I actually posted a message on a forum about the nerve twinges, asking if it was normal...here's one response that I got:
"Nerves
are really delicate, and surgery tends to freak them out. Being brushed
against or even just exposed to air can cause weird nerve symptoms for
weeks to months after the surgery. Permanent and significant nerve
damage is rarer.
After my ankle arthroscopy, I had this "electric shock" sensation on my
last two toes. That faded within a few weeks as I healed. Half of my big
toe was completely numb, that went away 14 months after the surgery. A
LOT of us experience weird nerve symptoms, most of them go away or
decrease significantly.
Also, some of the tingling may just be from swelling. Keep elevating, be
patient, and DO mention it to your surgeon at your scheduled
follow-up. "
I'm not sure if I should feel at ease with this or not...but at least I'm not alone.
So yesterday evening was a little more on the painful side. As I mentioned, I tried to swap to Motrin, which I will go ahead an call it a failed experiment. I guess it doesn't really help too much with nerve pain, but my hope was that the nerve might have been just aggravated by swelling, and the anti-inflammatory meds would have helped with that. I was getting a bunch of tingling before bed, some twinges and the warm sensation before bed.
This time, I decided to switch back to the Oxycodone. Unfortunately, since it only lasts about 4 hours, I was expecting the worst as soon as it wore off in the middle of the night. I took an Oxycodone just before falling asleep, right around 1am. I woke up around 4am. To my groggy joy, I didn't feel any pain. I decided to slowly move my ankle around in the cast before getting up to use the bathroom. In my weird way, I felt this would warm it up enough so that nothing gets kicked off when I finally get up. Well, not sure if it was that, or the Oxycodone, but I got up pretty much unscathed. The only thing that I felt was the warming sensation in my calf muscle. I felt it was close enough to the next dosage that I would just go ahead and take another Oxy and then head back to sleep.
I woke up at around 9am, again, no major stinging pain. I'm guessing the Oxycodone has to be the key? Well, whatever it was, I was just glad not to start off the day in any major pain. I laid in bed again, letting the ankle warm up a bit, before getting up, when I got a call from the surgeon's office. Perfect timing! I described the pain that I was having and asked if it was common. She said that it was a common pain, and it might take "some time" for it to go away. Not sure what she means by "some time", whether it's a few days, weeks, months or years. She also said that tingling was common as well. That made me feel a little better.
She also said that in my follow-up appointment, I should be getting rid of the cast, and they will allow me to walk for the first time also. That'll be a relief!
Pretty much a standard post-op day...I'm still going to keep my foot elevated. I am still feeling an occasional sharp, burning pain and warm sensation...but it's not radiating through my foot. Unfortunately, that with me on the wonder-drug keeping the pain at bay. Can't imagine what it'd feel like without (is this how pain-killer addiction starts?)
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Monday, May 21, 2012
Day Five - Return of the pain
Well, this morning didn't fair quite so well. I woke up around 2:30am, which was well within the dosage for the Motrin that I took (took it at midnight), and I felt that familiar stinging pain. It basically started in the right side of the ankle (probably where the portal was), but then a warm feeling resonates down to my toes. It wasn't terrible...I'd rate it at about a 4, but more due to the shocking nature of the pain. It went away quickly though
I didn't take another motrin, as the bottle was unfortunately out..so I just went back to sleep and woke up again at 6:30am I felt another sharp sting...same area, but the warm feeling was a bit more of a burning feeling. It wasn't agonizing or anything, but still very uncomfortable. Still about a 4...while the sting eventually died down, the burning sensation just died down to a warm sensation, and then eventually just dissipated.
It seems these pains get kicked off when my cast gets bumped in a certain way that ends up bumping the ankle on the inside. The other thing is that I'm not feeling these pains when I'm moving my foot around in the cast..so it's got to be either randomly happening or just in a very specific spot.
I'm trying to hold myself from freaking out (as you've noticed I often do). The only thing that I read on the internet about this (as related to ankle arthroscopy) is that there's a "small" chance for nerve damage. Nobody says anything about whether at least some nerve pains are a normal part of the healing process for the first few days. I guess I can't imagine the nerve not doing some weird things considering it's moved around and stretched during the surgery. So, being that it's only 5 days out of surgery, I'm trying to keep perspective.
I guess that's why I'm writing this thing...in case anything else goes through the same experience and has similar issues or concerns.
