Like Holidays, with Severe Lacerations

Yesterday I had surgery, and all went well. I arrived at the hospital just before my appointed time of 8.30 a.m., was registered and put into a bed. As with the previous surgery, the operation took place about three hours later. An acquaintance believes that this wait is to ensure that nothing is consumed in the vital three hours before surgery, just in case the patient is lying or mistaken when he tells the nurse he hasn’t had anything by mouth for that period. (No food after midnight before the surgery, no water in the three hours prior.) I hadn’t thought of that before, but it makes sense.

Anyway, I used the time to rest and was certainly not averse to it. As before, I had a very good and attentive group of doctors, nurses seeing to my needs. At least half a dozen came by to make sure I had what was required, and that I was the right person with the right problem to deal with; I don’t mind a hospital measuring twice (or six times) and cutting once.

The only notable difference this time was the effects of the anaesthesia. Even before I lost consciousness in the operating theatre, I recall being dizzy, and thinking to myself that that hadn’t happened in April. I was quite dizzy when I woke, though this was expected. I eventually threw up, which, again, had not occurred after my previous operation. I had a different anaesthetist this time; I have no idea how they decide upon their knock-out gas, whether it is a mixture, or something that comes in a tin like Campbell’s Soup. But I suspect it was a contrast to my prior substance. Nonetheless, nausea is anticipated in many cases and suffered by many patients as a result, so I suspect I got off lucky the first time, and yesterday was more normal.

However, that is a minor problem in the whole scheme. Everything went as planned. This surgery was simpler, I think, than the previous; I will know more when the doctor calls me later. I was again impressed with the care and consideration of the hospital staff, and the planning and professionalism of the organisation. Since each of them must do this several times a day, it is astonishing that each makes a patient feel the centre of his or her attention.

I will now be away from work for two weeks, returning just in time for a few days off for Christmas. I could probably return effectively before a fortnight was up, but I know I will benefit from the extra time.

Some interesting aspects of the experience include the conversation I was trying to recall while I was recovering from surgery. It was a complicated conversation, some parts of which I contributed, other parts to which I was a mere eavesdropper. It bothered me for some time until, like waking from a dream, I realised that it had never taken place. It probably comprised bits and pieces of talk my ears heard and my brain tried to put together while it was still foggy from the anaesthetic…

As well, my appetite was nonexistent last evening, though I was thirsty. This morning, I was hungry and attempted breakfast but could only manage a few bites. I didn’t feel ill but, rather, that my body wished to refuse the food. I then had a nap for two and a half hours (very long for one of my naps), after which my appetite was normal: I ate a sandwich and an orange, and drank a cup of tea.

The body is an amazing thing, even one that is slowly falling apart due to age, such as mine. As a human form ages, it is like a Roman ruin, crumbled and with half its stones knocked to the ground, yet rather fascinating in its structure and remaining complexity.

But enough of the philosophy; these forms want to be sure their needs are attended to. They, after all, are the truly fascinating ones…