Well, as expected RECOVERY ,the side trip on the Journey has been a bit trying. But wonderful at the same time. I have not had as much to complain about, and have been too busy taking the apparently necessary baby steps to get it back together. ( More about that later). Damn! It is incredibly lucky that I am a woman that LOVES challenge.
So for tonight, I will just leave you with a quote I saw somewhere online...I wish I knew where. So I am not claiming it is mine. However, I wish I could take credit for it.
" I am building a fire. And every day I train, I add more fuel. And at just the right moment, I light a match".
See what I mean????
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
I Just Have To Vent
So it is all going pretty well today... postop Day 6 (WOO!) and then I open my email. I am only glad that I did not see this on my phone while driving as it stuck a dagger through my heart.
My email from the Westin Peachtree Plaza reminding me that my " stay is just a few days away". Actually NO, it is not. Never mind that I made this reservation in NOVEMBER. Never mind that I requested vacation days in DECEMBER.
They tease me with talk of the wonderful night's sleep I would experience on their heavenly bed. The delightful options available on their menu AND the best part is they claim it will be convenient to keep my routine with the WestinWORKOUT. Yeah.OK,well. I guess I don't need to say more.
Nobody told my meniscus about these plans.
May I just say ARRRGGGHHHHH!! Ok, now I am over it. So happy to vent.
And to think in about a week or so, I just may have a post that has less to do with my knee and more to do with nursing.. Imagine that.
My email from the Westin Peachtree Plaza reminding me that my " stay is just a few days away". Actually NO, it is not. Never mind that I made this reservation in NOVEMBER. Never mind that I requested vacation days in DECEMBER.
They tease me with talk of the wonderful night's sleep I would experience on their heavenly bed. The delightful options available on their menu AND the best part is they claim it will be convenient to keep my routine with the WestinWORKOUT. Yeah.OK,well. I guess I don't need to say more.
Nobody told my meniscus about these plans.
May I just say ARRRGGGHHHHH!! Ok, now I am over it. So happy to vent.
And to think in about a week or so, I just may have a post that has less to do with my knee and more to do with nursing.. Imagine that.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
The Road : Post Op Day 5
Ok, so travel has been interrupted on "the Journey" slightly. I am not sure how to describe it other than ....did you ever trip on a sidewalk when you were in a hurry?
Yes, I think it has been a lot like that only incredibly more expensive and annoying. I will not ramble on about pain, you may or may not be familiar with my feelings about that...and anyway that is all about perception. Yes, perception. That is a great word. Cornerstone of life : Our perception of different events and experiences , and how WE CHOOSE to react to them.
So today is Post Op Day 5. Day 6 if we count cut day, LOL. Other than feeling strangely tired at random times, I think I feel quite well. I am not sure where the cursed crutches are right now. I last used them on POD #2. So that part is good. Areas that hurt prior to the big day no longer hurt. However there are some other annoying areas I have multiple questions in reference to for the Bone Man . Hope he is ready...free advice here--- if you have non-medical family members, it is probably a good idea to send them a companion that speaks medical for the postop review with the surgeon. The BabyDaddy seems only to remember "blah,blah,blah you can see her in a few minutes". And of course that " well,the pictures didn't look like the ones of MY knee surgery". Come. On. What was it ? 1999 ?
( I can tell you that he DOES NOT have that kind of recall).
So I continue on the road as I can. I am doing my leg exercises. I am doing my upper body workout...still. But I walk in to do it. And I keep doing it.
Yes, I think it has been a lot like that only incredibly more expensive and annoying. I will not ramble on about pain, you may or may not be familiar with my feelings about that...and anyway that is all about perception. Yes, perception. That is a great word. Cornerstone of life : Our perception of different events and experiences , and how WE CHOOSE to react to them.
