Friday, October 9, 2009

Finally woke up

I must be a lightweight, since I stopped anesthesia from giving me more than 1/3 of the dose of Versed - I felt like I was on a Tilt-a-Whirl. It was a new experience being on the stretcher instead of pushing it. Everyone knew me (of course). I felt bad that it took 2 different anesthesiologists to get my IV started - I had warned them I that am a difficult stick.

I do remember LeAnn wheeling me into the OR and then scootching over to the table. The very narrow table. The lights are very bright from that perspective. I don't remember anything else until I was being moved to phase 2 recovery, where I slept some more. I think ortho tried to talk to me then, but I'm not really sure.

I spent the rest of the night on our couch. I'd wake up for 5 minutes and then doze off again, occasionally vomiting into a bucket. Poor DH has been taking care of me and cleaning up my mess. At least so far, I've hit the bucket every time. :(

This morning, I'm trying some coffee because I do NOT want that caffeine withdrawal headache again! I've been sipping at it for about 1 1/2 hours now and so far it's staying down. I still feel queasy, so I'm leery of taking any pain meds for fear that I'll throw them right back up. I might call and ask for Phenergan to be called in for me, since I need to schedule my post-op check.

I can very carefully weight bear on the leg, which is nice since me on crutches is amusing to all who see me. Thank God there is no video available of that, I'm sure my DH would send it in to Failblog.

Evidently, Dr X told DH that my knee was pretty significantly messed up - that it was one of the worst ones he has seen in a relatively young patient. I should have done this sooner.

12 comments:

Grumpy, M.D. said...

Those caffeine withdrawal headaches are nasty. I treat mine by never withdrawing.

Glad you're feeling better.

I know what you mean. I landed in ER myself a few years back. I think the nurses were drawing straws to see who got to give me an IM in the butt.

ER's Mom said...

I'm still going to have them call in some phenergan for me. My knee does hurt, but I'm too queasy to chance meds right now.

Grumpy, M.D. said...

Let me know if you need your work forms filled out. I enjoy doing them so much!

Grumpy, M.D. said...

That's a good one. Generic Zofran-ODT is also helpful, if you can keep it down.

ER's Mom said...

Not using FMLA - just a vacation week.

The advantage of being me is that my office manager knows how bad it's been. We're kinda ignoring the HR rules on needing to fill out FMLA forms.

ER's Mom said...

Yeah, but phenergan is dirt cheap. Yes, zofran is generic, but phenergan is still cheaper.

Grumpy, M.D. said...

Benefits of a small solo practice.

I am the office manager and HR person.

I hate those forms in general.

ER's Mom said...

Tell me about it - every surgery, every delivery gets 1 or maybe 2 FMLA forms to fill out.

I deliver about 25 women/month and do about 25-35 surgeries per month. That's a lot of nurse time to fill out FMLA forms.

Grumpy, M.D. said...

I don't charge for those. Some docs do, but I just don't have the heart.

You can email me if you feel like chatting off site. It's on my web page.

I use instant messenger at home, but not work. Otherwise I'd never get anything done.

student dr. blaze said...

Zofran ODT is a godsend for nausea. I'd spend the extra $ to stick a pill under my tongue rather than phenergan elsewhere. ;-) But that's just MHO. I hope you feel better soon!

rlbates said...

Hope you feel better soon. Take care.

The New Mommy said...

Pharmacist's perspective:
Generic Zofran ODT = $500/30 tabs
Generic Phenergan = $5/30 tabs

Go with the cheap stuff. Hope you feel better!

How can you not want pain meds?! All of my patients claim that Vicodin and/or Percocet are their daily vitamins to keep them going :-)