Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Recovery

I'm home from surgery. Actually, I've been home since 11:30 or so, but I just went to bed and snoozed. I'm still tired. I'm still trying to clear the anesthesia from my body, and I can't decide which sounds better...eat that cheeseburger that's sitting in the microwave that I only took one bite of earlier, or just go throw up. Both sound good to me right now.

I've had a handful of surgeries requiring general anesthesia. I have to say, this is the most difficult when it comes to the anesthesia. I feel like shit.

So, I drive us all the way to BFE to the hospital, hauling ass on I-70 going 80-85mph. We decided to take the PT instead of Mom's SUV because it would be better on gas. And afterward, Mom would drive it home. More on this later.

I check in, fill out some paperwork. I pee in a cup so they can run a pregnancy test. Mom's eyes get big like paper plates when the nurse tells me this. Predictably, I'm not with child. Nurse puts in the IV (which hurts like bitch). Not meaning to toot my own horn here, but my IV's don't hurt when I put them in because I'm good like that. Not all nurses have mad IV skillz like me.

At any rate, she starts IV fluids and leaves the room. Almost instantly, I get really nauseated, and I get this funny tickling sensation in my throat. I cough like I'm going to expectorate a lung. It was really, really weird. By the time nurse returns, the episode has passed. Anesthesia doc and my ortho doc come in a talk to me. Ortho doc draws a smiley face on the knee he's supposed to work on.

I selected this particular orthopedic doctor for two reasons: A) he was highly recommended and B) I used to work with his mother...and she highly recommended him for 7.5 years. So, before ortho doc leaves my room, I tell him that if he botches this procedure, I'm going to rat him out to his mother.

A quick Versed push, and I'm wheeled to the O.R. By the time I get to there, I feel the effects, but I'm not all giggly like I usually am with Versed. I'm strapped onto a table, and then I'm out like a light.

The next thing I know, nurse is waking me up. Why can't they just let you sleep as long as you want, I don't know. It's not like they were busy today. I'm given the obligatory crackers and juice and Fentanyl. Less than an hour later, I'm ready to go home. Still groggy. Still grumpy. Mom goes to get the car.

As I'm sitting in a wheelchair outside the hospital, Mom proceeds to back the car right into a small concrete column. It results in a few scratches and she feels bad. I guess there is a big difference between driving a Jeep Liberty and a PT Cruiser.

En route, we stop at a pharmacy to fill my prescriptions, stop by McDonald's for something to eat. Still nauseated, I can only manage one bite before I wrap it back up to save for later. And it now sits in the microwave, waiting.

For the most part, my knee doesn't hurt. They ended up repairing the torn cartilage, and doing a tendon release. I should be able to return to work in two weeks. The best part...no physical therapy.

However, I still feel like crap. Nauseated as all get out. I've always heard of patients who get sick post-op, but have never experienced it until now. Oddly enough, I only feel gross when I'm out of bed, which I take a sign to stay in bed for the rest of the day.

And I'm going there right now.

17 comments:

bobbie said...

No colostomy bag??? ;-)))

You know the drill on the nausea thing... toss the MickeyD burger!!

I'm glad the repair's needed were relatively minimal ~ but a bit surprised at the no rehab.

Take good care...
(2 days till puppy!!)

K2 said...

Hey! Glad to hear that things went well. Sending good vibes your way!

Dan said...

Let me know if you want me to bring you a meal. Sending good vibes your way.

Xavier Onassis said...

Glad to hear things went well!

While you are recovering, if you need anything, anything at all, you call me!

I won't actually come over and do anything for you, but sometimes it helps to be able to talk to a disinterested 3rd party about your needs.

:)

I'm just generous like that. I guess you could say I'm a people person.

Melinda said...

Glad you're home. Home's a good place to be when you feel like shit.

MoxieMamaKC said...

Get well soon! I'm glad you only had surgery on what you were supposed to have surgery on! Keep us posted!

RDM said...

Enjoy your 2 week vacation. I'm sure you won't be locked up for the full time. I hope you feel no discomfort as you heal up.

Spyder said...

Hope you get over the yucky feelings soon! Glad the surgery went well. Want to do lunch on Sunday?

Mo said...

Glad it was a success. My post-surgery nausea cure (and hangover cure) is actually the coke from Mickey D's. They put something magical in it, I swear. Here's hoping your recovery is a speedy one.

Nuke said...

Take it easy, get better, and try not to go stir crazy (the last would be the hardest for me lol).

In the meantime add me to the folks wishing you well and sending these so called "vibes" to ya.

Faith said...

I'm glad things went well, but I'm also wondering how long you let that cheeseburger sit in the microwave before you either (a) put it in the fridge, or (b) ate it. Because, ew. :P:P:P:P

You are now officially the nurse I will ask for should I need an IV inserted at your hospital. On the weekend. Crossing fingers I don't ever need ya, but still. That's good info to have.

Suzy said...

I can't believe you made it to a computer post-op. I think it took me 4-5 days and in the interim if you had chucked it out the window, I wouldn't have noticed.

I wa nauseous for 2 days because they didn't give me any anti-nausea meds. I had to call one of my nurse readers (Heidi in VT) to tell me what to get. Doctors can bite me.

I'm glad yours wasn;t too traumatic and that you're up and about after only 2 weeks. SIGH.

Joe said...

I have empathy for your post op illness. I too had a hard time with the happy gas the last time I had surgery.

6502Programmer said...

I'd offer to come over and help, but I'm hundreds of miles from KC, plus I'd probably just take your meds and use 'em myself, knowing you'd have a tough time catching up to me.

I'm glad I haven't needed GA since I was nine and had my tonsils out.

bobbie said...

For your convalescent enjoyment... Seamus pix up on the blog!

Rachel said...

Hows about sharing some meds? No? OK, fine. I'll send healing vibes your way anyway. I *too* am a people person, I guess. LOL

Rachel
http://journals.aol.com/fierrorachel/LifeNStuff

Mark Smith said...

Nothing will make you feel worse than going to a hospital or doctors office, thats why I avoid them. Last time I went to the doctor, he stuck a finger up my ass with no warning. Worst fucking dentist Ive ever been to. And Im not sending vibes, sounds like hippy talk or something. Get well soon and shit like that.