Hi Sweetie!
Surgery finally done!! Following their instructions to a T, I got up at 3:40, took a shower (again) and used their special soap, dressed in my scrubs, leashed up Lola, and sat out at the picnic table by 4:10 waiting for my ride. Jo was a little late (and a little cranky, obviously not a morning person! Love her anyway!) and arrived about 4:30. We had just enough time to drop off Lola at her house before heading to West Marion Hospital. We arrived at 5:25, so we made it by my 5:30 deadline, yay! Got signed in and proceeded with the prep, until they took me into surgery around 7:30, the first patient of the day apparently! I woke up in recovery, I think it was around 10:30, feeling a bit lightheaded but otherwise, in good shape. I did have some pain in my knee, which surprised me only because the last time when they did my right knee, the nerve block was so complete, I couldn't feel my leg at all for about 24 hours. Not the case this time, but I actually liked it better, I could feel my leg, and the pain was about the same as before the surgery, so it's only going to decrease from here, which will be great. During my pre-surgery interview, though, they discovered I lived alone, and apparently their protocol insists that I have someone with me for the first 24 hours. Since I hadn't planned on that, the best option was just to stay in the hospital overnight. I didn't really want to, but it really turned out for the best. I got the good drugs and had great room service, and they fed me more food than I would eat in three days, so I probably gained weight while I was there. The night nurse, Darlene, did a great job of combining overnight visits, so I ended up with only a few interruptions, and slept great in between, so I actually had a pretty good night sleep (with earplugs, of course). In the morning I had visits from the PA, the surgeon, occupational therapy, physical therapy where I got to take a walk with a walker and had to take some stairs to prove I knew how to get up and down them. Everyone was impressed with my progress, but really, it feels just about the same as what I've been dealing with for several months now, so no problem. I was finally discharged at 1:00, and DeDe arrived early, and we left just as soon as that was done. I packed up and then got wheeled downstairs while she got her truck. Stopped at Jo's to pick up Lola, who appeared nice and exhausted, then got a call that we had forgotten my packet of discharge papers! Fortunately, my other friend Michelle has offered to go pick them up for me tomorrow. I'm so grateful to have a circle of friends so willing to help! Ranger Rick is going to bring me a cooler full of ice tomorrow, which will help me get through the weekend. I took two walks around the camp loop this evening, have done a few of my exercises, and kept the ice machine on the whole time. I'm supposed to keep it on, so I have to refill it with ice and put it up in my bedroom somewhere. I don't recall doing that last time, but it certainly won't hurt. Took my last bunch of pills, no shower tonight, heading straight to bed! Good night, darlin'! Love you!
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