Alagaesian

The forecast is 24 degrees C, therefore a summer barbeque has to be part of the agenda this weekend… have to take this chance in case the rains come again!

Yeah, also need to think of where to go this summer… probably a backpacking trip or something.

As far as I’m concerned those are gonna be the highlights for the weekend… oh yeah also need to do some studying… 

bummer… 

They did say that we are up for the best summer ever in Bergen in years we can remember.  So far that is holding true and we can only cross our fingers that it will still hold in the next 3 months!

Not a drop of rain in sight for days now and this is expected to last until at least the end of May.  Temps this Sunday reached to 30 degrees in my balcony but that’s only because my thermometer is directly under the sun.  Actually it feels more like 20 degrees out.  

Soon I have to stock up on disposable barbeques.  

Update on the legs - the worst is over and there’s no where else to go but straight to recovery.  I’ve started walking around without crutches now and hope that I can start hiking mountains again in the summer.

You’d think that an airline strike 2 years back where you spent 3 days trying to get to your destination is bad enough.  Nope, this week’s airport strike is worse.  

The Norwegian Airport Authority, Avinor, did not reach an agreement with the worker’s union last Thursday / Friday midnight and therefore the workers went on strike Friday morning which closed down 5 airports in Norway.  To make matters worse, Saturday was the National Day.  Thousands got stuck somewhere not able to be with family for the big traditional celebrations.  

I had visitors (my uncle and aunt) visiting me from Australia while they are on holiday in Europe.  They were supposed to arrive Bergen Friday night but instead had to fly to Stavanger and take the bus for 6 hours to get to Bergen.  I was also up on the phone the whole day of Friday booking and rebooking flights, doing research on hotels and buses and ferries thinking of alternatives for them to get here to join the 17th May celebrations in Bergen.

The threat of strikes seems to have become a yearly tradition in Norway where various unions negotiate pay raises during spring.  As of the time of writing, the parties are still far from reaching any agreement and hence the strike threatens to expand to other airports, including Oslo.  God forbid they continue to be stubborn and still be on strike when my visitors are supposed to fly out!

Maybe we should start throwing rotten tomatoes at the airport, or maybe the union???  This is freaking economic sabotage and such a big hassle for travelers.  A big embarrassment in Norway I reckon.  

Technorati Tags: airport, strike, norway

It’s been 9 days after my Partial Meniscectomy.  Things are looking good in that I have started to regain strength albeit not enough to stand without crutches.  I had my appointment with the doctor again yesterday and asked for another week’s sick leave so I can focus on exercises.  And he also gave me another two weeks of free taxi rides to and from work.  The social welfare in Norway allows people to go to work by taxi if they can avoid paying for your sick leave salary.  A very good system as I don’t think I can stand staying home longer than necessary.

I just got home from my first physiotherapy session and I was told WE HAVE MUCH WORK TO DO.  uh-oh.  I was thinking… should I have done more the past few days?  My extension is not yet full and the knees hurt when forcing the extension.  The flexion on the other hand is only to 85 degrees.  I read that I should be doing 90 to 110 degrees by now.  So the therapist had me on the bicycle for 20 minutes which was totally uncomfortable at first but I just had to press it hard.  Apparently the knee capsule hardens after days of inactivity so it is important to get back the flexion and range of motion. 

After some minutes on the bike, my right leg was already feeling tense and it was just funny to see it shaking.  More biking tomorrow I guess in my second session…

Technorati Tags: partial, meniscectomy, meniscus, physiotherapy
 

It’s been 3 days after my Partial Meniscectomy in my lateral meniscus.  I took off my bandages yesterday, 1 day late as it became a bit hot being always wrapped in.  And that what was left of the anesthesia has completely subsided so I regained all consciousness in my right leg.  What I just left on is the strip covering the wound which I’m thinking of changing tomorrow.

As I said in the previous posts, the procedure wasn’t an ACL reconstruction after all but rather more of a Partial Meniscectomy where the doctor removed 25 - 30% of my lateral meniscus.  I’ve been reading more about it to find out long term effects but haven’t found much information.  A total removal increases chances of arthritis but we are not for sure in the case of a partial removal.  But one thing for sure, the knees won’t be the same again.  My doctor however assured me that, albeit with some light discomfort in the future, it shouldn’t hinder me from doing sports.

I’ve been having some pressure or pains still on my leg but it is more because of the swelling and not the wound.  So I always have the tendency to try to massage my calfs and ankles with my good ol’ Tiger Balm. I am still avoiding walking or putting much pressure on my leg while walking and it doesn’t even have enough strength to do the leg raise exercises I was told to do.  

I’ve already stopped my pain medications but took the last one last night which was a bad idea as it completely tired me out.  

