I’ve been trying to write a post about all the things I wish I had known before PAO surgery for a week or so now, but even after a long discussion with David, I was stuck with only one thing. We dug deep into the intangibles – effect on family, mental/emotional aspects, etc. – and still we were stuck at one. Today I randomly landed on a vitally important second thing and feel that together with the first thing I have enough to share – 2 things I wish I knew before PAO surgery.
Are you ready?
First and foremost, I have already shared my Ultimate PAO Supplies List and the entire blog is filled with how I prepared my self, my family, my life, and then how it all played out from there. So, if you’re looking for those things, go back to the beginning and start there.
Beyond that, my doctor and his team prepared me well for what to expect and I asked a lot of questions for clarity. I also had the benefit of having gone through other orthopedic surgeries and learning from those experiences. Just as everything I’m about to share applies to almost ANY surgery, the previous lessons applied to PAO surgery.
Number One
I wish I had done metal allergy testing. I knew beforehand that I was sensitive to metals – I cannot wear cheap jewelry due to the sensitivity. I mentioned it but was satisfied with hearing that surgical metals are much higher quality than cheap jewelry so I went with it.
Waiting until after the 11th surgery, when the allergy was in overdrive, wasn’t the best idea. Look at how simple the testing was! Three days of little testing dots on my back. If only I had known.
Lesson One
Shore up EVERY question. Leave no blank boxes. Be annoying if you have to. I wish I would have pushed to test and explore further.
Number Two
This one is so important, it took me awhile to zoom out far enough to see it. But, look at this. Plain as day, as brilliant as the brightest star, and the most accurate piece of truth I’ve read in awhile…
I nearly fell off my chair when I came upon this page in Haig’s new book!
YES!
EAT THE TOAST!
This is an intense experience. The apointments, the long waits, the preparation, the mental aspects, the enormous life impact, the surgery itself, and then the recovery. 24/7 intensity, akin to searching for the meaning of life.
I wish I would have let go of the intensity and eaten more toast. A LOT more toast! I wish I would have decorated the walls and ceiling with toast. Even now that I know about eating toast, I still need to eat more toast.
Lesson Two
Let it all go and EAT THE TOAST sometimes!
It is so easy to get totally absorbed into the near mania of it all. When that happens, STOP. Go make toast. Eat the toast. Forget about everything else.
There you have it, my 2 things I wish I knew before PAO surgery. SURELY, these are not on anyone else’s lists.
If you have landed on this page from an external link, please go HERE to read from the beginning. Otherwise, click on the next title below to continue.
Beautiful!