My feet have bothered me for many years. They were bad enough that they were having a severe negative impact on the activities in which I participate–or don’t participate in lately. I’ve written about seeing the podiatrist, Dr Dave. Yesterday, he worked on my right foot.
My foot before surgery.
Yesterday, Dr Dave performed a bunionectomy on my right foot. The surgery had originally been scheduled for 2 PM. The hospital called a few days ago to say that the time had been moved to 1:30. Excellent.
Sylvia took me to the hospital and we arrived at 11:30 as we were instructed to do. After a bit of paperwork, we were directed to the waiting room while they prepped a room in out-patient surgery for me. Twenty minutes later we were taken to the room by a short nurse with a heavy accent. I asked about the accent.
She replied, “What do you think it is?” “Spanish,” I answered.
She literally froze in her tracks and her mouth dropped open. “You are the first to correctly identify it.” She is originally from Columbia and married a missionary from the USA. She was astonished that we speak Spanish and had lived in Ecuador. The rest of our business with Marta was conducted in Spanish.
Lesley was the next nurse to visit us and started by telling us how excited Marta was that we speak Spanish. This led to a lot more talk of languages. Lesley has a German immigrant grandfather.
After that Nurse Deb came by. She has to be Lin’s sister by a different mother. The way she talked, looked, did her hair and a killer sense of humor gave it away. She delighted in teasing me about being on a pre-surgery fast.
The anesthesiologist stopped by to confirm his paperwork. A bit later Dr Dave stopped in and reported that the hospital was behind schedule. (No doubt someone had some complications and it took longer than the estimated time.)
It was after 3 PM by the time the OR was ready and they came to wheel me away. Next thing that I knew I was back in the room. I don’t remember being in recovery. When I asked Sylvia a question she smiled and answered. I said, “I asked that before, didn’t I?” She confirmed that I had and that we had been talking together for about 20 minutes. I don’t remember that either.
I finally was able to put my own clothes back on in prep for leaving. They put a protective boot on my foot.
Ready for soccer practice. NOT.
At home, Sylvia helped me remove the boot so we could apply an ice pack. Here’s the after shot.
The bleeding is normal and has now stopped.
Even through the dressing you can see the big toe has been straightened and the huge [sidecar] bump is missing.
In three weeks I should be able to walk around in my shoes. That’s going to be nice.
We expected her to be shy and she has been a bit. Nevertheless, she loves to have her ears rubbed. Is this stretching the Family Friday theme too far? I hope not. I’d say she’s like one of the family, but I know some of you who ask in return, “Which one?” I invite you to participate in Family Friday when you can. You can register your participation on the linky on this page or on the Family Friday blog.
