Got up at 06:30 and made myself ready for the pickup by logistics department transport to the clinic. In the taxi was a Canadian gentleman also called Mark so we were able to chat easily on the way and in the reception, but the same name caused chaos in the reception! He is also here for knee surgery and will be at UPA for rehab with me later this week.
This time the clinic is in a newer building and beautifully set up. The old clinic is in the next block down the street but about a year ago they apparently combined their various clinics into this one building to be more efficient.
Straight away I was taken for blood tests, height and weight measurement then returned to reception.
After filling in lots of forms I attempted to pay with my new starling euro bank account. This was problematic as the card hadn't arrived before I left and although I can swipe using the app there is a limit way below what I need to pay. I therefore had to revert to paying a business via the app and this once again proved difficult as the bank think this is a suspicious transaction, even though I completed all their additional questions. So I have had to sign a document to guarantee I will pay if the transfer does not arrive in the 1-3 days they promise.
After that I was interviewed by the clinic's media person to film me explaining who I was and why I am here. A very interesting conversation with Katania, she is a native of Lithuania, who has been in America for many years and then in the UK to go to leicest uni. Now she is back in Kaunas and excited about Kaunas being the European Capital of Culture this year.
Next I was taken to my hospital room for the start of my treatment. The nurse showed me round the room and explained how to reset the safe. This is located on the lowest shelf so I found it difficult and called for assistance using the little call button.
The anesthesiologist came to explain the process, then the surgeon to check everything.
Next I was wheeled into the operating theatre and that is all I can remember with a team of very active people sorting out all kinds of stuff
Immediately following the surgery I was woken as the team were removing the material from round the operating area and cleaning my leg. Then I was wheeled back in my room. It is a very odd feeling to have no control over anything below my hips! I tried to concentrate on getting some response but nothing for a while.
At 15:20 I was able to get some response and asked for my phone so that I could let friends and family know I was doing OK.
I am connected to a drip, blood pressure test on my arm and heart rate sensor on my finger.
On the next nurses visit I asked for some water as I was feeling quite dry in the mouth.
16:10 I have full movement in my legs with just a bit of pins and needles in the toes. Great recovery so far! Really very little pain at the moment, just an ache just above the knee on the inside of the thigh.
17:00 noticed bleeding from the operation area so called for assistance. Not considered a problem in fact good to release blood from the wound.
This nurse Laurā was very cross with UK as she wanted to go to the UK to work in health care.
I checked with her about pronouncing some Lithuanian words and she is so helpful but my memory cells are not working too well at the moment.
Neumownas phonotactic for nemans river name
Pain now increasing slightly and move to the outside of and above the knee. Drip now changed to paracetamol. 17:55 Removed paracetamol drip instructed to sit upright for 10 min the flat for 10 min then sit upright for 10 min. Then flat for 5 and call Laurā to go for a walk!
Post evening meal. 19:33
Laurā came back after I had finished my various elevation states and ran through all the checks before allowing me to use the walker.
This allowed me to walk around 15m and back via the ensuite bathroom. After turning to flush the toilet I felt a little unsteady so Laurā helped me back onto the bed and elevated my legs for around 10 minutes while she organised my dinner.
The issue was then how much insulin to inject. I had been advised not to inject the lantus, long acting insulin that I normally take in the morning, so trying to decide on the dose wasn't easy.
As you can see even without eating anything since last night the sugar levels have risen; I decided on an injection of 10 units. Now I could tuck in.
20:10 just called the nurse to ask for another cappuccino, the whole meal was really tasty. The little bed table was very convenient to use too so full marks so far.
No comments:
Post a Comment