I lived to post another day.
The surgery went well and even though I was awake for it, thankfully I didn't see anything or hear much of what was going on. Rather thana general anaesthetic, they gave an epidural, but before that, they asked if I wanted to have something to relax me -
Of course!!
And once that went in, I was aware of them cleaning my back for the epidural needle, but past that, I only remember bits of pieces of what happened, even though I was "aware" of what was going on the whole time. And I barely remember what was said, even though they were talking through the whole surgery to a student doctor in English.
It goes to show how attention works.
Because I was unable to pay attention to anything, even when I tried - not that I tried very hard today. However, it illustrates how a group of people can all share an experience, but have a very different experience of the events. Just because I was there, it doesn't mean I experienced anything valuable. Well, other than my brief thoughts about attention itself, before those thoughts faded only to be remembered much later.
I would have been fine without the relaxant I believe, since I am able to switch my attention off better than most. However, I also like to experience things that I can't by myself, so when I get offered free mindbenders at hospital, I take them. The experience of the surgery (my first ever) was better than I expected and I am glad they didn't give a general anaesthetic after all.
The whole lot was pretty good actually, where after checking-in early and sitting for a while, a nurse stepped me through the clothing and then all the steps that were to follow. A physio came to ensure I could use the crutches correctly and spoke about what to expect post-op. And then the surgeon gave another consult to ensure we were still on track and that everything was clear.
They were running a bit later due to some other surgeries going over time, so I ended up sitting for an extra hour or two so before my turn, but once in the theatre, they ran through the pre-op checklist to ensure everything was in order and everyone in the room knew what they were doing. The nurse with the checklist didn't speak English well, but others in the room helped her out. And then in what felt like no time at all (drugs are great), I was being wheeled out to the recovery ward.
Once more cognisant, a lovely nurse let me rest a bit, before getting me up to eat. Then went through all the details necessary details in English with me and added notes to the Finnish version in the hospital app (which makes all kinds of treatments pretty easy, as it has a timeline path of what to do and when), and she kept offering to bring me coffee and water - to be nice - but mostly because they can't kick me out until I can pee. While dropping due to constant government cutbacks, the public healthcare system in Finland is still pretty good.
And the nurses are generally great.
I generally don't take painkillers, but they offered some oxy so I took it. However, they only gave three pills and then I will be on Panadol after that, so I can't abuse them. I asked the nurse (jokingly) about taking all of them at the same time, but she said the dose is so low it won't do much. Kind of takes the fun out of having surgery, doesn't it? Finland is actually really, really stingy when it comes to painkillers, which is probably a good thing as Finns tend to have addictive personalities, and there are also the lessons learned from the US system of distributing drugs like well, drug dealers.
In regard to recovery, the doctor thinks I will be up and about in a few days and then ease into normal life over the next month, only needing crutches for a day or two for longer walks. The physio thinks crutches for a week or two and not much for a month, and then at three months being able to do everything. That is quite a difference, but both of them said that no extra damage can be done (under normal circumstances), it will just cause more or less discomfort. I am not planning on doing too much until a few days after the stitches are out, which is in a couple weeks from now, and then easing into it anyway, with some easy cycling and upper body stuff.
No heavy squats or box jumps.
But now, here I am, one oxy in, on the couch, already bloody bored of not being able to move freely. I will have to b e here for the next couple days, legs elevated above my heart to reduce swelling, watching TV or writing or something. Though, while I am still unsure if it is a good idea, I did book in a session with clients at nine tomorrow morning. The joys of needing to work, because you work for yourself. My wife has been really great through this, despite being very busy herself.
And she doesn't even get any good drugs to calm her nerves.
She might soon need the oxy more than me.
Taraz
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Yay for surgery going well :D
I remember when I got my wisdoms out I asked if they could do it with local because I wanted to see but apparently the amount of cutting they needed to do (one stupid tooth decided sinus was a great place to erupt, on the bright side I stopped having nosebleeds constantly after that came out) was a bit much for local even with a high pain tolerance.
