Going in for surgery tomorrow...

poseidon · #1 07-23-2008, 09:00 AM

Tomorrow I get my long-awaited (literally) knee surgery. Many of you don't know this, but for the last three years, I've been unable to participate in the activities that I love - mountain biking, snow skiing and hunting - because my left knee has been giving me excruciating pain. I even have problems just walking around for long distances and going up and down a flight of stairs is quite unpleasant.

These last three years, I've put on close to 30 pounds because I cannot move my carcass to burn off the calories that I take in.

So, tomorrow this gets fixed (hopefully). What many of you do know is that I am terrified of needles. I have never in my life been put on an IV drip. This has been one of my life's biggest phobias, and I get to face it tomorrow head-on.

I've talked to the anesthesiologist yesterday, and she said she can't put me under prior to installing the IV drip. The best she can do is put me on Valium.

I tried to explain to her that it takes four people and 2mg of Xanax to draw my blood twice a year and even then, people sometimes get hurt.

I've asked both her and the surgeon to place me in restraints once I am under for my own safety. Both of them believe that this is unnecessary. I'm concerned that when I wake up post-surgery and see the IV drip, my instinctive reaction is going to be to rip it out of my arm.

I've also never been put under before... that concerns me but I'm far more terrified of the IV drip.

I'm trying to convince myself that life will be much better post-recovery.

**thinkerlady**[$] · #2 07-23-2008, 09:38 AM

What do you need to have done Jeff? Is it a ligament repair? A knee replacement? I have had knee surgery, about 14 years ago. I had to have my patella realigned. They gave me a spinal, and a sedative. I wasn't fully under, but I felt nothing. Totally relaxed and happy.

I wish you luck, having been through knee surgery, if I can help in any way please let me know!

*emeleel* · #3 07-23-2008, 09:48 AM

Bless you heart, Jeff! Best of luck with the whole thing, from prep to recovery!

poseidon · #4 07-23-2008, 09:56 AM

Quote:

thinkerlady said

What do you need to have done Jeff? Is it a ligament repair? A knee replacement? I have had knee surgery, about 14 years ago. I had to have my patella realigned. They gave me a spinal, and a sedative. I wasn't fully under, but I felt nothing. Totally relaxed and happy.

I wish you luck, having been through knee surgery, if I can help in any way please let me know!

I wish I knew. It will be orthoscopic surgery. The problem is that the MRI came out clean. However, due to my shellfish allergy, they couldn't do the MRI with contrast.

I was given a choice - I could undergo exploratory surgery or I could remain on pain pills for the rest of my life. Since the pain pills do nothing (that's a lie, really, because when I take myself off of them, the pain is unbearable, when I am on them, the pain is reduced but still exists), I felt as if I had no choice - because the other option would likely lead to abuse of the pain pills, which I have zero desire to do.

My surgeon believes that I have microtears in the MCL. I'm really hoping he finds what he is looking for, because I'd really hate to think I'm going to go through all of this and have him say, "Sorry, we didn't find anything."

**thinkerlady**[$] · #5 07-23-2008, 10:10 AM

Scoping the knee is good. Are they keeping you overnight? Sometimes there are some fibers from the ligament that might be "flowing"--or breaking off microscopically and causing pain.
My dad had a small tear in the meniscus that caused him boatloads of pain. He went in, they scoped his knee and "cleaned" it up and he was fine.
Arthroscopic surgery is wonderful, and easy to recover from. There might be some swelling afterwards, just remember to start whatever therapy is recommended when it is recommended. It is important to get the leg moving again.
My surgery began as arthroscopic but wound up being an opening. I have a huge scar on my knee. I had surgery on a Friday, and began therapy on Monday. I was overnight in the hospital. It hurt like hell, but I was walking in 6 weeks unassisted, and finished therapy in 3 months. Trust me I am no athlete, but I was determined to not let this knee situation win.

poseidon · #6 07-23-2008, 10:22 AM

Quote:

thinkerlady said

Scoping the knee is good. Are they keeping you overnight? Sometimes there are some fibers from the ligament that might be "flowing"--or breaking off microscopically and causing pain.
My dad had a small tear in the meniscus that caused him boatloads of pain. He went in, they scoped his knee and "cleaned" it up and he was fine.
Arthroscopic surgery is wonderful, and easy to recover from. There might be some swelling afterwards, just remember to start whatever therapy is recommended when it is recommended. It is important to get the leg moving again.
My surgery began as arthroscopic but wound up being an opening. I have a huge scar on my knee. I had surgery on a Friday, and began therapy on Monday. I was overnight in the hospital. It hurt like hell, but I was walking in 6 weeks unassisted, and finished therapy in 3 months. Trust me I am no athlete, but I was determined to not let this knee situation win.

