Mind over Matter

First of all, thank you for your concern, but Mortimer's stomach is lined with Teflon, that dog can eat ANYTHING and have no ill results. He came home today no worst for the wear, except for a shaved front leg where they inserted the IV. He promptly stole my shoe and hid a giant stuffed monkey.

I'll be getting an IV of my own tomorrow, when I get my not-so-long awaited knee surgery. It should be a breeze, it's arthroscopic, so no scar. I'm still debating  between full anesthesia or spinal. I don't have to decide until I get there, so anyone with opinions, please share before 10:30 am EST. I have had full anesthesia before and did fine, but this is only a 45 min surgery, so I'm sort of thinking if I can get over the needle in the spine thing, I might just do the lower-body half frozen thing.....

And then, I will milk this for all it's worth and spend 24 hours icing my knee while relaxing in the orange spare room formerly know as the Urban Quarters. Ever since I painted that room, I've wanted to sleep in there. And since stairs are verboten for 24 hours, I will stay in the basement (5 steps to get in from the backyard), where I will have bed, bath and TV on one floor, the only floor of our house that offers all the conveniences (we have no TVs on the 2nd floor where the bedrooms are)

Actually, this is currently the hardest part. I had to stop eating before 8 pm and can have no liquids after midnight. That totally screws up my evening crackers and cheese routine (I had to push it up to 7:30!!!! the inhumanity!) and I know I will jonesing for coffee tomorrow morning. Also, since the surgery is at noon, I cannot foresee eating before 3 pm tomorrow..... arrrghhh!!!!!

Comments

[chicagomama]

Thinking of you and sending good juju for a safe, quick surgery and as little recovery time needed as possible. :) keep us posted.

[Cat, Galloping]

Needle in the spine was creepy, but I always find recovering from general anaesthesia takes days... I'm going with local for my upcoming laproscopic hernia repair, but I don't actually know if that involves a needle in the spine!

[Katie]

I had arthroscopic knee surgery 2 months ago and in retrospect I would have chosen the spinal instead of the full anesthesia. Despite being a nurse I hate needles SO MUCH and the thought of the spinal freaked me out a lot, but the recovery from the anesthesia was unpleasant. Particularly the part where I couldn't hobble to the bathroom to be sick and had to use a bucket that smelled of the stuff we use to clean the kitchen floor. Good times.

Hope all goes well tomorrow!

[Juliette]

Glad Mortimer is a strong boy and that everything ended just fine.
I would say spinal because full anesthesia is quite a chock for the body. I guess it depends of the person but I had a few between knees, IVF and other surgeries and it was always tough on me for a few days after. Just my 2 cents. Have a quick recovery!

[OmegaMom]

Oh, yeah, the very worst part about surgery for me is that you have to stop eating and drinking so far in advance. Even if I'm not hungry or thirsty *before* that deadline, as soon as the deadline passes, I become desperate for something to drink or eat.

Good luck. I have no great ideas about the anesthesia. And I'm glad Mortimer has an iron stomach.

[Herb]

No coffee??? That is inhumane! Glad Mortimer is well. Hope the surgery is smooth and painless. Enjoy the orange room -- we certainly did, even while sharing the bed with our restless two year old.

[Susan]

I have had both and general is much more difficult to get over. The spinal is a bit scary but the effects are shorter. Spinal would be my choice. Well, good luck to you... hope it goes well!

No coffee!! The would not be good for my business!

[Harry]

Hope all goes well with the surgery tomorrow. I agree with Herb -- any restriction on coffee is just wrong.

[lisa]

Ai-yeah-if you saw the pathetic lukewarm coffee that I carried in my nalgene while backpacking in the wilderness last week, just so I could get a shot (or 10) every morning on the trail-I can't even fathom waiting til 3pm!! I hate needles, but I opted for several when I had all 4 wisdoms removed last year-short term versus the long term of general anesthia recovery. Be well-it will be better soon! ~lmc

[rebecca]

I vote for the spinal, too - Much easier on the whole body, and quicker recovery (and I got some great tranquilizers with my last spinal that completely removed any needle fear from my mind). Enjoy your recuperation!

[Jen]

I hope all goes well tomorrow!

[susan]

Oh, I hate it when I can't eat or drink! I'd say thats one of the worst parts. :o)

My first thought was to go under anesthesia. I don't know if I had "full" anesthesia or not but last year when I had a bre*st biopsy done it was like I had the best nap ever. Coming out of it, I was super friendly, happy and talkative. Plus sometimes even if you can't feel it, it can still be stressful and tense knowing what is happening if you're still awake.

It was the pain meds afterwards that made me completely sick.

Wishing you the best! Enjoy the down time. :o)

[Erin]

I have to vote with the spinal as well its just a much easier recovery then when they put you totally under. Good luck tomorrow and here's to a quicky and easy recovery.

[Janet]

Hope the surgery goes well for you. My hub had that surgery at the end of April and he went for the block w/Valium and felt really really good and enjoyed (?) watching the surgery. Sending good thoughts and wishes for a speedy recovery.

[Mrs Figby]

Best of luck with the surgery and enjoy your convalescence!

[figlet]

Good luck! I can't wait to see what you produce when you are forced to sit still for a bit...