ACL reconstruction and Meniscus Repair--the week after

I had my surgery on Thursday, May 1st, 2014. I arrived at the hospital at 5:30 am for a surgery time of 7:15. The night before and the morning of I was instructed to take a shower with a special soap they gave me to try and prevent infection. Upon arrival, I was asked to do another self sponge bath with special towels they gave me. When I got there, I had to put on the craziest hospital gown on I have ever seen. It was really heavy & had a tube to hook up to it that blew air into my gown at the temperature of my choice to help me stay comfortable. I was hot, so, I opted for cool air. I had felt pretty calm going into surgery-something that can only be explained as proof that prayer works. I stayed pretty anxiety free, but did feel stress with the questions that came on. The anesthesiologist was really nice and even a little funny--but, talking about being knocked out is not all that fun. I was given an IV. They gave me IV antibiotics to further prevent infection. Then, the anesthesiologist wanted to start my nerve block procedure. I was told I would get happy juice and it was reported to me that most patients don't remember getting the nerve block. I wanted to wait to start the process because I had not talked to the doctor yet. Time ticked by and the anesthesiologist needed to get started on the nerve block, so, they did. Apparently the doctor came in and my husband returned to the room and we all talked...I don't remember a bit of it. The next thing I know, I am waking up from surgery. The nurse asked me about pain and I reported I had pain until a pretty much couldn't feel the pain. Once I was awake enough (and I felt tired and told them I wanted to nap) I was shipped off to another room. I instantly needed to pee and asked to get to the bathroom. Done. I got apple juice and soon I was being shipped out of the hospital. I really could have gone for a nap. I was tired. Partially because I hadn't slept much the night before and probably mostly because of the meds. I was told the nerve block would last until about 7pm, so, I was to keep up with my oral meds so I wouldn't experience a wall of pain. I got home and went to sleep. That was a great sleep. I was up by the time my kids got off the bus at 3:30 pm. I managed to get myself upstairs to bed. I was very lucky that my nerve block continued to work until nearly 3 pm the next day.

My ACL surgery prep

Some things that I did to prepare for surgery that really helped: 1.) I took time to buy shorts that could go out in public and be pajamas 2.) I bought shirts that matched skirts I already own and bought more long skirts 3.) I got my toenails painted and payed a little extra to get a design painted on them 4.) I made sure I got lots of workouts in, arm strength has been critical post surgery, quad strength is key to recovery 5.) I made arrangements for my mom to come into town 6.) I got ahead at work 7.) Came up with a plan to get up and down stairs since all of our bedrooms and bathrooms are upstairs 8.) I had crutches at home already, but, I still asked for the crutches I would get from the surgery. This way I have crutches upstairs and downstairs. Since I have a rowdy dog, it has been a good plan to scoot myself upstairs and use only the handrails and arm strength to get down Some things that are fortunate I had: 1.) Flexibility to touch my toes (easier to get dressed when you can't bend your knee) 2.) Coordination with crutches Things that came into place: 1.) Bought a stool for the shower and Glad cling wrap.

My ACL Injury and Diagnosis story

Back in September of 2013, I was playing basketball. I jumped, landed, heard and felt a pop, and fell to the ground. My knee fell tender, but felt pretty okay afterwards. I experienced several episodes of knee instability after the injury. I even fell trying to get into my minivan because I slightly pivoted on my foot. I knew something was wrong and asked for knee doctor recommendations on Facebook. I knew I was looking at an ACL injury. We had a high deductible insurance and we had already spent enough money on medical bills during the calendar year. So, I ignored it and moved on. My knee strengthened up over time and I was even able to return to Tae Bo class. While all seemed well, I did notice that my lunges and other such moves were significantly stronger on one side. On March 10, 2014, I went to Jumping World with my neighbor friends and kids. While jumping, my knee warned me it didn't like what I was doing and I had to sit out the rest of the session. Right after Jumping World, we went to play basketball. While playing, I jumped, landed, felt and heard a pop, and fell. I had a strong pain that kept me on the ground for awhile. I scooted myself to the wall and gathered myself together. I was able to get up and play a very tame basketball game with my youngest son. I even came home and mowed the lawn. The next day I woke up absolutely toasted. My knee was swollen and very mad at me. I returned to the Facebook post from September and messaged my physical therapist friend. She came and checked out my knee and suspected I had injured my patella. She was able to get me an appointment with a doctor she recommends. I got to that appointment about a week after injury. The swelling was down and I was comfortable. Upon examination, the doctor also suspected a patella injury. I asked if my knee instability fit the diagnosis. Because of this question, I was given the directive to get an MRI. I got the MRI and was told the results would get to the doctor a couple of days later. After my doctor got the results, I made another appointment to get the results. I was diagnosed with a complete ACL tear, a grade 3 tear, and a meniscus tear. I was told I could choose to brace the knee when active or choose surgery. At this point, since I was feeling so comfortable, I chose to get a brace. Once I spent a couple of days knowing what was going on with my knee, I quickly realized I was not going to lead the inactive life an ACL tear would require. I made another appointment with the doctor to sign up for surgery. By this time I had talked to many people who had lived through ACL injuries and reconstructions. Through these conversations, I had decided that I wanted mine fixed and I wanted a cadaver graft. To me, it made no sense to injure another part of my body to fix a different body part if I didn't have to. So, I went back to the doctor to find out he didn't do cadaver grafts. He referred me to another doctor. He was happy to do surgery with a cadaver graft, even gave me a surgery date, but, my insurance wouldn't pay for the hospital the surgery would take place in. So, I was off to doctor #3. Doctor #3 could do the surgery, my insurance would pay for it and we were set. As it turned out, I really liked doctor #3 & will probably always choose sports medicine orthos from now on. Originally I as after whoever could get me into surgery the fastest. I had to wait for the surgery for doctor #3, but, as I soon learned, time is good. It takes time to prepare a family of 4 for Mom to go out for this surgery.

