Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Oct. 27, 2010 9 days after surgery

I heard the phone ringing at 9 and heard my friend, Pat, on the other end.  She wanted to stop by to see me and bring over some treats before she left town to visit her mom. 

I decided not to take any pain pills today during the day.  One of my sellers called and wanted to meet with me this afternoon at 3:30.  I told her she would have to come to my house since I couldn't drive which she agreed to do.  After lunch I took an Ibuprofen, washed my hair, put makeup on and got ready for my appointment.

I sat at my office chair and talked with her for 1 1/2 hours when my feet started to throb.  I am now laying on my bed with them propped on 3 pillows.  I think not taking pain pills is for the birds and will start up again tonight and use sparingly tomorrow. 

This will be a slow healing process I am afraid.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Monday one week after surgery

I got a call from one of my clients.  They wanted to see a house in St. Paul.  I said I would show it to them but I couldn't drive.  They said they would pick me up at my house and drive me there so we did it.  They liked it and are thinking about it.

We left at noon and didn't get back until 2 p.m.  I knew I overdid it. I ate lunch, did followup work on the showing, and watched TV the rest of the afternoon with my feet up trying to make them feel better.  My sister, Doris, stopped by after 5 to bring me a book to read, then some friends dropped by and brought dinner for us.

My feet have been hurting all evening.  I laid in bed and watched Dancing With The Stars and then returned email until 10.  It is now 10:45.  I took a pain pill and am ready for bed.  Tomorrow I will stay off my feet as much as I can.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Saturday

Another lazy day. I need my crutches to walk around the house.  I took my last Vicodin and ordered one more prescription for next week.  I am supposed to alternate Vicodin and Ibuprofen.  It is hard to remember when to take what so I have been setting the alarm on my phone for every 3 hours to either take the pain pill or Ibuprofen.

After the Nebraska game, Eric and Ella Lorenz brought over beef enchiladas and pumpkin sugar cookies that Ella made.  Then I watched a movie then off to bed.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Day 5 Friday

My Dr. appointment was at 10:45 this morning.  X-rays were taken on both feet then my surgery bandages were removed and the doctor looked at the x-rays and my stiches and said everything was looking good so far.  He re-wrapped my feet with new bandages which felt so much better as the other ones were too tight and hurt.   My next appointment is Monday Nov. 1st when they will take out the stiches.

I am still to take my pain pills spaced a little further apart and take ibuprofen in between.  When resting my feet and to keep the swelling down they are supposed to be above my heart. 

When we got home we ate lunch and then I went back to bed and slept until 4:15 p.m.  I can't believe going to the doctors office would tire me out so much, but it did.   

My friend, Pat, called me to tell me about her mom having a seizure and emergency surgery the same day I had my surgery.  She is doing really well. 

For dinner, Dana brought over pork chops with rice and mixed vegetables.  It was really good.  We are so thankful for our church friends and other friends who have stopped by, called, emailed, and brought food this first week.  The next two weeks will be hard on us because I will still be walking with crutches.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Day 3

Made it through the night setting my phone alarm every 4 hours for my pain pill.  I thought I heard the phone and waited for my husband to get it, but it kept ringing.  I finally answered and it was my husband.  He wanted to know if I wanted anything for lunch.  It was already 12:30 p.m.  I slept all morning and noticed my feet were aching a little bit more.  I went a little longer than 4 hours and was beginning to feel it.  I immediately ate a graham cracker and took my pain med.

Norm brought me a hamburger from Runza and went to pick up the dog from the groomers.  Oscar looked really cute with his Halloween scarf.  That lasted about an hour then it was off.  Norm went back to work and I was on my own again.  I had him unlock the front door in case someone came to visit.  I'm glad he did.

Pastor Randy called to see if he could come over to visit.  He said a prayer over me before he left.  Then my friend Vicki stopped by on her way home from her walk.  She is a good friend and I always enjoy her company.  Then one of my high school classmates, Pat called to see if she could bring lunch for me on Thursday.  Of course, of course.  I am always ready to eat and visit with friends.  I called one of my friends, Rhonda, to see how her surgery went on her tailbone.  She had her surgery in Omaha also on Monday so I wanted to hear how she was doing.

Walking with my crutches to the bathroom went a little better today.  I wasn't so wobbly.  The Surgery center called to see how I was doing, to make sure I understood to stay off of my feet.  That wasn't too hard today to do.  I was tired.  I streamed another movie this afternoon and tried to watch another one but fell asleep.

