The days went by fast and slow. Then came the final day, the prep day. I was pretty anxious on Monday while waiting to start the final pre-op routine. When 4pm came I had to do my first enema. Let's just say it's not fun, but not as bad as I thought it was going to be. The next few hours crept along, until it finally came time to go over to the hospital. My surgery buddy and I followed one of the nurses over to the hospital and into our room. There we were given an overview of the process. We put on our pajamas, were given something to help us sleep and we went to bed.
I barely slept at all. The next morning I was awake when a nurse came in and said that there was a minor procedure before us, then Lisa (my surgery buddy) would be next, then me. It was another restless couple of hours until they came in and took Lisa away to be remade. I just waited, and waited. I heard no word from anyone until around 1pm when a nurse came and said it was my turn. I followed her to the elevator and we stopped on a floor where a bunch of gernies were lying around. She took me to the first one, took some measurements, and told me, "When you get out of surgery you will be taken to a recovery room and someone will be there the whole time. I leave you now but this is the last time you will be alone."
She left me there wrapped in a warm blanket. It was some time before someone came out of the operating room ahead and came up to me. This was it. I crept a hand down there and touched it one last time. This is where we depart. I was wheeled into the OR among the constant hustle and bustle of French-speaking people. I just smiled. Occassionally I would hear a phrase in English...they were asking me a question. I answered. I remember them doing whatever they do for the spinal tap. Before I went into surgery, Dr. Brassard came to me and asked me if I had any questions. I asked him if I would be completely out during the surgery. He said it was my choice. I told him that's what I wanted.
I remember waking up in my room. The details are fuzzy, but at some point Dr. Brassard came in to check up on me. He asked me if I remember anything from the surgery. I said no and thanked him. He was very personable and comforting. I smiled. After a while my senses came back. The nurses would come in and take some measurements, give me drugs, and go about their business. There was not much pain at all. I didn't really sleep that night, but I'm not complaining. I was pretty loopy from the drugs they gave me, so I just turned my iPod on and floated through the night.
The schedule was easy to follow. Wake up, get measurements taken, take drugs, eat breakfast, wait, then repeat for lunch and dinner. The schedule worked out well, but any deviation left me very uncomfortable. Yesterday they took my order for lunch but forgot to give me my pain meds. It didn't take long before I was a 6 out of 10 on the pain scale. They quickly gave me the meds, and the drugs work quickly. Overall, I only remember being in pain two times, the rest of the time was mild discomfort, which was easily forgotten with some music or conversation.
Today I was taken back to the residence. It was the first time I used the donut they provided me. I will be getting a better one soon. It was still about an hour until lunch when the pain started increasing. Going from lying in bed all day at the hospital to walking up stairs, down stairs, all around, really takes its toll. By the time lunch came I was in very much pain. I asked a nurse when I'll be getting my pain meds and she went to check when I was due. During that time I tried preparing myself for lunch. It wasn't going very well. The donut sucks, it hurts sitting upright (that was the only time pain started creeping in at the hospital), and I started crying. The nurse gave me 2 blue pills - the pain meds - and said to take them quickly, knowing I was in pain.
I couldn't get my position right and eventually decided I wasn't hungry enough for this pain and I went upstairs. The drugs have taken affect. The pain is still there now, but it's manageable. I think I'm going to try and sleep now. I'll post another update when appropriate.
Thank you everyone for your kind words and support.
~Sarah
*big huggles*
Congratulations, Sarah and sorry that you've got a bit of pain.
I never liked donuts.
You may find that for eating in the dining room it may be easiest to push the chair in all the way,
stand behind it with your forearms resting on the back and eat standing.
In a restaurant that might be considered idiosyncratic, but nobody will call you on it in the residence.
The black leather couches in the lounge are very good for sprawling.
So where's the photos?
Go and take a nap!
Woo Hoo!!! Welcome home, sister. Soon you will meet "The Bachelors".
:o
Robyn
Yay!! Welcome back Sarah!! Glad to hear everything went well!! Sorry for the pain, is it worth it?! Heal quickly!! :D
Congratulations Sarah!
Welcome back! Reading your story makes me almost want to go through the surgery again! *giggles*
*huggs*,
Melan
Rock on Sarah...Congrats!!! :icon_bunch:
{{{HUGS}}}
Excellent post Sarah, thanks. It gives those of us who are yet to go an excellent account of what to expect. Sorry for the pain and I really hope it subsides soon. I look forward to your next post.
BTW--what the heck where they measuring???
Quote from: Kristyn on April 01, 2010, 01:42:23 PM
BTW--what the heck where they measuring???
vitals (Pulse/Blood Pressure/Breathing)
Lol, it wasn't measurements so much as tests. It was the blood pressure, heartrate, and blood oxygen level or something. By the way, that blood oxygen tester thing is neat. A small wireless component that somehow reads data about your blood and oxygen without even taking a blood sample.
My camera battery actually died and I was too lazy to get the spare. But if I have the will, I'll see about taking and posting some pics.
