June 24, 2018
My knee woke up feeling pretty good in terms of pain but my calf feels like it is about to explode. After taking off the leg brace and inspecting it nothing seems to be swollen but I'm still glad I have my first post-op appointment today.
I again managed to make it through the night with no pain meds but popped a couple of more pills before jumping on the CPM. I also decided to turn her up to 60 degrees as the MACI guide says I'm supposed to be at 90 by week 2 and I figure it is probably good to transition in stages. Surprisingly, it feels really good and only slightly more painful than 30 degrees.
After six hours, it is time to go see the doctor/surgeon. I can't wait to ask about my calf. He pulls off the dressing and takes a look and says that it looks absolutely great. He explains that the procedure went as well as he could have ever imagined and that the MACI graft went in perfectly. I tell him about my progress and CPM setting and he is really surprised that I'm not in too much pain. When we discuss the calf he immediately looks concerned and schedules a STAR ultrasound to check for blood clots. Definitely not what I was hoping to hear. My poor wife had all the color flush out of her face at the thought of me needing another procedure.
We are scheduled four hours later and although she wants me to go home and rest I convince her I feel well enough for us to go on a lunch date just in case I get stuck in the hospital again. Despite my better sense I get the prime rib and man it is good. It's the little things that make you feel whole.
At the imaging center my stomach starts to grumble again and suddenly I'm dreading that I'm going to have to use the bathroom here and need my wife to walk in with me. Thankfully, my stomach settles and I'm able to make it through the whole ultrasound with no trip to the bathroom. The ultrasound is also negative for blood clots so we head home. I am actually pretty worn out and after another body wipe cleanse and two more pills I'm ready for bed.
My knee woke up feeling pretty good in terms of pain but my calf feels like it is about to explode. After taking off the leg brace and inspecting it nothing seems to be swollen but I'm still glad I have my first post-op appointment today.
I again managed to make it through the night with no pain meds but popped a couple of more pills before jumping on the CPM. I also decided to turn her up to 60 degrees as the MACI guide says I'm supposed to be at 90 by week 2 and I figure it is probably good to transition in stages. Surprisingly, it feels really good and only slightly more painful than 30 degrees.
After six hours, it is time to go see the doctor/surgeon. I can't wait to ask about my calf. He pulls off the dressing and takes a look and says that it looks absolutely great. He explains that the procedure went as well as he could have ever imagined and that the MACI graft went in perfectly. I tell him about my progress and CPM setting and he is really surprised that I'm not in too much pain. When we discuss the calf he immediately looks concerned and schedules a STAR ultrasound to check for blood clots. Definitely not what I was hoping to hear. My poor wife had all the color flush out of her face at the thought of me needing another procedure.
We are scheduled four hours later and although she wants me to go home and rest I convince her I feel well enough for us to go on a lunch date just in case I get stuck in the hospital again. Despite my better sense I get the prime rib and man it is good. It's the little things that make you feel whole.
At the imaging center my stomach starts to grumble again and suddenly I'm dreading that I'm going to have to use the bathroom here and need my wife to walk in with me. Thankfully, my stomach settles and I'm able to make it through the whole ultrasound with no trip to the bathroom. The ultrasound is also negative for blood clots so we head home. I am actually pretty worn out and after another body wipe cleanse and two more pills I'm ready for bed.
Comments
Post a Comment