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| Manhattan – 6:30am from the N train over the Manhattan Bridge |
It is 5:30am on Monday and my alarm is ringing. I really really do not want to wake up. I stayed up way too late the night before paying bills and trying to tie up some loose ends. I pull myself out of bed and try to get dressed as quietly as possible. 5:30am is a dangerous time in our house. It’s just late enough that if the boys wake up, there’s a good chance that they won’t go back to sleep. But, it’s too early for them to be awake for the day without them turning into a cranky mess. I leave the house and get on the subway to make the trip into Manhattan and to Roosevelt Hospital.
I arrive at 7am as instructed. When my name is called, I walk to the Nurse’s Station in the pre-op and recovery area and sit down with Robin to fill out a mountain of paperwork. As other patients move on to the next phase of the process, I wait as Robin transcribes my gazillion allergies onto at least five different forms and then into the computer system. There’s got to be a more efficient way.
Finally, I change into a lavender paper gown. It’s actually a bit thicker and more substantial than the typical hospital gown which I’m thankful for because it’s chilly in the hospital. I am escorted to the next area where I meet the Anesthesiologist. My doctor arrives and runs through the procedure with me and what to expect when I wake up. I sign more consent and release forms.
I’m wheeled in the gurney outside of the OR. I jump off and walk to the operating table and lie down. I place my arms out to the side while they attach electrodes and monitors to me. The Anesthesiologist says, “I’m just going to give you something to start relaxing you…”
Next thing I know, I’m waking up after surgery. I hear the nurses and doctors talking and my eyes float open and then close. When I open my eyes next, I’m in the recovery room and Ed’s sitting next to me. My knee is wrapped in a straight-leg brace. After an hour or two, I’m cleared to go home.
The surgery went well. I have a reconstructed ACL in my right knee. I also had a pretty big tear in my meniscus so they repaired that as well. Otherwise, my doctor said that the rest of my knee joint look great. Phew.
Since coming home, I’ve been struggling to find a comfortable position. I really really just want to bend my knee. Just once? While I’m allowed to take the brace off while I’m awake and in bed, my leg just feels ridiculously hyperextended or something. Since I can’t move my knee, my right hip is sore and stiff. The pain is OK – a general, dull throbbing pain that is mostly manageable but sometimes it really hurts.
I will be in a brace for 4 weeks and should be able to start physical therapy next week. Now, it’s all about recovery. I know that it’s going to be a long and slow process. I know that it’s going to hurt. I’m not too excited about that last part but know that in the long run, this was the right decision for me. I’m also trying to remind myself that this is recovery and that I need to take it easy and to ask for help which isn’t the easiest thing for me to do.
Oh, I am hurting for you…seriously, I think I am having sympathy pains or something. My knee feels awful and I am bending it for you! Please take care of yourself. I know I said it before but as moms we tend to give and give and sometimes it is just too much. Put yourself first this time so you can be back and running around with your boys as soon as possible!
Thanks Kristen! I’m trying my best to stay positive and to sit back and let others take care of me, which, as you know, is hard. I don’t want to feel like a burden but I also know that it would suck if my knee didn’t heal properly. The kids have been super sweet and check in on me and bring me cards. Keep bending your knee for me!!
Bending your knee…what a novel concept. I guess we take that for granted when we CAN bend it, right? I am glad you are on the road to recovery and are pretty positive about it! I am so impressed. I hope PT goes smoothly!
I know, right? I didn’t realize how important bending one’s knee is until it was strapped down in a brace! Seriously, it totally affects my alignment and being able to sit/lie down comfortably. Le sigh. I’m trying my best to stay positive! Thankfully, the pain has subsided quite a bit. Phew!
Time to tell the man you need a {hip} massage.
So that’s all? A repaired meniscus and ACL reconstruction? Aww… that’s nothing.
You’re doing great, girl! Be surfing in no time.
And don’t you love the Anesthesiologist… they are always doing that. they tell me and I know to start counting. I’ve gotten to 5. Although one time I was whining and he told me to stop whining and I woke up post surgery. LOL.
You need lots of magazines. Let me know If I should send you any. And I love the gown. Its about time they make em a cool color for the ladies!
I was waiting for the Anesthesiologist to tell me to start counting but I never even got to that part!! I guess that’s better than the opposite, huh? I have lots of magazines, books and blog reading to catch up on while I’m lying around. Thanks for checking in on me!
I can only imagine! I wouldn’t like not being able to bend my knee! My thoughts are with you for a speedy recovery!
Thanks Whitney! My plan is to live vicariously through you as you rock the Boston Marathon!
You wrote about this experience so well! I am so impressed you went to the hospital by yourself…I think I am far to wimpy to do that.
Here’s wishing you a speedy recovery and hoping you can bend that knee soon! Take care of yourself.
Thanks Gin! You know, I didn’t even think about the fact that I was going to the hospital by myself. It was more out of necessity. My husband had to stay home with the kids and take them to school and then he met me at the hospital to take me home. I hope your foot feels better soon too!
Thinking about you. Wish I could fly out and help you! (Okay maybe I’d also use it as an excuse to shop in NYC…) xoxo
I won’t tell
Hope you got lots of surf literature to keep you occupied! Get well soon! YOU will be up and back to normal before you know it
!
Thank you!! Yes, I am stocked with many issues of Surfer and Surfing and surf books and surf films
That also means that you have to keep surfing so that I can read about your adventures!
I’m getting ready to post about yesterdays adventure.. SO stay tuned!
I’m so glad the surgery went well. Sucks that you can’t move your knee now. I hope the 4 weeks goes fast. Or at least faster than it feels like right now!
Me too! Almost one week down…
Recognizing you need to ask for help is the first step! I myself am terrible about this, so I hope you will be kind to yourself and not push the recovery too hard or fast. Glad the surgery is over and was a success!
Thank you! Yes, I am trying very hard to ask for help and to take it easy. I’m getting my kids to run around and fetch things for me
Christine,
Bron from Oz here. I follow your blog as I am learning to surf & in my 40′s. What an adventure and I have been following yours with lots of interest! I hope you are feeling better and back in the surf enjoying the waves soon!
Bron
Thank you so much for your well wishes Bron! It really means a lot to me. I am feeling better and am anxious to start physical therapy and get moving again! I also know that it’s going to take some time. I’d love to hear about your adventures in surfing as well or if there’s anything in particular you want to know more about. Please let me know!
SEnding you lots of patience to get through these next few weeks!
Thanks Shell! I will need it!