So Wednesday was my first appointment at the Fracture Clinic to see the Surgeon, remove the stitches and the cast.
Well I never realized what a big suck I am. The night before I couldn't sleep at all. I kept thinking about removing the cast and the stitches. Was there going to be pain? Was he going to find something? Are the stitches healing? and so on, and so on ....
This is also the first time venturing out of the house without Bruno. Lisa is going to take me to the Hospital. Bruno is my rock, my strong pillar - there to catch me if I fall. I'm going to have to do this on my own - with help from Lisa of course - but its not the same.
Of course we managed, Lisa dropped me off at the door of the Hospital. No sooner had I hopped into the Lobby, there was a lovely man waiting there with a wheelchair for me - how nice.
Lily sits on my lap and we wheel down the hallway to the Clinic. Lily thinks this is great and 'whee' all the way down. We register at the Clinic and of course Lily has everyone smiling. The lady at Registration gives Lily her own bracelet. Again - how nice.
Nurse calls me in and we go to a exam room. I lie down on the bed and the Nurse cuts off the cast. Oh hallelujah!! It feels so good without the cast - free and cool! I venture a look at the stitches. Not that big - only about 4 inches. The pictures I saw on the internet had stitches half way up the calf. So the Nurse starts to remove the stitches - she says to tell her if I get light headed - here it comes. She tells me there are 6 stitches. A few tugs and snips and next thing I know she tells me she's done. Seriously! That's it? Nothing - what a suck I am.
Next the surgeon comes in - tells me that there was a lot of damage to the tendon and it was a good thing I had the surgergy. I should see a lot of improvement. Well that's good news - all this wasn't for nothing. He tells me a new cast will be put on - on a 90 degree angle - for another 2 weeks. Still non-weight bearing. Ugh! So he was there for 30 - maybe 45 seconds! Any questions - as he's walking out the door ....
Next the cast room - it's Jen - the same angel that replaced my cast when I was in the ER - she remembers my last visit. So the new cast is fibreglass - lighter than plaster - but it's still a cast for another 2 weeks. Jen asks if I can move foot upward and hold it. I'm a little worried, but I slowly move my foot upward. A little tightness around the skin area, but I did it. Jen asks if I can hold it in that position - Yup. She tells me that this is awesome that I can do this on my own. She tells me that my physio is going to be easy! From Jen's lips to God's Ears!. We have a very nice experience getting the new cast. Lily is keeping everyone smiling and Jen is super!
So home we go. I make it back into my bad without any falls or major incidents.
I thought I was doing well - I made it through the first 2 weeks - yeah. I was so looking forward to this first appointment to have the cast removed. Now I lie in bed and feel like I'm going to have a panic attack. Another 4 weeks with the cast? It's become so hot and itchy - I want to cry. I can't walk, my arms, shoulders and the palms of my hands are killing me. A lot of self-talk to control the flood of panic that is welling up inside me.
So let's take it 2 weeks at a time. I made past the first 2 weeks - Yeah! My next appt is May 9 - just before Mother's Day. Before I know it Mother's Day will be here and another 2 weeks will have passed. Yup 2 weeks at a time.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Uneventful 5 days ....
Thankfully had a few uneventful days.
Crotchetted a LadyBug hat for Lily. Now working on an adorable dress. Lots of movies, computer games to keep occupied.
Still very hard not to be able to do everything that I used to do. Had to watch Bruno clean the house for the 3 hours, entertain his parents who came to visit, do the laundry, go grocery shopping and finally make dinner. You think you want to sit around all day and watch everyone else work - not the case.
The palms of my hands are so sore from the walker. Still more stable than the crutches. Worried about the additional damage I'm doing to the ankle on my good leg. I really want to try all possible options for rehab on the good leg so that I don't have to do this again. Something to talk to the Surgeon about.
I slept in my own bed last night - oh how I missed my bed. Then back down the stairs on my knees and hop back into the hospital bed. :( I may venture out this afternoon and go to Lisa's house for dinner. We'll see.
Wednesday - the next big day is approaching. Fracture Clinic at 9:30. Remove the cast and the stitches and foot goes into the boot. How will the Surgeon know if everything is OK?
Fingers crossed - 1/3 of the way done .....