I didn't take another motrin, as the bottle was unfortunately out..so I just went back to sleep and woke up again at 6:30am I felt another sharp sting...same area, but the warm feeling was a bit more of a burning feeling. It wasn't agonizing or anything, but still very uncomfortable. Still about a 4...while the sting eventually died down, the burning sensation just died down to a warm sensation, and then eventually just dissipated.
It seems these pains get kicked off when my cast gets bumped in a certain way that ends up bumping the ankle on the inside. The other thing is that I'm not feeling these pains when I'm moving my foot around in the cast..so it's got to be either randomly happening or just in a very specific spot.
I'm trying to hold myself from freaking out (as you've noticed I often do). The only thing that I read on the internet about this (as related to ankle arthroscopy) is that there's a "small" chance for nerve damage. Nobody says anything about whether at least some nerve pains are a normal part of the healing process for the first few days. I guess I can't imagine the nerve not doing some weird things considering it's moved around and stretched during the surgery. So, being that it's only 5 days out of surgery, I'm trying to keep perspective.
I guess that's why I'm writing this thing...in case anything else goes through the same experience and has similar issues or concerns.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Day Four
I got another good night's sleep last night. I took another Oxycodone around 2am before bed, and then fell right to sleep. I woke up around 7:30am, no stinging pain this time, just naturally woke up. I took a second dose of Oxy and then fell back asleep until around 9:30. While I didn't feel any stinging pains like I did yesterday morning, I did feel some funny twinges in the same area. I'd say maybe a flash of 3 on the pain scale. I slowly got out of bed, and decided that since yesterday I had a few sharp stings, that today would be another elevation day.
I basically laid in bed most of the day, getting up for food. I just took it easy and made sure that I took my pain meds on time. During the day, I decided to switch back to Motrin. The couple of times that I did get up, I didn't feel pains save a few small twinges. One of the things that I noticed today was that my resting heart rate was crazy low. I think at one point it was down to 39 bpm. I am usually in the high 40's low 50's...and the day of surgery, it was in the 60's....so for it to be < 40 is quite a difference.
One of the other things that I've noticed is that even though I'm getting a good amount of sleep the last couple of days, I've been feeling really tired. I know I'm spending most of the day lying down with my ankle propped up, I feel like I can doze off at any moment.
The leg is starting to feel generally achy...kind of a "tired" feeling. I also feel pings and tings thoughout the day, but nothing that has caused me to wince, thankfully. I'm guessing they are occurring at the site of the portal incisions, but can't tell for sure since I can't see them. The good news is that it feels like I'm getting more mobility back...The cast is preventing me from going into a full plantar or dorsiflexion, but I feel like I can put more pressure on the cast when I try. I can also move my foot left to right.
This cast can't come off quick enough. It's the waiting game that bugs me...having to wait 2 weeks before knowing if anything has gone wrong or telling if my issue has been fixed. I keep reading on the internet about how doctor's allow their patients to start walking the day after. At this point, I can't imagine myself walking on my own yet. The conservative treatment is frustrating, but probably will be better in the long run.
So, pretty much a small improvement over yesterday, but also took it really easy today.
I basically laid in bed most of the day, getting up for food. I just took it easy and made sure that I took my pain meds on time. During the day, I decided to switch back to Motrin. The couple of times that I did get up, I didn't feel pains save a few small twinges. One of the things that I noticed today was that my resting heart rate was crazy low. I think at one point it was down to 39 bpm. I am usually in the high 40's low 50's...and the day of surgery, it was in the 60's....so for it to be < 40 is quite a difference.
One of the other things that I've noticed is that even though I'm getting a good amount of sleep the last couple of days, I've been feeling really tired. I know I'm spending most of the day lying down with my ankle propped up, I feel like I can doze off at any moment.
The leg is starting to feel generally achy...kind of a "tired" feeling. I also feel pings and tings thoughout the day, but nothing that has caused me to wince, thankfully. I'm guessing they are occurring at the site of the portal incisions, but can't tell for sure since I can't see them. The good news is that it feels like I'm getting more mobility back...The cast is preventing me from going into a full plantar or dorsiflexion, but I feel like I can put more pressure on the cast when I try. I can also move my foot left to right.
This cast can't come off quick enough. It's the waiting game that bugs me...having to wait 2 weeks before knowing if anything has gone wrong or telling if my issue has been fixed. I keep reading on the internet about how doctor's allow their patients to start walking the day after. At this point, I can't imagine myself walking on my own yet. The conservative treatment is frustrating, but probably will be better in the long run.
