Wednesday, November 30

Plans

I made 
Plans before going off to Hospital, to have my new knee fitted.
As is always the way with Plans, life takes over, and the Plans never seem to work out the way we imagined they would.

I bought this new little bed for Honey, thinking she could sleep in it, until I was strong enough to lift her on & off my bed.
While I was away, she did, in fact use it, (though not while she was staying at my Granddog's house- he claimed it then, and she chose my daughter's bed! and stayed there, whether my son in law approved or not!)  and was very cosy during the stormy cold weather and even the warmer weather breaks.


Once I was home, Honey decided she wanted to be on the bed again, so we had a few discussions about the fact that I could not be leaping out of bed to ferry her to food, water, and comfort stops.
It all worked out OK in the end and I soon devised methods of doing her bidding! haha.

My son bought me some Pre-Op flowers before the Hospital visit, which I thought was a very nice touch.
I was also spoilt with in-Hosp flowers, but I neglected to take any pics.



The Hospital stay became another lost  Plan.

I developed some problems which no one foresaw, so I had to have blood transfusions, and oxygen, and Ventolin, and antibiotics, and an extra 3 days stay in the Hospital.

Gave me time to observe some really comical antics and examine the state of other patients reactions to various events.

I confess the first 3 days are very hazy, and at one stage I thought I had been transferred to another Hospital! Which caused much hilarity to the Doctors. I suspect it was the extremely strong painkillers I had to take, and am still taking.

Another hitch was an infection in the site, for which I am still on medication, and it still causes me ugly degrees of pain. I have composed a lot of posts, in my head,  since my return, but the pain of sitting in a chair at the computer just plain beat me to the floor!

I must say, the actual function of the knee is doing really well, and so I persevere with the pain barrier. Plus, each day seems a little better, if only in patches.

I was in a ward with 3 other ladies, one with a broken spine, from a hideous accident where she fell from a small terrace, and her friend also fell, and landed on top of her! She was in a great deal of pain, and there seemed to be little that could be done for her. At least she was not paralyzed, but she had very limited movement, and a horrible brace contraption, which reduced her to tears every time they fitted it on her.

Another lady had dementia, and had fallen and broken her hip. She was everyone's darling, such a sweet little person, and she woke me one night, calling my name, and said "Meg I love you." I was astonished, but replied I loved her too, and she went back off to sleep.

The other lady had had a knee replacement the same as mine, but she did not understand why she couldn't have blood tansfusions and oxygen like me. She was from a foreign country, and did not speak very good English, and she was very resentful if I got to have first shower. She became convinced I was getting special treatment, and though the nurses assured her it was not so, she remained somewhat sour in her attitude to me. She seemed to be like me, in that she had a horrific level of pain, and to be fair to her, she was 84! Why would you bother, at that age? I kept asking myself. I have promised myself if the other knee breaks down I will not have it replaced.

Foreign lady decided she did not want to go home, on the day I was being discharged, and she refused a shower, and sulked away. The Physio girls came to talk to her, and the nurses told her she was ready to go home. Doctor had been around, and told her she could go home. Her desperate daughter was pleading with her to let her take her home. Finally I could see no progress, so I made myself a busybody, and told her I really admired her for her courage and her progress. Whe she said she couldnt lift her leg the same as me, I assured her I was a lot younger, and she was doing very well. With that she broke into a smile and declared she would go home after all! Much to the relief of everyone.

They do warn it is very painful, but they can never indicate how hideous the pain will actually be. I would rather give birth to 4 babies than live through that again.

One of the things that made me laugh was the procession of visitors the foreign lady had. Her lovely daughter and son came to visit often, but it was other visitors who gave me much cause to laugh. One short stout aging couple came huffing and puffing in one afternoon. The woman was smiling defiantly, and had very flushed cheeks. Her hostile husband more or less came in swinging with rage and indignation over something, and they proceeded to have a blazing row, all in their own toungue, which was a pity really as I would have liked to know what it was all about. Body language and pitch of voice can give away many secrets. I was not surprised that the male shouted something nasty sounding and stormed off out of the ward, ignoring the patient, who had sat in bed, very quietly. His rotund little wife pinned a smile on her red face, muttered what I assume was goodbye to her friend and she departed too.
I could not help but wonder why people would come to visit a sick person, put on a hideous display like that and rage off?

I had asked my friends and family not to visit, as I feel there is little to talk about, and seeing as I was drugged to the eyeballs, it seemed I fell asleep at the drop of a walking frame.

My family ingnored my pleas, and did visit- my son every day, bless him, though I told him he didn't need to.

I had made a foolish mistake by asking for Vegetarian food, as I had been told that was the best food/diet. Somehow the Vegetarian got changed to 'veglac' whatever that is, but I can tell you, it was horrible, and they even managed to stuff up lentils, which I rather like. There was also something called a Nut Loaf on the menu, and when I finally decided to give it a try, I was bitterly disappointed to find it tasted foul, and looked like a roll of dog food. I loathe milk so in the end I had very little variance in the daily diet, and attempts to get it changed proved fruitless. So, should I ever be in Hospital again, I will just ask for Full diet.I hasten to add, while Hospital food is never wonderful, the general meals I saw others having, seemed to be perfectly nice to me!
My lovely daughter probably saved my life, by making me the most delicious omelet I have ever tasted, and then my son brought me some lovely fried rice.

