1st Honduran Surgery

Hey!  How is everyone doing?  It's been a long time.  Bob & I have been doing very well.  We got thru our 1st hurricane season and that's worth a post on its own.  (stay tuned)

Some of you may know that I've been dealing with bone spurs for at least 2+ years now.   It has been a painful experience but decided surgery wasn't an option due to what I've heard of the procedure, not to mention the recovery time. 

Well, my friend Sharon talked me into seeing her doctor on the mainland (San Pedro Sula).  I agreed but was looking more forward to shopping after the doctor visit.  I had no idea I would be engaging in this type of surgery especially so fast.

The doc said the spurs were pretty big in both feet but the one on my right; x-rays indicated that the bone spur had broken and the fragments were embedding on my tendon which was causing pain.  He was adamant that surgery was the only option if I wanted relief.  GEEZ, not what I wanted to hear but OK. 

Now, I've had a lot of surgeries in my short life but I gotta say this is the 1st where the doc doesn't accept credit cards.  Cash Only.  Apparently the system is for me to pay him upfront and he then pays the hospital, assistant, anesthetic and whatever else is needed.  Humm!  OK.  No problem I have the money in the bank.  I'll make a trip around the corner and get the cash.  Nothing is that simple.  Bob & I have a Honduran savings account.  Even though I had ID; I wasn't able to withdraw the money needed.  Apparently I must present my banking card in order to withdraw cash.  They can't just look up my account and take the money out.  Nope, doesn't work that way.  Bob managed to go online and figured out how to transfer money from our account to the docs account.  No big deal, right?  Wrong!  That was a huge task for Bob to do on his own.  Online banking is in Spanish folks but he got it done.  Way to go Bob! 

Now that the doc is paid; the procedure was scheduled.  Technology has come a long way even in a "3rd World" country.  The incision would only require 2 stitches and only a week of crutches.  The thing that concerned me the most and made me actually have nightmares was the injection to my spinal cord.  Why in the world would you need to numb from my waist down?  But, guess it's a common thing.  Fortunately, my friend Sharon had the same procedure.  She told me not to freak out when I wake and I can't move my legs.   What?  Are you kidding me?   She wasn't.  That is a horrible feeling.  Even though I knew what to expect; when I came to, near the end of the surgery and couldn't move...panic started to set it.  It's a horrible feeling when you try to will your toes to wiggle or try to bend your leg and not be able to do it.  But the anesthetic wore off after several hours.  I truly did have nightmares.  I woke up in a sweat w/the idea of spinal injection going wrong and being paralyzed from it.   Crazy, huh?  I must get that from my Dad.  He's the worst at assuming things to go bad.  Thanks Dad.  I appreciate that gene you passed on to me. 

The doc ruined it for Sharon.  She thought she was going to have the hotel room to herself for a night.  I was suppose to stay one night in the hospital but the doc said I was doing really well and could go back to the hotel.  Poor Sharon.  Nurse duty immediately and no disco dancing for her.   She was fantastic.  She made sure my foot was elevated, made sure my ice pack was full and if I needed anything she was there. 

I was feeling really good that evening.  We ordered pizza and played cards.  Sharon didn't have much sympathy for me and took great pleasure in beating me at Rummy 500.  My story is and I'm sticking to it... "I was under the influence". 

The doc paid me a visit at my hotel room the day after surgery.  He gave me the green light to travel back to the island.  Sharon went out immediately to purchased our airlines tickets and hook us up with a taxi.  What I had failed to mention till now is that Sharon & I did some serious grocery shopping before I was laid up.  We both had full coolers and extra bags to tote w/us.  Thank God for hotel concierge and airport helpers.  I was absolutely no help.  I remained confined to the wheelchair.  To tell you how much we had; we had to pay $200 extra to cover the extra luggage weight we checked.

We finally made it back to the island of Guanaja but damn; for such a short flight we transferred planes 3 times.   My foot was throbbing something bad by the time we got to Guanaja.

I'm proud to say I managed to get in and out of the boat successfully and without injury.  It wasn't lady like but I managed.

I have to give HUGE kudos to my wonderful husband, Bob.   He has been fantastic.  He has cooked me some fabulous meals (he Hates to cook) and has made sure I have absolutely everything I need.  He's been awesome.   He's going to hate that I'm writing this, but I have to...Do you know he followed a recipe and made me some of the best homemade biscuits I've ever had.  Delicious.  I'm thinking he needs to cook for me on a more frequent basis.  Can you hear him now?  Not going to happen.  Bob, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  You are the BEST.

Well, in a few days my stitches will be taken out by Mike Jones.  (Sharon's husband)  I saw him this afternoon and appears he's taking great pleasure in this task.  Should I be worried that he wants to bring his garden tools to pull out the stitches?  ha ha.  I'm sure he'll do a great job. 

I'd say this surgery has gone very nicely and I'm feeling better each day.  I haven't had any pain and by this coming week I'll be crutch free and wearing my own shoes.  I won't be dancing but that too will come in time.

Take care my friends and hope that all is going well for you.  Big hugs - Bonnie