After a lot of preparation, I was about to head to the hospital at 5am on Tuesday, December 13th to make the picture on the left look like the one on the right, only I got a bonus prosthetic hip by doing both at once.
Now, make no mistake that this is a major surgery. It is something that many people put off for years, even decades, if they can. But I was ready to get back to a normal life, even if it meant weeks or even months of recovery after a major surgery like this.
My biggest worry before surgery was that they might find a reason to delay. I was told in advance that any kind of infection or fever of 101 or greater would mean that they could not proceed, and I really couldn't comprehend how I could wait longer or go through an additional week without NSAIDs (ibuprofen-type medication) in preparation. For three days leading up to surgery, I had to shower with a special antiseptic wash and use a fresh towel and wash cloth and wear freshly laundered clothes and pajamas each day. So, with a 5:30 a.m. arrival time on Tuesday, December 13th, I was up just after 4am for that one last shower before surgery.
We arrived at the hospital in advance of the first real snowfall of the year, and they called me back for prep at about 6am. Darrell was soon able to come back to join me. I was a nervous wreck, but I typically hide that well, so I suspect I looked calm until they took my blood pressure (reading high). Then, my temperature reading was 100.5 at first, and then the dreaded 101. The nurse was asking me how I felt, and I answered honestly that I didn't feel sick at all, just nervous and worried that they would send me home. At about this time, I even started developing a rash on my stomach and back. I'm convinced it was because of the overwhelming worry that they would delay my surgery, and I knew I would likely have had to wait until at least January if that were the case. The nurse was looking worried, too, but suggested we try an under-tongue thermometer instead of the forehead one. Thankfully, it registered 98.8. Whew!
Since they were operating on both hips, I got IVs in both arms, always a joy since my right arm usually causes more issues when giving blood or inserting IVs. I had to swab the inside of my nostrils with huge Qtip like things with nasty smelling antiseptic on them, also a (not) fun surprise. I was told I would get something in the IV to calm me, have a spinal block for pain, and then something to put me out since most folks don't seem to like being aware of the sound of bones being sawed during the operation. Who couldn't agree with that? I was wheeled off to surgery a little after 7am.
In the surgical room, a few folks were already prepped in what looked like space suits. I'm told joint replacement is one of the most sterile surgeries they ever perform, hence the strange looking outfits. A few nurses and the anesthesiologist looked normal at this point though, and they prepped me quickly for the spinal block. Much like an epidural, which I'd had with the birth of each of my two kids, you sit up and hunch over so they can insert the needle in your spine. The bonus here is there weren't contractions to deal with as there had been with my epidurals, so it was relatively easy. At about the same time, they said they were pushing something into my IV, and the last thing I remember is being helped back down onto the bed.
While I'm sure the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and others in the operating room were quite busy, it seemed to me like I just took a deep 3-hour nap. Sometime soon after 10am, a nurse was talking to me as I was blinking awake. I was told it went well, and then I was in and out of sleep for a while. I honestly can't remember if Darrell met me in the recovery room or up at my hospital room where they took me just a bit later. I think he arrived just after they wheeled me into the hospital room. Through early afternoon, I just remember a jumble of medications and fluids going into my IV, nurses checking my vitals regularly, and Darrell looking still a little worried about me.
Within 4-5 hours after surgery, the physical therapist came by for the first time with the objective of getting me out of bed, into a chair, and if things went well, to the bathroom. Since I felt the urge to go by this point but didn't want a bed pan or who knows what other option, this was kind of a relief and I was determined to make it to the bathroom. I'm happy to report that it wall went well. The nurse was checking my vitals at each step of the way, with the only problem being that just before I got back into bed, my blood pressure dropped pretty low and I felt kind of woozy. However, every time getting back up after this point went well. One good thing about me is that I don't seem to get sick ever on anesthesia. I can't imagine adding that to the mix of recovery just after surgery, so I'm grateful for a strong stomach.
I was at some point told that a few unexpected things came up during surgery. One was that my blood pressure and heart rate dropped enough at some point that they had to give me medication for that, but apparently that sometimes happens in longer intense surgeries like this, so the doctor didn't seem too concerned about this. Another is sort of a good and bad situation. I apparently have very strong, healthy bones. The same running that sped up my hip joint deterioration gave me strong bones that shouldn't break easily. However, that actually makes it tougher to insert the prosthesis into the leg bone. On my right side, the surgeon had to use two screws to help anchor due to this. Again though, he said this shouldn't cause me any added problems down the road. Also, my hemoglobin levels had fallen kind of low during surgery, and were going to have to be checked the next morning to see if I'd need a blood transfusion. And lest I or anyone else think this surgery wasn't yet necessary, my doctor assured us that there was no cartilage left in either hip joint, the balls were completely misshapen, and the hip bones on top were starting to collapse. I'm hoping to see some of this in my X-rays at some point, as I know they took a few just before surgery.
I tend to be a determined, goal oriented person and I hate hospitals. I could go on about how difficult it is to sleep in hospitals and tell you about the lady who decided 5am was a great time to clean up in my room. But if you've ever spent the night in a hospital yourself, you probably already know all of this. If you tell me I might be able to go home the day after surgery, that is exactly what I will be expecting and working toward. The physical therapist came in the morning after surgery, and I did well enough with him to get the green light to get out of bed and go to the bathroom all by myself (before that, including all through the night, I'd had to call one of the nurses and couldn't even let Darrell help me get just over to the bathroom). Occupational therapy came in soon after to see how I managed getting dressed, to make sure I was all set with a walker to take home, and to see if I needed anything else.
The doctor came in with the blood work results, and while my hemoglobin had dropped a bit more, that wasn't unexpected and it wasn't quite low enough to require a blood transfusion. So, I would just be sent home with instructions to take iron in addition to several prescriptions and other post-operative care instructions. My doctor also agreed that I would get to go home after one more visit from the physical therapist.
Finally, the physical therapist came back. This time, the goal was to walk the halls for a while with the walker and to learn to get up and downstairs. I passed with flying colors. My physical therapist said I was the best bilateral hip replacement patient he'd ever had. If, like me, you assume that I was also probably the youngest, he assured me that wasn't the case as he'd had several in their 30s and even younger.
And then, the answer to my prayers - I was going home! Plus I knew that soon after getting home, Hunter would arrive home from college with my best friend Shara and her daughter Amelia. It was wonderful to know that the rest of my recovery would be at home, and to know I'd have plenty of help once there.
And, since this is already quite long, I think you'll get a Part 3 soon to describe my recovery, which is going quite well so far.
No comments:
Post a Comment