Quick update...
I was intending just to update this blog with only facts about the operation and following procedures but I reckon I will share some thoughts and feelings as well. To be honest, I'm not really in the mood for writing anything at the minute so apologies if it's somewhat disjointed. I'm tired, deflated and disappointed right now so not really in the right frame of mind to write but I'm gonna give it a shot.
Timeline
19th January 2011.
8am - arrive on ward
8.45am - taken down to theatre
9.15am - anasthesia
12.35pm out of theatre and in recovery
After my initial shock when seeing Ross for the first time in recovery, several different kinds of pain medication including morphine, diclofenac and a spinal block which didn't actually work, Ross was in massive amounts of pain and we were feeling helpless, upset and I was wondering if we had made a mistake in agreeing this to go ahead.
60 odd hours after his operation I can think a little clearer and realise now how the severity and sheer brutal nature of the procedure had been downplayed to us. I, for one, just didn't realise!
We did have a counselling session where the procedure was explained to us. Only the explanation was nothing like the reality. Ross hasn't been fitted with an Ilizarov after all. The have used a Taylor Spatial Frame and after some research it's widely recognised as being the preferred option but looks much more brutal. As well as his pin sites (4 wires though his foot at various places so 8 pin sites) there are 2 very large metal bars embedded into his shin to act as anchor points for the heavy frame.
As if that wasn't enough for Ross, they then told us he was having a second operation in 6 weeks time to add another wire (2 more pin sites) and make some adjustments. We weren't previously told about this so it comes as quite a shock.
20th January 2011.
AM - out of bed and taken a few steps with a walking frame
PM - out of bed again and more steps
PM - once more out of bed and taken a few more steps. Mastered the use of the wheelchair.
Ross is very tired and emotional today. The meds aren't agreeing with him and only seem to take the edge off the pain and make him feel very queasy. As well as him being out of bed 3 times today, there has been a barrage of physiotherapists, occupational therapists, doctors, nurses and visitors.
I have banned all visitors for tomorrow.
21st January 2011.
We knew that today the nurses would be taking off the dressings and cleaning the pin sites. We also knew this was something I would have to master before Ross would be allowed home. The good news is the nurses did a couple and I did the rest. So, that's one thing I know will be ok - Ross much preferred me to do them and refused to let the nurses touch him after I had a go.
We also know that the distraction plan was to start today. This is a computer generated plan which outlines how much the pins have to be adjusted each day to acheive the desired foot correction. 5pm came and went and the nurses hadn't been sent the plan. The consultant had left the bloody thing on his desk and gone home! We then found out that we'd have to wait until Monday for the plan and this would mean Ross would have to stay in hospital until Weds/Thurs.
The nurse has since told us the consultant has a clinic in the morning so we are going hunting to try and get the plan.
I've added some pics below of the before shots.
Timeline
19th January 2011.
8am - arrive on ward
8.45am - taken down to theatre
9.15am - anasthesia
12.35pm out of theatre and in recovery
After my initial shock when seeing Ross for the first time in recovery, several different kinds of pain medication including morphine, diclofenac and a spinal block which didn't actually work, Ross was in massive amounts of pain and we were feeling helpless, upset and I was wondering if we had made a mistake in agreeing this to go ahead.
60 odd hours after his operation I can think a little clearer and realise now how the severity and sheer brutal nature of the procedure had been downplayed to us. I, for one, just didn't realise!
We did have a counselling session where the procedure was explained to us. Only the explanation was nothing like the reality. Ross hasn't been fitted with an Ilizarov after all. The have used a Taylor Spatial Frame and after some research it's widely recognised as being the preferred option but looks much more brutal. As well as his pin sites (4 wires though his foot at various places so 8 pin sites) there are 2 very large metal bars embedded into his shin to act as anchor points for the heavy frame.
As if that wasn't enough for Ross, they then told us he was having a second operation in 6 weeks time to add another wire (2 more pin sites) and make some adjustments. We weren't previously told about this so it comes as quite a shock.
20th January 2011.
AM - out of bed and taken a few steps with a walking frame
PM - out of bed again and more steps
PM - once more out of bed and taken a few more steps. Mastered the use of the wheelchair.
Ross is very tired and emotional today. The meds aren't agreeing with him and only seem to take the edge off the pain and make him feel very queasy. As well as him being out of bed 3 times today, there has been a barrage of physiotherapists, occupational therapists, doctors, nurses and visitors.
I have banned all visitors for tomorrow.
21st January 2011.
We knew that today the nurses would be taking off the dressings and cleaning the pin sites. We also knew this was something I would have to master before Ross would be allowed home. The good news is the nurses did a couple and I did the rest. So, that's one thing I know will be ok - Ross much preferred me to do them and refused to let the nurses touch him after I had a go.
We also know that the distraction plan was to start today. This is a computer generated plan which outlines how much the pins have to be adjusted each day to acheive the desired foot correction. 5pm came and went and the nurses hadn't been sent the plan. The consultant had left the bloody thing on his desk and gone home! We then found out that we'd have to wait until Monday for the plan and this would mean Ross would have to stay in hospital until Weds/Thurs.
The nurse has since told us the consultant has a clinic in the morning so we are going hunting to try and get the plan.
I've added some pics below of the before shots.
posted by The Mackem at
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
1 Comments:
OMG you poor loves!! How ia he doing now? No wonder he wants his Mum doing it rather than the nurses and that bodes well for when you have to do it at home 'cos he obviously so trusts you.
So did you manage to track the man down, pin him to his desk until he handed over the plan? I have a wonderful vision of you sitting on him and saying '"Now we aren't going to hurt each other are we?"
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