Hey Folks, here's the latest 4-1-1 on the Road to soccer...
Good News- I have re-kindled my love for the gym! I got the A-OK to go back to the gym! So I have been a few times, and its quite nerve racking! yikes! ... I am allowed to do most things, except for leg extensions and the treadmill/elliptical! My knee is pretty weak. To have a precise measurement my left quad is 3 cms smaller than my right! That is a significant of muscle mass lost! (No, I did not measure my own leg, my Dr. did! ... and yes those 3 cms are muscle, not fat! ha!)
Walking around makes me nervous. I am constantly watching every person's next move, to avoid that awkward:
"two-step" you-stepped-my-way-and then-we-step-the-other-way-at-the-same-time-deal. Because that side to side movement freaks me out... I do not need my knee to roll over.
My leg also enjoys giving out on me from time-to-time. Like if I miss a bump in my path and I miss-calculate the amount of weight or force on my knee, it just decides it doesn't want to hold me up...hooray! :( I tripped today actually and did one of those..."it's okay, I'm just running" kinda things so no one would notice!... I doubt it was successful.
I have been to the bar a few times without my lovely one of a kind, state-of the-art, knee splint!... I didnt think much about it, because I was hammered...probably not the best idea in the world, but how am I to wear a dress and look pretty with that hideous accessory?
Physio is going well, although I am running out of funds, and fast!... haha.
My leg extension is better than ever. For those who want to test this themselves:
Sit on the floor with your legs out straight and flex your quad. If you're a girl, more than likely your leg extension is naturally better. While flexing you will notice that your ankle and your calf come nicely off the floor, while your knee stays flat on the floor surface.... now imagine flexing your calf as hard as you can and not having any of that happen, well, that WAS me, but not anymore, suckers!
I can successfully keep my knee flat on the floor, which is the hardest part. However, I lack in the amount of "air" i get with my calf and ankle... but one step at a time, son.
My Dr. has told me that I am on track to play soccer at the 6 month mark- which means March 23rd. My next apt. is March 16th with the Dr. so we'll see how that goes. first i must purchase this extravagant $1300.00, knee brace... don't bother taking a second glance, you're correct, it's not a typo, i meant THIRTEEN HUNDRED DOLLARS... it's okay, I'm just gonna go outside to my balcony and grab it off my money tree.
how many days now?... lets see, 28 days left in Dec + 31 in January + 28 in Feb. + 23 in March to bring me to my 6 month mark = 110 days!!
sweet.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Soccer?
The only thing that has kept me paying $50.00 twice a week for physio is the idea of soccer...
under 200 days away.
under 200 days away.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Up to Date...
To all those following my progress, here is a new post to update all of you... I know I haven't written in a while, So I will do my best to remember. I have begun a more indepth part of my rehabilitation. Physio has provided me with many exercises that both strengthen and stretch my knee. For those who may even want to strengthen their own knee, or are worried about the muscles around them, these exercises are also very helpful in preventing ACL injuries. Ever day I am responsible for the following: Icing my leg.
Ice.Ice.Ice.Ice!!!!!!!! My knee is pretty swollen still, which prevent healing. Matt has decided to call it "Knighs"..... knee and thigh.... Thanks Matt! (haha)
Stretch: Let my heel hang on something higher, to stretch the back of my leg out. Gradually add weight to my knee to push my knee down.
Leg raises: Done with an appropriate amount of weight around the ankle. I am at two pounds on my ankle. Raise the leg while lying on your back, hold for 5 seconds in the air and bring it back down. The most important part of this is to remember to clench and flex your quad muscles.
Quad Tightening: tighten my quad, hold it for 20 seconds, let go, and repeat. repeat.repeat.repeat! Step ups: Stepping up onto the step with the weak leg and slow step back down, shifting the weight to my strong leg as I step down.
Calf raises: self explanitory.
Leg bends. This is what I have had most trouble with. Its excruciating when my leg hasn't bent in weeks and I am supposed to push through the pain. I find this very difficult.
I did have a successful week at physio though!!!!... I CAN PEDDLE ALL THE WAY AROUND ON THE BIKE!!!!!!!!!...WOOOHOOO... Which may not sound like much- but it was definately rewarding.... Biking is one step closer to running, which is one step closer to playing soccer again. It's almost been a month and I can walk- without a splint, indoors, ride a bike, have gained more of my muscle back, and can bend my leg MUCH farther!... Things are looking up!
