Well August 13th has come and gone and I am finally able to write about the surgery.
Wow, you want to say I was a real crabby person to deal with that weekend before surgery. I thought I was OK with the idea of having the surgery. Well I guess I was worried about it more then I let on. I was taking small comments from people and taking them totally wrong. I finally decided to take a nerve pill and a nap. felt a bit better when I woke up. Sunday seemed to just drag on and on. Finally it was 11:30 p.m. I ate something, took my pills, and had my last cigarette before surgery. I went up on the computer until I felt sleepy and then went down to bed. The morning came quickly, took a bath and washed my hair and soon it was time to head for the hospital.
The nurse from Holy Family Memorial Medical Center called on Sunday to ask if I had any questions. And then she had a list for me, such as, allergies to medications, health conditions, family health conditions, smoking, smoke cessation, height, weight, and if someone was going to be there with me. I told her that my husband would be there but, would have to leave before I was out of surgery and that my girlfriend would be there to talk with the doctor and to take me home. She informed me that I would need to give my girlfriend a number for security purposes and for privacy, this number would let her be able to ask the Doctor questions and to obtain any information she felt I would need. She gave me the number and then asked whether I had a living will on file with them. She also told me the surgery had been changed from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and that I should arrive at the hospital by 11:30 a.m. to be admitted for same day surgery. I was told to wear something short sleeved for ease of dressing after surgery, as she did not know what they would be putting on my hand.
I already had arrangements for my girlfriend to be there for surgery and to take me home from the hospital so my husband would not have to take off of work as we could not afford him being off of work. My husband and I arrived at the hospital around 11:10 a.m. we were taken to admittance for same day surgery and went through the process of have you ever had surgery here before, insurance, and identification band. After that was all done I was given a copy of all the information the lady took and walked down to the same day surgery unit. Upon arrival I was weighed and taken to my cubical.
We had to wait a few minutes for the nurse that would be getting me prepared for surgery. My girlfriend arrived and we all made light conversations and had a few laughs while we waited. Finally my nurse arrived, temperature, and blood pressure were taken. More questions were asked. The nurse made a comment that I agreed to talk to the smoking cessation person and said good.
Then it was time for me to put on that gorgeous hospital gown. My friend, hubby and the nurse stepped outside the cubical and the nurse pulled the curtain. I changed and hung my things in the locker that was provided. The curtain was reopened and the nurse brought in the hospital cart/bed which she had me get up on. She then went and got her supplies and was back with an iv bag, and of course I had to ask what it was, it was a solution so I wouldn’t dehydrate, and had glucose, etc. in it. She said it was something always used for surgery. Then it was time to hook the intervenes to me. She inserted the needle and plastic shunt type needle in the top of my hand, taped it in place and pulled out the needle. Next she starting injecting medications in the tube, one was an antibiotic. then Doctor B arrived to mark my thumb with his initials and ask if anyone had any questions, next the anesthesiologist’s assistant came in. Doctor B said he would see me in surgery and left. The anesthesiologists assistant asked if I had any problems with anesthesia before. I told him the last time I had had surgery that I had a hard time keeping my eyes open after recovery, that I literally had to hold my eye open while I ate or drank something so I could go home, or if I had any allergic reactions or allergies to any medications. He also asked If I had any chipped teeth caps or partials. When he was done with his questions . the nurse came back in with another syringe, I said now what are you putting in, she said this one you won’t care about anything. I remember blinking my eyes while she was injecting it and then looking at my husband and my girlfriend and that was it until I was in the operating room. I saw Doctor B, he introduced me to another Doctor and the anesthesiologist. Then the anesthesiologist said he was going to put an oxygen mask on me. I saw the mask coming towards my face and that is all she wrote. I woke up in the recovery room just chattering away and asking questions about the surgery. The doctor came in and said surgery went well, that they removed the joint, he said it was full of arthritis. He said he only put 2 pins in, and I remember I asked if there was any damage done during surgery, he said no, and then told me I would have to keep my arm and hand up until my next appointment. He then said good bye and left. I asked the nurse how long I would have to be in recovery. She said that since I talked with the Doctor she could take me back to my cubical.
