Author: Dackel Princess

Great news to report. Hubby came through his surgery with flying colors. Here is the story.

We arrived a little early for his operation. So, we ended up sitting around for a while. Eventually they called us in and we had the same nurses Hubby had two months ago for his other knee! They remembered us as the funny couple who made them laugh.
This time instead of the terrible female Anesthesiologist, we had a very nice man. He was the assistant head of the department. He came in, closed the door to lend us some privacy and we discussed how to go forward. What he did was give Hubby a nerve block in his leg and a nerve catheter in the leg that they will leave in for several days. This will take care of his pain. They also used a spinal block, but no Opiates. Hubby just does not do well on Opiates.
Soon they came in and took him to surgery and I went to the surgical waiting room. I sat knitting and talking with a woman I did not know, but who needed to also waste some time.
Two hours went by and Hubby’s doctor came in and told me how well he had done. No surprises, all pretty straight forward stuff. He said he was doing so well I should go back right off and see him.
I asked the receptionist and she said she would take me in to him in half an hour when he was “settled”. So I waited. I tried not to be a pain in the backside, but I was getting a bit nervous. Finally after 2 hours (!!!!!) I told the woman I was a “practical nurse” and she’d better let me back there. (Lord forgive me this lie, but quite honestly, there is nothing I could see “behind the curtain” that would shock or offend me!)
I must have sounded a bit hysterical because she quickly took me back.
And there he was. Sitting up happily in his bed feeling no pain, but being totally clear in his mind. He told me all about the surgery, about the doctor showing him the knee after it was removed and how neat that was, and how well he felt!

Soon they moved him up to his room, where he immediately wanted something to eat. He ate 4 containers of Jell-O, about a dozen packets of crackers and some sorbet before some soup arrived. Once he had downed that and was still hungry, they made him a meal of turkey and potatoes.
I felt like I could leave him, so off I went to get a few things done and get some food for myself. I called him a bit ago and he is doing great!
How do you spell relief?

With the garden laid, and the house cleaned we packed our bags and waited for the house sitters to arrive. Fritz and Greta met them with great happiness and many wiggles. We sat down and talked for a while before it was time for us to leave. We kissed Fritz and then looked for Greta. There she was on the kitchen rug looking like she had lost her only friend. What a sad, sad sight! I was ready to toss her in my bag and bring her along!
We left and drove over to stay the night at a motel near the hospital. Nice clean rooms, good Wifi, and cable TV. What else do you need?
Hubby’s surgery is set for 10, which means we need to be at the hospital at 9 AM. He is not nervous at all, even though this surgery is much harder than the last one. It’s funny, the last time the surgery was more complicated, but not nearly as difficult on him physically. This time it’s physically more demanding, but not as hard for the doctor to perform.
To me it sounds like it is tough no matter which way you slice it.

Today was Hubby’s pre-operative testing. I went along so I could whip that place into shape and let them know I wouldn’t tolerate any poor attitudes and patient abuse. Hubby patted my arm several times to assure me that everything was okay.
We got there and Hubby got a questionnaire. It’s the exact same questionnaire he answered 8 weeks ago.
“Do you have pain? Do you have trouble moving?”
No, he’s having this knee replaced so it matches the other one! Come on people, let’s ask some more intelligent questions!
“Is there anyone in your home who tries to control you?”
Well, Yeah! I mean my God, I have spent the last 18 years of our marriage trying to do that! I’m failing, but I’m still giving it a good college try!
“Is there anyone at home who hurts you?”
Do we have to tell them about Fritz and Greta jumping all over him?

Next we were on to blood draw. They needed to type and cross match his blood. They did this 8 weeks ago too. Do you suppose that this has changed in the last 8 weeks?

Next we spoke to the Anesthesiologist. Since Hubby’s last surgery had been an Anesthesia nightmare, we wanted to speak to someone beforehand so they would understand Hubby’s needs and concerns. The doctor was trying to explain how most people don’t do well being awake for their knee replacement surgeries. So the Anesthesiologist last time had simply put him out.
I explained that Hubby is not like most people. He has a high tolerance for pain, and he enjoys watching. I told him that he is different. I get a hang nail and I need morphine! Hubby doesn’t feel pain like the rest of us. I even told him how Hubby had watch my Carpal Tunnel surgeries. Yes, both of them. I still can’t believe he did, but like I have said, Hubby is different.
We left feeling that all would be done as Hubby wishes. An epidural will be used, but no other anesthesia. So he will be conscious and able to talk and observe. I’ll have to remind him to zip his lips during the operation and not talk apples to his surgeon. Let the man work, I say!

To end our pre-operative experience we were required to go to patient registration. They asked Hubby’s name…and then the lady said, “and Maribeth is your wife?” If I had been thinking faster I would have said something like, “You’re married?” to Hubby, just to see the woman’s reaction! I love doing stuff like that, but I wasn’t thinking so I missed the opportunity. Next time!

So, Hubby is all set for the next operation. He goes in first thing on Wednesday morning. I’m not nearly as worried this time as I was the last. Still, I’ll be glad when it is over and we are home again.