We are having very humid weather, and they skies are sullen and grumpy looking. When it rains, far from cooling things down, it increases the humidity.

I have had some bad days, but feel as I heal, my mood is lightening. I did not wish to post, while down in the dumps.

I am getting out my quilty books and thinking about sewing, once I can sit for longer periods of time. I can walk without my walking stick about the house, but still use it for outdoors.



Jean Michel Jarre, Oxygene 2

19 comments:

Jennifer said...

Meggie, it's good to hear from you again! I bet Honey and Morty were glad to have you home again.

Katie said...

Glad to hear you are feeling better. It's always a good sign if you feel like sewing! :-)

Linds said...

I am just glad you have had the op, it is over, you are healing and home, and here. You have been missed,. Meggie. The sewign books sound like an excellent idea!
Knee pain is dire. Just do not stop the medication, even if you feel a little better. Keep taking the same amount as long as the doctors tell you to do so. Believe me, I tried dropping the quantity because I thought i didn't need it and so I got to learn the hard way! And haven't your family been wonderful....I am so glad they totally ignored your instructions!

ancient one said...

So glad you are feeling better. I have been missing your regular posts. Loved this one!!

Sandi McBride said...

Now that the op is behind you, I'm hoping you'll have pain free days in the very near future! Someone needs to build your sweetums some steps up to the bed...that would solve more than a few problems, my friend! Great post, which if you are in pain makes it that much nore astounding!
Sandi

Mary said...

Despite the horrific pain you have not lost your ability to describe other people in such a wonderful way.

Catalyst said...

So sorry you have been having pain, Meggie, but I'm glad you've had the operation and are on the mend. And, judging by your treatment of the old lady at the hospital, you are still an angel, in spite of your growsing!

molly said...

Meggie! It sounds like you've been through the wringer lately! Hope your new knee "takes!" I've heard that is one of the most successful operations ever. In spite of all your trials your sense of humour seems to be in great shape....hope everything heals and you'll soon be free of the pain.......

quiltmom anna said...

Well meggie, it seems that you have been busy healing- It is so nice to hear from you again.
I know that the surgery has its challenges but most of the people that I know, including my mom and and a good friend, have found the surgery a great help.
I am glad your son was able to be with you.
Hospitals are not the most restful places- it sounds like you had some interesting room mates.

I loved the moose email - those albinos were so unique looking.
Take care of yourself and write when you feel like it. It is always nice to read your posts.
Warmest regards,
Anna

Emma said...

I am so glad to hear that you are on the mend. Your hospital stay sounds interesting ;) The foreign lady's family are probably still talking about how helpful you were! My grandmother is ... difficult, and it takes a lot of smooth talking to get her to cooperate. At 93 we figure she has the right, but she has actually always been that way.

I hope that you feel better every day. And quit hogging all the rain, my trees are looking sad!

Anonymous said...

It is good to read your words again, I've missed you. I can only imagine the painful part of the surgery, it sounds so awful. DH has had bilateral knee replacements (before "us") and has told me stories of his experiences. I do hope that you continue to make healing progress and the pain and discomfort all become a thing of the past. I enjoyed reading the account of your stay in the ward.

Wishing you well, my friend.

Thimbleanna said...

It's so good to see you back Meggie. Everyone here says what a horrible operation that is in terms of pain -- I'm so glad it's now over for you. And you'll soon be back to quilting!

Ali Honey said...

Hi Meg, I have miseed you, but thought I knew where you were. In pain it seems but when you think what has been going on with your knee I guess some pain is expected. I really really hope it eases soon and you get to begin to enjoy walking and activity again. Glad to hear you are thinking about sewing something...that's about all I am having time for at the moment, thinking about it. Chin up ! hugs from Ali,

Pam said...

And I too am glad that your op is over and you're feeling a bit more like yourself.

Christine Thresh said...

Meggie,
The worst is over, thank goodness. It's December 5 today so I hope your pain has eased somewhat.
Your description of your hospital stay was interesting, especially the bits and pieces about your roommates. How you manage to keep your sense of humor is a real talent.

Pauline said...

So glad to hear you came through it all but sorry to hear about the intense pain. I've missed your posts - this one is pure Meggie. Welcome back!

Finn said...

Oh my dear Meggie, you've had such a time of it! I totally hear you one having ONE knee replacement be enough! After 9 eye surgeries, I'd take several more rather than another knee. I just limp along as best I can and be glad I get around some.
So awfully sorry to hear of the complications, as I know the process is hard enough without them...and painful, very! Happy to hear you are finding patches of time without the pain. Hang in there, it gets better. Sending lots of happy thoughts and big hugs, Finn

Kathy's Klothesline said...

Glad to know that it is behind you. Infections you get in the hospital are the worst! I think people heal faster in their own environment. I would miss my pets, they offer so much comfort and ask so little in return. Emmy does give me fits at night, but she is old and has been such a sweet dog all her life.

The Sagittarian said...

Good to hear that is all over...my Mum's doctor has said she needs both knees replaced so thanks for the 'pain' warning. I will make sure I ignore her "no, I'll be fine son't come down" and go and stay to help look after her!