As for whether it's worth it. At this point I haven't had any post-op experiences except pain, but I suspect that over the coming days and weeks it will be more and more worth it :P
By the way, my next update will include some very real-world experiences about the decisions people make about SRS. It was enlightening to say the least.
~Sarah
Quote from: SarahR on April 01, 2010, 01:52:55 PM
Lol, it wasn't measurements so much as tests. It was the blood pressure, heartrate, and blood oxygen level or something.
:D Good to know--you really had me thinking some weird things!
Quote
By the way, that blood oxygen tester thing is neat. A small wireless component that somehow reads data about your blood and oxygen without even taking a blood sample.
I need one of those!!!
Quote
By the way, my next update will include some very real-world experiences about the decisions people make about SRS. It was enlightening to say the least.
~Sarah
Can't wait! Can't wait! Can't wait! You've got me on pins and needles here!
Take more pain meds! :laugh:
Quote from: Kristyn on April 01, 2010, 02:05:28 PM
I need one of those!!!
A pulse oximeter goes for couple hundred to $700ish
http://www.imed.com/shop/detail.cfm/sku/K2146 (http://www.imed.com/shop/detail.cfm/sku/K2146)
congratulations Sarah!
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi271.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fjj140%2F99alongway%2FHappy%2520Birthday%2520Animations%2FHB%2520Butterfly%2520Animations%2FHBButterflyFlapsHand.gif&hash=ebdd39ab18c47dfcc4829144e4d3d602393f11c7)
Hope you feel better soon!
Quote from: FlanHusky on April 01, 2010, 02:37:40 PM
A pulse oximeter goes for couple hundred to $700ish
http://www.imed.com/shop/detail.cfm/sku/K2146 (http://www.imed.com/shop/detail.cfm/sku/K2146)
There are smaller versions that go for $100, but debatable about their accuracy. I use pulse-oximeters all the time when I run the Ambulance in my local community.
Quote from: girl_ashley on April 01, 2010, 03:03:32 PM
There are smaller versions that go for $100, but debatable about their accuracy. I use pulse-oximeters all the time when I run the Ambulance in my local community.
Amazon.com!!! Maybe? :laugh:
As one that does not wish to read about another girl going in for repairs, I have been waiting to hear that you were alright. ;D Having had surgery in the past, drugs are our friends.
Note to others, get your own donut. Chocolate-covered maybe. :D
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi198.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa85%2Ffrostysnowoman%2FHappy%2520Birthday%2FHappyBirthdayButterflies.jpg&hash=3019620f149a64d1c55ebdf30c7e001b9565a3c4)
"Sarah R" *writing in list*
Take care, Sarah. Heal quickly, heal well.
Hugs,
Janet
Quote from: SarahR on April 01, 2010, 01:52:55 PMBy the way, my next update will include some very real-world experiences about the decisions people make about SRS. It was enlightening to say the least.
~Sarah
ooh that sounds interesting, can't wait! Glad everything went okay and congratulations! I hope you're all healed up soon :)
Congratulations Sara!
May the pain be tolerable and your life be active soon!
-Sandy
Glad to hear you are ok.
Sorry to hear about the pain though. Sadly it's one of those things where everyone responds differently. I'm keeping my figers crossed that you are soon feeling better.
Congratulations Sarah, hope the pain fades soon
Congratz hun.
The pain'll pass.
Heal well.
Many congratulations to you. I hope the pain is manageable.
Thanks for the updates - they help me picture it better.
Heal quickly and easily and may your new life give you great joy. :icon_bunch:
- Kate
Hi SarahR
Welcome to the other side and congratulations on finally achieving your dream. It's nice to hear that you have pulled through your surgery and you are up and about. Sorry to hear that you are finding the pain a little unbearable but it will pass with time.
Waiting for the next installment is stressfull and the suspense just about kills me.
I would also go through the whole surgery again without hesitation and the thoughts on why the other girls went through with surgery will be very enlightning.
Take care, look after yourself and get well soon. :icon_bunch:
Kind regards
Sarah B
PS The cards are lovely, it would be nice if we could have signed it!!
Congrats Sarah on the new you.
Hope you heal quickly and well.
I have the feeling that the best is yet to come for you.
Yay Sarah! I love reading your experiences and I bet the next few days will be very exciting :)
Congrats Sarah, Heal up fast and well :)
Congratulations Sara!
Have a speedy recovery :)
Congrats Sarah! Sounds like everything went well with no complications.
I have a suggestion about sitting. I too, had trouble getting comfortable on the life preserver. I found it more comfortable to sit on one leg tucked underneath. (This information was passed onto me, btw, from another Brassard gal). It relieved just enough pressure where I could get through eating periods. I still had to shift, but it worked better than the donut.
Also, when you get the stent taken out, it will be easier as well.
Enjoy the time off!
Congratulations Sarah! :)
Glad to hear things went well.
Take care,
Kay
Glad everything went well.
heal quickly :)
Congratulations Sarah. I'm so glad your journey to the light side is now over. It's all just details now. Thank you for sharing your special and personal journey with us. I hope the pain is promptly going away. By the way, I might have missed it, but did your baggage ever surface?
SusanKG