My Surgical Adventures

I have so much to share! Today I sit comfortably upon my bed, completely clean of hospital germs, and iodine stains. You know iodine used to be that impossible to remove yellow? Well it's pink now, loving the girly stained skin from stem to stern, however it is delightful to be clean again!

I lay upon the gurney waiting to be taken into the OR yesterday, talking with the anesthesiologist and nurses and surgeons, and just generally enjoying them. They took me into the OR and had me shuffle to the table, which was built for anorexics and stick bugs, and strapped my arms down, which solidified - no turning back now! But there was no way I would have turned back, this Hysterectomy has been a long time coming.

I joked with the people in the OR as they prepped, and warned them that upon waking I would be uber-grateful. My surgeon walked in with her purse on her shoulder and I laughed, asking her if she was going to keep it on while operating? The last thing I remember as the medicine began to take me away to never-never land was saying "ok guys, have fun... but not TOO much fun - that would just be weird". Laughter was the last thing I heard.

I woke up in Recovery unable to breathe, with oxygen on my face, and my mouth completely parched from the breathing tube. And lucky me, I had nurse ratchet. She was the same nurse I had after my gall bladder removal 6 years ago, and she was lucky I was unable to move, as the prevalent thought as she scowled at me was "must smack bitchy nurse..." I pointed to my throat, unable to make much more than a squeaky sound, and said "so dry..." to which she said "WHY are you talking like THAT?!" duh... what a bitch.

I was so pleasantly surprised to find my bed wheeled up to the maternity ward, and put into a semi-private room which I had to myself until well after midnight. I had the most charming nurse named Julie, age 23, fresh perspective, happy to be doing her lifes passion. It is always so beautiful to witness someone walking their true soul path, and Julie was born to heal and help. We bonded immediately and shared so much discussion and laughter together. She was relieved at 7:30 last night and was replaced by the equally charming Gabby. I sent my devoted and worried husband home to tend to our sick child, and relaxed into my bed with my book. Relatively pain free, I felt amazing!

I woke up as they were bringing in my room mate, an elderly lady named Pat who has a horrendous kidney infection. And this is when the gas pain truly began. They pump you full of air during arthroscopic surgery in order to make room to see etc, and the passing of that gas over the following 24-48 hours can be among some of the most profound pain experienced. So I lay there, writhing, aware of the gauze packaging within me, and the horribly painful catheter, and now my right side was on fire with pain. There was a 20 minute tear session as the nurses tended to me. And it was then discovered that whoever had inserted the catheter had done so improperly, and it was poking into my bladder, sideways, and not draining, so basically I was filling up with fluid. My mind went to ratchet... wonder if that cow did actually insert my catheter? If so, karma is a bitch and I wish I could be around to witness it :)

Morphine kicked in and I read some more, until my room mate began to moan in pain, so I got up and went to see if she was ok. Walking around helped ease the gas so I walked between the nursery and Pats bed to check on her. At one point she was shivering so badly that I put my blankets on her bed, as I was quite warm. Her son popped in at 3am and she was sleeping comfortably so I spoke quietly with him for a few minutes and then he left. He thanked me for taking care of his mother, and I realized that it's just who I am. I feel so much better when caring for others.

Now I'd like you to understand readers, my hospital is under massive budget issues, bed shortage, nursing shortage, and generally has a bad reputation in my city. I have had three surgeries there, and have had bad experiences myself, however I've tried to be understanding of the crunch JBMH has been under for years. This procedure was perfect, I enjoyed nearly every minute of it, and enjoyed being able to help Pat get upright to eat her breakfast this morning, and getting her situated with her TV before I left. Nurse Julie popped her head in and asked what I was doing, and I told her I was being a good neighbor, she said I was being a good nurse, and she wasn't going to discharge me! She then said she was hiding my shoes, so I couldn't leave lol. I just loved her to death, and know that young people like this who are so full of joy with what they do, who truly care about people are what the health care profession is all about.

My surgeons came to visit me this morning, and commiserate about what fun I was in the OR. Apparently I am the ideal patient, full of humor and laughter and gratitude. They were so caring, so kind, I really can't applaud my team loudly or long enough!!!

So I'm left feeling very grateful, if not extremely bruised and battered. But I have a wonderfully attentive husband and helpful daughter, so I am in good hands. And I felt the angels around me during the entire procedure, Shanon strongest of all - my soul sister had me cocooned for weeks before, and still sets her etheric Reiki light around me with love and nurturing compassion. I am feeling blessed knowing that so many people have been creating a circle of healing and love around me. None of you go un-noticed, and every one of you are appreciated and loved. I hope that I may return your kindness to you tenfold in your own times of need.

Now to spend the next 3-6 weeks healing. I am to stay off work a minimum of 3 weeks, as I lost more blood than they were comfortable with, and have to take Iron to replenish blood health. I can't drive for two weeks, can't do any heavy lifting, so this next few weeks will be all about relaxing, resting, and counting my infinite blessings.

I said goodbye to my womb, knowing it had created and held a miracle 12 years ago, and that it serves no purpose now. I release this aspect of my fertile body in order to be reborn anew myself. And I do feel reborn, literally.

And now I grow tired again, and am ready to nap again. I hope my experience helps people see that all life can be approached with joy, laughter, and generosity of spirit. When we treat others with the care we wish to receive we are so gratified and our own problems seem so minimal in contrast.

Goodnight friends, until we meet again xoxox