Monday, June 6, 2011 Day 3

The dreaded Day 3!! Although not as dreaded as the epidural was already out. I think taking it out the day before and easing into day 3 makes things MUCH easier. You have more time to get the pain meds under control. Instead of epi out ta 6 and out of bed by 9! That’s too soon!  So the catheter came out about 7am! They said I normally don’t have to pee for a few hours, but it wasn’t out for even 2 hours and I had to go! So my nurse….whom was pretty good at first…turned out to be a moron. She didn’t want to get me out of bed since PT hadn’t done that yet so she suggested the bad pan. I don’t care, as long as I pee, and I pee quick!!! So she got me on it and then left the room!!! I’m hanging like some trapeze monkey! I was livid. The pan puts your hip at a awkward angle so it hurt and I was hanging on the trapeze otherwise the pan would tip over. She was gone for like 5 minutes. I could have shot her. THEN, pain management comes in and I’m dangling and she’s like omg are you OK, do you need help! He felt awkward because he didn’t know how I would feel with a guy helping me but at that point who cares! But he no sooner came in and she was behind him. I was like get of me off, I‘m done! Idiot.

I was getting nervous because PT was coming soon to get me out of bed and I wanted Mom and Kevin to be there. Luckily, they got there around 9:45am JUST as PT got there so they were my cheer team! She eased my leg off the bed while I shifted my body with my good leg (same as before). She was impressed with my strength. I had to pee so she put me right on the commode and right to the toilet. Kevin helped me as I couldn’t stand and whip (sorry). Then I came out and sat in the lounge chair for an hour or so. Dad put his Skype on and we could all talk to each other. I got very tired and decided it was time to get back into bed.  I told them I didn’t want anymore Valium since that was putting my into a deep sleep, giving me weird dreams and terrible headaches. So no more of those!

Early in the afternoon I went to PT and walked back and forth twice on the parallel bars. I had to focus on keeping my op-toes up and really trying to use that leg and not use my toes to walk my foot forward. I did great. After PT I was tired but we decided to take a talk down to the Garden since it was so nice outside! But a great idea. I was feeling really good and needed the fresh air. We found a nice table in the corner and Kevin ran in to get some cards, sunglasses and drinks. We were outside for close to 2 hours! I started to get VERY tired. But my wheelchair was pretty comfortable the entire time.

We met Dr. Millis in my doorway on the way in and he was impressed with my progress. He said to take a shower and if I pooped in the shower that would serve two purposes and I could go! Yikes, too soon, too soon. He asked if I wanted to go home tomorrow….uhhhhh

Dinner tonight for Kevin and Mom will be free in the cafeteria will be free as the last two days they forgot some of my food! The girl taking my order must have notified management and the manager himself came up to apologize himself! We have enough to worry about and not getting the correct food shouldn’t be one of those! He wants to make sure they are doing their job properly. So he gave them each a gift card for $7.50 to use in the cafeteria, not too bad!

I ended up going to the bathroom about 3 times tonight and totally emptied my bowels, gosh that made me feel so much better!