Post surgery update

Since I am now down to one hand for the next several weeks, I will give you a brief update of what's been happening since I had my shoulder surgery on Friday 13th of July 2012.

Surgery kicked off at about 9:45 in the morning on Friday 13th of July. I was in theatre for approximately an hour and a quarter. The surgery went very well and the surgeon told me later that day that he was very pleased with how the operation went. I had minimal pain that day because I had a nerve block which was inserted through the right side of my neck. My right hand and arm were completely numb until this wore off just after midnight on Friday 13th of July.

Unfortunately Saturday was not a good day for me. I was absolutely chock-full of opiates which make me extremely sick. I straddled with pain relief all day Saturday and Saturday night and early Sunday morning. Nursing staff were uncooperative at best, did not really wish to help me solve my pain problems, and I struggled to get ice packs all that day and night.

I was rather unceremoniously kicked out of hospital on Sunday morning and sent home. I had issues with the pain relief that the pharmacist was trying to get me, but this was to do with the change in my medication on the Saturday as I was so sick. I finally got the correct pain relief, however they did not complete discharge procedures correctly and I was not offered any support at home. This was very disappointing to me, it was a situation I had worked very hard to avoid.

I have now been home since late Sunday morning. Because I had done a lot of cooking and preprepared meals and froze them, I have been able to feed myself quite adequately. I have become an expert at making "one arm porridge". I am also very good at making coffees with one arm, although I am too scared to fill the kettle all the way in case I drop and burn myself. The home help and attendant Care that I had arranged weeks ago through WorkCover has come through and has been absolutely invaluable and assisting me to remain independent and in my Own house.

As I am using dictation, it is very difficult for me to get my words down correctly. The phone does not really like my hybrid Kiwi-Aussie accent and it is causing dramas. Once I am able to type I will definitely fill you in more.