The Left Ankle

Well sports fans, this is the day we have been waiting for. MaryEleanor had surgery on her left ankle this morning. But, before I tell you the outcome, I need to tell you a bit about the logistics prior to the procedure.

We needed to have ME at the hospital at 6AM. My day started at 4AM, just as it did a few days ago when we had about 6inches of snow. Paul and ME's wake up call came at 4:30AM. We said a quick good-bye to my night person and went through our normal morning routine at an accelerated pace. Paul made lunch for the two of us as ME got dressed and put together her personal stuff for an overnight stay. Paul tested the ice in the driveway and deemed it safe. Tieton Drive however was a different story. Not one to be late, ME had us wheels up at 5:20.

We arrived on time at Yakima Regional, this time going through the front door! While Paul got ME inside where the heat was, I dispatched the car. Check in was smooth as silk. I accompanied MaryEleanor to preop and Paul settled in the waiting room, quickly falling asleep on the same couch he slept on in August, 2008.

I will only drop one medical term on you all. ME had a Popliteal nerve block, an amazing way to quiet the nerves in the lower leg. She was also given an ample amount of "joy juice" to take the edge off being on her belly.

I ran into ME's surgeon on the way out of preop. He was smiling, which is always a good sign at 7 in the morning.

A bit after 9A, he walked into the waiting room with a huge smile. He was able to get ME's left ankle back to neutral withOUT using an external fixator......yeah!

MaryEleanor was confident going into this that there was no way she was going to have an apparatus attached to her leg when she woke up. She spent many grueling hours over the last four months working toward this goal. She worked her fanny off under the guidance of her PT and exercise specialist. She alone made it happen with her darn determination.

Congrats darlin'. Hat's off to you. President's Day weekend lookout! Booyah!