So today is Post Op Day 5. Day 6 if we count cut day, LOL. Other than feeling strangely tired at random times, I think I feel quite well. I am not sure where the cursed crutches are right now. I last used them on POD #2. So that part is good. Areas that hurt prior to the big day no longer hurt. However there are some other annoying areas I have multiple questions in reference to for the Bone Man . Hope he is ready...free advice here--- if you have non-medical family members, it is probably a good idea to send them a companion that speaks medical for the postop review with the surgeon. The BabyDaddy seems only to remember "blah,blah,blah you can see her in a few minutes". And of course that " well,the pictures didn't look like the ones of MY knee surgery". Come. On. What was it ? 1999 ?
( I can tell you that he DOES NOT have that kind of recall).
So I continue on the road as I can. I am doing my leg exercises. I am doing my upper body workout...still. But I walk in to do it. And I keep doing it.
Friday, June 17, 2011
The Meniscus Chronicles : A Game Recap With Play by Play Action
------I will begin by inserting this disclaimer, requested by my children who feel "drunk texting" or in this case "vicodin blogging" are activities best contained in Ke$ha songs and not their Mom's blog. That having been said...let's continue.
Well , I am still at home but yesterday was THE DAY. Yes JLa's Big Adventure. Hopefully I am far enough into the medication cycle that I write this in the usual degree of high quality blogging you are used to. See...I still have my sense of humor.
So let me recreate my big day as best I can. Interesting I can use the trail of time stamps from Twitter, Facebook and text messages to assist me. What a trail we leave....
0238 Really? The alarm is set for 0530. I am not surprised,but this is a day I have greatly anticipated so I will not worry about the time.
0315 Let the Facebooking begin. Someone I know is up for sure. I am after all a Night Shift Nurse.
0415 Wow it is still a while until the alarm.
0545 Time to hit the shower and get dressed.
0645 The BabyDaddy has taken me to Bill Miller Barbeque. Seems we must feed the youngest whom I will call "Young Buck". This damn drive-through is not particularly thrilling if you are currently under an NPO status (nothing by mouth for you non-nurses).
0725 After dropping off Young Buck two hours early for his college summer class ,we arrive at the surgery center. I am beginning to get nervous about being late for my 0730 arrival ,I absolutely HATE to be late you see.
0728 So we park and I hobble with my fifth and sixth extremities to sub-level 100. Thank God I am not late. I really am weird about that and as you may already know,so many things.I sign the clipboard and sit down.
0815 Still sitting. Seems there are a number of us here for maintenance.
0825 Very nice lady has me check my name and date of birth many,many times. The pop quiz begins with what are you here for?Which side? Which surgeon? Initial your answers. Really. Do I look like I just wandered in here for fun?
0830 Follow me to that door, I am taking you back....I Love Her. The words I have waited to hear.
0845 Now the new occupant of Pre-op Bed 7 begins the final checklist. After donning the obligate gown and ugly socks , I enjoy the warm blanket. How many of those have I given out myself? Countless, and it really is quite pleasant. Nurse #1 begins the pop quiz about medical problems, medications, when did I drink,when did I eat, allergies and the like. Have I gotten an EKG prior to coming today? NOT RECENTLY.
0858 or so... I have an EKG. My new friend Nurse # 1 prints it,tears it off and says "wow,yours is better than mine.. it says bradycardia with a rate of 52". Without thinking I immediately answer ,"yeah, I worked hard for that $h..." she laughs and I apologize. You see you can take the nurse out of the ER, but you cannot take the ER out of the nurse. Luckily all nurses realize this. The Bone Man arrives with his own pop quiz,
feels up my knee and leaves promising he will see me again soon. Next arrives a boy who identifies himself as Dr.. let us call him Dr. Resident Whoever. He too has questions. Like" what did you do to your knee"? I laugh inappropriately . How much time do you and more importantly I have,boy? ( No, I did not say it out loud).
0900 Nurse#2 has arrived with my next new best friend , Dr. Anesthesia. The questions from 0845 begin again. The answers written by Nurse #1 are the same as these... I discuss my less than thrilled opinion of intubation which it seems she shares for herself as well. She says we could use instead an LMA. I now LOVE HER TOO. During the the pop quiz one of my answers caused Dr.A to ask for an accucheck. I warned them that while I required no meds anymore due to my long history of positive actions and good choices, it very well might be up as the previous day I had experienced a brief episode of What the Hell.... which to me the big confession was a big piece of French bread with dinner and two sugar cookies. But it felt good getting that off my chest, LOL.