Soccer, approximately 200 days away.
Ice.Ice.Ice.Ice!!!!!!!! My knee is pretty swollen still, which prevent healing. Matt has decided to call it "Knighs"..... knee and thigh.... Thanks Matt! (haha)
Stretch: Let my heel hang on something higher, to stretch the back of my leg out. Gradually add weight to my knee to push my knee down.
Leg raises: Done with an appropriate amount of weight around the ankle. I am at two pounds on my ankle. Raise the leg while lying on your back, hold for 5 seconds in the air and bring it back down. The most important part of this is to remember to clench and flex your quad muscles.
Quad Tightening: tighten my quad, hold it for 20 seconds, let go, and repeat. repeat.repeat.repeat! Step ups: Stepping up onto the step with the weak leg and slow step back down, shifting the weight to my strong leg as I step down.
Calf raises: self explanitory.
Leg bends. This is what I have had most trouble with. Its excruciating when my leg hasn't bent in weeks and I am supposed to push through the pain. I find this very difficult.
I did have a successful week at physio though!!!!... I CAN PEDDLE ALL THE WAY AROUND ON THE BIKE!!!!!!!!!...WOOOHOOO... Which may not sound like much- but it was definately rewarding.... Biking is one step closer to running, which is one step closer to playing soccer again. It's almost been a month and I can walk- without a splint, indoors, ride a bike, have gained more of my muscle back, and can bend my leg MUCH farther!... Things are looking up!
Soccer, approximately 200 days away.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Crutchless!
Friday evening Ashley came over and kept me company, as I was still finding it very hard to get around on my crutches....So I continued to do my physio in hopes that something good is going to come from it!
You don't know how good it feels to walk- until that gift is taken away from you!
approx. 212 days until I return to the pitch....
So, Saturday morning I woke up- my leg was feeling pretty strong, although I was still hesistant to put all my weight on it. I showered which took a million years, but I am getting better at it. It sucks because I still can't get my wounds wet, until they have fully healed. I crutched around the rest of saturday morning.
I spent the morning not understanding the movie I was watching on T.V, and then I just said to myself..."well, lets just see what happens if I walk"... my knee was giving me trouble the day before, but I just became a bit impatient. So, i tighten my brace all the way and stood up and....SUCCESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am officially crutch free. (Success, as a result of constant physio exercises...)
I spent the morning not understanding the movie I was watching on T.V, and then I just said to myself..."well, lets just see what happens if I walk"... my knee was giving me trouble the day before, but I just became a bit impatient. So, i tighten my brace all the way and stood up and....SUCCESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am officially crutch free. (Success, as a result of constant physio exercises...)
It pretty much felt like Christmas to me.
You don't know how good it feels to walk- until that gift is taken away from you!
approx. 212 days until I return to the pitch....
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Day numero uno at Physio!
So, this afternoon was my first day at physio.
Physio is magical, but its also hard work. They ice you, stretch you out, and made me able to bend me knee more that I thought I could... the bend in my knee doubled by the time I had left.
I am starting to walk via crutches, its slow, but feels MUCH better. Its slower than just using crutches normally. But its a relief and makes me feel better!... i love it. So i have to keep practicing. I also was given strectches to do, twice daily, so I have to stay very focussed on that!...My Physio therapist says if I am dilligent I should be able to ditch the crutches in a matter of days... and definately by the next physio appointment. BUT, I should use them as a defence mechanism when I am out and on the bus, to avoid people bumping into me.
Walking feels very weird. And after seeing my doctor on monday , i felt very abandoned by my health care professionals. No one was near me when i put my foot on the floor again. It was a weird sensation in my toes and up my leg- like I was learning to walk again- only on just one leg. My leg felt very weak, I was nervous and unsteady. Good thing my doctor didn't stick around to help me. He also tried to take my splint away- when I still need it, even for walking for the next few weeks... my doctors suck.
Physio is magical, but its also hard work. They ice you, stretch you out, and made me able to bend me knee more that I thought I could... the bend in my knee doubled by the time I had left.
I am starting to walk via crutches, its slow, but feels MUCH better. Its slower than just using crutches normally. But its a relief and makes me feel better!... i love it. So i have to keep practicing. I also was given strectches to do, twice daily, so I have to stay very focussed on that!...My Physio therapist says if I am dilligent I should be able to ditch the crutches in a matter of days... and definately by the next physio appointment. BUT, I should use them as a defence mechanism when I am out and on the bus, to avoid people bumping into me.
