Five days post left knee operation and I'm amazed how well I feel compared to the same period after my right knee surgery back in February.
The experience has been completely different so I thought I'd give you all the gory details again.
I was so stressed in the weeks leading up to Tuesday. I was mostly nervous of damaging my right knee but figured I might as well get it all over with and get back to normal asap. I trusted the Prof wouldn't do the surgery if he didn't think I could cope.
I had a different registrar (Rob) and anaethetist (Jan) this time round so I guess that in itself will change things.
Deutscher Jan did his best to keep me calm and was lighthearted (saying he'd swear in German if it'd help), but took four attempts to find a suitable vein to knock me out. I reminded him that I'd probably need another cannula for my post-op antibiotics that he promised to administer while I was under. He also said he'd give me a local 'block' on my knee to help with the pain when I woke, to which alarm bells were subtly tinkling, but I figured he knew best. He also said he'd give me an oxycodone pain relief pump since the morphine made me itch so badly last time.
Anyway, shortly after 9am I was blissfully unaware of the choping, rotating and metalwork that has resulted in my new straight knee that looks like it is a perfect match to my already straightened one.
I woke up about 5pm and couldn't feel my left leg at all, it was disconcerting to say the least, but otherwise I was much more awake than in February and had a good chat with the 'generally forgotten' recovery staff. Jan said I was a model patient, but had forgotten to give me the extra cannula, so I got a few more puncture holes because my veins are so rubbish.
The Prof assured me that everything went perfectly and I was soon trundled off to the ward. I wasn't lucky enough to get my own room this time, but was in with three other lovely ladies who had had new knees or hips. I do hope they're all healing well.
So this time because of the 'block' they'd given me, instead of the knee bending torture machine, they put these weird little booties on both my feet that pumped air on and off - sold as a massage (hah) - to keep the blood flowing. I'm inclined to think that while the noisy boots kept me awake and were very uncomfortable, that they have significantly reduced the swelling and bruising compared to last time.
Once the local anaesthetic had finally worn off, I felt a bit more normal, but the itching started again. At least I know I'll not get addicted to opiates, I'd have no skin left from all the scratching!
If I have any more operations, I will opt out of having the 'block', as getting feeling back was horrid. The pins and needles kept me awake most of the first night and slowly getting feeling back on the inside but not the skin freaked me out big time. I was so pleased they'd given me a catheter again as there was no way I'd be able to use a bed pan or hobble to the toilet! I was numb!
On Wednesday mid morning, they put the torture device on and took my pain pump away at the same time. I was very quickly in shrieking agony, and it took three doses of oxycodone pills before the sunshine and chilled trance made me feel ok again. Then I was pretty high and had a lovely cat nap. Rob came to see me and said that if I was up to it that I could go home in the morning. I was amazed that they didn't want to keep me in like last time.
I'm not sure what time in the night the torture device stopped working (I didn't sabotage it, honest ;)), but I was very pleased as it was disturbing my sleep again. They took it away and put the booties back on and I slept like the dead.
The next day went on forever and I was still in a lot of pain, but I did get to go home!
One thing that has been invaluable this time that I didn't get last time is what we have nicknamed Ghost Dog. It's a foot grabber that makes shifting my leg about so much easier. It's the blue band round my foot in the photo. Highly recommended.
I stayed downstairs on Thursday night for fear of stair climbing, but couldn't get comfy, so was determined to go to bed on Friday and was much happier even though the on-my-bum climb nearly killed me.
Today I feel really good. The bruising is minimal so far and the pain is manageable.
Getting in and out of the bath and bed is proving difficult as my right knee, while much better, isn't quite as strong as I thought. I've also lost my balance a couple of times, and accidentally put my full weight on my left leg this morning. I'm a stupid woman (many expletives).
The hubby and mum are being great as ever and I'll be heading off to physiotherapy sometime next week. I'll keep you all posted. Thanks for all your support. Big up the NHS. :)
The experience has been completely different so I thought I'd give you all the gory details again.
I was so stressed in the weeks leading up to Tuesday. I was mostly nervous of damaging my right knee but figured I might as well get it all over with and get back to normal asap. I trusted the Prof wouldn't do the surgery if he didn't think I could cope.
I had a different registrar (Rob) and anaethetist (Jan) this time round so I guess that in itself will change things.
Deutscher Jan did his best to keep me calm and was lighthearted (saying he'd swear in German if it'd help), but took four attempts to find a suitable vein to knock me out. I reminded him that I'd probably need another cannula for my post-op antibiotics that he promised to administer while I was under. He also said he'd give me a local 'block' on my knee to help with the pain when I woke, to which alarm bells were subtly tinkling, but I figured he knew best. He also said he'd give me an oxycodone pain relief pump since the morphine made me itch so badly last time.
Anyway, shortly after 9am I was blissfully unaware of the choping, rotating and metalwork that has resulted in my new straight knee that looks like it is a perfect match to my already straightened one.
I woke up about 5pm and couldn't feel my left leg at all, it was disconcerting to say the least, but otherwise I was much more awake than in February and had a good chat with the 'generally forgotten' recovery staff. Jan said I was a model patient, but had forgotten to give me the extra cannula, so I got a few more puncture holes because my veins are so rubbish.
The Prof assured me that everything went perfectly and I was soon trundled off to the ward. I wasn't lucky enough to get my own room this time, but was in with three other lovely ladies who had had new knees or hips. I do hope they're all healing well.
So this time because of the 'block' they'd given me, instead of the knee bending torture machine, they put these weird little booties on both my feet that pumped air on and off - sold as a massage (hah) - to keep the blood flowing. I'm inclined to think that while the noisy boots kept me awake and were very uncomfortable, that they have significantly reduced the swelling and bruising compared to last time.
Once the local anaesthetic had finally worn off, I felt a bit more normal, but the itching started again. At least I know I'll not get addicted to opiates, I'd have no skin left from all the scratching!
If I have any more operations, I will opt out of having the 'block', as getting feeling back was horrid. The pins and needles kept me awake most of the first night and slowly getting feeling back on the inside but not the skin freaked me out big time. I was so pleased they'd given me a catheter again as there was no way I'd be able to use a bed pan or hobble to the toilet! I was numb!
On Wednesday mid morning, they put the torture device on and took my pain pump away at the same time. I was very quickly in shrieking agony, and it took three doses of oxycodone pills before the sunshine and chilled trance made me feel ok again. Then I was pretty high and had a lovely cat nap. Rob came to see me and said that if I was up to it that I could go home in the morning. I was amazed that they didn't want to keep me in like last time.
I'm not sure what time in the night the torture device stopped working (I didn't sabotage it, honest ;)), but I was very pleased as it was disturbing my sleep again. They took it away and put the booties back on and I slept like the dead.
The next day went on forever and I was still in a lot of pain, but I did get to go home!
One thing that has been invaluable this time that I didn't get last time is what we have nicknamed Ghost Dog. It's a foot grabber that makes shifting my leg about so much easier. It's the blue band round my foot in the photo. Highly recommended.
I stayed downstairs on Thursday night for fear of stair climbing, but couldn't get comfy, so was determined to go to bed on Friday and was much happier even though the on-my-bum climb nearly killed me.
Today I feel really good. The bruising is minimal so far and the pain is manageable.
Getting in and out of the bath and bed is proving difficult as my right knee, while much better, isn't quite as strong as I thought. I've also lost my balance a couple of times, and accidentally put my full weight on my left leg this morning. I'm a stupid woman (many expletives).
The hubby and mum are being great as ever and I'll be heading off to physiotherapy sometime next week. I'll keep you all posted. Thanks for all your support. Big up the NHS. :)
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