Pre-Surgery Checklist

I've been blogging about my progress of my foot surgery (or maybe I've complained about it). I can actually see my foot right now. The first time in 8 weeks.

For anyone thinking about participating in any major surgery where they are reconstructing bone or tendons or whatever. I suggest you get a loyal family member to help take care of you. I don't know what I would have done without my parents. On orders from my doctor I was not allowed to stand on my right foot at all for 8 weeks. Which means, I can't do the simplest of tasks like getting a glass of water, fixing myself food, or even taking a shower. I'm on crutches.

What about a wheelchair you ask? Most modern American homes do not have doorways that accommodate wheelchairs (of course we found out that one the hard way). If you are getting ready to experience a major surgery event where you will be disabled for a long period of time do your research and get your supplies ready early.
1. Get a shower chair (Wal-Mart $38.00)
2. Get a safety rail for your tub (Home Depot $30.00)
3. Get an elevated potty seat (Wal-Mart $22.00)
4. Check your doorways to see if they accommodate a wheel chair and remove doors from hinges to get through. (We even had to remove the doors to accommodate crutches because the doorways to my bathroom are 23" and were too small)
5. Get clothing with pockets (that is the only way you can carry stuff if on crutches)

DVT leads to Creative Burst

I left graduate school on the third day of class. I didn't know what was going on with my body or my most recent addition, my foot surgery. All I knew was two weeks ago on Tuesday I was in the most pain I've ever been in my entire life (which is saying something since I've had a spinal tap and a subsequent blood patch).

I was diagnosed with DVT, a blood clot in my low right leg. Rushing over to the hospital, I began my current decent in to the dark side of medical problems. First, they had to keep me there and start treating me so I don't a) have a stroke b) have a heart attack or c) stop breathing from the blood clot breaking off and traveling to my brain, heart, or lungs.

After several days of tests, blood drawing, meds, no sleep, etc. I was released Saturday, one week ago. Since then, I have to give units of blood every other day, give myself injections in the stomach twice a day and go to a grocery list of doctors.

There is a silver lining. I am finding new ways to relate and respect the things my friends have gone through over the past 2 years. I'm also getting the pins removed from my foot Friday.

Right now I could use a steak. You know replenish some of the massive amounts of blood I've given away. I wish my dad would bar-b-que something, even if it is 115 degrees outside. I also could use a margarita. That's not going to happen either!

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