So, pretty much a small improvement over yesterday, but also took it really easy today.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Day Three - Starting to feel again
I actually got some decent sleep last night. I went upstairs at about 1am, and I was already pretty tired at the time. I don't remember when I actually fell asleep, but I woke up to a stinging sensation in the right side of my ankle. I'd say it was about a 4 on the pain scale. Since this is the area where the Saphenous nerve was blocked, I'm guessing the pain means that the block finally wore off. I reach to my calf that was numb before and I had full feeling. So, the Saphenous nerve block took about 51 hours before it was restored. Again, wasn't too worried about this, since the bock was only sensation versus motor skills, but still good to know that I can feel again...even though that it includes the pain.
I had left my painkillers downstairs. The stings kinda resonated in the cast...I think there were portions of the cast that were riding up next to the incisions, so when I moved my foot, it pushed it again the cast causing it to sting more. I think I'm gonna take Motrin instead of the Oxycodone today. It hurts, but not excrutiatingly, so no need to go overkill on the pain meds yet. I just took two and we'll see how it goes.
Today, I'm going to try to be up and about a little bit more.
Evening update:
The ankle wasn't too bad for the rest of the day. I tried to sit upright a bit more for things like writing is blog or eating...versus my usual and doing them while in bed. I did experience another sharp sensation of pain, similar to what I had woken up in the morning with. I was beyond the duration of the last dose of pain meds and was sitting upright without elevating my ankle. I was trying to shift positions and was dragging my cast on the ground, when I felt that sharp sting on the top part of my foot. Maybe about a 4-5 on the pain scale. It was followed by a bit of a burning sensation that radiated out toward my third and fourth toes. It only lasted for a few seconds, but was jarring enough for me to instantly pain med myself and elevate for the rest of the night.
This is a bit concerning since it sounds like it's nerve pain of the superficial peroneal nerve, which is what the doc said would have a 7% chance of injuring. It's still early days, so I'll try not to obsess too much. I don't feel it all the time, even when I'm moving my foot around in the cast. Just that once in the morning and then again in the evening, both time were out of the pain killer range.
I made sure to take an oxycodone before bed and keep my leg fully elevated.
I had left my painkillers downstairs. The stings kinda resonated in the cast...I think there were portions of the cast that were riding up next to the incisions, so when I moved my foot, it pushed it again the cast causing it to sting more. I think I'm gonna take Motrin instead of the Oxycodone today. It hurts, but not excrutiatingly, so no need to go overkill on the pain meds yet. I just took two and we'll see how it goes.
Today, I'm going to try to be up and about a little bit more.
Evening update:
The ankle wasn't too bad for the rest of the day. I tried to sit upright a bit more for things like writing is blog or eating...versus my usual and doing them while in bed. I did experience another sharp sensation of pain, similar to what I had woken up in the morning with. I was beyond the duration of the last dose of pain meds and was sitting upright without elevating my ankle. I was trying to shift positions and was dragging my cast on the ground, when I felt that sharp sting on the top part of my foot. Maybe about a 4-5 on the pain scale. It was followed by a bit of a burning sensation that radiated out toward my third and fourth toes. It only lasted for a few seconds, but was jarring enough for me to instantly pain med myself and elevate for the rest of the night.
This is a bit concerning since it sounds like it's nerve pain of the superficial peroneal nerve, which is what the doc said would have a 7% chance of injuring. It's still early days, so I'll try not to obsess too much. I don't feel it all the time, even when I'm moving my foot around in the cast. Just that once in the morning and then again in the evening, both time were out of the pain killer range.
I made sure to take an oxycodone before bed and keep my leg fully elevated.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Day Two - Overnight and the Next day
I don't know if it was the extra sleep that I had from the surgery, or the stress about the nerve block, but I barely slept a wink last night. It was probably the former. I was told to take one of the painkillers before bed, to stay ahead of the pain. Which I did and was hoping to feel drowsy from it. Unfortunately, my mind couldn't help but focus on the block. I kept doing a pinch test on my toes (yes, I'm a freak) to see if I felt anything (i.e. checking to see if the nerve block was starting to wear off). My middle toe was the only one that I felt any sensation...after a few hours, 4th toe started to get a little feeling, though still numb. The big toe and the pinky were the ones that had no sensation whatsoever. Then I would hop on the iPad and tried to look to see if anyone had a similar experience. Always a bad idea...it just stresses you out more reading the worst case scenarios.
It wasn't until around 4:30 am when I finally dozed off for about an hour. Lather, rinse, repeat...i even tried to take my mind off of things by watching videos on the iPad or reading articles. I was able to doze off for about 30 minutes from 8 - 8:30...
