As of today, I have one less working vein. My left great saphenous vein is now inoperational. Hooray.
You may remember that I had my first vein surgery back in May, and it was a pretty unpleasant experience. The surgery was NOT quick and painless like they advertise, and the recovery process was long. Not debilitating, but just not jump back on your feet again in a few days fast like they tell you it will be.
I did a few things differently this time.
*When offered a Valium, I took the whole dose, instead of trying to be tough about it and only taking a half a dose. Who cares if I’m out of it for the whole day, right? It was a little bit better to be that much out of it.
*They have new paper shorts!! Instead of the tiny paper underpants that leave nothing to the imagination, they have new paper shorts! They look like long boxer shorts, and they are made out of that not really paper but not really fabric. They are much more comfortable, and I felt much less exposed. I should make sure they know how much I like the new shorts next time I’m there.
*I still had my MP3 player, but this doctor was more chatty, so I had to keep turning the music down to hear what he was saying. In fact, everyone was much more chatty today. The ultrasound tech and the nurse were chattin it up before the surgery, and everyone seemed to be in a good mood. Maybe because it was Friday, or the sun was shining, or maybe they really like making people wince in pain-I don’t know.
*I cleared my schedule. I don’t know if I mentioned this before, but the last time I went in, since I thought it was going to be an in and out things and not really make an impact in my life, I had a relief society thing scheduled for that night AT MY HOUSE, which I totally thought I could pull off. It was just the ladies who had birthdays that month coming over for dessert. And I would have been able to do it, had I not ALSO had a call back for Annie get your gun. That, I thought, would be a quick and easy thing, too. I mean, for Seussical, I had just gone, sung a song, read a few lines, and then they let me go. This was a long grueling process of learn a song in parts, sing it in groups, sing it in other groups, read some lines, sing more songs, etc. I was there until 10:00! And I had people at my house! They went on with the Relief Society thing without me, and I suffered through my audition (no wonder I didn’t get that good of a part! No, just kidding–my part was just fine), and then I felt horrible the next day. In short, I DID TOO MUCH.
This time, though, I’m smart. I came home and went to bed. I only slept for an hour or so, but I did not come out of my room until I smelled dinner. And I locked the door so the kids couldn’t come in to ask me stuff every two minutes. Or climb all over me. I’m not doing anything tonight, except this blog post, and then I’m going back up to bed. My dear sweet husband just went and rented me a movie (not the Proposal like I wanted, but Ghosts of Girlfriends past, which also should be funny. And who doesn’t like a little Matthew McConaughey when they are down? Am I right, ladies?).
My visiting teacher brought me dinner, even though I didn’t even tell her I was having this done. That makes me think that the Relief Society President must have called her and asked her to do it. I wasn’t going to ASK for meals, but if someone out of the goodness of their hearts wants to bring us a meal, my family is not going to complain. And it was very yummy. I have NOTHING scheduled for tomorrow, and I plan on lazing around all day. All day. Stop laughing. I really do. I also weaseled out of my commitments for Sunday, and I don’t plan on going to church that day, either. Just resting, relaxing, and healing. Really. Because I’m really hoping that if I take it really easy for the first three days that I can jump back into my life by the end of next week. We have things happening that I need to be involved in (more about that later).
*This procedure really did seem to go much better than the last one. I think the vein on this leg wasn’t as snakey and twisty turney as the right leg was. They also did NOT do any schlerotherapy at this time (they might do it later) which, I think, will make the recovery a lot less painful. Well, that’s what I hope.
So, there you have it. I’m gimpy, I’m wearing my lovely support compression stockings, and I can’t shower for two days. But I’m “vein free”, if not “pain free”. Ha, ha.
Now, if you’ll please excuse me, I’m heading up to bed to watch my silly movie, and hope I can sleep tonight.
Good girl. Now follow through! I’m glad you survived.
I’m proud of you, Paige. Now just follow through! I hope the recovery is a ton easier this time with all your preparations. Enjoy your movie, eat some good food and have a restful weekend! Good luck!
I hope it all pays for itself by a quick recovery and a fantastic week!
Good luck and take it easy!