They only keep you overnight if you have nobody to drive you home and stay with you, apparently. I've got Michelle here, she has not scheduled any work for herself until Tuesday just in case I have some complications.

The first 24 hours post-surgery don't sound fun. I get to be woken up every hour to do exercises. I feel horrible for Michelle... I should be bearing this, not her. But, due to the drugs they'll put me on, apparently I can't be trusted to wake myself up or even pay attention to an alarm (yay Vicadin).

I also get to wear Ted hose for the next 10 days. It is only the middle of summer and we're expecting 100 degree temps. Yay Ted hose!

I'm also on flight restrictions for the next six to eight weeks. I travel a lot for work, so this is going to be rough on me and the company. I originally scheduled this during a downtime of ten weeks where no travel was anticipated. Now, I'm going to miss three trade shows that were unanticipated when I scheduled the surgery. That sucks, because I really enjoy doing those, and it is going to stink to put in all of the hard work to get ready for the shows and not be able to be at the show to see it all come together.

Also, after being at several of these shows with my partners, I don't trust them to put in 100% effort to have the show be successful... they spend more time wandering the show and goofing off than they do working the show and convincing buyers to carry our product line.

We just had a show last week in Vegas, the show was three days, and one of my partners was in the booth perhaps four hours in total out of the three days, the other partner may have been there six or seven hours tops.

**slick4591**[$] · #7 07-23-2008, 10:46 AM

Been there myself a bunch of years ago, Jeff. I've already place you and the doctors in my prayer this morning. Keep the meds close by for a day or two.

**jgibson2**[$] · #8 07-23-2008, 06:06 PM

Jeff,
You may not be able to go to the trade shows, but you can still nag by cell phone.

When you wake up post-surgery, you should still have enough good drugs on board not to care so much about the IV. BTW, no needles there once the IV is started. It's just a little flexible tube -- and they can give you good drugs through it to keep you comfortable until you're ready for oral meds (which won't be long with arthroscopic surgery). My son had an ACL repair and I don't think his IV was in for more than an hour after surgery. Hopefully your surgery will be significantly less complex. They have to leave it in until they're sure your blood pressure is stable and the sedation has worn off, but that's really not very long.

poseidon · #9 07-23-2008, 06:50 PM

Quote:

jgibson2 said

Jeff,
You may not be able to go to the trade shows, but you can still nag by cell phone.

When you wake up post-surgery, you should still have enough good drugs on board not to care so much about the IV. BTW, no needles there once the IV is started. It's just a little flexible tube -- and they can give you good drugs through it to keep you comfortable until you're ready for oral meds (which won't be long with arthroscopic surgery). My son had an ACL repair and I don't think his IV was in for more than an hour after surgery. Hopefully your surgery will be significantly less complex. They have to leave it in until they're sure your blood pressure is stable and the sedation has worn off, but that's really not very long.

Judy,

I know what the IV is - Michelle is a "retired" nurse and she's put the darned plastic tube in my hand. It doesn't matter because it doesn't overcome my very irrational fear.

Isn't this crazy? I know that it can't hurt me. I know that the fear is completely irrational. However, it consumes me nonetheless.

I just got off the phone with the surgical center going thru their questionnaire. I had to qualify a bunch of my answers to them on my medical history... especially "Do you have sleep apnea?" and "Do you have any thyroid issues?"

Long story short, I do have sleep apnea but it has never fully been diagnosed. About three years ago I was supposed to go in for a sleep study, the day of the study they said, "We need your $1000 deductible," and at the time, I didn't have that kind of money and thought I had a $100 deductible. So, the study never happened. I told the nurse today to take that information and answer the question as she felt appropriate.

With the thyroid, I just found out last month that all the males on my maternal side have thyroid issues. I've not yet had a chance to be tested - I figured I'd get tested the next time they had to do a blood draw since I only give the medical industry two chances a year at that. I told the nurse that I exhibit no symptoms (per Michelle) of thyroid problems, and to take the information and answer the question as she felt appropriate.

