Brittany's Surgery Wrap-up

We started getting ready for my surgery the night before. First we went to Kohls to get me some comfortable clothes for surgery. When we first walked into Kohls, my eye spotted a fabulous watch, and I stopped to look at it for a second. Then I hurried myself along, leaving the watch behind, because they were closing in 30min, and I had shopping to do. Joe helped me pick out some workout pants, and a new comfortable T-shirt. As we were leaving Kohls, Joe skillfully slid on the watch that I had wanted onto my wrist (It is one of those watches that you kinda just snap onto your wrist)! Then he wished me luck on my surgery.
Joe is just so awesome! He is always taking care of me, making me feel so very loved, and he always gives me little surprises! I love him!After that he took me to T.G.I. Friday's for dinner, because past midnight, I could not eat until after my surgery...so he made sure to get me good and full! It did not hold me over until after my surgery was done (I was starving!), but it was Mmm...good!

I wasn't nervous for my surgery, until we were on the ride over there, but Joe helped calm my nerves.

(Arriving at the hospital)

We were 20min late (we didn't think there would be traffic at 1:30pm...there usually isn't). Once I got there, I had 4 nurses rushing to work on me, and asking me lots of questions, so they could start my surgery on time.

When I was almost ready to leave, they brought Joe in to say bye to me. The nurse had a syringe of sedative in her hand, and she kept telling Joe to say bye to me, because once she put the sedative in my IV, I would be acting funny. Boy was she right! As soon as she did, I started laughing for no real reason! Joe gave me a kiss goodbye, and that is the last thing I remember clearly. After that, everything felt like a dream. I remember being wheeled away, I remember a guy putting a gas mask on my face, and I remember them telling me to switch beds.
I woke up in an unfamiliar room. Everything felt so much like a dream...that I thought it was all just a dream, the surgery and everything. When I woke up, I was so confused and disappointed that this was all actually happening, that I started crying. Then one of the nurses came in and told me Joe was not there...then I really started crying!! She comforted me, and explained that he had to go get a wheelchair for me. The wheelchair place was closing at 5PM and he only had 10 minutes to pick it up once they arranged for the wheelchair prescription. Once the nurse explained this to me I felt better. She left the room exclaiming, "He's a keeper!"

Joe came in a little while later, and I was so happy to see him!

I was in recovery for 2 hours with Joe by my side. I kept wondering why my doctor was not talking to me, and telling me how everything went. Finally he came up to me, and told me that he would explain everything to me at my appointment with him in 7 days. It makes sense now, because I was not 100% there, and that is probably not the time to have a serious conversation with someone. He did talk to Joe though. The news was a little surprising. As far as my 2 torn meniscus...they were more like shredded meniscus. He removed little fragments that were kinda floating around in my knees. He barbecued (that was the word the Doctor actually used) the lining that my Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis had formed, causing my knees to swell and cause pain. He also smoothed out the rough edges on my joints. The surprising news, was he said that the damage was pretty severe, and I could need knee replacements within the next year! I was expecting him to say I had a good 20-30 years before I had to worry about it!
Obviously, this news has been a little hard to swallow. I'm only 21! I can't figure out how it got to this point! I have been avoiding thinking about it too much. I can't wait to talk to my doctor, and get the whole story.

My recovery has been OK. My knees are sore, and I'm a little dizzy from the pain medicine, but it's nothing I can't handle. I have 3 sets of stitches on both of my knees. I know that I don't have the skinniest legs in the world...but I assure you, they are swollen! :0)

Joe has been amazing! He has been by my side helping me with everything, and keeping me company. Last night I slept on the couch, and Joe came down every 2 hours to help me go to the bathroom! He is my Angel, and I am so blessed to have him!

(Joe being my nurse :)

I will give you more up-dates when I have my doctor appointment.