She's Crafty

So I am alive. I made it through my surgery. I of course had to be the high risk/difficult patient because of my whacky immune system. That means no numbing meds or nerve blocks. I had to have anesthesia. Prepping was difficult. The nurse was unable to find a vein after I specifically pointed one out to her that is used often and tried and true. She stuck me twice in other areas with no luck. After 2 times I will not let someone stick me again. So she called the IV specialists. They have a machine that detects veins. The lady came in and was about to numb my arm, I yelled hold up and that I was allergic to the "caines". I pointed out the vein I know is good and she found it right away. I'm suffering with a lot of bruising from all of those vein fiascos. I went off to the OR woke up in the PACU. Saw my mom, dad, and fiance. I was hurting to say the least and was impressed at the packing stylings. My wrist packing made it seem like my wrist had a goiter. Look and see.

I lived with my wrist like that from Thursday until today. No showers whatsoever. I was living on baby powder, baby wipes, facial wipes, and deodorant. Hair had to be washed in the sink. Many a naps were taken as I had to have my arm above my heart to help with swelling. That is not easy at night when all you want to do is sleep on your stomach. I managed for the most part. My fiance took excellent care of me and I was grateful for his help and patience. I type this now as I am a wee bit shocked and mad at him for a fight we had just 15 minutes ago. Ugh. I'm trying so hard to beat the odds of not being the anti-relationship girl that I know I am deep down inside.

Today was the great reveal day! I was allowed to take off all of the packing and take a shower. My hands are not up to snuff yet and it hurt like a mofo. It is pretty gnarly looking. Way more bruising than I expected. It bruised even more through the day today. I tried icing it some because ice is my post-surgical crack, people like to fly high from heavy duty narcotics, I just want ice packs or my favorite ice machine to numb the screaming pain.

Here is a picture of today's reveal

The stitches don't come out until next Tuesday. The nurse said once they are out it should be feeling a bit better. I have become very crafty using my left hand and arm. I amazed myself on crafty ways to do things from feeding to bathroom rituals, to opening pill bottles. I guess the human brain is really able to be resilient and compensatory by nature. Don't get me wrong. It has been hard as hell to be a left hand girl in a right hand world. Here's to less pain, swelling, and bruising each day.

Funny side note: I am a freak. My hand surgeon told my loved ones I had extra long muscles and tendons and he has only seen it a few times. It's supposedly rare. I have a lot of physicians note nutty anatomical anomalies. I'm a weird girl through and through.