31 July, 2007
Pain Killer Free!
Two small incisions on top. It is so swollen you can barely see my kneecap.
The long slice up the side of my knee. My knee cap it at the top of that picture.
Well it has been a week since surgery tomorrow and I am feel MUCH better. I have almost gone 24 hours without pain killers and yesterday I only took 2 the whole day. I am proud, I wanted off those things ASAP. They were making me feel so fuzzy and sick. I got really sick in the middle of the day yesterday again, and I blame the pain killers so I decided I was getting off those ASAP. So I have just been taking 2 Tylenols every time the pain gets bad and that usually at least takes the edge off and I am fine.
I went to the doctor yesterday. They took my stitches out. Two of the incisions felt fine coming out, almost like pulling out an annoying splinter. And then came the long incisions....holy crap! It felt like they were pulling my brain through my knee...whoa! Then the doctor said I need to work from home all week, so I can keep my leg elevated, etc. I was really surprised, I thought he was going to say I could go to work today. I don't even start physical therapy until the 7th of August. He also made me put on these heinous blood clot preventing socks. So annoying. They run from my toes to my crotch and apply constant pressure all over my leg...needless to say, not comfy! Lets see, what else did he say....I can put about 20LBS worth of weight on my leg and he wants me to start bending my knee on my own. That's why I love my doctor, he knows how athletic and dedicated to healing that I am, that that is why he isn't making me go to physical therapy right now. He said all the things they would do for the next week that I can do at home. So, he wants me to be able to bend up to 40 degrees by the 7th, which I think I am at about 30 degrees right now. I don't even go back to the doctor for another month....looks like I am going to love being on these crutches for awhile. And I cannot shower for another few days! Justin is still bathing me and washing my hair, which is great, but I REALLY WANT TO SHAVE! It is getting NASTY quickly. And I just noticed my eyebrows have not had any attention from the tweezers in a week and it is getting out of control quickly. Need to get Justin to bring up my makeup and tweezers so I can do some damage control.
I worked from home yesterday and today. Yesterday I actually did a lot of work, no easing back in! Today was normal and steady. Keeps me busy.
It is pathetic, I have watched so much TV that I can quote (or sing the jingle) with about 90% of all commercials. Justin is ashamed.
Aim tonight: Sleep through the night in my own bed!! I am sick of being upstairs by myself. Justin and I go to bed and he is downstairs and I am up here and we talk to each it...it is like being in glorified bunk beds. But I am ready to sleep in my own bed, just need to aim not to keep Justin up all night.
Missy said she may come over tonight. That would be fabulous. It is lonely here. And I am getting to have a glass of wine thanks to weening myself off the painkillers. Best day so far!
Working myself back to reality!
29 July, 2007
Glorous ShowerYesterday went so downhill it is unbelievable. Today has been my best day so far. Yesterday started poorly because I hadn't slept much the night before and then didn't eat much and was in a lot of pain, therefore taking my pain killers...without food. This caught up to me yesterday when I felt really sick to my stomach and only got worse. I started running a fever and couldn't hold down even a sip of ginger ale. It was probably the most sick (throwing up) I have been since I was a child. Sheer misery. My mother had already left and Justin was left nursing me. I just couldn't stop throwing up and he had no idea what to do. Finally we called the doctor who told me I need to take off the blood cot-preventing tights I had on (went from my toes to my groin and were very tight on both legs) and open my immobilizer up and remove the ace bandage, which was causing a tourniquet like effect, which was what was causing all the throbbing pain. Then he called me in a different pain killer. He didn't really have much advice for the heavy throwing up except to take my nausea medication and that I need fluids and food, but I couldn't hold either down any of those things. Finally Justin went to the pharmacy to get the new pain meds and also got me Swedish Fish and Pedalite. You think this sounds absurd I bet...but those Swedish Fish saved my life I think. I would just suck on them so that I was getting some sugar into my system and take the smallest little sip of pedalite. This went on for almost an hour (intake about 4 Swedish fish and like 6oz of pedalite but that was the most I had kept down in hours) and finally I started to feel better. In about 3 hours I had turned over a new leaf...Justin was amazed by the change in my color. He said I was so pale and finally I looked normal and felt normal. I even held down some rice later that night and we watched half of Pirates of the Caribbean (the first one, I hadn't seen it)...then I feel asleep.
