Disclosure: I am well-medicated at the time of writing this post!

The surgery is done. It took all afternoon, but that’s nothing to moan about. Yet again, the hospital staff were truly wonderful – Colleen, the nurse who checked me in; Dr. Bodnar, the anaesthetist; and Romeo and the other critical care nurses who tended to me on the other side of surgery.

How the surgery went remains to be seen. This is my only beef so far – the orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Eric Torstensen, visited with me for about 3 minutes pre-op, and zero minutes post-op. So how it went, what he encountered, and his prognosis, confidence and next steps are all complete unknowns. Isn’t that kind of weird, sending me home almost completely unaware? The after-care component feels kind of important and is completely missing here.

I do have a note to meet with him in 2-3 weeks, but what am I supposed to do in the mean time? Can I take off the leg brace once in a while? When can I take a shower? Is it safe to put any weight on the leg? I’ll be calling his office shortly with a list of questions.

I wonder if this is how they do business nowadays. I think we have been used to the idea that they sit down with you bedside after the procedure to hold your hand, tell you how it went and describe what comes next. Maybe that’s just what we see on TV shows.

Unfortunately, this experience eerily mirrors the last time I had surgery, in November 2024 for a hernia repair. There again, I did not get visited post-op and beyond a nurse suggesting it went well, I got no information on what took place. And as it turned out, a few weeks later, there was a complication from a part of the procedure that he never advised me on, which felt frustrating, violating and mildly unethical. Anyway, at least in that situation, I got some handout materials for how to take care of myself. I received no such information this time. If doctors are against patients Googling for health information (appropriately, I think), don’t you think they should adhere to a higher standard for their own information delivery?

Anyway, the lesson is that you always have to be your own advocate. This is just another example.

So day 1 post-op: not very fun. I’m experiencing real pain now – not surprising considering what (I think) they did. Incision(s), reattaching tendon to bone, whatever else… This is offset by some effective and potent drugs that I’ve never taken before: Celecoxib, Gabapentin and Tramadol. The latter, I believe, is basically the pain-killer and is doing a good job. They’re all making me quite drowsy, but I’ve taken a few days off work, so I have nothing to worry about laying in bed, nodding on and off while texting friends and reading the news.

My amazing wife and children have been spectacular caregivers. They’re genuinely concerned and wanting to make sure I get better. I hate putting such an enormous burden on my wife, especially since this incident caused her to have to abandon a program she was taking out of town. That isn’t fair and I sympathize if she’s feeling at all resentful or angry.

Lacking after-care info, I’m resigned to researching all this on the internet. I found a terrific Reddit thread for people who’ve experienced this type of injury, and it’s been at once illuminating, affirming and terrifying to read what others have gone through. It confirmed for me how lucky I am to have been diagnosed and treated so quickly. It also confirmed what other research has divulged, in terms of this being a 9-12 month recovery process. It will suck, there’s no sugar-coating it. Apparently the major muscle atrophy is real; confidence in being able to walk at all without a brace will start at zero. Regaining flexion and dexterity will be slow and painful. At this point, I just have to accept it, and get on with the process so I can return to a full and healthy life.

For the last 8 months, I’ve been strength training in a gym three times per week, on the advice of a physiotherapist who I get along with well. I was making good progress – confidently squatting 165 lbs 3×8, benching the same, and all kinds of other good things. My baseline strength has been a massive blessing in dealing with this injury so far, and maintaining and committing to building back better will be critical. Both the gym and my physio have sent their sympathies and are standing by to get my rehab going as soon as we get the go-ahead from the doctor.

So I’m optimistic that, while the road ahead will be slow and bumpy, it does lead to a full recovery. I have lots of support around me – something I am incredibly thankful for.