Surgery went as well as could be expected. We were warned Monday morning that there was a possibility of the surgical team finding additional damage when they went in to fix his ankle. Thankfully, there was none and the procedure was close to what we initially thought - with the addition of a second plate. Surgery lasted an hour and ten minutes. It was in recovery where things started to go south. Mama Buck and I got to see him for a minute (maybe) and then left so that they could do the nerve block. He was in a tremendous amount of pain and ended up having to wait an hour and a half in recovery for the anesthesiologist. Then, in the post-op room he was miserable with nausea and our departure was postponed. Fortunately, we still left the hospital that afternoon and came home to Sandersville.
I say fortunately, but really, I'm not sure how fortunate that was. In hindsight, it would have been really nice to have stayed in the hospital overnight. At least there they could have done something to help him! We were told the nerve block usually lasts 18-24 hours. Joe was able to wiggle his toes after 11 hours and his wore off completely by 12 or 13 hours. Monday night, he was in agony. There is no other word to describe it. Throughout the night he writhed in pain, calling out to God for relief. We were both praying unceasingly for the pain to be under control. Joe had almost no sleep (except during the operation) for almost 48 hours. That, with the pain, was just too much.
And I felt completely helpless. Other than giving him his medicine early, putting ice over his splint, and praying, there was nothing else I could do. We couldn't get ahead of the pain. Yesterday morning I talked to a nurse (who talked to our doctor) and we switched his pain medicine and upped the dose. A doctor friend here also came to see us and by evening the pain was managed.
Last night was a whole lot better. I had four alarms set on my phone during the night to give medication. In between those, he was mostly able to sleep. Thank you, God. I think the worst is behind us!
The Upper Room devotion for today comes in perfect timing. "Even in our brokenness we can serve God. Even our pain can be a gift when we receive God's comfort and pass it on to another."
"For the Lord as comforted his people, and will have compassion on his suffering ones."
(Isaiah 49:13b)
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