Have Surgery – Find Out Who Your Friends Are

On Monday, June 8th my girls picked me up for dinner.  They came bearing balloons, a pack of red bull, an Alex & Ani bracelet, yellow flowers (my favorite color), and a card with thoughtful notes.  We had great conversations, avoiding the knee issue, until it was time to order.  When I was finished asking my server for a beer, chips and salsa (as an appetizer), fish tacos, and a side salad with ranch dressing, they all looked at me like I was crazy.  I am a creature of habit and would normally have gotten the Cobb salad with a glass of water.  But I reminded them that I was “going under” tomorrow and that this was my last meal for the next 12-24 hours! I knew I could count on Arod to share the chips with me! 🙂

   

My mom drove down from Doylestown, PA bright and early Tuesday morning to take me to the hospital.  The nurses took me back right away and prepped me for surgery.  I thought I would be extremely nervous by this point, but I was actually eager to get this proverbial ball rolling, so that I could begin the recovery process.  The nurse gave me a change of clothes, a fashionable hairnet, and then injected the IV into what she called “fabulous veins.”  

Once I was all prepped and had waited a while, I was informed that the doctor was backed up and that it would be a few hours.  I read a little and watched Orange is the New Black, but it was hard to focus with the annoying beeping from the heart rate monitor and my growling stomach. Three hours later……

  

After the anesthesiologist spoke to me about the procedure, four other nurses and doctors came in to see if I had any questions about the medical jargon.  Then they wheeled me into the operating room and that’s the last thing I remember.  When I woke up I was very groggy and had a massive brace that kept my knee locked in place and a device on the good leg that helped with circulation.

   

Thank god for my mom who was able to listen to the discharge directions, drive me home, make me food, and help me move from one room to the next. She has been diligent about keeping a log of my meds, icing, and other steps in this recovery process.  Since she has been through a double knee replacement she can empathize with being immobile. I don’t know what I would do without her.

When I arrived home there was a care package at my door, from my amazing friend Allison! She sent me books, DVD’s, balloons with Sugarland lyrics, a spoon tied to a string (funny, if you remember the oatmeal story), and personalized notes with each gift!

I am also very thankful for Carla Lawson who graded and entered all of my final exams.  I owe her a LOT!

I cannot do this on my own, and am so appreciative of all of the people in my life who have stepped up to the plate.  I had no idea that the recovery would be this intensive, and that I would be so helpless.  I only hope I can pay it forward and be there for any of you have gone out of your way for me.  This whole experience has made me realize who my true friends are!