Jeff

**jgibson2**[$] · #10 07-24-2008, 12:43 AM

Jeff,
My oldest son used to have an overwhelming fear of needles. Many fears are 'irrational' in that you can't identify the reason for them. I don't think it's helpful to label them irrational. I think it's more helpful to look at ways you can deal with the reaction. It's a little late tonight, but any relaxation techniques or distraction techniques you have available to you should help with your response to IV's. Worst case, if you're well enough to rip the thing out when you wake up, it's probably not a big deal.

Will it help if you can't see it? It's a PITA for the nurse taking care of you, but Coban (non-tape wrap - Michelle is probably familiar) could be used to cover the site so you can't see it. It's also a layer that would remind you not to yank it out while you're still groggy. It's very useful in dealing with people with dementia who often pull out their IV's because they don't understand why they have them.

**lynnzop**[$] · #11 07-24-2008, 01:11 AM

Bad bad skiing accident.
Waited 9 months to do anything about it.
Had the orthoscopy.
Needle phobia, never had the IV before.
Woke up and tried to take out the IV.
Nurses stopped me.
Mom drove me home since that was when Dan was in the Navy and I had no one else. Recovery painful, but necessary. Did lots of PT, including having to write the alphabet with my foot (in the air). On crutches for a while, and I was working as a retail store manager.

You'll survive.

20 some years later, you couldn't tell I had the surgery except for what I call "dragon bites" on my left knee. No pain, no restrictions. I forget often that I even had it. And I've done plenty of walking

ms_n · #12 07-24-2008, 02:52 AM

Hang in there Jeff. From what Lynn says, sounds like better days are sure to come. You can do it. A little prayer can't hurt, so I'll send some your way.

poseidon · #13 07-24-2008, 05:11 AM

Thanks everyone.

Meanwhile, it is 2am and my mind has got the better of me. Also, because I'm not allowed to have any food or water until after my surgery, my throat is parched and I'm dying of thirst. I'm sure that's all in my head as well simply because I know I can't have it.

**pluckyduck** · #14 07-24-2008, 06:49 AM

Quote:

poseidon said

Thanks everyone.

Meanwhile, it is 2am and my mind has got the better of me. Also, because I'm not allowed to have any food or water until after my surgery, my throat is parched and I'm dying of thirst. I'm sure that's all in my head as well simply because I know I can't have it.

Aw honey, hugs.

Surgery sucks. Knee surgery, from everything I've heard from people who've done it, is one of those areas that is usually *very* successful.

So, hugs.

magenta321 · #15 07-24-2008, 07:23 AM

I'm wishing you good luck on your surgery today! I am sure you will do well.

An aside for future reference: you should not have needed contrast for your MRI of your knee. Contrast is usually given when they are scanning a joint in a patient who has had prior surgery. Since this is your first, they wouldn't need contrast. Also the contrast for MRI is different than the contrast for CT Scan. CT Scan contrast does have an adverse reaction on *some* people with shell-fish allergies. However, MRI contrast is Iron based, like what is in your own blood. Until recently there were no contra-indications for MRI contrast. They just recently changed the guidelines for people with poor renal function. That's my "not a doctor" answer that you can discuss with actual medical staff if you ever need another MRI

Let us know when you're up an' runnin' again! Wishing you a speedy recovery!!!

poseidon · #16 07-24-2008, 07:48 AM

Thanks... meanwhile, I'm still up, my throat is STILL parched.

I hate my mind. I really, really, really do.

Magick1 · #17 07-24-2008, 09:34 AM

I wanted to send you the best wishes too!

**jgibson2**[$] · #18 07-24-2008, 12:16 PM

Jeff,
Swish and spit.

**drmomentum**[$] · #19 07-24-2008, 03:25 PM

Jeff, please let us know once you're through this. I know what it's like to have fear keep you up at night; panic attacks are familiar to my family. And they're pretty much never rational.

But what I've learned is that we're always better than our fears, and I know you are.

Peace,
-JP

frazzledspice · #20 07-25-2008, 03:51 AM

Praying for your emotional comfort as you go into surgery and a quick recovery afterwards. Won't it be wonderful to participate in all the activities you love again in a few months?

I've just been diagnosed with sleep apnea, too, and trying to adjust to a CPAP machine. It's supposed to make things better, but I have good nights and bad nights so far (1 1/2 weeks.)

**lynnzop**[$] · #21 07-25-2008, 09:29 AM

So how'd it go????