Days 1-4

This post will cover the day of surgery through day 4.  I apologize for the timeline being out of order for my experience but the creation of this blog was an afterthought that came from after my surgery.

• Day 1, the day of surgery (31 Mar 2011)
• Arrived at hospital at 0530 to begin the check-in process.  Through the morning nurses and the doctor came in to verify information.  The doctor signed the elbow to be operated on.
• Next I was transferred to pre-op and they inserted the IV into the back of my right hand (very unpleasant).  Here I met the anesthesiologist and was given something to relax.  
• I was then transported to the operating room and situated to where the doctor wanted me to be.  
• After this I was put under and don't remember anything until I woke up in the recovery area.  I was held here for about a half hour before transfer back to my pre-op room.
• Was held here for an hour before being released.  My next appointment was for a follow-up visit the following Wednesday.  I was given my medications and wheeled down to my ride.  
• There wasn't any pain this day until about the middle of the night.
• Night 1
• I slept well until 0130 when I woke up for about an hour.  I took another pain med and waited for it to kick in.  I woke up at 0530 and repeated this process.
• I woke up for the day at 0730 and ate a small breakfast.  No nausea or symptoms other than pain to this point.
• Day 2
• Slight pain that is very manageable with the prescribed pain medication.  
• Biggest complaint is the itching.  This is under the bandage, but also most places you can't reach with the right arm.
• Walking around hurts, there are small shots of pain with each footstep.
• My appetite is normal as is my ability to eat.
• Observations at the end of the day:
• Pain is very unpleasant, manageable with the medications.
• Daily activities are difficult with only one arm.
• No energy and barely moved through the day.
• Night 2
• Not much different.  Woke up at 0345 in some pain.  Woke up for the day at 0745 and took a pain medication.
• Day 3
• Pain remains the same.
• Swelling is still present, as is noticeable bruising above the bandage.
• Percocet is known to cause constipation, and today was the first bowel movement since the surgery.  The doctor also gave a stool softener to take with the percocet.
• Not allowed to shower yet so I washed my hair in the tub and took a field bath with some wet wipes to freshen up a bit.
• Noticed more energy today although I still stayed in bed and rested all day.
• Itching continues to be the worst.
• Night 3
• Slept ok, and nothing different than previous 2 nights.
• Day 4
• As per instructions removed the bandage and took a shower.  See the first picture posted of the incision.  
• It is about an 8" incision.
• Still swollen with a lot of bruising.  The bruising looks bad but doesn't hurt.
• Re-wrapped and continued to rest.