My dream of being able to blog everyday from the hospital…well it was just that a dream… not a reality! When I got home, I was also really exhausted and could barely keep up with blogging every day, not to mention getting caught up from the days in the hospital. I tried going back and blogging about a certain day, but it was slow going. Because of the way the blogs show up, it was not working to have the days all out of order. So I decided to blog about the hospital experience all into one blog. So I went through and copied all the blogs I already did about the hospital and now I am going through them making sure I have all the details I want and will be posting these days all together! I went ahead and put all the days in the hospital into one post.
Thursday, July 2, 2009 – Surgery Day
The UTI was clear so I was good to go for surgery. I was given an IV and given some "happy drugs." The anesthesiologist wanted to put me under general and Dr Zenos also agreed...so even though I was TOTALLY against it (see http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/tc/anesthesia-risks-and-complications for reasons why) and did not want it, I agreed because they do know better than me. They also gave me a femoral nerve block. http://www.usra.ca/sb_femoral. I do not remember much of this. But, I know he also gave me general anesthesia. So I went off to sleepy-bye time...
When I woke up, the only thing I wanted was my family. I kept calling for them, asking for them. I really REALLY wanted to see them. My memory is very fuzzy here too…
I was also told in the pre-op class that they would be allowed to see me during this time.... they were not :(
What I do remember, was it was really hard for me to wake up. I felt like I was crawling my way
out from under water. I was also in pain. (Dr later told me that I was in a lot of pain in the hospital and I guess I was not very nice…) I just wanted to see my family and know that I was not dead. It is a horrible experience...True I do not remember the surgery...the bone saws, the noises, BUT I DO remember thinking I was dead...that no one could understand me. That they were never going to let me see my family... :( :(
When I woke up again I was in a different room (the one I stayed in the rest of the time) and saw my family walking through the door. I WAS SO HAPPY to see them. I know I was saying crazy things (I am going to ask Meghan to blog about it). I'm wearing sunglasses because my eyes are sensitive to the lights...probably the drugs...
I do know I was OUT of my mind SICK...the nausea was horrible. It lasted all night. I did not want to eat or drink all night. I felt like I was dying. I know I threw up once and they gave me meds (Zofran) that they give cancer suffers to help prevent nausea and vomiting. It helped a great deal and got the nausea and vomiting under control. It made me sleepy. But I can also say I was lucid (I said lucent when DR Zenos came and checked on me...) lol… But I was a lot better than before.
There was no real pain thanks to the Femoral Nerve block that they put in prior to surgery.
They said it could last up to 48 hours. They had me on Oxycontin 10mg every 12 hours. I also had a Dylotin which was controlled by a button. I could give myself 2mg every 8 minutes if needed.
I was also covered in tubes 3 coming from my knee the rest all over me!:
Honora and Meghan left around 10pm ish to run home and get things to stay with me. When they got back (about 11:30-12ish) I was much more clear headed.
Sleep that night was horrible though, due to the fact it is REALLY hard for me to sleep in new places much less hospitals that make tons of noises at night and the nurses come check on you all the time. There was a rhythmic, clicking, metallic sound from the bathroom (never really figured out what it was)
I had some great nurses and techs take care of me while I was in the Hospital. Susan (long red hair in a long pony-tail braid down her back -she had night shift) was by far the most soothing and comforting. Vicki (day shift) also was really nice.
Friday, July 3, 2009 – Day 1
Today started rough, because it never really finished. I did not sleep
very well last night. It was nice to have Honora, Meghan, and Elizabeth here in the Hospital with me. It was funny - when the nurses came in today they were shocked to hear that a baby had been there all night - she was so good and quiet! I do not know how they did it, but all THREE of them slept on the little couch all night long!
They all seemed to still get a good night sleep! I was up off and on all night. I was pain free...but I have a very hard time sleeping in new places. There was some sort of metallic sound coming from the bathroom all night, so that did not work out! We could never figure out what was causing all the noise. I did not need to get up all night as I was still had a catheter...I doubt I would have been able to anyway with all the tubes and wires attached to me. :) lol.
