They really cleaned up her ankle and took all the spurs, growths, etc. off, and are very proud of the "Perfect" alignment and precision of the replacement. The inside ankle bone did crack under the pressure of moving the foot after so long during surgery, so they had to put some extra hardware in there to stabilize it - they actually wanted to strengthen that bone anyway due to it having been not in shape to hold in long run (I don't mean run).She is still on the lower leg block and out of pain. The PA said his main concern now isn't the draining, but pain management after this block wears off. She still cannot feel or move anything below the knee. Thank goodness for that! 6 1/2 hours in surgery, but she looks great and is feeling good, for now.
- two weeks wrapped up in bed
- four weeks in a cast no weight bearing
- two weeks in air cast no weight bearing
- then begins very gradually putting weight on the foot and very slow movement/therapy
- about a month after that, then begins the constant therapy on it...
It sounds like everything went very well and the surgeon(s) are happy. That ankle looks solid!
ReplyDeleteRehab is a long haul, but it will be worth every minute in the end!
well, about 4pm today, the 9th, the block ended... at 6pm it was tearful the pain she had, and they shot her up with something more than the normal heavy drip pain meds... it's after 7pm now... and she is comfortable, and in better spirits. They continue to watch her carefully. The patient service representative came in today and said that this hospital, and her doctor do not want her in any pain, and if she becomes in pain and it is not addressed right away to call him ASAP because it will impeed her healing. They knew this pain was coming and are on it big time now. They have not changed the huge dressing on the ankle and it is pretty much soaked threw and threw but will leave it until tomorrow. She is as comfortable as she can get for now. It will be a long night, she is a trooper for sure. Dr. SG will talk more with us tomorrow. We had a troop of doctors and therapist here today in and out. All pulling for her success and well being. The provided crutches, and a wheelchair to go home with and use throughout the recovery. The doctor said NO WALKER!!! too dangerous and tempting to place that foot on the ground, so after two months they will provide one for her to start that tender walk start. You all know how that is! Gosh, I wish I could take the pain away! but soon.... soon.
ReplyDeleteBTW... this is the French Replacement.... By Tanier called the Salto Talas I believe. A very strong, lighter weight, excellent version for someone Polly's age.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad they are dealing with the pain. Mom went through the same thing with her first knee and she toughed it out the first night. Her doctor was *not* happy about that and told her he didn't care if it was 3am, if she was in pain, she should tell the nurse to call him.
ReplyDeleteThe big difference with knees and ankles is putting weight on the new joint. We weren't allowed to put full weight on for a few weeks, but they had us up and walking on the 4th day.
I hated the walker, never did get comfortable with it, much preferred crutches, even though they were hard on my hands/arms.
I hope Miss P can be patient with the healing process. It is so frustrating, you want to walk and get on with things, but it is so important to wait and let everything heal properly.
The Salto Talaris is the joint I linked to in P's blog. Funny you mention it is French, I'm listening to Edith Piaf, lol!
oui, oui.... It was the system we were hoping for!
ReplyDeleteI'm not in the best mood right now, Polly has been up with pain all night. The drip she is using to push every 8 minutes... works then doesn't work!! now, even if myself or Logan has counted the minutes and waited and told her when she could push the button for more if she was dreamy to keep her from pain as they instructed.... it has worked on and off.... We've had to have nurses since my last post keep checking this thing out.... I told them to throw the thing out and get a new one if they could! the drip is Hydromorphone which they say is the strongest available of anything... and they have come in and given her a shot in the IV thing to give her an additional 4 hours of non pain.... but,,, the last two they gave her,,,, didn't change the pain at all.... she cries and weeps in pain. They continue to keep her on oxygen and watch/monitor her every hour... they are still worried about respritory failure, one of the things I've omitted talking about.. If she continues in pain as it is now.... I'll loose my very little brain... We are very aware and know as the nurses tell us, they simply cannot give her anything more without her going into resp failure.. We all know it was an extensive operation.... CAN WE GET SOME PAIN MEDS FOLKS???? She is letting it out and having a good cry... thank goodness... this too shall pass....
BUT WHEN!!!! i'm only half kidding... no haha tonight.... So good morning... hope it is a better day....
