So it's about 2:30am and I'm not sleepy. Which is probably a good thing since atleast once an hour the aid is in getting vitals, or the nurse taking blood or giving meds. I'll try and detail what I remember of the day.
Arrived at the center at 9am. Had all my preop blood work, vitals, IV started, weighed in, another pregnancy test. Spoke with anesthesia and my surgeon. Was getting my happy juice as the nurse called it at 10:30. Wasn't aware of any thing else till about 3pm.
Woke up at 3 in horrible pain and to the nurse sliding the plate under me to get an X-ray. Was quickly medicated for that. Had a sprite in the recovery area and in a room by 4:30. Was allowed to have regular food and drink so had coffee with supper.
My surgeon came in to see me, said everything went well and that I would be walking tonight. He also said I didnt have any movement restrictions. To avoid anything extreme until I am more healed. I asked again to make sure, especially about should my toes point straight up in bed. He said not. That worries me a little. I think I need the boundaries so to speak.
I was not catharized for the surgery so figured my first trip would be to the bathroom. Wrong. I have not been out of bed yet. Nursing staff said they would rather my first time up be with PT.
My pain has been well controlled since the initial wake up. I have Tordol every 6 hours, can have morphine either IV or pill form every 4 hours, Tylenol 3 times daily. The nurse has been in and we planned my pain schedule to where I will be medicated just prior to PT.
PT will be in about 8:30am to start me walking. First group session at 9am. Have to admit that I am nervous about how painful it will be. The zero pain policy they tried to tell us about in joint class does not exist. The pain control goal is 4 out of 10. At this point I am just trying to relax until the next flurry of activity.