Friday 25 December 2009

HO HO HO ...

Yesterday was a day mixed full of turbulent emotions. I set my alarm for 5.50a.m, we'd had a heavy fall of snow the night before so I was worried about the conditions of the roads, would rather get there early than late. I was awake at 4! Couldn't sleep, my leg was bothering me, but I thought this was the day I'd been waiting for so long, my pain would get sorted later on. I had suffered for some 8 months with this bloody condition although I'd had them for the past twenty years, I wanted to get rid of but on the other hand they were apart of me, I was saying goodbye to them.. if you can understand where I'm coming from with this one. I got to the hospital at 6.50, got registered and sat in the waiting room. My palms were sweaty, I was shaking .. mainly due to having not eaten since the evening before, I wasn't even allowed water or gum. In case the spinal injection didn't work, they would put me out totally. I have to admit I wasn't looking forward to any of the needles especially the one in my spine. I was seen by a nurse who checked my date of birth, etc on more than one occasion. Then I came face to face with the man who was going to rebuild my left leg, the man himself...god! He used to thick black felt tip pen and circled the offending veins and other problem areas, my leg resembled an ordinance survey map afterwards. I also found out that yes they would burn my vein from the inside BUT that they intended making incisions to remove the dead veins.. I hadn't figured this part out. I was seen by the anaesthetist, he was a very nice young man. And later I found out he had a sense of humour too. At 8.15a.m myself and six other patients walked down to the ward where we would be sorted into categories for surgery, I just thought we all had knackered veins...apparently not.
I sat in the waiting room for a few minutes. The new hospital took six years to build, it is a magnificent place, but it is hard to get round, I was given a map when I first arrived. The nurses and doctors must have sat nav! Eventually it was my turn. Another room, time to strip off and wear one of those fashionable gowns that every body's talking about.... the kind that never fits and shows your 'butt' off to everyone you don't know! I had taken a CD to listen to whilst they tripped and burned my leg. Time to reflect the what happened next. Another waiting room, another doctor , another nurse, all very nice people, well they have to be, they're in the people business. I watched some cartoon on the tv whilst I waited to go theatre. Michelle who was in charge of my anaesthetics checked my details again. I told her I'd brought a CD to listen too, she asked my which one, her face lit up when I said it was 'Led Zeppelin' she listens to LZ all the time on her ipod. But I have to admit I can't remember anything due to saying yes and having every type of sedative going. I have two puncture marks on my left hand where the very nice young man with the sense of humour tried.. get this ' in vein' to find a vein to insert the needle. my veins in my hands are so thin they had great difficulty to insert the needle. My face was contorted in pain...I told the doctor that I wasn't going to look at the needles as I don't like needles, he replied he wasn't going to look either, worrying as he was the man administrating them... Lol! I smiled at him, he laughed, we all laughed, my nerves slightly eased. He then tried my right hand... success!! Next came the spinal one, the one I'd been dreading... I held Michelle's hand.. it wasn't too bad... eventually. After about three seconds I started to lose the feeling in my legs, my god he was good. All I can remember is seeing my leg in the air covered in iodine, the time flew by, but not really, I was as high as a kite, it took more like 45 minutes. I have no idea what he's done. I didn't find out until three hours later that it hurt all over. The feeling started to return. I had an intravenous drip in my right hand, apparently to stop me dehydrating. I haven't been stitched, but a I have butterfly stitches, which is worrying, so I have to make sure and hope I don't pull the skin when walking otherwise the wound will pull apart. A huge bandage from groin to big toe. I can't walk.. I have to shuffle up and down stairs on my arse!! Most lady like! I was eventually let out of hospital at 7p.m last night. Wheel chair to the car park, my dad collected me. I was so glad to be home. I have a wooden stick to aid me with my wobbling! I can't describe it as walking because it isn't. It's amazing, it's fully automatic, fully loaded, easy to use, has many different uses.. especially for hitting idiots who get in my way. I'm on strong pain killers. I have every intention of mixing these drugs with a large amount of alcohol later. I am off to my Friends for Christmas dinner, I am going to be waited on hand and foot. I am glad it's all over, I have to admit I didn't think I'd be so sore, I certainly didn't think I'd be in hospital ALL day. I met a lot of nice people, made some friends, had a laugh with the nurses and doctors, they work so god damn hard 365 days of the years 24/7, they are our angels, I met my god. I'd like to wish all of them a very 'HAPPY CHRISTMAS.' I get the bandage off in a week, the dressing changed.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Glad you finally got it done. You'll see, it was worth it. Isn't it amazing that almost every operation seems to be as an outpatient lately.