I finally got up around 10am, toes still numb.
Getting up and crutching around actually helped the most trying to keep my mind off of the numbness. I did have a couple of things that I needed to do post-surgery.
The surgery center also gave me a follow-up call today. They were extremely nice. They asked me a number of standard emergency follow-up questions, like if I'm bleeding through my bandages. Do I have a fever? Have I been able to eat? Everything checked out...fit of health for me, cept I was still all numb, so I wouldn't be feeling any pain and I have a honking cast on the leg so I wouldn't be able to see if I'm bleeding through. I again asked about the numbness and they said that the nerve block could last up to 48 hours...
I also called and schedule my follow-up appointment. I had originally thought that I'd be off of my foot for just a week and then be able to try to start walking. But they said that the follow-up appointments are always two weeks out. Arrgh, another 2 weeks in the cast/splint thingie is gonna make me crazy! I asked the about the numbness (you can tell where my focus was today) and they actually said 72 hours! yeesh...
Nerve block finally breaks!
It was about noon and I finally started to feel drowsy again, so I went back upstairs to try to sleep. I laid there for an hour and dozed off for another 30 minutes. I woke up and something felt different...I was "slightly" able to move my big toe up. I wasn't quite sure, but figured I'd mark the time at 27 hours, when the block started to finally settle. I kept wiggling it, and it started to feel more and more comfortable. The big toe was starting to break away form the pointer toe. I still wasn't able to dorsiflex my ankle, but this was such a big relief for me.
Fast forward 3 hours later, I'm still in bed with no naps....Lots of toe wiggling...and I was finally able to feel a bit of dorsiflexion in my ankle. So, I started focusing on that now. It was at about 30 hours from the inital surgery for this to wear off as well. Things are still a bit numb, so I'm not sure how much range of motion I have. Also, the point of the cast is to restrict movement, which may also be prohibiting the movement. But I didn't get the helpless feeling of thinking about a movement and not seeing anything happen.
Pain starts
So with the nerve block starting to wear off, the pain twinges started. They weren't bad. Mostly just little pings of pain, both on the left side and right side of the ankle. Nothing major, especially considering the pains that I've been through to get here, so I just went ahead and took another Oxycodone, and the pains went away. I may try switching to advil or something, but Becky reminds me that some of the drugs don't mix well...and they noted that in some of the documentation they sent to me.
One last thing that i notice before ending this entry for the night. While the nerve blocks are wearing off, I do notice that the skin on the outside of my calf is still fairly numb. It hasn't changed in a while. That sounds like the Saphenous nerve, which I believe was the second nerve block. It's also the nerve that Dr. Junko said was the 7% change of injury. It doesn't have any motor function, just sensation...so I'm not too worried about that yet. famous last words.
Anyways, that's it for day 2...as long as nothing new comes up. Night all!
It wasn't until around 4:30 am when I finally dozed off for about an hour. Lather, rinse, repeat...i even tried to take my mind off of things by watching videos on the iPad or reading articles. I was able to doze off for about 30 minutes from 8 - 8:30...
I finally got up around 10am, toes still numb.
Getting up and crutching around actually helped the most trying to keep my mind off of the numbness. I did have a couple of things that I needed to do post-surgery.
The surgery center also gave me a follow-up call today. They were extremely nice. They asked me a number of standard emergency follow-up questions, like if I'm bleeding through my bandages. Do I have a fever? Have I been able to eat? Everything checked out...fit of health for me, cept I was still all numb, so I wouldn't be feeling any pain and I have a honking cast on the leg so I wouldn't be able to see if I'm bleeding through. I again asked about the numbness and they said that the nerve block could last up to 48 hours...
I also called and schedule my follow-up appointment. I had originally thought that I'd be off of my foot for just a week and then be able to try to start walking. But they said that the follow-up appointments are always two weeks out. Arrgh, another 2 weeks in the cast/splint thingie is gonna make me crazy! I asked the about the numbness (you can tell where my focus was today) and they actually said 72 hours! yeesh...
Nerve block finally breaks!
It was about noon and I finally started to feel drowsy again, so I went back upstairs to try to sleep. I laid there for an hour and dozed off for another 30 minutes. I woke up and something felt different...I was "slightly" able to move my big toe up. I wasn't quite sure, but figured I'd mark the time at 27 hours, when the block started to finally settle. I kept wiggling it, and it started to feel more and more comfortable. The big toe was starting to break away form the pointer toe. I still wasn't able to dorsiflex my ankle, but this was such a big relief for me.
