my surgery part 2 (very long)

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

Here's part 2 to my saga. Hope to chat more soon!

denise in ny

Tuesday, September 11, 2001

I had been awake for a while before I heard a commotion out in the

halls, and shouts of " turn on the tv! Something is happening at the

World Trade Center!

I turned on my tv to watch in horror as they replayed a tape of a

plane slamming into the side of WTC tower 1. Before I could even

register the shock I felt, a second plane came full speed into tower

2, which broke into flames. I was so stunned! I couldn't believe

this was really happening. During the next few minutes I watched,

stupified, as a plane smashed in to the Pentagon, another came down in

Pennsylvania, and the two World Trade towers completely crumbled. All

I could thing of were the thousands of people who were innocently

reporting for a day's work-all the families that would be

seperated-the pain, the violence, the suffering. Watching as people

catapulted, burning, from the towers before they collapsed, I could

hardly believe the reality of it. I quickly searched my confused

brain to try to remember if I knew anyone in the doomed buildings. My

dad worked in one of the buildings awhile ago, but he'd been out of

there for years. I had close friends that worked in the area, but not

in the buildings (thank God), but I knew that it would be only a

matter of time before I'd come upon a mother, father, sister, brother

or friend of my family or of someone I knew well. My brother-in-law

goes through the WTC subway station from Brooklyn every morning. He

was late to leave that day, thank God, and watched much of the drama

from his apartment window. His former roommate, who is blind, called

and showed up at his apartment cover in soot and dust after walking

across the Brooklyn bridge from the WTC area. Most of the people were

blinded by dust and debris. He said he actually had an advantage,

being blind already he knew how to navigate without sight.

We in the hospital spent most of the next few days afterwards watching

and praying for the recovery of the missing and wounded. I still pray

every day for their souls, the souls of the people on the downed

planes, and at the Pentagon. But most of all, I pray for all the

devastated lives left behind. NY and America will never be the same

again.

Back to the hospital....after a couple of hours doctors doing round

came in. The nurse took out my catheter and I had to get up to use

the bathroom frequently. My aid washed me up and a new one came on,

ine. The Dr. told me that he'd take me for another leak test

today (I had one in the OR after surgery while I was out), and start

me on clear liquids. As the day progressed we watched the carnage on

tv. I was brought broth and tea for dinner. I got up frequently to

walk around the nurses station and to use the bathroom. I sipped

water every chance I could. It was a strange day. Everyone seemed

numb. My dh was supposed to visit and bring me my hospital bag, a big

case with everything I could imagine I would need, like my toilet

tong, vitamins, cassette tapes, changes of clothes, ect. All access

to NYC was blocked off, and what was worse, the phone lines were

inaccessible. No calls were coming through. Lying in bed I heard

intermittant announcements of " code 3...all unessential personnel

report to the lobby " . It seemed so unreal and spooky. I felt very

cut off from everyone. I figured that I'd just have to concentrate on

getting myself well, as worrying wouldn't do any good.

The pain was not bad, and I was not using the pump, so they

disconnected my IV that evening. At around 8:00 pm my dh was able to

get through to the nurses desk. I reassured him and my mom that all

was well. He told me he'd try to make it in on Wednesday to see me. I

went back to my room to wait for the night shift aid, , to come

in. After an hout or so I realized she wasn't going the make it in.

I vowed to keep myself going, getting up and walking frequently. I

passed a quiet night watching tv and dozing.

Wednesday, September 12th, 2001

In the morning ine came back. When Dr. Gagner came around he said

I was doing great and would be released the next day if all stayed

well.

Around noontime my dh got to the hospital. He took the LIRR which was

running, and a cab uptown. He spent the day with me and I was

approved for soft diet. They never did do the second leak test, but

I'm not complaining!

For dinner they brought me some brown stuff (squash), some, yellow

stuff (arroz con pollo) and some tan stuff (mashed potato) . My jello

had totally melted. I managed a couple of mouthfuls of potato and

tea.

Rich left and vowed to pick me up around noon the next day to go home.

I spent an active night up and down to the bathroom and finally passed

gas, but still no bm.

Rich arrived at 12 noon, but since there were only 2 nurses on the

floor I wasn't able to leave until 4:00 pm.

On the way home I could smell the smoke from the WTC. The skyline

looked bleak and unreal. The ride was bumpy, but I made it home in

one piece. It felt great to be home. Mom pureed me some dinner, and

I tried some finely chopped chicken. My family was around me and I

felt fine.

Although I will have to go back in 6 months for part 2, I am so happy

that I have started to take my life back. All has been going well,

and I thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.

Love and Peace,

in NY

Post op 14 days

[Guest guest]

- Congrats. I am so happy that you are okay and got through this

surgery so well. Ellen(Pam