SurreyGirl
supremo
Another milestone
The Day The Stitches are Removed
It is two weeks since the operation and the Installation of Hermione
I have a lot to write up. Copious notes have been made and there have been many funny incidents. However, for the moment I am blogging the hip recovery only. The rest may come later or may not...
The day dawns, I get up, have the extra dressing applied over the wound, have breakfast, and shower. Showers, despite resulting in knotted mess of baby fine hair, are one of the things I look forward to. Most days here now consist of small victories, and the occasional failure. But showers are special and I have the Art of Showering down to a tee (worth a chapter on its own).
After the night’s tender administrations under the watch of Staff Nurse Mary the day’s shift starts. I have been told to ring the bell when I am ready. The Staff Nurse arrives with a pack of scary-looking medical stuff including scissors.
The first thing to be removed is the waterproof dressing. This, as you can imagine is a bit painful. It has been there since Day 0. Of the operation - and is not coming off without a fight. SsN starts. It feels a lot like having wax removed after it has been stuck on for two weeks. As she proceeds the SN asks me about my cards and flowers and I complement her on her “distraction technique”. Rumbled, She laughs. So far so good. I bear up and play the game. And it is done..
The famous blue pressure dressing also is removed. I am very glad to see the back of that. Because it is a special dressing it is designed to put pressure on the wound and is in addition to the suture. When sitting in an armchair one can feel the dressing pressing up against the chair. It is uncomfortable. Worse is in bed, but at least it stops me from accidentally turning onto the operated side.
This lady has most definitely been sleeping on her back!
It is also felt when the pressure cuff of the ice machine is applied, but bearable.
And now the big moment. “Will there be any pain”? I ask, nervously. The SN replies “not much but I can’t guarantee it”..... and she starts to pull at the suture (one long piece) and to cut. At the first tug, I yelp! And memories start flooding back. I ask to sit down.....and perch st the side of the bed.
And then it happens . I start shaking, I start crying. I am totally annoyed with myself but the fear of more pain is overwhelming. I ask if I can roll over on my unoperated side with the pillow between my legs side and hold the position so that the wound side is exposed and the stitches removed, . SN is sympathetic but firm. We have to do this standing up..
I get to my feet.
Ok.
I start to deep breathe and concentrate on the breathing, I can feel a tickle and a tug. I wait for the onslaught of pain. I still have my eyes shut. “All done” laughs the SN. “Really” I think, amazed.
I sit down and turn to see SN is packing away stuff onto a a kidney shaped stainless steel tray. “Do you want to see The Thread?”. She asks. “Many people would rather not!” And, of course. I am tempted and curious. And I look.
She holds up what looks like a 12 inch long piece of black string. Wow! In reality it is probably not that long - I imagine a similarity to fishing stories where people boast about the length of their string to each other saying “it was this big”. and smile to myself...
A waterproof and very very smooth plaster is applied. I run my hand gingerly down my leg. No lumps or bumps. There is a mild burning sensation from the wound site but that is all.
The SN says “Mrs S, you can shower anytime you like now. No need to have a top layer of dressing.” She leaves and i eye up my shower avariciously. Would two showers in one hour be too much? I sigh and decide against it as Physio looms. But it is lovely to know THAT I CAN
The Day The Stitches are Removed
It is two weeks since the operation and the Installation of Hermione
I have a lot to write up. Copious notes have been made and there have been many funny incidents. However, for the moment I am blogging the hip recovery only. The rest may come later or may not...
The day dawns, I get up, have the extra dressing applied over the wound, have breakfast, and shower. Showers, despite resulting in knotted mess of baby fine hair, are one of the things I look forward to. Most days here now consist of small victories, and the occasional failure. But showers are special and I have the Art of Showering down to a tee (worth a chapter on its own).
After the night’s tender administrations under the watch of Staff Nurse Mary the day’s shift starts. I have been told to ring the bell when I am ready. The Staff Nurse arrives with a pack of scary-looking medical stuff including scissors.
The first thing to be removed is the waterproof dressing. This, as you can imagine is a bit painful. It has been there since Day 0. Of the operation - and is not coming off without a fight. SsN starts. It feels a lot like having wax removed after it has been stuck on for two weeks. As she proceeds the SN asks me about my cards and flowers and I complement her on her “distraction technique”. Rumbled, She laughs. So far so good. I bear up and play the game. And it is done..
The famous blue pressure dressing also is removed. I am very glad to see the back of that. Because it is a special dressing it is designed to put pressure on the wound and is in addition to the suture. When sitting in an armchair one can feel the dressing pressing up against the chair. It is uncomfortable. Worse is in bed, but at least it stops me from accidentally turning onto the operated side.
This lady has most definitely been sleeping on her back!
It is also felt when the pressure cuff of the ice machine is applied, but bearable.
And now the big moment. “Will there be any pain”? I ask, nervously. The SN replies “not much but I can’t guarantee it”..... and she starts to pull at the suture (one long piece) and to cut. At the first tug, I yelp! And memories start flooding back. I ask to sit down.....and perch st the side of the bed.
And then it happens . I start shaking, I start crying. I am totally annoyed with myself but the fear of more pain is overwhelming. I ask if I can roll over on my unoperated side with the pillow between my legs side and hold the position so that the wound side is exposed and the stitches removed, . SN is sympathetic but firm. We have to do this standing up..
I get to my feet.
Ok.
I start to deep breathe and concentrate on the breathing, I can feel a tickle and a tug. I wait for the onslaught of pain. I still have my eyes shut. “All done” laughs the SN. “Really” I think, amazed.
I sit down and turn to see SN is packing away stuff onto a a kidney shaped stainless steel tray. “Do you want to see The Thread?”. She asks. “Many people would rather not!” And, of course. I am tempted and curious. And I look.
She holds up what looks like a 12 inch long piece of black string. Wow! In reality it is probably not that long - I imagine a similarity to fishing stories where people boast about the length of their string to each other saying “it was this big”. and smile to myself...
A waterproof and very very smooth plaster is applied. I run my hand gingerly down my leg. No lumps or bumps. There is a mild burning sensation from the wound site but that is all.
The SN says “Mrs S, you can shower anytime you like now. No need to have a top layer of dressing.” She leaves and i eye up my shower avariciously. Would two showers in one hour be too much? I sigh and decide against it as Physio looms. But it is lovely to know THAT I CAN