds at 0800 but over slept. Longest continuous sleep since surgery (or the week before I was nervous) went to bed at 1220 woke up at 5am completed a call of nature and then slept until 1000 at 0500 I took my synthroid.
Pain 2 maybe 3 Im going for 12N to take oxy if necessary. Pain is different I can tell it is bone pain. Probably from the screws Dr Vickars put in to ancker the tendon he stole from my ankle for my ankle. Removed black shoe they gave me to protect my toes. Im not supposed to toutch the ground with this foot and find I am getting sloppy so I lll see if some pain helps. Should make it a bit lighter. Noticing some soreness around my other knee possibly from all the jumping and sole support duties. If it continues Ill use ice.
I can now feel what I think are stiches (thy are about where Dr Vickars said incisions would be anyway.)
I showed Joe how to check circulation on my foot (squeezing toe till pink goes away then release, good circ if pink comes back in less than a second). Now he often squeezes my toe and says circulation OK.
Every time I get up during the day I do 5 slow front kicks (sorry toes are not back) 5 slow back kicks and 5 side leg lifts. When talking to someone while standing I pull my knee to my chest and wiggle my toes. No blood clots for me! Also should help with strength. Plan to continue without crutches when meds are gone and ballance good. Also weights for other leg. PT told me with old ankle injuries that working the non injured leg helps the injured one a bit. I guess we naturally work both sides even when the load is on one. PTs (Physical Therapists) use this for folks that have long term casts on one leg or a paralyzed limb. They work the heck out of the good one and get 10% or 20% benifit to the bad one. Ill start sweating as soon as I find a good way to shower. I think my next cast is removable (you can always check how a tech and Engineer give a guy in a cast a shower, one of my other posts).
People in the house are starting to get grumpy I guess the fact that this is real is sinking in. Oh well hopefully Christmas will help.
1300 pain 1 starting to feel something on the inside of my shin (lower) and an ache in my ankle feels like bone. not bad I can tell its there. Since I am not doing oxycodone today I will try to stay off my leg, no crazy stuff. Going to keep Advil to 8 hr schedule to keep swelling down. Might use oxy for bedtime, we will see be good to get off that stuff.
1615 2 advil a glass of raw milk Pain 1 ache in left side of ankle. Spent time at neighbors different muscles when you go long distance on crutches. Scared the neighbor when I went down stairs, freaked my mom and Angie out as well. I have had to deal with messed up ankles for a while so I know how to handle it.
1210 2 advil yogurt
0100 Bedtime.
Look for Part07
1000 hmm meant to take meds at 0800 but over slept. Longest continuous sleep since surgery (or the week before I was nervous) went to bed at 1220 woke up at 5am completed a call of nature and then slept until 1000 at 0500 I took my synthroid.
Pain 2 maybe 3 Im going for 12N to take oxy if necessary. Pain is different I can tell it is bone pain. Probably from the screws Dr Vickars put in to ancker the tendon he stole from my ankle for my ankle. Removed black shoe they gave me to protect my toes. Im not supposed to toutch the ground with this foot and find I am getting sloppy so I lll see if some pain helps. Should make it a bit lighter. Noticing some soreness around my other knee possibly from all the jumping and sole support duties. If it continues Ill use ice.
I can now feel what I think are stiches (thy are about where Dr Vickars said incisions would be anyway.)
I showed Joe how to check circulation on my foot (squeezing toe till pink goes away then release, good circ if pink comes back in less than a second). Now he often squeezes my toe and says circulation OK.
Every time I get up during the day I do 5 slow front kicks (sorry toes are not back) 5 slow back kicks and 5 side leg lifts. When talking to someone while standing I pull my knee to my chest and wiggle my toes. No blood clots for me! Also should help with strength. Plan to continue without crutches when meds are gone and ballance good. Also weights for other leg. PT told me with old ankle injuries that working the non injured leg helps the injured one a bit. I guess we naturally work both sides even when the load is on one. PTs (Physical Therapists) use this for folks that have long term casts on one leg or a paralyzed limb. They work the heck out of the good one and get 10% or 20% benifit to the bad one. Ill start sweating as soon as I find a good way to shower. I think my next cast is removable (you can always check how a tech and Engineer give a guy in a cast a shower, one of my other posts).
People in the house are starting to get grumpy I guess the fact that this is real is sinking in. Oh well hopefully Christmas will help.