It’s been so nice in Bergen lately what with summer-like weather.  We’ve already have 2 barbeques this week and another one coming up later!  It feels more like a holiday and even extremely nice with friends taking good care of me!

Technorati Tags: acl, reconstruction, meniscectomy, meniscus

The day of the surgery went by quite well.  I walked to the hospital from my hotel when everyone else is merely getting out of bed.  I was surprised how calm I was during all the preps.  The nurse came in and asked all sorts of questions and there was also a bit of waiting time for the rest of the pre-surgery preparations.  

I insisted on a local anesthesia instead of putting me to sleep.  The doctor said the effects is the same but I thought it would be interesting to know what happening during the procedure.  So they paralyzed me waist down via an injection into the spine.  And they put on an additional anesthesia into my leg which is still in effect a day after.

They gave me some intravenous medications such as antibiotics and some to make me feel a bit dizzy.  I didn’t know why they have to do that but maybe it is just to make you relax.  They they turned me on my back and then I started laughing at the feeling (or lack of any) waist down.  It was a bit funny with me trying to move my legs but can’t and seeing them there helpless.  

So I guess you can say that I wasn’t really too alarmed on the whole procedure.  I was more like a curious cat asking all sorts of questions and laughing.  So I was pretty happy that I wasn’t sleeping and missed the opportunity.  

After a couple of minutes they just turned on the TV and showed me what’s on.  I was surprised to learn that they were already in!  I didn’t even feel a thing.  It wasn’t gross or anything, more like watching Discovery Channel actually.  

It turned out that my ACL is only partially torn and the major part is still intact and stable.  My mensicus however had some tears so that had to be trimmed down.  I still fear of the long term effects of a reduced meniscus but the doctor said he doesn’t think that I should be worried of an early arthritis.  I think I’m gonna do more research later on that.

They also need to put some medicines in as there were tears in the MCL and some irritation.  And had to clean out the fat as well.  Wait… fat??  Oh no, I think I should be more careful with my diet.  Yeah and everyone in the operating room just burst in laughter.  So I didn’t really get my answer if it was a good fat or bad fat.  

Anyway, turned out better than expected.  So, I’m in good spirits one day after the operation.  Then again, I still can’t feel anything on my leg as the anesthesia hasn’t worn off yet.  But yesterday was a bit difficult and I felt shitty with the pressure on the legs and I always have the urge of massaging my ankles and my foot.  Painkillers might have helped I’m not sure.  I also used this cool Tiger Balm ointment (highly recommended) which is minty strong so I think that helped as well.  

The doctor said I shouldn’t put any pressure on my legs for 4 days and maintain using crutches for the next two weeks.  I should avoid basketball or football and forget skiing until next season (I never really played much sports anyway, but as long as they give me my skiing then I’m ok.  Right now, I’m just relaxing at my friend’s place and life can’t be any better!

Technorati Tags: acl, reconstruction, tiger, balm

1 day before my ACL reconstruction surgery.  I’ll be taking a 3 hour ferry ride to get to Haugesund.  Unfortunately, that’s the only hospital that can accomodate me so soon (it’s been 2 months from my skiing accident).  Although the welfare system here in Norway is quite good, the waiting time takes forever if you don’t have the proper insurance to fast track you.  Luckily, our company carries one.

I’m still a bit anxious that I haven’t really optimized my leg flexion and strengthened my muscles enough.  I read that it is best to train up your muscles so that recovery post-surgery will be easier.  My flexion is only until 120 degrees maybe.  For some reason, I feel that my muscles are stuck and restricting flexion.

Another bit of anxiousness comes from the choice of getting a general or local anaesthesia.  I’m leaning towards a local one as I don’t want to ‘go to sleep’.  Plus I read that nausea might bother me afterwards which is not good as I need to get home by ferry on the same day.

I’ve made some preps at home. Stocking up on Ikea meatballs, instant noodles, food and soda to last me for some weeks.  Also did a bit of cleaning coz I don’t plan to do any next few weeks.  I’m now just waiting for my dishwasher to finish before I go to the ferry terminal.

A friend of mine is kind enough to host me the next few days so I won’t be alone in the first few days after surgery.  

It is such a nice day in Bergen today.  The past few days are the same in fact which is definitely a sign of good things to come.  It certainly beats raining.  I have been out and about the days before, and also been partying a bit hard.  I have sworn off alcohol the rest of the month. 

Technorati Tags: acl, reconstruction

May is giving us a good taste of summer.  Unfortunately of course it is not doing any good to my studying.  But I have the whole of May to catch up.  

Monday is D-Day for the knee surgery.  Which is also the reason why I felt I needed to go out and enjoy a walk around town.  Lots of people out today and just sitting in the park.  I absolutely love the small of barbeque.  Will definitely have to do one when I’m back on my feet!