THR Marvellous Marvin's New Home

[Mad Rocker]

<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p>I had RTHR Monday 20 Feb 2012. My hardware is called Marvellous Marvin as I figure my new life will begin with my new hip.</o:p>
<o:p>Everything went well until the day of my discharge. More to follow. </o:p>
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[Mad Rocker]

7:33pm<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
4 Days Post Surgery <o:p></o:p>
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Today has not been exactly what I would call one that I would like to do again real soon. I thought that day one post surgery was bad with the pain.<o:p></o:p>
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Yesterday at 4am I was given a honey coloured liquid by the duty nurse assuring me that it would take care of everything so I could be discharged in the morning. <o:p></o:p>
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I never thought anything about it until 6:00 and I'm not feeling so good. It's only 60 minutes to shift change I'll tuff it out. I let the night nurse know and I would follow up with the day shift. 7:00 and it's getting worse---I'm nauseous and feeling dizzy. I got gravol and they check my blood pressure. Everything appears fine. Breakfast is coming and perhaps with food I will feel better (from hospital food?) I eat abit but this is not going away. I tell the nurse you better bring the commode so I don't have to run so far. (They have been understaffed all week---illness.) They grab the commode for someone else and suddenly it hits. I grab my walker and run (as best as I can). My roomie yelling Don't run you'll fall. I'm yelling I have to run call the nurse.<o:p></o:p>
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I sat on the toilet for 2 1/2 hours continuously. My BP is dropping, I'm near fainting. There is a LPN with me at all times checking my BP. They had no idea what was wrong and I was kinda busy. Around 10 am I happened to mention that the night nurse had given me something at 4 am (which was not on my chart.) I had been given double dose of a laxative. One at end of day shift and one at 4 am. They kept asking me are you sure and I said honey colored liquid. I figured it was for nausea.
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They tried to get in contact with the OS but that never occurred. I struggle through it somehow, had a quick shower to clean me up. That is when I saw that my whole leg was swollen (that was not there before this started and my incision was inflamed 4 inches around again not there before this started. I was discharged at 11:30 am. I complained of a numb leg they checked for DVT (nothing).<o:p></o:p>
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I am still suffering from a numb leg with cramping and this is like 32 hours later.<o:p></o:p>
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I still blame it on what happened at the hospital yesterday because I am in tons of pain, and don't have the luxury of a nurse to grab more pain meds from the cocktail that the dr has put on my chart. I can only take the 1-2 percocet every 4 hours and the 1x30 mg morphine twice a day that barely held me before surgery. I am so depressed and it is only day 4.
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I talked to the OS's office; you never speak to the OS once they have sliced you open regardless of what the situation is to enquire whether the issue from yesterday was the cause of my grief. I don't expect special treatment and I know that they are busy but I figure a 20 seconds phone call in this case would have alleviated some of my concerns<o:p></o:p>
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I hit myself in the head saying that this was one of my dumber ideas. <o:p></o:p>
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[goatram]

Carol;
I have nothing to offer but my Prayers. So sorry to hear of this.happening to you. I can say it will get better given time. hopefully Jo or some one elsewill come by and help. I will be stand by and wait for good news.

 

[Hagar]

OMG Carol. I am also standing by. What a horrible mess to be in. :cry4:

 

[brit1chick]

I feel so bad for you that its turned out like this.. It's such a shame as you have always been one of the most upbeat people on the forum. So sorry you are suffering like this .

 

[Jaycey]

Oh Carol, what a total nightmare! The good news is things do get better. It might seem like a major uphill battle at the moment. But your leg will settle and pain will get controlled.

If you are not getting anything from your OS please do call your GP. Typically you are discharged into his/her care. Most GPs are totally responsive to helping you get that pain management cocktail right.

Hang in there - we are here when you feel up to it!

 

[charlie cyborg]

Hi Carol,

So sorry to hear of your plight.
All I can suggest is lots of ice, get your operated leg's foot higher than your heart and rest. Obviously pain meds are gonna help as well.
I had really bad cramps and swelling after both of my procedures and the above regime really helped getting that swelling down.
It's hard to think positively when you're worried and in pain I know but tell yourself that you will get better and believe it .... It's the truth!!

love

Charlie

 

[Pumpkin]

Carol,
What a horrible experience, hope your pain comes under better control. Get some rest, take good care, and feel better soon. :sleepz:

 

[Josephine]

Jeeze - I do hope you are going to make a formal complaint about being overdosed laxative and about it's not being charted.
That is a gross dereliction of duty the world over!

