Wow-it's over! Somewhere under the dressing, the ice pack, and the knee immobilizer, I have a big incision and a new knee. Everything went as smoothly as it possibly could and I'm now in my private room. I am awfully sleepy so I'll hit the high points and, hopefully, write more when I'm less groggy.
The nursing staff here is wonderful! Diane was the initial nurse in pre-op and she explained everything to Stan and me. I had to undress completely, of course, and wipe myself all over with antibacterial towelettes. It was handy having Stan there to do my back! After getting into my hospital gown, I waited just a few minutes and then a medical technician entered my pre-op cubicle and proceeded to put IV connectors on the blood vessels in my hands-both hands. I continued to have my blood pressure checked along with my temperature. Next, the anesthetist came in. One thing I hadn't anticipated was being given the choice of a general anesthesia or an epidural (spinal) anesthesia with sedation given intravenously. After asking several questions, I selected the epidural and, so far, I'm pleased with my decision. Next the anesthesia nurse came in and gave me a femoral block to deaden my leg. After just a little more waiting, the surgeon arrived and spoke with both of us at length.
Although still severely nervous, I guess I began to calm down after speaking with the surgeon who is a very calm, serious, competent, and positive person. The end of pre-op was now in sight. Diane came back and gave me a "cocktail" of drugs by mouth. In addition to that, she put an anti-nausea patch behind my ear which will remain there for 3 days. An antibiotic drip was started, blood was taken, and it was time to say goodbye to Stan.
By this time it was almost 11:30. I remember the trip to the operating room, I was able to get from the gurney to the operating table by myself, and then-BAM-I was out like a light and remember nothing until I woke up in the recovery room. My recovery room nurse, Abigail, was delightful, kind, helpful, and very professional. She kept taking vital signs and working on my chart. My only complaint was extreme thirst, so over the next 2 hours, I chewed my way through a cup of ice, then drank a 12-ounce can of ginger ale, and tried to eat some crackers but my mouth was still so dry that I just couldn't swallow--a very weird experience. It was a jolly time there in the recovery room and several nurses commented on my alertness and good attitude.
I was moved to my private room at 4:00 and met my orthopedic nurse, Cheryl. It's 6:30 now and I've already ordered my dinner (chicken noodle soup, a bag of baked Lays potato chips, and a container of fruit-on-the bottom yogurt. I thought I was hungry but in the end, I could only eat the broth part of the soup with a few pieces of the chicken, half of the yogurt, and none of the chips. It tasted good but I just felt like I couldn't eat any more than that.
So far I've had absolutely no pain and no nausea, but I am very sleepy. Cheryl says that the physical therapist will be by soon to get me out of bed, into a chair, and back into bed. At that point, I'm sending Stan home and hope to get some sleep. Stan said he'd stay in the room with me tonight, but he needs a good night's sleep and there's really not much he can do. I won't have to get up to go to the bathroom since I was catheterized (while still anesthetized in the OR). So, we're waiting on the PT, and then I hope to call it a night.
I'm still in my hospital gown, but hope to put on something more attractive tomorrow. All in all, this has gone better than I hoped. I know there will be pain in my future but for now, there's no pain, no nausea, and I can already lift my leg. Time for my ankle pumps and my spirometer (breathing) exercises. See you tomorrow!
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