0910 They hand Dr.A a post it note, she looks at me and says "some binge...97 ? You are legit,huh?" (normal to those of you that do not habla accuchecks). Ancef IV is started after Reglan and Pepcid and Versed IV are pushed. Then they say, "Oh wait ,just a few more questions and where is your family?" I say hurry with the questions, LOL.... I did manage to answer,maybe a little slower than usual. And the BabyDaddy arrives for a farewell kiss. At least I think that was him. Things were getting a little fuzzy by then.
0915 I arrive in the OR. I am feeling pretty relaxed after my Vitamin V by now,but wish I had worn my sunglasses. My new girlfriend Dr.A greets me with a "hello again and breath deeply from this mask". And warns me it is going to smell bad soon, but keep breathing deep. I reply in J La fashion " Sure, but there are so many damn lights on in this room I am never gonna..."
1024 I open my eyes to the music of "Anthony's Song" by Billy Joel playing. Not a special song to me particularly, but some of you that know me will understand the significance. Nurse #3 notes I am looking around and greets me. I reposition a bit ( why does it always feel like you are coming off the bed?) and must have made a face. She then asks if I am having pain, I reply " I guess so". She then returns with a syringe to fix that. Yeah, yeah nurses, she questioned me about the pain scale.Ok... well then ... Nurse#3 Way to Represent for the profession. MUCH BETTER.
1040 After spending these past 15 minutes monitoring my vital signs and EKG from my Dash 3000 over my head,it is determined that I may be graduated to the recliner zone. Nurse #3 agrees. The BabyDaddy returns at this point to give me his medical assessment of the Bone Man's post game review that included many pictures .His non-professional assessment: "Man, your tore the $#&# out of it". Thank You, Criminal Justice Major. And I then receive the bag containing my clothes. That is always a good sign. We are visited by a rep from the fine people that make Cryo-cuffs or whatever it is called now. Funny no one wants MY signature on anything .
1105 As you see very happy to be going home. They say I may not attend the gym today, I expected as much....but all in all , I think it went quite well :)
Today there are two words:
1. Versed : ( Midazolam for you non-pros) a benzodiazepine that affects the central nervous system as a depressant. It is an amnesiac that will cause the patient to not remember painful or unpleasant experiences. And to make them stop complaining about bright lights.
2. LMA :a laryngeal mask with a tube and inflatable cuff that is inserted into the pharynx. Used for airway management and anesthesia. In J La's opinion completely superior to an endotracheal tube- look that one up yourself if you are that curious.
Stay tuned readers for Phase Two :the Recovery. AKA The Side Trip off the road of the JOURNEY.
Well , I am still at home but yesterday was THE DAY. Yes JLa's Big Adventure. Hopefully I am far enough into the medication cycle that I write this in the usual degree of high quality blogging you are used to. See...I still have my sense of humor.
So let me recreate my big day as best I can. Interesting I can use the trail of time stamps from Twitter, Facebook and text messages to assist me. What a trail we leave....
0238 Really? The alarm is set for 0530. I am not surprised,but this is a day I have greatly anticipated so I will not worry about the time.
0315 Let the Facebooking begin. Someone I know is up for sure. I am after all a Night Shift Nurse.
0415 Wow it is still a while until the alarm.
0545 Time to hit the shower and get dressed.
0645 The BabyDaddy has taken me to Bill Miller Barbeque. Seems we must feed the youngest whom I will call "Young Buck". This damn drive-through is not particularly thrilling if you are currently under an NPO status (nothing by mouth for you non-nurses).
0725 After dropping off Young Buck two hours early for his college summer class ,we arrive at the surgery center. I am beginning to get nervous about being late for my 0730 arrival ,I absolutely HATE to be late you see.
0728 So we park and I hobble with my fifth and sixth extremities to sub-level 100. Thank God I am not late. I really am weird about that and as you may already know,so many things.I sign the clipboard and sit down.