1300 pain 1 starting to feel something on the inside of my shin (lower) and an ache in my ankle feels like bone. not bad I can tell its there. Since I am not doing oxycodone today I will try to stay off my leg, no crazy stuff. Going to keep Advil to 8 hr schedule to keep swelling down. Might use oxy for bedtime, we will see be good to get off that stuff.
1615 2 advil a glass of raw milk Pain 1 ache in left side of ankle. Spent time at neighbors different muscles when you go long distance on crutches. Scared the neighbor when I went down stairs, freaked my mom and Angie out as well. I have had to deal with messed up ankles for a while so I know how to handle it.
1210 2 advil yogurt
0100 Bedtime.
Look for Part07
Part05
Moving to a 6 hr med schedule at 5 hours and still ok. Bit sore 2 maybe wont keep me awake. Drank to much water wow my lft side is sore! This to shall pass (small groan)
oops dont set alarms when you keep falling asleep! missed one. supposed to do med at 0600 over slept to 0715.
0715 1 oxy 2 advill almost forgot to eat. Pretzels and water dont forget syntroid. pain 2 at 0800 after being up for a while. Hopping to the bathroom takes a while now.
Thanks Ashlee for showing me how to tip toe with one foot! You rotate on heal, then toe then heal. Im not very fast yet but Im getting there.
If all goes well Ill shift to every 8 hours at midnight
Oh well the boys have determined that I am not that sick. It was nice while it lasted. Maybe I need to up the drama!
12:30 1 oxy 2 advill spaghetti, cheese raw milk. Bit of ache in bone in ankle, pulsing a bit with blood flow. I was late with pain med short on water and ran down the block to catch neighbor. Ice knee for 15 min everything feeling fine. Over did a bit but no harm done. If I dont over do once in a while there will be little progress.
Grandma and the boys are gone now I am on my own. Icing knee to cool ankle and hooked up a larger monitor to use the macbook pro in clam shell mode. Looks good. Pain before icing maybe a 2 Now feeling a few tingles I worked things pretty hard for a while so I need to stay down for an hour or 2 . Pretty tired anyway, good time to nap. Need to wait a bit until I take the ice off. Dont need frost bite. Tomorrow Ill try the constant ice bath.
1700 cooking fish sticks for dinner, I really love those things, its not Spud but still tasty! Need to resist the temptation to snack all the time now that surgery is behind me. Ill be getting couch behind and dont want to get dunlaps disease (dunlaps over the belt). Signed up for the 100 and 50 club (100000 sit ups in a year and 50000 pushups) that should burn some calories.
Quiet with everyone gone.
1810 1 oxy 2 Advil piece of apple pie (hey its good for me from the pie store)
ache in knee I have been letting the foot flop to the outside, now I am trying to straiten it.
0000 midnight. 1 oxy 2 Advil popcorn kumbucha (hmm this batch is vinegary messed up my timing with the surgery). Time to brush teeth and get to bed. Good dental hygiene has been shown to reduce inflammation in the body (thanks Mrs Wesley). I dont need more inflammation. Starting part 7 tomorrow. On to 8 hour med cycle. Hopefully no oxy tomorrow just advil. nite all!
Not hearing any comments. If you are reading this let me know. Thanks Paula. Tomorrow I will put together a list of equipment I am using during this recovery. Stay tuned.
Look for Part06
Moving to a 6 hr med schedule at 5 hours and still ok. Bit sore 2 maybe wont keep me awake. Drank to much water wow my lft side is sore! This to shall pass (small groan)
oops dont set alarms when you keep falling asleep! missed one. supposed to do med at 0600 over slept to 0715.
0715 1 oxy 2 advill almost forgot to eat. Pretzels and water dont forget syntroid. pain 2 at 0800 after being up for a while. Hopping to the bathroom takes a while now.
Thanks Ashlee for showing me how to tip toe with one foot! You rotate on heal, then toe then heal. Im not very fast yet but Im getting there.
If all goes well Ill shift to every 8 hours at midnight
Oh well the boys have determined that I am not that sick. It was nice while it lasted. Maybe I need to up the drama!
12:30 1 oxy 2 advill spaghetti, cheese raw milk. Bit of ache in bone in ankle, pulsing a bit with blood flow. I was late with pain med short on water and ran down the block to catch neighbor. Ice knee for 15 min everything feeling fine. Over did a bit but no harm done. If I dont over do once in a while there will be little progress.
Grandma and the boys are gone now I am on my own. Icing knee to cool ankle and hooked up a larger monitor to use the macbook pro in clam shell mode. Looks good. Pain before icing maybe a 2 Now feeling a few tingles I worked things pretty hard for a while so I need to stay down for an hour or 2 . Pretty tired anyway, good time to nap. Need to wait a bit until I take the ice off. Dont need frost bite. Tomorrow Ill try the constant ice bath.
