My son-in-law hurt his 2nd metatarsal on a ski trip last December. That's the toe next to big toe. Unfortunately it didn't heal properly, caused quite a bit of pain when walking and needed to be corrected.
I was touched that Ed is comfortable enough to have his mother-in-law with him before the surgery.
He was not allowed to eat or drink anything as of midnight. The surgery was unfortunately delayed until around 2:00 PM the following day.
The nurse tried twice to insert a needle for the I.V. and couldn't manage it. I remember something like this with our son when he was dehydrated. I'm guessing that's what was happening with Ed. Ed never flinched... not even the flicker of an eyelash.
The nurse finally gave up and called a more experienced nurse who was able to get the needle in quickly.
When I've had surgeries, I've let them know I don't like needles and I'm a wimp about pain. Sometimes, being stoic might not be the best thing...
For such a little toe surgery, Ed's entire leg had to be put into a very hard and large cast. He had a rather painful weekend before he was able to move around again.
I'm remembering the surgeon telling Ed before he went into the O.R., "It's really an easy surgery. You don't have to worry a bit. When it's all over, I won't feel a thing."
And he was right.
I was touched that Ed is comfortable enough to have his mother-in-law with him before the surgery.
He was not allowed to eat or drink anything as of midnight. The surgery was unfortunately delayed until around 2:00 PM the following day.
The nurse tried twice to insert a needle for the I.V. and couldn't manage it. I remember something like this with our son when he was dehydrated. I'm guessing that's what was happening with Ed. Ed never flinched... not even the flicker of an eyelash.
The nurse finally gave up and called a more experienced nurse who was able to get the needle in quickly.
When I've had surgeries, I've let them know I don't like needles and I'm a wimp about pain. Sometimes, being stoic might not be the best thing...
For such a little toe surgery, Ed's entire leg had to be put into a very hard and large cast. He had a rather painful weekend before he was able to move around again.
I'm remembering the surgeon telling Ed before he went into the O.R., "It's really an easy surgery. You don't have to worry a bit. When it's all over, I won't feel a thing."
And he was right.
feet pain they're more aggravating than when you pull a back muscle becuz every single step is a task. By the end of the day, you're knocked out.
ReplyDeletePoor Ed has to travel a lot for his job so this was very difficult for him.
DeleteI hope it's healed now. Surgery of any kind is not fun, but I am amazed that he didn't have a walking cast but instead that great big thing!
ReplyDeleteHe's got a walking cast now after the first week. However, when they removed the tight cast which was to his knee, there was quite a bit of pain and he had to return from work.
DeleteI'm also a wimp about surgery...but in this case, it's for the best!
ReplyDeletepoor Ed! Thats a big cast for a toe! Hope all heals well, I agree, its best to be honest about pain concerns,
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for a quick recovery. I agree with RONW, my husband has had broken arms and a broken leg and the leg is the worst as it is hard to get around. He's young though and I'll bet that he will heal quickly. Meanwhile, there will be more family time and he has 2 excellent nurses.
ReplyDeletedoesn't look fun at all...
ReplyDeleteI like the pic of KC checking out what happened to her dad. I hope the healing went well.
ReplyDeleteWow, that's a big "bandage" for a toe. It's usually easy to start IVs in young folks: he must've had a really new nurse, or Ed quitely gets scared which can cause veins to collapse, unless Ed has really tiny veins for some reason. Glad you were around to help. DrumMajor
ReplyDeleteThe thing I hate worst is when they have to put the IV on the TOP of the hand. This nurse was putting the needle by his wrist which surprised me. I would REALLY hate that. When I had my thyroid surgery the nurse had a hard time getting the needle in. She finally put it in my arm and said she'd answer for it. I was so grateful.
DeleteThree excellent nurses lol
ReplyDeleteHope the surgery was a success and his toe is good as new. I don't take physical pain or the threat of pain very well. Just knowing I have to be worked on is enough to irritate me.
