Keeks911
June 3rd was THE day!
Jun 08, 2015
I worked hard for 7 months to get to my surgery date. I wasn't really nervous about the surgery, but feared the IV. I have a legit needle phobia, one that requires me to explain my reaction to the nurses before the IV so I don't make them feel bad. I learned that the hard way. I did make one nurse feel terrible and while I was sobbing, told her not to take it personal because I literally can't help my reaction.
I checked in to the hospital at 0700 and surgery was scheduled for 0900. It all went really fast. My RN was a rock star. I told her where my IV should go and she attempted it, using lidocaine first, bless her heart, but was unable to thread the IV needle. So, instead of trying again, she called for IV services. In the meantime, my anesthesiologist introduced himself and said that as soon as my IV was in, he would make me feel better about the whole experience.
IV services came, found a vein and had the IV in quickly and relatively painlessly. I was ok with that! The anesthesiologist showed up again. This is where I stopped remembering ANYthing. He has 4 syringes of whatever. I don't even remember him giving me the first one. Made a comment to my husband that I didn't remember saying goodbye to him or them wheeling me to surgery. He said I was awake, we said goodbye and off I went.
My surgery was over by 1020, earlier than anticipated. Dr. Halpin talked to my husband in the waiting room and said everything went smoothly and I did great. The first thing I remember after surgery is being in my hospital room, unable to open my eyes, but aware of what was going on around me. Several hospital staff, my husband were all in the room with me. I remember the pain scale question and answering by holding up how many fingers of pain I had. I remember someone wanted to poke my finger for a blood sugar test and my husband telling them that I wouldn't like that and to be careful. I remember my husband taking over my CPAP machine from a nurse who was trying and failing to set it up. I also remember the pain from the anesthesia in my shoulders. I had a friend warn me about that, and sure enough, yikes. I guess that's where the gases decided to settle. It took hours for it to wear off.
I wasn't fully with it until several hours after surgery. I guess it's a blessing really. At about 5pm, I was ready to walk and took a pee. Yay. It's the small things, right?!
My husband was, IS, and amazing caregiver. He ended up staying the night with me in the hospital. That wasn't the original plan but he didn't want to leave my side. Bless him. They got him a cot and everything.
Legacy Good Samaritan hospital was amazing. My nurses were great, my CNA's were great. It was my first experience with any type of surgery and they did a fantastic job.
Now, for the next part of my journey!