Walking feels very weird. And after seeing my doctor on monday , i felt very abandoned by my health care professionals. No one was near me when i put my foot on the floor again. It was a weird sensation in my toes and up my leg- like I was learning to walk again- only on just one leg. My leg felt very weak, I was nervous and unsteady. Good thing my doctor didn't stick around to help me. He also tried to take my splint away- when I still need it, even for walking for the next few weeks... my doctors suck.
However, now, I am learning exercises to shift my weight from foot to foot, gradually bend my knee through my exercises. It feels nice and much better than yesterday... every day is better than the one before... I just gotta take these baby steps, do my exercises and stay focussed on the bigger picture.
Soccer... months away- but has never been closer!!
Soccer... months away- but has never been closer!!
It has to be worse, before it gets better....
So, Yesterday was probably the hardest day so far.
I went back to work for a half day on Monday, because I had a doctor's appointment in the afternoon. Matt was great, drove me to work, picked me up from work, drove me to the hospital and drove me home, even made sure I ate some!... Matt is great.
Yesterday however, was very hard. I had to bus to work, which makes you think twice about all the rude people in the world... People who look at you struggling to get on the bus, and shove past you- almost knocking you over, just to get on before you. People who watch you struggle to pick something off the groud, trying to hold onto your crutches, and just watch- don't help you pick up your bus tickets- or whatever you may have dropped. This actually happened yesterday. My leg was across the two seats I was sitting on- because no one would get up and give my the priority seating- fine. So because of my splint. I can't my leg, so I can't sit forward in the seats, so i sat across to, with my leg across the seats, because thats the only way I could sit and fit in. I had my beg in my lap aswell. This lady, actually came to my seat and starred at me for about 5 seconds and said... "well, is this seat taken?".... I had to take a deep breath before I replied to her- because I wanted to slap her across the face. I just said..."sorry, there is nothing I can do, because I am not standing....".... I guess people are that stupid.
Its pretty hard getting around my apartment, getting juice and eating is the hardest, because unless I want to stand and eat on at my counter, it can't be done. And the worst feeling came yesterday. My sock was wet because it was raining when I came home. So my foot was wet and freezing, except, there was nothing I can do, because I can't bed my knee to get to my foot... until Val came home- but really...its hard to not to be able to do the simple things- esp. things like put on socks.
At work my knee is sore and I can't stop doing work- I also can't rely on percocets during the day, or else I will fall asleep at my job!
Yesterday however, was very hard. I had to bus to work, which makes you think twice about all the rude people in the world... People who look at you struggling to get on the bus, and shove past you- almost knocking you over, just to get on before you. People who watch you struggle to pick something off the groud, trying to hold onto your crutches, and just watch- don't help you pick up your bus tickets- or whatever you may have dropped. This actually happened yesterday. My leg was across the two seats I was sitting on- because no one would get up and give my the priority seating- fine. So because of my splint. I can't my leg, so I can't sit forward in the seats, so i sat across to, with my leg across the seats, because thats the only way I could sit and fit in. I had my beg in my lap aswell. This lady, actually came to my seat and starred at me for about 5 seconds and said... "well, is this seat taken?".... I had to take a deep breath before I replied to her- because I wanted to slap her across the face. I just said..."sorry, there is nothing I can do, because I am not standing....".... I guess people are that stupid.
Its pretty hard getting around my apartment, getting juice and eating is the hardest, because unless I want to stand and eat on at my counter, it can't be done. And the worst feeling came yesterday. My sock was wet because it was raining when I came home. So my foot was wet and freezing, except, there was nothing I can do, because I can't bed my knee to get to my foot... until Val came home- but really...its hard to not to be able to do the simple things- esp. things like put on socks.
At work my knee is sore and I can't stop doing work- I also can't rely on percocets during the day, or else I will fall asleep at my job!
Despite all the shittyness of this situation... Playing soccer again will be heaven, and that is what is getting me through it all...
Its worse now... but each day is one day closer to the end.
Its worse now... but each day is one day closer to the end.
Friday, September 26, 2008
The Ups and Downs of being a Couch Potatoe
Well, It's Friday. 3 days after surgery. Can't say that I feel "better" - but I certainly am adjusting to this a little bit.