I slept about the same last night as I have most nights...sleep a few hours, then up a few hours, then sleep a few more. The pain wasn't too bad. When I woke up this morning, I ate some toast and held down a normal amount of drink. All day I have managed to hold down some soup, some crackers, some watermelon and some tortilla chips. I think that is pretty okay! I feel the best that I have all week. We pulled out the trundle bed that was under the day bed that I am on and I basically have a full size bed up here in our living room. But it means I have a back to the bed, so I am able to sit up most of the day today, which I haven't done all week.
Improvement!!!
And I took a shower!! The doctor told me that I could rinse off as long as I didn't get the stitches wet. It was the most awkward but enjoyable showers I think i have ever taken. We basically sat me in the tub backwards and kept my bad leg (it doesn't bend) straight out and propped up on the back of the tub and then just washed my hair (and conditioner...yum!) and good smelling girly soap. It was great. Got on some more clean PJs and just relaxed all day. Finished Pirates, which was pretty good and have sat around all day. I bought a Game Cube (off Ebay) because of my surgery and I have been playing Zelda. Brainless but fun. It does exhaust me, which I find pretty pathetic!
So I would say today has been my best day by far. I go back to the doctor tomorrow morning to look at the stitches and such. I doubt he will remove them, but he is at least checking up on me. I will start working from home tomorrow. I couldn't possibly go to the office, for the main reason that I have to keep my leg propped up above my heart at all times to minimize swelling, which isn't really conducive of being a cubicle dweller. And I cannot really crutch around...I mean, physically I can, but it hurts so much still--the pounding. The furthest I go is to the bathroom on the far side of my living room, which is at most 10 feet and that just about kills me. Hopefully by Wednesday or Thursday I'll be able to go into the office, but I have VPN so I can do my work from home...now just hoping the painkillers don't kill any productivity.
Blah, I am definitely hit my limit of E News, VH1, MTV and the Food Network...and the tour ended today (woohoo Discovery Channel!) so I don't even have that to keep me entertained anymore. I have In Demanded every movie I can think of and just movies in general are boring me. I don't feel like watching a 2.5 movie...my attention span right now is MAX 60 minutes and that is really pushing it.
This is the longest post I have had in ages...shows my improvement! Now boredom sits in because the severe pain has passed.
But boy does my leg itch and I can't scratch it!!!
27 July, 2007
Popsicle CentralToday I am feeling a bit better...more awake. My knee hurts almost as much but my head is clearer. I slept most of the night, or at least dozed. I was really nauseous right before bed, so I finally took some medicine for the nausea and that helped me sleep better. Then this morning I slept from about 11AM-2PM, so I am feeling a bit better. I have learned taken 1/2 a percocet every 2 hours instead of a whole one every 4 hours helps the most. The pain is never totally gone but it is never totally overwhelming. I have started getting headaches a lot...probably all the drugs. I am on a soup, watermelon and graham cracker diet...plus a lot of soda. I am still laying in bed about 95% of the time.... I only get up to use the bathroom. My mom washed my hair in the kitchen sink and I sponge bathed myself. Nice to put on clean PJs.
It is Friday. Probably not a lot going on this weekend. I think my mom is leaving tomorrow. Which I think both Justin and I are dreading, but she needs to get back to her normal life. And now I think one of my other sister's is heading home to my mom's now that she broke her elbow. She is casted up to her shoulder. She went first thing this morning to get her long, thick, black hair cut off because she cannot even wash it or get it into a ponytail. I feel worse for her because I have Justin around to help me and she cannot do anything....get dressed, wash, put on makeup, anything...I just cannot walk (but have crutches) and I won't be able to drive for awhile...she can at least drive because she broke her left arm.
Popsicle then nap.
26 July, 2007
Percocet is my friendToday the pain is much worse than yesterday, which I didn't expect. I didn't sleep too much during the night. I tried to go to sleep at about 11:30. I slept until 2, then woke up and watched some TV. I should have taken a new pain killer when I went to sleep around 3, but I decided that I was doing okay and didn't need to. Then I woke up about 4:45 and the pain was INSANE. It felt like my leg was enormous and throbbing. Ugh. So I took a pain pill and watched John Cincinnati On Demand and finally went to sleep when the sun was coming up. I slept until almost 8 and woke up with my leg KILLING me. So I now it has hurt all day, I am not sure if it just hurts more today because all the drugs the hospital has given me or if it hurts more because I missed that pain pill and now I am playing catch up. No matter what, it is quite uncomfortable and I don't feel like I can find a position that takes the pain away at all. My friend Jason Carvalho brought lunch over to my mom and I. Italian Store....mmm, so fabulous. I ate half a small sandwich (most food I've eaten since coming home) but it took over an hour. It tasted great though. Then I took a nap.
