November 11, 2009
-
Surgery prep
Posted by Stephanie 10:30pm CST from the apartment, Houston, TX
Well, it’s that time. Surgery is tomorrow and I don’t like it. Sammy asked me a few days ago what I was dreading most about the whole process. I asked him to guess, and he said, “Post-surgical pain?”, which of course makes sense—who wouldn’t dread that? But no, what I’m dreading most is that awful catheter I’ll wake up with. I HATE IT. It’s pretty much the most inconvenient and irritating thing I can imagine, and they’ll keep it in for days. Ugh. Anyway, enough of my complaining, here’s some more info about all things surgery-esque.
I’m sure I’ve discussed before my previous surgeries all that happens immediately pre and post-op, but it’s always an interesting rundown to give. The day of surgery you use a special soap they give you to wash with from your neck to waist, and after showering, you cannot use any lotion, perfume, or even deodorant. Great, I’m gonna smell just awesome laying on the operating table.
Once I’m in the prep room before surgery, I get to don a hospital gown, those ever-so attractive thigh-high compression stockings and a paper shower cap. Only one person is allowed back there with me at that point, so Sammy will sit with me while anesthesiology comes by to start an I.V. (they’ll use that in addition to my CVC line) and give me a mild sedative. Dr. Swisher will also stop by briefly, make sure everything’s in order, and then when they’re ready for me, Sammy will head out to the surgical waiting area and they’ll wheel me back to the frigidly cold operating room. I have to still be conscious at that point so that I can hunch over into the proper position when they go to insert the epidural, which will help post-operatively with pain. When that’s done, they’ll lay me down and knock me out. Once I’m unconscious, they’ll intubate me, insert the catheter (BOO), a chest tube, and smaller chest drains. I’ll be given a dose of antibiotics while I’m out, plus any blood if it’s needed during the procedure. They’ll also periodically do blood gas level checks, which involves more needles, fun times. Next comes surgery, which I already discussed yesterday. Post-operatively, they’ll hopefully take out the breathing tube before I wake up—I’ve never had one in while I’ve been conscious but I hear it’s not much fun, with the constant gagging feeling and all. When they wake me (hopefully already pumped full of pain meds), the surgeon will be right there to let me know how it went. I never really remember much from that conversation, since I’m totally in a horrid medication-fog. Eventually everyone can come back to say hi, and once I’m given the okay by the PACU (post-anesthesia care unit) staff, they’ll wheel me up to my room.Today the gang headed to Galveston Island for some much needed time away from the hospital. We had lunch at Willie G’s, our favorite seafood spot (though I don’t eat seafood), and walked through the shops in the historic strand district. We also drove along the beach side of the island before heading back into town for our pre-surgery tradition of dinner at Buca di Beppo’s. I’m telling you, we had SO much food on that table. It was ridiculous, and delicious. I thought a pigout meal was necessary, seeing as how I can’t have anything to eat or drink after midnight tonight, and I won’t be eating much of anything for a couple of days after surgery. We also had some Hank’s ice cream—it’s gotta be good luck before a procedure!
Okay, it’s bedtime……if I can sleep. I usually can’t the night before surgery. My report time it 10:30am tomorrow. If everything is running smoothly, and I get back to the prep area on time, the procedure is supposed to start 1-1 1/2 hours after check in, so probably around noonish things will actually get started. Make sure to send some prayers and good vibes our way about that time.
We would greatly appreciate them. Obviously I will be too out of it to post on here for at least a couple of days, but Sammy has said he’ll do periodic updates during surgery, and then he’ll give a longer rundown later on. Here’s to the end of those pesky cancer spots!!–Steph
