fbpx Skip to Content

The First 24 Hours: From Surgery To Running

Share the love :)

From Surgery to Running. I am chronicling my journey from having foot surgery to running again. I had surgery on December 5, 2014 for a bunionectomy which required the breaking of my foot, removing some bone, then receiving 2 screws to hold my foot back together. The recovery process is three months before I am allowed to begin running again. Sad smile

The day of and 24 hours after surgery

We arrived at noon to a small building that served as the Ambulatory Foot and Ankle Center– just across from the ORMC and Arnold Palmer Hospital Complex in Orlando, FL. I only waited about 30 minutes before the nurse (Pat) brought me into a room and asked me to lay down on a hospital bed. This was the area where I would receive my I.V. as well as be greeted by both the Doctor and the Anesthesiologist before my surgery.

Hand IV

Thank Goodness Pat placed the I.V. in my hand and not the elbow- I HATE a needle in the elbow. Most people say the hand hurts worse than the elbow but I barely felt a thing! It wasn’t long before I met with the Doctor who described the specifics of my procedure and then the Anesthesiologist who explained the steps of anesthesia.

I then was walked into the operating room where Pat placed warm blankets on top of me and got my foot situated just right. The extra warm blankets really helped me relax. I was watching the Anesthesiologist put the sleeping meds into my I.V. and then………<snore>

I got cookies- Beauty and the Beets

The next thing I knew I was sitting on a large recliner with the nurse waking me up offering me cookies and something to drink. She allowed Chad to come back see me. As soon as I saw him I was told that my face lit up and I called him “Stephen”. Stephen? Who? I don’t know anyone who goes by Stephen!

Day of Surgery

I thought I was going to get a big cast but they just gave me this little bootie- so cute, right? After we got home I sat with my foot propped up on several pillows and relaxed. My foot was still pretty numb from the numbing meds they used on it. I took one of my magical pain pills before sleep as I was told the numbing meds only last anywhere from 8-12 hours after surgery.

Waking up at 5:30am the next morning (normal wake up time for me) I still couldn’t feel my foot. It was almost a full 24 hours after the surgery before I began to feel anything- and the pain was becoming pretty intense.

Scrambled Eggs

Chad made an amazing breakfast of scrambled eggs, hash browns and toast the morning after along with some fruit. Aw….what a nice guy!

24-72 hours after surgery

Once the numbing medicine wore off, the pain started to become real intense. It felt like there was a constant needle in the side of my foot. Then the bone would throb. Then I could feel extreme pain all the way up my leg to my knee. Then the bone would throb again. Wow. One thing that has helped ease the pain is Chad’s Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Chad's Chocolate Chip cookies

I’ve started the Hydrocodone on a regular basis now. The medicine really knocks me out too- I am spending a large part of the day sleeping. At other times I find my self to be restless and it is hard getting comfortable with my foot having to be constantly elevated. At night I am sleeping pretty good, I am sure partly in thanks to the medicine.

Carrots and Rice

Good thing I have Chad and the furry babies to keep me company for now so the pain is a little more bearable. And Chad has been making very healthy meals like oatmeal, rice and veggies and of course, pizza.

Day 5 after the surgery

The pain has mostly subsided by the fifth day after the surgery though I still have my moments. At times I feel like my foot is about to fall off but that intense pain doesn’t last very long. The foot is still very achy but I have gone most of Day 5 without any pain meds. I have been staying mostly off my feet still watching a lot of movies. I am actually getting really restless- I would give about anything to just go take a walk outside. My only source of outside air has been the open window at night. Hopefully in the next couple days I can accompany Chad to the grocery store and get to drive one of those scooter carts they have at Publix.

Lenore Raven Poe

At least I have some furry friends to keep me company- especially Lenore who loves to cuddle under the blankets.

Quinoa Pasta with Broccoli

And Chad has kept the yummy food going including Quinoa Pasta with leftover broccoli.

Sadly, Chad has returned to work leaving me to my own devices so I am only going to be eating food that is quick and easy to prepare. I did freeze a big batch of this Broccoli, Spinach and Kale Soup which should be easy to heat up.

Well Happy Thursday friends and I will see you tomorrow for Friday Favorites. Cheers!

Heather

Monday 1st of May 2017

That pain sounds awful, but I'm glad you had good food, people, and medication to get you through.

McKenzie

Friday 31st of March 2017

It's so great to have someone so willing to help you after something like this! Thanks for sharing this, glad the surgery went well!

Helen Corbin

Thursday 11th of December 2014

Sounds like your positive attitude is going a long way to making you heal faster and better. Keep that up :-)