Backstory 2: First Round in the Operating Room

I have spent most of today being irritated with my hip, which has been cheerfully complaining with just about every motion I make, regardless, it seems, of whether or not I've dry-swallowed any Motrin to try and keep the discomfort at bay. Granted, this is a known problem (there's a growth in that joint which has caused trouble in the past), but at this point any pain which is not directly linked with the crooked leg unnerves me just a little bit.

And speaking of the crooked leg—today marks the end of what has become one of the main plotlines for this blog. Yes, the pre-op has been scheduled for December 21st, though, it seems, not with my orthopedic surgeon, just with a pediatric doctor. I've got my fingers crossed for another meeting with the surgeon, though. There is a rather noticeable growth I'd like to ask about removing.

But, long story short, I'm getting closer and closer to the Point of No Return. Yes, in just more than three weeks I will be in the hospital all wonked out on narcotics, adjusting to life with my friend the Taylor Spatial Frame.

As I've said before, this is by far the largest surgery I've ever had.

In some ways, this does feel like the first time I had surgery. Once again, I don't know what to expect, though this time I'm aware of some of the little details, like what anesthesia smells like and what it looks like when you're wheeled into the operating room and it's really less hassle if you just let the doctors inject the anesthesia into you instead of breathing it in. And, just like the first time I had surgery, there is a rather large bump I'd like to have removed.

FIRST ROUND IN THE OPERATING ROOM

In third grade, I had a protrusion (read: bone growth) coming from my rib. During the pre-op, I asked Dr. Abel if he could remove it. Looking back, I really don't remember this growth, other than it was fairly obvious. It was also just beneath the skin. Long story short, Dr. Abel agreed to remove it.

The procedure, if I remember correctly, was to do something with my left wrist and to put a screw in one of my ankles (can't remember which one) for the purpose of trying to get the joints all aligned the way they ought to have been aligned in the first place.

To be honest, my memories of those couple days are isolated to a few snatches of moments, most of which had to do with anesthesia.

I can remember one of the doctor-people, either an anesthesiologist or a resident or an assistant to somebody, letting me smell the scents they'd mix into the anesthesia. I remember this encounter taking place in a small closet-like room. He also told me that the anesthesia would smell like airplane gas. Reflecting on my memories of walking through the hallways of the Richmond International Airport, where, for some reason, the airplane gas smell was rather prevalent, that made sense.

I can't remember going to sleep. I remember trying out the scents and then I was in a bed and I couldn't move and my mother was talking to a nurse (I think) about iPods. The conversation continued and I remained still, very still.

Once I was able to move and communicate, I was moved up to the hospital room where I stayed the night. The patient I shared the room with had the TV blaring all night long. Woozy from anesthesia, I got more sleep than my mother did.

I believe the surgery itself took place on February 2nd. All through that day, I struggled with eating. I sucked on little bits of ice and those didn't irritate my stomach that badly. My father brought up a bag of cheese puffs. Those didn't stay down so well.

The next day was a snow day. I was relieved because I wasn't missing school.

I can't remember the recovery all that well. A wheelchair was involved, which I didn't stay in as long as I was told I'd have to. Instead of going to gym classes, I played Myst on my teacher's computer with another hobbled student. Eventually, I could walk again.

Thinking about it now, I do remember that that time, my wrist was in a hard cast. Perhaps other parts of me were in casts, too. When the cast came off, it smelled strange and felt strange. Vulnerable.

That was the last time I had a cast on. To be honest, I can't say I want another.