Barb Whetstone
November 2021
Barbara S.
Whetstone
,
RN
Pre/Post/PACU
The Orthopedic Hospital
Fort Wayne
,
IN
United States
Gripping the walker sliding my feet forward with my Miss DAISY Cheerleader gently coaching "Keep Walking, you are almost there."
A Daisy Nurse She Is!
Prior to surgery, I being a strong 77-year-old independent woman thought that I was ready for this adventure. I had done my homework having read my entire Doctor's office take home folder materials, received instruction from the office nurse, additional instruction from my nurse at the Pace Clinic followed by some online research and reading, and even a phone call to the doctor's office nurse with a list of questions. With all this knowledge I was ready. I anticipated some pain...But...Following surgery, I received a surprise! A Huge Surprise!
Having had surgeries before, armed with my literature, instructions, and online information, I felt I had a good perspective on what to expect... except a high-level pain and lots of it! The one thing slightly mentioned about pain was not to worry that the Doctor would prescribe a take-home med for the pain to be taken as directed.
I don't remember the recovery room except I wanted to sleep. I don't remember the transfer from recovery to my post-op room and bed. I do remember opening my eyes to the most wonderful cheerleader. I attempted to move while overhearing the important conversation between the two nurses about me needing to get into the restroom as soon as possible. I attempted to move. Yikes! Pain! Pain! Like I can't describe! Tears to the eyes; the pain gripped me to a dead stop, tears and all!
That is when my wonderful Miss DAISY Cheerleader stepped in with a warm smile and calm voice telling me the pain would get better and easier as I moved and she was amazed at "how nice my hair looked following surgery." In a calm voice, she gently provided me the precise directions to correctly sit up with her assistance. I moved a minuscule inch and let out a loud "aaaayiiiii" with tears in the eyes to which my calm Nurse Cheerleader says, "You can do this... I promise you, just stay still for a moment and we will try again; you can do this." The conversation then changed to how nice I looked just coming from surgery, my hair looked great not the least messed up. My vanity took over distracting me from thinking of that Big Pain waiting for me.
My Miss DAISY Cheerleader calmly says, "Let's give it a try. We Can Do This." She was right! Through the Horrible Big Pain I found myself sitting upwards on the side of the bed with her arms around me. Wow. What a nurse. I had the Best in the whole world! We Did It! Not without an accelerated heart rate, tears in the eyes, and shaking legs and hands...But We Did It. Next, calmly says my Miss DAISY Cheerleader "slide slow and easily to the floor after I put on your beautiful hospital socks."
Attached to Miss DAISY I attempted to move and was gripped again with the most gosh awful pain and Miss DAISY softly says, "You are doing well. I am holding onto you, keep coming until you are standing." I don't know how I did it. The pain was so terrible! It took us three attempts. My cheerleader calmly says, "You can do this,” reminding me of that full bladder I was carrying. This was a motivator considering the options. Miss DAISY Cheerleader attached me to a walker and forewarned me that each step would bring pain but with each next step the pain would be less. Gripping the walker sliding my feet forward with my Miss DAISY Cheerleader gently coaching "Keep Walking, you are almost there." She was absolutely right. With each step came less pain. We have arrived at the bathroom door without a mess. And I feared I could not do this. I completed my business inside the bathroom and pulled the red cord for My Faithful Cheerleader waiting at the door who says, “I thought you could do this."
As we turned towards my room Miss DAISY says, "Kkeep walking, keep walking keep walking." Now the test of getting dressed. Pain yes, but in my head, I could hear, "Keep Walking. Keep Walking." There! I did it with tears of pain in my eyes I am dressed to go home. I wiped my eyes and pulled open the curtain and there she stood, My Miss DAISY Cheerleader with a smile and a wheelchair asking if I wanted to use the chair or "Keep Walking" to the door to which I responded I wanted to "Keep Walking' and walking I did all the way to the front door and outside to the car.
She tucked me into the front seat of the car and says with a smile, "Remember to Keep Walking." Each day, each minute of each hour I hear her voice in my head “Keep Walking" as I walk and walk and walk the circle in my small apartment and my front sidewalk. Today as I write I am 12 days post-surgery with her warm coaching smile and calm patient voice ringing in my ears as I Keep Walking..Keep Walking. I am almost pain-free and doing well. I appreciated my Personal Miss DAISY Cheerleader on my day of surgery, and appreciate her each day that I have been home....walking... Walking....walking... Today as I warmly remembered her I received a Thank You Card from the Surgery Team and Post-Op. Signed.... "Keep Walking, Barb.". Thanks To You My Miss DAISY Cheerleader I continue to Keep Walking and Walking.