Crotchetted a LadyBug hat for Lily. Now working on an adorable dress. Lots of movies, computer games to keep occupied.
Still very hard not to be able to do everything that I used to do. Had to watch Bruno clean the house for the 3 hours, entertain his parents who came to visit, do the laundry, go grocery shopping and finally make dinner. You think you want to sit around all day and watch everyone else work - not the case.
The palms of my hands are so sore from the walker. Still more stable than the crutches. Worried about the additional damage I'm doing to the ankle on my good leg. I really want to try all possible options for rehab on the good leg so that I don't have to do this again. Something to talk to the Surgeon about.
I slept in my own bed last night - oh how I missed my bed. Then back down the stairs on my knees and hop back into the hospital bed. :( I may venture out this afternoon and go to Lisa's house for dinner. We'll see.
Wednesday - the next big day is approaching. Fracture Clinic at 9:30. Remove the cast and the stitches and foot goes into the boot. How will the Surgeon know if everything is OK?
Fingers crossed - 1/3 of the way done .....
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
My Cast is Split!
This started as my adventures of my split cast – and it’s turned into a bit of a venting on our Healthcare – Sorry for the long Post!
Well it’s been 7 days and I'm thinking - I can do this. There’s only one more week until I see the Surgeon at the fracture clinic.
It’s a very warm day so I sit outside for a breath of fresh air – keep my foot on an ottoman. I also enjoyed dinner at the table with the family – again keeping my foot on the ottoman.
I felt my foot swelling so I decided to go lie down. Swelling isn't going down. I keep the foot elevated over the heart. Uncomfortable. I squirmed again and felt my cast shift. HORROR!
I felt the cast and its split in 2 pieces down the middle. Its 10:30 what should I do?
Called the E.R. (like it said to do in my generic post op pamphlet) and explain what happened. The nurse tells me to come to the ER. Great - just great!
Poor Bruno had just finished cleaning the house and was about to sit and relax – not so fast dear .... We're going on an adventure.
11:15 – Arrive at hospital - register at Triage 1. We were told to go to waiting room and wait for the Triage 2 nurse.
12:30 – The nurse reviews my information, checks BP and pulse - surprisingly BP is good. We are sent back outside to wait for registration.
12:45 – Called in to Triage 3 where I'm seen by a frazzled nurse. She tells me to prepare for a very long wait. There are only 4 doctors on call. Is this because of poor staff scheduling or no money to pay for enough Drs and nurses? I receive my bracelet and I'm told to go through the double doors and follow the blue feet.
Arrive to second waiting room and there's no chairs left in the room. We wait in the hall with the rest of the people.
The woman next to me tells me there are 50 people waiting - and only 1 has been called in the last hour. And – there’s only one Doctor in this section! OMG - seriously!
It’s a very warm day so I sit outside for a breath of fresh air – keep my foot on an ottoman. I also enjoyed dinner at the table with the family – again keeping my foot on the ottoman.
I felt my foot swelling so I decided to go lie down. Swelling isn't going down. I keep the foot elevated over the heart. Uncomfortable. I squirmed again and felt my cast shift. HORROR!
I felt the cast and its split in 2 pieces down the middle. Its 10:30 what should I do?
Called the E.R. (like it said to do in my generic post op pamphlet) and explain what happened. The nurse tells me to come to the ER. Great - just great!
Poor Bruno had just finished cleaning the house and was about to sit and relax – not so fast dear .... We're going on an adventure.
11:15 – Arrive at hospital - register at Triage 1. We were told to go to waiting room and wait for the Triage 2 nurse.
12:30 – The nurse reviews my information, checks BP and pulse - surprisingly BP is good. We are sent back outside to wait for registration.
12:45 – Called in to Triage 3 where I'm seen by a frazzled nurse. She tells me to prepare for a very long wait. There are only 4 doctors on call. Is this because of poor staff scheduling or no money to pay for enough Drs and nurses? I receive my bracelet and I'm told to go through the double doors and follow the blue feet.
Arrive to second waiting room and there's no chairs left in the room. We wait in the hall with the rest of the people.
The woman next to me tells me there are 50 people waiting - and only 1 has been called in the last hour. And – there’s only one Doctor in this section! OMG - seriously!