1700 cooking fish sticks for dinner, I really love those things, its not Spud but still tasty! Need to resist the temptation to snack all the time now that surgery is behind me. Ill be getting couch behind and dont want to get dunlaps disease (dunlaps over the belt). Signed up for the 100 and 50 club (100000 sit ups in a year and 50000 pushups) that should burn some calories.
Quiet with everyone gone.
1810 1 oxy 2 Advil piece of apple pie (hey its good for me from the pie store)
ache in knee I have been letting the foot flop to the outside, now I am trying to straiten it.
0000 midnight. 1 oxy 2 Advil popcorn kumbucha (hmm this batch is vinegary messed up my timing with the surgery). Time to brush teeth and get to bed. Good dental hygiene has been shown to reduce inflammation in the body (thanks Mrs Wesley). I dont need more inflammation. Starting part 7 tomorrow. On to 8 hour med cycle. Hopefully no oxy tomorrow just advil. nite all!
Not hearing any comments. If you are reading this let me know. Thanks Paula. Tomorrow I will put together a list of equipment I am using during this recovery. Stay tuned.
Look for Part06
Part04 Home on the Couch
Home, home on the couch, where the keyboards and pills roam......
Meanwhile back on the couch.
4am pretzels water, 2 oxy 2 advil and a partridge in a pear tree. OH well no caroling this year. Family will be good with it, they did not like singing while I tried to sing and drug them to the next house. Pain 2, almost feels like a sunburn, maybe they used a lazer on my ankle. tired sleep becons,
Good hear snoring from Angie she is back to sleep. OK foot up head down and go to sleep, May drop Oxy to 1 pain mild I want to keep the poison down.
8am 1 oxy 2 advil 2 poached eggs handfull of pretzels, cup of OJ, 2 dried plumbs. Pain 1 or 2 not even close to a bad sprain. Mostly on the lower left side of my shin, donor tendon I think. Might try the peg leg today. Feel good many people taking good care of me.
I think Tara taught me how to get better. be positive and keep marching. Meds every 4 hours is a big help as well also lots of water, going through my big water bottle (40 oz) every 4 hours. Think I am hitting 30 oz mostly. Sure goes through me.
12N 2 oxy (ment to do 1 spaced out) 2 advil pain 1 . Tired now 1230 I think 2 pills is now to much. Good time to take a nap anyway. Spagetti, pretzels dried plums kumbucha water
Wow needed food and water now I have a second wind. I think Joe is doing more school work than when I am up and about. Both boys are mostly being helpful.
1600 1 oxy 2 advil blueberry scone (arthur bought with his own money, thanks Arthur) cup raw milk few pieces of beef from the beef stew (tastes great!)
2000 cleared up a blockage and feeling better. (tmi) Glad that is over with. Those chemicals really mess with you. pain still low using ice packs on knee to cool ankle. Cast is too thick to permit cooling.
TMI alert, might skip this part
solved one of my surgery problems a bit to enthusiastically. Smooth move tea works well when you add prunes and a few other things you get to start on the BRAT diet for a while. Small problems.
Yogurt then midnight meds. After that I am moving to a 6 hour med cycle! 1 oxy every 6 hrs. Looking good!
Next Part05
Home, home on the couch, where the keyboards and pills roam......
Meanwhile back on the couch.
4am pretzels water, 2 oxy 2 advil and a partridge in a pear tree. OH well no caroling this year. Family will be good with it, they did not like singing while I tried to sing and drug them to the next house. Pain 2, almost feels like a sunburn, maybe they used a lazer on my ankle. tired sleep becons,
Good hear snoring from Angie she is back to sleep. OK foot up head down and go to sleep, May drop Oxy to 1 pain mild I want to keep the poison down.
8am 1 oxy 2 advil 2 poached eggs handfull of pretzels, cup of OJ, 2 dried plumbs. Pain 1 or 2 not even close to a bad sprain. Mostly on the lower left side of my shin, donor tendon I think. Might try the peg leg today. Feel good many people taking good care of me.
I think Tara taught me how to get better. be positive and keep marching. Meds every 4 hours is a big help as well also lots of water, going through my big water bottle (40 oz) every 4 hours. Think I am hitting 30 oz mostly. Sure goes through me.
