In My Head

...Surgery

23 03 06 Surgery

This is my first time on the computer since Tuesday. For those of you who know how addicted I am to email, you know that means I really haven't been feeling well! I'm still out of it but will attempt to provide more details about my experience so far.

I actually slept fairly well the night before. We were in bed by 9:30, and I slept more or less until 4 am, when Aaron woke me up with his violent coughing (he has a cold). I got out of bed at 4:45 to shower, as I'm not allowed to for 48 hours. We were in the car shortly after 5. The last time we left the house at that hour, I was in labor with Doran!

We went to the Ambulatory Surgery waiting room, and a few minutes later, I was called into admitting. I cracked sarcastic jokes throughout the morning, but can't remember what they were. Aaron said at one point that we should write them down. I joked, "Yeah, and make people guess what was said before and after anesthesia."

What I do remember about the morning was that it involved waiting - lots of waiting - which only fueled my nerves more, and resulted in many trips to the bathroom. In the pre-op area, I had to strip down to a hospital gown and socks with traction soles. One of the nurses asked if I wanted to watch TV. I asked if it was captioned. When she said no, I think she realized the irony. Not that there's anything good on TV at 6 in the morning anyway. Aaron said listening to the local news repeat the same stories over and over again was maddening.

We had paperwork to fill out and questions to answer, and more waiting. Normally when moved to the anesthesia room, patients are on their own from that point forward, unless they're a minor. Aaron was able to come with me as my interpreter. When they started wheeling me down there was one of the times I got emotional. I had already said several times that I didn't want to go through with the surgery because of the surgery itself. There were curtains that separated each patient, but I could see the people diagonally across from me. One of them was a young man who was literally green and looked like he was on his deathbed; Aaron overheard them talking about him getting a transplant. Clearly there were other people there for much more serious procedures than mine.

The anesthesiologist walked back and forth my cot a few times, having difficulty reading the numbers on the wall, and then he realized I was the patient he was supposed to see. I told him he could keep on going. I made it clear that I wanted anti-nausea meds in the IV as well as warmed saline so that I wouldn't shiver uncontrollably upon waking up. We told him that I vomited violently after my trauma surgery and wanted to avoid that experience this time around. An IV was put in my arm.

Dr. Hirsch then came by with one of his residents or fellows (not sure which). I said I had a bunch of questions but most could wait until after. He said to go ahead and ask them now since I would be feeling the effects of the anesthesia afterwards. My main question was how much hair was he going to shave. With a straight face, he said half of my head. More seriously, he said it would just be a small area and not noticeable.

Then before I knew it, it was time to go off to surgery. This was another time when I got emotional. Aaron and I said our I love yous, which seemed to happen all too quickly. In the OR, they started putting electrodes on me, and then I was out. Waking up in recovery was a lot more smoother than I anticipated - at least compared to my childhood memories of being woken up after having tubes put in. They gave me pain meds and anti-nausea drugs several times as they didn't seem to be working. I also had a few ice chips. I kept saying I wanted to see Aaron, and eventually, was brought up to the holding room.

In the holding room is when I felt even worse. It felt like the whole left side of my head was bashed in, but all I could think of was how nauseous I was. I had a few waves where I almost threw up, and two times I did. Every time I sat up, I had to sit back down again. Dr. Hirsch visited a couple of times. I slept for a while. The drugs didn't seem to work. We aren't sure if I wasn't given enough anti-nausea drugs because they thought the surgery would be shorter, or if I'm just especially sensitive to anesthesia. I want to find out what was used so we know for the future (but hopefully there won't be another time!).

I almost ended up staying overnight at the hospital, because it didn't look like I'd be able to get out of bed or do anything without puking. I really wanted to go home, because I knew if I stayed at the hospital, I wouldn't get as much sleep with them checking on me all the time. Eventually, I was able to walk to the bathroom and back. At that point, I was feeling better and was able to get dressed and be discharged soon after. We left the hospital around 6:50! I certainly didn't expect to be there that long, nor have such a reaction to the surgery. I'll have you know, by the way, that posting this very flattering picture of me is something I do reluctantly!

When I got home, Samara was a little shy to see me with my bandage, but gave me a hug anyway. Aaron referred to it as my "funny hat." I asked if she wanted to cut off all my hospital bracelets. She was so excited to be given a task - especially one that involved using her scissors. She made me a get well card. Apparently Doran was puzzled when my mom went in to get him that morning. He even scooted over to my room to look for me - aww. He was in bed before I got home yesterday and when he finally saw me today, he got upset every time he looked at me and wouldn't let me hold him. Later on, he graduated to smiling at me. I still haven't held him yet, though.

Aaron dropped me off at home and then went to get my medications while Mom heated up some of her chicken soup. I had a little bit but then felt nauseous again. It was a horrible catch-22. I had to take the anti-nausea pill to quench the nausea, but had to wait until I could actually keep it down. I couldn't take the painkiller without food, but obviously couldn't keep any food down without the anti-nausea pill. I took the anti-nausea pill and then took a nap on the couch. Aaron woke me up around 9, at which point I had some soup and crackers. My jaw really hurts, so I can't open my mouth very much. I managed to finish that and take the painkiller, and then went to bed - maybe around 10.

It hurt whenever I moved my head during the night but I slept fairly well until, again, Aaron woke me up with his violent coughing. I sent him out of the room to take some medicine. I got up twice to eat some crackers so that I could take a painkiller, and other than that, slept most of the morning. I finally got some real food in me around 12:30-1, and tried to stay up for a little while before crashing again. I'm very weak and feel dizzy and it's hard to focus. It's hard to know how much of this is attributed to the medicine, lack of food, etc.

Dr. Hirsch called soon after we walked in the door last night. We were able to ask him a couple of questions, including when I can lift Doran. The hospital said no lifting above 10 lbs for a while. Dr. Hirsch said I can lift him earlier, but if I pick him up from the floor, it has to be gingerly and with my knees so I don't tense up too much. We'll have to figure out what to do next week but for now, it's one step at a time. The bandages come off tomorrow evening. I see the doctor next Friday, the 31st.

I feel so much better now that the surgery is over with, but now the next step is getting through this recovery. As I type this, it feels like a knife is going in and out of my ear. I'm trying to switch from prescription painkillers to Motrin, and holding off on the anti-nausea pill, to see if that helps with clarity.

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That bandage is almost cool. Bandanas are in! :) Go you.
Lauren - 23 03 06 - 20:02

Glad the hard part is over. Our thoughts and love are with you. And you know who is watching from above!
Lis () - 23 03 06 - 21:18

Given my father-in-law’s state after his “routine” knee surgery in January, I think you look beautiful! Keep up the chicken soup and crackers and you should be on the mend in no time and able to hold Doran. We’re thinking about you!
Suzy () - 23 03 06 - 21:20

Lisa- You are incredibly brave. Please know I’m thinking of you and hoping that you’re feeling much better!
Lots of love! Miss u and Aaron! – Suzanne
Suzanne () - 27 03 06 - 00:31

Congratulations. Welcome to the “netherworld” of not hearing anything for the time being. You’ll be up and about in no time at all. I was back at work 4 days later, but my energy level wasn’t up to par for several weeks. Take it easy. I’m so excited for you!
Christopher Lehfeldt () - 06 04 06 - 00:21

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