Sorry to bore you... but it's the only way I can keep track of things right now.... and release some anxiety!!! PAIN MED'S ANYONE???? My eyes are bugging out of my head.... bulbous things like goldfish.... hmmmmmmm
Yeah, I had that too. The drip was actually working fine, but short of knocking me out, there was only so much the morphine was going to do to control the pain. The first three days were just horrible, I bet I didn't get more than two hours sleep. Once they took me off the spinal drip and got me on Percoset, I was much better. Of course, that was the fourth day, and possibly the pain wasn't as bad by then, or I had just gotten used to it, who knows. I'm sorry to say she's probably just going to have to tough it out the first few days. It sucks bigtime.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry about talking it out here, that's what the blog is for! We're all anxious to keep up on how she is doing. She's lucky to have YOU there!
well, when the main Anesthesiologist came by today, asking how long the block lasted and how bad the "NOW" pain was, I told him what a tough night it was and how we almost called for him to do another block. He said,,, call me any time, if this isn't working, we'll get to what will. That it was normal for 1-10 with a 10+ for first few days.... and it will subside as the swelling does etc. We know that... and he smiled and said, just hang in there. Then Dr. SG came by in scrubs letting us know he was doing surgery all day downstairs and will run up at any time for Polly.. If by now 4:00 things were still as bad as last night he'll jump into action, but she is resting more between shots, drip etc. or like you said.... she is tollerating it more.. they have her wiggling her toes now and again... Also, the nurses weren't putting the ice packs on when they should have been.... both doctors went to station and inquired why they stopped that and boy the nurses came running with ice after that! I'm planning on sleeping tonite... maybe... someone has to pump that painmed clicker every 10 minutes... or else@!!! Coffee is my new friend... I may start chewing beans.... She felt nautious a few times today and got it out... but ate lightly.
ReplyDeleteShe wasn't the normal case, but it's done!!!
Tra-Lah..... walking days ahead...
Stay on top of the nurses station. I gave them what for when mom had her car accident and they were good after that. If someone isn't watching them, things slide.
ReplyDeleteGive Polly a hug for all of us. She's tough, she'll get through this and in a few months she'll look back and say if she had to do it all again, knowing what she was in store for, she would do it anyway.
Try to get some sleep! xoxoxox
My, My, we got some rest last night. The dang dripper screwed up again though, I wonder if the nurses mess up or if it's the machine... they changed the battery yesterday, and then polly hadn't got her helper shot the regular every 4 hours, and we called for them this morning at about 6am, she fixed the dripper, and Polly wanted to hold off about 1/2 hour to see if she could lengthen the time from 4 to more hours... Nurse, "i'll be back in 15 minutes"
ReplyDeleteI had her up to pee at 5, so we just dosed off until she came back. 7am, PAIN, so we call for the RN with the needle. finally 7:15 and me saying.... (you can imagine, something about Ceasar Cruz telling me this was a PAIN FREE FACILITY) anyway, come to find out that the nurse shut the pain dripper off by mistake at 6am, and on top of that the needle didn't come at 6:30 as agreed.... anyway. All is well, and she is resting perfectly now. You'll love this Wabbit, I've moved on from just coffee.... what was I thinking?? I'm on the vanilla latte grande stuff from the cafeteria... OH MY,,, it is a treat since they don't have beans... My mood is improved greatly, the doctors said today they will try to see if she can come off the drip and get a Pill form working... and if her pain is managable that they agree with, and they find a drug that works to make her comfortable, we're on our way to getting out of here. Sleeping on the cot is fine, I'm right here for dragging the port-a-potty, wash up, etc when she is ready, Bam,,, it's done, not waiting for the nurses who are chatting up the hall. Actually they are very good and especially nice, we have one who is our favorite, she brought frozen yogurt on our tuff night with tears in her own eyes for Polly's pain (how unusual). She is the wise Owl "Big Mama" around here, and is retiring in two weeks. Thank goodness we were on her watch 1 night and had her check in time to time as well when she was in the hospital. I'd tell you alot more, but the little queenee won't allow much said here. Am I breaking that rule?? oooppppssssseEEEE !
