Yesterday evening I had a shower using a leg-sized plaster protector
bought at a pharmacy store (it is sort of a huge plastic sack (or sock?)
with a rubber seal on top, you just put your leg into it, and it works!
Also, my wife went to Walmart and got a cheap ($38) plastic chair for
showering; it does help to be able to sit under the shower; perhaps I
will keep it for some Friday evenings :-)
Keeping Percocet 5-325 2 tablets every 6 hours gives me no pain while resting. Some discomfort when walking without crutches; need to avoid putting any load on the toes/front of the foot. When I put my foot sideways and use the heel, there is practically no pain (but it looks comical!). Of course, using the post-op sandal.
The foot was elevated approx 30 cm/1 ft all night, and the swelling seems to be subsiding - the dressing feels very roomy. A nice surprise! If things keep going like this, I should be able to drive the car very soon. Today I will try to reduce the dose of Percocet by half and see if pain control is sufficient.
____
It is almost noon - I took only one tablet of Percocet at 10 am (scheduled time); pain control is sufficient, and I can walk quite comfortably without pain as long as I put the body weight on the heel only.
I went outside and had a snack on the porch. It seems that I do not need crutches anymore. Life is good!
____
It is 7 pm - no pain when lying down with my foot elevated. Can 'walk' without crutches. Went outside and BBQ-ed some stuff for dinner (!). But after 30 mins, I can feel that the foot gets swollen and a bit (not much, really) painful again, so I need to go back and put it on my pile of pillows. 10 mins later, I am OK again - no pain, no swelling.
13 May, 2012
49 comments :
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Just a little nerve block when I woke up. My Oxycodone APAP 5/325 was superscribed at 1-2 tablet every four hours. I took it every four hourse the day after surgery.
ReplyDeletehave your TV programs & movies tee up head of time- you will be sleepy all day.
Can hobble around a bit, stayed inside all day
Pretty good today. Used Toredol, having trouble with pain toward end of day. Excruciating when foot is dependent. Basically in bed, leg elevated with ice, working on computer all day.
ReplyDeleteHi Percival and all
ReplyDeleteDidn't log in yesterday or the two days prior. I went to a spiritual retreat on Saturday and spent all day Sunday preparing home and food for the surgery on Monday since I knew I was going to be off my feet for the better part of a week.
Procedure went well yesterday. This very experienced DPM was definitely the man for the job. He said the procedure went well. There was more arthritis in both toes than he expected, even after looking at my all my Xrays since 2006. I know this is not uncommon for Ortho Docs. Those who tell you differently are covering themselves for reasons known only to themselves.
Anesthesiologist said the DPM administered a Mayo Block on the nerves feeding the foot itself. For his piece he loaded a saline drip with the following meds: Clindamycin to protect from infection, IV Lidocaine, Midazolam (Versed), Propofol and Dexamethazone. I can understand why MJ got addicted to the Propofol - it gives you a good rest with almost no hangover, but it's so strong I wouldn't allow anyone to admin it to me except for deep surgery (bone surgery is DEEP Surgery) and only at the hand of a very skilled anesthetist. I guess he didn't use the Reglan or Marax this time though I came to wish he had when I woke up. I had a sore chest and a lot of phlegm to cough up - airway still feels challenged tho I hope that goes away in time.
I wouldn't say I felt PAIN on waking but I definitely knew something had been done in my foot (felt it more with the arthroplasty than with the chelio - I think the Mayo Block was still working on that one). Asked for a shot of morphine to ride me home in comfort in the event that the pain would become extreme later in the day.
Meant to blog in yesterday but couldn't and shouldn't have got up off the couch. Wobbly on crutches after the anesthesia and the morphine. No food at all yesterday - no appetite, no desire to wake the dragon in my foot. Rested but hardly slept except when the morphine knocked me out cold in the early PM.
Part Two in another comment space.
Lady Toes
I'm pre-op Cheilectomy and just browsing. Your comments are appreciated!
DeletePart Two
ReplyDeleteToday I'm choosing to go with R(est) I(ce) C(ompression bandage applied by surgeon) and E(levation). Anesthesiologist said this is THE MOST IMPORTANT THING to do for the first 3 days.
Ice on ankles causes cramps in legs AND feet. The metatarsals scream for mercy esp the first Meta T which got all the heavy cutting) but RICE and the laser acupuncture pen seem to be keeping me from taking palliative drugs for now. I wouldn't say I feel "pain" - it's more like a driving bone ache. I suspect that patients who feel the immense pain w this sgx have some kind of nerve involvement. For all the work I had done I get the idea that the surgeon did his best to avoid this.
I am doing my best to delay using the Codiene+TY - Advil 400 to 800 is my Rx of choice for things like this. It worked really well when I had a total dental rebuild in 2007 and cutting 26 teeth for crowns IS a kind of bone surgery too.
