I’ve grown to loathe writing (and reading) long, detailed posts… but I thought an essay on my surgical experience might prove to be beneficial for someone contemplating an arthoscopic synovectomy with open excision of popliteal cyst and meniscectomy (try saying that 5 times fast). While I was weighing the pros and cons of surgery, reading (and listening to) personal accounts was very helpful to me. Uplifting, in fact.
At 8:45 AM this morning. I checked into the Campus Surgery Center in Daly City (located across from the Chinese Cemetery — wow, poor city planning there, folks.) As to be expected, I was feeling very nervous, exhausted (from nerves), thirsty and hungry. While in triage, my vitals were checked, my urine was tested and I was administered an antacid, anti nausea medication and Valium. My gown was hooked up to this heating contraption to keep me warm while I sat and waited about an hour before surgery. The Valium kicked in immediately, which made the wait comfortable and anxiety fee.
At 10:30 AM, My surgeon, Anesthesiologist, and surgical nurse met up with me beforehand, marked up my correct right leg, briefed me on the procedure and put my mind at ease. I was escorted by foot into the operating room, which was cold. My hair was tucked into a net and I was instructed to lie down on the table. The room was cluttered with machinery and everyone got busy; one nurse unwrapped and organized all the surgical utensils, another nurse propped my legs onto bolsters and supports while my Anesthesiologist connected various parts of my body to all the appropriate monitors (heart, oxygen and brain!) Unfortunately, my IV had to be inserted into the top of my left hand (ooooh, I much prefer my inner elbow) but he tricked me into coughing to distract me from the discomfort. Everyone on the team had a great sense of humor and they worked diligently to keep me smiling and comfortable. After the “happy” drugs were administered, I felt euphoric, warm, and I could hear an odd buzzing noise in my ears. They turned on some music — Blue Oyster Cult’s “Don’t Fear the Reaper.” I laughed and continued to comment on how awesome I felt, despite looking like a complete octopus (so-many-lines-and-cords). My surgeon walked in and proclaimed with confidence,”We’re going to take care of this, Kirsten!” and I asked if I could have copies of any photos taken during surgery (they did one better, I received a DVD of the procedure!) The rest is a blur; I could see Henry (the cyst) on my MRI from across the room, I asked my Ortho about his trip to Haiti and that was that. I was out. As a matter of fact, I don’t even remember falling asleep, or being told that I would fall asleep. Clearly the happy drugs had some sort of amnesiac effect.
I woke up at after what felt like seconds later feeling very cold and experiencing a strong urge to urinate. My mouth was unbelievably dry and I was shivering uncontrollably. My glasses were on so I could read the clock; it was 14:00 (military time — which I found difficult to comprehend). My surgery went longer than expected, but my Orthopedic wanted to do a super thorough job (I’ll give more details on all that in a later post). I remember telling the nurse that I really wanted to use the bathroom and that I was ready go home. She said it was too soon to get up so she gave me a bed pan. As she worked the bed pan underneath me, the sheet covering my left hand was shifted and we both noticed that it was covered in blood. I had pulled out my own IV (go, me!) Anyway, the bed pan proved to be an impossible feat so the nurse gave me some more warm blankets to hold me over, but I was still shaking from the anesthesia. I kept uttering that I was ready to go home, so the nurse brought in M to comfort me. I felt spaced out, but awake. The urge to pee continued to progress, so they quickly trained me on the crutches and wheeled me into an actual bathroom. My knee brace extends from my ankle to my thigh, so the first pee was a bit of a complicated and messy feat. After I returned to the bed, I was given plenty of juice and a fresh cup of Peet’s coffee. What a treat! Once I received my first dose of percocet (which kicked in super fast) I was dressed and ready to go home. M pulled the car around and I was wheeled into the back seat. M stopped by Boston Market to pick up my first meal of the day, mashed potatoes! I didn’t suffer from any nausea (thank gosh) — so I was eating enchiladas by dinner time.
I almost forgot. While I was resting in recovery, one of the surgical nurses stopped by my bed with a container of solution containing Henry. Henry was being sent off to the lab for a biopsy and I guess I told them that I wanted to say goodbye. He was huge (about the size of a small orange) and completely encapsulated in cartilage. No wonder draining failed. Reminded me of a gigantic cow eyeball, like the ones we dissected in AP Biology. So imagine I, with my small 5′8″ 115 pound frame (on day of surgery) and how much real estate that little bugger was taking up in my knee! Yeah, painful.
M is such a sweetie. He waited in the lobby during my entire procedure and made all my prescription runs. I’m on percocet for pain, an antibiotic for cooties, in addition to a some anti nausea and anti constipation medicine (that I only need to take as needed).
In summary, I feel great. I’m home, connected to this super cool ice machine with my leg elevated. M’s doing a great job taking care of me. The percocet makes me a little slurry, but I feel relaxed. And I’m not at all tired — I think I slept really well during the procedure. The back of my knee (where the large incision was made) is starting to ache a bit — but my next dose of painkillers is soon. My throat is dry and scratchy from the breathing tube (thank gosh I wasn’t awake for that!) and my “groin” area is quite bruised from the nerve blockers (which really freaked me out at first — the entire front of my right leg feels like I was administered a huge shot of novocaine — pins and needles!) I’ve been doing some light stretches to avoid clots because I’m on bed rest for a few days before my post op appointment on Tuesday, then I start physical therapy on Wednesday.
My excellent surgeon told me that I’ll heal fast because I’m strong and willing. I feel kind of silly for making such a fuss over an elective operation, but hey, while it wasn’t major surgery, there were some serious risks. More importantly, it will improve my quality of life significantly. And the support that I’ve received from family, friends, co-workers, my husband and “tweets” kept my spirits high. This journey isn’t over yet, but I already feel as if a huge weight has been lifted.
I’m so glad it went well!
Kir, I’m so glad to hear our surgery went well! May your recovery be speedy and thorough!!!! And may Matt spoil you mercilessly!!!!!!!
A: ugh, so glad he’s gone. so so gross! thanks for all your “you’ll do fine” comments. you definitely helped to put my mind at ease
Glad you’re feeling good and on your way to being completely better. I can’t believe Henry was so big! It’s got to feel good to have him gone!
yeah, that is a little concerning, but you made it. thanks for the well wishes, i like hearing from those that have gone through a similar experience.
PS: My drive back to RIT was about 5-6 hours long. I was clearly still on drugs but I have no idea how my parents were okay with that.
Enjoy the working from home & happy healing!
I’m definitely in no rush to return to the real world — I’m still very wobbly on the crutches
I’m not moving unless absolutely necessary (like to use the bathroom) and I’ll be working from home starting next Wednesday through the rest of recovery. Ha, I thought about driving with my left foot, to… (in a week or so to PT appointments) but I *think* I can hold off on driving again until I fully recover 
When I had my knee surgery I had the same thigh-to-ankle immobilizer. I somehow convinced my parents to let me drive back to RIT by myself with the wrong foot (surgery on right knee). Then I had do trek around campus in the December snow on crutches.
It was still a relief post-surgery, but don’t do what I did and rush back to the real world, even if you do already feel great. (Also, it’s the drugs. Wait another day or two)
Take it easy!