December 22, 2008

• Update

  You all don’t need a blow by blow of how the last week has been for me but I want you to know that they prayers have been felt every step of the way.  I cannot say enough about the hospital where it was done or by the staff there.  I did not experience one person who wasn’t compassionate and caring.  Each and every need and desire was fulfilled and never once did I wait for anything. 

  I had two over riding concerns when I was admitted one being my sensitivity to morphine and the other the fact that I do tend to get very apprehensive the closer I get to the OR and I wanted to avoid the physical manifestations of that.  Pain doesn’t scare me but being aware of the OR and it’s smells and sounds do for some reason.  Both of these concerns were more than addressed.  Large signs were made alerting everyone that I am sensitive to morphine so I never once had to worry about being given it inadvertantly.  As for not wanting to know when I got to the OR that is a funny story.  The anesthesiologist came in to have his final talk with me and have me sign the final consents.  He mentioned that he was aware that I didn’t want to know it when I left the prep room.  He turned to my husband and told him to make sure that he did his kissing and hugging right then and there before he pre-medicated me because he didn’t want to cause any marital problems when I woke up and swore to him (Doug) that he hadn’t kissed me good-bye before I left for the OR.  My husband was a little stunned and shocked for a minute, he isn’t used to being told to kiss me and he certainly doesn’t often kiss me in front of people, but he decided to comply and then the Dr. injected his brew and that is all I remember until I woke up in the recovery room asking for more of whatever they had given me yesterday because it had tasted good.  (I warned them about my mouth)

  

  Surgery took five and 1/2 hours but went better than the Dr. had planned.  I needed no blood which is an answer to prayer right there.  I did manage to have a whopper of a migraine on Monday night and then again on Tuesday night.  Pretty normal reaction to anesthesia for me.  Monday and Tuesday were hell and they were unable to get me on my feet but by Wednesday we had the pain under control and I was up and walking around the hospital.  They took out the foley and one IV and by that night they had taken out the other IV because I was drinking more than enough that I wouldn’t need it any more.  Thursday morning they came in and I went to PT and practiced going up and down stairs to their satisfaction and so I was given leave to come home. 

  I have to walk with a walker and am not yet allowed to take a real shower yet.  But my family is taking good care of me and many friends have brought in more food than we can eat in two weeks.  Matthew is taking advantage of the fact that I cannot wrest the camera away from him and is taking pictures of me in all states of exhaustion and ridiculous poses. 

  Monday I see the surgeon again and we will see what he says about my progress.  I am doing everything in my power to follow his orders to the letter.  The cold and the snow outside is helping in that area.  Today’s high only got to 18 with a wind chill of about -5.  Even without surgery I wouldn’t be out in that. 

  Keep the prayers coming and all of our posting.  It makes me feel “normal” to read them and to know that life is progressing out there all around me.  I will offer my Christmas Eve Mass and Holy Communion in thanksgiving for all of you and for your prayers.  God bless you.

  • 3:34 pm
  • 9 Comments