The day went okay. Honora did not have to work, so it was nice she was able to stay with us all day. She took Meghan to get food a few times, but always came back.
When I woke up, I was really anxious to get started on my recovery. In the pre-op class we were told that Dr Xenos would be around really early in the morning (6 am)...well that was not correct, he did not come till late morning (11 am ish). We were also told PT would be coming in first thing in the morning (7 am) because they wanted to get you up and moving...again that did not happen. PT did not show up until afternoon....Honora was getting a little annoyed. I did get great room service (ie food) but I was not feeling very hungry still. They wanted to get me on some oral meds, but I had to eat first. However, since I was not hungry...I did not get the meds either. (I did not know this, or I would have FORCED myself to eat so I could take the meds so I could start recovering!)
Finally after I ate (toast and oatmeal), the nurse brought me some oral meds. After a few hours DR Xenos came by and he checked on me. Everything looked great. PT and OT came by also. I was able to get out of bed for the first time, get my catheter removed (yahoo!). Then they got me back in bed. They went to get me a new chair because the one in my room I had a hard time getting out of because of my big hips. They said the 6th floor had chairs that were a little bigger and more comfortable. When they came back, one of them came into the room and said, "I do not want to offend you, but the 6th floor does not have any more chairs left and the only bigger chair we could find was a really big chair that is meant for people a lot bigger than you, it is from the bariatric floor. Do you mind?" It did not bother me because I did need a bigger chair and she approached the topic very respectfully. They brought in this monster of a chair. But let me tell you over the next few days that chair was my life saver! I am so glad that I had that chair.
When they finally came to help me and do things with me, Honora, Elizabeth, and Meghan went in search of food and other things.
It was nice, Amber and her kids came to see me and spent a few hours with me. It was nice that she came. She went to go get some food and Abby asked to stay with me. It was really cute. I
also shared some of my lunch with them (I’m still not hungry)
Kristina also came to see me! It was nice to have some distraction today!
Honora, Elizabeth, and Meghan came back just after Amber left, so it was nice I was not alone. They hung out with me all night till it was late.
That night I did not sleep again. Meghan stayed with me, but Honora and Elizabeth had to go home because she had to work in the morning.
Over the course of the day, the nerve block was gradually moving up my leg! By night time it was not working AT ALL!! It was making the top of my leg, groin, and hip numb but my knee and all areas where it was really needed was not working.
That night was hard. I really loved that chair that night. I slept in it all night because it was the
only way I could be even a little comfortable. Meghan was awesome, she was able to tell me when I could push my drugs. I was allowed to push it every 8 minutes and the pain was so severe that I wanted to push it and push it, but it would not allow medicine to be released and so Meghan timed it for me so I would know when I could push it. Finally the pain meds where working and I was able to get a little rest…
Saturday, July 4, 2009 – Day 2 My Fourth of July
I spent my 4th of July in the Hospital! BUT IT IS SO WORTH IT! I got the best present possible – my new knee!
I took a shower today. That was really easy at first...then got VERY painful at the end...I had to take a lot of my push-button meds...I am thinking that I do not need to shower everyday! lol :) Because of my really tough night last night, I was going to ask if they could remove it. Honora suggested that I tell the nurse. She increased the dosage, but even that did not help. It did not help it just made those areas MORE numb, it did not continue on down the knee. It makes it
really hard to move. I think it was even causing MORE pain. However, in a few hours it did not matter because the pain DR came in and removed it. He had come a check on it the 1st and 2nd day…I do not remember his name…But did not have too, they removed it already. Since yesterday, I could tell it was wearing off. I think that is why I had such a rough night last night. I was up all night. I had to sleep in my chair. I was NOT comfortable AT ALL in bed. I slept in my chair last night and that helped a little. I have also sat in my chair almost all day, except for the times I am in my CPM machine. I am sure Meghan was very worried about me last night. That pain was really really horrible. I am doing much better now that it is daytime. But I am glad the nerve block has been removed. This is the kind of pain I was worried about. We finally were able to get the pain under control last night. I still could not sleep in my bed, but it was good I had the chair to sleep in. The chair was really cool, I could have my legs up and I could have it reclined.