0815 Still sitting. Seems there are a number of us here for maintenance.
0825 Very nice lady has me check my name and date of birth many,many times. The pop quiz begins with what are you here for?Which side? Which surgeon? Initial your answers. Really. Do I look like I just wandered in here for fun?
0830 Follow me to that door, I am taking you back....I Love Her. The words I have waited to hear.
0845 Now the new occupant of Pre-op Bed 7 begins the final checklist. After donning the obligate gown and ugly socks , I enjoy the warm blanket. How many of those have I given out myself? Countless, and it really is quite pleasant. Nurse #1 begins the pop quiz about medical problems, medications, when did I drink,when did I eat, allergies and the like. Have I gotten an EKG prior to coming today? NOT RECENTLY.
0858 or so... I have an EKG. My new friend Nurse # 1 prints it,tears it off and says "wow,yours is better than mine.. it says bradycardia with a rate of 52". Without thinking I immediately answer ,"yeah, I worked hard for that $h..." she laughs and I apologize. You see you can take the nurse out of the ER, but you cannot take the ER out of the nurse. Luckily all nurses realize this. The Bone Man arrives with his own pop quiz,
feels up my knee and leaves promising he will see me again soon. Next arrives a boy who identifies himself as Dr.. let us call him Dr. Resident Whoever. He too has questions. Like" what did you do to your knee"? I laugh inappropriately . How much time do you and more importantly I have,boy? ( No, I did not say it out loud).
0900 Nurse#2 has arrived with my next new best friend , Dr. Anesthesia. The questions from 0845 begin again. The answers written by Nurse #1 are the same as these... I discuss my less than thrilled opinion of intubation which it seems she shares for herself as well. She says we could use instead an LMA. I now LOVE HER TOO. During the the pop quiz one of my answers caused Dr.A to ask for an accucheck. I warned them that while I required no meds anymore due to my long history of positive actions and good choices, it very well might be up as the previous day I had experienced a brief episode of What the Hell.... which to me the big confession was a big piece of French bread with dinner and two sugar cookies. But it felt good getting that off my chest, LOL.
0910 They hand Dr.A a post it note, she looks at me and says "some binge...97 ? You are legit,huh?" (normal to those of you that do not habla accuchecks). Ancef IV is started after Reglan and Pepcid and Versed IV are pushed. Then they say, "Oh wait ,just a few more questions and where is your family?" I say hurry with the questions, LOL.... I did manage to answer,maybe a little slower than usual. And the BabyDaddy arrives for a farewell kiss. At least I think that was him. Things were getting a little fuzzy by then.
0915 I arrive in the OR. I am feeling pretty relaxed after my Vitamin V by now,but wish I had worn my sunglasses. My new girlfriend Dr.A greets me with a "hello again and breath deeply from this mask". And warns me it is going to smell bad soon, but keep breathing deep. I reply in J La fashion " Sure, but there are so many damn lights on in this room I am never gonna..."
1024 I open my eyes to the music of "Anthony's Song" by Billy Joel playing. Not a special song to me particularly, but some of you that know me will understand the significance. Nurse #3 notes I am looking around and greets me. I reposition a bit ( why does it always feel like you are coming off the bed?) and must have made a face. She then asks if I am having pain, I reply " I guess so". She then returns with a syringe to fix that. Yeah, yeah nurses, she questioned me about the pain scale.Ok... well then ... Nurse#3 Way to Represent for the profession. MUCH BETTER.
1040 After spending these past 15 minutes monitoring my vital signs and EKG from my Dash 3000 over my head,it is determined that I may be graduated to the recliner zone. Nurse #3 agrees. The BabyDaddy returns at this point to give me his medical assessment of the Bone Man's post game review that included many pictures .His non-professional assessment: "Man, your tore the $#&# out of it". Thank You, Criminal Justice Major. And I then receive the bag containing my clothes. That is always a good sign. We are visited by a rep from the fine people that make Cryo-cuffs or whatever it is called now. Funny no one wants MY signature on anything .
