Slightly perforated, but none the worse for wear.

[mijan]

Well, that definitely wasn't as bad as it could have been.  In fact, I'd say that everything went as well as it possibly could have gone.  The nurses and doctors were very nice, nobody was pushy with me, none of the medicines made me feel sick or wierd, and I didn't freak out (much) about the needles.  My knee is a bit stiff and sore, but I've had days when it was almost this bad before the surgery, so this isn't bad at all.  Overall, things seem to be going pretty well.

When I woke up from the anesthetic, my first thought was actually, "I'm hungry.  I want sushi."  Naturally, on the way home, we picked up some sushi to go.  Even though I was starved, my stomach wasn't quite up to eating as much as I'd thought it would be, so I had a snack and went to lie down.  I was supposed to keep my leg elevated almost all the time the first 24 hours, and I'll admit, I felt better than I thought I would, so I got a little bit carried away, and probably overdid it.  There really isn't too much pain.  It's not comfortable, and I can't bend it like I want, but I CAN walk on it a little bit.  In fact, the nurse had me walk on it immediately after surgery, when I got to phase 2 recovery.  I was amazed that it supported my weight.  Granted, I was leaning on the nurse for support, and I was still a little bit tipsy from the anesthesia, but it wasn't bad at all.

The most painful part was actually a spot several inches above the knee where they must have given me a pretty hefty injection of a local anesthetic while I was asleep, which I didn't know about.  Once the anesthetic itself wore off, all of a sudden, I started feeling this ache, which actually seemed to make my whole thigh cramp up.  So I looked, and lo and behold, there's a very noticeable puncture mark.  So, I put ice on that, and took some vicodin, and eventually, that went away.  (See?  This is proof that shots and needles are EVIL.)

Yesterday in the morning, I went to the optometrist with my mother and Draco to pick up my new glasses, but when we got there, the doctor had found a much better pair, so he's putting the lenses into the new ones.  I really like these new ones better.  Then we stopped by the CVS for odds and ends and bandages and gauze (how exciting... blargh), and then to the Dunkin Donuts for munchies.  However, that's about the time that my stomach decided that it wasn't happy with all that activity, and despite the delicious mango smoothie, I just couldn't stomach any of it.  I think I'd overdone it.  I mean, my knee itself didn't hurt THAT much, so I figured it wouldn't be that big of a deal to be up and about, but I guess surgery takes more out of a person than one might think, even if they're not in a lot of pain.

So, either way, by the end of the evening last night, I felt like I'd been run over by a tractor.  Mostly that my stomach hurt.  Actually, I think I've found the culprit in this:  the ibuprofin.  I'm supposed to take these 800 mg ibuprofin (Advil) to keep down the inflammation and reduce swellng, but I think they're making my stomach hurt.  I skipped a dose last night, and this morning, my stomach was feeling better.  So I had breakfast, and took the pill, and now my stomach is starting to hurt again.  I think I'll probably call the nurse and ask about cutting down to a lower doze of the stuff.  I'm not scrawny, but I'm not a BIG person either, and 800 mg of ibuprofin is a LOT.

Other than that, I've taken a single dose of vicodin at night to take the edge of the ache so I can sleep, but I'm not taking it during the day.  I'm a bit tired, but I'm functional.  The weather is a bit humid, but it's not too terribly hot, so I can deal with it.  And in about an hour, I'm going to take off my bandages and take a real SHOWER!  (It's amazing how excited a person can get over something simple like a shower, yes?)

And, on a side note, I'd like to thank Kathleen for the socks.  The consensus around the Manor is that the kiwi-slice design was the best of the bunch.  *grins*  

Comments

[singlewoman.livejournal.com]

*Hugs*

Glad you are feeling better. In fact I was just about to email you and see how things were. Sounds like you weathered the ordeal fairly well.

I know it is hard to not overdo, but you have just had surgery and your body has has a major trauma. Take it easy. you think you are fine and then , boom, it is as if someone flipped off the light switch, and you need to stop right then. Of course this NEVER happens at home! :)

Glad the care package made it. Just some realyy silly things. I wanted to find some Berie Botts, but Jelly Bellys were as close I could make it.

Have a great house warming. I am so sorry I'll miss it, but I will send you a postcard from Cancun.

Yea for showers! There restorative powers are great.

*Hugs again*

[waterbird.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear everything went alright. Have a good recovery! *hugs*

[silverrangel.livejournal.com]

Yay, you're better! :D

[silverlily81.livejournal.com]

Eek! You don't have long to be back to 100%, we've got Lumos, baby!!!!

