Back in 2011, when I had my first TKR, the nurses told me that the 3rd day was the hardest. That was true then and, unless there are harder days ahead, it will be true this time.
To start at the beginning, however, I must say that I felt fine this morning, ate a small but nice enough breakfast (cheese and crackers) and took my Percocet, aspirin, and Zofran. All was well, I walked around in the house, got dressed and at 10:15 we left for my first outpatient PT. When we returned at 11:45, I wasn't feeling nearly as perky but still managed to eat some fruit and yogurt. And the PT wasn't exactly hard, but the pushing down on my knee, the heel slides, whatever....really knocked me for the proverbial loop. Once I'd eaten, I went to the daybed and slept until 2:30.
At 3:00, my daughter-in-law arrived to remove the pain pump embedded in my upper thigh. It will be a relief not to have that ball and chain dragging along everywhere I go! After she left, I returned to the recliner and slept until 5:30. Although I didn't want to eat anything because of nausea, I made myself eat 6 Club Crackers so that I could take my evening medication. Now I'm going to prepare for bed and have an early night.
You may think this is complaining, but it's not. It's just an accurate representation of the day so that I'll have a realistic record. I know from past experience that this will pass, so I'm not worried, but it's not particularly fun. With that said, good night!
Friday, January 31, 2020
A recap of the first full day at home
If you count surgery day (Tuesday, January 28) as Day 0, then yesterday was Day 2. It was a better day --not great, but better. The night after getting home from the hospital was hard, but at least any interruptions to my sleep were my own and not the interruptions of medical personnel, so that was a plus. Stan helped me to the bathroom once and I went once by myself, so I only actually got out of bed twice, but I woke up multiple times dues to discomfort--not really pain, just discomfort which is entirely tolerable.
The day itself (Thursday) was very quiet, a day of rest before the day of stress on Friday. I alternated between my computer desk (about 1.5 hours in the morning), the recliner, and briefly the daybed in late afternoon. Every couple of hours, I got up to walk around the house for 10 minutes or so. Aside from eating, that was about it! I spent most of the day reading, my favorite activity, interspersed with minimalist meals provided by Stan. For lunch there was a bowl of chicken won ton soup (from a can) and baked potato chips. During the long afternoon, I drank ginger ale while reading and then while chatting with the younger son who came by to "babysit" me so Stan could go to the Rec Center. After younger son left and Stan returned, I walked some more, then retired to the daybed to read and eventually to doze for about 30 minutes. Not a very eventful day, but it's only Day 2 after all!
We had dinner promptly at 6:00 like we always do. Fruit and cheese had been such a successful dinner in the hospital that I asked for it again at home, so Stan had gone by the grocery store on his way home from the Rec Center to buy a couple of cartons of pre-cut fruit. Cheese, baked chips, fruit, and peach yogurt were my dinner which I ate in the recliner while Stan ate on the couch. We watched the first half of a movie, "Their Finest Hour," while eating but I was too tired to watch any more than one hour.
Bedtime was at 8:00 and that, my friends, is the recount of Day 2. To add a couple of specifics, I'll say that my leg is still extremely swollen and warm but there's no real pain. I took only one Percocet with breakfast and one with dinner, so I think I'm managing the pain element well. The calf pain from surgery day and Day 1 is gone, but because of swelling, my leg is stiff. I can lift it by myself onto and off the bed so I'm relieved not to have to ask Stan to lift my leg (which I did yesterday). It's not a stunning medical miracle, but it's progress. I'll take it!
The day itself (Thursday) was very quiet, a day of rest before the day of stress on Friday. I alternated between my computer desk (about 1.5 hours in the morning), the recliner, and briefly the daybed in late afternoon. Every couple of hours, I got up to walk around the house for 10 minutes or so. Aside from eating, that was about it! I spent most of the day reading, my favorite activity, interspersed with minimalist meals provided by Stan. For lunch there was a bowl of chicken won ton soup (from a can) and baked potato chips. During the long afternoon, I drank ginger ale while reading and then while chatting with the younger son who came by to "babysit" me so Stan could go to the Rec Center. After younger son left and Stan returned, I walked some more, then retired to the daybed to read and eventually to doze for about 30 minutes. Not a very eventful day, but it's only Day 2 after all!
