My surgery went off without a hitch on Monday morning, June 25. I am in a sling now, so can only use my left hand to type. I was daunted by the prospect, so haven't posted until now. I'll try to get caught up over the next few days.
The folks at Ohio Orthopedic Surgical Institute were really nice. It is attached to the Center of Excellence, but is not the same company. The ladies showed me where to change into the surgical gown, and gave me little non-skid socks to put on. I was able to leave on my shorts and panties, but everything on top had to come off. I haven't worn a bra since that morning! First time since I needed one that I have gone so long without. I also had to provide a urine sample; they did not believe my assurances that I was not pregnant.
Once I was dressed appropriately, I was taken to my rolling bed. I had pillows, and nice wedges to prop my knees up. I also had to use my left hand to write my initials on the shoulder that was getting the surgery, and the nurse did, too. I haven't intentionally written on myself in some years! I had compression wraps on my lower legs, which inflated and deflated to keep the blood moving. Then they covered me up and added a toasty warmed blanket - they said it's really cold in the operating room. And the nurse started an IV on the back of my left hand, to start the zone-out process.
At that point, the anaesthesiologist came in and explained about the nerve block that he was going to inject INTO MY NECK!! I'm glad that the zoning-out was starting soon, because shots in the neck is just unnatural. It was to block the worst of the pain, and lasted about 12 hours. I wish they'd find one that would last 3 days! And that's about all I remember until afterward. The zone-out did itsjob nicely, and I was happy for it.
No comments:
Post a Comment