Take it slow until you are walking without pain, don't risk a fall.

The new year should bring you new happiness! I'm hoping for you.

Secretia

Indi said...

Secretia ~ A very Merry Christmas to you, may all that you wish for...come true. Yeah neary every op these days is as you said an 'out'patients. I intend to sit pretty and do 'f' all until I think I've milked it enough. Tis white here n icy so extra special care all round..thank you :)x

greekwitch said...

Feel better soon and happy holidays!

viemoira said...

Glad the worst is over! Be well to yourself, take it easy! :)

Indi said...

greekwich ~ Happy holidays to you too.. and Than you

Indi said...

viemoira ~ thank you, I have to take it easy I can't walk too well nor can I bend my leg due to heavy full length bandage... tis testing my patience

UBERMOUTH said...

Well, it will all be worth it. :)

Glad it's over though ,eh?

Enjoy your rest.

Indi said...

UBS ~ it was well worth it. I have had so much crap with my leg for so long. I'm just not ry good at sitting still. might read a book tomorrow... or write some more. I mean really WRITE some more... thanks hun xo

Shelly Rayedeane said...

Sometimes the best thing to do when the world gets you down is to write your thoughts down on paper.

I'm currently writing and book and recording an album too.

That's the reason my blog is now private. There were thieves in the temple and I decided some people need to learn to stand on their own two feet.

I have no doubt you will get well.

Merry Christmas Indigo!

Indi said...

Shelly Rayedeane ~ Merry Christmas to you :). I had trouble with a blogger too, but I did a bit of weeding so to speak, got a clean garden again. I will write again soon, I think my health is important first up.. but I got plenty spare time on my hands right now, well until I go back work next Tues..assumin I can drive by then. I will write part two of the story I started, I haven't forgotten, just been pre-occupied.

Shadow said...

wheeew, i'm glad its over... just take it easy now!!!

Indi said...

Shadow ~'Oh' I intend to.. thanks

Shelly Rayedeane said...

So true!

Sometimes it is important to weed that garden so a flower can grow.

No more toxicity for me. I feel better already.

Indi said...

Shelly Rayedeane ~ Oh how true is that! This flower is weed free, and the growth is flourshing nicely. just need a bit of sunshine now :)

nitebyrd said...

I'm happy to hear you're doing well and that the surgery is over. I had to laugh, picturing you scooting up and down stairs on your butt! :D

You definitely deserve being waited on for several days and I do hope you had a very happy, merry Christmas!

Indi said...

nitebyrd ~ yeah it was kinda funny, at times like this I wish I live without stairs! Today I finally cracked, I'm refusing amymore painkillers as I can't function whilst ASLEEP!! I've done abit of house work.. well I got bored n rather than live in a pile of crap, I figured I'd do it, and to tell you the truth, it felt good. I can't just sit down and vegitate. I am resting now though, not sure about going back to work on Tuesday... still can't get a shoe or boot on, can't drive either!! Thanks nitebyrd-glad I made you laugh... I hate being house bound.

JStar said...

I hope you feel better soon!

UBERMOUTH said...

Well get writing. YOu don't type with your leg ,do you? :)

Happy New Year, Indigo.

Indi said...

JStar ~ Thank you- the healing process is a slow one . Happy New Year to you when it arrives.

Indi said...

UBS ~ No I don't normally type with my leg but I can write with both hands as I'm ambidextrous. I can also write with my toes, not that I'm bragging or anything :)))). Happy New Year to you too my dear.. you be celebrating in style I guess... a bottle in each hand? Lol

Don't I Know You? said...

FS thinks its great that you had a good experience and are on the mend.