Fast forward 3 hours later, I'm still in bed with no naps....Lots of toe wiggling...and I was finally able to feel a bit of dorsiflexion in my ankle. So, I started focusing on that now. It was at about 30 hours from the inital surgery for this to wear off as well. Things are still a bit numb, so I'm not sure how much range of motion I have. Also, the point of the cast is to restrict movement, which may also be prohibiting the movement. But I didn't get the helpless feeling of thinking about a movement and not seeing anything happen.
Pain starts
So with the nerve block starting to wear off, the pain twinges started. They weren't bad. Mostly just little pings of pain, both on the left side and right side of the ankle. Nothing major, especially considering the pains that I've been through to get here, so I just went ahead and took another Oxycodone, and the pains went away. I may try switching to advil or something, but Becky reminds me that some of the drugs don't mix well...and they noted that in some of the documentation they sent to me.
One last thing that i notice before ending this entry for the night. While the nerve blocks are wearing off, I do notice that the skin on the outside of my calf is still fairly numb. It hasn't changed in a while. That sounds like the Saphenous nerve, which I believe was the second nerve block. It's also the nerve that Dr. Junko said was the 7% change of injury. It doesn't have any motor function, just sensation...so I'm not too worried about that yet. famous last words.
Anyways, that's it for day 2...as long as nothing new comes up. Night all!
Nerve Block and my Freakout
So after I got home, I went straight to bed. I had planned to pretty much veg the rest of the day in bed. So I crutched up to my bedroom and elevated by leg with pillows My leg was completely numb, primarily from the nerve block that they had given me.
What is a nerve block? Basically it is an injection that is place on specific nerves that prevents signals from getting through. It pretty much made my leg completely numb. The sensation is similar to the feeling that you get at the dentist when they inject your gums with Novocaine. In all the paperwork, and many sights it says that surgical nerve blocks can last up to 24 hours after the surgery.
What I wasn't prepared for was the fact that the muscles in my leg had stopped functioning as well. My impression was that, similar to Novocaine, that it would be numb, but you still had control of your muscles. So, when I wasn't able to lift my toes upwards, it freaked me out. I also wasn't able to move my ankle upward at all (dorisflex). One of the common risks with any surgery that has to do with nerve damage. Nerve damage can basically cause numbness and in some cases paralysis.
So as I'm lying down in my bed, and staring at my toes sticking out of my cast/splint...and trying to move my toes but can't...my mind instantly went straight to the worst case scenario. I wondered if something had gone wrong. It may be my own phobia, but there's nothing else more frustrating than the helpless feeling trying to get your mind to do something that your body does not want to do. It's downright scares me. So, trying to concentrate and will my toes to move, and seeing them paralyzed freaks me out.
I asked the nurses about this before I left, and they said it was normal, and just to wait 'til tomorrow. Again, the paperwork said it should only last 12-24 hours. Even the medical websites say around 24 hours. Well, this got me so freaked that I couldn't even get to sleep after the surgery. I kept doing my internet research.
I asked my brother, who had surgery to fix his achilles tendon. He said the exact same thing happened to him. He even said that it lasted about a week. So, that put my mind at ease a bit. My mom called a family friend, who happens to be an anesthesiologist, and he said to wait it out. He also said you can check the blood flow to make sure that the wrapping aren't too tight. Just squeeze the toe for a few seconds, and then check to see if it return to normal color or if it stays white for a few seconds. My aunt, whose a retired doctor, who also was concerned that the wrapping were too tight, said to make sure that the base of the nail color are purple. That would cause the increase numbness as well.
None of these were the case...I just had to wait it out. I was stressing about it all night.
What is a nerve block? Basically it is an injection that is place on specific nerves that prevents signals from getting through. It pretty much made my leg completely numb. The sensation is similar to the feeling that you get at the dentist when they inject your gums with Novocaine. In all the paperwork, and many sights it says that surgical nerve blocks can last up to 24 hours after the surgery.
What I wasn't prepared for was the fact that the muscles in my leg had stopped functioning as well. My impression was that, similar to Novocaine, that it would be numb, but you still had control of your muscles. So, when I wasn't able to lift my toes upwards, it freaked me out. I also wasn't able to move my ankle upward at all (dorisflex). One of the common risks with any surgery that has to do with nerve damage. Nerve damage can basically cause numbness and in some cases paralysis.
