Wednesday, December 24, 2008

The Hand Surgrey

I am finally feeling well enough to get out of bed and stay out for a few hours.

My surgery was on December 12, lasted about three hours. In the prep room, they asked if I wanted a nerve block for my right arm or a general anesthetic . I asked for a nerve block because in the past I have had reactions to the medications used and one time an adverse reaction to Diprivan that caused Anaphylactic Shock . I was also hoping that going the nerve block route would prevent me from being nauseous after the surgery and I did not want a tube down my trachea. Nothing I hate more than waking up from surgeries and puking for the next few days.

So...they gave me the nerve block and some drugs to help make me groggy. But once inside the surgery room, they made the first incision and I reacted to the pain, so they gave me the general.

Ugh!! Not only did I wake up to two days of puking, but also discovered that when they intubated me, they knock out a crown on my upper left molar. Can you say hole in the head! UGH!

My stay at United Hospital was three days, I sorta woke up Friday afternoon to my roommate talking NONSTOP on her cell phone. How can any one be so rude?

She was on that phone all nite long and was still talking the next day as they wheeled her out to go home. I did have peace and quite after she left. Me...I was still puking.

My poor hubby came to visit every day, only to end up watching me puke or sleep.

Finally, Saturday about noon...I was able to eat some funky colored Jello and an hour later puked it up. UGH!

I did manage to eat some toast, clear broth and more jello for dinner and manage to hold it down. Yahoo!!

Saturday nite I had the room to myself...quite! No one chatting on her cell phone.

Sunday morning at 5:00 AM.....I woke up starving! I asked for toast...never got it. Then at 6:30 AM I asked what time breakfast would be served, I was told 7:00 AM.

8:00 AM...still no breakfast, again I asked for toast, and/or breakfast. 8:30, 9:00 came and went. I was ready to start puking again. I again called the nurse and asked for toast or jello. Anything to eat.

At 9:30 AM...some one brought me cold eggs, cold sausage, cold toast and cold coffee, which I do not drink!

I was crying by this time from pain, hunger and frustration. I just wanted to go home!!

At 10:00 AM...someone brought me warm toast and jello.

At 11:00 AM I got a new roommate, she had fallen that morning and broke one of her wrist bones. OUCH!!

Along with her ...came her entire LOUD family. They brough a latin music DVD, put it into the room's TV and cranked the music up...LOUD! Then they set up some sort of video game and were playing that LOUDLY! I asked them to please turn the noise level down...they acted like they did not understand English, so I asked them in Spanish and they just laughed. Now...I'm Hispanic, so please don't say that I was not being "understanding". For heaven's sake....it's a hospital, not a frickin pajama party!

I called my hubby and told him I wanted to go HOME!!! NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

I also told the nurse I wanted to go home! She said I was not to be released until Monday....I was ready to cry.....again. Really....it was just a bit too much for me. I asked her if I could please take a shower, she said that she would need to find someone to walk me to the showers. I got my shower an hour later and was exhausted afterwards.

The doctor finally came in, I explained to him...that I wanted to go home...to peace and quite and where I could at least get toast when I asked for it.

Doc signed the release papers, gave me scripts for Hydromorphone, Hydroxyzine, Clindamycin, and Ondansetron. Whew! I needed a chart to help me keep track of when and what to take.

I was free to go home and start healing

My hubby Dan took these photos, geez...I look like shit. This one is when I got home from the hospital.

Did ya notice...the EBIce unit that was my constant companion for 10 days. My little blue ice cooler...minus the "six-pack" of ice tea. HA!!

Really...I am in there...in bed under all the covers. That's my girl doggies; Molly, 8 yr old beagle and Lucy, 11 yr old Aussie Kelpie. They were so loyal during my bed rest, never leaving my side.

Sunday night was hell....Monday it got worse, I called the doctor's office three times during the day to let them know the pain was unbearable, no one ever returned my calls.

Monday night I was really to scream in between the crying. The pain meds were NOT WORKING and I was only sleeping about an hour or so at a time. I was miserable.

Tuesday morning I again called the doctor's office, and this time...got a human who told me to come into the office ASAP.

I called a few friends and neighbors, but everyone was at work. Then my friend Betty called me back and offered to drive me to the doctor's office.

Seems the half cast and dressing on my hand/arm was way too tight. So the dressing/half cast was replaced and wow....what a difference. The pain was a little bit less.

THANK YOU BETTY.....love ya!!

But...I was still not sleeping, I would sleep for about 1-1 1/2 hours and then I was wide awake! In fact it felt like I was on speed. And when I was trying to sleep I was short of breath. And the itchiness was so bad. Was told it was a reaction to the Hydromorphone, which was causing narcotic induced anxiety and agitation. In other words...it felt like I was on speed!


Called the doctor and got a script for Hydrocodone. Didn't really help much. Oh, woe was me.

Friday, I got out of bed for a bit and took these photos.

If I was a sleep--deprived druggie....this is what I would like like. Gross!




Me.....after a long hot shower (with a plastic bag on my hand)!!



My loyal girls, always with me.



Each day gets a little easier with less pain. I sure do miss miss the ponies! Even the barn chores.

Take care of yourself!

7 comments:

  1. Oh that is the saddest recovery story! You absolute poor thing. Hope things get better, and hello from my Buster and Penny beagle and merry merry today.

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  2. OUCH! At least now that you are home you are starting to feel better.

    I just wanted to wish you and your family a fun-filled and joyful Christmas (and hopefully pain free!)

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  3. Dogs will always stick close whenever their owner is unwell. I had a Doberman that would lie as close as possible whenever I had a bad bout of pneumonia, bronchitis or flu. Other times when I was well he went to his own bed.

    Time heals and soon you'll be back with your horses.

    I came via Gary Rith's blog.

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  4. Okay, first...oh sweetie, this is what I get for staying away so long! I had no idea you were having surgery!

    2nd, big hugs for a speedy recovery and good thoughts your way!

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  5. I am so glad that your husband visited you every day. When my mom was in the hospital, she didn't have many visitors, and the lady next to her brought her huge Indian family. The family saw my mom and felt sorry that she was alone and "lent" her a few family members to sit with her. I saw her as soon as soon I was able to.

    As far as the loud Latin families, I am very familiar. I used to live in a neighborhood like that up until two months ago. What's funny is when I ask them questions or try to make conversation, they look at me like they don't understand. When I speak to them in Spanish, they still look confused, haha.

    Your dogs are also so adorable and if I were to own dogs, those are the exact breeds that I would want.

    Happy New Year and speedy recovery ! Glad you're finally home from the hospital :)

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  6. What an ordeal. I'm so glad you have your personal "comfort guard". I also have a Aussie/Kelpie mix and a rare moment passes that she is not within 18 inches of me. I hope you continue to heal quickly.

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  7. I would love to see a photo of your Aussie/Kelpie mix!

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WOW! Thanks, you made my day! Doggie & Pony kisses sent! Please come back....real soon.