Shelby's Life and Whatnot

The Great Reconstruction

Well I've enjoyed my last glass of clear fluids in preparation for this afternoon's reconstructive knee surgery. I'll be having a cadaver ligament attached to my patella and to some bone on the side to track the kneecap back where it's supposed to be, as well as "cleaning up anything else we find," which are always comforting words from a surgeon. The surgery is different than the one I had 17 years ago, starting with the fact that it's on the other knee. It's arthroscopic this time, a technology that wasn't available for this type of surgery last time. Also, the recovery is supposed to be 2-3 months, versus the 8 months of last time (yes, that's right, I said 8 months. It was horrible). Still, I'll admit to being quite nervous about it. At least I'll be knocked all the way out. For an estimated 2 hour surgery, who wants to be semi-awake and trying to keep still for that? It was hard enough being awake for the ICD implantation where when they stick stuff directly into your heart, it's a good idea to not move when they tell you to. Although actually I believe that surgery was with Versed, the medication that makes you forget what the hell just happened to you. If I recall correctly, I came to asking for a hamburger, ate one, and then proceeded for the next 4 straight hours asking people if I'd had lunch and if not, could I have a hamburger? I also remember trying to draw a picture for our pastor (who was making a friendly visit, not a "let's get you squared away with God in case you don't come through this") explaining what I was thinking. I'm not sure, but I think it featured a hamburger. The strange thing is that the hospital hamburgers there were quite gross. That I do remember.

Anyway, fortunately this one doesn't require an overnight stay, so if I'm craving hamburgers and drawing pictures of them, we can stop at In-n-Out on the way home.

Posted by Shelby at August 7, 2009 09:11 AM