In our continuing series, we’re following a real GBO patient, Gio, from diagnosis all the way through treatment at Great Basin Orthopaedics. Be sure to check back for updates as we follow the journey, which is documented by his mother, Paige.
If you'd like to catch up:
- Read Appointment 1 here.
- Read Appointment 2 here.
- Read Appointment 3 here.
- Read Appointment 4 here.
Appointment 5: June 23, 2020
The situation with the insurance company was not fully resolved when we woke up on surgery day, but all parties were willing to move forward. This was a huge relief. My son, who is a growing 16-year old, had never missed a meal in his life and had been fasting since dinner the night before. By 11:30 we were at Quail, checking in for surgery.
We checked into an empty Quail Surgery Center waiting room — complete with COVID survey and temperature check. As he was a minor, I was allowed to stay in the waiting room throughout. Other patients were not allowed to have companions, and I watched throughout the day as spouses and friends left their loved ones at the door to undergo their procedures alone.
When they brought Gio back to prep for surgery, I was allowed to join him. While the surgical nurse prepped him, Dr. Hayes and the anesthesiologist both came to talk to us about what to expect. My son asked the anesthesiologist if he could “fight the anesthesia” and try to stay awake. She laughed and said, “you can try, but you won’t succeed.”
When they wheeled him back, I returned to the waiting room to wait. I was a little anxious but happy to be starting on this phase of getting-back-to-normal.
It was about three hours later when Dr. Hayes came out to brief me on the surgery. He was pleased with how the surgery had gone. He discovered way more scar tissue then he expected (and he had pictures!) and expressed surprise that Gio was able to walk around with all of it. Knowing how active my boy is (he’d seen him for other sports injuries!), Dr. Hayes prescribed true rest for the coming week. While we had crutches, he suggested using them only to get to the restroom or the couch and to “lay low” with the foot up.