I found it kind of hilariously contrasting how you said you'll happily try things that are given to you and meanwhile I actively avoid anything that causes altered mental states (including paracetamol which doesn't seem to work unless I take ibuprofen at thee same time so I won't even do that unless proper functtioning is imperative) XD
Being bedridden sucks! Least you'll get lots of reading and writing done. And good luck with the client session!
What? Is this a thing??
Normally I would too. I have never been much of a painkiller taker, but after the stroke I had to in order to function for a bit. I can't take ibuprofen though, it is too hard on my stomach. Time and a place for painkillers of course, but I think too many people take them too often, meaning their pain tolerance doesn't improve.
It was definitely a thing that happened with me XD
Their drug tolerance might improve though x_x
I snorted at your last line about the wife needing the oxy more than you. I think my wife felt the same when I had my wisdom tooth surgery a few years back, I see @ryivhnn has left a similar comment. :P
I went under for mine, and It wasn't all that bad. Could think of worse ways to go, on a busted leg press, for instance.
It's really cool how they put your hive name on your tag and not your real name ;) So cool!
Read some books or at the least, enjoy the downtime. I am terrible at "rest", I am just restlessness, for the most part.
Glad you made it through mate.
Going under is like being dead. That time is lost completely. Isn't it strange?
I know, I am lucky like that! It annoys me that I didn't know I couldn't change the name after :D
Reading, writing, watching, eating - my plan for the next few days :)
Very. I wrote a short non fiction on that, its recent, on my blog, "Surgery". Might resonate, might not.
Enjoy the next few days. Try not to suffer too much.
I'm glad to hear everything went well. I think it would freak me out to still be awake, but going under scares me too. It's not so much the not waking up, but more the not knowing what my brain is going to throw out when I am not in control. Apparently when I had my colonoscopy and I was coming out of the anesthesia I was telling the nurse how beautiful she was. In front of my wife... I've heard about it a few times... Sucks I have to get another one in a couple years 😛
Going under is easy, because it is like being dead. There is no thought at all.
Oh no!!! :D
"I was very, very drunk"
Because of my stomach, I have to get colonoscopies every couple years. They don't put people under for that here. I am so used to it, I don't take anything and drive myself :D
I think it depends on where you go here. Some places just put you in a twilight state, and others put you out completely. I had some polyps, so I have to go back in five years instead of 10 years. It's been a bit, so I am probably closing in on my next one.
I don't think my wife is really that mad, but I don't like the idea of not being able to filter what pops into my head and comes out my mouth. Having ADHD, there is a lot of stuff floating around up there that should stay up there!
Cheers, glad it went well man! Versed is quite the drug (the one that makes you forget :D) for doing conscious sedation stuff! They likely asked you all kinds of questions if you're doing okay, and you most likely don't remember any of it lol
You're brave for booking a client in the morning! I would've for sure waited at least a couple days.. but sometimes we do things because we have to keep our mind off shit.
Hopefully you're back up and moving around a fair bit soon!
Glad my wife wasn't there ;P
The session went well enough, and we talked about a lot of medical things - though they are engineers :)
Sounds like it went pretty well. Take it easy and definitely no box jumps :)
The hardest part so far is getting some sleep. I woke up (according to Oura ring) nine times last night :D
Glad it went well! I was just about to comment on yesterday's post, when I realized that a day had passed, so you probably were out - and of course you wrote a post about it :-D
I had a couple of surgeries, one was my nose after cracking it one too many times, that was deep sleep, don't remember much. The second was the vasectomy, which was just local, and I was awake. Unfortunately, they didn't have a screen for me to watch what exactly there were doing, so I bothered them with questions until they gave me a really good dose of whatever, and I went kite mode.
As a son of PT, here's a really, really helpful piece of advice: Don't overdo it, but don't underdo it, either.
