Unexpected Surgery... Knee Deep!

Five days post-op.

Not long after the Virginia Beach Art & Soul retreat, I blew out my knee. Having two "routine" but complex surgeries 7 months apart is quite an experience.  I was physically ill after the bypass, struggling to stabilize blood sugar and insulin doses and dealing with food.  Pain was an issue, but not debilitating. However, being continually nauseated and not able to lift my head from the pillow was miserable and emotionally draining.  It took months before I was back to feeling normal and able to function.

My bed partners on the left of me.

A knee replacement is the opposite. I had my first replacement 13 yrs ago, suffered greatly and refused to have the other knee touched.  I gained more weight, became sedate and it was not an issue for the diseased knee because it didn't have to work.  After losing a significant amount of weight, adopting a very active Giant Schnauzer puppy and becoming more active, the knee was done, not going to function... surgery needed ASAP. 

Bed partners on the right. Hey, I'm in good company!

I have never forgotten the horrible time I had in 2000,  and was continually told not to worry... how different and advanced  the procedure is now.  Uncle Sam (no, not that Uncle Sam!) had his replaced and it was a piece of cake.  Uncle Sam is 102. And, true, all aspects of the surgery from orientation (there was none in 2000) to rehab have changed...and for the better.  The one constant for me is/was the excruciating pain.  I apparently have a very low tolerance for deep bone pain or am just a big baby.  Whatever.

During this time — because I wasnt suffering with nausea and side affects — we learned that it takes my body over an hour to absorb medication.  Even an IV is not instant relief.  So it took a few days to find the proper regimen of drugs to keep me comfortable and yet not put me in a drug-induced coma.  I dont get why people enjoy drugs to the point of abusing them.

Being fully drugged was an uncomfortable feeling for me. I want the pain controlled so that I can function.  Not only physically for my therapy sessions, but mentally as well.  Too much of this stuff and I was having conversations with my mother and Marie.. at the same time.. in my kitchen! Like a dream, but I was awake.  I also took myself on shopping trips.  Packages are beginning to arrive and I have no clue when I ordered them or what I was thinking. It looks like it will be a great Christmas for my family and the totes for A&S are really cool.

Cara being good. What a sweetheart!

I'm home from the hospital, doing Physical Therapy and trying to keep the pain under control with low doses of medications.  The difference between the two surgeries is amazing. With the bypass I could not function mentally at all.  Just trying to move made me nauseated. I didn't care to read or watch TV and couldn't use the computer. I was miserable.. like being car sick all the time.

This time, with pain under control, I'm thinking I could try sitting at the computer in a few days.  Right now, I see where the walls need touch up paint.  The bedroom might work better if I move the dresser.  Wondering if the septic is on an auto schedule for annual dumping? Have all the proposals arrived for Portland? Is it time to change the color scheme on the web? My mind is clear and racing. And then it's time for PT, pain meds and a nap. 

Glenny
xoxo

Pass the Gravy, Please...

So, I'm now on the last phase of the recovery diet plan. This means that I can begin to introduce real food to my life again. WOW! that sounded so wonderful! ...and I could not wait to have an actual dinner with the family. 

Thanksgiving was lift off.  

I love Thanksgiving. It is the only time that I enjoy cooking. My grandson could eat an entire turkey by himself! He LOVES food and it is a joy to watch him. His football coach continues to encourage him to bulk up, so eating is not an issue for him. I cooked for two days with heavenly anticipation. I was careful... sticking to soft foods (easy at Thanksgiving — mashed potatoes & dressing!) and making certain the turkey was moistened with gravy. No problem there!!! And then I think I ate about 5 bites and was done. That was a good thing.  I felt satisfied and was thrilled.  

Fast forward to the next day.

Blood sugar was elevated a bit, resulting in an insulin injection which always makes me ill. Needing to eat, I tried a scrambled egg and apparently ate it too fast. The resulting pain is up there on the same scale as a kidney stone. I swear — it does not let up — and is excruciating. It takes time for the food to pass through the itty bitty opening — so add being nauseated to the pain and it was a day to remember.  That is the bad part of all of this. Every day is an experiment with my new body (planned or unplanned!).

Remembering to eat slowly and chew to a pulp is something that I struggle with.  I've always grabbed something to eat on the run and washed it down with a glass of water. Not so much anymore. All these behaviors that we have known for years and never follow are now coming back in spades. Eat slowly... Put your fork down between bites... Do not drink while eating.  

When I was in Italy, dinner was a two hour affair.  Everyone visited and enjoyed the time together — how did we get so far away from the old traditions?  Now food is gobbled up in less than 10 minutes and no one talks about their day.  Unless they text.  No wonder we are an obese nation!

Day 10 Post-Op Notes...

It is day ten post-op and I’m still trying to get accustomed to the new daily routine. Living alone, food was not a priority — it was almost a nuisance. I would keep working until it was past time for some nourishment, and — not wanting to stop and take time to fix something decent — I would grab whatever was handy.  Could be cheese, crackers and vegggies or a cup of soup. Many times, I waited so long to eat that I began to feel horrible. Feeling nauseous, I would get shaky and begin to sweat.  I always had the best of intentions and would purchase healthy foods... I just wouldn't fix them.

Therefore, the restrictions of the post op bariatric diet did not seem insurmountable to me. Fluid, fluid and more fluid.  This includes 64 oz. of water a day, in addition to ingesting 60 grams of protein. Morning protein shakes have been my staple for years. Enhancing them into a daily regimen seemed a no brainier to me. I purchased unflavored protein powder to add to broth and other acceptable fluids in order to reach the 60 gram daily goal in addition to all types of high protein drinks.

At first, I didn't feel much like eating or drinking anything and it was a struggle just to get the necessary water.  After leaving the hospital, it became imperative to start the protein. The schedule has us ingesting something every hour. After the second day, I was already tired of the sweet protein drinks.... Slim Fast, Glucerna, etc. and wanted something savory. We put the unflavored powder in chicken broth and it was horrible.  There was no way I could gag it down. I thought it would be like unflavored gelatin... no... not at all. All my pre-planning and purchasing was wasted.

I got on the computer and quickly ordered some bariatric soups. They are not too bad.... (I can do this).
The main problem I am having is with my diabetes. It is changing rapidly and we cannot get the insulin adjusted properly. When blood sugar is high and I give myself a shot, I begin to feel like I have a hangover. All I want to do is be left alone and get my head down. And then, the sugar level will plummet and I lose all my senses. I drenched a flannel nightgown in less than a minute – it is a horrible feeling.  The docs continue to lower the insulin doses and feel that the diabetes will be gone completely soon.  WOW – almost a miracle. Now to just feeling better for an entire day!!

More soon,
Glenny
xoxo