1105 As you see very happy to be going home. They say I may not attend the gym today, I expected as much....but all in all , I think it went quite well :)
Today there are two words:
1. Versed : ( Midazolam for you non-pros) a benzodiazepine that affects the central nervous system as a depressant. It is an amnesiac that will cause the patient to not remember painful or unpleasant experiences. And to make them stop complaining about bright lights.
2. LMA :a laryngeal mask with a tube and inflatable cuff that is inserted into the pharynx. Used for airway management and anesthesia. In J La's opinion completely superior to an endotracheal tube- look that one up yourself if you are that curious.
Stay tuned readers for Phase Two :the Recovery. AKA The Side Trip off the road of the JOURNEY.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
I Hope That's The Finish Line I See
Previously noted here, I do not wait well. Actually to be exact : I. Do. Not. Wait. Well.
It seems the waiting is drawing to an end. Hopefully I will soon return to my membership in the Crutchless Club.
A month is a long time to wait. A month is a long time to use crutches. A month is an eternity to not sweat once you are in the habit.
JLa's Tips to Remember:
1.Avoid injury in the early summer when EVERY sport team starts their season.
2.Avoid injury around federal holidays. These will extend weekends to three and possibly four days,thus extending challenges with appointment scheduling.
3.Possibly the MOST important : Avoid jumping jacks that end in a squat position...at least if you have achieved a certain "well seasoned" age.
Another quote:
"It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters in the end"- U LeGuin
The journey continues.....
It seems the waiting is drawing to an end. Hopefully I will soon return to my membership in the Crutchless Club.
A month is a long time to wait. A month is a long time to use crutches. A month is an eternity to not sweat once you are in the habit.
JLa's Tips to Remember:
1.Avoid injury in the early summer when EVERY sport team starts their season.
2.Avoid injury around federal holidays. These will extend weekends to three and possibly four days,thus extending challenges with appointment scheduling.
3.Possibly the MOST important : Avoid jumping jacks that end in a squat position...at least if you have achieved a certain "well seasoned" age.
Another quote:
"It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters in the end"- U LeGuin
The journey continues.....
Thursday, June 9, 2011
One of Those Mornings....
This morning I woke up and just didn't want to go. Anywhere. I had a moment where I just thought, what is the point? ( My stupid knee hurt, so that did not help matters). So I waited for about 10 minutes and tried to evaluate what would I accomplish by staying in my bed...
1. My little dog would be VERY happy.
2. ------------------still trying.....
Versus the things that could be achieved by getting up.
1. I can call this woman who has paperwork I NEED. *
2. If I get up ,I can beat the traffic.*
3. If I get up, I can do my previously discussed "PRE-hab"*.
4. I will be doing better, quicker if I get my...well get up and do number 3.*
5. I thought of all the other mornings when it took me at least a few minutes to get it together in the morning. *
6. I can meet my friend who is coming a long way ,and I know she will get up and come.*
7. What am I a quitter??? * Ok,that is all it took.
So I got up.
And it was OK.
So, if there IS a moral to the story, maybe to me it is:
Everyone has a time they just don't feel like it. The true test is when no one is watching, or telling you what to do. Because it is for and about you .
So....you decide. I did.
1. My little dog would be VERY happy.
2. ------------------still trying.....
Versus the things that could be achieved by getting up.
1. I can call this woman who has paperwork I NEED. *
2. If I get up ,I can beat the traffic.*
3. If I get up, I can do my previously discussed "PRE-hab"*.
4. I will be doing better, quicker if I get my...well get up and do number 3.*
5. I thought of all the other mornings when it took me at least a few minutes to get it together in the morning. *
6. I can meet my friend who is coming a long way ,and I know she will get up and come.*
7. What am I a quitter??? * Ok,that is all it took.
So I got up.
And it was OK.
So, if there IS a moral to the story, maybe to me it is:
Everyone has a time they just don't feel like it. The true test is when no one is watching, or telling you what to do. Because it is for and about you .
So....you decide. I did.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Today....