12N 2 oxy (ment to do 1 spaced out) 2 advil pain 1 . Tired now 1230 I think 2 pills is now to much. Good time to take a nap anyway. Spagetti, pretzels dried plums kumbucha water
Wow needed food and water now I have a second wind. I think Joe is doing more school work than when I am up and about. Both boys are mostly being helpful.
1600 1 oxy 2 advil blueberry scone (arthur bought with his own money, thanks Arthur) cup raw milk few pieces of beef from the beef stew (tastes great!)
2000 cleared up a blockage and feeling better. (tmi) Glad that is over with. Those chemicals really mess with you. pain still low using ice packs on knee to cool ankle. Cast is too thick to permit cooling.
TMI alert, might skip this part
solved one of my surgery problems a bit to enthusiastically. Smooth move tea works well when you add prunes and a few other things you get to start on the BRAT diet for a while. Small problems.
Yogurt then midnight meds. After that I am moving to a 6 hour med cycle! 1 oxy every 6 hrs. Looking good!
Next Part05
Recovering at Home Part03
Stardate Thursday 15 December 2011
0630 about 25 hours after arriving at the hospital 18 hours after arriving home.
Well slept through my alarm for 5 am med so now I will bump all of my alarms 2 hours. I need to give my body 20 min to process my thyroid pill.
Pins and needles down and feeling the ankle itself a bit, no pain just awareness so far. I think I moved my toes a bit, hard to tell color and temp look good. Awareness sharpening guess Ill feel a bit dull while taking Oxycodone. Starting to feel an ache just a bit.
More sleep is a good idea. Another drumstick is staring at me. I'll wait 10 more minutes then take meds and go to sleep. Rain starting here in Seattle. Mom came up and checked on me at 3am. Arthur (my 12 yr old) just checked on me at 0640. I was talking with my first nurse and getting an EKG about now yesterday. Have not had one of those in about 12 years. Used to be a part of a yearly physical at NASA.
0700 finishing a chicken leg 2 oxycodone and 2 Advil drinking more water. Time to reset alarms and snore some more. Developing cough nose running a bit. Starting to feel ache in front part of ankle. Small pins and needles pain 3 or so not enough to keep me awake.
1100 2 oxycodone and 2 Advil 2 eggs need to go eat more.
12N moved my toes starting to feel stuff going to be an interesting ride. I yelled and scared everybody seems silly but very disconcerting to see and touch your toes and not feel them or be able to move them.
Bad news Dr had to repair cartilage no weight for 4 to 6 weeks, darn. Sad, need to eat. Arranging for a paper copy prescription so that I am covered for the weekend, hope I don't need it.
The strong stuff they need to have a paper copy for.
3:30 pm 2 oxy 2 Advil pretzels kumbacha and peppermint tea. Call into Dr Kelly abt suppliments to take. Shifting times so that I have med at 12M so I can get back to sleep schedule. Pain 2 tingling complete movement of toes swelling continues to subside.
Getting sleepy nap in my future.
Wow that was a close one! Grandma got behind so I put out the call for someone to get Arthur to Basketball. in 5 minutes 2 responses. Mr Kenney climbed down a ladder and headed our way Kate Baker sent me a note so I could call Mr Kenney and tell him to proceed safely. I'm sure a few more offers will trickle in. I am a part of the greatest group in the world! You guys are beyond awesome! I hope to have better planning in the future but wow I cant express how much I appreciate you guys. Thank you Kims Tae Kwon Do in Renton Highlands best family I have ever had. Thank you.
Starting to feel pain along left side of the lower part of the shin. This should be the donor tendon.
Dr Kelly says tonight should be the worst.
2000 3 oxycodone and 2 advill 1 left over hamburger patty cup of raw milk pretzels and 3 dried prunes they taste pretty good. Need to drink more water. Pain indicator is up 4 or 5 Pins and needles gone toes looking red from my moving around probably.
I have been hopping around and throwing socks and pillows at Joe while he plays the piano to get him ready for Saturdays performance. Seems to be helping. Making the cd skip while he is playing along with it makes him think. He had fun.
Wow 3 oxycodone really hit me hard. Im crawling around because I could not walk. Weird.
Glad that wore off I feel fine now. pain 2 or so not even equal to a mild sprain, Ill stick to 2 oxy's 3 is over my limit. I was crawling around as I felt to dizzy to use crutches and being close to the floor was a good thing. Scared myself into taking more than I needed. Limit on the bottle is 3 I took 3.
One of the nurses said I have an uneducated liver. Good Ill keep it that way less bad stuff to get out of the system later. I know my limit now! Short nap 2hrs and finer than frog hair!
