Surgery is done and dusted!

Starburst

I'm fixed......kind of! My right ankle is in a plaster cast and a big bandage. It's still weepy and oozy but not as bad as it was last night. Consultant said the lump of bone was much biggerthan he'd expected and there was inflammation around the joint which he scoped out. The left ankle received a steroid injection. I don't remember much else because he came to chat to me at 11 pm (less than 5 hours after the anaesthetic and a rather hefty dose of morphine!) and again at 7.30 am.

I was meant to be given IV morphine through the night but they asked me if I could manage medication orally and I said yes. I was orginally told it would be oramorph but in the morning, I found it was paracetamol. I usually take codeine, so no wonder I was awake all night in pain! They've discharged me with better pain killers though. I also have to inject myself with an anti-clotting medication every evening. I practiced on an orange but I'm a tad nervous.

I nearly didn't make it home because I was unsteady and the physio felt I would benefit from another night in hospital. However, once the tramadol and codeine kicked in, I was able to hobble (with crutches) on the non-operated foot and I broke out of jail!

My rheumy appt was only yesterday morning but feels forever ago. She's prescribed me sulphasalazine in addition to mtx. If my wrists and hands don't improve, she'll send me for an MRI. I was pleased with the outcome and felt she really listened to me.

Sorry about the essay! Much love to you all. xx

dreamdaisy

I am glad to hear that it all went well and that you have escaped the confines of the hospital. I am on sulph (have been for nine years now) and injected meth for just over two, I've had very few problems with either med and I hope they work for you. I wish you well. DD

Compositor

Hi Starburst,

I pleased all went well for you, and your feeling on the better side now. Keep going with that positivity and Good Luck. John x

tkachev

Hi Starburst. Nice to have you back after your operation. It didn't sound very pleassnt so I hope you will get much needed rest and are not in too much pain while at home.
Best wishes
Elizabeth

barbara12

That is such good news, I was getting worried, then I thought she might not be home for a couple of days.
Wow what they can do these days, it must have been so painful to walk on.
I hope you get a good nights sleep tonight, much better in your own bed.
You take care, and please let us know how you are doing

elnafinn

Hi Starburst

Welcome back and so soon to let us know all about it. You brave girl! I do wish you well with post op recovery. You take care now and it is lovely to have you back with us.

Look after yourself

Elna x

lavenderlady

well done you are so brave my right ankle needs doing but after healing problems I am def putting it off for a while a long while if i can !!,
we always feel so much better in our own bed, I'm sure it helps to heal faster hope you are not in any pain now, michelle

stickywicket

Well done, Starburst! That was some day! You really have been brave and I'm so glad it's been done because, if the bony lump was so much bigger than expected, it would have given you lots of future grief.

You did really well to make it home. Please keep us in the loop about your progress. And no heroics, please. Just a gentle, steady recovery will do nicely.

ironic

Hi Starburst,
I am glad you managed to escape the hossi ward and are now back home. I do hope the Sulpha with the mtx works for you. I think the hands are the last to surrender or at least that is what I am finding. It is great when they actually listen to you.

I hope the pain meds kick in for you soon and you manage a more restful night’s sleep.
Lv, I x

dachshund

Hi Starburst.
i'm pleased your home and it's done.
how many injections do you have to do.
i had 42 i have 14 to go. i thought of my tummy has a orange.
take care and rest yu've done good.
joan xx

prefabkid47

Hi starburst
Glad the operation is over and you've escaped from hospital,it's amazing how the brain can be focussed when you want to get home.
I was on anti coag injections (for two weeks) after having my ankle replacement 5 weeks ago,after the first couple it became routine and didn't worry me at all!Hope it is for you.
How long do you expect to be in your plaster cast,I hope to be out of mine six weeks after surgery (next week!!).
Ron

Poppyg1rl

Well done starburst! You're so brave I really hope you feel the benefit of the operation very soon. love and healing hugs x

speedalong

Hi Starburst,

you are on the right side of the op now. It is always grim just after, but things will soon improve. They tried fobbing me off in hospital after my op with paracetomol!!! With a 9 inch gash in my leg and all that sawing and jiggling they do - are they for real?! Glad you got better meds for discharge.

