Almost ready

[cjsmith]

Pre-op appointment done. Lots of chores done.

The scheduling person was surprised by the cookies. I had said I owed her a plate full of cookies for all the help she'd given me about the scheduling, and she thought I was kidding. I do not kid about debts and I rarely kid about cookies. She got her plate of homemade chocolate chip cookies! :-)

I opted out of the cold therapy machine. Sheesh, I'm going to have ENOUGH trouble getting around.

I learned how I am to use the crutches. Plant them both, shuffle forward, repeat. Like a walker.

[LJ-CUT TEXT="New lists"]

1. Questions asked at pre-op appointment

• Does the surgery center provide crutches? Funny shoes?
  No, but the surgeon does! I have those things now.
• If I'll have prescription painkillers, can I get the prescription now so I can fill it while I can still drive and walk?
  Yes. Got multiple prescriptions!
• Food/water restrictions? Starting when?
  Yes: none of either after midnight the night before.
• Medication restrictions before surgery? After?
  "Nothing illegal," she said with a grin.
• Anything I shouldn't be wearing when I come in? (No more surprises with metal jewelry!)
  Nah.
• When should my ride be prepared to pick me up from surgery?
  9:30am or so.
• Will I wear the funny shoes 24/7? If so, what are they like? If not, what are the dressings like?
  No, I can take off the shoes to get dressed and to shower. DO NOT GET FEET WET.
• Is there anything I should buy now to prepare for aftercare (eg bandages)?
  Maybe some Coban, as I'll use that later on.
• When can I stand up? shower? ride a bicycle? drive a car?
  I can stand up as soon as I like. Baby it the first few days. Shower as soon as I like but DON'T GET FEET WET: double-bag them with tape! (I didn't ask the other two questions -- will figure those out at post-op)
• When's the first post-op follow-up appointment?
  Six days later, on a Wednesday.
• Can I get a videotape of the surgery? Still photos?
  YES! Bring a camera and she'll have someone take a picture or two.

2. PREP: Chores

• (new) Make full list of meds I'm on, to bring to surgery. Fortunately this is easy
• Bring water, books, puzzles, and Ethernet cable up to guest bedroom
• Put some books, puzzles, and a cordless phone by the couch
• Take apart an office chair so I have an under-desk-capable stool at work to elevate my feet a bit (this is half done)
• Make foot MRI icon already
• Divide frozen peas into foot-sized bags
• Test camera
• Create waist-pack of Important Stuff: water bottle, painkillers, cell phone, anything else that should always be on me

3. PREP: Errands

• Get two new painkiller prescriptions filled did one, other will be at need
• Get car smog-checked while I can still drive? It's due
• Buy Coban
• One last grocery run

4. Last minute:

• Wednesday night: laundry
• Wednesday night: buy bag of ice
• Wednesday night: clean floor of den
• Wednesday night: clean litterbox
• Wednesday night: last easy shower
• Wednesday night: if laptop isn't by the couch, put it there, connected to net
• Bring backpack to surgery, containing photo ID, insurance card, credit card for my portion of payment, glasses case to store those during surgery, CAMERA, water bottle, painkillers, and enough room for my suddenly-unusable street shoes
• Wear WIDE-legged shorts and a skirt to surgery

Comments

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I may want that. I was told to put my weight on my hands/arms rather than the armpit, but I suspect I will alternate based on what's least sore. Padding, hmm, my house is full of quilting supplies... :-)

[platypus]

Yeah, definitely try to keep weight off your armpits... there's at least a small possibility of making a nerve unhappy if you rest on them. Start lifting weights now to improve your upper-arm strength ;).

I'm kind of excited that you're getting the surgery. I really really hope it helps.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

I've already started on the weights, actually! More 'cause I need it in general than for this time on crutches, but hey. Every little bit counts!

Thanks! I hope so too! I'm jazzed! (ok, that term is soooo eighties.)

[gdmusumeci.livejournal.com]

I was on crutches for about three months, once upon a time (I fell).

I found that armpits are bad places for crutches, and you're better off to support yourself on your forearms. I ended up with totally ripped triceps (but a shrivelled and useless right leg that took two months of PT to fix).

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Yes, I've been ordered to put my weight on my forearms. Now I get to see if they're up to it.

Now there's an interesting weight training routine. Fall down, wind up with triceps that lunge out at people. Hmm. :-)

[sharya.livejournal.com]

They're absolutely right, but if you overdo it and your arms aren't strong enough, the armpits will suffer!

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

*sigh* probably! we'll see! Looks like Friday evening I'll have a walker -- that'll provide a good break in the routine.