For those of your that have asked for more information on the surgery, here’s the rundown:

I had to be at the hospital bright and early on the 31st, 5:30 a.m. Lovely. Thankfully the hospital is only 3-miles away and I did not have to get up much earlier than I had to be there. A lot of pre-op, the operation itself, some time in post-op and I was home by 1:30 that afternoon. Very groggy, but at least I wasn’t nauseous, thanks to the miracles of modern medicinal patches. Noah’s mom arrived on the 30th and was able to take care of Logan. I pretty much just slept. A lot. Having her here was a total blessing!

I was surprised how well I felt after surgery, aside from intense fatigue. I took my percocet like a good girl, but the pain was never unbearable.  In fact, I felt well enough to make it to my friend’s son’s 1st birthday party 24-hours after surgery! However, I might have overdone it or taken my anti-nausea patch off too soon. That night I was sicker than I don’t think I’ve been since I had salmonella poisoning. It was not pretty and I almost had to go back to the hospital. Finally, after 4-hours, hands-on prayer, a call to the Kaiser nurse-line who advised me to take Gatorade and Dramamine, I conked out on the bathroom floor. Miserable, I tell you!

Thankfully, I have not had a repeat of that night since! Post-op, I took a week off work, and went back to work on week two with my arm still encased of the heat-stroke inducing wrap and sling (seriously it was 100° that week)! Finally, on the 14th I got the beastly mummy-wrap removed and my arm was allowed to breathe fresh air! Oh it is so nice to be able to shower without a trash bag on my arm! I look forward to the day I will be able to wash my hair by myself again, too (I won’t be able to extend my arm for a while still)!

Last April I wrote a post about my syndromes. One of which is Cubital Tunnel Syndrome. In the past year I have seen my primary doctor and a physical therapist regarding CTS. In the past month I have added a neurologist and orthopedic surgeon to that list. The neurologist ran a(n expensive) test called a nerve conduction study. In short, he tasered my arm mutiple times to determine whether or not I have any nerve damage. I don’t. But am symptomatic and without treatment, I will. He did point out that I already have muscle weakness in my left hand.

Wednesday of this week I met with the orthopedic surgeon. I liked her. She was very personable and not cold, like some doctors can be. She determined that I need to have my ulnar nerve relocated from my elbow to the inside of my arm, giving it a easy turn instead of a sharp curve. This should eliminate the pinching and compression and thus the numbness, tingling and potential for permanent nerve damage.

On May 31st I will go under the knife and have my arm sliced and diced (as I like to call it). I will then be in a splint of some sort for six-weeks. Should make life a bit challenging to only have one useful arm, but it will be good to get this procedure done and out of the way, especially before I start grad school. Plus, I’m very much looking forward to not having a numb hand and arm. 🙂

Prepare yourself now, because I will more than likely take (or have Noah take) and post before and after pictures. And remember scars are cool. 🙂