2:00 – Sitting in a wheelchair now for 3 hours. My leg is more swollen then when I arrived - even with elevation. And worst of all - my butt is killing me sitting in this chair! I'm starting to think I would have been better off at home and wait until 8:00 am when the fracture clinic opened.
2:40 – There's a Mom here with an infant - maybe 10 months - you can tell she obviously not feeling well. Heard her say the nurse could not tell her how much longer. No one has been called for 2 hours. She decides to take her baby home. She's been here since 9:30 pm.
Seriously - what is wrong with our Healthcare System - especially the Emergency Room. The frazzled nurse had told us that half the people in the waiting room should be at home sleeping. But if this is the case, and if patients are seen based on necessity - then why wasn't the baby seen? Why was there a young boy in the first waiting room - crying for an hour and telling his Mom he wanted to go home - as he's throwing up in a container? I was told to come to the E.R. - why am I waiting now 4 hrs and no end in sight?
Vote Conservative or NDP? I seriously don't believe any Government would make a difference. They've all had their chance and no one improved the Healthcare system. I don't believe that there is any level of government that really makes decisions based on the best interests of their citizens. Decisions are based on what is going to get them re-elected and line their pockets - disillusioned, bitter, fed up - all of the above.
OK I've vented - on with my events of the night.
3:45 – I think the nurse is right. How can all these people in the waiting room be in need of 'emergency' assistance when they've been asleep (and snoring) for hours? Just sayin'...
4:30 – Hallway is now empty. We're still waiting - 5 1/2 hours and counting ...
5:00 - So tell me why they can't put the TV on a station that changes its program? I've watched the same CTV news 4 times in a row.
5:30 – Another waiting room! Seriously!
So the poor guy in the soccer outfit was just examined by the nurse – in the hallway. She took off his sock and commented – “Oh the bone popped right out”. Poor guy has been in excruciating pain for more than 6 hours - now he still has to go to x-rays and has yet to be seen by a Doctor.
6:00 – Finally the ER Dr comes in. What's the problem? He doesn't seem very concerned that the cast is cracked. So he tells us to be patient he wants me to see someone in the Fracture Clinic - it opens at 8:00 am! Are you f*** kidding me.
Now a bigger problem - how do I stop Bruno's head from exploding or killing someone.
2:40 – There's a Mom here with an infant - maybe 10 months - you can tell she obviously not feeling well. Heard her say the nurse could not tell her how much longer. No one has been called for 2 hours. She decides to take her baby home. She's been here since 9:30 pm.
Seriously - what is wrong with our Healthcare System - especially the Emergency Room. The frazzled nurse had told us that half the people in the waiting room should be at home sleeping. But if this is the case, and if patients are seen based on necessity - then why wasn't the baby seen? Why was there a young boy in the first waiting room - crying for an hour and telling his Mom he wanted to go home - as he's throwing up in a container? I was told to come to the E.R. - why am I waiting now 4 hrs and no end in sight?
Vote Conservative or NDP? I seriously don't believe any Government would make a difference. They've all had their chance and no one improved the Healthcare system. I don't believe that there is any level of government that really makes decisions based on the best interests of their citizens. Decisions are based on what is going to get them re-elected and line their pockets - disillusioned, bitter, fed up - all of the above.
OK I've vented - on with my events of the night.
3:45 – I think the nurse is right. How can all these people in the waiting room be in need of 'emergency' assistance when they've been asleep (and snoring) for hours? Just sayin'...
4:30 – Hallway is now empty. We're still waiting - 5 1/2 hours and counting ...
5:00 - So tell me why they can't put the TV on a station that changes its program? I've watched the same CTV news 4 times in a row.
5:30 – Another waiting room! Seriously!
So the poor guy in the soccer outfit was just examined by the nurse – in the hallway. She took off his sock and commented – “Oh the bone popped right out”. Poor guy has been in excruciating pain for more than 6 hours - now he still has to go to x-rays and has yet to be seen by a Doctor.
6:00 – Finally the ER Dr comes in. What's the problem? He doesn't seem very concerned that the cast is cracked. So he tells us to be patient he wants me to see someone in the Fracture Clinic - it opens at 8:00 am! Are you f*** kidding me.
Now a bigger problem - how do I stop Bruno's head from exploding or killing someone.