If you are dreading the jab, I'd switch it to first thing in the morning and get it over and done with.

Get plenty or rest and elevate that leg.

Speedy

Starburst

Thank you so much for the kind words.

I'm quite sore and finding the arthritis gutter crutches quite wearing on my back and tummy muscles. I did absolutely fine with the injection, barely felt it. I'm only in plaster for 2 weeks, so it could be worse. I managed to get in the bath today and wash my hair after a lovely long nap, so I feel much more human.

Everyone's been running around after me at home. I feel very indulged.

traluvie

Hi Starburst..

Glad to hear all went well and you are now being waited on hand and foot.. how nice eh??
Hope you feel benefits soon luvie..
If the crutches get too much, ring up physio and see if they can find something that you would find more comfortable..Glad the injection was ok too..
Wishing you well..xx

stickywicket

Starburst wrote:

Everyone's been running around after me at home. I feel very indulged.

Keep them at it, Starburst. You've worked hard for that.

julie47

Starburst

Just read this and I am so pleased your surgery is over and you are now in the comfort of your own home.
Hope you are not in too much pain today and that you continue to get well quickly.

Juliepf x

Starburst

Morning all,

I've been feeling a bit down in the dumps. I sobbed and sobbed yesterday but I had a good night's sleep and a shower and a hair wash, so I've managed a smile or two today. I keep telling myself I'm lucky it's only 2 weeks in plaster. When they operate on the other ankle, I'll be wiser and agree to a wheelchair at home. It's a nightmare hauling myself to the toilet even with the gutter crutches. I tried the zimmer in hosp and it was even worse. My wrists, hands and elbows are swollen and stiff, despite me being on strong painkillers. I'm not feeling well enough to start the sulpha yet.

Sorry, just needed somewhere to moan. :roll:

stickywicket

Starburst, I'm sorry you haven't been feeling so good. It's a natural reaction. We all tend to think things'll be great once we're home and a lot is but a lot of other stuff is actually much harder than it was in hospital and there's no-one at hand to ask about it.

It's not too late to tell the hospital you've reconsidered and would like a wheelchair. No point in struggling on for two weeks and making other stuff worse.

Go easy on yourself. Don't expect too much too soon.

Starburst

A few more days down the line and the pain in my ankle has improved, although I'm still uncomfortable and arthur has flared up. I'm loathe to take more tramadol because a.) it makes me fall asleep and b.) it's for surgery pain and I don't want to use it for my 'usual' RA pain. I'm still sleeping on and off most of the time. I wake frequently because I can't get fully comfortable but sleeping at night has improved as long as I prop my ankle up with pillows. My toes are still numb and refusing to move. They're also tinged blue. The hosp told me it was normal, so I assume it is.

The anticoagulant injections have left me with some lovely bruises. I keep breaking the skin and it bleeds. Not sure what I'm doing wrong. :sad:

I see ortho next Saturday to get cast and stitches removed. Then, the hard work (physio) starts!

People keep visiting and bringing me loads (and I mean LOADS) of chocolate! If I could, I'd share it virtually. I don't need all this choc, hehe! xx

bobbyger

Well done starburst,

Im know what its like with the injections as well (6 weeks worth). My belly was like a patchwork quily at times with bruises. Your not doing anything wrong, just unlucky with your placement of the needle and hitting blood vessels.

Take care

rob

stickywicket

How's thing today, Starburst? Still going well or are you unable to move for chocolate?

traluvie

Glad you feeling bit better..

Chocolate.. mmmm lush.. if only you could share it with your cyber mates we'd all be in chocolate heaven.. Just keep it stored in the fridge and you will have a never ending supply to last all yr round..What more could a girl want..