Recover and dine on mounds of sushi!

[quidditchmaster.livejournal.com]

WORD, you're okay and living and fixed! =D

Very good news!!

*licks*

[awaywithpixie.livejournal.com]

*hugs*
*carefully tackleglomps*

So glad to hear it has gone really, really well.

Miss you heaps, hope you get back on track soon. Don't try to overdo it too soon, though!

*more hugs*

[aliciajd]

Take it easy, just remember it's very easy to mess up a knee surgery by over doing too soon.

I take 800 mg of Ibuprofin for arthritis, three times a day. The key to this med is to be sure you have something in your stomach to cushion things. If nothing else, I eat a slice of bread and drink a tall glass of milk with the pill. Every time I skip eating with this med, my stomach really makes me pay ...sometimes for days.

Hope you get better real soon.

[mijan.livejournal.com]

Well, not fixed yet. Healing slowly. Right now, the only way I can climb stairs is by literally hauling myself up the stairs. But I've got my follow-up tomorrow, and I'll start physical therapy soon. Here's hoping!

*licks back*

[mijan.livejournal.com]

WHEEEE! *uber-tackle-glomps* Thanks, love. Yes, it went as well as could be expected. I mean, it's not FUN, but it could have been a lot worse, and thus far, I'm pretty satisfied. I'm trying not to overdo it but I do tend to get a bit stir-crazy.

You NEED to come visit me again soon, sweetie. I miss you!
*platonic snogs*
*clings*

[mijan.livejournal.com]

See, I was eating with the ibuprofin, but it wasn't helping. I cut down to 400 mg, using the CVS liquid gels instead. Regular ibuprofin doesn't upset my stomach - I'm wondering if it's this specific generic that's causing the trouble.

I'll try to take it easy with my knee for now, but it's so easy to want to go do stuff. I went out to do some minor errands with Draco today, and we took it slow, but I was still tired when we got back. But I would have gone stir-crazy if I'd stayed at home. Tough balance. *sigh*

[mijan.livejournal.com]

LOL... I'll be better in time. Might not be running full-speed, but I'll be mobile. And if I need a little bit of mobility assistance - pimp cane!

[mijan.livejournal.com]

Well, not exactly better. I can only walk on it a tiny bit, and I need crutches to go any further than a few feet, but I'm not dead yet, and I'm getting better slowly. :)

[mijan.livejournal.com]

Awww, thanks sweetie! *hugs back*

[mijan.livejournal.com]

LOL... that's exactly what it's like. I mean, I feel okay, so I'm doing stuff, and suddenly, I NEED to lie down immediately. I hit the wall like that last night, and I just needed to collapse. My stomach felt like crap, and my head hurt, and even my chest hurt. So, I'm going to rest tonight, keep my knee up, keep using ice, and hopefully I'll be up for some stuff tomorrow.

And thank you again for the treats. Although I must admit, the socks were... interesting. LOL.

[dumbys-baby.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear the surgery went well and I was very remiss in offering my best wishes before you went in. Sorry!
Make sure you take it easy (general anesthetics can knock anyone around). You'll want to be at your best for Lumos!

[snottygrrl.livejournal.com]

am v. happy to hear that it went well. and yes, having your body pumped full of drugs is not easy on it, so be kind to yourself for a few days.

[*smooshes carefully*]

down in this part of the world, one has kiwi fruit or kiwi bird, or kiwi, the later being a person from new zealand. therefore, when i read the kiwi-slice design was the best of the bunch. i got this image of diced up people before i cottoned on you must be talking about a design of slices of kiwi fruit [*grins*]

[mixedborder.livejournal.com]

Get LOTS of rest, and take vitamin C and zinc--the body uses them in the healing process. (That isn't folklore; I learned it in physiology class!)

[nyx-of-darkness.livejournal.com]

i am glad it isn't that bad.yha i took the percocet for the first day or two and then i just stopped and now feel quite a bit better. the pain is tolerable though a bit comfy. hope your knee does well, :)

[amgem.livejournal.com]

*winks and head scritches*

Hope you managed to get some rest...it was great to finally meet you last night!!

~*Karen

[mijan.livejournal.com]

OOOH! Head scritches! *purrs*

I finally got some sleep after the albuterol wore off. That stuff is nasty.

Anyhow, it was great to meet you too! You must visit again. :)

~Harry

[imperial-dragon.livejournal.com]

*hugs*
good to hear you're on the way to recovery. you'll be back on a broomstick in no time!!