Dressing is clean and dry, toes on both feet are pink and lively. I wiggle the left toes regularly and I do ROM on that ankle, bandage notwithstanding (had a cyst removed from the lower interior ankle surface on the left). Right Chelio/arthroplasty foot stays UP at all times, no wiggling for now, walking but not that far on crutches, favoring the Rt foot at all times.
I'm trying to get more fluid and some solid food into me today. Rt 4th Toe Arthroplasty was a simple if involved arthritis clean up - no arthrodesis for which I am extremely grateful as I do yoga, so I really don't want to have any fused bones in feet.
Will probably bed down with Advil - 400 mg with 200 mg added per 45 min until I feel some ache relief. I need a good night's sleep. The Advil will do my stomach no favors but I think it may be wise to use SOMETHING for the inflammation this PM.
Taking it very slowly, one day at a time.
Dressing change on Friday.
Thanks for giving me a space to stay current w you.
Will try to log in each day from her on out.
Feedback is welcome, as long as it's friendly (natch).
Lady Toes
Oy you guys walked w/o crutches? I couldn't put that much pressure on this foot tho I had two procedures done and not one (and the Chelio on the Rt foot was extensive - for a side bunion and a sizeable dorsal osteophyte).
ReplyDeleteOh well, more power to ya.
I'd never consider a bath or a shower at this stage. DPM told me to keep the bandage absolutely dry and do not walk on the foot period. I can use it for soft balance on the left foot on crutches if and when I walk and don't walk much right now.
I'm amazed that you were stable enough to take a shower one day post op, Perci. How were you able to stand safe and stable on a slick surface with a foot in a bandage and a plastic sock?.
Each of us appears to be quite different tho I suppose all honest stories teach truth.
I was using a shower chair which my wife bought in the medical supplies store next to the hospital. It was something like $40, white plastic and aluminium, and it was very comfortable to have a "sitting shower".
DeleteI could walk without crutches in the post-op shoe, walking on my heel. But not into the shower - I was using crutches on the bathroom floor!
Thanks for your reply Parsifal, and sorry to type your name incorrectly so many times this week! I keep thinking you're "Percival" - probably because I once wrote a short story about a cockroach with that name (he was a mathematician and a scholar, a very evolved cockroach mind you) so the name of my character sticks in my mind.
DeleteIn any case, yes I noted after I typed that you said you sat in a shower chair instead of standing up, but still, I think that was brave of you seeing as the dressing was fresh. I could never make myself bathe at this stage.
Fortunately there's no need. My husband says he can still smell fresh shampoo on my head. No wonders why - I'm barely eating and doing absolutely nothing but watching episode after episode of crime procedural shows on cheap cable TV, when I've had quite enough of my other reading and scribbling pursuits.
I don't make a good invalid (lol).
I take some comfort in knowing you finally went skiing on your foot. My visualization is to get to the point of doing a serious downward dog, or going for a long walk at the dog park. That's the goal - do everything right and get back on the mat, back in the park, back doing the things that I love to do in the city.
Lady Toes
All you need is a cast and bandage protector, e.g. this one: http://lincolnhealthsupplies.com/prestashop/img/p/391-538-large.jpg
ReplyDeleteIt is completely waterproof.
Wow that looks really cool!
DeleteGood to know if I ever end up in a surgical boot again (had to wear one after my 3rdD L/ankle sprain in 2006).
I promised to tell you that story sometime and I will, later on in my healing.
Lesson - be careful when getting back on a surgical foot. Sometimes in the re-emergence phase the ankles are under unexpected strain and they will buckle under the right kind of pressure! Mine did. :(
Lady Toes
Here is a comment from Victoria Zielinski which I accidentally deleted - apologies:
DeleteFollowing your blog, Lady Toes. Thank you so much! I'm about to have the cheillectomy. Kafka wrote a novella about a cockroach named Gregor, too. I like it -- and pray that my own cheillectomy will be the metamorphosis i've been dreaming of!
Standing by. No joke.
Ok - for clarification, I am reporting on Day 2 after the day of the procedure (today is Sunday, had the op on Friday). I think this is in-sync with the author of this blog. For someone working through the healing process, keeping track of the specific day really matters!
ReplyDeleteYesterday on Day 1, I was feeling quite good, even though I hadn't slept much from the Percoset I started taking once I got home from the procedure. I was experiencing very little pain so I stopped the Percoset first thing yesterday, and used just Tylenol doses all day. With just the Tylenol, I had some pain, but it wasn't too bad. I would much rather have some discomfort in trade for securing the chance of getting some sleep at night.
