So I had the big knee surgery last Thursday. Everyone at the hospital was great! My biggest decision was did I want a spinal or to be put under. While talking about the options with my anesthesiologist, he mentioned that if I had a spinal I could watch the operation on the closed circuit TV. Well that did it, General Anesthesia it is. I did not want to watch my own surgery. Who would?? I guess some people.
They found two loose bone chips the size of molars under my patella. They thought there was just one, but there were two. They let me take them home in a jar.
Well, I woke up without a problem, no nausea. The nurse told me that I was given a lot of pain killers, so I won't feel too much pain, but to keep up on the medication. Keep ahead of the pain. Even set an alarm so I could take the pills in the middle of the night. She also said to take my pain meds with food or I'd get sick. Easy directions which I totally ignored. Because I'm brilliant! By Friday night I was in so much pain I was throwing up. By Saturday I realized I really did need to take my meds with food.
So now things are a little more under control. My knee hurts, but it's not nearly as bad as when I injured it. I need crutches to get anywhere and there are time I move it wrong and yell out in pain. Which brings me to my dogs. Well, dog. My Tessa, my herding dog is extremely concerned. Everytime I yelp in pain she's right there by my side. She doesn't know what my crutches are and she's not sure she trusts them. She follows me everywhere. Even in the middle of the night and she's dead asleep, I'll go to the bathroom and the next think I know she's coming through the door to check on me. She is also checking my breath. She does this when I'm sick with a cold or the flu. She puts her little nose by my mouth and sniffs my breath when I breath out. She'll do this for about 30 seconds to a minute then walk away. I'm not sure what she does with that information, but it's interesting. She also smells the bandages over my knee and whines. She's such a sweet concerned little dog.
Fred on the other hand, well, I don't think he's noticed anything different.
He's so pretty.
I'm out of school until after Thanksgiving and then hopefully I'll be good enough to go back to work. I'll be on crutches, but it'll be nice to get off this couch and see my co-workers and students!
Oh, and Graham has been beyond wonderful. He's gotten me everything I need and has been supportive and sweet. He's been almost as good as Tess.
:P
5 comments:
That Fred. If he can't be smart, at least he's decorative.
SOOOO glad it all went well and that hopefully you'll be good to go from here on out so far as knee issues go.
And see what happens when you disregard Sound Medical Advice? They really mean that stuff about pain meds. Pain gets in the way of healing and wtf, why wouldn't you want to take delicious happy pain meds if they are so generous as to give them to you? So I'm glad you got that figured out too.
As for Graham, we all knew what a great guy he was already. Now that he's up for Husband of the Year let's hope he remembers the little people who knew him when. :)
That is so cool that Tessa is watching out for you. I've heard of dogs who are trained to sniff out all kinds of diseases, including cancer! Maybe she is just checking to make sure you don't have anything more serious than surgery.
Glad you're on the mend. Get well soon!
Glad the surgery went well!
Juneau is extra dreary these days, isn't it? I feel like we got stuck with a whole other October. Unfair.
Good luck with the healing.
Impetua- Yes, I've learned my lesson. I promise from now on I will do what ever my nurse tells me. (and if I have any questions I'll call you and Rhonda for a second opinion!)
Jeff- She is a sweet dog. She has also stopped and smelled certain areas of my body before, like she'll focus on an area of my arm or back or head. In which I am immediately sure I have arm, back or brain cancer. However I haven't figured out a way to tell the doctor I need a second opinion, the first being my dog.
Jill-When I moved here from Nome I was told this area was called the Banana Belt because it was so warm. No one informed me about the mind numbing gloominess that makes you want to drive your car into the Channel during high tide! Sheesh, bring on the snow!
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope all is well with the knee!
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