8:00 – Nursing shift change. Bruno asks the nurse what is the next step. She tells us that she’s waiting for my blood test results. Really? I Never had any blood tests. So she tells us that I need to go for blood tests. Again – Really??? We tell her that I’m supposed to go the Fracture Clinic. She leaves and goes to speak to the ER Doctor – surprise – no blood tests needed. The Doctor will be right over. ER Doctor tells me that he’s spoken to the tech at the Fracture Clinic and she is waiting for us.
Arrive at the Fracture Clinic and Jen is waiting for us. What a breath of fresh air. I explained what happened and that the cast is split. Wait for it …. She tells me that it’s supposed to be split to allow for swelling. I thought I was going to break down – 9 hrs in the ER sitting in a wheelchair – and it was for nothing? How could I not know that it was already split?
I explained that the cast just did not feel right – it was putting pressure on my ankle. Jen tells me that over time the cast stretches and becomes too big. I asked if this is OK. She tells me no – that is why she is going to change the cast. Phew Thank God – it wasn’t for nothing.
She had the cast replaced in less than 15 minutes (she even brought me a juice – wow how nice) tells me not to be surprised it might stretch again, but not to worry just wait for my appointment with the Surgeon next week. She mentioned removing the stitches next week – never thought about that. Crap now I have that to worry about.
Home at 9:00 am – and I thought my days were going to be boring!
Sunday, April 15, 2012
The Dreaded Stairs and Shower
Well, it's time for a shower - can't wait! Sponging is just not the same!
So we get to the stairs. I use a crutch on one side and Bruno on the other (poor guy!). Made it to the landing and no way I go up the second half. So I try going up on my knees. Use my good leg as the anchor. Not too bad. Bruno is having a good laugh at my expense.
Put the bag on my cast on my leg - doesn't fit - this cast is huge! So cut the top and Bruno gets the duct tape! Nice!
Put a lawn chair in the shower. Not the best shower of my life, but it still felt great.
Now to go down the stairs. Yup on my knees again and down the stairs. I was told to try going down on my bum - nope couldn't do it!
Once again Bruno had a good laugh at my expense. Hop back go bed - plop on to the bed - ahhhhh!!!
How many more days to go?
So we get to the stairs. I use a crutch on one side and Bruno on the other (poor guy!). Made it to the landing and no way I go up the second half. So I try going up on my knees. Use my good leg as the anchor. Not too bad. Bruno is having a good laugh at my expense.
Put the bag on my cast on my leg - doesn't fit - this cast is huge! So cut the top and Bruno gets the duct tape! Nice!
Put a lawn chair in the shower. Not the best shower of my life, but it still felt great.
Now to go down the stairs. Yup on my knees again and down the stairs. I was told to try going down on my bum - nope couldn't do it!
Once again Bruno had a good laugh at my expense. Hop back go bed - plop on to the bed - ahhhhh!!!
How many more days to go?
Almost the End of Week One
Still a ton of emotions! Good days, bad days. Good hours and bad hours too!
One of the roadblocks I thought about was - what happens when I drop something? Well Saturday morning decided to test my patience and resourcefulness.
Making breakfast at the counter and my walker tips and falls on the base of my big toe. A big ouch, picked up the walker - not too bad.
I used my bed tray on wheels to bring my breakfast too and from the bed. On the way to the kitchen my computer mouse dropped to the floor - oh well, will wait until someone comes and picks it up.
Bring my breakfast dishes back to the kitchen, wanted an apple from the fridge - reached down and my cell phone drops from my pocket to the floor. Great, just great. So I'm pushing the mouse and the cell phone toward my bed - I'll reach down and pick them up - not too bad!
I get to the bed and plop down because I'm pooped - off the bed flies the TV Converter on the floor - seriously!!!
I lean over pick up the cell phone, the mouse and the TV Converter - Wow done. Pull the TV tray over to enjoy my apple. Yup you guessed it - the apple falls off the tray and on to the floor.
At this point - I scream at the top of my lungs: "Are you f*** kidding me?"
Thanks for testing my patience and resourcefullness!!
One of the roadblocks I thought about was - what happens when I drop something? Well Saturday morning decided to test my patience and resourcefulness.
