Installing height- Programdude's Precice 2 Internal femurs with Dr. Paley

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Yeah baby!

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Go get 'em tiger!

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Hey everyone! So its said and done! Since this is a diary I'll summarize the events so new people interested in CLL can get an idea of what to expect
I arrived at 5 30 as I had been instructed I've been walking everywhere I need to, but of course wasn't going to walk to my surgery in this neighborhood at 5 AM(getting shot or mugged would not have enhanced the experience).
After a short wait I was called in, my vitals and clothes, and bag of personal items all taken. And I was prepped with my IV etc.
The nurse and anasthesiologist paid me a visit and went over the process, explaining how the epidural would be going in and all that. The wait wasn't really all that bad, especially compared to waiting in Paley's lobby, though any moment waiting felt like a crawl.

Eventually they injected me with "happy juice" and wheeled me off to the operating room as they bustled about.

Then I was nauseous and shivering uncontrollably, with my only thought being me wishing they'd put me under already so I wouldn't feel so sick. Eventually they found a way of subduing it, when I noticed we were in another room, so I managed a "what room is this". And she said "recovery" only then did I realize my surgery was long since done.

I passed in and out a few times, was brought up to my room where I passed out a few more time, but food and my stuff was brought to me. And here I am=] Forgive the typing, I'm still not all there, but just wanted to report that at least this initial part wasn't bad at all.

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Still doing great, I was able to get into a wheelchair and everyone is surprised by how well I'm doing.

Worst part so far has been them giving me gravy when I didn't ask for it :p.

You seriously have a whole team working on you throughout your stay. Someone is always coming in the room to check on you, and they answer immediately when you buzz for them. They are checking your vitals, keeping you hydrated, changing your pee bag, and the gentleman who helped me into the wheelchair provided a tour and some company.

Everyone was saying I could be discharged early but Paley just visited my room and said because I'm here alone and already paid for four nights that I should use them all, which could actually save me a lot of money since the assistants are expensive. Contrary to what some have said, you absolutely won't need an assistant during the hospital stay as you are being waited on hand and foot. A planner will be appointed to you who will help you square away home aids, medication, and transportation.

At least at this stage sleep comes easy, although it is regularly interrupted, but it hasn't bothered me. For the most part I feel normal but will occasionally get super tired.

Paley also indicated that due to my age I could begin clicking tomorrow so thats exciting!

Once the epidural comes out tomorrow I can move around but will likely experience a bit of pain, so I'll be sure to report on that.

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Living the dream! 

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So far yeah, still just the very beginning of my journey, but I've got a good feeling.

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legs are slowly coming back, with great effort I can raise the right one and straighten it.

Btw anyone who gets this surgery should be glued to their breathing device- every time I sleep I wake up with 100-102 fever, but doing that brings it down to about 98. And I only sleep for two hours tops so you will get seriously sick if you are lazy with this.

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Today has been rough, nothings really worked out well. Early on they had me stand up, which cause me to feel extremely off balance and made me throw up.
Later, the epidural came out, which is painless itself, but pretty quickly the pain was bad. Shortly thereafter I had to have a bowel movement but the nurse just would not come. Called three times until finally someone came and very slowly set up the beside commode. I don't know how she didn't realize how urgent it was as she went through the motions of explaining things. With extreme difficulty I was able to get on it and have a successful and very long bowel movement, which wasn't pleasant but also wasn't terrible. Was really light headed and felt terrible.
I had only taken one percocet so when moving from the commode to the bed I was literally screaming as the nurse and PT helped me. Then they took the catheter out which was pretty unpleasant. They gave me another percocet, and I requested some IV pain relief but again things are taking forever and I still don't have this. I don't know what, but something was done to my left tibia which is causing a lot of pain.
Really not my day.

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Had to make a second bowel movement which I was dreading after the previous time. It was still ungodly awful but better overall. Trying to stay strong since I know this part only lasts so long.

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Stay strong buddy!  This is by far the worst part and it only gets easier after the hospital.

You're already doing great, I couldn't even walk to or sit on the commode that early!  Just take it easy and know there's a light at the end of the tunnel.