I can't stress enough that I am VERY happy my mom is here. Even just for the little things that would take me 10000000 years to do on my own. ie: getting my juice, helping me up, adjusting my pillow under my leg. Yes, I know this sounds like I've turned her into my little elf, but she is being a great help, and I am very glad that she is being my mom and taking care of me!
The last two afternoons my mom took me out for lunch and yesterday she took me to the glebe for coffee, (well juice for me!). It was nice to get out and have a different view of the world besides my window and my T.V. Although its just a struggle to get into my car...small price to pay to see the world! haha. We are waiting to get a perscription for my wheel chair from the red cross. Yes, you need a perscription to get a wheelchair- even just to rent. So I hope that gets done today, so perhapy my mom and I can stroll through the market for the day, and get outside.
I currently have zero range of motion in my knee. Bending it is forbidden at the moment, and even moving my leg by myself is severely limited. I use my right foot to move my leg. Little things like shifting and getting off the couch are the hardest tasks.
I am excited to see my Doctor on Monday. Matt has agreed to be so kind and drive my to the hospital monday afternoon! (What a sweet heart!) Otherwise, I would either have to bus or cab.. and I am not ready for the bus yet- I don't think. I hope my doctor will tell me all is going well and I can start physio right away. I also hope my physio is at Carleton where I did it before, because its easy to get to and easy to get to from work! (I still have to work next week, which I am NOT looking forward to!)... I don't know how I expect that to go- but all I can do is hope for the best. I think Matt is also going to drive me to work that day- which is FANTASTIC!
Right now I can feel my percocets kicking in! I get very light headed and my limbs feel kinda tingly! Its much better than the alternative sharp pain in my knee! haha- but its not ideal for staying awake! haha.
The best part about today.. IT'S MY PARTY! I feel like I am 5 years old and it's my birthday party! I have chips, pie, cookies and some other goodies! (my mommy picked up for me!) and There will be board games, I have friends Scene it (curteosy of The Drake!) My mom will also be here- I hope- She will want to play too!...I get to see my friends and hopefully take my mind off this stupid leg... It will just be very nice to see people again and have fun. And since I can't go to people, I am bringing the people to me! It's not going to be a wild night, and I really hope I dont pass out from my pain killers at 9:30, but its going to be fun!! yay! :)
Well, im getting too drowsy, I'm gonna take a cat nap (at 9:00am! haha)
Toodles for now. Oh, for those who havent seen them- i put pictures of my knee on facebook! Yesterday Dr. Mamma Faz cleaned my knee and put on new dressings, so I snuck some pics with my camera and put them on Facebook- feel free to take a look!
Ciao!
I can't stress enough that I am VERY happy my mom is here. Even just for the little things that would take me 10000000 years to do on my own. ie: getting my juice, helping me up, adjusting my pillow under my leg. Yes, I know this sounds like I've turned her into my little elf, but she is being a great help, and I am very glad that she is being my mom and taking care of me!
The last two afternoons my mom took me out for lunch and yesterday she took me to the glebe for coffee, (well juice for me!). It was nice to get out and have a different view of the world besides my window and my T.V. Although its just a struggle to get into my car...small price to pay to see the world! haha. We are waiting to get a perscription for my wheel chair from the red cross. Yes, you need a perscription to get a wheelchair- even just to rent. So I hope that gets done today, so perhapy my mom and I can stroll through the market for the day, and get outside.
I currently have zero range of motion in my knee. Bending it is forbidden at the moment, and even moving my leg by myself is severely limited. I use my right foot to move my leg. Little things like shifting and getting off the couch are the hardest tasks.
I am excited to see my Doctor on Monday. Matt has agreed to be so kind and drive my to the hospital monday afternoon! (What a sweet heart!) Otherwise, I would either have to bus or cab.. and I am not ready for the bus yet- I don't think. I hope my doctor will tell me all is going well and I can start physio right away. I also hope my physio is at Carleton where I did it before, because its easy to get to and easy to get to from work! (I still have to work next week, which I am NOT looking forward to!)... I don't know how I expect that to go- but all I can do is hope for the best. I think Matt is also going to drive me to work that day- which is FANTASTIC!
Right now I can feel my percocets kicking in! I get very light headed and my limbs feel kinda tingly! Its much better than the alternative sharp pain in my knee! haha- but its not ideal for staying awake! haha.