I am still not hungry and I am pretty tired. I have my IV in, my taped on pulse-ox, and my oxygen. When I sleep my Oxygen % goes down, so I have to keep wearing the oxygen. I also still have to wear my sunglasses because my eyes are so incredibly sensitive to lights. But I am gradually losing all my other wires. My knee drain, catheter, scar meds, nerve block, the temporary pulse-ox, and blood pressure cuff are off. They still come in a lot to take my vitals: temp, blood pressure, and pulse-ox! Fun, Fun fun! My blood pressure is doing awesome! It is so
low. It only goes higher when I am in too much pain. But it is never high enough to be called "high blood pressure" I am still having breathing treatments and I do my breathing exercises.
Meghan has been with me all day. She is so great. She is helpful all the time. She is always asking what she can do to help. Getting me juices, water, more ice, bathroom, CPM machine...She does so much for me! I am so lucky to have such a great kid.
I went for a walk with PT today! It was great I was able to walk all the way to the waiting room!!!
Honora came and visited after work. She stayed with me all day. She helped me after the shower. It was great she helps the nurses and me whenever she is here. I am so blessed to have people who love me! I was able to sleep better tonight. But being woken up every few hours is
not conducive to sleep…plus…I still cannot sleep well. I even slept in my bed. Sleeping in the CPM machine helps, but then we have to let the knee rest and get iced. Meghan stayed with me again. Honora and Elizabeth had to leave since she had to work again in the AM…I LOVE MY KID!!! What other kid would do so much for her mama! Really just want to go home. I think everyone agrees and just wants me home.
Sunday, July 5, 2009 – Day 3 – Going HOME!!!
My knee looks really interesting today. It is very hot to touch as well as bright red. I was very concerned when I first looked at it. I called the nurse to come look at it. When the nurse came we only were talking about the lower leg because the knee was covered in a bandage. It was after
she left I took off the bandage and looked at the whole knee. When Dr. Xenos came to check on me I talked to him about it. He was very through listening to me and checking out the knee. He was not concerned at all. He said my knee will probably be hot/warm for a whole year it is part of the healing process. He also said that the redness was not due to infection. Infection signals would be pus or drainage 
oozing from the incision, spike a fever, and streaks coming from the incision. So I have nothing to worry about! He also said that if I can do the stairs successfully today I can go home. I think we are all ready to go home! I know I am. So during PT I did the stairs. It was amazing how easy they were and PAIN FREE...I am still shocked at things that use to hurt so bad being like....blah..... :) it makes me happy. She also measured my extension and flexion. I have 83 flexion and 5 extension How they measure is really pushing the knee and then taking a measure. It will be nice to get these numbers without having to push it! - I am doing well!
It was exciting because I am healing and healing well. I am glad I was never one of those people
who does not appreciate something until it is gone...because it has been gone for so long, the small little things that I am IMMENSELY excited and happy to have the small things in life. Walking down a hall, climbing a few stairs....I know I still have a long way to go...but I KNOW I will get there. PT is a little worried about the 2 steps I have at my house since they are narrow and have no railing or anything to hold on to.
