Set Back Day at Montreal General - Another Day ... in a New Office

#KristaStrong #MarathonMom #TeamDuChene

So I successfully timed my toilet trips and pain meds, which allowed me to get 3 + 2.5 hrs sleep last night. Oh, what a difference that made. I felt much better this morning. My new roomie hardly makes a peep, and has two lovely daughters who rotate shifts during the day. One does 8am-2pm and the other 2pm-8pm. You really bond with those around you when recovering from surgery!
Mornings are busy at hospitals. And the care is great. Here at Montreal General, rounds are at about 6:30 am so your vitals are done and you are awake and ready to face the team when they arrive. I was all smiles when they came to see me, bright eyed and bushy tailed this morning. Amazing how I could carry on a conversation without crying after sleeping. We talked about my pain, the anti-clotting needle I'll self-administer at home, the eventual removal of the plate and screws, usage of pain meds, and the need to stop every hour on the long drive home. Jonathan and I hadn't said anything to anyone but the plan was to go home today, provided I pass the "stairs test" with physio. So mid-morning Jonathan arrived after checking out of the hotel and picking up the rental (graciously covered by Alan and the CRS), packing our bags, and getting my goods from the pharmacy. He went to get something to eat while I headed down for my stairs test. I successfully used my crutches to the "gym", was able to go up and down the stairs safely, then started to feel weak. I sat to take a break with both the physiotherapist and student nearby. Then I fainted. Twice. Both times I was unresponsive. I opened my eyes to a bunch more people, was again drenched in sweat, and knew what happened. Jonathan walked in to check on me and back came the tears. They wheeled me back to my room and gently placed me back into bed. The discharge decision was then assigned back to ortho. Once ortho got the story, they decided internal medicine should get involved and make the call. I remained positive but did allow myself to do a bit more grieving. Hairy legs, greasy hair, muscle weakness, missing the kids, an 86 yr old roomie who had surgery after me and was lapping me in recovery, and a feeling like I was disappointing a ready-to-go home husband made me pretty sad. I had some lunch and opened up a few more encouraging messages. In particular, I read about fellow marathon mom, Jo Pavey's plan to run at the Commonwealth Games, an email informing me that I had the "LetsRun" quote of the day*, and Dylan Wyke's newest post entitled, "Where have you been hiding?".  It was so meaningful to read about his comeback struggle. Like Shalane Flanagan wearing her heart on her sleeve about racing Boston until she wins it, I truly admire athletes who are so honest about their feelings.  When he ended his post by wishing me well in my recovery, more tears made their way down my face.
Eventually the internal medicine doctor came to see me. We had a really good conversation to determine the reason for the fainting. I had never fainted in my life before this experience. Basically after finishing a half marathon with a stress fracture, completing the fracture in the process, having emergency surgery, taking necessary strong drugs for the operation and recovery, being nearly completely sedentary days in a row, already having low blood pressure and a resting heart rate, we decided I should stay another night. Being safe is always better than being sorry.
So, I had an early dinner and watched part of a movie with Jonathan before he headed out. I said good bye and opened up my laptop for some more therapeutic blogging. It's now 8:05 pm and my roomie and I are on our own. We will likely call it a night soon, hoping for a better tomorrow!
Enjoy the pictures!

* “I came around the corner and I could see the finish line and it was like my leg was completely taken away from me. I couldn’t put any weight on it.”

“I remember one person in the crowd yelled out, ‘Crawl if you have to’ and, in my mind I said, ‘You bet I will.’”

- Canada’s defending half marathon champion Krista DuChene talking about how she finished this year’s race running with a fractured femur for the final 500m when an undiagnosed stress fracture turned into a full break. She was in first before breaking her leg and after limping to the finish line still managed third.

A good start to the day, FaceTime with the kids. 

A great ortho team checking on my roomie before seeing me.

One of many trips to the washroom with Jonathan as my escort. Can't yet go on my own.  

Would LOVE a shower but am grateful for the warm and soapy bedside sponge bath.

Some swelling in the leg but the wound looks great. Won't include that picture.

Evening FaceTime didn't go so well. Poor Leah wanted to hold the screen the entire time and struggled sharing with her brothers. I fought the tears and stayed positive, despite this and her asking numerous times, "Mommy, when are you coming home?". Grammy and Grampa are taking great care of them. Sometimes FaceTime is more harm than good.

"Vending Machine". Seriously that's what it's called! Swipe your credit card and choose your crutches. 

Breathing device to help prevent clotting.

A friendly face. Francois, from Sunday's Banque Scotia 21 k race. Thanks for stopping by to check on me!