We had dinner promptly at 6:00 like we always do. Fruit and cheese had been such a successful dinner in the hospital that I asked for it again at home, so Stan had gone by the grocery store on his way home from the Rec Center to buy a couple of cartons of pre-cut fruit. Cheese, baked chips, fruit, and peach yogurt were my dinner which I ate in the recliner while Stan ate on the couch. We watched the first half of a movie, "Their Finest Hour," while eating but I was too tired to watch any more than one hour.
Bedtime was at 8:00 and that, my friends, is the recount of Day 2. To add a couple of specifics, I'll say that my leg is still extremely swollen and warm but there's no real pain. I took only one Percocet with breakfast and one with dinner, so I think I'm managing the pain element well. The calf pain from surgery day and Day 1 is gone, but because of swelling, my leg is stiff. I can lift it by myself onto and off the bed so I'm relieved not to have to ask Stan to lift my leg (which I did yesterday). It's not a stunning medical miracle, but it's progress. I'll take it!
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
And I'm Home Again
Anyone who has ever stayed overnight in a hospital knows how little sleep you get, and such was the case with me. There were frequent checks on my vitals, one time the drip malfunctioned and had to be changed, blood had to be drawn, I requested bathroom breaks, and finally, a little before 7:00 a.m., Dr. M came to check on me. As was the case the previous time, he said everything went really well and that, presuming I passed my physical therapy tests, I'd be ready to go home around noon.
Although I dozed for 30 minutes after he left, the nurse brought my medications, so I finally decided to wake up and order breakfast because I was still feeling quite perky. I ordered and ate English muffins, peach yogurt, a fruit cup, and two cups of coffee. I just finished breakfast when the occupational therapist arrived. By the time she left, I'd had given myself a sponge bath, gone to the bathroom, changed into pajamas and housecoat, and performed several tasks (leg lifts, standing up from various surfaces, etc.). She left and right on her heels came my case manager who wanted to make sure I was happy about my treatment and asking if I had any complaints. I absolutely did not! No sooner had she left than the physical therapist came. We spent a long time together, walking the halls, going to the PT room, practicing going up and down steps with a cane, and learning different gaits for different situations. Stan arrived in the midst of this and accompanied us back to my room. All I wanted to do was collapse into bed and nap, but that was not in my future. The Physician Assistant came to review everything and, having inspected my incision site and having changed my bandage, she declared me ready to go home. The nurse and technician came back, helped me put on my "going home" clothes, and took all the wires and needles out of me. The pharmacist delivered my prescriptions,, the nurse returned with my discharge papers, and finally wheelchair transport came.
Right before leaving, we delivered a tray of goodies that Stan had bought, assembled, and wrapped to the nurses' station with a rather gushing thank you note. I got in the wheelchair and off we went. Our son was here to help Stan get me into the house (quite a production!), All this activity had exhausted me, so I lay down on the couch in our family room and was out like a light. Our son stayed and worked at my computer while Stan ate lunch, then went upstairs to take a nap, also. After our son left to go pick up the girls from high school, guess what I did? Yup, took another nap, this time on the daybed in Stan's office.
So now, the day is almost done. I've talked to our Florida son, I have eaten cheese and crackers for dinner, watched one HGTV show, and caught up on my blog. Meds have been taken, so it's about time to go curl up in the daybed where I hope to have a more or less uninterrupted night of sleep. My leg is very swollen and stiff, it's hot, and my calf hurts, but I'm home, the surgery was successful, and I'm puttering around the house very slowly with my walker. It's all going to be okay, but now, I need to sleep!