So as I'm lying down in my bed, and staring at my toes sticking out of my cast/splint...and trying to move my toes but can't...my mind instantly went straight to the worst case scenario. I wondered if something had gone wrong. It may be my own phobia, but there's nothing else more frustrating than the helpless feeling trying to get your mind to do something that your body does not want to do. It's downright scares me. So, trying to concentrate and will my toes to move, and seeing them paralyzed freaks me out.
 |
| Wiggle your big toe... |
I asked my brother, who had surgery to fix his achilles tendon. He said the exact same thing happened to him. He even said that it lasted about a week. So, that put my mind at ease a bit. My mom called a family friend, who happens to be an anesthesiologist, and he said to wait it out. He also said you can check the blood flow to make sure that the wrapping aren't too tight. Just squeeze the toe for a few seconds, and then check to see if it return to normal color or if it stays white for a few seconds. My aunt, whose a retired doctor, who also was concerned that the wrapping were too tight, said to make sure that the base of the nail color are purple. That would cause the increase numbness as well.
None of these were the case...I just had to wait it out. I was stressing about it all night.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Surgery day
Full disclosure in this post... 1) I'm writing thing on an iPad, so if something I write complete makes no sense, blame auto-correct or my inability to type on this keyboard. 2) I'm actually writing this post a day late since I spent most of the day recovering yesterday.
Surgery day
I actually slept decently well the night before. I figured he more I slept, the less I would have to keep the family waiting for me post-op. Becky and I left around 6:30 am and it was about an hour trip to the hospital.
When we got there, I just went straight to the registration area and they had me just sign a few things, hand them my insurance card and I'd, and then they immediately took me back to the prep room. Becky was able to sit out in the waiting area until I was ready. They gave her a pager in case she was needed at any point. My parents were also planning on coming up, so I was able to add their names to a list for them to wait for me.
I wast taken into the area, and the nurse asked my name, date of birth and type of surgery I was having. She let me stop off in the bathroom, and then brought me to one of the beds in the prep room. She asked me a number of questions about my history. Things like if I had diabetes or diagnosed with heart problems. She asked about allergies, and them had me repeat my name, date if birth and them who my surgeon was. Then she gave me a consent form to initialize and check. Another round if asking about my name, dob and dr/surgery question...I guess they want to be sure that they're doing the right surgery in the right person. Can't complain too much about that! They then gave me a pill to help calm my nerves. I told her I didn't really need it, but she said that they wanted me to take it anyways. I think I heard it was xannax?
Afterward, she had me change into the gown. Basically just down to my underwear and then the gown. My clothes were placed into a clear plastic bag to go with my after the surgery was over. She had my lie down in the bed and she out a bunch of warm blankets on me. After I got comfy and warm, she started to try putting in the needle for the IV drip. Unfortunately, although she was able to find my vein, she wasn't able to get it all the way in. Needless to say, it was a bit painful. So she took it out and tr to warm my veins again.
Another nurse came in, and went through another line of questioning. She asked the same questions about history, allergies. She also took my vitals...blood pressure was a little high, 144/70 but pulse rate was a nice 51.
The first nurse came back to take another stab at inserting the IV in my vein. She decided on a different vein this time. She had t twist and turn it but she managed t get it in. Apparently not all the way again, because when she started the saline drip, it didn't take again. So she prepped my left arm and called a different nurse. She seemed to have done this many a time, and got it into the new vein. She was a little more forceful, and it stung like a mother (no offense, mom) but rather have one painful hole than three. I never had an IV before...it stung for about 2 minutes and then the pain kind of went away. When she started the saline, I felt a cool sensation go up my arm. It didn't hurt, but was just interesting to feel how the blood travels.
Then the anesthesiologist came He asked me similar questions about my history. He didn't sound too worried when I mentioned about my parents having a history of heart issues or when I mentioned that my heart rate sometimes spikes when I run. He said that at my age the heart rate was nothing. Then he mentioned about a nerve block that he would be applying which would involve two Injections, but would allow me to be pain free after the surgery for about 24 hours. He asked if that was ok, and I told him yes. So he said that I was all set and would see me in a few.
They then called in Becky and my parents t visit me before going in. They only allowed two at a time so mom and dad switched off. We had a brief chat, said our good lucks...and the nurse brought me to the anesthesia area.
they hooked me up to a pulse rate monitor which was nice to see I didn't have irregular heartbeat or anything. She had
She had me turn over on my back and switch my IV to another drip. My surgeon, dr. Junko, came in and talked to me. He in and confirmed the procedure. He gave me the opportunity to ask questions. I asked him about the procedure in more detail. That it was not just shaving the bone spurs but also a comprehensive cleaning of the ankle. Also asked him about post op which he said I would be non weight bearing and would order physical therapy of needed.
