The last few days have been a whirlwind of changes and adjustments!
Let’s start back with Christmas Eve/Christmas Day. It’s hard to believe that both of those days have already passed. We have often these last few years gone to EagleBrook for one of their Christmas services. So this year it was the 4 pm service on my phone in the hospital at Mayo. Definitely one to remember. I have to be honest that the music part of the service was just so-so…kind of snotty of me to say, but music is such a part of me I expect the very best at this service every year. It was not bad, just not a set of songs that really bring the warmth of the days to you. Ok, I am done being a music snob now!!
We talked a lot about being able to go home on either the Eve or Day. Eve was really too early since I had not even had the chance to learn how to do stairs. Yes, “how to” is really the appropriate description. You have to learn all over again which foot goes first and when to shift the weight and went to use the arm holders of the walker and then eventually the walker has to just be tossed aside and you end up using brut strength and hand rails.
But also to talk about hospital Christmas decorations. Not really anything in the room. I had purchased one of those ceramic trees for the house rental, but then just was so optomistic that it would not be needed. Fail on my part. But when Jason and Jen came to visit Jen found the most adorable felt tree that I kept on my tray. Everyone that came in made comments on that tree. And then my sister’s floral arrangement added to the atmosphere…so I was trying. David on the Eve brought in a Santa, since I collect Santas, and he sat on the window cell with the plant and provided the Christmas sense that I wanted.
When the PT person took me to the staircase they have for individuals to learn how to climb stairs again, I was just amazed at the beautiful decorations in the halls and around the nurses stations. It was really fun to see!! I had not been out of my room, except for a walker turn around just outside the door so it was really fun to see how festive these very busy caretakers had made to area. The PT then took me around the floor so we could see the various art works that were on display on the 8th floor. Mayo is known for art work throughout their buildings and 8th floor was was a true display of the belief that art can be a factor in the healing process. That was really fun to do and great that PT took the time to do that. So once we could check “stair climbing” off the to-do list it would help the resident surgeon make a decision in the morning.
And as the resident surgeon likes to do, 5:30 am on Christmas morning he walked in to my room. I can remember many a Christmas mornings at 5:30 am when the kids would be next to our bed saying can’t we get up now!! So it was kind of like a fun little addition that the resident showed up at that time. He looked my leg over, knew that I had passed the stair test, and said they he would have to get approval from the surgeon, Dr. Houdek before he could approved discharge. Once he left, I thought I should call everyone at my daughter and son-in-laws house and say “TIME TO WAKE UP!!” (Turns out those kids slept in until at 7.). The resident came back about 10 and said I was cleared to leave and that we would probably leave about 1-2.
David had everything packed up from the house and came to the hospital about 10 so we could pack up the things from the room. We also had to do the discharge with the nurse and then with one of the virtual nurses via Zoom. Remember that virtual nurse called me the morning after surgery for a check-in and I had no idea who she was and why she was calling me. Sometimes makes me laugh that people don’t know, remember, or at least ask patients what state of mind you are in the day after surgery, or 5 minutes into recovery. I do not remember what questions I answered of the nurse that morning and immediately fell asleep after that call. And I had no idea they did Zoom in to the room, when all of a sudden a face appeared on the smaller TV screen asking me my name and birth date! Kind of a surreal experience.
So once we got the definite approval, we let the kids know we would be heading home. They had planned to be out the house about 3-4 and would make dinner and take care of everything. They were excited we would be able to make it home. Hospitals are very good about making sure you get out of your room safe, using the wheelchair from the room to the car door. But briskly use your walker to get into the wheelchair…almost like they felt I should just step out of the hospital chair and jump into the wheel chair!!! We had talked to PT about the best way for me to travel home. Since the Tesla has those falcon doors in the back, we all agreed that the back seat would be best, where I could keep the leg flat and up on the seat. Again, great plan, but let’s talk about how do I go from the wheelchair into the seat!!! In my dreams, it would be nice to Dream of Jeannie, wink-wink and pop right in. You constantly have to remind yourself what leg can have the most pressure on it and make sure it is not the incorrect one. That has happened and the pain is like a tinge of shock going through the stitch area. At leas that is the best way I can explain it…not something I want to experience very often. Well, really through my own single foot strength, I did get my bottom on the back seat and then could slide myself further in. When we planned this out with the PT, he said don’t worry because the car people are very experienced with helping people into their vehicles. I guess we got the crew in training cause they were not the most helpful.
The drive home went fine. PT was concerned that I may get motion sick traveling sideways, but the nurse gave me some pain meds before we left and it really worked out fine. Then it was time to arrive and home, with most of the kids there, although none of the kids that didn’t have bad backs. The way to get up the stairs was to lean on the shoulders of a person on each side. David was on one said and Darcee was on the other. Those two worked out great….and thankfully we had Darcee because none of the other adults there could have risked their own back pain to help!! The kids had a chair all set up for me in the living room and we had a great meal and opened presents. Needless to say, I was exhausted that night, but so glad to be home!
The next few days have been learning curves for both David and I…how to get in to bed, how to get out of bed, how to sit down on the toilet, how to walk in the walker, etc. It is so hard for me to ask for anything, but I have really tried to make sure I do, starting with the hours after surgery. As a mom, asking can be hard!! I hate to put anyone out and hate to be “weak” that I can’t even reach my blanket or get my own ice water.
But I know the days will get easier….or at least hope they do. We got a dog walker for Max which has helped tremendously. Had groceries delivered and one of the neighbors let us use a couple of their handicap accessories. But the pain is still there at times but getting more manageable. And more pluses that I will have to write about like David learning how to use the washer, dishwasher, where the garbage bags are, etc….LOL…he has really been a life saver and himself has admitted all much he has learned in the last few days. :-)
One Day at a Time!
Take care of yourself and smile at someone.
Dandy Ventures 