Although I dozed for 30 minutes after he left, the nurse brought my medications, so I finally decided to wake up and order breakfast because I was still feeling quite perky. I ordered and ate English muffins, peach yogurt, a fruit cup, and two cups of coffee. I just finished breakfast when the occupational therapist arrived. By the time she left, I'd had given myself a sponge bath, gone to the bathroom, changed into pajamas and housecoat, and performed several tasks (leg lifts, standing up from various surfaces, etc.). She left and right on her heels came my case manager who wanted to make sure I was happy about my treatment and asking if I had any complaints. I absolutely did not! No sooner had she left than the physical therapist came. We spent a long time together, walking the halls, going to the PT room, practicing going up and down steps with a cane, and learning different gaits for different situations. Stan arrived in the midst of this and accompanied us back to my room. All I wanted to do was collapse into bed and nap, but that was not in my future. The Physician Assistant came to review everything and, having inspected my incision site and having changed my bandage, she declared me ready to go home. The nurse and technician came back, helped me put on my "going home" clothes, and took all the wires and needles out of me. The pharmacist delivered my prescriptions,, the nurse returned with my discharge papers, and finally wheelchair transport came.
Right before leaving, we delivered a tray of goodies that Stan had bought, assembled, and wrapped to the nurses' station with a rather gushing thank you note. I got in the wheelchair and off we went. Our son was here to help Stan get me into the house (quite a production!), All this activity had exhausted me, so I lay down on the couch in our family room and was out like a light. Our son stayed and worked at my computer while Stan ate lunch, then went upstairs to take a nap, also. After our son left to go pick up the girls from high school, guess what I did? Yup, took another nap, this time on the daybed in Stan's office.
So now, the day is almost done. I've talked to our Florida son, I have eaten cheese and crackers for dinner, watched one HGTV show, and caught up on my blog. Meds have been taken, so it's about time to go curl up in the daybed where I hope to have a more or less uninterrupted night of sleep. My leg is very swollen and stiff, it's hot, and my calf hurts, but I'm home, the surgery was successful, and I'm puttering around the house very slowly with my walker. It's all going to be okay, but now, I need to sleep!
Surgery Day
Please forgive me for not writing last night from my hospital bed, but by the time I woke up from my 2nd or 3rd nap of the afternoon, I had no way of getting to my overnight bag to get my Surface out, and even if I had managed to retrieve it, I don't think I was focused enough to get it set up and plugged in. Plus, above all, I was so groggy that I just didn't feel like it.
Now that my complaining and making excuses is over, I will tell you about surgery day. Just like last time, I couldn't sleep much and so finally decided to get up at 4:30 a.m. After taking a super long Hibiclens shower and washing my hair, I made one last swing around my bedroom to make sure I had everything, got dressed, and went downstairs. Needless to say, I didn't eat breakfast but I was happy to spend time with Stan while he ate.
We left home at 6:45 a.m. and were at the hospital shortly after 7:00. At 7:30 we went to the registration area on the second floor and waited our turn to sit at one of the desks to go over all the forms and payments, etc. Actually, it wasn't too bad. Because I had done the eCheck In, everything was on file, all forms were filled out, and aside from scanning in 3 items (driver's license, insurance card, and Advance Directive), we were ready to go. We were given a buzzer so we went off to a quieter adjacent waiting room were we remained for maybe 20-25 minutes until our buzzer buzzed. That's when the fun started. Thankfully Stan was allowed to stay with me until the very last moment which was a comfort. The first thing, just like last time, was to take a "cocktail" of pills (7 or 8). After that it was time to take off everything and put on the lovely hospital gown, then wipe every inch of myself with (heated) anti-bacterial wipes. A port was put in my hand, and then our pre-op nurse, Donna, talked to us a long time, took yet another medical history, and was imminently pleasant and reassuring. Next in line was the anesthesiology physician who discussed the anesthesia I would have and asked me about my concerns. I emphasized at length my fear of waking up during the surgery, and the doctor assured me that she'd make sure I didn't wake up. The nurse anesthetist then joined us and together that fitted me out with and ON-Q nerve block, a pouch which will be with me until Friday. The wonderful Dr. M, my surgeon came in next to talk with us, and I can't say enough good about him. He's so very reassuring, mild-mannered, and cheerful, so just like last time, he calmed me down. And then, after a short wait, it was showtime!
