The Hip Chronicles: Surgery & the First Days Afterwards

I woke up Thursday morning at 6AM. Figures, on a day when I can sleep in, I'm up at my normal time for work. So, I took Jeff for a walk and enjoyed the cool morning - and one of my last walks on my own for at least 3 weeks.

I wasn't scheduled for surgery until 2PM, which means I didn't need to get to the surgical center until noon. My mom, sister and I had a quiet morning and I was just happy that I was still allowed to drink water until 11 AM that morning. Can you imagine if I had to stop all fluids AND food past midnight? They wouldn't have found a vein for the IV!

At check in, I signed the usual paperwork - agreeing to pay about 6 different times, various consents (I said no to video and photos for educational purposes, as well as no to medical students observing my surgery), and advance directive information.

I was taken back to pre-op and the first thing I did was give a urine sample. Then, I changed into my surgical gown and put on my TED stockings, which were about to become my best friends. I also had cuffs wrapped around my calves, all to help prevent blood clots. These were actually quite comfortable when they were turned on - felt like a mini massage on my lower legs.

I took this when I was in observation after surgery, but these green things are the cuffs

I had to sign my right hip to indicate that was the leg that was to be operated on. The surgical gown was really nice - part of the Bear Paws system, where they can connect a heater to the gown so I didn't get so cold.  My leg was checked for leg hair (I was good - no extra shaving needed) and then scrubbed down. I did okay until they started adding the heart rate monitor pads to me and started my IV. Then, all the emotions I had been holding in poured out. I had great nurses, though, who were very comforting and helped calm me, which was especially important because I didn't want my momma to see me all upset.

One of the nurses gave me this bear as a little token to make me feel better.

When I calmed down, the nurses brought my mom and my sister back to sit with me for awhile. The anesthesiologist came by, spoke with me about what I'll be getting during surgery and recommended a nerve block as well, which I already knew I would get. So, signed another document for that and then the anesthesiologist signed my right leg.

After a little more waiting, my mom and sister were escorted out, and I was allowed to use the toilet one last time before I was given the nerve block. First, something like valium was given to me in my IV to help relax me, and then the nerve block was injected into my leg, just above my hip (sort of where the crease is between the torso and leg). By the way, when they shove medication quickly into an IV, it burns like HELL. Every single time I said "ow!" outloud. I'm prone to flinching, but rarely do I vocalize pain. So that tells you how much it hurt. It was at this point that I was put on oxygen and had my hair net put on.

A few minutes after the nerve block was administered, we learned that Dr. Genuario, my surgeon, was going to be an hour and a half longer in his current surgery. Everyone seemed surprised and said they must have had something unexpected, like more extensive injury, come up, because he is never late.

I told my mom and sister to go have something to eat, since it was nearing 1:30 and they hadn't had lunch yet, so they wished me well and headed across the street for lunch. With that, it was me and  Rose, the last nurse of the day. I sort of wished I had asked my mom to leave my book, because I literally had nothing to do but lie there and wait.

Finally, around 3:30, Dr. G came to see me and go through his part with me and then he also signed my leg. I had intended to ask him about a particular item on his CV - an honor of being a 2-time powerlifting champion from his undergraduate years, but being that he was running behind on his schedule, I didn't.

I still had to wait half an hour and then I was being wheeled into the OR. At first, I was joking around with the nurses, but then I saw the table I would eventually be moved on, and the room just felt so busy and loud that I was immediately overwhelmed and started crying again. I tried so hard not to, and a first, no one noticed, but then someone grabbed my hand and told me they were going to take good care of me. Dr. G joked that those were tears of excitement and asked the name of the bear, who was actually nameless at the time. Then he kept asking me what kind of music I wanted on, I think in the hopes of distracting me, but I really didn't care. That is the last thing I remember.

When I woke up in PACU, my thoughts immediately when to my leg, which was throbbing. My nurse, Kris, was immediately all over that after I said my pain level was an 8. She adjusted the brace I was in, which seemed to be pressed against the dressing, and ended up pushing 4 units of morphine by the time all was said and done - that got me down to a 2 or 3. I remember joking around and laughing with her a lot during this time and before I knew it, I had been in PACU for over an hour. Time sure flies when you are coming out of anesthesia. I also briefly talked with Dr. G during this time - and asked him about his powerlifting championships, to which he responded, "ha, that was a long time ago" and then he called my mom, who decided I should stay overnight. Everyone else encouraged it, so I said, fine I'll stay.