Back in my cubical my girlfriend was waiting. i asked her if my hubby had left for work, she said yes but, he had been there most of the time I was in surgery. Surgery took 2 1/2 hours as planned. My nurse came in from the afternoon shift and I asked if I could have some water ( i was so thirsty) she said yes and also said i could have a soda if i wanted. I said that sounded even better. She gave me a list of soda’s and left to get it for me. She bought me both water and soda. of course I had to ask how soon I could go home. I also said I know I have to eat something and go to the bathroom before I leave the hospital. She said no they don’t do that anymore. She asked if I wanted something to eat since I hadn’t had anything since midnight. and said I could have a sandwich and soup if I would like. I decided just on the soup. What a dumb move. Not thinking that I couldn’t use my right hand as my hand and arm where in a splint cast.
plus they had my arm in a sling which was attached to the iv pole to keep it above my heart. It was a trick trying to eat with my left. I finally picked up the cup like bowl and drank the juice. Once I was done eating the shunt was taken out of my hand and bandaged. The nurse said that I could get dressed and would be able to go home. They don’t even have you get up and walk around a bit first. My girlfriend helped me get dressed and the nurse had an orderly bring a wheelchair and we were on our way to the entrance of the hospital. My friend went and brought the car around to the front entrance. the orderly handed my friend information for after surgery and a pain medication prescription. I got in the car and we were off to get the prescription filled, it was going to be a 25 minute wait so we left and went to Mc Donald’s for a soda then rode around for awhile. We picked up the prescription and headed home.
I couldn’t believe how much energy I had when I got home, my friend had to keep telling me to sit down and rest.. We visited and then I could feel the pain starting in my hand. I took a 2 pain pills, which I was able to take ever 4 hours. I had orders from Dr. B that when I slept to put 2 pillows on my chest and then put my arm/hand on top of the pillows. My hand/arm had to stay above my heart. I went to my bedroom and grabbed a pillow to help elevate my arm more. The pain went away for awhile and then came back stronger. The pharmacist mumbled when saying how to take the pills. I figured I would read the instructions when i got home. I had taken them at the same time and then read the directions, which was dumb so I had an hour before I could take anymore. So to help handle the pain and stress I started smoking just a small amount at a time. I was doing good. My husband got off of work an hour early because he told them I had surgery plus they were not busy. He came home and made us supper and then it was time for my girlfriend to head home as it was 9 pm already. We said our good byes and she was on her way home.
My husband and i stayed up for awhile and then it was time for bed. It was a trick getting my pajamas on, and he helped. You don’t realize how much you count on your two hands until you can’t use one. With pajama’s on, I climbed into bed. I know that sounds funny coming from an adult but, I am 5 ft. 1 1/2 inches tall and we have those new mattresses that are high. I propped the 2 pillows on top of my chest and put my arm over the top of them. I fell asleep was out until pain woke me up. It was time for more pain pills and part of a cigarette. This happened every 4 hours or so. When I woke up in the morning the pain was even worse. The nurse from the hospital called to see how I was doing. I told her about the pain, she said take one pill and wait an hour before taking the next one, and that I could also take Ibuprofen in between if needed and that it would also help keep the swelling down. So it was pain medication, and smoking and naps that helped me get through the day. I had my last pain medication at midnight.
Wednesday I had less pain that was tolerable either with Ibuprofen. Each day the pain got less but, there was always a different area and kind of pain each day. I CAME TO realize real soon of what I could and couldn’t do. I couldn’t get completely dressed by myself, do my hair,cook, butter toast or make a sandwich. sweep the floor, take a bath, etc. I have been able to pour something to drink, peel a banana using my thumb finger nail to cut into the to and peel one section off using my teeth to remove the rest of the peelings. I did try to make supper one night but, almost landed the fry pan on the floor. I use the microwave to heat things. My husband helped put up my hair on hot days. I finally can get them up since the stitches came out and with the lighter cast. It has been one learning experience. If I want to use my computer I can walk upstairs but, have to walk backwards down the steps so I can use my left hand to hold onto the railing.
The 30th of august, the hard thick plaster splint cast came off, and Doctor B took out the stitches. All I can say is ouch and gross on that. I could see where the pins were coming out of my skin, and they that they had white see through plastic balls over each pin that was coming out. X-rays were taken to make sure the placement of the pins were still where they should be and they were. Then Doctor B put on a light weight fiberglass cast. He then said keep the arm up to prevent to much scar tissue from forming and that my next appointment would be in 4 weeks to remove the cast and pull out the pins(he had the nurse write up an order for my husband to bring the computer downstairs as I had smacked the cast into the bottom post of the banister. Thankfully i didn’t do any damage). Doctor B will see what I can do with my thumb, and whether I can handle exercises or if I will need physical therapy. My next appointment is set for September 27th. I will update you then, and no my husband didn’t bring the computer downstairs.