Prior to surgery, I being a strong 77-year-old independent woman thought that I was ready for this adventure. I had done my homework having read my entire Doctor's office take home folder materials, received instruction from the office nurse, additional instruction from my nurse at the Pace Clinic followed by some online research and reading, and even a phone call to the doctor's office nurse with a list of questions. With all this knowledge I was ready. I anticipated some pain...But...Following surgery, I received a surprise! A Huge Surprise!
Having had surgeries before, armed with my literature, instructions, and online information, I felt I had a good perspective on what to expect... except a high-level pain and lots of it! The one thing slightly mentioned about pain was not to worry that the Doctor would prescribe a take-home med for the pain to be taken as directed.
I don't remember the recovery room except I wanted to sleep. I don't remember the transfer from recovery to my post-op room and bed. I do remember opening my eyes to the most wonderful cheerleader. I attempted to move while overhearing the important conversation between the two nurses about me needing to get into the restroom as soon as possible. I attempted to move. Yikes! Pain! Pain! Like I can't describe! Tears to the eyes; the pain gripped me to a dead stop, tears and all!
That is when my wonderful Miss DAISY Cheerleader stepped in with a warm smile and calm voice telling me the pain would get better and easier as I moved and she was amazed at "how nice my hair looked following surgery." In a calm voice, she gently provided me the precise directions to correctly sit up with her assistance. I moved a minuscule inch and let out a loud "aaaayiiiii" with tears in the eyes to which my calm Nurse Cheerleader says, "You can do this... I promise you, just stay still for a moment and we will try again; you can do this." The conversation then changed to how nice I looked just coming from surgery, my hair looked great not the least messed up. My vanity took over distracting me from thinking of that Big Pain waiting for me.
My Miss DAISY Cheerleader calmly says, "Let's give it a try. We Can Do This." She was right! Through the Horrible Big Pain I found myself sitting upwards on the side of the bed with her arms around me. Wow. What a nurse. I had the Best in the whole world! We Did It! Not without an accelerated heart rate, tears in the eyes, and shaking legs and hands...But We Did It. Next, calmly says my Miss DAISY Cheerleader "slide slow and easily to the floor after I put on your beautiful hospital socks."
Attached to Miss DAISY I attempted to move and was gripped again with the most gosh awful pain and Miss DAISY softly says, "You are doing well. I am holding onto you, keep coming until you are standing." I don't know how I did it. The pain was so terrible! It took us three attempts. My cheerleader calmly says, "You can do this,” reminding me of that full bladder I was carrying. This was a motivator considering the options. Miss DAISY Cheerleader attached me to a walker and forewarned me that each step would bring pain but with each next step the pain would be less. Gripping the walker sliding my feet forward with my Miss DAISY Cheerleader gently coaching "Keep Walking, you are almost there." She was absolutely right. With each step came less pain. We have arrived at the bathroom door without a mess. And I feared I could not do this. I completed my business inside the bathroom and pulled the red cord for My Faithful Cheerleader waiting at the door who says, “I thought you could do this."
As we turned towards my room Miss DAISY says, "Kkeep walking, keep walking keep walking." Now the test of getting dressed. Pain yes, but in my head, I could hear, "Keep Walking. Keep Walking." There! I did it with tears of pain in my eyes I am dressed to go home. I wiped my eyes and pulled open the curtain and there she stood, My Miss DAISY Cheerleader with a smile and a wheelchair asking if I wanted to use the chair or "Keep Walking" to the door to which I responded I wanted to "Keep Walking' and walking I did all the way to the front door and outside to the car.
She tucked me into the front seat of the car and says with a smile, "Remember to Keep Walking." Each day, each minute of each hour I hear her voice in my head “Keep Walking" as I walk and walk and walk the circle in my small apartment and my front sidewalk. Today as I write I am 12 days post-surgery with her warm coaching smile and calm patient voice ringing in my ears as I Keep Walking..Keep Walking. I am almost pain-free and doing well. I appreciated my Personal Miss DAISY Cheerleader on my day of surgery, and appreciate her each day that I have been home....walking... Walking....walking... Today as I warmly remembered her I received a Thank You Card from the Surgery Team and Post-Op. Signed.... "Keep Walking, Barb.". Thanks To You My Miss DAISY Cheerleader I continue to Keep Walking and Walking.