I got some sleep last night, which was great, but I woke up with considerable discomfort - far worse than anything I had experienced thus far. So, I started back on the Percoset, one 10/325 tablet every 4 hours. Just took my second dose and there is significant improvement in pain reduction already. I plan to continue with the dosing during the day, but I might stop in the evening to allow some chance for sleep. At this point, I'd rather have the pain relief and suffer through with little sleep if need be - the opposite mindset from Friday night.
I'll see how today goes and I'll report back.
Nerve block wore off late morning. Percoset taking a while to kick in and not quite getting me to the 4 hr mark. Throbbing/ pulsing of toe is painful but nothing I can't tolerate. Sleepy all day. No interest in reading or watching tv. I prefer the quiet and occasional scrabble game on my Nook.
ReplyDeleteHaven't been back here in a while. This is a great blog!
DeleteMy only point to offer is to be careful of the Percoset. Some folks respond just fine to it. For me, it was absolutely the worst aspect of having this procedure. After a few days on the med, it caused awful side-affects. I think I posted on this blog about that. Just take the least amount possible.
Percocet is a potent opioid combined with acetaminophen. It worked very well for me (kept me pain free, I was taking 2 5-325s every 6 hours on day 2), but some people do get some bad side effects. Definitely do not take more than allowed, and if you do not feel good - lower the dose (otherwise it could be even dangerous). But if you can tolerate it well, I would go with the dose prescribed.
DeleteDay Two - The nerve block has almost worn completely off. So far, no real pain. Took a bath this morning with a plastic bag around my right foot and hanging out of the tub. Been walking like a Tennessee Walking Horse with the assistance of a cane I bought at Wal-Mart which is extremely tiresome...but I am grateful to be able to walk. Couldn't sleep last night due to the weird numb feeling in my foot and calf. I have tried to stay off of my foot as much as possible and to ice it accordingly. I am self-employed, so I can work from home using my laptop. However, I only did what I HAD to do which was very little. My mother came by and is running a couple of errands for me. Life is good and I am very excited to begin 2014 on a positive note. We had a tornado which caused severe damage to our home on Christmas Day Night last year...but that is for another blog. Thanks for letting me share. Parsifal, this is a great blog!
ReplyDeleteThis is a comment from Shanti Doyle that somehow got deleted - I must have clicked a wrong link? Here it goes:
ReplyDeleteI'm in my 2nd day post op (surgery was Wednesday and today is Friday). Spent yesterday in bed with foot elevated and iced and did some work-related emails using my laptop. This morning I showered. I put a large plastic bag over my whole lower leg and foot and used the bag ties to tighten it closed. Then I put a rubber band on to further protect against water getting in. Then I stuck my wrapped foot into my surgical shoe and put another large plastic bag over everything and secured it with the bag ties/handles. Put a small stepping stool in the shower with a hand towel on it for padding. Stood with my back to the water flow and my surgical foot on the stool. Felt so wonderful to shower and wash my hair. My pressure bandage, dressing and boot were all perfectly dry afterwards. One reason I felt confident that I could shower this way was cux of other folks ' posts in this blog. The other reason was cuz I had a follow-up appt with the doctor scheduled for late morning, so I figured if my dressing got wet (which it didnt), the doctor could fix/redress it. Dr. appt went fine and swelling is minimal.
I am 28 hours past surgery and my toes are tingly and swollen - is this normal? I'm guessing the nerve block just hasn't worn off as my foot is still numb. I'm not really in pain, just feels like my foot and toes are all asleep. Thanks.
DeleteCR Day 2
ReplyDeleteStayed in Bed until about 10am. (slept with with foot up on 2 pillows) Did a bit of bed yoga and stretching. Felt nauseous after getting up and lost my stomach contents again. Wondering if it is the Tramadol as I havn’t taken this before or if it could be the slight exercise I did?
I am taking one Tylenol 3 with codeine only as needed today - every 4 - 6+ hours - needed 2 pills around noon. Spent the day mostly on the couch, icing and elevating foot with frozen beanbags - they are not that cold through thick bandage. Was told not to weight bear for 2 - 3 days. I am to leave the bandage on for 2 weeks before my post op surgeon visit.
Lots of resting/dozing, occasional tv, reading and computer time. Enjoying this break so far, as I have been finding my job very stressful this year. Didn’t actually sleep, as it seemed there was noise whenever I was about to nod off. Spouse & daughter provided me with food and liquids - ate little, mostly drank.
I find hopping with support a bit too jarring to be comfortable, so use the walker with one leg up to get to/from bathroom on the main floor. Scooted up and down stairs backwards to get in and out of bed, then craweled on the carpet to get to bed. My daughter found this hilarious so did some crawling with me.
I have an idea.... a little crazy.... does your daughter have a skateboard? You might seat & roll on it, instead of carpet crawling....
