I’ve had a few surgeries in my lifetime, more than some folks probably.  So I decided that this time I would take charge of my care a little more than normal.  When I got to my pre-op room and they were ready to put my IV in I made sure to warn them that last month for the nose surgery it took them 4 tries and that they said my veins were small and kept collapsing.  I politely asked for them to use the smallest sized needle.   Well the first attempt failed, royally, the point I had a nice sized swollen spot filled w/ iv fluid in my arm.   She got a different nurse who on her first try(the second attempt) got it right in w/ just a little pain and all was well.   I thanked her profusely.

Later when the anesthesiologist showed up I told them that I was most concerned about the throat pain that I always get after surgery and that last time I awoke w/ horrible pain that lasted for a few days and that if there was anything they could do to help me not have that problem I’d appreciate it.  She made note and said she couldn’t promise me anything but would try.    So when I finally woke up in recovery I felt great, as if just waking from a few hours of sleep and was in NO pain.  I felt great and was joking w/ the nurses shortly after waking up.   I felt so good in fact I was discharged and home sometime after 3 pm, my surgery started at 1!!

I am getting tired now but overall feel a lot less groggy than I ever have after surgeries and am in no pain currently other than a slight sore throat which just started, so I’m guessing they maybe coated my throat w/ something or gave me something for the pain in advance, but it’s not nearly like it was after the last surgery.

The other plus so far was being told I am not completely restricted as far as weight bearing.  I can put weight on the heel of my left foot(the one operated on)   The biggest con so far is being told I might not be able to shower for a while, I will have to get creative about that!  I did already get some facial cleansing wipes so I don’t feel grimey but I am one of those people who don’t drink coffee in the morning but need a shower to refresh me, it’s like my morning coffee in that respect.

Dean asked the nurse before I went to surgery that he’d like to see (or keep) the bone fragment after it was taken out.  She thought it was a strange request but that she’d tell the doctor.   We didn’t see the doctor before the surgery, but knowing him I figured he’d see the humor and interest in it and sure enough Dean has pics of the bone fragment (he said the doctor called it a mouse?!)  He said the doctor told him it was the biggest he’s ever seen.  What I’m referring to is the peice of the bone spur that broke off and was just sitting in my foot causing pain, they also took care of the other spur that grew over where the old one was.    I told Dean at first I didnt want to know how big it was because I was afraid it would be so tiny that people would wonder why I said it hurt so bad, but I guess if it was big enough to suprise the doctor and impress Dean than I guess it’s ok.