February 17, 2012

Minutiae from the infirmary (1 day post-surgery)
 
- The nerve block from surgery lasted 'til after 9pm last night.  I was wondering why there was no pain, "wow, my body is so awesome, that I don't even feel pain after surgery!"  But, well, not exactly.  But it's just the pain of the wound, not too bad.  Still doesn't feel like a broken bone.
 
- Spending $5.99 for uninterrupted ambient music online (calmradio.com) was pure brilliance.  Just a little quiet music to give my mind something to focus on. Made the night much more pleasant.
 
- I'm really well set-up here: I know how to arrange the pillows to keep my leg comfortable, I've got everything I need within reach next to the bed, and having the tiny bathroom 4 steps away is a Godsend.  And even that it's tiny is great, I can just lean against the wall when I need too, and can reach the sink while sitting.  Toothbrushing is a breeze.
 
- Being completely still for long periods of time seems to be the right thing to do.  My favorite part is taking meds, then sleeping through until it's time to take the next meds.
(For the record, my daily meds: a steady low dose of Vicodin, regular regimen of Advil, antibiotic, and aspirin to insure no blod clots.  I'm happy I didn't need the anti-emetics!)
 
- Tim stayed in bed with me this morning (catching up from a lot of missed sleep!) That was sweet.  
 
- We even got Obi in bed with us... he climbed up using the pillows I had next to the bed. Obi is still pretty disturbed by the whole thing.  He's suspicious of me or something. Or just mad that his Mom isn't coddling him like she's s'posed to.  We've been giving him aspirin and benedryl every night so he'll sleep through and not wake me up.
 
- I'm eating, like, 8 meals a day.  I'm fiercely diligent about self-care... so eating a little food before meds seems to work at preventing nausea.  So, I'll have a very small meal every 3 hours or so.  Trying to get fiber (often as fruit) protein and calcium (frequently yogurt) into each minimeal.
 
- I'm trying to use this as an opportunity to completely transform my eating style.  No more self-indulgence.  I try to eat what is *needed* rather than what I *want*.  Of course, right now, I don't *want* anything, so it's really easy. :-)  I'm not being a martyr or anything... I'm eating tasty things and putting honey in my tea.  It's still me after all.
 
- It's amazing how busy I am while relegated to being very still and doing nothing.  Making phone calls, getting things done that can't wait (paying bills), attending to minor crises, keeping the email at least sorted (not answering yet), keeping up with FB a little, all those snacktimes, napping...  a lot of napping I guess.
 
A few days ago I had the pleasure of doing a drawing while listening to music... and I'm looking forward to listening to Ira Glass and doing some more drawings... but the days are slipping away!  I haven't started reading a book or anything.

 
I am sooooo very very grateful for how the days are sliding along smoothly and uneventfully.  Every day is one day closer to feeling better and being functional again.  (Gotta get back on the money-making train as soon as possible, unfortunately).  But I do sometimes feel alarmed by how busy we all are... even while on bedrest.
 
I've got probably 3 more days of foot-above-my-heart recovery... I plan to take the good advice I've gotten, and really enjoy this time.  
 
And I truly believe the prayers and good vibes and reiki are all helping.  I can't thank you all enough.xoxo

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Addendum (since I promised pictures :-))

It took me a while before I felt comfortable enough to look at my xrays from the surgery.  Tim explained them to me, and it sounded scary.  But holycow they are FASCINATING!  Gory details below:

Injured ankle before (you can't see the crack, but it's the fibula — the little leg bone)

Ankle held together by the doc's hands.  (as you can see, it never would have pulled back together on it's own without surgery...)

About an hour later (timestamp on the xray) ... the screws are holding it together!  Apparently, the screws look larger than real life in an xray... but yes, they do protrude on the other side... it's what holds the bone together.  ew.

Here they are applying weight to my heel to assure the ankle stays together.  (This apparently is a critical moment for ankle surgeries) and YAY! yes.

Side view to show the extra screw.  He said it was a bad break.  But they're very happy with the surgery. 

My podunk country hospital provided a fantastic surgery team to me.  I'm so grateful!