DeleteDay 2 post op. Began to feel tingling pain yesterday, continued with co-codamol and kept leg elevated except for bathroom and dining room visits. My parents came to visit and prepared lunch. Realised I can't carry food or cups around d with the crutches! Dozed in the afternoon, watched TV in the evening. Had a good nights sleep with foot elevated on a bolster, the shoe on - hanging out of the covers.
ReplyDeleteThis morning I feel a little weary. About to attempt making myself some breakfast as my partner has gone back to work and my teenage daughter is still asleep. Appetite had been fine although the painkillers are upsetting my tummy. I am also constipated.
Not yet ready to focus on work email - only skimming subject headings. Think this may have to be another lazy day.
I am a 55 year old female and I had the exact same surgery on 8/22/14 by a fine Orthopedic Surgeon at OrthoIndy in Indianapolis. I initially saw a Podiatrist who took an xray and was misdiagnosed. He had given me 2 cortisone shots over a period of about a year. The first one lasted a couple of months, the second a couple of days. I decided to get a second opinion by OrthoIndy and they did an MRI which shows a complete different diagnosis. The pain that I had been suffering from was almost a stress fracture. I was immediately put into a post-op stiff boot for 2 months so my foot could calm down prior to having surgery. As I mentioned, I went in for surgery on 8/22/14 and I felt great immediately after surgery and craving my Starbucks coffee. My father was kind enough to drive me to and from the surgery and through the drive-thru at Starbucks. I had thick bandages up to my knee for 5 days and kept it elevated for 3 days, walking only with crutches. On the fifth day post-surgery, I went to the doctor and they removed the thick bandages and put me in a walking boot up to the knee. I was to use crutches (I believe mainly for balance) but found that don't need them and walk freely with the boot. My surgery lasted for approximately 1 hour and I too, was given a block. I had one injection and my leg went numb. They were to give me to injections, one on the outer leg and one on the inner. Apparently, they did the inner leg after they put me out. Surgery was a breeze and I felt fantastic post surgery. I was given Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen 10-325 and was told to take 1-2 tablets every 4 hours. My block lasted 22 hours and I felt no pain after it wore off, but I took the meds just in case. I took a total of 4 pills and went to the ER the next day for Bradycardia. My pulse had dropped to 49 and I almost passed out 3 times. However, when I went into surgery, my pulse was only 58 and I'm not an athlete. I generally have a pretty slow pulse rate anyway. I believe this was due to taking my BP/heart meds (Atenolol) in combination with the anesthesia wearing off because I am fine although my pulse is still slow (normally I presume). The ER told me to quit taking these pain pills and prescribed Ibuprofen 800 mg to take. Funny, still had no pain but figured I take them just in case. After 4 days I had weaned down to every 12 hours and still was pain free (since the block wore off) so I stopped taking all meds. I am still pain free so I must have a high pain tolerance, which seems to be the case from past surgeries. I highly recommend this procedure although I am healing slowly but steadily. The doctors and staff and OrthoIndy are INCREDIBLE!!! I would definitely recommend this surgery to those that are toying with the idea.
ReplyDeleteIt’s important to clarify I had Cheilectomy & Moberg Osteotomy. The Moberg makes the surgery more intrusive.
ReplyDeleteDay 2- Yesterday was really really painful and difficult. Today the pain is less, but still very painful. I am at least finding it manageable. I am still taking 2 Percocets every 4 hours. I also started taking Advil every 4 hours too. I time it so every two hours I take something… (12:00 Perc, 2:00 Advil, 4:00 Perc etc) I am also icing every 1-2 hours, my bandages are so thick, they iceing is not as helpful as I would like.
I have also started to take advil in between the percecets, which seems to help.
Today I got up twice to just move around a bit. I can only use crutches, I defiantly cannot put weight on my foot/heel to support me.
Today is Saturday. I had my cheilectomy yesterday, Friday. I didn't sleep much last night. I have been told to wear my CryoCuff 24 hours a day with my foot elevated for the first five days. I can put on my walking boot to get to and from the restroom. Other than that, my time has been spent on the couch reading, watching TV and movies, and catnapping. I definitely can not be up for long yet.
ReplyDeleteAbout 4 1/2 years ago I had my gall bladder out. I was very nauseous after the procedure and had to stay in the hospital when it was supposed to be a day surgery. Four years ago I had a cheilectomy on my left foot. Yesterday I had it done on my right. Due to my bad experience they gave my some meds so I wouldn't wake up feeling so ill. They did this for both of my cheilectomies. One of the drugs was Reglan. Both times I experienced an extreme need to move. I couldn't control it. I just needed to move as much as possible. That wasn't so great as I was already in my hospital gown and my foot had been cleaned. I pictured myself "escaping" from the surgery center and running down the road. The nurse told me that next time I should ask for that drug after I am out.