The best part about today.. IT'S MY PARTY! I feel like I am 5 years old and it's my birthday party! I have chips, pie, cookies and some other goodies! (my mommy picked up for me!) and There will be board games, I have friends Scene it (curteosy of The Drake!) My mom will also be here- I hope- She will want to play too!...I get to see my friends and hopefully take my mind off this stupid leg... It will just be very nice to see people again and have fun. And since I can't go to people, I am bringing the people to me! It's not going to be a wild night, and I really hope I dont pass out from my pain killers at 9:30, but its going to be fun!! yay! :)
Well, im getting too drowsy, I'm gonna take a cat nap (at 9:00am! haha)
Toodles for now. Oh, for those who havent seen them- i put pictures of my knee on facebook! Yesterday Dr. Mamma Faz cleaned my knee and put on new dressings, so I snuck some pics with my camera and put them on Facebook- feel free to take a look!
Ciao!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Recovering...
Today might be classified as my first recovery day, since yesterday was the actual surgery day.
I woke up in a lot of pain- which means my nerve block is wearing off, and by this afternoon the nerves in my leg were "awake" so to speak- and I can feel the holes in my knee, I can feel the throbbing around my knee, as well as I can feel the lack of hamstring strength, as two of my hamstring tendons are now my new acl.
I realized today, that yesterday I was taking the "Maximum allowable dosage" all day-which may have not been the best idea... So today I am trying to see how it goes by taking only one percocet every 5 or 6 hours, instead of 2, every 4 hours- since I can tell that the I put a much larger dent in it yesterday than I should have. Lets just say on a scale of 1-10 of pain, today is a 6, yesterday at home, was a 2.
I have decided I Loathe crutches. They are my nemesis, and we will never get a long. I hate how they make my arm pits hurt, I hate that people in the public have no patience for me as I cross the street with them, i hate that they will give my hands blisters and most of all I hate that they make my the slowest moving person on the planet. I hate them and they hate me.
Getting comfortable is hard. I have to stay focussed on the fact that I Cannot bend my knee- at all. I have to use my right foot to move my left leg, and its getting really annoying. There is either not enough pillow under my leg or there is too much. And its getting to the point where I can't keep asking my mom to switch pillows or keep getting me things. She is being amazing about everything, but I think soon I will get on her nerves. She took me out for lunch today. I forgot to write this yesterday, that getting in an out of my mazda 323- is a dreadful experience. I have to go "bum" first into my back seat... its a struggle... all while not bending my knee. It would just be so much easier with a cast, because that way I would NOT be phyiscally capable of moving my knee- but no dice.
On a brigther note, I was going into the elevator with my mom today... after she took me out for lunch- and a gentleman stopped and told me that: "I will be okay- God is with me!" so, that made me smile. What a nice man.
I expect my first visitor tonight.... Strohan shall stop by at some point! So, If anyone is reading this- and you have no plans, feel free to stop by and watch some T.V or anything with me and Ashley :) Until then, my best friend is named Cyro/Cuff. He is a magical little gadget that keeps my knee permanently iced. It's a cooler hooked up to a pouch on my knee. and I lift it up and the water fills around my knee and I put in on the ground to drain it from the pouch, and re-filter it with cold water and then lift it back up. Its great for lazy people- and people like me, who can't get up!
I also got a little "get well" card yesterday from The Drake- with a nice blockbuster gift card in it, to keep me busy!.. I will put that to good use.
I looked into renting a wheelchair today- so I think I can get one tomorrow- so that will be nice!!!!! In your face crutches!!!!!!!!! take that.
My leg hurts now, except my mommy has gone to the store with my lovely percocets... alas, I will have to wait. I am pretty tired today and a little cranky from the pain. It's really just frustrating more than anything. I pretty much need help for everything I do... my mom even had to put my socks on me last night when I went to sleep... oi-vey!
Blah!
I miss life. ha!...
I woke up in a lot of pain- which means my nerve block is wearing off, and by this afternoon the nerves in my leg were "awake" so to speak- and I can feel the holes in my knee, I can feel the throbbing around my knee, as well as I can feel the lack of hamstring strength, as two of my hamstring tendons are now my new acl.
