Oh this isn't going to work i couldn't get from one end of the kitchen to the other without putting my foot down and i didn't even attempt stairs. I kept reading other people blogs and practice was the common thread and also non-weight bearing for 6 weeks! I googled how to use crutches safely watched videos learnt the phrase.. good leg goes to heaven bad leg goes to hell.
I started to question how this was going to work as i couldn't do it pre-op so i had buckleys of getting it right after surgery, i was likely to end up with a broken ankle as well.
So as you learn everyone's experience and instructions post op are very different, luckily for me i confirmed pre-op that i could be weight bearing with crutches for 6 weeks post op...WOooHOoo happy dance, I could do that!!
So my booking to the hospital was complete, I was contacted by the anaesthetist's nurse to answer some health questions and a few weeks later we were driving 2 hours from home to the hospital.
I had one thing i wanted to complete prior to that trip to hospital and there is nothing more satisfying than saying I did it. I had entered a 35klm Charity walk from the beautiful Byron Bay to Ballina in NSW to help raise funds and awareness for the Westpac rescue helicopter. So 5 weeks before surgery I strapped my knee up, took some pre-emptive panadol and set of with a fabulous group of people that encouraged me to continue to reach the very end. Amazing that you can have such a 'dodgy' knee but determination is so powerful. I credit my determination and strength to the gym which i have been training at Ultimate Strength and Conditioning. I have done that walk twice before but this one meant alot and 51/2 hours later we all got to the finish line and it was awesome!
It felt like i was about ready to have a baby the week before surgery, what i mean is when i was due to have my babies i nested, i threw things out, i cleaned, i washed, cooked meals to go in the freezer and made lists. 'Stuff' that absolutely had to be done, in hindsight it was me just keeping busy so i didn't have to think about it.
As we parked the car on the day of surgery it is hard to imagine the last time you will be able to walk for 6 weeks,is the steps that you take into the very hospital you will have surgery in. A cute little hospital buggy pulled up and asked if we wanted a ride up the hill, my husband said ' nah mate its ok its the last time she gets to walk without crutches for 6 weeks, she'll enjoy the hill' haha he thought he was hilarious, I didnt want to walk up the bloody hill i was happy to hop right into the hospital buggy, ahh well.
All checked into the hospital, my armband and legband is correct and a nurse calls my name. I'm up my turn to go, no turning back. Some goodbyes to my husband and niece and away I went into the land of sterility. As i changed into not so fancy hospital underwear and put a oversized paperish gown on, you feel very exposed without being exposed, no bra, no makeup no family with you and they took my belongings to be sent up to my room, WHAT ABOUT MY PHONE!! no access to the world how would i cope for 2 hours in a waiting room with people that looked as fashionable as me. Chatting with a lovely elderly lady sitting beside, I say thank you to her she was great value.
Questions on repeat, name, date of birth and surgery you are having, this was real. A quick hello from my surgeon and my anaesthetist asked if i have any further questions...Bam light's out and i wake saying 'Why dont I have a brace on?!' oh that poor recovery nurse, this nurse woke from her anaesthetic tired, cranky and in pain...oops! He thought he would keep me quiet with a lemonade icypole, he was wrong, I didnt sleep well last night did i mention that. Sorry Mr recovery nurse but I was disappointed that you didnt know more than just 'she had knee surgery' it was more than that it was a MPFL repair.....anyway clearly i needed rest and food and pain relief.
That's it.... surgery complete, easy right, sure, kind of, nope not at all..... night one i will never forget it was very very unpleasant.
Liss xx
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