I should have mentioned something else - if they say the nurse can give you pain meds every 4 hours, you still have to ask for it, they won't bring it to you automatically. Some kind of rule about that, I think. Always ask early, because they never get them to you sooner than 15 minutes.
ReplyDeleteSounds like there has been some small improvement anyway, which is good to hear. Big hugs to Polly! And to you!!
Hey, this is the place to spill the beans, nobody but you, me and Queenee ever read this blog anymore!
OMG... I'm home.... and Polly is at her "home" in Key West... just hung up with her... reminded her to take her temp... etc. you know what I mean... they wanted her to stay another day to monitor the pain... but she was a wild caged animal demanding to leave... so... the nurses after trying to explain that tonite must go well, on the pills prescribed, and her saying I'm fine... I can handle the pain... they finally said, we can't argue with you... if you think you can leave and be fine, then we must sign you out. Tra Lah... They were very suprised she wanted to leave the safety of the hospital... That's our Polly,,, worring about the expense and such and wanting the comfort of her own bed. So... Got her home, all set up... she is at ease, and her roommate is overseeing her tonite. The drive home was rain, and pain... but it's over and she is resting, feeling relaxed which helps with the pain, and has two girlfriends at her side distracting her. All good. Bo works till 4am or so, so the girls will get her adjusted. and also they know that she is still "loopey" so to speak. They did give her one last Blood Clot shot in her stomach today... and were amazed that her stomach was not solid black due to all the shots she got there... just little bruises... good sign... her toes are not swollen, and pink... another good sign... they did not remove or change the wrap they have on her... which is about three inches thick... the two doctors concured that they have it in such a perfect setting, they WILL NOT risk changing it.. and since no fever or infection risk... better to leave it be! also good news.. they said they kind of hard casted the two sides, anyway and will be excited on Dec 22 to see the follow-up. Until then, we do the usual that you and Nan know... watch for infection, fever, blah blah, normal stuff. the Pain should subside and next week they feel that she will be on a normal pain pill during the day with the hard core stuff for night... again.... usual stuff... so when she see's them on the 22nd, she should be completely off pain meds, for the next month until PT, when she starts giving it a move or two... slowly of course..
ReplyDeleteSo with all that said,,, Thank God that I had Logan with me... my saving grace... and he said the same of me... If you can imagine being in a SAW movie... or a Freddie Cooger or whatever... we were there.... FOR SURE!!! Those drugs had her twisting her head around many times... I've been called it all... same with him... but you know what?? we didn't argue... much.... Shame on us for the little bit of What the Hells we gave. but, all and all.... it's done.... and progress will come. I doubt I'd have had the courage, but if I had the last 6 years of what she has had, I guess I'd do it. You both know that you'd sell your soul for pain relief at any given time... Hopefully she'll have it come the next 8 years or so.... Oh My... what a week
I checked out two days early also. Bored to tears and I didn't need to be in the hospital for PT that I was able to do on my own. Surgeon wasn't thrilled, but let me go, and I was much happier at home. I'm sure Polly will be too, it's much better than being in the hospital. Besides, hospitals are full of sick people!
ReplyDeleteSo now maybe you can get a decent night's sleep! Love to all!!
I slept so soundly! She is sooooo happy to be at home, the healing begins.
ReplyDeleteSaw Polly after work tonight... She is doing fabulous! Looks great, and the soft/wrap/semi/cast is seeming 'loose"... which concerns me... hmmmmmm..... I asked her to call her doctor tomorrow and tell him that she has about 3/4 inch clearance on it inside! She said the hospital called and the nurses asked how she was doing.... if all was well... and if her doctor has called her to follow up or does she have any questions.... He hasn't... she has run out of her pain RX but has some from before surgery which she uses now... Hopefully she will get to aspirin during the day and that at night so she won't have to re-script the other powerful pain pills.... she looks wonderful and seems handling it all great. She has TV for the first time and is enjoying it... she and her roommates got it for her "down' time... they are entranced with it!!! Her room mate hasn't had TV in 5 years!!! She is giggling over all the info-mercials! AND, taking super-great care of our Polly.... Anna is very special for sure. Her family is in Montana and far away, she is really a beautiful woman and working hard at Margaritaville while Polly is out... She is a blessing... Everyone send her love and light for all her efforts keeping Polly happy at home in Key West.
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