Mom found some great pumpkin pie at PCC no milk ginger crust and tastes great. Boys might get to try some pretty cool.
If your going to do this surgery get an ipod. I set timers for my meds every 4 hours. Set a timer for ice (no more than 15 mins on and 15 off) Keep track of how many pills you are taking and when I work my legs to keep from developing clots. Great tool! I can text with it as well (google voice over wifi).
12M 2 oxy 2 advill 1 hydroxyzine getting ready for first bath must keep cast dry
Look for Part04
Stardate Thursday 15 December 2011
0630 about 25 hours after arriving at the hospital 18 hours after arriving home.
Well slept through my alarm for 5 am med so now I will bump all of my alarms 2 hours. I need to give my body 20 min to process my thyroid pill.
Pins and needles down and feeling the ankle itself a bit, no pain just awareness so far. I think I moved my toes a bit, hard to tell color and temp look good. Awareness sharpening guess Ill feel a bit dull while taking Oxycodone. Starting to feel an ache just a bit.
More sleep is a good idea. Another drumstick is staring at me. I'll wait 10 more minutes then take meds and go to sleep. Rain starting here in Seattle. Mom came up and checked on me at 3am. Arthur (my 12 yr old) just checked on me at 0640. I was talking with my first nurse and getting an EKG about now yesterday. Have not had one of those in about 12 years. Used to be a part of a yearly physical at NASA.
0700 finishing a chicken leg 2 oxycodone and 2 Advil drinking more water. Time to reset alarms and snore some more. Developing cough nose running a bit. Starting to feel ache in front part of ankle. Small pins and needles pain 3 or so not enough to keep me awake.
1100 2 oxycodone and 2 Advil 2 eggs need to go eat more.
12N moved my toes starting to feel stuff going to be an interesting ride. I yelled and scared everybody seems silly but very disconcerting to see and touch your toes and not feel them or be able to move them.
Bad news Dr had to repair cartilage no weight for 4 to 6 weeks, darn. Sad, need to eat. Arranging for a paper copy prescription so that I am covered for the weekend, hope I don't need it.
The strong stuff they need to have a paper copy for.
3:30 pm 2 oxy 2 Advil pretzels kumbacha and peppermint tea. Call into Dr Kelly abt suppliments to take. Shifting times so that I have med at 12M so I can get back to sleep schedule. Pain 2 tingling complete movement of toes swelling continues to subside.
Getting sleepy nap in my future.
Wow that was a close one! Grandma got behind so I put out the call for someone to get Arthur to Basketball. in 5 minutes 2 responses. Mr Kenney climbed down a ladder and headed our way Kate Baker sent me a note so I could call Mr Kenney and tell him to proceed safely. I'm sure a few more offers will trickle in. I am a part of the greatest group in the world! You guys are beyond awesome! I hope to have better planning in the future but wow I cant express how much I appreciate you guys. Thank you Kims Tae Kwon Do in Renton Highlands best family I have ever had. Thank you.
Starting to feel pain along left side of the lower part of the shin. This should be the donor tendon.
Dr Kelly says tonight should be the worst.
2000 3 oxycodone and 2 advill 1 left over hamburger patty cup of raw milk pretzels and 3 dried prunes they taste pretty good. Need to drink more water. Pain indicator is up 4 or 5 Pins and needles gone toes looking red from my moving around probably.
I have been hopping around and throwing socks and pillows at Joe while he plays the piano to get him ready for Saturdays performance. Seems to be helping. Making the cd skip while he is playing along with it makes him think. He had fun.
Wow 3 oxycodone really hit me hard. Im crawling around because I could not walk. Weird.
Glad that wore off I feel fine now. pain 2 or so not even equal to a mild sprain, Ill stick to 2 oxy's 3 is over my limit. I was crawling around as I felt to dizzy to use crutches and being close to the floor was a good thing. Scared myself into taking more than I needed. Limit on the bottle is 3 I took 3.
One of the nurses said I have an uneducated liver. Good Ill keep it that way less bad stuff to get out of the system later. I know my limit now! Short nap 2hrs and finer than frog hair!
Mom found some great pumpkin pie at PCC no milk ginger crust and tastes great. Boys might get to try some pretty cool.
If your going to do this surgery get an ipod. I set timers for my meds every 4 hours. Set a timer for ice (no more than 15 mins on and 15 off) Keep track of how many pills you are taking and when I work my legs to keep from developing clots. Great tool! I can text with it as well (google voice over wifi).