I realized today, that yesterday I was taking the "Maximum allowable dosage" all day-which may have not been the best idea... So today I am trying to see how it goes by taking only one percocet every 5 or 6 hours, instead of 2, every 4 hours- since I can tell that the I put a much larger dent in it yesterday than I should have. Lets just say on a scale of 1-10 of pain, today is a 6, yesterday at home, was a 2.
I have decided I Loathe crutches. They are my nemesis, and we will never get a long. I hate how they make my arm pits hurt, I hate that people in the public have no patience for me as I cross the street with them, i hate that they will give my hands blisters and most of all I hate that they make my the slowest moving person on the planet. I hate them and they hate me.
Getting comfortable is hard. I have to stay focussed on the fact that I Cannot bend my knee- at all. I have to use my right foot to move my left leg, and its getting really annoying. There is either not enough pillow under my leg or there is too much. And its getting to the point where I can't keep asking my mom to switch pillows or keep getting me things. She is being amazing about everything, but I think soon I will get on her nerves. She took me out for lunch today. I forgot to write this yesterday, that getting in an out of my mazda 323- is a dreadful experience. I have to go "bum" first into my back seat... its a struggle... all while not bending my knee. It would just be so much easier with a cast, because that way I would NOT be phyiscally capable of moving my knee- but no dice.
On a brigther note, I was going into the elevator with my mom today... after she took me out for lunch- and a gentleman stopped and told me that: "I will be okay- God is with me!" so, that made me smile. What a nice man.
I expect my first visitor tonight.... Strohan shall stop by at some point! So, If anyone is reading this- and you have no plans, feel free to stop by and watch some T.V or anything with me and Ashley :) Until then, my best friend is named Cyro/Cuff. He is a magical little gadget that keeps my knee permanently iced. It's a cooler hooked up to a pouch on my knee. and I lift it up and the water fills around my knee and I put in on the ground to drain it from the pouch, and re-filter it with cold water and then lift it back up. Its great for lazy people- and people like me, who can't get up!
I also got a little "get well" card yesterday from The Drake- with a nice blockbuster gift card in it, to keep me busy!.. I will put that to good use.
I looked into renting a wheelchair today- so I think I can get one tomorrow- so that will be nice!!!!! In your face crutches!!!!!!!!! take that.
My leg hurts now, except my mommy has gone to the store with my lovely percocets... alas, I will have to wait. I am pretty tired today and a little cranky from the pain. It's really just frustrating more than anything. I pretty much need help for everything I do... my mom even had to put my socks on me last night when I went to sleep... oi-vey!
Blah!
I miss life. ha!...
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Surgery Day!!!
So, Today was the big Day!! Let me break it down for you.
5:30 wake up and shower- the last shower for the next 4 days.... nice.
6:20 leave my house avev ma mere, and head to the hospital.
6:50 Arrive at Ottawa Hosp. Civic campus, attempt to pay for parking and then head in to check in to section D, 3rd floor- Surgercial Daycare Unit.
6:55- Check in, fill out obnoxious forms.
7-7:30 sit and wait in an uncomfortable chair, trying not to fall asleep!!!
7:30 get called in...change into the gowns... which are higly stylish. Luckily i got a robe, so my bum was NOT hanging out!! (thank god!)
7:35 say G'bye to my mommy- and hope I don't die! haha.
7:40 I am waiting in a room, full of hospital beds, where people are all over the place, also awaiting surgery- It kinda felt like I was in the army, in those rooms full of injured people. Except I wasn't shot in battle, and was not going to die.
8:20 I get wheeled in to the "Block" room. Where I got a nerve block done. This is a procedure where they use an ultra sound to find the artery and major nerve cells in the top up my leg, closer to my hip. They can pin-point it on the machine using the screen and then inject me with a needle. This needle more or less puts the nerves in my leg asleep. So my leg is dead weigh and useless for a day and a half, BUT it makes pain after surgey more tolerable. I was also given an I.V which was suprisingly the most painful part...OUCH.... they lie when they says its just a little prick...ya right!
9:00 am- I get wheeled in for surgey. My nurses knock the slipper socks of my feet and before I had a chance to ask them to put them back on- Out like a light.
11:20- I wake up in the recovery room- and I guess I forgot that I had surgery, because I tried to get up... i just saw the nurses run over to me and tel me to get back down, and explained that I just came out of surgery..haha. I explain to the nurse that I was in severe pain. She then asks..."So, on a scale of 1-10, what would u rate it... 10 being horrible?"..... What the eff did she think I meant?? When was "horrible" any better than severe??????
