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- BooBoo Bear
My apologies to everyone who has been following my story, for the delay in getting my story
continued. I don’t think I realized how difficult it would be for me to actually sit and write this
story through the surgery and recovery periods. Here is my story, from surgery to my current
recovery state.
The morning of the surgery came again, with some anxiety of the last visit when this surgery was
suppose to take place, but I knew today would be the day. In the pre-op room were nurses who
were there the first time around when I got my right knee replaced, and also the last time when
my surgery was postponed, and every one there was intent on making this a great experience for
me. I brought with me a small stuffed bear that I call “BooBoo bear”. He is who I squeeze when I
am participating in something uncomfortable like having blood drawn or and IV put in. I seem to
have veins that move so depending on the person drawing blood it can be a difficult experience for
me. One of the nurses saw BooBoo bear and asked if he was going into surgery with me, and I
said sure, so she said he needed to get ready. Well, I took the bait, so I gave him to her, and he
came back in about 15 min dressed for surgery, check out the picture below, he has his surgical
hat,a medical bracelet with my name on it, mask, and feet protectors on and they wrapped him in
a plastic bag and into surgery he went with me. A nurse going above and beyond creating joy and
laughter not just for a little kid, but for a big one, me!
Sugery went great, the Dr. said my knee was trashed, there were shards of bone where a knee used
to be, and no wonder I was in such pain. Now, without getting over technical or gross anyone out,
I will explain a little of what is involved so you can get an idea about the recovery of a total knee
replacement(then if you or anyone you know has one you can empathize). They take the bones
from the top leg and bottom leg and saw about and inch to inch and half off of them to make
room for the artificial cobalt chrome knee. The top and bottom part of the knee is fitted into the
bones and cemented in, then attached to the middle so it moves like an original. The incision that
is made is approximately a foot long and all nerves are sliced or moved aside with the blood
vessels and then sewn back together when the knee is installed, leaving a danger of blood clots
while the initial restoration is healing. My knee is numb in alot of places as well as the areas
around the knee. My right knee was replaced in April of 2008, and almost all of the feeling is
back in that leg, however there are a few places where there remains numbness, I can live with
that.
I’d like to take a minute and reflect on my hospital stay, and the people who did and didn’t take
great care of me. The first night after surgery was ok, I was hooked up to a machine where I was
capable of distributing medication to myself with a press of a button, and of course they have to
come in every two hours to check vitals and make sure I’m doing ok, so no worries the first day. I
was doing really well, so the Dr. decided to discontinue the self medication later the second day
and I was able to get up and use a toilet by the bed. I stayed on a machine that moved my leg
for me day and night so my leg wouldnt get stiff, that was my choice to stay on it almost 24
hours a day. My second nite was not so wonderful. The care that nite was not even up to par, I
was left alone on the side toilet for 15 minutes without help, and the nurse did not understand
when I tried to tell her I needed something different for pain, because the mannerism I chose was
to be kind about it, I just kept saying I’m still in alot of pain. My pain level is an 8. (My evil twin
sister Sybil was no where to be found SHE would have been medicatedat one roar) By morning I
was in tears from the pain, no help in moving or getting up, and the frustration of not being well
taken care of.
The morning nurse came in and saw me and my condition and immeidiately got on the phone to
the Dr. who was there in a matter of minutes with a shot that took the edge off of my intense
pain , then they got me in a comfortable position and I was once again calm and well taken care
of. I managed to sleep a little and then was ready for my first trip, up with a walker and to the
door and back. Woohoo! my first steps. The day staff continued my awesome care and by evening I
was ready to face that nursing staff again with better communication about my care.(It helped that
my day nurse gave them a tongue lashing). After a talk with the three of us it was understood
what went wrong and we all learned from this evening and was able to bring a better night for me
by clear communication. I thank the day nurse for helping me and helping the night nurse so we
had cleared the air, and a fresh start for a very peaceful and painfree evening.
The rest of the hospital stay was pretty on track, the following day I made a trip around the
nurses station, dazzling them with my walker skills, my ability to get myself to and from the
restroom was a plus, and voila , I came home after only 4 days.
The first two weeks home were an emotional rollercoaster ride, my body was detoxing from all the
drugs from the surgery and different drugs afterwards. So not only was I dealing with the emotion
of the pain, but all of the different feelings that detox takes you through.
Let’s move a little fast forward to the past two weeks. Mostly they have been about physical
therapy, toning down on the drugs, renewing my love for life in everyday I face. Finding the courage
to choose to be positive and move forward in all that I do in this healing process. Not to give in
to the pain and emotional state that can depress and immobolize you whenever you suffer a major
change in your life, such a a total knee replacement.
The bionic woman lives and breathes in love, joy and support from my beautiful friends and family.
I started outpatient physical therapy this week, and I’m driving again,which brings me some
freedom, woohoo! I am looking forward to that day, soon, when after two years of walking with a
walker, crutches or a cane, I will hold my hands and head up high and walk unassisted.
I WILL be dancing by September on my birthday, will you be there with me?
Blessed days to come,
Cher