In all seriousness, I hope the recovery goes well, too, and you'll be up constructing front porches and garbage houses again, soon.
I have been thinking of doing this, what was your experience like?
Not a fan of the screen. For a colonoscopy it is okay, but open wounds... blah!
Yeah, it is something I am conscious of. I have a pretty high pain tolerance, so I have to be careful of the overdo it part for sure. The physio mentioned this Finnish thing of "sisu" where people tend to push through too hard and that I should use my "sisu" to take it easy :)
What do you mean by "cracking your nose" ?
I can't recommend the vasectomy highly enough. It's usually done within an hour, in the office of a doctor. Since I went to the public hospital, they had to make more of a fuzz around it, but it was free. I had swollen testicles for a week, no biking possible and I walked like a cowboy. I took Ibuprofen 800 for a day, 600 for another day, and then nothing.
It's amazing not to have to care about condoms anymore (in a monogamous relationship at least), and that Ellie doesn't need to pump hormones into her body to not get pregnant. One of the best decisions in my life. I think I'll write a post about it, the whole story is quite entertaining.
In resume, go for it. It's worth it, and you have enough experience with discomfort that you'll probably be like "That's it?"
I got my nose cracked by a ice hockey bat. It wasn't completely broken, but just had a crack, halfway through the bone. A few days later, I got an elbow check on it while playing football. And a day after that, I ran straight into a door in a dark halfway, a door that is usually always open. I went to the doctor, he broke it back into position (not pleasant), but it didn't heal properly, so I couldn't breath through one nostril, so they rectified that in a surgery.
A bit late to get that limb lengthening surgery at your age, isn't it?
All jokes aside, glad to hear it went well and you got through it while somewhat conscious. Here's to a quick recovery!
Yeah, it is disappointing. They thought I asked for a "bigger sock". :D
It's good the surgery went well and you'd be regaining normal use of your legs in a month or so. The drugs they gave you at the hospital for relaxation reminds me of the antidepressants I take, prescribed at the hospital. They make me feel relaxed and somehow euphoric. The only side effect I know it has are hypersomnia and overeating. Otherwise they are great. I hope being confined to the house after the surgery won't affect your daily routines. I wish you a speedy recovery.
Are you able to manage it?
Euphoria would be nice to feel again. I haven't felt high peaks for anything for a very long time.
Heal well, @tarazkp! You sound so brave and strong. Or at least determined to accept what needs to happen and roll with it. I’ve had a few surgeries in recent years, and I find that is an excellent approach. Careful with that Oxy! It’s good to get off of it as soon as regular pain medications make it manageable. But you knew that!
Are painkillers really handed out so easily in the US? It is so different here.
Yes, I’ve been given large bottles of Oxy after surgery — certainly enough to cause addiction!
Congratulations and heres a wish for your speedy and complete recovery from your surgery.
I must admit the picture of your legs wrapped so extensively was unsettling, as was the title of LegLess. I was releived to see you still had two legs, but the color and swelling of your legs is worriesome. Do they hurt?
You feet look so dark in that black and white, I hope they are okay too.
Most of us who live in a country without socialized medicine have mixed feelings of envy for a country who has it and concern for the taxes to support it.
But when your sick it must be a blessing.
Hows Finland doing during this global financial shakeup?
You mentioned the government makes cuts to your healthcare system annually?
Sorry to hear that. In any financial downturn, one of the worries you shouldn't have is being financially bankrupted by a illness.
No one has time for that... :)
I hope your road to recovery is lined with moments to stop and smell the flowers and spend extra time with your wife and daughter.
Heaven knows I now think of any illness more as a special time to spend with my family and less like convalesing and rehabilitation.
I hope your need to work because your self-employed doesn't affect your recovery.
Good Luck and again I wish you a swift and complete recovery.
There is a little swelling and a bit of pain, but my feet are their normal colour! :D
Bankrupt by illness is going to be an increasing problem around the world I think, as more and more people will not only have less healthcare, but also be under more economic pressure. It is a shame the world is heading this way.
