Ken had surgery today on his right foot… tarsal tunnel decompression and plantar fascitis something or other. The doctor was going to fix the nerve in his foot and cut the tendon. This was Ken first surgery since he had his tonsils removed when he was a kid. I think I was more nervous than he but more realistic as far as how much pain he would be in afterwards and how long he would be off work.
He had to be at the hospital by 7:30 so we had to leave bright and early. He was also required to take crutches with him because they said he would be using them for 3 weeks.
Ready to roll and armed with crutches.
See, it was still dark when we arrived at the hospital. Ken was trying to get use to the crutches before he actually needed them.
Right away they gave him a hospital gown to put on. It was too small and one of the ties was missing. I made him ask for a bigger one so he wouldn’t be flashing everyone. 
And then they put in the IV. That didn’t hurt too much… not nearly as much as when they drew blood!
He was then moved to the holding room where they asked him for the millionth time what was his name, what was his date of birth, what he was having done and on which foot. As you can tell, he was pretty relaxed… even goofy!
Finally, the doctor came into the holding area explained a few thing and initialed his foot.
Just before they wheeled Ken into the operating room they put the anesthetic into his IV. He said it hit him pretty fast! From the time they put it in the IV until the time it hit him, it was a very short time… less than the amount of time it took to wheel him from the holding area to the operating room which was right across the hall.
From the time he went in until the time he came out, it was almost two hours. It seemed like forever waiting though! When the doctor came out and talked to me, he informed me the surgery went well. He also said the nerve in Ken’s foot was pinched in three places… two in the actual foot area and one near the ankle.
Ken had a big boot on his foot when they wheeled him out.
He was told he had to stay for at least another hour so they could monitor his pain level and vitals. We were there for about another hour and a half. Ken had to take some pain meds (Vicodin) and, just in case because he doesn’t do well with pain meds, he asked for a “barf pan”. He didn’t need it.
By the time we finally left the hospital we were both starving so we decided to make a quick trip to Culver’s. I thought for sure Ken was going to need that “barf pan” on the way there! He started getting extremely nauseaous, even broke out in a sweat! He was okay though once he moved the seat so he could lay down. At first we thought it was that cigarette he smoked as soon as we left the hospital but then we realized later in the day that Vicodin and motion are not a good combination for him. Other than the expected pain (that I expected but he didn’t), he is doing pretty well. And me… I am not use to waiting on him hand on foot but I’m quickly getting use to it. I offered to stay home from work to take care of him tomorrow especially since he is hobbling with dogs under foot. Ken said he would be okay on his own. We will see. I still think he will be in a lot of pain tomorrow.
OH! An the worst part of the whole day… when the nurse informed his before discharge that he wasn’t allowed to shower until he sees the doctor. That would be on Wednesday. It’s going to drive him absolutely nuts!!
Glad to hear his surgery went well and he is back home! Hope his recovery goes OK and that he doesn’t go stir crazy being stuck at home.
Whatever they give at OSF to knock you is some good shit! I was out as fast he was was for my surgery….
When I had my hand done, I remember be woozy but I was still with it when I got to the surgery room lol
Glad he’s doing good and everything went ok. And hopefully Dr. did a good job or I may not go back and see him! LOL
Good picture story! How’s his foot now?