FOOT SURGERY

to all you out there in cyber space.

I need to tell you guys that I am humbled and thankful to all the replies I have been receiving via email and comments here from you.

            

You see ever since I had to stop working at a job that I loved.  And, a job that I excelled at.  I have been feeling quite inadequate.

The words you write telling me that I may be helping you,  even in the tiniest way has made me feel useful again.  

But what is more important than that, is that I have been receiving a lot of help from you all. 

So, even if I don't say it often enough I am very thankful.

That being said........

I am here recouperating from foot surgery.  As most of us with chronic illnesses such as Lupus even the minorest of procedures is a big deal for us.

The preparation for this stupid surgery was enough to bring me to tears.  Pre Admission testing was basically normal. Except that mine took twice the amount of time than usual.  Just going over my meds and diagnoses was lengthly.  And,with every med we discussed I had to explain what it was it was for, the dosage and how often I took it.  It was imperative that I assured them that I had begun the transition from coumain (jantoven = the generic form of coumadin) to lovenex injections.    When I would stop the injections (I have a black and blue belly to prove that I am injecting myself with lovenox), resume my coumadin, etc.  Explaining to the Nurse Practitioner that even though my temperature read 99.8, that those numbers were good for me.  Mine usually are 100 or so.

I had to continually remind them that I needed a bolus of solumedrol before and after the surgery.  Plus IV antibotics before and after.

Pre Admission testing was on Tuesday.  I had to see my PCP on Wednesday for medical clearance.  Then on Thursday morning more bloodtests to make sure that my platlettes were where they should be.

                                     

Then in the middle of all of this both of the cars that we just purchased needed to be brought in for servicing.  My Oldsmobile is still under warranty.  The Hyundai is not.  And, Gary thinks it needs a new power steering pump.  I intend to place a call to the owner of the car dealership where we bought the cars.  They had promised me that those cars were prepped and gone over with a "fine toothed comb" before they were handed over to us.  Guess what,  they weren't.  I  had already spoken to the dealership owner about a different subject (they crashed my son's car last time it was in for service) and he was very nice.

So you can see why I am freaking out. These things are not so bad, but I am becoming more and more incapable of dealing with stuff.

Back to my surgery.......  What should have taken the doctor 45 minutes ended up taking a bit less than 3 hours. I had a local with IV sedation.  So I slept through most of it.  I do remember my doctor saying............. Holy shit this is a mess.

My foot is bandaged up with loads of gauze and this new thing I had never seen before.  A gauze type ace banadage.  I cannot get it wet.  He said no showers until I see him on Tuesday.  Hand washing and washing my hair in the sink will have to suffice until I am given the okay to shower.

I have (from what I remember him saying, about a 4 or 5 inch incision with 12 stitchesw on the outside.

Yup it hurts, but if I keep myself medicated I am okay.  Been doing a lot of laying in bed with my foot propped up.  Ice on it for twenty minutes on and off for the next few days.  My back  has been killing me  from laying in bed.  Thank God for the massage chair pad thingie Gary bought me.

My man and family are taking exceptional care of me. Thank you God for giving me such a wonderful husband and kids.

I did manage to get all ofmy Christmas cards written and addressed. Tonight we are eating baked manicotti.  YUMMY

Plus I did a lot of online Christmas shopping.  So I am set.

All in all I feel pretty good.

Have a Blessed Day and Be Well my Friends.