August 16, 2011

Surgery is behind me and I'm so glad!
I was asked to check in at 5:15 a.m. although my name wasn't called until 6:45. But who am I to think it is a little silly to have people wait for more than an hour so early in the morning? Air companies have the same requirements. That's why I started to favor my car to a plane.
Nurses and office staff were as always courteous, efficient and caring. A couple of them always stand out because of a genuine smile, a kind encouraging word or simply a personal touch that makes the hurt or ill fell like human beings and not only like patients.
The nurse who took care of me was one of those people and I thank her for helping me to relax and be confident that I was not only in the professional hands of a serious surgeon but also in a safe hospital.
We all wish for a smooth experience when we go to surgery. And this morning mine had all the ingredients for a perfect recipe of success. Unfortunately, although ultimately everything went well, there was a little issue that replaced the cherry on top of the cake.
The consent form that every patient has to sign before surgery said that I was here today for arthroscopy of my left knee and possible meniscectomy. I was surprised since neither the surgeon nor his PA had mentioned the name of this procedure. The nurse said she would send the PA to answer my questions. Prep work was on its way before he showed up.
I had met J. in February when my stitches were removed and I had found him abrupt compared to the gentle staff at the surgeon's office. He told me to stand up and walk while I was shaky and unable to do so without a set of crutches in addition to my brace.
I'm not a wimp. I climbed the tops of high mountains even at night and I gave birth to four children. But I had lost so much strength that I knew I couldn't do it. I felt like a failure when the most important thing I needed then was a word of encouragement.
To be fair, J. was much nicer when he gave me the cortisone shot back in May so I had no problem to see him even though I've always preferred the other PA.
I told J. that I wasn't aware of the meniscectomy possibility and that I worried that anything drastic done to my meniscus could lead to more damage. After all, complete and correct medical information is now a click away for anyone willing to know.
Besides, earlier that morning, didn't I read on the hospital wall that patients need to speak up and question their treatment options?
J. smirked and said that it was of course a possible procedure, that the surgeon could decide during the arthroscopy to scrape more or less from my meniscus. I remained calm and repeated that I was surprised that the possibility hadn't been explained to me. I came to get rid of scar tissues and not to have some work done on the meniscus which so far had never been a concern to neither the physical therapist nor the surgeon.
J. turned his back to me and my husband and as he went on with his paperwork, insisted that it was standard procedure. This is when my husband said that as a patient I had the right to know what would be exactly done to my knee and that a meniscectomy wasn't a light surgery that I hadn't anticipated and wasn't ready for. J. laughed and said a meniscectomy was always a possibility. My husband replied that he knew what a meniscectomy was and that the risk of knee replacement later in life was higher if too much work was one on the meniscus. J. said that no, we didn't know what a meniscectomy was and that our questions were the silliest he had ever heard.
Too shocked, I managed to say that I would agree on minimal repair and my husband required the addition of "partial" meniscectomy on the consent form. Reluctantly and with obvious condescendence J. asked the nurse if she agreed. She did but required his signature.
J. left without wishing me good luck or saying good bye.
By the way a meniscectomy is the removal of part or all of a torn meniscus.
The nurse then asked me if I was confident to go on with the surgery or if I had mixed feelings and would rather think about it. Just then my surgeon arrived and I shared my concern with him. My knee looked pretty good this morning and he reassured me, telling me that the possibility to clean the meniscus existed but was fairly light, and that he would never do anything drastic without talking to me first.
I felt better and agreed for the procedure.
Anesthesia went well. These guys make cocktails more effective than a bad book to fall asleep within seconds. Since I'm on no medication and only took Iboprufen after the first surgery of my life, I am a very standard and easy patient.
I had a quick post surgery visit from my surgeon who told me that he removed quite a lot of scar tissue, but didn't touch my meniscus at all since it looked good. Great!
I woke up less groggy than last time and moreover in much less pain. I was given a light pain killer for the road. It was not 11:00 a.m. yet and I left with a set of crutches that I barely needed, a pack of ice on the knee and a bandage pad that was small enough I could slip my favorite linen pair of pants on.
The drive home was smooth. My husband always worries so much for me and our kids that I wished I could have been able to take us home but doctor's orders are doctor's orders and I take the passenger seat.
At home, my kids were happy to see me in pretty good shape compared to last time when I had the ACL reconstruction.
I have a similar regimen of medicine although lighter for the antibiotics. I haven't touched the nausea medicine neither the pain killers.
Today I only have one exercise to do: set of 20 ankle pumps 5 to 6 times a day. I should keep my legs elevated as often as possible for blood circulation and comfort. I will keep my sexy white socks that wrap my leg from toes to mid thigh for 24 hours. I can shower but keep my bandage dry. I will remove it in two days and then change the smaller bandages underneath.
Tomorrow I will start more exercises and return to therapy on Friday bright and early.
Tomorrow is another day and I intend to be in my best shape. So far, so good!