Just got word from Michelle on how her surgery day went!

Michelle with (counterclockwise) her mom (Stella), aunt (Dena), Ashley, and Samson

“Success!!!!!!!!! Surgery is finished. Everything went well. I didn’t get to keep my bone, but they did let me see it. It started to break into pieces as the doctor was pulling it out, and the entire piece was about the size of the top of my pinky finger (just the nail part). Anyways, before I get ahead of myself I will tell you a little bit about my surgery day.

We all got to the hospital around 11:15am (I wasn’t supposed to arrive until 12 noon, but I don’t like to be late for anything). I had a whole posy there with me including my mom, my aunt Dena, my husband Rhys, and my friend and physical therapist Shannon. They took me back, had me initial my injured side with a purple sharpie, and put a sock on my non-injured side. I was very pleased with this protocol. I didn’t want them operating on my good foot. They got the IV into my hand, which was probably the hardest part of the day for me. I passed out and got really sweaty. Then Rhys came back and calmed me down. The hospital staff was super great and they kept checking on me. Shannon came back in full scrubs too, because she was going to watch the surgery. Dr. Dehne came and we had a final chat about the whole procedure. There weren’t too many people around and then just as they were rolling me into the operating room all these people showed up. It was very ER TV show. Then they gave me some drugs and then I woke up and it was finished. They rolled me into the recovery, I was smiling at everyone, I high-fived Dr. Dehne, and I was super relieved. I stayed in recovery for about an hour while they checked my vital signs. Rhys and Shannon were with me and the nurse gave me cranberry juice and saltine crackers. My throat really hurt and I kept wondering why. Shannon told me later that they had a tube down my throat. My throat is much better today.

Then I got dressed with Rhys’ help, they wheeled me outside, my mom and aunt were waiting with the car, Rhys picked up my prescription, and then we were on our way home. Paul (Bloodgood) and Anne (Bloodgood) met us there, and Paul helped Rhys get me up the stairs. I got settled on the couch and then went in and out of sleeping and doing my British Literature homework. I wasn’t sure if it was the drugs or the homework that kept helping me fall asleep. Then my mom and my aunt made dinner and Ashley (Lynn), Samson (Ashley’s puppy), and Jaime (Lynn Witts) stopped by. It was a lot of fun.

Sleeping was a little interesting last night, but I definitely got some rest. I plan to keep it elevated today and rest as much as possible. I will get the cast off next Thursday. Thank you to everyone who called, texted, and kept me in their prayers and thoughts. I felt very loved yesterday, and I can’t thank you all enough.

XOXO,

Michelle”