I didn't have any questions and then the anesthesiologist came in to start the nerve blocks.
He start with one injection, though I can't remember the placement of the needle. It was pretty standard and didn't hurt than any other injection. The he put a device on and said I'd feel some twitching. I'm guessing this was for the sciatic nerve block (more to come on that later). He said this was gonna be a little rougher. I remember feeling some pains but nothing too sharp to anything.
His assistant said that she was gonna start to give me "the medicine" She switched my IV drip and attached it to another bag. I was staring at the connection and then that was it.
Recovery
I woke up to a new person calling my name. Once my eyes were open, she said "you're all done!". I looked down and saw the splint cast on my leg. I was really groggy. She asked how my stomach was and then asked if im feeling ok..no pains or anything I said I was doing well. She then asked me if I wanted ice chips. Not sure what ice chips are for, but I passed. I immediately felt the scratchiness in my throat and a taste of plastic in my mouth. My first question to her, "was I intubated?" Kudos to me for the usage of that word in my uber-groggy state. She said yes. I felt too goggle to get up, so I just laid there hoping that she would just let me go back to sleep. I asked her how long I was out between now and the surgery and she said about an hour. She asked if i could move my toes and I did, but couldn't lift them up, which freaked me out. I didn't mention anything about it, though...and so after clearing me, she rolled my bed back to the pre-op area where I started.
The familiar nurses were still there. They went to get my family. Beck and my mom came in which was a wonderful site. I started to sober up a little managed to keep up a small conversation with them. The nurse asked me if I wanted cookies and a ginger ale. Um...yes please. Then she asked if Lorna Doones were ok. Um...yes please.
As much as I love me some Lorna Doones. I had to just nibble them. I was a little woozy after the first few bites. I finally managed to sit up, and talked with beck and my parents (again, mom first and then dad, due to the 2 visitor max policy). After knowing that I was ok, mom and dad decided to take off. The nurse gave me crutches and then called for a physical therapist to come down and show me how to use them. The PT was this 5' tall gal, maybe weighing in at a buck ten soaking wet. She was showing me how to use the crutches up and down he stairs. She stood in front of me the entire way down the stairs so that she would brace me if I fell. Here I'm thinking if I fell I might snap her in half. I did make it down the stairs...but exerting myself so soon, made me start to feel nauseous. We raced back to the pre-op room and I laid there a bit longer. After about 5 minutes we were off. One of the nurses wheelchairs me to the door where Becky picked me up. No major problems driving home..though we did have to detour to get a prescription of the painkillers that they gave me.
We got home around 4pm and I went straight up to the bedroom to eat and catch some zzz's.
Surgery day
I actually slept decently well the night before. I figured he more I slept, the less I would have to keep the family waiting for me post-op. Becky and I left around 6:30 am and it was about an hour trip to the hospital.
When we got there, I just went straight to the registration area and they had me just sign a few things, hand them my insurance card and I'd, and then they immediately took me back to the prep room. Becky was able to sit out in the waiting area until I was ready. They gave her a pager in case she was needed at any point. My parents were also planning on coming up, so I was able to add their names to a list for them to wait for me.
I wast taken into the area, and the nurse asked my name, date of birth and type of surgery I was having. She let me stop off in the bathroom, and then brought me to one of the beds in the prep room. She asked me a number of questions about my history. Things like if I had diabetes or diagnosed with heart problems. She asked about allergies, and them had me repeat my name, date if birth and them who my surgeon was. Then she gave me a consent form to initialize and check. Another round if asking about my name, dob and dr/surgery question...I guess they want to be sure that they're doing the right surgery in the right person. Can't complain too much about that! They then gave me a pill to help calm my nerves. I told her I didn't really need it, but she said that they wanted me to take it anyways. I think I heard it was xannax?
Afterward, she had me change into the gown. Basically just down to my underwear and then the gown. My clothes were placed into a clear plastic bag to go with my after the surgery was over. She had my lie down in the bed and she out a bunch of warm blankets on me. After I got comfy and warm, she started to try putting in the needle for the IV drip. Unfortunately, although she was able to find my vein, she wasn't able to get it all the way in. Needless to say, it was a bit painful. So she took it out and tr to warm my veins again.