Cheryl and Mark brought over lasagna and bread sticks tonight for dinner.  That was really good.  I'll have to get her recipe.  Went back to bed after dinner a took a small nap, woke up about 9 and watched a TV show with Norm then got ready for bed.  Wanted to blog tonight.  I want to remember who visits and brings things.  I want to write thank you notes to my friends who have been helping us.  They are greatly appreciated.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Day 2

Oct. 19th, 2010. 
Norm got up at 6:30 as usual, went through his usual routine and then came to check on me.  He was going to work today and I was on my own until Kathie came to get me at 10 a.m. to take me to the Doctor's office for an xray of my right foot.

She came a little earlier so we would have enough time to make the appointment.  She had baked a banana nut bread and brought it for us.  When sitting in the wheelchair waiting for my appointment I tried to navigate it around the chairs in the waiting room.  It takes a great deal of practice to maneuver a wheel chair.  I have a new appreciation for people who must use one everyday of their life.  I think that all doctors and nurses should sit in one and try to get around to build empathy for their patients.

As luck would have it Dr. Bandel didn't think I did anything to harm my foot but they would take another xray on Friday to see if it was still in place.

After the appointment we came back to my house, shared a slice of nut bread and Kathie was one her way. Thank you Kathie, you are a good friend.

The morning tired me out so I feel asleep in my bed and the next thing I heard was the doorbell at about 1:30.  It was Jan with a cup of Jaimacamecrazy flavored coffee for me.  I enjoyed that very much.  She stayed for a little while then went to the church to type the Sunday bulletin.

I watched two more movies in the afternoon waiting for my hubby to come home.   Oscar spent the whole afternoon in bed with me.  I think he is worried about me and won't leave my side for very long.

I decided to take a shower tonight.  You aren't supposed to get your bandages wet so I wrapped my feet with my plastic special shoes on in tall kitchen garbage bags and used duct tape to seal it.  It didn't work that well.  I'll have to figure out something else.

Set my alarm for my next dosage of pain med and then off to bed.

Monday, October 18, 2010

First day after surgery

We had to be at the surgery center at 6 a.m.   The pre-opt room was a flurry of nurses, doctors, anesthetists, scurrying around taking blood pressures, temperatures and a myriad of other tasks to make sure all the details were taken care of for each out-patient.

It seems like after the IV I went to sleep and woke up after the surgery.  It was hard getting into the SUV but I made it home and to the bed.  The pain injection started to wear off about 11 a.m. so I have been taking pain pills every 4 hours since then.  My husband has been pretty good to me today.  Also, I have had phone calls, texts, emails and a couple drop bys.  My pastor's wife, Jan, brought food for dinner tonight.  I was really hungry and it tasted so good.

I have been icing my feet on and off all day.  Once when getting up to walk I heard my foot make a "pop" noise, like I was cracking my knuckles, or popping a bubble wrap bubble.  I called the doctor's office and I now have an appointment tomorrow morning to have x-rays to make sure everything is still okay.  My friend, Kathy, is taking me to the doctor's office, since Norm has to work.  It is great to have good friends to help when you need it.

Today was a long day.  I am not used to laying in bed all day.  I watched two movies, Dancing with the Stars and returned emails. Tomorrow will be a longer day since the pain medicine will wear off in my feet.  Not looking forward to that.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Tomorrow is the day for my foot surgery

Here is a photo of my feet before bunion surgery.

I am re-reading my instruction sheet for pre-operative surgery.  It says, "The night before surgery, in BOLD letters:  DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING AFTER MIDNIGHT.  NOT EVEN WATER."

Tomorrow I will have both my feet operated on for bunions.  Probably a stupid thing to do, but since I am self-employed and the designated broker of my real estate company I can't be gone for too long and both feet need it.  So I'm going for it.  My husband thinks I am crazy.  Of course, he will need to wait on me and he hates that kind of thing.  Oh, I forgot to buy a bell.  I'll have to keep my phone charged.

My mom has bunions on her feet and never had them taken care of.  Her shoes do not fit properly and she has trouble walking, not mention the deformity of her toes.

My feet started to hurt last year and have gotten worse.  It is time.  I will try to post photos as the healing takes place.  I will post my thoughts during this process.  I have asked several people who have had this done and there experiences.   One lady said I will hate everyone and everything for about 3 weeks.

I know it will hurt.  Am I prepared?  Although I think I am, I am not prepared for the type of pain which is different from a muscle ache that will go away with an aspirin.

I have friends praying for me and for Dr. Larsen, and also for my husband.  I have spent most of the day today getting my bedroom ready with "stuff" I think I will need to spend my time on while healing.

We have to be at the surgery center a 6 a.m. Monday.  I am still wondering how they're going to get me in the SUV after the surgery.