Recovering From Second Surgery

The left knee operation on March 22nd has been successful. It is a different experience than the first knee. I guess that no procedure is identical even though the Doctor and the patient are the same.

The operation started at 8:00 a.m. and was quite a bit longer though I don't know the exact time. The relaxation medication was either stronger or a bigger dose because I don't really remember any of the procedure nor the conversation that took place between Doctor and staff. About all I remember is the hammering of steel on steel at the end just as in the first operation. I might even have commented that there was more hammering this time.

The Recovery Room was great. The nurses really pay attention to you and monitor the heart rate, oxygen levels, blood pressure and temperature very thoroughly. I remembered my breathing exercises and was able to keep the oxygen level close to 98% until there was a bit of nausea just before being moved to the ward. The self administered pain injections are wonderful. I was even more keen to avoid discomfort so took a shot whenever I began to feel a twinge. All staff made me feel great by complimenting me on how little a dosage I actually took. Over the recovery period in the hospital, I don't think I took more than 2 or possibly 3 shots in an hour and the machine was set up to allow a dosage every 6 minutes if I so desired.

I arrived in the ward shortly after noon and the ward staff were very helpful. The toughest procedure was the insertion of the catheter but the young male nurse was very sympathetic and very gentle. I guess there is nothing like close identification with the procedure to ensure a steady, soft hand. The night nurse was very professional and visited every few hours to make sure I was OK. I appreciated her no nonsense approach. As before, there was one nurse that was a bit 'ditzy.' Just as with the last experience, she gossiped outside the room, came to undertake procedures but would have to make three trips back for the tools, materials, etc. Then complained about being so busy and behind. No wonder! I guess no amount of training can instill an orderly, systematic practice over a strong personality. No harm, I wasn't in great need and found it amusing.

The physio and occupational therapists arrived on Wednesday morning and as before, the pole with all the intervenus fluids hadn't been removed. We went for our walk and with a bit of organization on their part I was able to demonstrate I could navigate the stairs and passed the crucial test for release.

As I said, the experience was quite different. Even the incision is on a different part of my knee, more central and perhaps a bit longer. Pictures for comparison which follow soon will help to figure that out. I must say that there was more discomfort after release from hospital and the different narcotic for pain control doesn't seem to work as well. It still has the same constipation effect but I have taken larger quantities of the stool softener which has helped a lot. This narcotic doesn't have the Tylenol built in so I'm taking a couple of Tylenol each time - abou every 5 hours.

The knee is much more stiff this time. Bending it is difficult. There will be a bigger challenge for the physiotherapist when I start increased exercises this Wednesday. I have more bruising this time; on my stomach for a blood thinner shot which was new, as well as on my calf and ankle. My ankle has been quite sore espcially after my first walk outside. It is swollen an feels like it has been almost sprained.

During the hospital recovery period, I had some significant bleeding from the incision. It seeped through the bandage and the nurse wrapped over the initial bandage on the first night. I still left a large blood stain on the sheets. The second night, after a new dressing, it bled through again but not as much. The gentle and kind student nurse bandaged me just before release and there was still some blood on the gauze but not enough to seep through. There was a touch of red each time we changed the dressing until yesterday afternoon. Today I'm expecting that we should not have to re-dress the knee.

I learned from the last recovery period and am getting more bed rest. The night nurse insisted that sleep was the best curative and each morning I do feel that there has been overnight recovery. The same can be said after morning and afternoon naps. Curious how sleep helps everthing improve.

I have an appointment on April 7th to have the stitches removed. Hope all goes well for the next week and a half.

Left Knee Operation

It has been a busy time back to work so blogging has been set aside. The operation was scheduled for February 26th but cancelled because of the bed shortage in Ottawa hospitals. I was one of the 150 elective surgeries to be postponed.

It was not a long wait, however, as the rescheduled opertion is March 22nd. That is Monday! I'm first on the table at 8:00 a.m. so we have to be on hand by 6:15. Another early morning! My body will think we are going to the airport.

With the extra time, I am guilty of having eased up on the exercises. Went back at it with a vegeance on Thursday and am still paying the price today. It is amazing how much my legs have stiffened up without the exercises. Note to file: Don't Do This With the Second Knee. I feel as though I have as much flexibility in the operated knee, but the strength isn't there. Still, it is much the stronger knee and is already the "prime." The left knee is very sore and aches even with a full dose of Advil each day. I'm hoping that it hasn't deteriorated to the point were a hemi isn't feasible.

It is amazing how blaze (Blog doesn't accept keyboard accents!) one becomes with the second operation. I haven't spent any time preparing mentally until last night. It seems that in the middle of the night it became time to review! Today I'm getting out all my papers to make sure I follow all the instructions: Stop some of the medications on the day before, wash knee with special disinfectant soap Sunday night and again Monday morning, no food after 12 midnight, only a sip of water on Monday mornng. The early operation will mean that I shouldn't be into coffee deprivation but will probably want some in the afternoon. Hope my stomach can take it, my head will need it.

So - looking forward to the second operation and hoping it goes just like the first. Then we can really start the rehab and be ready for the gardening season.