Another nurse came in, and went through another line of questioning. She asked the same questions about history, allergies. She also took my vitals...blood pressure was a little high, 144/70 but pulse rate was a nice 51.
The first nurse came back to take another stab at inserting the IV in my vein. She decided on a different vein this time. She had t twist and turn it but she managed t get it in. Apparently not all the way again, because when she started the saline drip, it didn't take again. So she prepped my left arm and called a different nurse. She seemed to have done this many a time, and got it into the new vein. She was a little more forceful, and it stung like a mother (no offense, mom) but rather have one painful hole than three. I never had an IV before...it stung for about 2 minutes and then the pain kind of went away. When she started the saline, I felt a cool sensation go up my arm. It didn't hurt, but was just interesting to feel how the blood travels.
Then the anesthesiologist came He asked me similar questions about my history. He didn't sound too worried when I mentioned about my parents having a history of heart issues or when I mentioned that my heart rate sometimes spikes when I run. He said that at my age the heart rate was nothing. Then he mentioned about a nerve block that he would be applying which would involve two Injections, but would allow me to be pain free after the surgery for about 24 hours. He asked if that was ok, and I told him yes. So he said that I was all set and would see me in a few.
They then called in Becky and my parents t visit me before going in. They only allowed two at a time so mom and dad switched off. We had a brief chat, said our good lucks...and the nurse brought me to the anesthesia area.
they hooked me up to a pulse rate monitor which was nice to see I didn't have irregular heartbeat or anything. She had
She had me turn over on my back and switch my IV to another drip. My surgeon, dr. Junko, came in and talked to me. He in and confirmed the procedure. He gave me the opportunity to ask questions. I asked him about the procedure in more detail. That it was not just shaving the bone spurs but also a comprehensive cleaning of the ankle. Also asked him about post op which he said I would be non weight bearing and would order physical therapy of needed.
I didn't have any questions and then the anesthesiologist came in to start the nerve blocks.
He start with one injection, though I can't remember the placement of the needle. It was pretty standard and didn't hurt than any other injection. The he put a device on and said I'd feel some twitching. I'm guessing this was for the sciatic nerve block (more to come on that later). He said this was gonna be a little rougher. I remember feeling some pains but nothing too sharp to anything.
His assistant said that she was gonna start to give me "the medicine" She switched my IV drip and attached it to another bag. I was staring at the connection and then that was it.
Recovery
I woke up to a new person calling my name. Once my eyes were open, she said "you're all done!". I looked down and saw the splint cast on my leg. I was really groggy. She asked how my stomach was and then asked if im feeling ok..no pains or anything I said I was doing well. She then asked me if I wanted ice chips. Not sure what ice chips are for, but I passed. I immediately felt the scratchiness in my throat and a taste of plastic in my mouth. My first question to her, "was I intubated?" Kudos to me for the usage of that word in my uber-groggy state. She said yes. I felt too goggle to get up, so I just laid there hoping that she would just let me go back to sleep. I asked her how long I was out between now and the surgery and she said about an hour. She asked if i could move my toes and I did, but couldn't lift them up, which freaked me out. I didn't mention anything about it, though...and so after clearing me, she rolled my bed back to the pre-op area where I started.
The familiar nurses were still there. They went to get my family. Beck and my mom came in which was a wonderful site. I started to sober up a little managed to keep up a small conversation with them. The nurse asked me if I wanted cookies and a ginger ale. Um...yes please. Then she asked if Lorna Doones were ok. Um...yes please.
 |
| Post Surgery my Lorna Doone's in hand |
As much as I love me some Lorna Doones. I had to just nibble them. I was a little woozy after the first few bites. I finally managed to sit up, and talked with beck and my parents (again, mom first and then dad, due to the 2 visitor max policy). After knowing that I was ok, mom and dad decided to take off. The nurse gave me crutches and then called for a physical therapist to come down and show me how to use them. The PT was this 5' tall gal, maybe weighing in at a buck ten soaking wet. She was showing me how to use the crutches up and down he stairs. She stood in front of me the entire way down the stairs so that she would brace me if I fell. Here I'm thinking if I fell I might snap her in half. I did make it down the stairs...but exerting myself so soon, made me start to feel nauseous. We raced back to the pre-op room and I laid there a bit longer. After about 5 minutes we were off. One of the nurses wheelchairs me to the door where Becky picked me up. No major problems driving home..though we did have to detour to get a prescription of the painkillers that they gave me.
We got home around 4pm and I went straight up to the bedroom to eat and catch some zzz's.
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