So, things took a turn for the very quick in the end.
For starters, I got a call to say that the surgery was being scheduled for the end of March/beginning of April. What great news to have more of a firm number, but still at least 6-8 weeks to plan and get everything into place.
Then, Last Monday - the 16/2/2015 I got a call at lunch time offering me a cancellation for Wed the 18th!!! To say I went into shock was an understatement, BUT, after going through a range of emotions, I decided there was no point putting it off any more, so I said yes, I would be there.
I then had to go up to the hospital on the Tues for an MRSA swab - the drive being 2 hours there and back! It gave me a chance to gather my thoughts and emotions about it all. Here I was EXACTLY one year to the day that I had been put on the surgical list, driving up to be tested fit for surgery the next day. How did I feel? Excited. It was actually going to happen!!!
I went back home that afternoon, packed to small cases - one for the hospital,and one for my Mums where I would be going to convalesce afterwards. I showered, had a good dinner, then, early night as we had to be up at 4.30am to get to the hospital for 7am - fasting from 12 midnight!
We (my partner drove me up) arrived at the hospital and I signed into admissions. We were then directed to the surgical admissions ward, where nurses, doctors, more nurses came and went - questions, more questions, tests, consent forms, sketching on my leg, meeting the consultant himself and him discussing what he would be doing, then it was a matter of sitting waiting as they were going to bring me down last due to the large amount of work needing to be done on my foot.
Unfortunately, in this waiting time, I developed a pounding dehydration/coffee withdrawal headache. It was nearly unbearable, and any anxiety I may have had about the surgery itself was overtaken by this horrid headache, so, by 1.30pm, when they came to take me to theatre, I was more than ready to go to sleep!!!!
I was given paracetamol intravenously for the headache, then they did the nerve block on my leg. I then turned back over, was told I was being given oxygen, deep breaths, and the next thing I knew, I was being woken up at 6.30pm, and it was all done. I found out a bit later that I had probably been awake before that a few times, but those times I dont remember - ie talking to the consultant who told me all had gone very well!!!!
I was brought to HDU for the night so they could keep an eye on me and assess my pain, even though I had had the nerve block, and had a local anaesthetic in my hip (where they had done a bone graft), I had to keep having oxygen, and morphine. I was quite happy with this!!!!
The next morning - Thurs, I was brought straight to a 3 bed ward, where there were two ladies - one had had a hip replacement, and the other a partial knee. They were both very lovely, and helped the time go quicker. I was started on oral morphine straight away, and that went well. The nerve block hadnt worn off, and the local anaesthetic in my hip was still in place, so I was relatively pain free.
At 2oc I had a visit from a friend, which was great. Helped the time pass and lots of chat and smiles. When she left, there was the usual hustle and bustle.... Blood pressure, temp etc... I then had a lovely surprise of a visit from another friend which was quite unexpected! Again, helped the time tick by.
The hospital decided to keep me in on Friday as they only removed the local aenasthetic from my hip and wanted to monitor pain. I was quite happy about this and felt I needed the extra night. I was hit with a blast of pain in my foot in the afternoon and had a little cry. Then the meds got to work and made it more bearable again.
Sat morning I was happy to be going home. Pain was under control and I felt ready.
My partner and my daughter came and picked me up with the car full of pillows, ready to prop the foot up in the back seat! Trying to put a seat belt on was not easy!
Anyway, I got home and collapsed into a very comfy nest.... My mum is fantastically amazing and is caring for me so well....
So, its all rest and recuperation now... I've written this over a few days, but today is exactly 1 week post op.
How am I?
I can honestly say that the pain is more bearable than I envisaged. I am extremely glad for the Health Boards.com foot and ankle forum because I got invaluable tips about being prepared mentally and with my surroundings.
I'm not pain free by any means, and as soon as the foot goes down the pain rises but I'm just thinking positively each day and when pain strikes, I remind myself it's healing pain.
I currently get from a-b with a Walker/zimmer frame... This mainly consists of bed to commode and back. Quite heavy going on my left foot which will have to have surgery as well but the rest is helping it at the same time so catch 22!
I also invested in a knee scooter/walker which I've used for the longer journey to the toilet, and even to the kitchen! 😊 very tiring though as I'm obviously still recovering from the operation itself. Unbelievable how much it takes out of you.
Today a friend came and helped me have my first shower - Oh what heaven, washed hair, etc! I bought a second hand swivel shower chair which sits on the bath and it's perfect... I'll definitely manage showering myself the next time.
To keep me occupied, I'm reading, Netflixing, watching downloads, meditating, listening to music and chatting with Mum,my daughter and my partner whenever he calls.
I go back in a week to get this dressing off and the hard cast on. So, thats my focus!
It's funny how many people have and haven't bothered to get in touch... Kind of hurts a bit tbh, but you know what, it's their thing!
So that's about it with my update! I'm really excited to see how my foot is going to look! I wonder will I look really lopsided feet wise!!