I woke up to my mother on the phone freaking out. One of my older sister's, Abby, fell at work today and broke her elbow. She is a teacher during the school year and works as a waitress during the summer. It was just an accident and she had someone step backwards and she slipped on the floor. Being a dirt poor teacher, she needs the money. She is now unsure how she'll pay for her bills if she is casted up to her shoulder. She doesn't know if her work will pay worker's compensation right away. Poor Abby. Being one in pain right now, I don't want anyone else going through this. I just talked to her and she seems to be in pretty good spirits. Maybe she'll get enough worker's compensation that she can enjoy her summer and lay out.
I feel real doped up right now. I am nauseous...I hate feeling sick to my stomach but my pain is better.
25 July, 2007
bedriddenWell I had surgery this morning. I am a bit doped up right now from percocet. The surgery ended up being a bit more major than planned. He couldn't do it arthroscope unfortunately and I have a nice scar around my knee. And I got disposable screws in my knee. But I feel okay. Just woozy and in pain.
Now I am bedridden for days. This is going to get boring. Any friends are more than welcome to come by at any time!
okay....
Nap time.
18 July, 2007
Waiting for the weekendHad my pre-op appointment this morning. I found out the surgery will take 3 hours. What are they doing in there for 3 hours?!?! I feel with that time I will wake up to a bionic knee! My mom is coming into town next Tuesday to take care of me. We go to the hospital Wednesday morning (9:30) and surgery is suppose to start at 11:30. It'll last until 2:30 and then into post-op for 1-2 hours. Then I'll be moved into a private room to recover.
Who knows when I'll get to go home. I feel like after that much time, they should just admit me for the night so my mom and Justin don't have to deal with sitting in the Lobby, at least they would get a room and then they wouldn't have to carry me upstairs at home. We decided to move the bed from our 3rd bedroom (daybed with a trundle) upstairs so that I have an actual bed and I am where it is light and the kitchen, nice tv, etc. is all up there. Once I am up there I think I am stuck for days. Gross.
I miss having Justin home right now. It is lonely. I talk to the cat a lot. And I eat my microwave dinners. The sad thing is that I still don't go to bed early! I really try to, but some how I look over and it is later than I usually go to sleep...and I have been bored and doing nothing.
Tonight I am heading out to Clif and Abbie's to help them with wedding details. I won't be eating Lean Cuisine for dinner tonight!
16 July, 2007
Sleepy MondayThis week is going to be long. Justin is out of town for the week...work in Richmond. It is kind of sad and pathetic, but when I am at home without Justin, I just hate cooking for myself. So I live off of frozen meals, salad bar or eating out with people.
I went to Florida this past weekend with Abbie Currie. It was fabulous. The hotel we stayed at was kind-of in the middle of no where, but it was nicer (different) than we expected. Our condo had 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, dining room, full kitchen, etc. The sad part is that we ended up sharing the big bed both nights. It would have been too weird and lonely moving to a different room...and we enjoyed staying up talking until we passed out. We went and had massages and facials on Saturday at the spa at the resort....mmmm, fabulous. i love massages. Then we decided that we "needed" to go shopping. I spent quite a bit more than I expected or really should have, but they were cute clothes. I kind of felt like this weekend was a treat for myself before the doom of surgery. And for Abbie, it was a last girl's weekend before her wedding. She gets married in 2 weeks and some days.
I am exhausted today though. Tan, but exhausted. Because of terrible storms on the East coast, our flight was delayed last night and I didn't get home until almost 10Pm....starving and annoyed. If we were going to be delayed, I would have liked to use that time to lay out more...not sit in the airport!
Okay, trying to stay motivated. And go back to the gym for the other half of my workout after work. I am debating lifting...I know I probably should but I am just tired, so I may just do some more cardio.
Surgery: T-9 days.