Making breakfast at the counter and my walker tips and falls on the base of my big toe. A big ouch, picked up the walker - not too bad.
I used my bed tray on wheels to bring my breakfast too and from the bed. On the way to the kitchen my computer mouse dropped to the floor - oh well, will wait until someone comes and picks it up.
Bring my breakfast dishes back to the kitchen, wanted an apple from the fridge - reached down and my cell phone drops from my pocket to the floor. Great, just great. So I'm pushing the mouse and the cell phone toward my bed - I'll reach down and pick them up - not too bad!
I get to the bed and plop down because I'm pooped - off the bed flies the TV Converter on the floor - seriously!!!
I lean over pick up the cell phone, the mouse and the TV Converter - Wow done. Pull the TV tray over to enjoy my apple. Yup you guessed it - the apple falls off the tray and on to the floor.
At this point - I scream at the top of my lungs: "Are you f*** kidding me?"
Thanks for testing my patience and resourcefullness!!
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Day Three
Well based on the events of today, this blog is going to change from a daily blog to a weekly blog - not much happening. Except of course for the panic that creeps in every once in a while thinking of the road ahead.
One day at a time.
Maneuvering with the walker isn't really too bad, except that I can't stand too long because of the stress on my good leg. Trying to find a balance of getting out of bed and not overdoing it too much.
My foot swelled up tonight - which is when I realized that I'm not yet ready to sit at the dinner table. Going to have to read the clues that my body is giving me.
The pain is surprisingly manageable. Only taking 3 pills a day.
And time for bed......
One day at a time.
Maneuvering with the walker isn't really too bad, except that I can't stand too long because of the stress on my good leg. Trying to find a balance of getting out of bed and not overdoing it too much.
My foot swelled up tonight - which is when I realized that I'm not yet ready to sit at the dinner table. Going to have to read the clues that my body is giving me.
The pain is surprisingly manageable. Only taking 3 pills a day.
And time for bed......
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Day Two
Well I managed to get about 3 hrs sleep last night. Woke up and thought Day 2. Wow - only day 2! Feels like I've had the cast on for a heck of a lot longer than 1 day. Don't think I'm going to be doing anything exciting for the next few weeks :(
The nerve block that absolutely made my day yesterday has unfortunately worn off. Good news - I can feel my foot again. Bad news - I can also feel the pain now. It's really not unbearable, but definitely uncomfortable.
I managed to wait until 2:30 to take a Percoset. To my dismay, I really didn't feel the effects. No sleepiness and the pain was still there. Prescription said 1-2 tablets every 4 hours. I only took one. Will probably take 2 to get some sleep tonight.
So I have a sore spot on the bridge of my nose, under my chin and on the back of my neck. How does that happen? Would really have loved to have a camera in the O.R. while the flipping me from my stomach to my back .... hmmmm.
Lisa and Lily came for a visit today. Lisa was kind enough to tidy the house and made me lunch ,. And of course Lily - always makes my day. Sat with me on the bed and colored. In general, just a crazy little muchkin who is always entertaining. Thanks Rose for the salad - always great to have ready made salad on hand.
Lovely flowers from work and Antoinette/Peter - thank you.
Tomorrow I attempt the stairs and a shower! Petrified!
The nerve block that absolutely made my day yesterday has unfortunately worn off. Good news - I can feel my foot again. Bad news - I can also feel the pain now. It's really not unbearable, but definitely uncomfortable.
I managed to wait until 2:30 to take a Percoset. To my dismay, I really didn't feel the effects. No sleepiness and the pain was still there. Prescription said 1-2 tablets every 4 hours. I only took one. Will probably take 2 to get some sleep tonight.
So I have a sore spot on the bridge of my nose, under my chin and on the back of my neck. How does that happen? Would really have loved to have a camera in the O.R. while the flipping me from my stomach to my back .... hmmmm.
Lisa and Lily came for a visit today. Lisa was kind enough to tidy the house and made me lunch ,. And of course Lily - always makes my day. Sat with me on the bed and colored. In general, just a crazy little muchkin who is always entertaining. Thanks Rose for the salad - always great to have ready made salad on hand.
Lovely flowers from work and Antoinette/Peter - thank you.
Tomorrow I attempt the stairs and a shower! Petrified!
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