Stan had to leave at this point and off I went with the technician pushing while the orthopedic nurse and the nurse anesthetist chatted with me as they willed me through the halls. In the theater, I met a nice man, Steve (I think) who appeared to be in charge of instruments and machines. Dr. M's Physician Assistant joined us so, with a full crew, I was scooted off the gurney and onto the operating table. I was given a pillow as I sat on the side of the table and told to bend over it. A lovely heated blanket was place over my shoulders (operating rooms are COLD!) and the spinal was administered. It was as near painless as could be. I was told to lie down, a mask was placed over my nose and mouth, and that's the last thing I remember until I woke up in recovery about 1.5 hours later.
Unlike 8 years ago, I didn't spend all that long in recovery because, so I was told, spinal anesthesia doesn't have the long period of waking up and confusion. Not long thereafter, I was taken to my room and Stan appeared with my overnight case, walker, and cane. We met the nurse assigned to me, discussed a couple of things, and then, to my embarrassment, my nausea got the better of me and I vomited. Fortunately that helped a bit and before long, I was asleep. When I woke, about 4:30, I talked with Stan and soon thereafter, with our son who stopped by on his way home from work. Once he left, at the urging of Stan, I ordered a fruit and cheese plate for dinner, but the idea of eating was completely repulsive, so when Stan left, the plate of food was still sitting there. I got sick again, vomited more, and before collapsing back into a stupor of sleep, the nurse gave me an anti-nausea pill. When I woke up two hours later, the nausea was gone, I felt hungry so I ate almost all my fruit and cheese while reading a book on my Kindle. After yet another trip to the restroom, I went to sleep for the night. Lights out on surgery day!
Now that my complaining and making excuses is over, I will tell you about surgery day. Just like last time, I couldn't sleep much and so finally decided to get up at 4:30 a.m. After taking a super long Hibiclens shower and washing my hair, I made one last swing around my bedroom to make sure I had everything, got dressed, and went downstairs. Needless to say, I didn't eat breakfast but I was happy to spend time with Stan while he ate.
We left home at 6:45 a.m. and were at the hospital shortly after 7:00. At 7:30 we went to the registration area on the second floor and waited our turn to sit at one of the desks to go over all the forms and payments, etc. Actually, it wasn't too bad. Because I had done the eCheck In, everything was on file, all forms were filled out, and aside from scanning in 3 items (driver's license, insurance card, and Advance Directive), we were ready to go. We were given a buzzer so we went off to a quieter adjacent waiting room were we remained for maybe 20-25 minutes until our buzzer buzzed. That's when the fun started. Thankfully Stan was allowed to stay with me until the very last moment which was a comfort. The first thing, just like last time, was to take a "cocktail" of pills (7 or 8). After that it was time to take off everything and put on the lovely hospital gown, then wipe every inch of myself with (heated) anti-bacterial wipes. A port was put in my hand, and then our pre-op nurse, Donna, talked to us a long time, took yet another medical history, and was imminently pleasant and reassuring. Next in line was the anesthesiology physician who discussed the anesthesia I would have and asked me about my concerns. I emphasized at length my fear of waking up during the surgery, and the doctor assured me that she'd make sure I didn't wake up. The nurse anesthetist then joined us and together that fitted me out with and ON-Q nerve block, a pouch which will be with me until Friday. The wonderful Dr. M, my surgeon came in next to talk with us, and I can't say enough good about him. He's so very reassuring, mild-mannered, and cheerful, so just like last time, he calmed me down. And then, after a short wait, it was showtime!