Luckily for my work, I can sit down with my feet up occasionally :)
Oh good. I was worried your feet had poor circulation and you might lose them.
In areas of the US with a lot of diabetics we have a lot of people with amputations due to poor circulation and infection.
Unfortunately I think your right, that as our government cuts back on subsidies for our healthcare system, the number of people who go without healthcare until they are very sick, and the number wose healthcare bills bankrupt them will probably rise.
If only we could help the governments invest in Bicoin and earn their way out of debt, insread of currency debasement.
Stay with us for a few more decades. It's good that the doctors did their job well.
A few decades might be pushing it! :D
A good nurse at the operation theatre is a blessing 😉 they know *"men will be men" ...😝 jokes apart...it is good to see you came out nicely. The process was lengthy, but you going to be in your-self is good news...the medicine is the key for recovery....take care!
Nurses all over the world seem to be undervalued. We should do a better job of supporting wellbeing workers.
I had no bad intention, it was only on a lighter note... I respect all the working women and alwsys appreciate the way they put all the effort in managing everything with ease.
Happy to hear everything went well and you are on you countdown to get home and fully recover.
Today it is pretty good. I was expecting far more pain, but it is bearable.
You're going through a difficult time. Fortunately, you have a supportive and helpful family. It's a way to get to know people better. There are many people who disappear when things don't go their way.
Your space is limited. Even in this situation, I know you'll make the most of your time. You just need a little patience. We have your support. I believe you'll recover sooner than planned.
It’s a good thing that the surgery went well and I wish you a quick recovery.
Talking about painkillers, I remember a time when I almost got addicted to them. I had a neck pain for a long period of time. Eventually, I went to the hospital and was given some painkillers. Sadly, I got addicted but was lucky to get out of it.
I think I love how Finns are not given so many painkillers
Congratulations on a successful surgery. I pray and hope no complications will arise afterwards.
The hospital and doctors know why they recommended such painkillers to you.
I pray for your quick recovery @tarazkp
it's great that everything went according to plan by medical team. Healing your legs is the most beautiful gift for your life, wife and daughter. Time to read, write, and be pampered by your family. Take care of yourself.
You really managed to take us through the whole journey from the nervous waiting to the epidural, to those little details like the nurse checking the list in broken English or you joking about taking all three pills at once 😂. What stood out most for me was how you highlighted that being present doesn’t always mean experiencing everything. That’s such a deep thought especially when you described how your attention just faded in and out yet you still came away with insights also, respect to you for already thinking of getting back to work tomorrow morning that’s resilience right there! I love how you kept the humor alive too even while dealing with discomfort. And you’re right Finland being “stingy” with painkillers is probably a blessing in disguise, but I can totally imagine how it feels in the moment.
Wishing you a smooth and speedy recovery 💪 Keep writing these updates they’re not only entertaining but also strangely comforting to read. Quick question though do you think writing about the experience makes the recovery feel easier, like a distraction or does it make you more aware of it?
I'm happy the surgery was a success. You need to rest a lot now even after the bandages are removed. Avoid pressure on the legs until you are fully recovered.
I'm so glad everything went so well with the surgery. Congratulations!
By the way, what you told us about the care was interesting...
I'm glad to hear the surgery went well and that you had a good experience with the medical team. It’s interesting how you described being “aware” but not really present because of the medication, that really shows how attention works. Recovery can be boring, especially when you’re used to moving around, but it’s good you have support from your wife and a clear plan from the doctors. Wishing you a smooth and speedy recovery!
oxy? that's the good stuff, huh?
I couldn't do crutches.. balance sux. I had a good time wheeling around college that time tho.. :) u'll be up at em in no time! :)
ps.how long before we can get bionic legs? and eyes.. I need me a 6 million dollar eye!
I'm glad it went so well. And that you didn't miss a day of posting.
Thank God it was a success.
Wishing you quick recovery.