And so I am not surprised you have a swollen leg and excessive pain after 2½ hrs on the bog! Jimminy!
That would make my legs swell even without the surgery! You poor darling.

I suggest that if you can't get hold of anyone at the surgeon's office, you phone your GP instead and ask him to help as you are in acute distress. You certainly need something, at the very least some caring attention!

 

[Yellowgopher]

Carol, so sorry to hear that you've been suffering like this. A formal complaint when things are settled is definitely in order. Everything should be charted! And to be sent home so soon after an episode like that - just awful.

I think a double dose of laxative is a little too much anyway...

Personally I would call my GP straight away. As you are discharged you are now in their care.

Good luck. I am sure things will settle down soon - but get that care and attention you so need right now.

 

[djklaugh]

((((Carol)))) Ye gads what a horrible experience for you!! I definitely agree with what others have said - file a formal complaint! And for medication given to not have been charted!! Ooooohhhh some one's going to get their ears pinned back at the very least! As Jo said that is NOT acceptable any where in the medical world.

While leg swelling after joint replacement is pretty common I'd agree with Jo that you're was exacerbated by having to sit on the loo for such a long time.

I sure hope by now you are feeling much better! Just follow the joint replacement mantra - ice, elevate, rest, meds - and know that you have the support of the BoneSmart community!

 

[kiwi_canuck]

Carol,

I feel very badly for you, and would be furious if I were in your shoes. The incident on your discharge day will certainly have contributed significantly to your current distress.

As for your pain situation, now that it's the weekend, you may not be able to connect with medical professionals until Monday, so either returning to Emergency, or phoning the BC Nurse Line at 811 might be your only alternatives.

Meanwhile, elevate & ice that leg!
~Phillippa

 

[Jen]

Carol, I am SO sorry that you have to deal with this right now. When you are doing better please do consider filing a complaint as has been suggested. What was that nurse thinking?!?

I hope things have improved for you today. Please let us know how you are doing as your comfort level allows.

 

[Jamie]

Carol....what a horrible experience!!! I agree that at some point you should make a formal complaint. There is no excuse for what happened to you. For heavens sake, charts are made to be written in so that this DOESN'T happen!!!

How are you feeling now? I hope you have been able to get some rest. Keep your leg iced and elevated. And stay with your pain meds on a schedule. Your GP can help you on Monday if you need to switch pain meds.

Hopefully you will see some forward progress here really soon!

 

[DallasSarah]

Hi Carol,

What a horrible, scary experience you have just gone through. Sending you lots of love!

When you called your OS office did you talk to the nurse and stress how much pain you were in, I mean this so sweetly sometimes we are not vocal enough and try to be nice and sweet in these times and unfortunately some people don't get the sense of urgency. I found the same thing the OS is not always available, however his team needs to be there for you especially right now!

Ice is also a huge help with pain and swelling, it easy to forget to throw that ice on.

hope you are comfortable tonight and resting.

xxooxx

 

[haldox]

Oh Carol Im so very sorry:cry4:I couldnt imagine going through that so early in recovery, horrible. That is just wrong on sooo many levels with what happened!

I hope being home for a little while now has helped-hope Vanna is treating you right

Please get lots of rest,icing,elevating and meds.

I will keep you in my thoughts that things will be looking up real soon:grouphug2:

 

[Jaycey]

Hi Carol, I hope you are resting more comfortably now. When you feel up to it please do update. We are all rooting for you through this recovery. Things will get better and better - honest!

 

[Mad Rocker]

5:02 am (still don't like digital)<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
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6 days post surgery<o:p></o:p>
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You know what they say about the plans of mice and men well unfortunately all my notes that I took to add to my journal here are really of no consequences but I'll do what I can to briefly tell you what went on in Carol's trip to the hospital Starring Me.<o:p></o:p>
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When I was admitted to the hospital it was pretty straight forward which was why I went alone (never been to a hospital before so I'm pretty sure what is going to happen). Why go with an entourage? Getting ready for surgery was uneventful. I took Walter (my walker) aand Richard (my cane along) so I did have something to use as pack horses as I was alone and that does not automatically mean I get an assistant. I eventually landed up in some holding spot where I read my book and made notes of my journal. This kept me calm and relaxed. So far so good.