Anyway, back to this cheilectomy. I am taking Tylenol 3 for the pain. Yesterday I was taking 2 every 6 hours. I am down to 1 every 6 hours today. This is managing my pain just fine. I am grateful for the help of my husband and two sons.
The first part of the day was definitely an improvement over the day before. I'm taking two Oxycodone plus Tylenol every four hours, and my foot was fairly comfortable as long as it was elevated. If I set it on the floor very gently it's okay just resting there, but it's painful to put any weight on it at all. I'm basically just using the crutches to go to the bathroom and back, but otherwise keeping it elevated all the time.
ReplyDeleteThe afternoon was rough. I got a bad migraine with nausea, and it was miserable. I get these occasionally, so I don't think it was caused by the procedure or the pain medication, but it was certainly harder to deal with because of those. I couldn't keep anything down -- even the Zofran they had given me for nausea, so couldn't take my migraine medication or the pain meds for my foot.
I was really grateful that my husband had taken time off from work and was there to take care of me. I felt help pretty helpless -- in pain, nauseated, and unable to stand up and get to the bathroom -- but he was really kind in helping me get through it.
The evening and night went much better. I was able to eat some yogurt and then slept five hours straight. Things are improving!
Woke up at 5:30 in some decent pain. Took more oxycodone, but didn't really fall back to sleep. I have been walking on just one crutch today and also taking some steps here and there without any crutches. Putting my foot flat on the floor is pretty OK. Flexing it is difficult because it hurts and because the bandages limit range of motion. I've got a light surgical shoe to protect my foot.
ReplyDeleteI have a cryo-cuff left over from ACL reconstruction 11 years ago. I used that overnight and am using it again today. The coldness lasts longer than an ice pack.
I'm having some serious blurred vision today, which is a surprise to the anesthesiologists I know because I didn't have general anesthesia. We're all thinking it my have to do with my body's particular reaction to the oxycodone. Thought I'd mention it in case anyone else reading has the same experience. At least you'll know you're not alone.
I've been given some passive range of motion exercises to do for these first two weeks before PT starts to keep flexibility in my foot, but they're tough to with the bandages in place. I did preparatory PT for 6 months prior to this surgery to keep my foot loose, so I'm hoping that will serve me well now.
The bandages will come off on day 4 here at home.
Just had my right foot done yesterday. Nausea is terrible. Got a suppository (sp?) For that. Hopefully it will help. Can't keep food down. On the bright side, my foot isn't too bad pain wise.
ReplyDeleteOpiate painkillers can give you nausea. Hopefully you will not need them tomorrow.
DeleteContinuation from day 1:
ReplyDeleteDay 2 was better I think largely because I had got into the routine of taking the painkillers regularly. I was still very dozy and spent all day in bed with my foot elevated. I did a lot of sleeping! My foot was OK but hurt a lot if I tried to move my toes or put any weight at all on it.
Getting about wasn't easy - a combination of hopping and using a wheeled office type chair to scoot about on! I really wish I had got hold of some crutches prior to the surgery, it would have made things a lot easier.
I had a sponge wash - trying to shower even sitting down would have been a bit hard.
My Day 2 Story:
ReplyDeleteMy experience is nearly the same as Lara's above. I stuck closely to the schedule of 650 mg Vicodin every four hours, and the pain was fairly well managed. There are zingers now and then, but I just breathe through and they pass.
There is no way I can put any weight on the foot, in or out of the boot. It reminds me of how a broken bone feels -- so terribly painful. It's a mystery to me when I read how others are doing that. So, my other leg and my abs are getting a tremendous workout because I hop and lunge and squat to get around, in and out of the tub, etc. Rather funny. I also scoot around in an office chair.
So yes, I also am wondering why in the world I was not given crutches?! But, maybe it's for the best as I recall that we really are supposed to have leg up constantly. We were thinking of taking a Sunday drive to a park and propping me up at a picnic table. But just trying to get down the first step was daunting enough that I threw in the towel and got back on the couch. Good thing I have a huge backlog of reading to do. :)
Hello, I wrote in yesterday eve, after having had my cheilectomy surgery yesterday morning. I mentioned that I was a runner, but forgot to mention my age - 51. This was my first ever (and hopefully last!) surgery. Today is my Day 2, and I'm feeling okay the day after surgery. Kept it propped up all night, and switched to Advil last night after taking 2 of the prescription painkillers yesterday. I didn't like the way they made me feel, and 3 Advil got my through the night. Can't say it was my best night's sleep, but sleeping with my foot propped up was not the easiest. Today I am icing on and off, trying to keep it up, and getting around a bit slowly hobbling on heel of boot (weight on heel only) or with crutches, depending upon the distance. I'm only taking 2 Advil every 6 -8 hours along with the icing and elevating.
