Left Arm Anterior Ulna Nerve Relocation Surgery

Last Thursday I went in for day surgery to have my ulna nerve relocated at my left elbow. This was my 9th surgery in my life yet I was very nervous and anxious to get this procedure done. I wasn't nervous to be put under by general anaesthetic or to go under the knife yet again but was scared at the concept of playing with my nerves! The procedure was scheduled to take about two hours ... my anaesthesiologist managed to sleep-in and showed up 45 minutes late! That sure did NOT help my anxiety ... nothing like putting my surgeon behind on his already packed schedule! This is not a procedure I want to even imagine my surgeon rushing through!

Like all my procedures it took seconds for me to fall into a dreamless drugged induced coma after listening to the warped and distorted sounds of the medical staff prepping the operating room for the surgery. I woke up in the recovery room in the most intense severe pain I have ever experienced! My whole left arm was ridden with searing pain that stole my breath and left me hyperventilating to regain control. My face was streaked with my involuntary streaming tears from the sensation of what I could only describe as hot molten lava coursing through my arm generating from my elbow! I have never experienced this form of hell especially coming aware from a surgery. I honestly would rather partake an abdominal surgery then do this one again.

I've lived in a drugged haze from percocet trying to numb myself from the pain which I have yet to be successful in doing to date! I  am trying my hardest to but on a brave front for my daughter, loved ones and family. I'm just trying to function in spite of the pain and assure myself that this is a means to an end. I know that this must be done to ensure that no further damage occurs to my hands and that the short term agony cannot outweigh the long term positive effects that will result after these surgeries.

I am finding it very hard to gather my will to focus on recovering knowing that in 86 days I will go back under the knife to have the same procedure performed on my right elbow. How can I possibly be brave or sane enough to willing go through with this again? Especially now knowing what kind of pain and agony is awaiting me upon waking up?

The Time is Near

I have seven days left before my Anterior Ulna Nerve Relocation Surgery at my left Elbow. I have to admit that I am anxious and am a bit edgy with this procedure. I think that it is the fact that they are playing with nerves. If I already suffer immense pain with an inflamed nerve how much more will be expected when they anger it by moving it around?

 Ugh! I am green with the thought.

What's Next?

Last Wednesday morning I started suffering from intense (steal you breath and drop to your knees) abdominal pain. After the pain was constant for an hour I left for my family doctor. She examined me and decided I needed further testing at Urgent Care. So, off I trotted to Urgent Care for testing and further examination. Five hours later then discharged me with no real clue of what I was suffering from and instructions that if my symptoms were to get worse or other symptoms develop I am to go into Emergency ASAP.

I was home for maybe two hours when things went down hill fast; so off I went to Emergency. While at Emergency I was hooked up to an IV and fighting with the nursing staff not to give me pain medication (as I had to drive myself back home when they discharge me) they sent me off for a CT Scan to rule out appendicitis. 2:30 a.m. Thursday, the results were back in and what they could tell me was what I did not have .... I didn't have appendicitis, a blocked bowel, twist intestines or Kidney and/or Gall Bladder stones. They will mark in down as "unidentified abdominal pain" and send me home with percocet.

I have to say that I just love how the health care system can tell me what I do not have and has no clue on what I might be suffering from. If they do not know what is wrong then how are they sure it is okay for me to go home to sleep it off with narcotics?

By Friday mid morning, I was still suffering from the same excruciating pain (and the percocet wasn't really effective) so off I went back to the Emergency. They tried a strong muscle relaxant, in hopes that I was suffering from severe cramping, and if the meds worked with relieving my pain all the better. But, of course as my luck goes, it did nothing besides making me woozy. So the Emerg Doctor advised that as I came into Emergency all they will do is rule out any life threatening causes. As I was exposed to radiation during my CT Scan on Wednesday, she was not willing to do so, again, so soon. So, I was discharged again with more percocet and with strong advice to have my family doctor refer me to a GI Specialist in hope to uncover what may be wrong (especially since this was my third episode in 12 months).

All I can do is shake my head as I, yet again, become the next guinea pig with upcoming tests.

Yay Me! Shingles

I am not overly stressed with my upcoming surgeries (ulna nerve relocation on both of my elbows). These two procedures will be my 9th and 10th surgeries in the last 11 years and, therefore, I am very familiar with the whole process of going under the knife and that aspect doesn't overly concern me.

I do have a few apprehensions with the actual concept of these surgeries ... that they will be playing with my nerves and relocating them. Nerves are a finicky business and I am not overly thrilled that they are having to play around with mine. But at the same time, if this will alleviate my pain and other issues with my hands I am all for that.


Sometimes I have to wonder why is it that I seem to have crappy luck? If I didn't have enough on my plate currently - life has decided to throw me a good old fashion case of Shingles to add to the mix. I do find it very ironic that I seem to be inflicted with odd things to add on top of my challenging life obstacles.