So I get to go home, I just need to wait for Honora to get off work and come get us. Meghan did a great job packing up and straightening up the room. I rest...than rested... then rested :) Honora came about 5 pm to pick us up. The nurse came and we packed all our stuff on a cart and they also got me a wheel chair to wheel me down to the car. Since Honora had the baby, she waited in front of the Hospital for us with Elizabeth in the car. The ride home was rough (I should have taken some extra meds for all the bumps and such), but we all got home in one piece. It was not as hard getting into and out of the car as I thought it would be. The curb was no big deal and with Honora next to me, I navigated the stairs in an interesting way PT showed me. I turned the walker to the side and used it as a railing up the first stair good leg first than surgical leg. Then I put the walker on the top and took another step up. It went really smoothly. When we got to the front door, we found some interesting issues we did not think about: the door mat! We also still had a rug down and I left the box of cat litter near the door as well. So after a brief hesitation to get any and all issues away from my path, I safely got into the house and into bed. Honora made more calls trying to get my CPM machine delivered, finally was told would get it first thing in the morning. Meghan spent the night frantically racing through all of her school week. Everything was due by midnight and since she was with me at the hospital all weekend she did not get her work done. She turned in her last assignment at 12am!
I spent the rest of the night resting and hanging out with Honora. Daniel came over about 9 and sat with Meghan while she raced to finish her work. Daniel started walking home and his friend picked him up and took him the rest of the way.
Honora needed to work the next day, Meghan was exhausted, and me as well - so we allwent to bed as soon as Meghan was done.
I AM SO GLAD TO BE HOME!!!
Thursday, July 2, 2009 – Surgery Day
I stayed up really late about 6am on July 2 the day of the surgery. I had so much work to do to prepare for the surgery. When I work up at 9am, I ran to the bank, deposited Meghan’s check, and then got gas. I came home and packed my hospital bag. I took multiple changes of clothes (I definitely did not use them all), books, and Yatzee game. I definitely did not use any of the cool things I brought to help me with boredom…because I was not bored. There is a strange phenomenon happening to me. I do not have the attention span to do much of anything. It is really sad, I have not been able to read since surgery. :( :( :( Anyways...back to the story.
At 10:30 Honora joined us and we all raced to the hospital.
As soon as we arrived, we were taken back to registration. I register and paid part of my deductable: $100 (already paid $800 to the Dr the day before).
They then took me back out to the waiting room. The nurse came very quickly after that and took me to pre-op. It was important that they check to see if I had a UTI. The nurse had to catheterize me.... IT WAS HORRIBLE!!!! It took a really long time. They sent it to be tested.
We were told in the class that Meghan and Honora could be with me during pre-op...but they did not let them. It was very sad and hard on all of us. Finally, they let them come in for what seemed like 5 seconds to give me love and then leave. :(
At 10:30 Honora joined us and we all raced to the hospital.
As soon as we arrived, we were taken back to registration. I register and paid part of my deductable: $100 (already paid $800 to the Dr the day before).
They then took me back out to the waiting room. The nurse came very quickly after that and took me to pre-op. It was important that they check to see if I had a UTI. The nurse had to catheterize me.... IT WAS HORRIBLE!!!! It took a really long time. They sent it to be tested.
We were told in the class that Meghan and Honora could be with me during pre-op...but they did not let them. It was very sad and hard on all of us. Finally, they let them come in for what seemed like 5 seconds to give me love and then leave. :(
The UTI was clear so I was good to go for surgery. I was given an IV and given some "happy drugs." The anesthesiologist wanted to put me under general and Dr Zenos also agreed...so even though I was TOTALLY against it (see http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/tc/anesthesia-risks-and-complications for reasons why) and did not want it, I agreed because they do know better than me. They also gave me a femoral nerve block. http://www.usra.ca/sb_femoral. I do not remember much of this. But, I know he also gave me general anesthesia. So I went off to sleepy-bye time...
