4 Days Post Op Dr. Ure - Mellisa

[Pat Walter]

Pat is posting this for Mellisa - If you need to contact her, email Pat for her email address

I am 4 days post-op (in 4 hrs) and doing fabulous.  We are all different patients, but Mercy Mt Shasta and staff is the best hospital I've ever been in and Dr Ure’s office staff is stellar.  Don't let the small town keep you away.  The hospital is the cleanest and pristine and nursing staff has a lot of ortho experience.  Here's my story, but feel free to get back to me with questions.   

The more knowledge you have going in the more relaxed you will be.  Their pre-surgical joint class is an all-day affair but you get to meet the nursing and therapy staff and they get to know you.  It also included lunch, pre-admit, lab work, and discharge planning.  The staff is totally committed to you and your care/recovery.  They are fun and personal - I knew all about their families, etc. by the time I left, and they mine.   The OR nurse John Palmer even took photos, at my request, of the surgery and made me a CD â€" way cool!

Don't get me wrong, there's a lot of work to do after surgery.  For me, the first 6 hours after surgery your spinal is still in effect so really no pain.  Thereafter, until 24 hrs post-op, was a bummer for me. Nausea/vomiting, feeling comfortable in bed, etc.  I only used the PCA (patient controlled analgesic) for pain 4 times then went to extra strength Tylenol.  I don't do well with heavy meds and I really didn't need them.  That has a lot to say about the surgeon and his technique.  Yes it's uncomfortable, tender and sore, but not super painful.  At 24 hrs I had in-bed therapy and got out of bed and stood with a walker, but that was it for the afternoon.  At this point you are asking "was I right to go through this?", but just wait until the next day - wow!

By the next morning I WAS A DIFFERENT PERSON.  I had bed therapy and started to walk with a walker, not very far grant you, but it really felt good to move your legs.  You are hooked up to 5 external devices that slowly are removed; mine by the end of day 2.  You have your incision blood drain, which is re-infused if 300cc or more is collected.  I luckily only incurred 250cc's - another feather in the surgeon's cap I think.  Of course there's your IV with antibiotics and fluids, foley catheter, TED hose, and your calf-squeezers that apply continuous massage via air.

By 48 hours I was taking short walks in the hall, with the walker, and got outside for fresh mountain air and beautiful scenery.  I enjoyed a tasty Chef's Salad (ask for it) that evening and began eating more, which really helps!  All the staff was surprised at my 24 hours of progress and I began preparing to leave the hospital the next morning as long as I was released from therapy.

Cleared medically to discharge, but still needed the blessing of therapy, I was able to SHOWER.  Dr Ure uses sub-cutanious sutures with a telfa pad and waterproof cover, another plus.  I was sent home with extra supplies to change the dressing if it did indeed get wet.  I still cover it with a towel during showering though.

After showering I was up with therapy walking a much longer distance, with proper posture, and clear to make the 6 hour drive home to Merced CA -  whoohoo!!  It was comical getting in and out of the Yukon but the ride fairly comfortable.  The key was frequent stops, moving your leg, and iPOD tunes of course.

Once home it was very nice to have all your assistive devices already there and set up.  Here's my list of have-to-haves:

Walker, reacher/grabber, sock aid (I took to hospital), shower chair, raised toilet seat with handles, straight-back chair with handles, wet wipes, hand-held shower head, bed tray, Standard Size reusable ice pack.  Dr Ure's office wrote a prescription ahead of time so the durable medical equipment items could be ordered and at home before I left for Mount Shasta.

Of course I have a LONG way to go but you truly see daily progress at this point.  Today I am walking-through my steps, actually a stride, with the walker and can almost get myself in/out of bed - every thing is in slow motion and takes forever to accomplish!  You will definitely need help at home, not sure for how long, so be sure that is in place.

That's my story for now but will post weekly update on Surface Hippy and the Yahoo Discussion Group :-)  My husband was concerned initially by my location selection, small town and all, but quickly got on board with my decision.  Without all the input from everyone on this and the Yahoo Board I could of not made the right decision for me; my thanks go out to everyone who provided information and supported me!!!

Melissa Martin 
Merced CA
L BHR Ure 10/10/07

[coskater]

Sounds like you are doing well!

Leslie