ReplyDeleteNo real complaints, although I'm not a very patient patient! I have the plastic cast/bandage protective sleeve for showering.....a great amazon purchase. Since activity is limited, I'm focusing on catching up with work, and will try a core workout this afternoon with foot elevated.
Runner from VA
I just had the chelectomy yesterday on my big toe. My leg and foot are still numb. I'd really like that to wear off and I'll deal with any pain then. The hospital sandal has a fairly thick sole and my foot tends to turn sideways and I'm afraid of turning my ankle, particularly since it is numb and I can't tell if any damage is being done. Luckily I have a wheelchair at home for other reasons, and I can at least use that in the kitchen where there's no rug. Otherwise I use a combination of the crutches and the chair. Once the numbing wears off and I see how things are, I really planned on going back to my sedentary job Monday, day 6. That's also my follow up appointment with my doctor.
ReplyDeleteDay 2, I continued with feet elevation (since I had both feet done), maintained my vicodin prescription (and gentle ice) but no other interventions. In the morning I "crab walked" to the bathroom, then backed up my stairs and took a seated shower. Managed to dress and shave, then shuffled back downstairs to the couch again, where I spent the rest of the day. It was strenuous, but not too painful. I could feel that my feet were still pretty swollen, but this was starting to subside, with some occasional uncomfortable sharp twinges when I'd involuntarily flex toes. Ankles are a bit stiff, so I was rotating them a little, and also doing knee bends back to my chest to keep some circulation going. Otherwise, not too bad.
ReplyDeleteI'm on day 2 (25 hours) after surgery. I was prescribed 4 mg (2 tablets, 2mg each) dilaudid every 4 hours. My daughter, who's a nurse has been keeping me on schedule for the past 24 hours with meds and icing. I haven't felt much pain at all with the pain meds and today I Haven't taken anything since 10 am, but have had 500 mg of Tylenol every 4 hours. I plan to take the dilaudid again before bedtime.
ReplyDeleteIt was 64 degrees in Maryland today, so my family set me up outside on a zero gravity chaise lounge I borrowed from a friend. I was able to spend a few hours in the fresh air today.
While I'm not feeling much pain, my big toe is completely numb and toes are puffy. I have a feeling the big toe will be numb for quite some time, since a lot of bone was removed. Bandage feels very tight, so I'm assuming there is swelling underneath although it's hard to tell. I've been doing leg lifts to get some circulation going and have a 5 lb hand weight by my side for some bicep curls. My family thinks I'm crazy, but I need to keep some parts moving while convalescing. I'm able to walk on heel with crutches without any problem. The doctor didn't even recommend the crutches, but I requested them. He also said not to shower for 4 days!! That's definitely not happening. Planning to shower tomorrow with a plastic sleeve I had from a previous skin cancer surgery and a chair in the shower.
Will post again tomorrow.
I am in the DC Metro region, and I deliberately scheduled surgery at the beginning of February so I wouldn't have any desire to be outside. I'm glad to see your family provided a contingency plan (for nice weather)! It's been really nice outside pretty much the whole of February, and just this morning I was looking at cherry blossoms - a month early!
DeleteI'm south of Annapolis and my nurse daughter lives and works in D.C. I also scheduled surgery around the weather as we are having daughter's wedding at our home in September and we have lots to do around here. I'm a regular tennis player, but I am already thinking I may not be able to hit the courts for quite some time after this surgery.
DeleteDay 2 - i took 2 oxy and 1 hydroxyzine before bed last night and slept pain-free. Dr says to keep the boot on all times, even at night, so sleep was awkward with pillows to keep foot elevated and chunky boot. No oxy or hydox needed since last night. So far this isn't so bad. Nerve block seemed to wear off mid-morning, so really a solid 24 hours of some help with pain.
ReplyDeleteDuring the day today my pain was modest and i handled it with 2 ibuprofen every 4-6 hours, foot elevated in bed and ice behind knee a few times. I had no nausea at all the entire time. There has been a steady low level of pain(1-3 out of 10) but it's quite tolerable and better than side effects of oxy. I can get around the house with walker or one crutch easily today and can even walk without support, though there is a bit more pain after the full pressure on the foot. It doesn't feel like there is swelling, but hard to tell with the bandages.
I've been drinking a ton of water and using supplements that supposedly help the body heal after surgery. Can't say if they are helping, but given how well I'm doing they aren't hurting. A couple times today i did leg lifts (on each side, belly and back + clams) to help with circulation and fatigue from sitting/laying in bed all day with crummy posture. The movement felt good and didn't trouble the foot.