10 July, 2007
knife.Went to the doctor today and we set July 25th as the day for surgery. I am glad/happy because I want my knee back but i am scared for surgery. I am not really worried that anything will go too wrong, I just worry about the pain and the recovery. He said I would miss a week(!) of work and I will be on crutches for at least 2 weeks....and then I can only come off them once I can walk without a limp at all. Just scary. I need to make sure I don't obsess about this for the next 2 weeks, especially next week when Justin is out of town.
09 July, 2007
Go Tom Boonen!Amazing weekend. Friday night we grilled out a bunch of food, drank some really good wine and watched The Departed. It was great. On Saturday, we went to the Tiger Wood's Tournament (AT&T National) because my brother Douglas had gotten us tickets. It was a lot of fun. We saw Tiger a few times but mainly just walked around and followed a few golfers or sat in the shade and enjoyed. Had a few beers and walked about 5 miles. My knee is SO swollen and my whole leg is sore. I definitely did a little too much! Then Saturday night, we just came home and crashed...made a tasty dinner and watched Live Earth. Fabulous and lazy. On Sunday, I woke up at 10:30AM...10:30!! I don't know the last time I woke up that late. Then just cleaned up around the house. Then I went to the gym, did some cardio and then laid out at the pool for about 3 hours. It was great. The heater for the hot tub was broken, but they still had all the jets on. So it was just normal temperature with benches and jets...i just stayed in there are read a book. Perfect day!
And now I am just sitting at work. Trying to figure out how i'll make it through the week. The Tour de France started on Saturday, so I am listening to the live audio at work and we tape it, so I'll watch it tonight. Yes, I know...a lot of people find that odd. But I ADORE the Tour and I have dragged Justin into my obsession. I think it all started when I studied abroad in France. Everyone lives and dies by the tour during the month of July, all TVs seem to be turned to it. I went and watched the finish that year (2nd year Lance won) and I have been hooked ever since.
Also this weekend....Girl's weekend to Florida. Abbie and I are already picking out our spa services and dreaming of laying out by the pool on Saturday and utilizing the swim up bar. mmmmm.
I go back to the doctor tomorrow. I guess we will figure out when I have surgery. I am hoping for the 19th or 20th of this month. Fingers Crossed.
05 July, 2007
sleepy...sleepy...I am so full. I think I ate enough yesterday to make it until this weekend, but does that stop me from eating...no. I am really tired today. These kids wouldn't stop setting off fireworks in the parking lot near our house until like midnight. It drove me nuts. And I took a nap from 7:00-8:30PM, so I think that really threw my whole body off.
The fourth went well. Justin and I went out to Clif and Abbie's on Tuesday night and grilled out and drank TONS of wine. We were celebrating Abbie's acceptance into the accelerated nursing program at GMU. Then we played Catch Phrase. Abbie and I went upstairs and just laid on her bed and talked until quarter to three. Then I just had to go to bed. All day yesterday Abbie and I just prepped food for her Fourth of July party. A quick run to Target to pick up more plastic cups ended up costing me over $50 because I felt the need to buy a cute purse and a new straw hat. Sheesh, pathetic.
The weather ended up being so gross yesterday. We had thunderstorm/tornado watches, so the cookout turned into an eat inside and yell at each other over the thunder. Justin and I went home after the storm and didn't even see the fireworks. I watched a little bit on TV of NYC, but really couldn't get into televised fireworks.
My brother called yesterday and said he probably could get Justin and I tickets to the Tiger Tournament on Saturday, so I think we are going to do that this weekend. No other plans this weekend except i really need to avoid spending much cash!
02 July, 2007
Slowly Maturing....I wrote an email months ago to an ex-boyfriend apologizing for how i ended the relationship. I was pretty heartless. I never heard anything back, so I assumed numerous things, the main one being that he just didn't accept my apology or that he never had gotten the email because his email address had changed.
I got an email back today from him, short and sweet, but it was accepting my apology. I cannot describe how glad I am that I wrote that email. More than anything I am glad he was able to read it and I didn't write it so that I could get a reply. It was more getting the weight off my chest and owning up for something I did. Apologizing to someone I cared about and confessing that I had behaved poorly. Admitting to poor character can be a tough thing to do.
01 July, 2007
Lazy Sunday.
Okay, time to try and force Justin to wake up.
About Me
Name::F.C.G
From::Falls Church, Virginia, United States
A twentysomething who is quite clueless on lots of aspects of life, especially being a newlywed.
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