11:40 moved to a closer recovery room. At this point my feet are sooo cold, I thought they might fall off.... I asked for socks, but no luck! I was given some toast and water, and perkasets.... that was the best part of my day!!
12:3- I was a bit drowsy and kept asking every 10mins if I could go home. I then made them get my mom to inform her what was going on.
Finally, at 1:00 pm, i lie to them and tell them im not groggy, so I can get on these crutches and go home!!!... 1:30 I get a crutches lesson and 1:45pm I am out the door....
Longest day of my life.
5:30 wake up and shower- the last shower for the next 4 days.... nice.
6:20 leave my house avev ma mere, and head to the hospital.
6:50 Arrive at Ottawa Hosp. Civic campus, attempt to pay for parking and then head in to check in to section D, 3rd floor- Surgercial Daycare Unit.
6:55- Check in, fill out obnoxious forms.
7-7:30 sit and wait in an uncomfortable chair, trying not to fall asleep!!!
7:30 get called in...change into the gowns... which are higly stylish. Luckily i got a robe, so my bum was NOT hanging out!! (thank god!)
7:35 say G'bye to my mommy- and hope I don't die! haha.
7:40 I am waiting in a room, full of hospital beds, where people are all over the place, also awaiting surgery- It kinda felt like I was in the army, in those rooms full of injured people. Except I wasn't shot in battle, and was not going to die.
8:20 I get wheeled in to the "Block" room. Where I got a nerve block done. This is a procedure where they use an ultra sound to find the artery and major nerve cells in the top up my leg, closer to my hip. They can pin-point it on the machine using the screen and then inject me with a needle. This needle more or less puts the nerves in my leg asleep. So my leg is dead weigh and useless for a day and a half, BUT it makes pain after surgey more tolerable. I was also given an I.V which was suprisingly the most painful part...OUCH.... they lie when they says its just a little prick...ya right!
9:00 am- I get wheeled in for surgey. My nurses knock the slipper socks of my feet and before I had a chance to ask them to put them back on- Out like a light.
11:20- I wake up in the recovery room- and I guess I forgot that I had surgery, because I tried to get up... i just saw the nurses run over to me and tel me to get back down, and explained that I just came out of surgery..haha. I explain to the nurse that I was in severe pain. She then asks..."So, on a scale of 1-10, what would u rate it... 10 being horrible?"..... What the eff did she think I meant?? When was "horrible" any better than severe??????
11:40 moved to a closer recovery room. At this point my feet are sooo cold, I thought they might fall off.... I asked for socks, but no luck! I was given some toast and water, and perkasets.... that was the best part of my day!!
12:3- I was a bit drowsy and kept asking every 10mins if I could go home. I then made them get my mom to inform her what was going on.
Finally, at 1:00 pm, i lie to them and tell them im not groggy, so I can get on these crutches and go home!!!... 1:30 I get a crutches lesson and 1:45pm I am out the door....
Longest day of my life.
Friday, August 29, 2008
The Week After....
Mamma Faz' has confirmed she will be coming to Ottawa to take care of me for the few days after the 23rd...probably until the Friday. I will prob. be sleeping most of the time, but I am supposed to be "mobile" or encouraged to move around after the first week, so hopefully I will be able to get out and see the world again!!
thats all for now....
thats all for now....
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Who, What, How.
For those of you who may not know I am a 21 year old female and I tore my ACL in early Feb. of 2007 while playing indoor intramural soccer at University.
With my left foot planted, i turned quickly to pivot to the right. My left foot stayed in place, while my knee over turned. Conseuquently, the twisting and impact of the knee caused a loud "pop", followed by excruciating pain, and my left leg collapsing. (Probably the most pain I have ever felt.) While screaming/swearing on the floor of the field house, a lifeguard showed up to tend to my injury. Not being able to bend my knee, i was lifted off the field to the bench.
While sitting on the side, trying to describe this ungodly pain in my knee, I became very unsteady... I was very dizzy, feeling like I could faint at any second. Struggling to stay awake, while icing my knee, I already knew that my ACL was F****ed.
While hobbling around Ottawa, I managed to make it to the doctor within a few days, who told me to my relief that my ACL was "fine" and there was only damage to my meniscus.... Phewf...