Update!

Well, it's about time I started updating my blog some more.
I should do that .... perhaps tomorrow :-)


I have big things! I have a new job, Stephen has met his 1st grade teacher, Joshua has met his new teacher at his new school and my sister is due with a baby any day now!!

New Bedroom

Wow. What a trip this bedroom re-tile has been!
The project started a day late & has been one hassle after another. I see why people have such a hard time in major renovation projects! Mrs. Type A had a really hard time with things being out of place after 7 days. To be fair, I was only expecting 4 days-but, I still really struggled to keep cool. Things could function fine in our house-but clutter and stuff out of place really gets to me. I was nice to everyone, though.

Going in:


Picture of sub-floor


This is Stephen heaven! Tools and stuff!



To get to the final stage was really hard. The guy that did the work, Alan, had his car wrecked on the Friday the job was supposed to start...which is why he didn't start until Saturday. Then, his kid had a fever. Then the fever got bad and the kid ended up in the hospital. The kid is spending tonight in the hospital. He has ear drainage and a 104 fever. Apparently he is completely dehydrated.

I have too many feelings about the job. I don't like that they said they would be here at 8 & not come until 11...but, there was a kid in the hospital. I hate that I kept getting told things would be done & something delayed everytime they left teh house. Every time they said they would be gone for 10 minutes, they were gone for 2 hours. Maybe the owner could have reassigned the job? Why did the worker work with a kid in the hospital? Maybe he had to have the money? Then good that I stayed with it...

My heart is torn. I really don't think the guy does a bad job. I think he communicates badly...like, not telling us we wouldn't be able to walk on the floors for 12 hours & all of my clothes were...well, it required walking on the tile. BUt, I was happy to treat myself to new pajamas at Target that night.

Anyways...

Final product! The boys really like how balls work in the room now! :-)


Actually, the room is almost done. They are going to come back and seal the grout tomorrow (as a nice gesture for how long it took). Apparently the seal will make the grout even darker. I hope the guy's kid is better in the hospital. I want to sit and have a beer with the owner and figure out why this guy is going through this? IS this something I just don't understand because I am not a blue collar worker?

Leaving the Baby Stuff Behind

Joshua really wanted a Scentsy "Ribbert" after Stephen earned one. I told Joshua that he had to give away all of his pacifiers to get a Ribbert. I ran a little test here and a little test there & felt Joshua could be successful at giving up his pacifier habit. Today, Ribbert came in the mail and Joshua had to say good-bye to his last baby thing. The crib is gone, the toddler rail is off the bed, no more onesies, the baby is gone. Personally, I am going to miss opening my purse and seeing a pacifier in there.

Here's how it went down tonight:

First, Stephen and Sean were at Stephen's t-ball practice. Joshua and I were walking home from the Reagan's house & saw the Scentsy box on the doorstep. Joshua was SO excited. He wanted to open that box right away. I let him open up the box and get to Ribbert's box. Before he was allowed to open Ribbert's box, we had to go collect all pacifiers and throw them into the box. First we took pictures of the last moments with a pacifier.












"I show Gracie"


Now, here's the difference between me and Joshua. I never would have thrown my prized stuffed animal into the tree as a child. But, Joshua did. Joshua was loving the attention. I have about 30 pictures of him throwing Ribbert into the tree. He wanted me to keep taking pictures. I really enjoyed my evening with him.

We Got Character!

Stephen won a "Character Award" today at school for responsibility! We are very proud of him! This means it is his turn for the yard sign. He bounded up to get the award with a big smile!
Mommy, Daddy, Joshua, Grandma and Grandpa Cupitt were present for the presentation.

Winter Beach Day

I usually make this trip in December, but, this December was too busy!
SO, Stephen's teacher had a sign-out sheet for Valentine's Day so we could take our kids home early. Lucky us!! I had talked to Stephanie about a beach day & she took me seriously, so, we did it! It was cold on the beach, at least for Steph and me. The kids were unphased by the temp & had a great time. My kids were very hyper :-)
We had a good time, we think we may go again on Sunday after Sean and Kev run their half marathon in Galveston. This time we will have folding chairs and an ice chest. We will go the "the Spot" restaurant again for hamburgers!


This one is going to have to be printed and framed somewhere...maybe I will edit the hair fly aways. :-) maybe..

I think Stephen and Zoe were playing Daddy and Mommy from the stories Stephen has told me. Zoe looks like she is doing a good job.


Joshua is one intensely active little boy. He was standing at the top of a sand hill, jumping up, spinning around, falling into the sand, banging sand, throwing sand. He did whole works. In the falling down picture below, he looks stressed, but, I assure you...he was thrilled and did it again. Each time he tried to make it more dangerous. Now, on the other hand, Stephen tried to show me a trick that he swore "I have never seen" and he just scooted down the hill on his bottom. Not so daring.



Knea kids sure had a good time surely didn't want to take pictures, but, they semi-cooperated!


Gracie went too!

Joshua and his Boots

Joshua still likes to sleeping with treasure. Most recently I bought him some rain boots that were on sale at Target. He has insisted on sleeping in them. You can see the other treasures that surround him...