12M 2 oxy 2 advill 1 hydroxyzine getting ready for first bath must keep cast dry
Look for Part04
Post Op Day of Surgery
When we left our intrepid hero the lights had gone out and he was drunk!
Well thats what happened, I was in mid sentance and then I was teleported to POD 4 looking at a big clock 0936. I dont drink but the nurse said I was drunk, but that I was a pleasant drunk. I babbled about things, my brother Ted talked about Tae Kwon do cried a bit and remember everything very clearly.
Asked for a received some ice chips, bit later salteen crackers and water. Then I asked for more crackers, I think I ate the whole box I was famished! Very nice professional Nurse (Andrea) greeted me and kept me supplied with crackers and water. I opened them with my teeth since my IV hand was uncomfortable to use. Great volunteers. I reminded them to call my mom and arrange for my Crutch training (phone # written on my thumb). Also mentioned calling in the meds (the reason I brought $30 cash).
About 10 am I was a bit allarmed because I could not see or feel my foot. Saw the foot (hmm unfortunate choice of words) was there and still on the right way in a cast but could not move or feel it. (still cant at 0230). Read a bit of my book. Andrea called in the Meds again.
Asked for a recieved a urinal and they closed the curtians and removed the evidence. Got dressed with the help of Andrea using some old sweat pants purchesd from a thrift store for this purpose. They zip up about halfway up the calf and fit over the cast nicely. I wanted used ones in case we had to cut the pants with scissors to get them on.
Physical therapist shows up Andrea (pronounced differently) nice lady adjusts crutches to 5'7" (my height) Give crutch class sets a belt around my abdoman and puts her hand on it while I walk with crutches. We go to some stairs she shows me how to go up and come down. She readjusts the crutches up one inch so they fit better. Tells me to keep strides short and not to lean on the top of the crutches.
I sit down (very tired now) and ask for more saltines and water. Andrea tells the story of her name, gives me the belt as a parting gift and leaves.
Meds get called in Again. Mom (my ride home from my only other surgery for my wisdom teeth 30 years ago)
Andrea is replaced by Ann (who reminds me of CAJ) Ann is told about the meds she calls again and is told they will be 30 min. Mom walks down to get prescription , waits in line 10 minutes returns empty handed and a bit grumpy. "they said another 30 minutes" {hmm maybe they get a kick back from the parking folks).
Now I have been waiting 1.5 hours for a prescription. I ask about getting the paper and filling it at my pharmacy. Ann gets me some Advil to start and we stop by the pharmacy again (wheeled by a very nice lady volunteer). Prescription filled. Took 1/2 an Oxycodone
Wheeled out to car moved seat of toyota pickup back and put foot on dash paid $5 for parking and escaped by 12:30pm. Rigged the strap Andrea gave me across my back to just above my knee to keep pressure off my knee while driving to home (Dont worry I was a passenger), I could not feel by leg so I did not want to strain something. Worked well.
Hobbled into the house and moved to my prepaird coach where I am typing right now. Took the other half of an oxycodone.
Very hungry snacking all afternoon. Chicken (yum thank you chief) pretzels and lots of water and peppermint tea
4pm took 1 oxycodone and 2 advile. Set up alarms in ipod for all the med times (every 4 hours) I can take up to 3 Oxy every 4 to 6 hours. Doc said advil (ibuprophan anyway) 2 every 4 hours as needed.
1900 boys to bed and 1 oxycodone and 2 advile
0100 2 oxycodone 2 advil gell caps, pins and needles intesifying 0300 tired pins and needles increasing. Have not been able to move my toes or feel anything but pins and needles. Sleepy time for an hours sleep and then meds.
Look for the next one Recovering at home Part03
When we left our intrepid hero the lights had gone out and he was drunk!
Well thats what happened, I was in mid sentance and then I was teleported to POD 4 looking at a big clock 0936. I dont drink but the nurse said I was drunk, but that I was a pleasant drunk. I babbled about things, my brother Ted talked about Tae Kwon do cried a bit and remember everything very clearly.
Asked for a received some ice chips, bit later salteen crackers and water. Then I asked for more crackers, I think I ate the whole box I was famished! Very nice professional Nurse (Andrea) greeted me and kept me supplied with crackers and water. I opened them with my teeth since my IV hand was uncomfortable to use. Great volunteers. I reminded them to call my mom and arrange for my Crutch training (phone # written on my thumb). Also mentioned calling in the meds (the reason I brought $30 cash).
