The Hospital Nightgown

I had knee surgery #7 on Thursday.  I am thinking I should have been given a punch card at some point.  One of these is bound to be free at some point, right?  This was my 3rd ACL and it has been much more painful that I had anticipated.

David took me to the surgery on Thursday.  David is weird with doctors and all things medical.  He isn’t really a fan.  It’s hard to explain, but some of you might remember how difficult he was when he had to get his own appendix out.

So, we arrived at the surgery center, and David was helping me tie the gown in the back.  He was taking a long time and made some comment like, “Ok, this is definitely not going to come undone.”  I am a fan of things not coming untied when I would rather they did not, so I didn’t question it.

Meanwhile, our friendly nurse is getting me already to go.  She is going over the anesthesia, and David is asking her what happens if a person doesn’t want anesthesia.  The nurse gives me a funny look and I have to assure her that I have absolutely no problems being put under to have my knee sliced open, thankyouverymuch.

Later on, I ask David if he would refuse anesthesia.

David:  Heck, yes.

Me:  Why?!?

David:  They could do anything to you in there and you wouldn’t even know it.

Me:  Well, I am sure it will be fine and I do not want to be awake while they cut me open.

The nurse finishes up everything she needs to and it comes time for me to go to the operating room.  I say goodbye to David, and they take me back.  They needed to untie the gown in the back so they could place things on my chest.

All I see are male nurses.  Male nurses everywhere.

Male Nurse:  Wow, who tied your gown?

Me:  Um, David.  My husband.

Male Nurse:  Oh, wow.  I have never seen anything like this.

Male Nurse #1 calls Male Nurse #2 over to come and take a look.  Both are baffled.  Neither can untie the gown.

Male Nurse #3 to me:  Ok, hon, we are going to have to cut this gown open.

Male Nurse #3 has to basically hold me to his chest while the other two cut the gown up the sides and a bit down the back.

Male Nurse #1″  Wow.  He really didn’t want you coming out of this thing!

It was embarrassing.

Coming out of surgery was rough.  I know I cried a lot and we stayed there much longer than we thought we would need to.

So, obviously, I took it like a champ.

This was my 3rd ACL and this time they did a quad graft.  I have an incision on the front of my thigh and it is very painful.  I have to keep my leg completely straight for one week so the incision doesn’t come open.  I am uncomfortable and hurting.

I am definitely ready to be done with this chapter.  This knee injury has been dragging on for too long and I have been in bad shape since mid-July.

Here’s to hoping I can walk normally soon!