We have a saying in our house why is it we never can do anything straight forward…. My surgery was booked for 12:45 at around 12:30 a nurse came and asked Are you still here? Well I aint' goin' far dressed like this. <o:p></o:p>
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I've been pretty calm to this point (recalling that I am very anxious about this surgery and everything attached to it including the at home recovery). She came back and said there had been a delay and I would be going up to the OR waiting area shortly…. Within 5 minutes there is a woman named Terry in green scrubs at my stretcher. You dr has sent me down to let you know that your surgery has been cancelled and to call the office for the next available date. Well that does it I am in tears, all busted up, get this IV out I wanna go home. Out comes the IV and I have one foot in one hole of my underwear and pants when Stop don't move we are taking you up to surgery. What the heck is going on? The nurses said the first honest thing I was to hear for a while We don't know. I go up to the OR holdingarea and wait.<o:p></o:p>
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So following this string they forget to give me the meds (it's in the chart for cryin' out loud) for anxiety and nausea.)This should have been an indication what they think about charts), when I finally asked (well come on admit it I was getting cold from the wet sheets because I was crying so hard.) What's wrong Carol? I tell them and they say well it's too late now as they are wheeling me into the operating room. And this is sure helping me feel good to see eight people bustling around with all this equipment and stuff. I feel so much better and now I am supposed to be calm and RELAX? while you are putting a needle in my spine. Darn----too late to change my mind. As my Dad would say a 22 bullet only cost 10 cents. <o:p></o:p>
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The staff tries their best to settle me down for surgery. I'm thinking too late for this part of the Hippocratic Oath DO NO HARM.<o:p></o:p>
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Now it's my turn to try and get calm. I asked to see Marvin. Marvin? I want to see my hardware before he becomes part of my body. The fellow says that since they do not know the size of the hardware until they go inside and all the packages are opaque he can't help me out. Darn! This is going to be a totally wonderful hospital experience. Deep breath don't move needle in.
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I don't recall Recovery much at all except I told someone I was doing my ankle twirls and they didn't get it. <o:p></o:p>
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Basically my experience from getting on the ward to the few hours before my discharge was good. The food was reasonable, my roomies were great and the nursing staff (although always short staffed) did not make me feel anything else except special. <o:p></o:p>
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The cluster that is my last day at the hospital is going to be a tough one to forget, but if I hang on to the memory I will have given it the permission to control a part of my life. I hope that the feeling surrounding it will fade as even now it's knocking me off my feet (that is if I was standing). <o:p></o:p>
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My experience at home has been less than stellar. I hoped (in my pea sized brain) that my hubby would step up to the plate but…. These are the things that make us strong because otherwise… Someone wrote somewhere <o:p>not to get bogged down by the negative feelings. </o:p>
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<o:p></o:p>I have been totally blown away by the support I have received from the BS Family. Although I have not had the heart to post much so far let it be known that it was your words of support that got me through this. I am truly blessed!!<o:p></o:p>
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I get by with a little help from my friends :grouphug2:<o:p></o:p>
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6:05 am <o:p></o:p>

 

[Jaycey]

Geez Carol, sounds like absolute chaos! Almost cancelled and then the double dose of drugs. Man - you are a real trooper to put up with all that. I would have been swinging at someone!

How are you feeling otherwise. Pain meds OK? Are you able to get some rest? Hope you are not doing any in terms of cooking or things around the house. If Hubby doesn't want to play his part just leave things for now. I had the same issue and you just have to let go and let the dust bunnies gather. Rest and recovery is the top priority now. Hope Marvin is settling in well!

 

[Z15]

Carol,

Welllll..You will have great stories to share in the years to come that is for sure. THAT and the fact that you came thru it in one piece are 2 very bright spots. It only gets better from here, right?

You seem to have a great ability to turn a problem/mistake into some witty sentences, and that is a good skill to have over the next few weeks. I don't disagree with the veterans here that someone at the hospital needs to hear the details of your experience. It does NOT have to be that way...

Nap, and ice, and rest and Nap,

Z