When I woke up, the only thing I wanted was my family. I kept calling for them, asking for them. I really REALLY wanted to see them. My memory is very fuzzy here too…
I was also told in the pre-op class that they would be allowed to see me during this time.... they were not :(
What I do remember, was it was really hard for me to wake up. I felt like I was crawling my way
out from under water. I was also in pain. (Dr later told me that I was in a lot of pain in the hospital and I guess I was not very nice…) I just wanted to see my family and know that I was not dead. It is a horrible experience...True I do not remember the surgery...the bone saws, the noises, BUT I DO remember thinking I was dead...that no one could understand me. That they were never going to let me see my family... :( :(
When I woke up again I was in a different room (the one I stayed in the rest of the time) and saw my family walking through the door. I WAS SO HAPPY to see them. I know I was saying crazy things (I am going to ask Meghan to blog about it). I'm wearing sunglasses because my eyes are sensitive to the lights...probably the drugs...I do know I was OUT of my mind SICK...the nausea was horrible. It lasted all night. I did not want to eat or drink all night. I felt like I was dying. I know I threw up once and they gave me meds (Zofran) that they give cancer suffers to help prevent nausea and vomiting. It helped a great deal and got the nausea and vomiting under control. It made me sleepy. But I can also say I was lucid (I said lucent when DR Zenos came and checked on me...) lol… But I was a lot better than before.
There was no real pain thanks to the Femoral Nerve block that they put in prior to surgery.
They said it could last up to 48 hours. They had me on Oxycontin 10mg every 12 hours. I also had a Dylotin which was controlled by a button. I could give myself 2mg every 8 minutes if needed.I was also covered in tubes 3 coming from my knee the rest all over me!:
- knee drain to collect excess fluid and monitor blood loss
- shunt to the scar area (reduce swelling and scar tissue)
- femoral nerve block (actually in the groin area pumped pain killer to the nerve)
- IV
- Catheter
- oxygen tube in nose
- pulse-ox (measures your pulse and your oxygen level in your blood)
- blood pressure cuff
- another pulse-ox
Honora and Meghan left around 10pm ish to run home and get things to stay with me. When they got back (about 11:30-12ish) I was much more clear headed.
Sleep that night was horrible though, due to the fact it is REALLY hard for me to sleep in new places much less hospitals that make tons of noises at night and the nurses come check on you all the time. There was a rhythmic, clicking, metallic sound from the bathroom (never really figured out what it was)
I had some great nurses and techs take care of me while I was in the Hospital. Susan (long red hair in a long pony-tail braid down her back -she had night shift) was by far the most soothing and comforting. Vicki (day shift) also was really nice.
Friday, July 3, 2009 – Day 1
Today started rough, because it never really finished. I did not sleep
very well last night. It was nice to have Honora, Meghan, and Elizabeth here in the Hospital with me. It was funny - when the nurses came in today they were shocked to hear that a baby had been there all night - she was so good and quiet! I do not know how they did it, but all THREE of them slept on the little couch all night long!They all seemed to still get a good night sleep! I was up off and on all night. I was pain free...but I have a very hard time sleeping in new places. There was some sort of metallic sound coming from the bathroom all night, so that did not work out! We could never figure out what was causing all the noise. I did not need to get up all night as I was still had a catheter...I doubt I would have been able to anyway with all the tubes and wires attached to me. :) lol.
The day went okay. Honora did not have to work, so it was nice she was able to stay with us all day. She took Meghan to get food a few times, but always came back.When I woke up, I was really anxious to get started on my recovery. In the pre-op class we were told that Dr Xenos would be around really early in the morning (6 am)...well that was not correct, he did not come till late morning (11 am ish). We were also told PT would be coming in first thing in the morning (7 am) because they wanted to get you up and moving...again that did not happen. PT did not show up until afternoon....Honora was getting a little annoyed. I did get great room service (ie food) but I was not feeling very hungry still. They wanted to get me on some oral meds, but I had to eat first. However, since I was not hungry...I did not get the meds either. (I did not know this, or I would have FORCED myself to eat so I could take the meds so I could start recovering!)