Stan had to leave at this point and off I went with the technician pushing while the orthopedic nurse and the nurse anesthetist chatted with me as they willed me through the halls. In the theater, I met a nice man, Steve (I think) who appeared to be in charge of instruments and machines. Dr. M's Physician Assistant joined us so, with a full crew, I was scooted off the gurney and onto the operating table. I was given a pillow as I sat on the side of the table and told to bend over it. A lovely heated blanket was place over my shoulders (operating rooms are COLD!) and the spinal was administered. It was as near painless as could be. I was told to lie down, a mask was placed over my nose and mouth, and that's the last thing I remember until I woke up in recovery about 1.5 hours later.
Unlike 8 years ago, I didn't spend all that long in recovery because, so I was told, spinal anesthesia doesn't have the long period of waking up and confusion. Not long thereafter, I was taken to my room and Stan appeared with my overnight case, walker, and cane. We met the nurse assigned to me, discussed a couple of things, and then, to my embarrassment, my nausea got the better of me and I vomited. Fortunately that helped a bit and before long, I was asleep. When I woke, about 4:30, I talked with Stan and soon thereafter, with our son who stopped by on his way home from work. Once he left, at the urging of Stan, I ordered a fruit and cheese plate for dinner, but the idea of eating was completely repulsive, so when Stan left, the plate of food was still sitting there. I got sick again, vomited more, and before collapsing back into a stupor of sleep, the nurse gave me an anti-nausea pill. When I woke up two hours later, the nausea was gone, I felt hungry so I ate almost all my fruit and cheese while reading a book on my Kindle. After yet another trip to the restroom, I went to sleep for the night. Lights out on surgery day!
Monday, January 27, 2020
The Night Before
If you have read the "preparations" Stan and I made in 2011, you will know that they were minimal. This time, however, we've had plenty of time, but still it feels as if we should have done more. But it's (almost) too late now to worry about it, so with surgery looming tomorrow, let's just hope that we have done what we need to do.
So what have we done? Stan's office, just like last time, is prepared for me to spend the first several nights on the middle floor of our house. I've bought several pairs of long loose yoga pants for both home and going to physical therapy. It was summer back in 2011 when I had my left TKR, but with it being winter, I figured I needed something a little warmer. I have new house shoes and pajamas for the hospital, and we even got one of those hospital type of tables on wheels for me to use while lolling on the couch. Last time I used a card table, but that was a little awkward. There's a ton of ginger ale around the house and plenty of crackers--my diet for the first few days. Other than that, what else should we have done? Who knows?
One of the most significant differences with this surgery, at least from my point of view, is the difference in hygiene requirements. In 2011, I had to take a Hibiclens shower the morning of surgery, and that was it. This time, however, I had to take a Hibiclens shower two nights before surgery (i.e. last night), another one the night before surgery (that would be tonight), and I'll take one tomorrow morning before surgery. There was no mention of sheets or pajamas last time, but this time, after finishing each Hibiclens nighttime shower, I'm supposed to put on clean pajamas and get straight into bed with freshly laundered sheets. That meant washing sheets yesterday and today. Oh, and I'm supposed to use fresh towels each time I dry off, wash my hair, wash my hands. That's a lot of laundry!
The "no eating after midnight" rule still applies which isn't a problem, but this time, they've urged me to drink up until 4 hours before surgery in order to stay hydrated. If I wake up in the middle of the night, I'll definitely drink a big glass of water, but by the time I wake up tomorrow morning, it will probably be too late to drink anything...maybe. Knowing me, I'll probably wake up earlier than I need because I'll be a bundle of nerves. As a matter of fact, I'm already a bundle of nerves!
Surgery is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. and we have to be at the hospital by 8:00 a.m. We'll probably leave home around 7:30/7:45 not because it's very far, but because it's rush hour and we live in a major metropolitan area. There's always traffic, but especially there's morning rush hour traffic.
