OPERATION....
A couple of weeks ago, I had a MPFL reconstruction on my left knee, as my knee cap was miles away from where it should be. This would cause me to have partial dislocations from the age of 11 and as I grew up, it got a lot worse and more painful. So finally, the doctors agreed that surgery would be my best option.
The basic summary of the operation was that they would take a ligament from my hamstring and construct it to my knee to ensure my knee doesn't slip out of place. It wasn't an overly complicated surgery and was only 3 hours long, but recovery wouldn't be easy at all.
Day 1-
So on Tuesday 1st November, I had to arrive at the hospital at 7:30am and wait around until I was called through for surgery. I was their youngest patient and because of this my mum was allowed to stay with me until the doctor was free to see me. I had my operation scheduled for 10:30am, which is so lucky as I could have been hanging around all day!
I saw various professionals who told me all sorts of information about what would happen during the big day. I then had to wait in a female only waiting room with this cute old women who spoke to me about her children (Basically her life story), But I didn't mind as it took my mind of the operation. Before I went through, I had to get changed into the hospital gown, stockings, my dressing gown and they put my ID bracelet on,
So when it got to 10:50ish, I was called through to a room where my bed was and where I would be put to sleep. There was a doctor and the Anaesthetist in there, whom were so friendly! They asked me various questions about college and my future, whilst they put a cannula into my hand. The next thing I know was waking up in the recovery room, feeling confused and lost. It took me 2 hours or so to come around after the operation ending.
At about 4:00pm, I was taken to the ward where I would be staying until I get discharged. I don't remember too much of this day, as I was feeling very tired and throwing up (Sorry for the TMI) and just feel pretty grim to be honest. I didn't know much about how I was doing expect I had low blood pressure and a high heart rate. Which meant I had to stay in overnight, so they could wake me up every hour to do observations. I loved that so much.....
Day 2-4-
The next few days were a bit of a blur as I was still in hospital and wasn't really aware of timings. I started to feel a lot better in myself, but still wasn't very mobile due to the pain and often feeling faint. Prior to the operation I was told I should be let home the same day of the operation or the very latest the next day. So it came as a bit of a shock when I had to stay in for 3 nights.
The HCAs, doctors and nurses were all mostly lovely and I didn't mind the actual stay, but I would obviously prefer to be at home with my family and in my own bed.
So this was my view for the next 4 days....
As you can see from the picture, the bed sheets weren't very thick at all so I mostly stayed in my dressing gown as it kept me a lot warmer.
On the 3rd day of being in hospital, I finally got out of bed and was allowed to sit in the chair during the day. This was bliss and so much more comfortable. However because my leg was kept in the same position by the splint I had to have it raised on a stool.
So my leg was made a lot bigger by the brace, which meant every time I walked it was hard work to move that leg off the ground. I started off by lifting it with my own hands, as I didn't have the strength to lug it around.
On the friday, I was finally discharged! The agreement was that if the physio were happy I would be safe at home, then I would be allowed to go. So when the physio came I was kind of anxious, as by this point I was so eager to go home.... The past few days hadn't been good for walking, so part of me wasn't expecting anything. However, I managed to walk and a fair distance considering! I was SO proud of myself.
Before I went, I had my dressing changed and I took a quick picture to gross all my friends out with..... Sorry!
[WARNING]- GRUESOME PICTURE BELOW
So now I'm at home and gradually getting around more and more. I hope you enjoyed reading this and found it useful if you're ongoing similar surgery! I may post weekly updates (Videos) of my walking progress if that would be something you'd want to see.
Take care, Charlie x
The basic summary of the operation was that they would take a ligament from my hamstring and construct it to my knee to ensure my knee doesn't slip out of place. It wasn't an overly complicated surgery and was only 3 hours long, but recovery wouldn't be easy at all.
Day 1-
So on Tuesday 1st November, I had to arrive at the hospital at 7:30am and wait around until I was called through for surgery. I was their youngest patient and because of this my mum was allowed to stay with me until the doctor was free to see me. I had my operation scheduled for 10:30am, which is so lucky as I could have been hanging around all day!
I saw various professionals who told me all sorts of information about what would happen during the big day. I then had to wait in a female only waiting room with this cute old women who spoke to me about her children (Basically her life story), But I didn't mind as it took my mind of the operation. Before I went through, I had to get changed into the hospital gown, stockings, my dressing gown and they put my ID bracelet on,
At about 4:00pm, I was taken to the ward where I would be staying until I get discharged. I don't remember too much of this day, as I was feeling very tired and throwing up (Sorry for the TMI) and just feel pretty grim to be honest. I didn't know much about how I was doing expect I had low blood pressure and a high heart rate. Which meant I had to stay in overnight, so they could wake me up every hour to do observations. I loved that so much.....
Day 2-4-
The next few days were a bit of a blur as I was still in hospital and wasn't really aware of timings. I started to feel a lot better in myself, but still wasn't very mobile due to the pain and often feeling faint. Prior to the operation I was told I should be let home the same day of the operation or the very latest the next day. So it came as a bit of a shock when I had to stay in for 3 nights.
The HCAs, doctors and nurses were all mostly lovely and I didn't mind the actual stay, but I would obviously prefer to be at home with my family and in my own bed.
So this was my view for the next 4 days....
On the 3rd day of being in hospital, I finally got out of bed and was allowed to sit in the chair during the day. This was bliss and so much more comfortable. However because my leg was kept in the same position by the splint I had to have it raised on a stool.
On the friday, I was finally discharged! The agreement was that if the physio were happy I would be safe at home, then I would be allowed to go. So when the physio came I was kind of anxious, as by this point I was so eager to go home.... The past few days hadn't been good for walking, so part of me wasn't expecting anything. However, I managed to walk and a fair distance considering! I was SO proud of myself.
Before I went, I had my dressing changed and I took a quick picture to gross all my friends out with..... Sorry!
[WARNING]- GRUESOME PICTURE BELOW
So now I'm at home and gradually getting around more and more. I hope you enjoyed reading this and found it useful if you're ongoing similar surgery! I may post weekly updates (Videos) of my walking progress if that would be something you'd want to see.
Take care, Charlie x
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