Once again, I am in my Nurse Ratched role and Nyel is lolly-gagging around in recovery mode after knee surgery. Last time it was a total knee replacement. This time it was a total reconstruction of the quadriceps. Same leg – the left one.
It’s been almost two years since his bionic knee was put in place. That surgery went well and his physical therapy under the watchful eye of the amazing Victoria had great results. For more than a year, all was well. Then… unexplained swelling, more physical therapy, additional swelling and eventually unexpected falling down. Fortunately, there was no pain; the knee simply wouldn’t hold him up.
Reluctantly, he became dependent upon a cane and had a series of appointments with the ‘new’ orthopedic surgeon. Though we haven’t had a face-to-face encounter with said surgeon since Wednesday’s surgery, we were told by the O.R. nurse that he was “quite surprised” to find that “nothing was attached” and couldn’t imagine how Nyel had continued to walk at all.
When we do catch up with this busy doctor (who, I am told, flies his own plane in from Portland three times a month) I have lots of questions. (Nyel, not so much. I think it’s a guy thing,) Like exactly what is the “everything” that had come unattached? Tendons? Muscles? And just how are they attached in the first place? By hemstitch? Super glue? Was the problem related to the knee replacement surgery? Will it occur again? And just what happened to that last orthopedic surgeon, anyway?
Of course, I don’t really expect answers to most of those questions. I imagine that the ‘code of silence’ is in effect with regard to most of them. Professionals just don’t rat each other out, no matter what. But, it is worrisome, to say nothing of wearisome.
Nyel will be in a knee immobilizer for at least four weeks, maybe six. Right now he walks – no, make that hops – on his good leg using a walker for stability. He can ‘touch down’ with the toe of his left foot but isn’t to put weight on that leg. He should go no more than “fifty or sixty feet max” one of the nurses suggested.
That means he won’t be visiting the chicken coop for a while. Or even the kitchen. He’ll be confined pretty much to the east end of the house, hopping from bedroom to living room with adventurous forays into the bathroom. Lots of reading, snoozing, meals on trays, and old movies are in store for the foreseeable future.
Fortunately, Nyel is always a model patient. I’ve supplied him with a bedside bell if he needs me and he’s under strict instructions to ask for help – as in don’t overdo. So far, so good. But my gawd, has it only been twenty-four hours?!!
Hope all goes well with the recovery. As far as old movies are concerned my suggestion is Rear Window.
Having had Dave have surgery to have his quad re-attached last fall I sympathize with you both. Once he got past the first couple of days of pain he recovered quickly. In his case it was his own knee they re-attached to and drilled through his knee cap and used thread. He’s still in recovery mode, going to the Y every other day. I second Dee’s suggestion. Rear Window is a great movie and perfect for the situation. You can be Grace Kelly!
Yes, I think it’s the same process for Nyel. (Although he had a complete knee replacement, that does not include the kneecap — at least in his case. He still has the one that came in the original package!) Apparently, Nyel waited overly long (a function of his impossibly high pain threshhold) so muscles and tendons had retracted back up to the groin area. The doctor did “the best he could” said his nurse… Stay tuned. Our immediate concerns are that he continues to bleed and, of course, his heart is not cooperating and is all “a-flutter.” And then there’s the pain… Thanks for your thoughts. And I’d much rather be Grace Kelly than Nurse Ratched!
Wishes for a speedy–and successful–recovery to Nyel! Rear Window is great. Singing in the Rain is fantabulous. And the library is a great source of many more movies–get a laptop or phone to him and let him browse!
Good idea — “Rear Window” for Nyel; :”Singing in the Rain” for me. (Nyel’s not big on musicals…)
Wishes for a speedy recovery. My DH Russ will need knee surgery one of these days….when he finally admits he needs it…..maybe I will drop him off in Oysterville for recuperation!
YIKES! I’m not sure Nyel would give my Nurse Ratched Bedside Manner very high marks! Better check with him before you make any hard and fast decsioons!