My surgery story...sorry no bells or whistles(kinda long)

[Guest guest]

Hey everybody,

I had surgery on Monday, May 29, 2000. I was uneventful...like taking candy

form a baby. I did have an attack of nerves around 11:25PM the night before

the surgery. I talked to my friend Tara (a nurse) until 2:00AM. I still

couldn't sleep, so I watched two episodes of " Sex in the city " , " Pimps

up..H's down/A 's perspective " , and " Cheaters " on HBO. Now it close to

6AM. I was so sleepy, but could not go. Anyway, I tossed and turned until 8AM

when I finally got up to shower.

I arrived at the hospital around 10:45AM for a 3:00PM surgery. I would

suggest you get there at the recommend time. Dr R was several hours ahead of

schedule. Everything was really quick. I signed in and my name was called in

about 5 minutes. I met with and I was already pre-registered, so all

he needed was a check for $125. That was my hospital deductible and copay. I

then went to ambulatory care and stripped down and put on a gown. They took

my vitals and I had to fill out some paper work for Dr R. Sandy came to visit

me. Then I went to her area and chatted with her and her hubby.

Just as I was getting comfortable, a lady comes with the gurney. She wheeled

me down tot he holding area. They started my IV and I met the nurse

anesthetist. I was still nervous, I ask them to beam me up with some Versed.

The anesthesiologist came and gave the ok. (His name was Buckworthy or

bucksomething.) They started the oxygen and Dr R came out and joked that he

was gonna take me last since I didn't show at the hospital for 7AM. Well,

slightly before 12noon they were wheeling me to the OR. I didn't look at

anything because I didn't want to vies the instruments. They had me center

myself on a very narrow table. I know my butt was hanging off. The, they

started strapping me down, arms and legs at the same time. Then someone ask

me if I was claustrophobic and but a clear mask on my face. The rest is a

blur. I woke up crazy in recovery. I was trying to talk but what I said made

no sense. Then they took me to a room and my cousin and Tara were there. My

surgery took 45 minutes and everything inside looked good according to Dr R I

remember Rexanne coming to see me and giving me a rose. Then I was in and

out. After a few hours, I got up to use the restroom and walk. I was very

nauseated, but wasn't in any pain. I pressed the Demerol pump whenever I

could remember. I had both and orange Jell-O. I could only eat about two

teaspoons though. The nausea and reflux felt like morning sickness to the

tenth power. So the gave me everything they could give me and nothing worked.

Finally, she shot me up with Zofran, and that was the ticket. I was ready to

rock and roll. I walked a lot. It was hard. It actually makes you feel

better.

The next day, I got another dose of Zofran. Dr R came in before clinic to

chat. He said I did fine and could go to the hotel and stay a couple of days.

I didn't say anything because I was planning to " get up outta there " the next

day.LOL So, I hopped on a plan at 7AM on Wednesday and was at home back in

Alabama by 10:30AM.

I have been sleepy, so I have been taking a few naps. On day 2 post op, I

tried broth and everything that day made me nauseous. Dr R said try

crackers...that didn't work either...new tummy doesn't not like crackers. I

took some phenegren and it seemed to work. The next day, my new tummy liked

juice again...go figure. So, my new tummy has a bad temper, so I only do

juice Gatorade, or V8. This will be my mainstay for two months. I will then

do soft foods for two months.

One of my staples is itchy. I get them out on Tuesday. Well, that's a wrap.

Now wasn't that easy?

le

One week post op