Finally after I ate (toast and oatmeal), the nurse brought me some oral meds. After a few hours DR Xenos came by and he checked on me. Everything looked great. PT and OT came by also. I was able to get out of bed for the first time, get my catheter removed (yahoo!). Then they got me back in bed. They went to get me a new chair because the one in my room I had a hard time getting out of because of my big hips. They said the 6th floor had chairs that were a little bigger and more comfortable. When they came back, one of them came into the room and said, "I do not want to offend you, but the 6th floor does not have any more chairs left and the only bigger chair we could find was a really big chair that is meant for people a lot bigger than you, it is from the bariatric floor. Do you mind?" It did not bother me because I did need a bigger chair and she approached the topic very respectfully. They brought in this monster of a chair. But let me tell you over the next few days that chair was my life saver! I am so glad that I had that chair.
When they finally came to help me and do things with me, Honora, Elizabeth, and Meghan went in search of food and other things.
It was nice, Amber and her kids came to see me and spent a few hours with me. It was nice that she came. She went to go get some food and Abby asked to stay with me. It was really cute. I
also shared some of my lunch with them (I’m still not hungry)
Kristina also came to see me! It was nice to have some distraction today!Honora, Elizabeth, and Meghan came back just after Amber left, so it was nice I was not alone. They hung out with me all night till it was late.
That night I did not sleep again. Meghan stayed with me, but Honora and Elizabeth had to go home because she had to work in the morning.
Over the course of the day, the nerve block was gradually moving up my leg! By night time it was not working AT ALL!! It was making the top of my leg, groin, and hip numb but my knee and all areas where it was really needed was not working.
That night was hard. I really loved that chair that night. I slept in it all night because it was the
only way I could be even a little comfortable. Meghan was awesome, she was able to tell me when I could push my drugs. I was allowed to push it every 8 minutes and the pain was so severe that I wanted to push it and push it, but it would not allow medicine to be released and so Meghan timed it for me so I would know when I could push it. Finally the pain meds where working and I was able to get a little rest…Saturday, July 4, 2009 – Day 2 My Fourth of July
I spent my 4th of July in the Hospital! BUT IT IS SO WORTH IT! I got the best present possible – my new knee!
I took a shower today. That was really easy at first...then got VERY painful at the end...I had to take a lot of my push-button meds...I am thinking that I do not need to shower everyday! lol :) Because of my really tough night last night, I was going to ask if they could remove it. Honora suggested that I tell the nurse. She increased the dosage, but even that did not help. It did not help it just made those areas MORE numb, it did not continue on down the knee. It makes it
really hard to move. I think it was even causing MORE pain. However, in a few hours it did not matter because the pain DR came in and removed it. He had come a check on it the 1st and 2nd day…I do not remember his name…But did not have too, they removed it already. Since yesterday, I could tell it was wearing off. I think that is why I had such a rough night last night. I was up all night. I had to sleep in my chair. I was NOT comfortable AT ALL in bed. I slept in my chair last night and that helped a little. I have also sat in my chair almost all day, except for the times I am in my CPM machine. I am sure Meghan was very worried about me last night. That pain was really really horrible. I am doing much better now that it is daytime. But I am glad the nerve block has been removed. This is the kind of pain I was worried about. We finally were able to get the pain under control last night. I still could not sleep in my bed, but it was good I had the chair to sleep in. The chair was really cool, I could have my legs up and I could have it reclined.I am still not hungry and I am pretty tired. I have my IV in, my taped on pulse-ox, and my oxygen. When I sleep my Oxygen % goes down, so I have to keep wearing the oxygen. I also still have to wear my sunglasses because my eyes are so incredibly sensitive to lights. But I am gradually losing all my other wires. My knee drain, catheter, scar meds, nerve block, the temporary pulse-ox, and blood pressure cuff are off. They still come in a lot to take my vitals: temp, blood pressure, and pulse-ox! Fun, Fun fun! My blood pressure is doing awesome! It is so
low. It only goes higher when I am in too much pain. But it is never high enough to be called "high blood pressure" I am still having breathing treatments and I do my breathing exercises.Meghan has been with me all day. She is so great. She is helpful all the time. She is always asking what she can do to help. Getting me juices, water, more ice, bathroom, CPM machine...She does so much for me! I am so lucky to have such a great kid.