About 10 am I was a bit allarmed because I could not see or feel my foot. Saw the foot (hmm unfortunate choice of words) was there and still on the right way in a cast but could not move or feel it. (still cant at 0230). Read a bit of my book. Andrea called in the Meds again.
Asked for a recieved a urinal and they closed the curtians and removed the evidence. Got dressed with the help of Andrea using some old sweat pants purchesd from a thrift store for this purpose. They zip up about halfway up the calf and fit over the cast nicely. I wanted used ones in case we had to cut the pants with scissors to get them on.
Physical therapist shows up Andrea (pronounced differently) nice lady adjusts crutches to 5'7" (my height) Give crutch class sets a belt around my abdoman and puts her hand on it while I walk with crutches. We go to some stairs she shows me how to go up and come down. She readjusts the crutches up one inch so they fit better. Tells me to keep strides short and not to lean on the top of the crutches.
I sit down (very tired now) and ask for more saltines and water. Andrea tells the story of her name, gives me the belt as a parting gift and leaves.
Meds get called in Again. Mom (my ride home from my only other surgery for my wisdom teeth 30 years ago)
Andrea is replaced by Ann (who reminds me of CAJ) Ann is told about the meds she calls again and is told they will be 30 min. Mom walks down to get prescription , waits in line 10 minutes returns empty handed and a bit grumpy. "they said another 30 minutes" {hmm maybe they get a kick back from the parking folks).
Now I have been waiting 1.5 hours for a prescription. I ask about getting the paper and filling it at my pharmacy. Ann gets me some Advil to start and we stop by the pharmacy again (wheeled by a very nice lady volunteer). Prescription filled. Took 1/2 an Oxycodone
Wheeled out to car moved seat of toyota pickup back and put foot on dash paid $5 for parking and escaped by 12:30pm. Rigged the strap Andrea gave me across my back to just above my knee to keep pressure off my knee while driving to home (Dont worry I was a passenger), I could not feel by leg so I did not want to strain something. Worked well.
Hobbled into the house and moved to my prepaird coach where I am typing right now. Took the other half of an oxycodone.
Very hungry snacking all afternoon. Chicken (yum thank you chief) pretzels and lots of water and peppermint tea
4pm took 1 oxycodone and 2 advile. Set up alarms in ipod for all the med times (every 4 hours) I can take up to 3 Oxy every 4 to 6 hours. Doc said advil (ibuprophan anyway) 2 every 4 hours as needed.
1900 boys to bed and 1 oxycodone and 2 advile
0100 2 oxycodone 2 advil gell caps, pins and needles intesifying 0300 tired pins and needles increasing. Have not been able to move my toes or feel anything but pins and needles. Sleepy time for an hours sleep and then meds.
Look for the next one Recovering at home Part03
Pre Op Day of Surgery.
Hi, Im Neal, (folks in Seattle know me as Art or Mr Jury) yesterday I had surgery on my left ankle to stabilize it after 30 years of sprains. If you are a poor sucker that has to have this surgery I hope this helps. If you are a friend or family member you can keep up on my status. Please comment so I know someone is reading this.
After my 2 hibicleans showers I showed up at Swedish hospital in Seattle at 5:40 am for a 7:40 surgery on 14 Dec 2011
My first nurse helped me get dressed in a hospital gown and robe and got me started on a bit of paper work and turning in my valuables for the safe. (Drivers licence, insurance cards, $30 in cash, Ipod touch, and cell phone)
Found a paperwork mess up. Consent I signed said Rt leg instead of Left leg. How did I miss that! Really wound me up (and I was already pretty nervous!) I ended up writing all over the consent form and my right ankle. Calmed down (I didn't yell or anything, just paced and bounced around a lot). Nurse pages DR Vickers. I move on to surgery (meeting the only grumpy person of the day) .
In pre op met the Minions (4th year medical students) nice but unsure folks they took a medical history and wrote up a new consent form. Very efficient but a bit tentative, good practice even though my medical history is pretty short.
Anesthesiologist shows up and lets me know what he is going to do and gets the IV going (no meds until I clear up the paperwork!) He explains what will be done. Nerve block (reginal) for the lower leg. 2 nerves, if your knee is square, one runs on lower left corner outside, one runs lower right corner inside.
Dr Michael Vickars shows up and clears up the paper work, holds the old one next to the new one so I can see the changes. Tells me not to worry about it happens once in a while. He then Initials the correct leg.
We chat, my Aunt Judy (aka CAJ Crazy Aunt Judy) used to work and have fun with him and his staff. I pass on greetings and her warning to not mess up her #1 Nephew! He assures me. I ask if he had a good nights sleep and felt good. We agreed the best set up was nervous patient happy doctor.