I'll sleep again tonight with two pillows for my leg/foot elevation and hope the pain stays low. Tomorrow I have accupuncture in the afternoon to help with recovery. Need to stay off oxy if I'm going to be able to drive. I think i can do it.
Hope this is helpful for someone!
I think I'm about 4 days ahead of you for my cheilectomy. I was thinking about acupuncture at some point and was wondering what you have done when you go. I have never had acupuncture before. I'm open to anything to help with nerve pain and healing as I'm normally very active and fit.
DeleteSorry i didn't see this sooner! My accupuncturist seems to know what to do. She does not needle into the surgical area at all. Goes for whatever meridians...! I think it helped reduce pain and speed recovery the first few weeks. I recommend, especially if covered by insurance as mine is.
DeleteHad an okay night. No pain really, just difficult to sleep in the boot. And it was a little warm. Can tell that the block is worn off. Took a hydrocodone at 1030a and 11p, anti-inflammatory at 8a and 7p, with the anti-biotic x3. Some twinges today, but nothing horrible. Tired of sitting on my bottom. Getting a little bottom sore. Foot is itching a little.
ReplyDeleteDay 2 experience:
ReplyDeleteDoc Visit: Doc took off quite bloodied bandage and said there will likely be a bit more bleeding on the new one. Next visit in 2 wks to remove stitches.
Doc Advise on Motion: Advised to periodically manually pull toe upward to increase flexion as I recover. Also to walk without boot while indoors, to naturally allow toe to bend. I can walk without boot, but still mostly on heel (the natural toe bend can wait another day!) and I still prefer to have one crutch to reduce load, though I can shuffle without. She advised to take it easy enough to not promote swelling, so majority of my time is still in bed with leg up, even though pain is minimal. I have very little swelling with this exciting lifestyle...
Meds/Pain: No pain when on full pill of hydrocodone/acetaminophen 10-325 every 5-6 hrs. Reduced second & third doses to half a pill and can feel some slight pain in the stitch area which is relieved by icing. I will probably take a full pill before bed since I won't be icing.
Shower: Like using my toe when walking, this will wait until Day 3... Goodnight!
Day 1 changed completely for me.
ReplyDeleteI did great for 12 hours and 3 rounds of Norco (hydrocodone/acetaminophen), but then passed out trying to eat dinner and wound up in the ER before being admitted to the Telemetry unit. It took me less than four minutes from nausea after biting into a Jimmy Johns with hot peppers, to overheated clammy sweats, to dreams (I mean to my wife, having cleared away the sandwich and then finding me slumped over the table, unresponsive, and about to fall off my chair).
I'm back on home on my couch some 20 hours later, and long story short and lots of tests later, seem only to be especially sensitive to narcotics: the regional anaesthetic kept my leg fully immobile for 26 hours, and it's still a bit deadened some 31 hours later, though I'm walking on it a bit without crutches while wearing a boot, as directed by my surgeon.
As instructed, yesterday I had been taking the opiates on schedule as soon as I got home yesterday from surgery, and likely had too much built up in my system. (Two years ago, I had a similar but longer lasting and more terrifying experience of passing in and out of consciousness with 1/2 a Colorado joint, my first in 30 years. Now I know...) The neurologist said cut them if I could, so I'm just on ice and Tylenol with my toe burning about about a 4 or 5. But I kind of like the burn because it's proof that the leg is awake, and that there is progress to be made. Very little sleep last night since I was formally admitted to the hospital at 1:30 am, and it's late afternoon of Day 2.
I guess I will catch up on how Day 2 closes out tomorrow, but right now, and delighted to be back home again, and will try to get back into the smooth sailing flow.
24th November 2017, Day 2 is really tough! The anaesthetic all worn off and feet throbbing. Looking forward to the next lot of pain killers. Psyching myself up every time I need to visit the bathroom. My husband however has been great and found some lovely late Autumn blooms which he arranged in a vase so as to bring the garden to me!
ReplyDeleteHard time staying asleep last night....no pain, just had to wake up to change positions (I am supposed to keep my shoes on 24/7 for the first week). Plenty of opportunity to keep up with the pain meds.
ReplyDeleteBy mid morning the numbing med had totally worn off....bummer. Icing and elevating on and off so far today. Can definitely feel something now...tight, itchy and a little pain, was trying to go at 6 hour intervals on the pain med, but think I will take one now at the 5 hour mark. Will spend the rest of the day watching NDSU football (Horns up) and KU basketball (rock chalk Jayhawk)!!
Having a hard time remembering all the instructions, good thing the important stuff was written down..
