Thankfully, Freddy did not make it into my dreams last night. Although exhausted, it still took me three hours to trust myself to fall asleep. I also switched from Vicodin to Tylenol 3 last night…maybe I’ll ask the doctor to switch my meds. Hmmmm.
I am typing this while sitting in the exam room getting pin care. Daily pin care along with changing struts is an integral part of this frame. My leg usually stings/burns/jumps after pin care, but hey, that means the pins are clean.
I must admit, I feel I have the best doctor and support staff to help me through this ordeal. Doctor Ogawa and the orthopedic technicians at Kaiser-Harbor City have been THEE BEST!!!! As I was in a cast for six weeks prior to surgery, the orthopedic department has become a home away from home, and it nice to walk into friendly faces. We have now moved from pin care to changing out one of my struts on the frame. This process can be a little uncomfortable that is why I am continuing to blog as they are working on me. (It’s amazing what kind of coping mechanisms you develop.)
Dr. Ogawa and team mate have finished changing out strut #3. I have to go over some numbers with him on my recipe…I’ll be back.
* * * * * * * *
Several hours later, after discussing the recipe with my doctor, going to the bank, going to the post office, having an early dinner with mom, and riding with mom to Anaheim, I am now at home resuming my blog. Where was I? Oh yes, the recipe.
The “recipe,” otherwise known as “the precious” is the guideline used to rotate the various struts, which, in turn, will lengthen my leg and re-align my foot. I have six struts which are numbered and color-coded. I (my home-health nurse) rotates up to four different struts daily. Again, this is all based on “the precious.”
One other interesting fact about the recipe is that it is computer generated. Depending on where ones leg (arm, elbow, etc.) is, and where your doctor wants it to go, the doctor plugs in numbers which generates possible outcomes, eventually developing a recipe. As my doctor has stated, sometimes things are over/under corrected and then they have to re-run the numbers. (I’ve experienced re-running of numbers once already.)
Today was long. My doctor’s appointments run pretty long because they begin with x-rays, we move to pin care, and then the meet and greet with the doctor. I am thankful that the staff has been very patient with me – I was emotional rollercoaster for several weeks (and I am going back to pre-surgery!). It seemed like during several back-to-back visits, all I received was bad news about my leg, my bones, and the surgical procedure. I was a HOT mess! It’s amazing what taking life in 24-hour segments can do for you. Today’s 24 wasn’t bad, let’s see how tomorrow’s 24 will match up. *smiles*
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