Post Op (Day 4)

I was out of hospital and being well looked after by my parents.

The lack of pain had been a real surprise. I was clearly immobile as a result of the operation and definitely feeling tired and lethargic from the process, but on the whole it wasn't too bad. I had purposely built the whole thing up in my mind as part of a coping mechanism to ensure that what I did actually experience was nowhere near what I would actually face. The thoughts of "worst pain I had ever experienced" that echoed in my head from what I had read in other accounts wasn't even close to being true. In all honesty, this isn't even in my top ten for the worst pain I've experienced. It's a mild annoyance.

In fact, I've even stopped taking my pain medication. I simply don't need it. There is a mild irritation in my knee, but nothing that is worthy of the requirement for pain medication. Additionally, there's something very disconcerting about being on pain medication. It makes me feel a bit lost and distant. Being able to press the morphine button was one thing, but I felt a strange and uncomfortable sense of detachment when I was taking the other pain meds. I'm glad to be rid of them.

The worst feeling I had to date is still the throat though. This was something that I wasn't expecting (or even aware of) and yet everyone who has gone under general anesthetic seemed to be an after the fact expert. Apparently, when they intubate you, the tubes the push down your throat can irritate the throat. It's been 4 days and my throat still hurts like hell. No amount of ice blocks of lozenges has helped. The one thing that has, is not talking... wonderful.

Mobility is improving as well. I'm up and about without too many issues and bouncing around on my crutches.
As you can see, I have a pretty hefty set of bandages and a nice big brace preventing me from moving too quickly though. I can "partial weight bear" but generally I prefer doing the long hop motion. It gets me around quicker (and I feel myself getting increasingly impatient).

It's all just so annoying. This entire process. Annoying is the adjective that describes it completely.