I went for a walk with PT today! It was great I was able to walk all the way to the waiting room!!!
Honora came and visited after work. She stayed with me all day. She helped me after the shower. It was great she helps the nurses and me whenever she is here. I am so blessed to have people who love me! I was able to sleep better tonight. But being woken up every few hours is
not conducive to sleep…plus…I still cannot sleep well. I even slept in my bed. Sleeping in the CPM machine helps, but then we have to let the knee rest and get iced. Meghan stayed with me again. Honora and Elizabeth had to leave since she had to work again in the AM…I LOVE MY KID!!! What other kid would do so much for her mama! Really just want to go home. I think everyone agrees and just wants me home.Sunday, July 5, 2009 – Day 3 – Going HOME!!!
My knee looks really interesting today. It is very hot to touch as well as bright red. I was very concerned when I first looked at it. I called the nurse to come look at it. When the nurse came we only were talking about the lower leg because the knee was covered in a bandage. It was after
she left I took off the bandage and looked at the whole knee. When Dr. Xenos came to check on me I talked to him about it. He was very through listening to me and checking out the knee. He was not concerned at all. He said my knee will probably be hot/warm for a whole year it is part of the healing process. He also said that the redness was not due to infection. Infection signals would be pus or drainage 
oozing from the incision, spike a fever, and streaks coming from the incision. So I have nothing to worry about! He also said that if I can do the stairs successfully today I can go home. I think we are all ready to go home! I know I am. So during PT I did the stairs. It was amazing how easy they were and PAIN FREE...I am still shocked at things that use to hurt so bad being like....blah..... :) it makes me happy. She also measured my extension and flexion. I have 83 flexion and 5 extension How they measure is really pushing the knee and then taking a measure. It will be nice to get these numbers without having to push it! - I am doing well!It was exciting because I am healing and healing well. I am glad I was never one of those people
who does not appreciate something until it is gone...because it has been gone for so long, the small little things that I am IMMENSELY excited and happy to have the small things in life. Walking down a hall, climbing a few stairs....I know I still have a long way to go...but I KNOW I will get there. PT is a little worried about the 2 steps I have at my house since they are narrow and have no railing or anything to hold on to.So I get to go home, I just need to wait for Honora to get off work and come get us. Meghan did a great job packing up and straightening up the room. I rest...than rested... then rested :) Honora came about 5 pm to pick us up. The nurse came and we packed all our stuff on a cart and they also got me a wheel chair to wheel me down to the car. Since Honora had the baby, she waited in front of the Hospital for us with Elizabeth in the car. The ride home was rough (I should have taken some extra meds for all the bumps and such), but we all got home in one piece. It was not as hard getting into and out of the car as I thought it would be. The curb was no big deal and with Honora next to me, I navigated the stairs in an interesting way PT showed me. I turned the walker to the side and used it as a railing up the first stair good leg first than surgical leg. Then I put the walker on the top and took another step up. It went really smoothly. When we got to the front door, we found some interesting issues we did not think about: the door mat! We also still had a rug down and I left the box of cat litter near the door as well. So after a brief hesitation to get any and all issues away from my path, I safely got into the house and into bed. Honora made more calls trying to get my CPM machine delivered, finally was told would get it first thing in the morning. Meghan spent the night frantically racing through all of her school week. Everything was due by midnight and since she was with me at the hospital all weekend she did not get her work done. She turned in her last assignment at 12am!
I spent the rest of the night resting and hanging out with Honora. Daniel came over about 9 and sat with Meghan while she raced to finish her work. Daniel started walking home and his friend picked him up and took him the rest of the way.
Honora needed to work the next day, Meghan was exhausted, and me as well - so we allwent to bed as soon as Meghan was done.
I AM SO GLAD TO BE HOME!!!
