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Warning: Some of the images in the Medical section section are very graphic in nature. If you cannot stand the sight of blood, it is advised that you skip these images.
All ImagesOsteochondroma
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Thanks to everyone who has sent their well wishes. I appreciate it, and it has helped me keep my spirits up. Ordinarily I would be an emotional wreck, but this time has been different because of friends and family who care. Huge thanks to Andrea (my sister-in-law) & John (my brother) for picking me up and letting me stay with them. Special thanks to Dan too for making me laugh just prior to surgery which helped prevent me from getting all emotional and for keeping everyone updated on how I am doing.
Now for all the gruesome details...
When I met Doctor Galligan, the anesthesiologist, I expected to get emotional like I did back in September when I met the anesthesiologist. Dr. Galligan was very friendly and I felt I could trust him. That's not something I do easily, but I got the feeling he really knew his stuff just from his handshake and how he carried himself.
Anesthesia poses many risks, and one that worried me most is that it can cause low blood pressure which can lead to death. My blood pressure runs low to start with, so I was nervous about this. General causes it to go lower than a spinal, which is one more reason to do a spinal. However spinal has other risks that are just as worrisome.
It wasn't until just before I went in the operating room doors that I finally decided what to do. I asked Dr. Galligan if I did a spinal if I had to be sedated, and how long would I be kept in the hospital. He told me I didn't have to be sedated if I didn't want to and that he could focus the anesthesia on my right leg so that it would wear off faster. He expected it to take about 3 to 4 hours to wear off completely. We talked about risks a bit, and he didn't try to sway me towards general or spinal at all.
Since I didn't have to be sedated, and I brought my camera I asked if I would be able to take pictures myself or if he would mind taking any. He was excited about it and thought it was a great idea. He said he could see that this sort of thing doesn't bother me, and felt I would do just fine without any sedation. I asked if I could change my mind at any time and he said I could so I felt comfortable doing a spinal.
Dr. Galligan had me lay on my right side with my knees drawn up and my back curled like a hissing cat. After a couple minutes he had me roll onto my back. It felt like my right leg was propped up on something and I had to pull me head up to look. Nope, my leg was flat on the table! It was so bizarre that I couldn't feel my leg at all, even when they lifted it up off the table to wash it and put the tunicate on. I could see my leg, but I felt like it was still flat on the operating table.
During the surgery the soundtrack from Forest Gump and U2's Joshua Tree were playing. It was cold, but they put a hose that puts out warm air under the blanket with me to keep me comfortable. My arms were free to move so I could lift them above the surgical drape to take pictures. Dr. Galligan took a few pictures for me too.
Dr. Parker, the surgeon, was very relaxed and didn't mind the picture taking at all. He did his thing with confidence. I was a little worried that the saw would freak me out, but Dr. Parker opted not to use one. The incision would have been bigger if he used a saw. Instead, he used a chisel to chip the growth off.
I couldn't feel anything he was doing or any pain whatsoever but I could feel my hip get jarred a bit as he pounded at my bone. It felt like I was an observer of someone else's surgery.
Once the growth was removed, they showed it to me and I took a picture of it. Dr. Parker says that it looks benign to him, but because there is so much bone and cartilage they'll have to decalcify it before they can determine it is benign at pathology. I should have the results by Wednesday the 17th.
He put some local anesthesia in the wound, and then proceeded to sew me up. Surgery was about 40 minutes or so but it seemed like only 5. It went by very fast. The doctors did a great job of making me feel comfortable and seemed impressed that I didn't get grossed out at all. We were even joking around a bit. :-)
After the surgery, I went to post-op recovery for an hour. A nurse stayed at my bedside the entire time, watching my vitals. My blood pressure did get low, 85/44 at the lowest as I recall. I got a little worried at that point, and started dozing off and had to force myself to stay awake.
Dr. Galligan did a really good job, because I was able to move my left foot to help get circulation going and help improve my blood pressure.
I could see that I could move my right foot, but I couldn't feel it at all. I thought I was barely moving it, but it was going in larger circles. It really was a strange experience. Since I pushed myself to try and move my feet, my blood pressure came up to a decent level so they moved me to the recovery room.
They expected me to get all feeling back after about 2 or 3 more hours at this point. Moving my feet as much as I did caused the anesthesia to wear off much quicker. I regained all feeling after only 2 1/2 hours from the time of the injection, which was 2 hours sooner than expected.
I was able to stand without putting weight on my right leg and hobble to the bathroom. A bit later, they let me get dressed and Silvia from physical therapy came with crutches and gave me a lesson in using them.
