Apres Surgery!

Two weeks ago, I underwent successful ACL and meniscus repair surgery with Dr. Ma at UCSF's Orthopedic Clinic in San Francisco.

Sonia took me to the clinic at 8am. When we arrived, they immediately prepared me for surgery. The staff was friendly, professional and everyone seemed calm. They let her in while prepped me for surgery feeding an IV into my arm.

In addition to general anesthesia, they do a "nerve block" on the femoral nerve so there's literally nothing I could possible feel in my knee. This is a tricky procedure as they explained, not so reassuringly, that should they hit a vein, it can go straight to the heart causing it, instead of the intended vein, to go asleep.

Fortunately, two competent anesthesiologists, using an ultra sound located the nerve and checked each other's work. Because of the nerve block, less general anesthesia is required. After my leg fell asleep, they wheeled me into the icy cold operating room - kept that way so germs and bacteria can't grow. Soon after that, I fell asleep peacefully.

It had been since the 1980's or, "the dark ages of anesthesia", as my nurse told me, since I had had anesthesia and I fully expected to wake up in drowsy fits and starts. I woke up immediately, as if from a pleasant night's sleep. I actually felt great, and only after a few moments was ecstatic to realize I got through surgery successfully!

Within 10 minutes, Sonia was once again by my side in the sun-lit recovery room. By just after 2pm, we were home. I used a crutch, and arm strength to get up my three flights of stairs. I didn't leave my apartment for a full week till I had a follow up appointment.

Since then, I am off pain killers (which were really needed the first week!), have had my sutures removed, have been to two physical therapy sessions and am doing daily, regular exercises to improve the range of motion in my leg and to thwart the inevitable atrophy that ensures after an operation.

The target range of motion six weeks out from surgery is 90 degrees - I am already at a solid 80 degrees within two weeks. I also need to be able to straighten my leg to 0 degrees. I am mostly there, though it's taking a lot of effort. This is crucial to being able to get a normal gait back.

Before I got back to work, I was catching up on Criterion Collection classic Italian films such as Felini's Amarcord and DeSica's Umberto D and have watched a slew of documentaries; Supersize Me, Man on Wire, Botany of Desire, The New Medicine and The Corporation.

Work-wise, I am back, though working from home. It's challenging getting up and down from my third floor flat, though a parade of friends have been by bring lunch and dinner and mercifully helping me pass the time. I am still pretty exhausted and uncomfortable if I try to go out (as I did yesterday). Each day, I am healing, feeling stronger and looking forward to being able to place weight on my leg, walk without crutches and ride my bike!

Sonia's been a personal guardian angel helping me with everything and making sure that I don't over due it. I owe her a debt of gratitude and know I am healing more rapidly because of her care. February 14th is the next time I go in for a check up and, fingers-crossed, I hope I shall be able to put weight on my right leg that day.

Thanks for every one's thoughts, prayers and general well wishes! They've been a big boost to my spirit and mood!