So that's about all there is to say right now. We had a pizza for dinner since it will be a while before pizza will seem appetizing again. I've been drinking huge glasses of juice and ginger ale to keep myself hydrated, and I feel as if I'm close to being waterlogged! As soon as I finish reading my current book (it's due at the library in 2 days), I'll go upstairs and do the Hibiclens routine, get in bed, and watch a little HGTV until I get sleepy. Will I get sleepy? Probably not, but there's always hope!
See you tomorrow.
So what have we done? Stan's office, just like last time, is prepared for me to spend the first several nights on the middle floor of our house. I've bought several pairs of long loose yoga pants for both home and going to physical therapy. It was summer back in 2011 when I had my left TKR, but with it being winter, I figured I needed something a little warmer. I have new house shoes and pajamas for the hospital, and we even got one of those hospital type of tables on wheels for me to use while lolling on the couch. Last time I used a card table, but that was a little awkward. There's a ton of ginger ale around the house and plenty of crackers--my diet for the first few days. Other than that, what else should we have done? Who knows?
One of the most significant differences with this surgery, at least from my point of view, is the difference in hygiene requirements. In 2011, I had to take a Hibiclens shower the morning of surgery, and that was it. This time, however, I had to take a Hibiclens shower two nights before surgery (i.e. last night), another one the night before surgery (that would be tonight), and I'll take one tomorrow morning before surgery. There was no mention of sheets or pajamas last time, but this time, after finishing each Hibiclens nighttime shower, I'm supposed to put on clean pajamas and get straight into bed with freshly laundered sheets. That meant washing sheets yesterday and today. Oh, and I'm supposed to use fresh towels each time I dry off, wash my hair, wash my hands. That's a lot of laundry!
The "no eating after midnight" rule still applies which isn't a problem, but this time, they've urged me to drink up until 4 hours before surgery in order to stay hydrated. If I wake up in the middle of the night, I'll definitely drink a big glass of water, but by the time I wake up tomorrow morning, it will probably be too late to drink anything...maybe. Knowing me, I'll probably wake up earlier than I need because I'll be a bundle of nerves. As a matter of fact, I'm already a bundle of nerves!
Surgery is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. and we have to be at the hospital by 8:00 a.m. We'll probably leave home around 7:30/7:45 not because it's very far, but because it's rush hour and we live in a major metropolitan area. There's always traffic, but especially there's morning rush hour traffic.
So that's about all there is to say right now. We had a pizza for dinner since it will be a while before pizza will seem appetizing again. I've been drinking huge glasses of juice and ginger ale to keep myself hydrated, and I feel as if I'm close to being waterlogged! As soon as I finish reading my current book (it's due at the library in 2 days), I'll go upstairs and do the Hibiclens routine, get in bed, and watch a little HGTV until I get sleepy. Will I get sleepy? Probably not, but there's always hope!
See you tomorrow.
Saturday, January 25, 2020
Here We Go Again
Here we go again. A new right knee is on the very near horizon (next Tuesday to be precise), and it's time to reactivate the old blog. I knew this day would come sometime which was the main reason I started this blog back in 2011. A secondary reason was to keep friends, family, and work colleagues informed so that I didn't have to answer the same questions over and over about how I was doing. But truly, I just wanted a factual recounting of the experience. We all tend to forget important facts, manufacture supposed memories, accentuate the positive (or the negative) so that, in the end, we're not sure what really happened. Now that I'm faced with another knee replacement, it's helpful to read through my initial experience with TKR.