Another good day that started early. Completed my "PRE-hab",which I have defined as "the punishment,before the punishment for an injury". But grateful in every way to be doing it.
Have so enjoyed reading all of your many emails,messages,texts etc. You guys are AWESOME !
So I am simply : Embracing Today :)
Have so enjoyed reading all of your many emails,messages,texts etc. You guys are AWESOME !
So I am simply : Embracing Today :)
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Its All In How You Look At It
Today is a pretty good day. Sure I am still waiting ...and waiting. Still using my 5th and 6th extremities (crutches), but I am doing what I can do. Not what I wish I was doing, but nobody ever said the path would be linear. Throughout my life I have often been waiting, for payday,for a trip,for whatever...waiting for "the good part". Pretty scary to think that this could be the good part.
So, I will try to just enjoy every day for what it is. Not going to dwell on limitations and restrictions ,but be grateful for all I am doing. As one of my favorite people says, " its MY 100%". So whatever that is today,that's what I am giving. And then tomorrow ,we RE-calculate .Again :)
So, I will try to just enjoy every day for what it is. Not going to dwell on limitations and restrictions ,but be grateful for all I am doing. As one of my favorite people says, " its MY 100%". So whatever that is today,that's what I am giving. And then tomorrow ,we RE-calculate .Again :)
Monday, June 6, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
A Quote From Lance (the one in Austin, not the BabyDaddy )
Some of you may know that Lance Armstrong and I competed in the same event a few months ago. Noooo, I never saw him, and I believe he finished the Half in about the time it took me to mess up my ankle and sit by the Wells Fargo Bank waiting on my ride....but that doesn't matter really. Did I mention we competed in the same event ? :) Consider this quote from him :
"Pain is temporary. It may last a minute,or an hour or a day or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place.If I quit ,however it lasts forever. That surrender,even the smallest act of giving up, stays with me. So when I feel like quitting, I ask myself,which would I rather live with?" - Lance Armstrong
Heard part of it before , found the whole quote tonight. Something to think about, don't you think ?
LOVE, LOVE IT !
"Pain is temporary. It may last a minute,or an hour or a day or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place.If I quit ,however it lasts forever. That surrender,even the smallest act of giving up, stays with me. So when I feel like quitting, I ask myself,which would I rather live with?" - Lance Armstrong
Heard part of it before , found the whole quote tonight. Something to think about, don't you think ?
LOVE, LOVE IT !
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Its A New Month !
You know May started out really good. Yeah,yeah full of transitions,but good. And stayed good for a while. And then....well, we don't need to go over all that again right now. We can just say that some of it has been like a rollercoaster. As some of you already know I can be a little emotional at times. Ok,let me insert a space to let you laugh for a moment. [ ] Alright now that you can read again, lets continue.
I think I am getting regrouped so to speak. I have felt so incredibly sad ,just doesn't make sense. I have found that I am actually a lover of routine, stability and momentum. I never had momentum in anything I tried to do in the past. So I guess I have had a real fear of losing "IT". I have a feeling I am not the only one who has experienced that.
I think my improved outlook is directly related to swimming, a return to my journey and goals. Feeling as though I really do continue to make progress. Regardless of the "bumps" along the way.
Who would think some chlorine could do so much ???
Time for a word : Momentum
Defined as a driving power or strength.
I seriously love these definitions. And in case you wondered , I still have it, I am not going ANYWHERE but forward !
I think I am getting regrouped so to speak. I have felt so incredibly sad ,just doesn't make sense. I have found that I am actually a lover of routine, stability and momentum. I never had momentum in anything I tried to do in the past. So I guess I have had a real fear of losing "IT". I have a feeling I am not the only one who has experienced that.
I think my improved outlook is directly related to swimming, a return to my journey and goals. Feeling as though I really do continue to make progress. Regardless of the "bumps" along the way.
Who would think some chlorine could do so much ???
Time for a word : Momentum
Defined as a driving power or strength.
I seriously love these definitions. And in case you wondered , I still have it, I am not going ANYWHERE but forward !
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