Surgery day - discharged ( March 7th - 11th) :
We arrived at Kimmel outpatient center around 6:10am (scheduled at 6:15am). After checked-in we waited 40 mins till the nurse called my name. (My mom waited outside with suitcases.) In the hall way the nurse checked my band and verify my birthdate and such. Then I went inside, had urine checked, measured height and weight again. I was led to a bed, the nurse enclosed it with a curtain and I was told to take off my cloth to put on hospital dress (open on the back but with few straps). The nurse wrapped my belongings with a bag and put it aside. While I was lying in bed the nurse put warm blanket on my entire body, she even gave me extra one for my cold feet. She checked my blood pressure, temperature and heart rate. Then I waited 20 mins or so to get IV on my left hand. Honestly, it hurt. The nurse marked “x” on both my feet. Doctors or nurses I met before came to say hi to me, it felt great. Then anesthetist Jeff told me epdurial was decided to be replaced with one shoot pain killer which lasts 6-10 hours. He seemed real nice, so as the nurse who put IV on me. Jeff was assigned to another patient so I had a younger anesthetist for my operation. I ended up with general anesthesia as it’s the only option. (They explained it to me so I was cool about it anyways) Then pt came in and draw two smiling face on the top of each femur:) Finally my mom was allowed to accompany me and boy was I relaxed:) the nurse put medical hat on my head, let us chat for a while, in the mean time my mom asked few questions towards the operation. Angelique also came in to check on me. A doctor and front desk staff seemed annoyed that we have two small carry-on and two check-in baggage aside，I explained to them that I had specifically called st. Mary’s medical center ahead of time to ask if we were allowed to bring them while staying at outpatient surgery center. WE GOT PERMISSION AHEAD OF TIME. Their response was literally “ of course you can bring all of them, if your mom can look after ”. So I was kinda mad with their altitude. Should have recorded the call
Besides this unpleasant experience, everything went great.
Shortly, it’s surgery time. After I said bye to my mom, I was wheeled to the surgery room, it’s not too big but filled with high-tech facitilies. This nice nurse gently moved me to the operating bed. Another male nurse helped too. Then he injected anesthesia into my IV, in a few seconds I became unconscious. ( didn’t see paley, Robbins or others before I was put into sleep)
I woke up around 1:20pm (not accurate) at the same place where I was hooked up with IV. Mom was there and doctor told me it went great. Felt stiffness on the lower body, pain level 1.5, it’s like after an intense workout. The nurse checked my vital then wheeled me to my room. (It’s not a short distance.) I will upload the picture, the room is quite nice.
The nurse checked my vital, hooked up my IV with antibiotic, glucose and anti-inflammation liquid(can’t remember the name). I rested for one and a half hours, then called the nurse asking for four ice pad as the cooler machine cannot be used today. (will upload pic of it, cool stuff)
The worst experience I had during these days were to put a bed pan under my bottom the first time and to have number 2 every single time. The first time nurse helped me to pee was unberable. He had to push my femur over to place the bed pan under me. I didn’t have much arm strength (there was a support rod over my head) plus I still had anesthesia left inside my body so you can imagine how hard it was for me to move and to pee.... portable toilet was real bad overal, the nurse didn’t get me the small size one until the last day. Regular size’s seat height was too high for me so every time I used it my femurs were squeezed and I had to relied on my left shoulder. My left leg was much better than my right one, don’t know why. Despite the bathroom situation, my pain level was 0-2. I had my IV removed the third day ( should have removed it the second day). The needle caused me so much pain when I used my arm stregnth to do anything. My legs were elevated almost at all time, so I had to ask my mom to bend my knees to make the stiffness go away. I must have asked a hundred times. I didn’t watch much tv or even use cell or chat a lot with my mom as I was too busy for these things: pee, take number 2, sleep, nap, eat, change position including the way to put the cushion under my legs), try to walk, bend knees, do breathing practice, get vita signs checked by nurses, replace ice pack(cooler machine is a mistake, it’s way too cold and heavy), have snacks, ask for juices, be wheeled to hallway for fresh air, do pt (lasty three days) and such. Everything took longer than usual, my mom did more than nurse did cuz I just relied on her:) Generally, day nurse was not as good as night nurse. Speaking of nurses at the hospital, I wrote down a list of names as I think these hardworking heros are worth mentioning: Carolina, alekis, Jenn, all pts(Especially the latter two, really helped me out *and good looking guys..),Andrea, Judith. The last day I met Osiris, paley’s assistant, she gave me essential info about incoming pt, medical details and local accomendations. I was given a walker, wheel chair, small size portable toilet, seat cushion, breathing tool, medicines, cooling machine, four ice packs, few socks and some pads for period time. Angelique also came by to check on me and gave me a bottle of protein powder which was nice.
The first two nights i had to be woke up by night nurse every two or three hours for checking my vital signs and replacing IV fluids. I walked three laps around the hall the second day at night which eliminated my second day movement... I walked one lap the next day.
Food there was average, i was so grateful that my mom bought this bottle of mixed nurtrition at Whole Foods market, i really think this saved me big time. It’s around 50 bucks and looks green.
She also bought grapes, fruit tomatoes, eggs, nuts,apples and others before the surgery and fed me during my stay at the hospital.
I have to thank Erik a thousand times, he and robin came to see me after surgery, greatly boosting my confidence while passing their valuable feedbacks and experiences on me. We talked and texted everyday post surgery, he encouraged me to move my muscles, get up to do exercise and conquered my fears. If it weren’t him (and my mom of course
) I wouldn’t be able to keep a fairly relaxing mental state.
To be honest, I had a couple moments of regretting it but all these emotions went away fast with supports from friends and family. * I basically cursed whoever mocked my height in middle school and wished them dead.... it was that bad at some times ( mainly after taking number 2.....)
It turned out I cannot take oxycodone so doctor gave me the substitute, trymdol(don’t know if it’s spelled right). Besides this pain killer I only took Tylenol three days post surgery. It’s not hard for me to sleep at night, just sometimes I woke up in the middle of the night due to stiffness on my entire legs and my mom had to bend them or put ice packs to help me out. My great mom.
I really should have practiced yoga before surgery as I’m having real hard time now to get more flexibility on my right leg and I’m just starting lengthening.....
