Monday the 8th I had to show up at the hospital at 8:00am
I had showered and used the germicidal soap twice all over and a third time on my knee. Just before leaving, I made sure that I filled a clean to-go bottle with P103 from the big bottle of Akuto fragrance 25 mcgs. This would provide 20.0 mcgs per spray.
I gave myself 2 sprays on my chest just before I left and put the bottle in with the clothes for a 4-night stay. Knowing I would not get a real shower, Akuto fragranced P103 was going to be at least my anti-stink program – but I “knew” that it would work against anxiety and depression and hopefully give me that P103 “life is good” attitude. 
I was much calmer in pre-op compared to the last time I went under for a kidney stone. The placement of the I.V. in my hand was not near the disturbance to my mind as it usually is for I hate needles!
I remember sitting on the operating table with my legs dangling as they put in an epidermal in my back. I felt the sting. I felt my whole lower body go paralyzed. What was this trust I had? Where was all the fear? 
They started to move me down on my side and that is the last I remember until recovery where I had a button to push whenever the pain was too much to handle.
Before anyone asks, no, I don’t think I set the hospital record on how fast that button could be pushed. It’s timed anyway so you are not able to OD.
((Later a very young and good looking Occupational Therapist related to me that she had seen the whole operation including the steel parts going on. She said that I was awake the whole time and was always asking, “What are you doing down there?” I have no recollection of that.))
They took that button away from me shortly after I was moved to “my room” where I was also put in a machine to keep bending my knee.
Tuesday, 6am, they gave me a sponge bath and that’s when I went looking for my little bottle of P103 giving myself 4 sprays – chest, sides and forearm.. 7am was breakfast.
I’m motivated! When is physical therapy (PT)? Let’s get with the program! There’s an hour and half wait so I start to get to know my roommate that is in for a new hip.
Just before they wheel me down to PT, I spray once on my forearm and smear it between both. I meet my personal PT and she’s giving me the “you will do this”, “you will do that” which is kind of setting me up to resist the program, but I say, “Okay, let’s do it”.
The routine everyday started out with 30-30-30, that is 30 each of 3 different exercises – ending with 30 leg lifts. I was determined to do 40 – and did except for the full leg lifts. One was absolutely impossible for me to do the first day. They must have pulled those muscles big time. I graduated to use a walker.
Okay – I have to try and shorten this story up. I can’t tell everything.
I saw my PT twice on Wednesday and graduated to a pair of crutches and was able to finish the last 10 leg lifts on my own. I could have gone home after AM PT on Thursday but I opted to go after the PM (get full benefits of the program) where I was finally able to do the 30 leg lifts alone.
Each time before PT I would put 2 sprays on one forearm and smear it on the other. Each time my PT and I would banter between our competitive and somewhat adversarial egos. Sometimes other patients would cheer me on, and a few laughs was had by most.
Once after a hard workout, she saw me pull my P103 out and put two sprays under my collar. “It’s my anti-bad stink formula”, I said. She replied that it worked well and that she liked the scent.
When it came time for me to leave she came around with her hand held out for a shake – but I held out my arms and gave her a hug saying, “Thank you, Sarge, I would have never made it without you.”
I had about 8 different nurses those days – I guess they work two 12-hour shifts and are off two days or something like that.
I would put 1 spray on my forearm and smear it on the other about every 2 - 3 hours.
Every time a nurse bring meds they have to ask your name and birth date. I would reply with my name. They would then ask my birth date and I would tell them adding, “and what’s yours?” 
I didn’t get any – just funny looks and smiles. One told me I wasn’t supposed to ask and I replied, “How are guys supposed to know that a woman is not too young?” She just rolled her eyes.
Once after PT I was in my room with my shirt off – cooling off after all that exercise. A nurse came by and asked, “Are you hot?” I pulled my glasses down on my nose and looked her over good and said, “I don’t know about me, but you sure are.” She rolled her eyes too. Then she shook her head. Then she asked if I needed anything. I smiled. She grinned and rephrased the question, “Do you need anything to drink?”
“I’d like a beer please.”
“Can’t do that.”
“Okay, a diet ginger ale then.”
All in all I think P103 helped bring a flavor of “vacation” to an experience that I totally did not want in the first place, as if lifting off agony, anxiety and despair from the situation.
Now, before me, I have at least 4 weeks of rehab and cabin fever.