Japan Adventure

An anesthesiologist came in to assure me I would not be aware of anything during surgery. I told him I didn’t even want to see the operating room! He said I would soon get something in my IV to help me relax. Dr Bramlett came in between patients to say “hi” and said it wouldn’t be long now. I don’t really remember much else after that. Holly said I did ask someone to try to make me taller while they were working on my leg, but I don’t remember saying this . . .

I woke up and was told it was all over, but I couldn’t believe it since it felt like only a few minutes had elapsed. (Actually, it was less than an hour!) I remember my right leg feeling cold, but no pain. Soon after being moved to my room, I was given morphine and I became extremely nauseated. The nurse said I was also sick right after surgery (thankfully, I don’t remember), so no more morphine for me. My doctor did not use the patient-controlled pain pump, but the nurses were wonderful about keeping me comfortable and no one ever said, “it’s not time yet.” At first, I really couldn’t tell cold from pain, but I soon realized that when I felt that deep, bone cold feeling, pain soon followed.

Stan or Holly stayed overnight with me while I was in the hospital. In my research, everything I read said it was best to have a family member around at night and I REALLY appreciated my family doing this for me.

There was a cooler on the floor with ice that constantly pumped cold air around my whole right leg. I’m assuming this was to keep down swelling and bruising. Of course, once my leg was un-bandaged, I could see that it was indeed swollen and completely purple. Click "Older Posts" below right to continue . . .