I was in great spirits the whole time, and the nursing staff was all nice and complimentary about my cheery mood and independence. That of course helped keep my spirits up, which made their day pleasant to have a patient that wasn't a grouch. It was a nice little vicious cycle of keeping each other laughing. Too look at me, you wouldn't have guessed I just had surgery. No, I didn't have any narcotics either!
I went in for surgery at 11:30am and got to go home at 2:45pm. Not too shabby, I say. :-)
I didn't have much pain last night, but today I woke up in pain. I'm being careful to take my medicine on time rather than wait for the pain at least for the first couple of days. The medicine makes me a bit dizzy, and it doesn't kill the pain 100% but it at least brings it to a tolerable level. I'm a toughie, and hanging in there.
I've uploaded the pictures from the surgery. Before you look, be warned that they are graphic and if you have a weak stomach you may not want to look.
Posted by ~Angela | Comments (10) | Add Comment | Permalink
In less than 11 hours I'll be having an exostosis, a bone growing out from a bone, removed. The official diagnosis is Osteochondroma Right Tibia, which means a bone tumor that is usually benign, growing from the right tibia. In my x-ray, it looks like a sprig of brocolli.
Right now my biggest worry is the anesthesia and whether to do general or spinal. Both have different risk factors, and from what I've read their death stats are equal. I would have thought spinals would have less occurances of death but apparantly not.
Back in September when I had my gall bladder removed, I had no choice. The hours leading up to the general anesthesia were very emotional for me. I was so ill and jaundice that I didn't expect to live.
Now I have the option for spinal and general and I can't decide. Even though I fear having a general anesthetic, I am leaning towards that option. If death rates are indeed equal, I'm not so sure I want to risk my spine.
I'll try to blog more tomorrow, but no promises...
Posted by ~Angela | Comments (1) | Add Comment | Permalink
It is always nice when I can help Dan with work, considering he's always helping me with things. About the only two things I ever help him with are JavaScript and Regular Expressions, because he claims he's allergic to them. :-) This time, I helped him take a user's selection in a popup window and select the right item in a select list in the parent window.
If you look at Lary McKee's site, you'll see a hyperlink under the in the Options section that says: Preview Mats. When you click it, you'll be able to choose an outer and inner mat, then click on the Choose Mats button to close the window and set the select lists in the Options section. Dan did all the fancy JavaScript that changes the Mats using CSS, and I did the part that happens when you click the Choose Mats button. We make a great team, I say! :-)
Lary's work is gorgeous, and highly detailed. Would make a nice Christmas gift if you're lacking ideas. ;-)
Posted by ~Angela | Comments (1) | Add Comment | Permalink
I'm so excited, I must blog. :-) Eric and Kat Meyer are the proud parents of Carolyn Maxwell Meyer. I couldn't be happier for them and I know they're going to make awesome parents. Wow...talk about wonderful news! :-)
Posted by ~Angela | Comments (0) | Add Comment | Permalink
A few people have asked if Gaetano and I have a wishlist, and indeed we do. If you're curious what we like, or inclined to buy Angela or Gaetano stuff check out our Amazon.com wishlist.
Posted by ~Angela | Comments (1) | Add Comment | Permalink
Comment from Nick Escobedo on 12/24/2010
Thank you very much for the blog post. I'm getting mine removed on the 28th and I'm extremely nervous. I'd say that's an understatement though. Have a great holiday and thank you again!
You're welcome Nick! I hope it all goes as well for you as it did for me. ~Angela
Comment from Karen on 11/8/2010
My son has multiple Osteochondromas from his arms to his feet. They hurt off and on and he has even been teased at school. We were told to wait till he is 16 to get some of them removed. It has restricted a lot of sports for him. He watched 'Passion of Christ' when he was 9 with me. He insisted on watching it. After the movie he looked at me and said. If Jesus went through that for us then what I am going through is nothing. It really helped him cope with the pain at that age. I don't feel there is enough information out there about this to help us out. Thank you for having something on the net because there is no one else to talk to for us except doctors and they don't seem to tell you everything till they have to.
Karen, Your son is one amazing little man! :-)
My best advice to you is to get more than one opinion. Find the nearest expert and get more opinions. I know a little girl who is about 6 years old now and she's had her osteochondroma removed. As I recall they weren't going to do it at first because of some concerns about growth plates. I'm sure that in the end they did what was best for her. ~Angela
Comment from Suzanne_Canada on 4/15/2009
Thank you so much for your blog and pictures of your osteochondroma surgery. I have the exact same surgery on my right tibia in August. You have no idea how helpful your pictures are, i have had minimal contact with the surgeon and will have no further pre-op with him prior to my surgery date, so this blog really helps. Quick question, the surgeon originally told me that I'd be back to work after a week?? Does this seem realistic to you? Judging by your pics I'd say that my chondroma is in the exact same spot as yours. He didn't mention anything about needing crutches for 3 weeks after surgery! Please tell me more about the recovery, meds you had to take etc. I would be soooo appreciative!!