After 4 months of steady physio, and hundreds of dollars spent on a physiotherapist, who also confirmed that my ACL was not torn, I was told I could play soccer after 4 months...So I did...This was bad news. Another "pop" followed by more pain, left me thinking that my doctors needed to go back to Med. School....
The confirmation came after 3 cancelled appointments by my knee specialist, and 4 months of waiting for an appointment. I was sent for an MRI which came back inconclusive as they could not tell how much my ACL was torn, but two doctors were certain that sports were not in my future if surgery did not happen.With surgery dates backed,
I have waited 1 year and 7 months for this silly surgery, and it won't be over until 6-9 months of recovery. 2 years and 4 months of not playing soccer.
April cannot come soon enough.
With my left foot planted, i turned quickly to pivot to the right. My left foot stayed in place, while my knee over turned. Conseuquently, the twisting and impact of the knee caused a loud "pop", followed by excruciating pain, and my left leg collapsing. (Probably the most pain I have ever felt.) While screaming/swearing on the floor of the field house, a lifeguard showed up to tend to my injury. Not being able to bend my knee, i was lifted off the field to the bench.
While sitting on the side, trying to describe this ungodly pain in my knee, I became very unsteady... I was very dizzy, feeling like I could faint at any second. Struggling to stay awake, while icing my knee, I already knew that my ACL was F****ed.
While hobbling around Ottawa, I managed to make it to the doctor within a few days, who told me to my relief that my ACL was "fine" and there was only damage to my meniscus.... Phewf...
After 4 months of steady physio, and hundreds of dollars spent on a physiotherapist, who also confirmed that my ACL was not torn, I was told I could play soccer after 4 months...So I did...This was bad news. Another "pop" followed by more pain, left me thinking that my doctors needed to go back to Med. School....
The confirmation came after 3 cancelled appointments by my knee specialist, and 4 months of waiting for an appointment. I was sent for an MRI which came back inconclusive as they could not tell how much my ACL was torn, but two doctors were certain that sports were not in my future if surgery did not happen.With surgery dates backed,
I have waited 1 year and 7 months for this silly surgery, and it won't be over until 6-9 months of recovery. 2 years and 4 months of not playing soccer.
April cannot come soon enough.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
The countown begins..
30 days until I go under the knife.... well, maybe that's wrong- I don't think they uses knives anymore!
Here is a summary of my operation...
Autograft is the most widely performed orthopedic ACL reconstruction. The technique involves moving (harvesting) the patient’s own tissue. Commonly used autografts are the mid-third of the patellar tendon with bone attached at both ends, one or two medial hamstrings, or the quadriceps tendon with bone at one end. Results are somewhat similar and secondary effects are unique to the harvest site.
...Allograft, via hamstring is the winner for me!
This is what it all entails for me. (Graft refers to my hamstring they are taking to form a new ACL)
Well, this will be fun...
30 days until it all begins.... oi-vey.
Here is a summary of my operation...
Autograft is the most widely performed orthopedic ACL reconstruction. The technique involves moving (harvesting) the patient’s own tissue. Commonly used autografts are the mid-third of the patellar tendon with bone attached at both ends, one or two medial hamstrings, or the quadriceps tendon with bone at one end. Results are somewhat similar and secondary effects are unique to the harvest site.
...Allograft, via hamstring is the winner for me!
This is what it all entails for me. (Graft refers to my hamstring they are taking to form a new ACL)
During the procedure:
The patient is anesthetized using general, spinal/epidural, regional or in some centers, local anesthetic with sedation. Arthroscopy allows determination of associated injuries, which are usually treated at the same setting (e.g., meniscal tears or chondral trauma). The space in the knee where the PCL and ACL reside, the notch, is often narrow and in those cases it is widened (notchplasty) to accommodate the graft.
Then through a small separate accessory incision, a TUNNEL (yes, it says tunnel) is DRILLED through the tibia (lower leg bone) AND through the femur (the upper bone) in the same position as the original ligament attachment sites. The graft is fashioned to fit into these tunnels. The graft is fixed to the femur and tibia (upper and lower leg bones) by a variety of means.(pretty sure this might mean drilling into my bone) Once secure, the graft is checked for proper tension. The knee is placed in a compressive dressing with allowance for cryotherapy. Usually the patient is released as an outpatient.
Well, this will be fun...
30 days until it all begins.... oi-vey.
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