Thursday, March 18, 2010

Who ordered the pizza?


I laughed when I saw this cartoon because I always wonder what surgical staff talks about during an operation. I'm doing really well from my surgery yesterday. My only real discomfort right now is a sore throat from whatever they stuck down there. Other than that, I'm doing pretty good. I had a hysterscopy to remove a polyp, followed by a D&C. In other words, yucky female related stuff -- bleck. I'll spare you the gory details.

The last time I had surgery was in 1991 for a bunionectomy. It was done as an outpatient thing, which freaked me out a little because I had the same surgery in the 70s and had a 6 day hospital stay. Yesterday's surgery was nothing like that, thank goodness. I have no incision site, so that makes a lot of difference. And removing tissue is a lot less painful than having part of your bone cut out.

The anesthesiologist was really nice. He came in an gave me something to relax before they took me into the operating room. Man, that stuff works fast! I remember being wheeled down the hall and entering a large operating room. They had the funniest looking surgical lights. I've worked in hospitals before and these lights were unlike any I've ever seen. And no, it wasn't the drugs tripping me out. I remember them telling me to scoot from the gurney to the table and then someone came up behind me and started putting the heart monitor stickers on my chest. That's all I remember. I don't even remember the anesthesiologist putting anything on my face, telling me to count backwards, or anything. I was out good.

When I woke up and thought about how easily I went out, I was reminded of Michael Jackson. Aren't those the meds he wanted to use regularly to fall asleep? The whole concept of that is mind boggling because it's not real sleep. There's no REM sleep. I don't know what he was thinking. Those are powerful drugs and I'm amazed anyone was willing to listen to him and let him use them for sleeping. I woke up in a little recovery room/cubicle. They gave me some ice to munch on and then moved me to another cubicle area that had a reclining chair. There was one other patient in the room, across from me. Talk about a baby! He had some sort of surgery on his nose, probably sinus surgery or something, and he was just carrying on. He was rambling about how he takes Oxycotin everyday and started whining about the nurse not giving him enough Vicodin to go home with. When the nurse wasn't with him, he really whined to his wife how much he hurt and how miserable he was. Just listening to him, I could tell he was totally addicted to the meds. I know I'm being harsh and judgemental, but damn, he was acting like an idiot. I feel sorry for nurses who have to deal with people like that.

But anyway, I'm doing good and hopefully I can get back to my regular routine today. I've been walking everyday, but they told me not to do anything strenuous, so my TreadClimber will have to wait another day. Maybe I can walk around the neighborhood with Rick tonight or something. Thanks for all of your well wishes, both here and over on Facebook. I appreciate them all.

14 comments:

  1. I've wondered about that about MJ before. What kind of doctor would allow someone to use those drugs as a sleep aid? I'm glad to hear you're doing well!

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  2. Glad to hear you're on your way to recovery! I'm hoping to get a walk in today too as the weather here in CT is super nice (sunny and in the 60s).

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  3. Good to know you are back from the Land of Unconsciousness and that it wasn't too big an ordeal.

    Men tend to be babies about pain...You know women, they push out babies! I like to see a man try that.

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  4. Glad to hear you're doing well. Pretty creepy about the guy who wanted more drugs.Sad in a way.


    Leanne

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  5. Glad to hear the surgery went well and you're recovering nicely. Your hospital roomie definitely sounds like an addict. Not sure if I'd feel bad for him; I'd probably empathize with the wife.

    On the Michael Jackson thought - I've read that he'd been having a horrible bout with insomnia, something like a few months worth, and that he was desperate to try something as dangerous as that anesthesia, just to get some sort of rest. With the tour he was going to put on, I can understand the desperation for sleep, but not the lengths he was willing to go to get it. Unfortunately, he found a doctor who was a "Yes" man and paid for his mistake with his life.

    Gale

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  6. So glad that you made it through surgery okay, and it's behind you!
    Men are such babies! There is a reason why women are the ones who give birth.

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  7. I hope you are recovering well, and pain-free. Sounds like you've been through a lot. That is never fun, get some rest and get well soon!

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  8. I'm so happy to hear you are recovering well. Get lots of rest! :o)

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  9. Rena--Take it easy in your recovery...If you push too hard it will take longer to heal completely...PS I'm not a doctor, but I'm pretty sure it's safe advice. :)

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  10. Happy to see you are home and hopefully resting.
    While you rest...rest... rest you can write *:)

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  11. Glad it went well. Maybe that other patient was part of a "scare you straight" program to keep everyone off the painkillers?
    My comment validator word is "vagicen" which strikes me as pretty funny.

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  12. Glad to hear that your surgery went well and that you're feeling pretty good today. My friend Stacie had surgery yesterday too, which of course made me wonder how many sugeries are done every day. Then I decided I don't want to know.

    Hope your throat feels better and that you recover quickly!

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  13. Hey! I am so glad you are doing well. I do so love those little recovery areas eh? I remember when I was in for day surgery - similar to yours with lady trouble - blech. Anyway, Vince was waiting and waiting for me and finally came in the recovery area to find out why I wasn't being allowed out. The nurse said she didn't like how pale I was and that she was waiting for me to regain some colour. Vince took one look at me and said "that is about as colourful as she will ever get!" lol Yes, I am a very pale person. I think that nurse would still have me there waiting for colour! :)

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