Hi Suzanne,
I'm so glad that you found the photos helpful.
As I recall, I was on crutches for a couple weeks. I remember being on crutches at Christmas but not for the new year. So I'd say 2 weeks was about right, but not more than 3.
I was not in a lot of pain at all. I think they gave me Vicodin but I didn't take them for longer than a couple days; Ibuprofen was enough thereafter.
It's been a long time so my memory is fuzzy! I think the worst part of it is that my scar is rather ugly. If you can manage to show the doctor my pictures, ask him to please do a better job than that on your incision!
Please come back and post the outcome of your surgery if you can. I'm sure others would find it helpful too. ~Angela
Comment from Ambrocio on 1/11/2009
Hi there!
Im glad everything is doing well now after your surgery.
I was dx. osteochondroma on my right femur about a month ago, and im having surgery to remove it on Summer, I am really worried about this. Could you share a bit more about your recovery after surgery?. Sorry for my english but I havent practiced it for a while since i live in Mexico.
Greetings!
Hello Ambrocio,
My recovery went well. It was about 3 weeks on crutches for me and then could walk fine without their help. I have a little soreness if I press on the scar, but it isn't that bad. In all, it was a success. I hope your surgery goes as well as mine did or even better.
Good luck to you! ~Angela
Comment from selina walker on 12/5/2006
Hey! Im having surgery in two days to remove an osteochondroma tumor. Reading your blog really helped me calm down, because I was nervous. Thanks alot for posting it!!
Comment from Karen on 8/19/2005
Glad I found your blog! I came across it while doing research on osteochondroma because I'm seeing an orthopedic surgeon this afternoon about removing one in my hip. Seeing and reading how well your surgery went gives me courage! Thanks!
You're welcome! Thank you for saying so; you made my day.
I hope your surgery goes as well as mine and that the recovery also goes as well too.
Best wishes,
~Angela ~Angela
Comment from tree on 12/27/2003
Your little man is going to be a GREAT man one day and he'll have his mommy to thank for that - His bedside manner is amazing for such a little one and it just shows how much he loves his Mommy! Continue healing and don't push yourself (yeah right) too hard. Call if you need anything!!!
Awwwww thank you! I'll try to take it easy (but you obviously know me well) and I'll call, promise. :-) ~Angela
Comment from Tree on 12/27/2003
Hey there... sorry I didn't check your blogs sooner - I had no idea you'd had the surgery and I was there at the hospital when you challenged the staff about the swelling. Anyway, I am so glad all turned out well. How's Gaetano handling his Mommy's hobbles?
It was a bit sudden...I saw the doctor on a Tuesday I believe, and that Friday was the surgery. Gaetano is being really sensitive to it. He would "help" me walk with my crutches (by holding my crutch as I go). Now he'll get me juice (the kind you poke a straw in) or water to "help mama feel better". He's very sweet. Anytime he gets his own drink he brings me one too whether I ask or not. :-) I love that little guy! ~Angela
Comment from Tree on 12/27/2003
First and foremost, I'm envious - last surgery I had they wouldn't let me stay awake, let alone take pictures. Your pics were great but they weren't very gruesome - how's the knee healing? Hang in there K?
They rarely do let you stay awake. You have to show them you're brave, and the surgery must be safe for you to be awake. This anesthesiologist agreed that generalanesthesia was the only way to do a Cholecystectomy (gall bladder removal).
My leg is doing ok, healing faster than expected. Usually they don't allow driving for a minimum of 3 weeks. He says I can drive again at 2 weeks if I'd like, but I won't yet. I didn't get better enough by the 26th to do that.
To make a long story somewhat short, I wound up in a lot of pain on the 26th, and I almost went to the ER for it. I feel much better today but not 100%. If it is persisting until Tuesday, they want me to come in. (He's not there until Tuesday.)
If anything else, I'm definitely hanging in there! :-) ~Angela
Comment from Jay on 12/25/2003
Dana says that tool that you are confused about is called an Adison Ronjeur. Glad you are ok :)
Sounds dangerous ;-). Please tell Dana thanks for me. I'll consider the mystery solved.
It is really nice to see you're still around Jay. Don't be such a stranger, alright? Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours. ~Angela