Day 2 for me also, I spent the night in my bed my my leg elevated and and a with an ice pack on it wrapped in a towel and slept good. My foot is pretty sore now but not anything excruciating. I've been taking one oxycodone/acetaminophen 5-325 about every 6 hours since the surgery. Been hobbling around with a cane when I've been out of bed, mostly sitting on the recliner or on my computer chair with my leg elevated. I can walk and it aint too awful painful but I'm afraid to put any weight on anything but my heel of the leg I had surgery on. I want to think the nerve block has worn off but I'm not 100% positive. All in all I think I'm doing ok. Like someone else said, just taking it very slowly, one day at a time. Will see how it goes I reckon, hopefully it will just slowly get better from here.
ReplyDeleteCheilectomy with Cartiva: Completed 48 hours post start of surgery. Stretching out Oxy pills last night. 10pm and 5am. Will take next at 1pm then 10 pm and hopefully finished. Adding in 2 Aleeve every 12 hours. Nerve block still present in parts of my leg. Dorsaflexion is almost back in ankle with some toe flexion.
ReplyDeleteWalked the stairs (sleep in 3rd floor) without a walker last night and this morning. Heel walking in boot. Did some manual manipulation last night which made my evening toe joint sore. Sleeping with boot on and toe is still sensitive to the weight of the comforter. Trips to bathroom at night tolerable.
Cook breakfast this morning and needed to put the feet up to reduce swelling. Cannot tell how much of the tingling is nervblock
Planning for a lazy day 3 with a few set of toe bends and extensions.
Its now about 32 hours since my op. Single cheilectomy, local anaesthetic. Last night I was pretty sore for a while - I now think it was the combination of a 2.5 hour journey from the hospital and then the anaesthetic wearing off soon after. After an OK night - a few hours sleep but also some discomfort, things have been much better today. I have been pretty much fine with paracetamol every 4 hours or so. I will take some more now before going to bed, but don't expect to need them tomorrow .. but let's see.
ReplyDeleteIts interesting to see the variation in podiatrists/doctors' advice. First there is the drug choice. At my hospital they don't give anything apart from the local anaesthetic injections for the procedure itself, and then only paracetamol for after. As I reported yesterday, I could have done with at least one dose of something stronger last night to avoid a fairly sore few ours. But otherwise its been fine.
The second big variety is advice on movement. I am under strict instructions to do pretty much nothing and not to move at all without crutches for 2 whole weeks. For first few days I am told to only move to go to the toilet and to only go downstairs once a day. I.e.i can lie on the bed, or lie on the couch, but not even to switch between the two. I presume there are two schools of thinking amongst the surgeons - one group believing that strict, total rest is best. The other group believing that some mobility and weight-bearing is good and even advising some deliberative flexing. Its funny how one body of medical evidence can lead to practitioners having such different views, but presumably this means that there is neither one is obviously better than the other?
Anyway, hoping for some proper sleep tonight. Best wishes to others about to have this op. So far, its really not been too bad and its hugely comforting once you know that the pain has peaked and then reduced - for me that took about 15 hours post op.
The spinal block may have caused this, but my "good" leg was in excruciating pain overnight the fist night. I crawled out of bed and dug through my closet for my "stick" roller (runners use this for muscle pain) and it provided relief enough to fall back asleep. Throughout day two, I had Mr Stick with me to calm the quad when necessary. By day three, all was well. Posting this in case anyone has similar issues.
ReplyDeleteDay 2 for me after bilateral cheilectomy. My surgery was about 30 hours ago, at 11 am on a Friday. I didn't need a Percocet until 7:30 last night, but then needed one again at 1:30 am and 6:30 am. I also felt very nauseous at one point around 6 am, which was maybe from not eating enough protein yesterday. I felt like I was going to throw up, but a protein bar and some black tea helped me feel better.
ReplyDeleteI only slept about 4 or 5 hours last night, so I've been dozing on and off today.
Today it hasn't hurt as much to walk to the bathroom in my post-op sandals, so I've been getting there by myself instead of having my husband help me. Other than going to the bathroom, I've continued to lie in bed with my feet elevated above my heart, and putting ice behind my knees and around my ankles for 30 minutes every hour.
My feet are still wrapped in thick dressings, and I haven't taken off the post-op sandals because they're very light and I don't want to have to keep putting them on to walk to the bathroom.
I didn't need Percocet all day until 5 pm. I'm continuing on ibuprofen 600 mg three times a day as instructed. I'm also taking arnica tablets and another homeopathic called Traumeel. And yesterday I restarted all of my daily supplements and vitamins, which include fish oil, curcumin, and avocado-sunflower unsaponifiables, all of which are supposed to help with inflammation and joint health.
There are random pains in different parts of my feet. Sometimes I can feel the sutures that were put on the bottom of my foot to hold the placental allograft in place. But my feet feel less swollen and I'm rotating my ankles a bit. I'm not trying any toe-wiggling yet though.
Hoping for a better night's sleep tonight!