Countdown to OATS in 3 days - Foot Problems Message Board

kimberp · 08-01-2008, 12:23 PM

Well this week was quite busy ... I have made it through Pre Surgical Testing, clearance from my Primary Care Physician and met with my OS this morning to see if my knee is ready to go ... looks like the countdown has officially started

Of course this didn't all happen without hiccups ... (funny story, but not really) ..

Since the hospital never sent over the PST results to my PCP, I had to wait 2 hours for them to show up and when they finally did, my doc started reading my bloodtest results and started say 'Hmmm ...oooh ... mmm' - never a good thing when test results are being read. Then he starts to say "I don't think I can clear you for surgery ..." (I of course am ready to become hysterical) then he says ... "Wait, these aren't your results" ... apparently the hospital faxed over my 2 pages with someone else's page in between mine who apparently was very ill. He of course then apologized for not looking at the name on all the pages (and the look on my face) and cleared me for surgery.

I saw my OS this morning and while he didn't tell me anything I already didn't know, there is something about him that is very calming. He did state that I may come out with a drain in my knee (Abby, same thing you had although he told me a few months ago he doesn't usually need them) and the pain shouldn't be much worse than the drilling I had in October. He also said barring any problems he expects to let me leave the hospital on Wed - my surgery is scheduled for 1pm on Monday.

Somehow I feel a little better after talking to him, although not sure if I entertain him with my questions/comments or he thinks I am crazy. Perhaps it is his confidence that eases me?

I typically have tons of questions but after just reading this I really don't this time ... this might just be my anxiety making me rant, but I appreciate everyone's support up until know. I will certainly be back to let everyone know how it goes which will hopefully give some insight to anyone considering OATS for a talus OCD who had failed drilling.

Thanks again everyone ... off to clean the house!
Kim

akirka · 08-01-2008, 05:27 PM

Hey Kim!

3 day - ahhhhhh.... You'll do just fine I know. I can't believe they mixed up the faxes!

I've never really had any big surgery before this so I didn't know that people went in to have multiple tests beforehand. My Dr. just told me to show up the day before my surgery to meet and talk about the procedure and that was about it. We never looked (xray'd) my knee or anything but my foot. I just showed up and he started carving on me, but I have no other health issues, and take no medications .... maybe that's it.

So, soon you won't have that stabbing pain! I went huckleberry picking yesterday for 2 hours in my sandals and felt pretty good. I think the most pain I felt right after surgery was the drain in my knee, and that was more of an annoying pinching feeling. Your foot will be so numb you won't even care.

Soon the anxiety will be over! Yeah!

Abby

demogoat · 08-03-2008, 07:04 AM

Hi Kim,

Tomorrow is it! Finally, you will be on the road to recovery in less than a day. I walked on the treadmill at PT last Thursday with a speedbrace and a sneaker on. I still need to wear the boot around but I am working on the strength to get out of the boot now as well as ROM. Two weeks ago I would have said 'no way I will be able to put a sneaker on' but by golly I did. Progress is very fast right now, thanks to PT - the guy I see is doing an awesome job stretching out all the shortened soft tissue in the knee and ankle.

My advice:

1) Take any and all help offered by friends and family immediately! If they offer a meal, take it AND tell them the day you would like it. I actually didn't eat much the first week but it was wonderful to know I had taken up all the offers of food and had friends bringing dinners to my family each night the first week.

2) Take all the drugs offered by the doctor. When you get home, stick to the pain killer schedule, don't tough it out because when you get behind on the pain meds, it takes a long time to get back ahead of the pain. Take the drugs and enjoy the naps.

3) Rest, rest, rest you will need your strength for trips to the potty and post-op Drs appointments.

Best of luck tomorrow, hope it is smooth sailing for you and we will all be anxious to read from you when you are feeling up to it.

Margaret

akirka · 08-03-2008, 08:55 PM

Hey Kim,

Thinking of you tonight! Hope everything goes super smooth and there is very little pain! Write us when you feel up to it!

Went rafting on the river yesterday and I didn't have one stabbing pain walking in the streams and on gravel bars - it was pretty amazing - so think of what the future is going to hold for you!

Take care!
Abby

catldyfromnpt · 08-03-2008, 09:13 PM

Kim.. good luck!!! I had a different procedure done, but still know how stressful it is, waiting to go in.. once you're out of surgery tomorrow, the hardest part is over. check in and let us know how you're doing when you feel up to it!