L...w
His toe is now shorter, but he was in pain for quite a while. They took the leg cast off after a week and he got a boot cast. However, when he went back to work, it caused some excruciating pain again and he had to go back to pain meds. They tell me he's doing better now.
DeleteFoot surgeries are never fun; feet are important. I was a little confused because the metatarsals are not toes, but some of the bones in the foot. Surgery on a toe would have been much easier. I hope he is healing well--the younger someone is, the faster they recover.
ReplyDeleteAhhh... smart girl, you. I looked it up. Looks like I should have called it the phalanges. However, I could swear I heard the doctor refer to it as the second metatarsal because I recognized the word since I broke my 5th metatarsal a couple of years ago. Then again... maybe his injury actually involved the metatarsal.
DeleteI'm such a chicken when it comes to pain!! I do hope Ed heals quickly!! He's surely a lot braver than I am!! Have a great weekend, Kay!
ReplyDeleteHydration is the key, although when I was undergoing tests for CML (leukemia), the technician who took blood was a pro, unlike the nurse in my GP's office. David calls her names like Vampiress. Dianne
ReplyDeleteI've always believed this and drink a lot before going for a blood test.
DeleteOh poor Ed. I'm so sorry for his pain.
ReplyDeleteAnd I hate surgeons' "humor."
May Ed be back to pain-free life soon.
My take on it is that it's good to have a surgeon with a sense of humor. The one I have had experience with was more like a drill sergeant/football coach. But he was good too. And when my hip replacement operation was over with, he patted me on the back and said "you did good." That made me feel good and raised my morale. Then when he asked me if I wanted to leave, I told him I needed to stay in the hospital one more day and he had no problem with that, even though today's trends go in the opposite direction.
ReplyDeleteAs for needles. I had to inject myself in the stomach for six months for a kumaden (blood thinner) regimen after the operation. I got pretty good at it. But it was a novel experience at first.
Yowch! In the stomach? Oh, Hank! And 6 months? Double yowch! You are so brave!
DeleteAnd people with diabetes have to inject themselves every day with insulin. So I guess one can get used to it. The other day I had blood drawn and I joked with the technician that the way I get through it is to NOT LOOK. She said that's what she does too. Oh yea, I forgot that I am a Wall of Fame Blood Donor (97 units. Every time I face this situation, the nurses lick their chops and say "you have good veins."
DeleteI went back and read all your posts that I missed. I liked your posts on high schools – it is so different in the US from where I went to high school. In France, we have no high school sports, like football, no prom and no reunions. I would enjoy finding what happened to all my friends but I don’t know even one anymore. I like reading all your posts – what a variety! from celebrations, to religion, to toilets, to telephones, home upkeep, plants, gardens and so much more. Best wishes to Ed for a quick recovery from his surgery.
ReplyDeleteAwww... thank you, Vagabonde. You are too kind.
DeleteI used to be afraid of needles but with MS, you learn to deal with them especially if you are giving yourself injections so they don't phase me at all.. Poor Ed..I hope he feels better soon...Michelle
ReplyDeleteThat cast is quite impressive for a toe surgery. I'm sorry he has had such a time with the toe and the surgery. I hope he is better now.
ReplyDeleteWith all of that, it must have been more than a toe, but rather the metatarsal, where the toe connects to the foot. It sounds like Ed went through quite an ordeal. I hope there are no lasting negative affects.
ReplyDeleteI have always heard that there is nothing you can do for a broken toe. Would the outcome have been any different had they treated the injury sooner? Looks like more advancements of modern medicine. Yes you must be a good mother-in-law for him to let you be around at such a time.
ReplyDeleteI always thought so too, but apparently his toe healed incorrectly. It ached to walk.
DeleteA funny doctor, that's great! Hope Ed is on the mend!
ReplyDeleteYes a real funny doctor, wishing Ed a speedy recovery.
ReplyDelete