My Surgery Story
To find out more - just read “my first post - my rupture story”. I had my surgery on 8/8/08. Dr. said the more the swelling went down, the better the surgery would go. He was very happy with the results but did mention that they had to do a lot of extra digging around and pulling in there to deal with my scar tissue, etc. I had the nerve block from knee down before the surgery and was then given general anesthesia. Unfortunately, when I woke up after the surgery from the anesthesia, we quickly realized that the nerve block was unsuccessful! I was in a TON of pain (not felt like that since I was in labor). Since the nerve block takes about 20 mins to kick in - the nurse gave me some narcotic in the IV while the anesthesiologist got to work again. After about 10 mins I was feeling a bit better from the narcotic. I was presribed Oxycodone, Vicodin, and Motrin and was sent home in a full cast. When the nerve block wore off the next morning, like everyone says, it was HELLO pain. It is the strangest feeling to still feel the numbness and tingling in your toes and feel as the block is wearing off, but to still have the different kinds of pain presenting themselves - burning, throbbing, sharp and dull! The first three days are, by far, the worst and the best advice I can give is take the pills on time or even before. You don’t want to be chasing the pain down - you have to control it from the start. My Dr. told me this is a very painful surgery so don’t be afraid to take the drugs! I was taking two Vicodin every 3 hours and then I just went over the Oxycodone. Be sure to take the Motrin in between because the narcotic just helps the pain and you need to get the swelling down with the motrin. This is especially true if you have a cast, because you cannot ice it. You really have to be on bed rest. I have a one year old daughter and I think the first couple days I was trying to do too much. I wanted to play with her, change her, feed her - but I quickly realized you have to let someone else do things. You have to keep your leg up! It is difficult to look at the messy house and want to clean, or want to cook dinner but you just have to give yourself the rest you need.
Wow, you certainly have had a very hard time, but full marks to you for the way you have coped. You sound a remarkable young woman. Make sure you accept any and all help from family and friends, that is essential to aid your recovery as rest and elevation will be more important for you than most. I have a cousin-in-law who has had very similar experiences to you in her youth, more operations than I could ever imagine and she coped right from the age of 4 to 9 with literally dozens of operations. Any problems she has now she just gets on with (she is now in her 40’s) .
I think that your history of managing your life will stand you in good stead during your healing process, you will undoubtedly have some awful down days, it happens to every one of us, the frustration of not being able to fully care for your young child will add to your worries. There are a few other young mums on the site and I am sure they will contact you.
This blog site will help you as there is almost always someone who will be able to help you.
Be good to youself and rest…
Annie
Comment by annieh — August 27, 2008 @ 12:48 pm
Thanks for the kind words annieh. Sounds like your cousin has had it very difficult. I am already really glad that I found this site. I just got back to work from disability and it is a new tough experience getting used to that now.
Comment by soccersnap — August 28, 2008 @ 8:08 am