Last November 2019, I finally reached the point where I knew that it was time to do something about my right knee. It was getting harder and harder to control the pain in my right knee with over-the-counter pain medications. How many aspirin and ibuprofen could I take in one day? How much could I hope that everyone would wait on me to catch up with my hobbles and limps? Off I went, therefore, to see the surgeon who performed my previous TKR, and yes, he said that I definitely was at the point where surgery was required. After this news, we went on to enjoy Thanksgiving at home with one son and his family, a busy December, and Christmas with the other son and his family in Florida. As time went on, my ability to walk any distance at all rapidly decreased, but despite that, it was a happy holiday season, and I'm grateful to have been able to know that relief was in the near future.
As soon as we returned home, medical adventures picked up. On January 2, 2020, I returned to the surgeon's office, this time to spend about 30 minutes with his physician's assistant. During that visit, we discussed various issues that I needed to prepare for and I had the chance to ask many questions. The next week, on January 8, was the pre-op physical with a full range of blood tests (4 vials of blood!!), electrocardiogram, and a full physical. Fortunately everything was fine and I was cleared for surgery. The next day, January 9, I had a long (45 minutes or so) interview with the orthopedic R.N. assigned to my case. Again, we discussed everything to expect before and after surgery, discussed my medical history, and I was given the opportunity to ask questions. January 13 Stan (yes, still using the same old pseudonym for my husband) and I went to the hospital where my surgery will be performed to attend a pre-op class. The first half was conducted by an orthopedic R.N. who walked us through the procedure and various medical preparations we needed to make, as well as a discussion of what to expect post-operatively. The second half was conducted by a physical therapist discussing not only exercises but equipment we might need and equipment we really didn't need (forget those ice machines!). The last interaction was to talk to the hospital financial office on January 23. Fortunately, everything has been cleared by our Medicare Advantage plan, so all I needed to was to make the hospital co-pay of $300 which I accomplished on the phone.
All that now remains is to wait for one last call on Monday from the surgeon's office to verify everything one more time, to discuss times, when to arrive at the hospital, etc. And then there's Tuesday--game day! The real countdown begins.
Last November 2019, I finally reached the point where I knew that it was time to do something about my right knee. It was getting harder and harder to control the pain in my right knee with over-the-counter pain medications. How many aspirin and ibuprofen could I take in one day? How much could I hope that everyone would wait on me to catch up with my hobbles and limps? Off I went, therefore, to see the surgeon who performed my previous TKR, and yes, he said that I definitely was at the point where surgery was required. After this news, we went on to enjoy Thanksgiving at home with one son and his family, a busy December, and Christmas with the other son and his family in Florida. As time went on, my ability to walk any distance at all rapidly decreased, but despite that, it was a happy holiday season, and I'm grateful to have been able to know that relief was in the near future.
As soon as we returned home, medical adventures picked up. On January 2, 2020, I returned to the surgeon's office, this time to spend about 30 minutes with his physician's assistant. During that visit, we discussed various issues that I needed to prepare for and I had the chance to ask many questions. The next week, on January 8, was the pre-op physical with a full range of blood tests (4 vials of blood!!), electrocardiogram, and a full physical. Fortunately everything was fine and I was cleared for surgery. The next day, January 9, I had a long (45 minutes or so) interview with the orthopedic R.N. assigned to my case. Again, we discussed everything to expect before and after surgery, discussed my medical history, and I was given the opportunity to ask questions. January 13 Stan (yes, still using the same old pseudonym for my husband) and I went to the hospital where my surgery will be performed to attend a pre-op class. The first half was conducted by an orthopedic R.N. who walked us through the procedure and various medical preparations we needed to make, as well as a discussion of what to expect post-operatively. The second half was conducted by a physical therapist discussing not only exercises but equipment we might need and equipment we really didn't need (forget those ice machines!). The last interaction was to talk to the hospital financial office on January 23. Fortunately, everything has been cleared by our Medicare Advantage plan, so all I needed to was to make the hospital co-pay of $300 which I accomplished on the phone.
All that now remains is to wait for one last call on Monday from the surgeon's office to verify everything one more time, to discuss times, when to arrive at the hospital, etc. And then there's Tuesday--game day! The real countdown begins.
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