I asked why the knot on the inside of my left ankle was so large when the damaged tendon was on the other side. #1 tendon on that side is much larger and better blood supply to the bone so when it gets pulled hard (with a bad sprain) the bone grows out.
He reminds me that he will either:
repair the existing tendon (ligament?) unlikely due to many injuries (but prefered) or
cut out the bad one and replace it with part of another tendon and fasten it in with screws set in the bone.
Then check out the cartilage in my leg and repair as necessary (I hope he did not do this it adds 6 weeks to no weight bearing time) I will find out later today. *update messed with cartilage 4 to 6 weeks on crutches.* darn!
After a bit more conversation he leaves and I get up and use the bathroom for the final time before surgery.
Anesthesiologist does the nerve block I could only see a bit of the ultrasound display (that's OK I wanted him to have the better view) Small pinch (about like a hair being pulled) and he placed a needle in each nerve and put in a chemical to interrupt the sodium movement that the nerves use to communicate. Both done in less time than it takes to write it. Now I feel confidant in this fellow he knows his stuff! Doing it for 11 years and everyday. Wish I had collected names.
Wheeled into surgery said hi to Doc. mask held over my mouth and nose (oxygen they said, I think it was spiked), Then I wake up in recovery.
Next Recovery
Hi, Im Neal, (folks in Seattle know me as Art or Mr Jury) yesterday I had surgery on my left ankle to stabilize it after 30 years of sprains. If you are a poor sucker that has to have this surgery I hope this helps. If you are a friend or family member you can keep up on my status. Please comment so I know someone is reading this.
After my 2 hibicleans showers I showed up at Swedish hospital in Seattle at 5:40 am for a 7:40 surgery on 14 Dec 2011
My first nurse helped me get dressed in a hospital gown and robe and got me started on a bit of paper work and turning in my valuables for the safe. (Drivers licence, insurance cards, $30 in cash, Ipod touch, and cell phone)
Found a paperwork mess up. Consent I signed said Rt leg instead of Left leg. How did I miss that! Really wound me up (and I was already pretty nervous!) I ended up writing all over the consent form and my right ankle. Calmed down (I didn't yell or anything, just paced and bounced around a lot). Nurse pages DR Vickers. I move on to surgery (meeting the only grumpy person of the day) .
In pre op met the Minions (4th year medical students) nice but unsure folks they took a medical history and wrote up a new consent form. Very efficient but a bit tentative, good practice even though my medical history is pretty short.
Anesthesiologist shows up and lets me know what he is going to do and gets the IV going (no meds until I clear up the paperwork!) He explains what will be done. Nerve block (reginal) for the lower leg. 2 nerves, if your knee is square, one runs on lower left corner outside, one runs lower right corner inside.
Dr Michael Vickars shows up and clears up the paper work, holds the old one next to the new one so I can see the changes. Tells me not to worry about it happens once in a while. He then Initials the correct leg.
We chat, my Aunt Judy (aka CAJ Crazy Aunt Judy) used to work and have fun with him and his staff. I pass on greetings and her warning to not mess up her #1 Nephew! He assures me. I ask if he had a good nights sleep and felt good. We agreed the best set up was nervous patient happy doctor.
I asked why the knot on the inside of my left ankle was so large when the damaged tendon was on the other side. #1 tendon on that side is much larger and better blood supply to the bone so when it gets pulled hard (with a bad sprain) the bone grows out.
He reminds me that he will either:
repair the existing tendon (ligament?) unlikely due to many injuries (but prefered) or
cut out the bad one and replace it with part of another tendon and fasten it in with screws set in the bone.
Then check out the cartilage in my leg and repair as necessary (I hope he did not do this it adds 6 weeks to no weight bearing time) I will find out later today. *update messed with cartilage 4 to 6 weeks on crutches.* darn!
After a bit more conversation he leaves and I get up and use the bathroom for the final time before surgery.
Anesthesiologist does the nerve block I could only see a bit of the ultrasound display (that's OK I wanted him to have the better view) Small pinch (about like a hair being pulled) and he placed a needle in each nerve and put in a chemical to interrupt the sodium movement that the nerves use to communicate. Both done in less time than it takes to write it. Now I feel confidant in this fellow he knows his stuff! Doing it for 11 years and everyday. Wish I had collected names.
Wheeled into surgery said hi to Doc. mask held over my mouth and nose (oxygen they said, I think it was spiked), Then I wake up in recovery.
Next Recovery
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