That was a great decision.

I was moved to my room, and my mom and sister and my mom's cousin who was a nurse for 30 years were able to come in. Apparently Kris told my sister she had never had a patient wake up and just start cracking jokes, but laughter was a nice distraction from the pain, so it wall worked out. We sat and talked for a few hours and I got two kinds of jello, ginger ale and gluten free crackers that were wonderfully salty. I made my first trip to the toilet and everyone was impressed with my mobility (yessss!). My IT band was really bothering me - felt wound up tighter than a top. The nurse finally gave me a second dose of medication and that helped so much. I guess the nerve block isn't 100%!

I slept okay that night, waking up every hour and taking another dose of meds every 4 hours along with more crackers (I totally should have asked what kind they were). I finally gave up on sleep around 5:30 AM and turned on the TV, delighted to find old re-runs of Jersey Shore on MTV. Brainless television was exactly what I needed. As the morning wore on, I changed it to channels that were airing remembrances of 9/11.

I was excited that my nurse from pre-op the day before was my morning nurse, and she spoiled me with a gluten free breakfast sandwich, applesauce and apple juice - things I never eat anymore! It was fantastic. Slept a little more around 8 and then about 9:30, I got changed into my street clothes to get ready for my pt appointment. My cuffs got switched out for a mobile pair, which I call my "jet packs" lol.

PT went really well - it was mostly passive motion, where I just lay there and someone else moves my leg. I only have to go in once a week, and my mom or my sister will help with the exercises the rest of the time. I am also ok to do an upright exercise bike for 15-20 with no resistance, although I don't have easy access to one. My dressing also got changed, and we were given a kit for future changes. The best part is that this is all water proof so I can shower right away! Walking on crutches is pretty easy - once I got them fitted to me it was even easier. It helps that I'm partial weight bearing. Of course, all of this is with the nerve block still in full force, so tomorrow may be another story. Hoping I can just stay ahead of the pain with my prescriptions and don't have to worry about it.

When I got home from PT, a continuous passive motion machine was delivered, so that got all set up in my bed. I have to get in 8 hours of that each day, and will probably do most of that while I'm sleeping.

The rest of the day, I have been perched on my loveseat. So far, I've managed to keep up with the pain with only 1 of the three prescribed narcotics every 4 hours.

Family stopped by with lunch on Friday and I devoured a chardonnay brie salad, and then I got this special delivery from my co-workers:

Yum!

My mom and sister have been wonderful and so far I've only been snarky a few times. So, that's good. Let's hope I continue to be a good patient! Saturday evening, we went to my Aunt and Uncle's house for pizza so my sister could see more family while she was in town. It was nice to get out, although a little exhausting.

Things to note (for the person who found this blog because they are having the same procedure):
If you have the chance to stay in observation after surgery, take advantage of it. The cost is likely rolled into your surgery fee anyway, and it's so much better to have professionals taking care of you.

Yes, you will need help getting around. They require you to have someone stay with you the first 25 hours, but really, having someone for a few days at minimum is a good idea.

You will likely be uncomfortable for awhile - there aren't a lot of positions you can lie or sit in, and things start to get stiff. Nothing you can do about it, just be mentally prepared.

If you are in the Denver, Colorado area, I highly recommend Steadman Hawkins Clinic and Centrum Surgical Center. The staff with both are fantastic - the nursing staff at CSC are so good that I'm actually sending them a thank you card for taking such good care of me.

Even if you have an appetite, be thoughtful on what you choose to consume. Twice, I've made a few bad decisions - I didn't get physically ill, but definitely recognized that certain things were not a good idea shortly after consuming them. This included a Sonic slushie and almond butter with greek yogurt and granola.

Items to have at your house: extra pillows, shower stool, shower handle, extra TED hose, and bland snacks like rice cakes - they are perfect for the middle of the night drug doses.