About Me
On June 9, 2013, my mother and I were hit head on by a drunk driver. I had just completed my first year of University and was returning home for the summer; however, instead of spending the summer in my hometown, it was spent in the hospital recovering from over a dozen injuries. The impact left me with fractures in my left ankle, right foot, both femurs, right knee, pelvis, both forearms, right wrist, left collarbone, left first rib, and left cheek bone, as well as a massive third degree burn on my thigh, hernias and gangrene intestines. In addition to the physical damage, I began to struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression. After three months of constant surgeries, scans, and testing, I was transferred to a rehabilitation clinic to learn how to walk on my right leg and gain some strength, and then returned to university in an electric wheelchair when my mother was flown to a different province for additional medical aid with my father by her side. It wasn’t until three months afterwards, six months in total, that I was able to walk on both legs without the constant need of a walking device.
I have been in and out of surgeries since the day of the crash, and have developed many conditions from the collision and from past surgeries, including osteoarthritis, avascular necrosis, nerve damage, bone cysts, muscle atrophy, and more. I’ve had a total of fifteen surgeries related to the crash, and a total of five surgeries on my left ankle, as the talus was shattered by the engine and no surgery has been successful in regards to providing pain relief or enhancing mobility. The avascular necrosis has created blood loss in the talus, ultimately leaving some areas of the talus bone dead and very unstable, which has caused fear of collapsing in the near future. Therefore, I had a TTC fusion in March of 2020 in hopes to stabilize the ankle and lessen the chronic pain I feel daily in that area.
General Surgery Tips
Each surgery I have undergone in the past seven years prepares me for the next in some way, whether it’s how to mentally prepare myself, what questions to ask my doctor, or what supports and/or devices I will need for recovery. I have learnt over time how vastly important it is to be prepared for your surgery, a well as for what is to come post surgery, as some surgeries can leave you extremely dependent on others and make even the smallest tasks difficult or simply not doable. Below is a list of general surgery tips in order to prepare you for your surgery. Depending on the surgery you are receiving, some may not apply or can be adapted.
Do Your Research
Do your research about the surgery you are having or considering. When doing research, ensure you are exploring several sources, including online and in person. Some sources may not contain as much information or be as credible as others, so gaining information from a variety of sources will greatly aid your knowledge on the surgery you are receiving or considering receiving. Reach out to your general practitioner, surgeon, and consider getting another opinion from a second surgeon. When being knowledgeable on the surgery, the general idea of pre and post surgery will be significantly clearer.
Have a Personal Notebooks
Have a personal notebook where you can write down questions, thoughts and information on your surgery. This notebook can be used during your pre surgery appointments, as your questions for your surgeon will be in the notebook and you can write down their answers in the notebook.
Communicate and Ask Questions
Communicate with both your surgeon and your general practitioner in regards to both pre and post-op, as your doctors will be able to give you information on what devices you may need, how much time you may need to take off of work, what medications you will need to manage pain levels, and what form of therapies you may need afterwards.
Things to ask your doctor(s) before surgery:
Ask your doctor/surgeon on general information regarding the surgery.
How long will I be in the hospital for?
You may be day surgery or overnight, depending on the surgery, so gaining this information will prepare you to have a safe ride there and home, as well as have the essential materials for overnight stay at the hospital.What medications will I be on to manage pain? Who will prescribe these medications afterwards if my pain continues?
Ask your doctor about what to expect in regards to pain, and while pain types and levels will vary depending on the person and surgery, having an idea of what to expect can help with mental preparation and finding ways to manage pain.What devices do I need for surgery?
These can include crutches, other various walking devices, air cast, shower chair, and so on. Ask your doctor for a prescription for insurance purposes.How long will I be “out” for? The answer will depend on the type of surgery you are receiving, and how your body responds to the surgery. Having this information will give you a general idea of how much time you may need to take off of work, how long you may need to be put on bedrest for, if you need help afterwards surgery and who will help you during this time, and when you can get back to regular activities and routine.
Prepare Your Home for Surgery
Prepare your home before your surgery. You may need to change your sleeping arrangements, move your furniture, install certain devices for post-surgery aid, and/or rearrange your cabinets in order to reach personal or kitchen supplies.
Take Time to Mentally Prepare for Surgery
Find ways to mentally prepare for your surgery, as your body will be going through a trauma, which can greatly impact your mental health. If you already have a therapist, try and book in before your surgery, as well as sometime afterwards when you are able to attend appointments again (or book a phone appointment). Have a journal to write down your thoughts regarding surgery, and reach out to friends and family. If possible, try and get exercise every day leading up to your surgery. Make your home/living space as comfortable and peaceful as possible, and utilize the calming space before and after surgery.
Check out Part 2 next week!
Want to know more about her or additional resources to connect with?
Check out her linktree here: https://linktr.ee/livingnowwithmaia
Maia Vezina is a 26 year old educator from Nelson, British Columbia, who lives with life-long physical, mental and emotional injuries from a head-on collision in 2013. While her life was drastically changed by one drunk driver's decision, Maia has found much joy in her new journey towards healing. Maia strives to support and be an advocate for those who have experienced trauma and live with chronic illness through sharing her story, and continues to follow her passion for teaching and life-long learning, while working towards rehabilitation.
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