Now that I have been home 48 hours I am feeling somewhat better. I am no longer wonky nor nauseous. I certainly am not back to my normal self, that is going to take some time. But I can see that day by day I am going to improve.
I am checking into the hospital here on Friday morning. That black thing is my knee brace. I won’t lie, I was very apprehensive as this point. Not about using the Mexican medical system but just about having to have surgery.
There are standard rooms and VIP rooms, this is the standard room. Colin slept on that beige sofa, the large cushions came off.
We never even turned on the TV. The toilet and walk in shower are to the right.
Back from surgery. I was chilled to the bone and asked for a pile of blankets.
One thing that stands out from my time in hospital is using the bedpan. Way back when I had each of my hips replaced I was helped out of bed within hours and placed on a beside commode. Not here. I was expected to remain in bed the entire time. It wasn’t so bad at first because I had been fasting prior to surgery. However I eventually had to go especially as I hydrated myself with lots of water. I had to use my upper body strength of which I have little, plus I was somewhat still dopey from the anesthetic, to raise myself as the plastic pan was slid under me. Half the time it only got halfway under as it would get stuck in the bedding. Try and try again. Then I had to balance precariously. Oh and the nurse just stood there and watched me. I definitely felt under pressure to perform. As the hours passed throughout the night I got better at it. Gosh Colin even had to do it once for me. I was on bedrest for a full 23 hours.
I was given cryotherapy every four hours so did not get much sleep. There were also interruptions to check blood pressure, give me pain meds, etc. Each time I was roused from my light sleep I had to pee. By mid morning the next day I think I was in good form, likely gold medal stuff.
This is the portable cryotherapy unit that I also have here with me on the Isla. It was loaned to me at no charge by my doctor. Basically you fill the base with ice and a bit of water and it circulates to create the cold.
This pad lays over the knee and is wrapped up with a compression band to hold it into place.
The nursing staff were great in that each time I rang the call bell someone arrived within two to three minutes. However not once did anyone wash their hands after handling the bedpan and before injecting my meds into my IV. There were no towels, nor facecloths in the room, nor was I ever offered anything to freshen up with or to wash my hands. Fortunately I had several individual packets of Sani wipes. The mattress was very hard but the sofa that Colin slept on was even harder. He did sleep though. I also fell into a deep sleep for just over two hours. However I think that is when I crimped my arm which created a blockage in my IV. I had already had the first IV go interstitial coming back from the recovery room.
I vaguely remember that the surgeon came to check on me at the end of day. There were staff changes, a nutritionist visit, head nurse visits and and the hospital supervisor visits. So much coming and going. There was wifi but it was very slow. That did not bother me as I was mostly out of it but it would have been nice for Colin.
The tuna sandwich that Colin got for me the first night. He had had this for his dinner earlier. Three layers of very fresh bread with seeds, toasted and filled with the most delicious mix of tuna, tomato and lettuce. I could barely eat half as I was somewhat nauseous and really not very hungry. It was only 65 pesos/4.40CAD/3.40USD. I would go back there in a heart beat to have it again. Colin got me a coffee the next morning and I have to say it was the best coffee I have had.
As I did not eat meat, dinner was a cheese sandwich, which was a piece of some sort of Mexican cheese on bread with a piece of lettuce. Colin had gone down to the cafeteria for his supper and it was great so he went and got a tuna sandwich for me. By the way the prices of the food in the cafeteria were very inexpensive and the food was great. A nutritionist came to see me before breakfast to offer me some options. I was served a smallish omelet with cheese, tomato and onion. It came on a plate covered in Saran Wrap which was covered with the usual food warmer. On top of the Saran Wrap were two tortillas wrapped in foil. Everything was hot. A lovely surprise and the food was tasty. Both meals came with juice and a large serving of cut up fresh fruit.
Change of shift. The cryotherapy machine was new to some of them.
About 10AM the surgeon came and had me stand up ever so slowly. He was extremely cautious and helped me walk a few steps. I have to say that I had no pain whatsoever. That is until we were checking out but we got my prescription filled asap and I have been mostly fine since then. Here I just use an ice pack if I feel any twinges. I am taking one pill every 24 hours for pain which works very well. Plus I am also on antibiotics. I see the doctor in two weeks to have my stitches removed.
First time I saw my un bandaged knee. Note the blue pen check mark indicating that they had the correct knee to do the surgery on.
Dr. Ceravantes listening to my large list of questions.
He was ever so gentle and caring.
Over all I am very pleased with my surgery and how everything went. I feel that the surgeon went above and beyond as did the staff. I would not hesitate to have surgery done here again should I require it. At no time was I ever rushed by any of the medical staff and always felt that I was the most important person there.
Colin waiting for me to come through the door in a wheelchair. The orderly placed me ever so carefully into the car being careful not to jar my knee.
It was a most positive experience but I am happy to be back on home turf.
